Monday, December 12, 2011

Weather Delay means you get the Cute!

I was going to share some pictures of my lovely shawl that I received from my Plurk Swap buddy today but the gray weather and lack of light is not very conducive to taking good photos and the beautiful shawl really deserves better than that.

Instead I've decided to show you a picture of one of the cutest things ever.
This is hubby, crocheting. He's working on an undisclosed gift for an undisclosed recipient. He's helping with the Christmas gift creating this year.

Isn't he cute?! (I'm pretty sure he has no idea I have taken this picture since I didn't use flash. that's why it's not super bright either. It is super cute though!)

Friday, December 09, 2011

Plurk Swap from My Side

Since I'm heavily ensconced in my Christmas knitting there isn't too much for me to blog about right now. Although, there will be at least a few things I can show off because I know the recipients won't be stumbling near to get a peek. That comes later though. For now, let's take a trip back in time. (It won't take long, just a little jaunt.)

A few months ago I joined the Plurk Swap and then sort of forgot about it. Well, I remembered to look for fiber in Wisconsin and I remembered to spin it into some lovely laceweight but when people started posting about how they had started their shawls and weren't we getting close to the deadline, I panicked slightly, pulled myself up and finally made a decision on the pattern.

I knit the Holden Shawlette. The pattern was in my recipient's queue so I knew she would like the pattern at least. The start is just stockinette and it flew by. Of course by the time you get to the patterned section the rows are longer so it seemed to take longer. I always think that's partly because they are patterned too so I need to pay more attention. I finally cast off and blocked it. It turned out lovely.

I think half of what I liked about it was how the colors moved through making almost stripes in some places and smooth transitions in others.

The patterned section was actually pretty fun to knit but the picot bindoff took some fortitude. You manipulate each stitch several times to make the neat little bumps. I did not pin each one out although I think it would have added something.

Then I started assembling all the other bits and bobs to include in the package. We had a spending limit so I tried to be reasonable but I made a few things too so I could send off what I thought was an awesome package. (Hopefully as good as the awesome package I had received.)

My swap buddy has received it already and (I hope) liked it so now I can blog about it all I want.

One more picture, just because I can!

I really like the way it turned out and I actually had a lot of fun with the swap. Right now there's some real life stress going on so I don't know that I would rush right out and sign up for another swap but I certainly would consider it if another swap came along.

Hmm, I never posted about what I received did I? Well, maybe that will have to be an upcoming post. In the meantime, I'm going to try to get my Christmas lights working so I can decorate. So far, it isn't looking too good.