Winter Wonderland

Snow is rare in Portland.  Winter weather usually consists of rain, and when it get cold we get ice.  Not fun!  This year, we got the fluffy white powder!  SNOW! Everyone is enjoying it, and making the most of this rare phenomenon in this neck of the woods.

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Anne and Bill wanted to build a snowman! Everything except Bill's coat and the snowman's gloves are knitted.

Anne and Bill wanted to build a snowman! Everything except Bill’s coat and the snowman’s gloves are knitted.

I’ve been knitting, and crocheting – and I have a finished object to report.  Messaline is finished, and the perfect sweater to accessorize with scarfs and shawls.  It is turning out to be wonderful to wear to work.

Messaline, designed by Bristol Ivy, knit with Cloudborn yarn.

Messaline, designed by Bristol Ivy, knit with Cloudborn yarn.

I’m crocheting a shawl, Valladolid, which is the most fun I’ve had in awhile.  The yarn and pattern are from StitchDiva.com, and it is very enjoyable to crochet.  Just the right amount of challenge, and very pretty.  I’m about 2/3rds done, and already musing about making another one.  A good excuse to stash-dive! Really, this is so much fun.  Try this pattern!  I’m not an experienced crocheter, and I’ve given up trying to follow written crochet patterns.  People think written knitting patterns are tough to follow, but crochet symbols are all too similar for me to follow.  Fortunately, the charts are easy to understand, so I just stick to those and I am fine.  I’m using the silk yarn used for the sample – it is absolutely yummy!

Valladolid, designed by Jennifer Hansen, kit from StitchDiva.com

Valladolid, designed by Jennifer Hansen, kit from StitchDiva.com

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Our Christmas tree decorations are mostly hand-made, and some of them are showing wear.  I will be washing and re-stringing the “cranberry-popcorn” garlands this year, and making some new ones.  They are everyone’s favorite.  I knit some new lace Snowball ornaments this year, and will be making a few more, using KidSilk Haze from stash.  I also made some tiny cats from a pattern by Sara Kellner

Christmas garland, hand-knit popcorn and cranberries.

Christmas garland, hand-knit popcorn and cranberries.

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Happy New Year, everybody! Stay warm and safe, and keep creating beautiful things!