onto new projects

I'm silly and should have checked the blog of the place that's holding the craft fair. Looks like we didn't make the cut. I'm disappointed, as I think my work is professional enough; but it looks like they wanted stuff that is more edgy and trendy, rather than cute and cuddly. However, I hold firm to my desire to make things they way I want, and not give in to trends. Maybe next time I will have better luck.

What this means is that I will have more time to work on new projects. The fuzzy farm animals are almost done with their testing, so that pattern should be ready soon. I have one new animal I want to start working on right away, and nearly every week someone asks me to add another to my list! Also, I have a special surprise planned for my birthday, so remember to check in next week so you don't miss out!

Edit: I'm a terrible friend. I forgot to link to my friend Allison, who was going to share a table with me at the craft fair. She also has an Etsy shop, where she sells lovely cards and photo prints.

learning sometimes hurts

I'm taking a break from knitting toys for a while. I started a lovely tuque, knit from alpaca/silk/merino tweed in green, white, and orange. I even used a lacy leaf pattern to make it more autumnish. But after nearly finishing it twice, I have come to the conclusion that I may not have enough yarn. It is waiting for me to decide how to proceed.

I was planning to take only a single pair of socks on my honeymoon - using the wyvern pattern with my sail-away yarn. Waves and ocean colours seemed appropriate for a trip to Nova Scotia. I thought a head start couldn't hurt, so made a start last night and knit a little this morning. I am trying the magic loop method with one circular needle, for the first time. For good or ill, I am the type of person who likes to figure things out for herself, even when I have access to lots of useful information. After a bout of cursing and grumbling, I managed to figure out the hang of it. Now I have two very pretty socks (although they are only 1 inch long so far). Unfortunately (who didn't see that coming?) this method makes me knit in a tighter gauge, and the socks are too small.

Time to frog the knitting, and try not to curse and grumble about my faults.