Small projects I've been working on ...

These were made for Christmas gifts this past season (but I couldn't post them till everyone had rec'd them!).  These jar cozies really make a neat, unusual gift.  I got a cute snowman fabric -- that serendipitously was designed with circles that just fit the lids -- and glued fabric to the tops of these small mason jars.  The cozies are made with wool and a quick-to-memorize lace pattern.  The larger jar is filled with potpurri while the smaller jar contains a votive candle.  Here's how the candle looks lit ...

2010 looks to be a very productive knitting year.  Here are some of the projects I've finished already and we just passed the half-way point for January:

Twinkletoes -- toe-up, two-at-a-time socks in Dale of Norway's washable wool (Falk).  String Bean loves these socks as her new pink is purple (if you know what I mean ;-' ).  Since she has such an odd foot (long, skinny toes, high arch, narrow foot), it looks like I might need to make a lot of these -- they're the first that really fit her.

This is a hat I finished for LegoManiac on Sunday.  I made him an earlier version that just didn't fit right -- it would slip side-ways to cover one ear and just wasn't right.  So ... that is relegated to the let's-remember-the-mistakes pile ... and I started a new hat while watching the Saints cream the Cardinals.  Productive game and very productive knitting ... and Lego Maniac loves the new chapeau.  It's a 3x3 rib that slowly decreases (every 8 rows after the initial 4 inches or so, at the rate of k3togs in 5-multiples) up to the knotted blip at the top to create a bit of a bull's eye pattern.  The yarn is double-stranded Knit Picks "Essentials" (renamed "Stroll") which has a lovely feel and is a washable wool.

I'm also putting the finishing touches on an aran-inspired vest for me made of gorgeous pale green washable wool my dear MIL gave me for Christmas.  I'll post pictures as soon as I tuck in ends, sew on buttons and fix it up nicely!

Enjoy the journey with your knitting muse ... now off to enjoy mine ....

Happy knittin'

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com