Trade follow up and some knitting

Today, I traded in my yarn, and, instead of getting more yarn, I got Rowan #33. They didn't have the color I wanted in the Kid Merino, so it ended up a double bonus for the stash reduction.
As far as the FOs go, I need to seam the sides on the Scooby sweater and weave in the ends and I have about 50 rows left on the Regia Strato socks. I did finish a couple of charity squares.

One of our SnB members organizes a community afghan every year which is raffled off to benefit the local Community Free Clinic. I'm helping in the joining of this bad boy, so expect to see more of this blanket over the next two weeks.

My stash is going on a crash diet.

For the next two weeks, my LYS is buying unwanted stash yarn for a dollar (in store credit) a pound. I'm viewing this as a swap, which is allowed under my stash reduction plan. I've really wanted to knit Wicked; maybe I'll spend my credit on some CP Kid Merino for the mohair version.

Double KAL

Meet Macdonald, my contribution to the Tweed Along and the Cable Along.

I'm making this sweater for Michael in Twig RYC Soft Tweed. The pattern is from RYC book 6, Classic Winter.

Hearts and Stars

The baby blanket is finally complete!

Pattern: Hearts and Stars from Adorable Knits for Tots
Yarn: 7 balls Bubblegum Cotton-ease

I've been thinking about my stash reduction. I'm on a yarn diet, which will keep out new yarn, but I need to set some FO goals. I joined the sweater a month kal. The first three sweaters (Scooby, Marc, and Harry) just need collars and seaming, so it should be easy to make it to April. I'd also like to knock out a Christmas present a month to ease the holiday stress. My last goal is to finish twelve pairs of socks this year. If I can meet all three, I'll think my stash will be in good shape by 2008.

New Year, New Challenge

I'm finally jumping into a full scale fair isle sweater so I've joined joined the Stranded Colorwork Challenge. The chosen sweater is the Fair Isle Cardigan from Adorable Knits for Tots. Here's the start of the back.

I'm using Rowan Cotton Glace, Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, and Jaeger Aqua. So far, I've learned that Fair Isle in cotton yarn is a pain. I have my faith set on the magic of blocking.

Progress Shots

The baby blanket is in the home stretch-

Only one more section to go!

The front of Marc is complete.

Now that the Christmas knitting is done, maybe I can find time for seaming sweaters.

Year of the Stash

I know this has already been all over blogland, but here's my public stash reduction commitment and guidelines.

1. The Knit-From-Your-Stash-a-Thon will start January 1, 2007 and run through September 30, 2007 -- a period of nine months.

2. I will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:

2.a. Yarn to knit baby blankets for pregnant friends.

2.b. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that I really and truly do not have the yarn for, I may buy yarn to knit that gift.

2.c. If I'm knitting something and run out of yarn, I may purchase enough to complete the project.

2.d. I get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- I'm allowed to fall off the wagon one time. I'm planning on using this one for the big yarn sale in May.

3. I'm allowed to receive gifts of yarn.

4. Trading stash is allowed.

2006 Wrap-up

The preemie hats for the Caps for the Capital Campaign were mailed off. I ended up sending 22 of them.

Here's the rest of the Christmas knitting.

I made this cabled scarf using this pattern and three skeins of DB alpaca silk.

The purse was made from this pattern and 4 skeins of Patons SWS.

This scarf was made using the Dream Swatch pattern, 1 skein of Koigu KPPPM, and size 7 needles.

All but the last scarf were finished by Saturday, putting me at 10 of 12 for my goal in the Handknitted Holiday Gift KAL. I'll have to start earlier next time.