knitting projects of 2011

Wow, I have no idea how I found time to knit so much this year. Here are 16 projects I finished, and that's not all of them. I know of several more that I haven't photographed - some toys and toy clothes, socks for the boys, a beret and mittens for myself, a partially finished cardigan for myself, a partially finished pullover for Lev that ended up too small, half-a-dozen hats which didn't fit Kyr, and probably more that I'm forgetting. If you want details of anything, check my Ravelry projects page (I'll try to add anything that's not already there over the next couple days).

My goals for next year include a fair-isle cardigan and striped pullover for myself. I also want to finish the cardigan and pullover I had started - the first is lovely and only got abandoned because I messed up the raglan increases, the second will fit Kyr in the Autumn and just needs 1.5 sleeves to be done. I also need a couple more pairs of socks, and I have a few skeins of stashed yarn for which I really want to find projects.

I'm sure I will knit toys as well. Maybe I will find time for a few custom toys, or just knit ones for my Etsy shop. At the moment I have no ideas for new patterns. However, this might be a good thing because I have several old patterns that really need my attention. As far as Fuzzy Mitten knitting goes, I'm content to make no plans or deadlines, and just work on each idea as it comes to me.

Kyr this year

How this boy has changed in 9 months! It's been a tough year, but now that we're at the end of it, things seem to be looking up for this fellow. From a less-than-easy pregnancy, 6-weeks premature birth, 3 weeks in hospital, colic, and all the other challenges that came once he started doing more than eat and sleep! However, in the past couple of months the good moments out-number the bad, especially since he decided that laughing and giggling are fun. I have hope that the new year will only bring more improvements, and challenges I can manage (there's nothing like colic to make you feel like a useless parent).

By now a few things about his personality are coming clear. He loves to snuggle, and can crawl to find me and climb into my lap. But he has quite a temper and gets frustrated easily (tantrums already?!) He prefers toys that make noise, and can already clap his hands, bang on a drum, and will bounce to a good beat. He adores Lev, but doesn't want to share his mommy with his big brother.  His favourite food is cheerios, despite his lack of teeth. He loves being outside, and would happily spend all day out in the garden or woods (if only the winter weather would cooperate). More than that, it's hard to say, since he will change a lot in the next few months.

I didn't know that a second child would be so much more difficult than one, or that Kyr would be demanding in ways that Lev never was. But nevertheless, he has found his place in our family and hearts. He is my cheeky Kiki, and I am excited to know the person he will become.

(I'm working on another post about my knit FO's this year, except I realized I didn't get photos of many of them. I will remedy that soon!)

holiday sale

Thanks for all your kind words and thoughts. I can't tell you how much it helps at this time. As a little thank you, I'm having a sale in my Ravelry shop over the holidays, starting today and ending January 2. You get 20% off all my patterns and ebooks, no minimum purchase or coupon code required (the only exception is the Owl Tuque, since its proceeds are donated to charity). So, if you were thinking of gifting a pattern to yourself or another knitter, hopefully I've made it a little more affordable.

Happy holidays and best wishes for the New Year!

back when I'm better

This has been a very long and difficult Autumn for me. I've been going through some personal troubles (I won't go into details right now), but I'm finally getting some help. With determination and courage, and the love and understanding of my little family, I hope to be back to my usual self by next Spring.

Understandably, this has made any Fuzzy Mitten work difficult or even impossible to accomplish - even answering emails. The new Savannah Chaps pattern only got published with the timely visit of my Mom and some much needed help with the kids. If you've been waiting for pattern support, or other questions, I'm sincerely sorry for my tardiness in answering. Maybe I'll find a few hours over the holidays.

I hope you will all be patient with me, and welcome me back when I'm feeling better. Until then, here are a few photos from a wintry walk. Happy holidays and best wishes for the new year!

savannah chaps

At long last, the new Savannah Chaps pattern is ready for sale! The pattern includes instructions for 3 animals: an elephant, a zebra, and a rhino. The toys can be knit from a single type of worsted weight yarn, or from multiple yarns like my Scraps Chaps pattern. Each toy takes about 50 g (at least 100 yards) of yarn. The zebra is done in 25 g of a main colour, and 25 g of white. Other materials needed are safety eyes or black yarn, stuffing, and a tapestry needle for seaming the pieces. It also includes a bonus pattern for a tiny mouse, knit with fingering weight yarn on 2.75 mm needles.

To celebrate the new pattern, and reward your patience, everything in my Ravelry shop is on sale for 20% off until Sunday night! The discount will be applied when you go to checkout. And if you've been wanting a printed book, they're also 20% off (just click on the book title to see the discounted price).

still alive

Hello there, loyal readers! A quick post for you, to show that I'm still alive. However, I've been struggling with a recurring illness which has made it difficult to do more than keep an eye on the kids while they watch cartoons all day. As well, Mr. Mitten has started a new job which is keeping him very busy. Let's all hope I get better soon, so I can keep in touch a little better!

Here's a little bit of knitting I've managed lately. A very modified version of this pattern. I knit the 6-12 month size, realized it wasn't going to fit as it was, but didn't have the heart to pull it all out (mostly because this was attempt number 6 at knitting a hat for the baby). I kept adding bits until it finally worked. I hope it fits for a while, so all that knitting was worth it!

the front garden

How have we spent nearly every nice (and some rainy) weekend day since the beginning of August?

About a year and a half ago, a plumber told us we'd need to replace the sewer line to our house, and replacing the water line wouldn't be a bad idea either. So over the course of the past couple months, our front yard was dug up, and dug up again, and messed up yet again, and probably messed up some more. The new sewer and water lines went in (boy was that an expensive and mostly invisible home reno!), the front walk was demolished, the front step demolished and then poorly repaired (it will need some tiles or something one day). Then we (or mostly Mr. Mitten) undertook to do the landscaping ourselves.

I drew up a few ideas, we chose the one we liked best, then drew out the plans. Then digging and more digging, moving rocks and more rocks (did I mention this area used to be a rock and clay quarry?), shovelling soil and sand and gravel. Finally I could plant! I've done what I could, considering it's now late Autumn here. Plus, I'm still waiting on my order of Spring bulbs. The beds will be about 2/3 full by the time the snow starts falling, so I'll have room for annuals next year, and maybe a few more choice perennials. After several years of being a knitting designer, home-maker, and mom, it's lovely to get my hands dirty and feel like a gardener again!

Front garden before

Front garden after