I'm Baaaaack!

So I have no idea if there's anyone still here, but I'm going to restart the blogging.  I kind of dropped off the face of the earth this past fall.  Things got a little crazy and I just didn't have the emotional bandwidth to do the blogging, then it was Thanksgiving, things got crazier, I got Covid, I gave it to Mickael, and Caleb came home from school for his Christmas Break.  (He didn't get the Covid, but I think he actually had it in early November.  He was sick, and we thought it was the flu which was definitely going around College Station at the time, but his symptoms were the same ones Mickael and I had.)  The only reason I found out it was Covid was because I got an ear infection to go with it and I went to the doctor for that.  But, we're all better now, so onwards to fun stuff!

I've kind of got a lot to show you here, because while I wasn't blogging, I was still knitting.  I thought I'd show you what I finished while I was away tonight and then next week I'll show you what's on the needles as we go into the new year!  As I have done the last couple of years, I kept a log of everything I made during the year.

• 1 crocheted blanket (the Aggie Stripes)
• 2 crocheted animals (the Tiger and the Stunt Noodle)
• 1 knit poncho/cowl
• 1 knit cardigan
• 2 knit hats
• 3 knit pullovers
• 4 knit shawls
• 7 pairs of knit socks

Most of these you've seen, but there are few that got finished up after the blog went silent, so here they are!

I finished the Footie socks knit with the Decathalon stitch pattern.  These are knit in Spun Right Round Classic Sock in Raining Cats and Dogs.  Essentially I just plugged the stitch pattern into my basic vanilla sock pattern, starting with a bit of ribbing and going straight into the heel flap.  Voila, footie socks!

The next project off the needles was my V Neck Boxy in Queensland Kathmandu Fingering in Smoky Gray.  I lengthened the sleeves to full length, but otherwise it was knit as the pattern was written.  I've played with the idea of adding some embroidery to the neckline, but I haven't actually decided what to embroider yet and I've worn the pullover a couple of times.  I have some cream colored yarn for the embroidery if I ever make a decision.

Then I decided to knit another pair of stranded colorwork socks, so I knit the Mischief Socks with Dream in Color Smooshy in My Fair Lady and Madelinetosh Twist Light in Antique Lace.  These were so fun!  I really loved knitting them and doing two different pairs of socks for a single pair was great!  I wasn't sure they would fit my high insteps as the pattern was written, so I made some tweaks, which made for a funny place on each sole.  (The way the pattern is written, the designs go all the way around from the top of the foot to the sole, unbroken.  Mine don't.)  Since the "design feature" is on the sole of the sock, they aren't exactly keeping me up at night.  I'm really happy with my tension on the zig zag sock, but the checkerboard one is a little loose.  I will definitely be knitting more of this pattern!!

Finally, I knit the Vanguard Cardigan.  This was knit in Hazel Knits Cadence Worsted in the Giddy Up colorway.  This is the second time I've knit a sweater from this designer (the other is the Ambiente pullover, that I've knit three times - so far), and once again I'm so impressed at the little details that she includes that you don't necessarily see, but make a nicer finished sweater.  This was not an autopilot project, even though the cables themselves were pretty quick to memorize.  I definitely had to pay attention, but it was all worth it.  I made the finished sweater a little shorter than the pattern called for, but mine still hits at my top hip.  I also used my awesome dragon buttons.  I'm pretty sure I picked these up at G Street Fabrics in Washington, DC when we lived in northern Virginia. Just FYI, the yarn color is closer to the photo above of the full the sweater.  Giddy Up is a lovely, rich maroon color.

So now you're all caught up with what I finished.  I'll pop in next week and show you what's on the needles as we start the New Year!  I hope you're all having a great holiday season and I'll catch you next year!