FO: Budding Shawlette

Pattern: Budding Shawlette [http://www.ravelry.com/projects/robink/budding-shawlette]
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine in colorway "Steel Cut Oats"
Needle: US5



This shawl was knit for a charity auction for sister Tracie's club. Pleasingly repetitive pattern, easy to memorize, interesting enough. The color is pleasing, with a bit of heather for interest.



My mom "won" the shawl, and she gave it to a coworker for her birthday.

FO: Hermione [hearts] Ron

Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca
Needle: US3 and US6
Pattern: Hermione Hearts Ron (ravelry project page)



Another movie-inspired knit! I remember seeing this hat in the movie and thinking it wouldn't be hard to re-create. Thankfully, someone else did the work! Though I did modify the crown decreases significantly (details on the ravelry page).



Not the first finished object of 2012, but the first one that's been photodocumented. :) This hat was a quick, fun knit. My hands did cramp a bit using the US3s for the brim, but I'm so happy with the result, it was worth it. The yarn is left over from a scarf I made for Tracie P.B. (pre-blog). This hat took nearly all of the 77g I had remaining. Yea for using yarn from the stash!



Rare to have a hat fit my large head so well! (I guess that's what comes of using larger yarn and needles than called for without decreasing the number of stitches cast on).

FO: Bella's Mittens

Pattern: Bella's Mittens (ravelry project page)
Yarn: Cascade Eco +

These mittens were part of Tracie's Christmas gift. A fun, quick pattern. My first time using Cascade Eco +, and I really liked it. It may be a bit too thick for practical use in Seattle winter accessories. We'll see. The skein is freakin' huge! So I have tons of this purple left.

After knitting nearly one complete mitten, I realized it was just too small, so I frogged it and re-knit using US9 needles. The resulting mittens are still a bit snug/short for my hands, but they fit Tracie perfectly. The cabling was fun--I recommend trying "cabling without a cable needle" if you haven't done so yet (just google it for instructions). It's really easy and helps speed things along.

FO: Westward Hat

Yarn: Berroco Vintage
Pattern: Westward from Westknits Book 1 (ravelry project page)

This fun, quick hat provided an opportunity for me to practice a new skill! Latvian braid. I started this hat whilst visiting my Grandpa in the hospital, and it's a Christmas gift for him. Hopefully, it'll help him with a speedy recovery.

I'm a tad disappointed with the feel of this yarn. The colors enticed me, but the feel was a bit too plasticky.

FO: Chadwick Shawlette

Yarn: Shibui Knits Sock & Dream in Color Smooshy
Pattern: Chadwick from Westknits Book 1 (ravelry project page)

Another fun Westknits pattern. This one went quick enough and was small enough that it didn't devolve into boring stockinette like my last Westknits shawlette. A gift for a special friend's birthday, the best kind of knitting. :)

FO: Milo Socks

Yarn: Araucania Ranco Solid
Pattern: Milo from Sock Innovation (ravelry project page)

In theory, I'm still working on that self-imposed sock challenge, to knit each pattern from Sock Innovation. At this rate, I'll be done about the same time I turn 40. :-/

This pattern was quite enjoyable to knit. Just enough cabling to keep things interesting, but nothing too hand-cramp-inducing. I really enjoyed working with this yarn--beautiful color, nice springiness. It was purchased (on sale!) from a cute little yarn shop in Leavenworth that was in the process of closing when we visited. It's a sad thing when a yarn shop closes.

FO: Victoria Socks

Yarn: Estelle Arequipa
Pattern: Improvised, details on ravelry

Got this yarn (on sale!) in Victoria, BC, last year. Same yarn that I used for these socks for Raj. Super soft wool, alpaca, nylon blend. Lovely colors. These ones are keepers for me.