Nuclear Knits: Where knitting is the bomb!

While cleaning up my craft room, again, I found a stash of fabric I bought back when I first started quilting (over a decade ago). They were pre-cut squares in different themes. I found I had a bunch of tiny squares that were done in holiday fabric. I had a selection of velvet blocks that were also pre-cut out. I just haven't used them and wasn't sure what to do with them. I've decided that this year I will jump into things. I'll try them and see where they take me. I noticed that I lost all of my napkins and table runners during the fire, so I decided to use them to make a table runner. It took me about a day to finish. There wasn't any cutting really, just assembly. I sketched out trees on a piece of paper and used it as a template for the quilting of the runner. Happy New Years. I can't wait for 2011 and all of the crafting that will happen then!

I started this lace pattern from Anne's Shakespeare club a long time ago. I've been meaning to get back to it and have taken the past few weeks to make some progress. Turns out that one small mistake early on was causing me problems so I frogged and got back to it. This shawl has its own tray to keep it organized and ready for work. The pattern is called Cleopatra.

Project Detail: Well this is the exact same hat that I made just a few weeks ago for a co-worker that I've now made for Mike. It is currently in his stocking (so don't tell him). I liked the pattern just as much the second time around. I used stashed Plymouth Yarn Encore DK in a dark gray color. Size 7 needles gave me 5"/inch (which was close enough to the gauge). I didn't modify that pattern at all, but I did go with the inches (for counting how tall the hat is) and not the number of rows. The number of rows seemed to be off a bit. I started on December 12 and finished on December 18. I believe that this is the last of the holiday knitting. Yep. Done for a whole season!

I'm working on another WWII Watchman's Cap. This one is for Mike for Christmas. So don't tell him. I'm going with a gray color which I hope he likes. My goal is to have it done today before he gets home from his latest trip. I've started spinning some new roving. I'm having a hard time with the length of fiber though. It is a bit sticky and seems to not hold together very well at the same time. So, getting an even finished product is bugging me. I figure with a bit more prep maybe it will come out better. I've started dividing it and fluffing it up a bit - we'll see how that works.

I've started a group called Sole Sisters for a Valentines Day swap of mittens or socks. It is international and already getting a lot of great people. Come check it out!

The stash I posted is leaving - some packaged for shipping - some to be dropped off at knitting - some on hold for a knitter to decide. I've never destashed before. It is a liberating feeling. Getting rid of things I know that I'll never use or make anything with and knowing that someone else will get good use out of them is fantastic. Feels great!

Yep. I've decided to destash a bit. There are some strange yarns, super finds and good old standards. Please take a look and message me if you want/need any of these beauties.

I have a friend who is more of a nerd than I. Her wedding band is a mobius. I saw this pattern and knew I had to do it for her. She loves the color blue and when this blue showed up from my holiday exchange I was positive she would love it. Project Details: Started on December 3rd. Finished on December 5th. The contrast color is about 6 yards of my handspun. It was sport weight so I held two strands together to match the other blue gauge. I knit this on size 7 needles and the blue yarn is Cascade Cloud 9. It only took one skein. I'm sure that my friend will love this and I'll probably do another one of these again at some point.

This is a fast fun knit that is going to a co-worker as a Christmas gift. The pattern was free on Ravelry and comes with options to change up the top of the hat. Project Details: I used stash yarn. A full skein of knit one crochet too - color green. I started it November 30 and finished it on December 3. I did the first option in the pattern. Mike is in love with this hat. I might have to make him one!

On my list of holiday gifts is a World Word II Cap for a co-worker. I'm trying to make some good progress .. but the ribbing on the bottom is 6 inches. Six whole inches. Crazy I know.

On Ravelry I joined a group that did a holiday exchange. My partner sent me this amazing package. She is from Oregon and sent me the most amazing gifts. The chocolate is dreamy, the yarn is yummy and I love Tim's. I love Tim's so much that when in the Northwest I buy a car full. It has been a fun group and I'm so happy that I joined it. I hope that the lady in South Africa that I sent a package to enjoys hers.

I decided to make a couple more of these rocks. I came up with this pattern myself, but in total it took only an hour to work up.