March Madness

In my last post, it had almost been a month and sadly this time it has been a long time as well. I'm going to chalk it up to March Madness. I thought March Madness was a sale at discount stores like Woolworth's or Ben Franklin's, but apparently it is the time when people pretend to be extremely knowledgeable about college basketball. I however, spent most of my free time knitting or hanging out with people I've met knitting.

So what have I been making? First I would like to post a picture for the woman at Craft Camp, who by the way also has not posted in a month. She has asked about my initial knitting project that I was making in line at Stitch Austin and didn't post because it was to be a gift. Although I like this pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, I have since made more difficult fingerless gloves that I will post a picture of shortly. These were made with Berroco Ultra Alpaca color 6285 which is fantastic yarn in wonderful colors.

For Easter, which was also part of March Madness, I made a stuffed bunny for my niece, Emily. It was also a pattern from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts and was my first stuffed project and my first knitted toy and it was adorable. It must have been because Miranda keeps reminding me that she didn't get one. It's on my to-do list.

I made it using a strand of Baby Alpaca Brush by Plymouth Yarns together with a strand a strand of Encore Worsted Weight also from Plymouth Yarns, but cheaper. I also used 2 US 6 circular needles. It is a pretty thick fabric when done, but it feels great and finishes well. I used pink scrap yarn from a friend for the inner ears and it doesn't take much so just use your stash.

Okay, so now the big news. While there are other things that I have been working on and finishing, the one that had me most worried was the one we call Dana's First Knitted Sweater. So, based on the thoughtful advice from the many women at my knit shop, I decided to make something small and I decided to make the Bolero Style Cardigan called Molly from Junior Knits by Debbie Bliss. I used Encore Worsted Weight from Plymouth Yarns. When I was done, I was very excited to sew in a personalized label that says "Made Especially For You By Dana." These labels were a Christmas gift from my mother-in-law who comes from a family of sweater knitters who also use such labels. My daughter, Parker, had to wait patiently for me to finish the sweater for her, but I think it turned out alright. See for yourself.

So, I know it is almost April and it will probably be awhile before I have a whole lot more completed and posted. Hopefully next time you will see my purse (if I ever sew the lining), my winter hat, my fingerless gloves and let's just leave it at that for now. Let's see how the spring real estate market and tax season go. They may determine how much yarn I have to play with.