Bulky Winter Outer Vest

Looks like Christmas may have to wait.

1) Father-In-Law in the hospital

2) All family members stuck in 2 feet of snow

3) Santa gift is missing in action - even though we paid for overnight express (yes, snow is blamed for this one and UPS can't even confirm at which warehouse the gift might be at!)

4) Husband out searching for another Santa gift as I write this..

5) When I mentioned that Santa's Sleigh may not be able to stop due to the ice (no breaks on the sleigh) - Middle school aged daughter says that "this is sounding suspicious!" - oh dear, is my game up?!

So ...with nothing better to do, I upload this pattern and photo on Ravelry. It's still in test mode but all 3 test knitters have finished the vest so I thought it was safe to post. Well - 76 favorites later and half a dozen emails requesting to purchase this pattern and/or test knit it too...I am finalizing the pattern instead of baking. Afterall - who am I baking for? Santa might be late, Auntie Joan is scared to drive, Uncle Scotty says he's coming and my girls don't like anything I cook. So I think I am just going to knit the holiday away!

I wish you and your family a safe and glorious Christmas - may you find time to drink, be merry and still keep in pattern!

My warmest wishes to you and your family,

Lisa

Christmas Sweater - after 2 years...

Well - after 2 years of on and off hibernating...the Christmas sweater is finally finished! Well, 99% of it anyway. I still need to find a tapestry needle to sew in the bottom tab of the zipper. It's like hard plastic and I can't get my needle through it. It's knit in Cascade "Venezia" bulky weight yarn (Silk and Wool blend) in the Hot Pepper Red and I absolutely love the yarn. Zipper was another challenge but finally found it at www.zipperstop.com and was very happy with the product and service. Now I need to write up the pattern and get it test knit in both bulky and worsted weight yarn. As soon as I get the tab seamed in better, I'll get a better picture of it.

Winter Cables

I am suddenly into "cables". There's something about cables on a winter project. I want to make a matching hat and neck warmer next. I used 2 skeins (216 yds) Cascade's Baby Alpaca Chunky and I am in love with it. I actually prefer it to the other chunky alpacas out on the market. It feels so soft and has a tighter twist than some of the other chunkies that I've worked with. I grabbed a soft blue - reminds me of winter snow...if only it would snow more here....

I'm off to making the hat next.

Mochi on my Mind!

I just got a preview of Crystal Palace's newest yarn - due out this coming February. Lucky for me, an elf is sending my christmas present early this year! The colors are richer than Noro - and the feel is soft like a merino/alpaca/mohair blend (it's actually 80% merino and 20% nylon but you would never know it).

I haven't been this excited about a variegated yarn in a long time!