FO and a Pretty Thing in Progress

I finished my Malabrigo Christmas Fetching mitts for my cousin.  This yarn is so, so, so very nice to knit.  I have a confession, too.  I’ve never "gotten" those "I sniff yarn" buttons that I see around blogland.  Until Malabrigo entered my life.  The faint aroma of vinegar that comes off of this yarn makes me so very happy.  So. Very.  I didn’t do the picot edge, but I think I will on the next pair.  Did you see the pair Cookie made for Scout?  Loverly!

Here’s the start of a baby sweater I’m making out of the prototype of Scout’s Needles on Fire yarn.  I think it’s my favorite of her yarns (at least until I go look at the others, then I won’t be able to decide!).  The colors are unlike any other that I’m seeing from handpainting artists.  I think this will be a sophisticated sweater for a little peanut due in the next few months.  I started with the Mason Dixon Knitting kimono, adjusting the stitch number to accommodate the finer yarn.  Now I’m thinking I want this to be a cardigan.  I have an image of perfect little swank buttons bringing out the purple or light pink of the fabric. I’ve got my sketch book by my chair so I can mess around with schematics.

It’s kind of fun to switch between this dainty project and the chunky meathead hat.  Little needles, big needles.  Thin yarn, chunky yarn.  While I have a lot of grading to do this long weekend, I’m going to try to get a lot of crafting time in.  I can’t wait for winter break when I can paint and sketch and spin and sew and knit and crochet my days away.  Until then, though, I’ll do my best to balance work and writing and crafting and family time. 

I’m thankful to have such variety in my life.  I’m thankful for so much, and I’ll certainly spend my knitting time tomorrow thinking about everything and everyone making my life so rich and wonderful.  Including my bloggy friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!