Why I've Been Quiet

So I haven't been posting much, but there's a good reason!

My fiance and I got engaged two weeks ago! It's been very exciting. I'm only roughly planning the wedding now- it's going to be a year and a half engagement- but it's made life a bit crazy. I'm going to need to be working full time to save up for this wedding, and it's been a couple of weeks of constant busyness. Little chores and things just seemed to pop up from nowhere. Some of them were engagement related, some I've been planning for ages and some just happened to fall during this time.
The end of the crazy is in sight- I have a full day off Monday with nothing else planned. I am going to rest rest rest.


I have been crocheting still, of course! This hat is from the 2011 Interweave Crochet accessories issue. I had some spare laceweight leftover from a shawl I made last year, so I made this nice spring-like hat out of it.

Speaking of spring-like, I finally finished this scarf. I've been working on it a year and a half now, on and off. It's been a labour of love, that's for sure. It's 7" by 6', and there are five repeats of the motif that go on... forever, possibly.
I love the final look, and it was great to wear today for the incredibly beautiful warm day we had. Before work my fiance and I went to High Park and wandered around- watched the dogs play, walked through the woods and just enjoyed the gorgeous weather.

Winter Mode

I have definitely been in winter mode lately. Due to some strange but not serious medical things I was feeling really down and just exhausted. Much better now, but I feel kinda hunkered down, as though I should stay inside crocheting until May.

I made myself some wicked angora blend mittens for when I do have to go outside. They're so soft and so warm. I adore them. The white is some Fleece Artist Peter Rabbit a coworker donated to my cause. It's 100% angora and totally awesome! The pink is the Sugar Bunny I got myself as a treat before Christmas.

The matching hat. I was going to make a matching scarf as well before I realized how dumb that would be. Yes, it would be super warm, but I don't want a mouthful of angora all the time. I always wear my scarves up on my face to keep it warm.
Speaking of angora getting everywhere, because of these yummy projects my black winter coat looks as though it's been attacked by a madly shedding pink animal. I've cleaned it a few times, mostly, but I don't think I have enough lint roller sheets to really get it clean.
I think my boyfriend may just be a bit ashamed of the state of my coat. Whatever, the angora is worth it.

I finished this pair of socks for a test crochet. I adore them. The heel is perfect. My old heels I was making were never quite right, but this one is perfect. I'm going to start using it for my vanilla socks. They get closer and closer to perfection.


This is a pattern I just published on Rav.
(here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tunisian-rainbow-cowl)
My new year's goal was to publish at least one pattern a month this year. I already have my sweater that's being tested right now (someone finished it! It looks amazing! Eee, I feel like a real grown-up designer!) and another cowl that just needs a few more pictures, so things are starting off well. I'm also going to be writing up the design for the mitts pictured above and a hat similar to above. They're so nice and simple, but really warm.

This cowl pattern is free- it's so simple- but the other two I have ready I'm actually going to charge for! I want to get in to designing more seriously, and this has been a great start. I have lots of ideas... now I just need to start putting them down on paper.

A Gift and a FO

Look look, I finished one! Actually, I finished a pair of socks this week too. I had a bunch of days off in a row and really got some good crocheting done. My boyfriend was home this week and he got some great new videogames to play (Batman: Arkham City and Uncharted 3, which is like watching a really great adventure movie) and I sat and worked while he played. The socks are a Christmas present for his Mom... they were supposed to be a birthday present, but shhhh.
Love this cardigan. It's cozy and feels great but I like how it looks, too. I was super way off on gauge, but I (super secretly!) don't care. It ended up longer than planned but I took some rows out of the sleeves so they weren't too wide. I love the super long look of this.
That ribbed edge though, I thought I was gonna go a bit nuts.

I finished this owl set for a friend's birthday. We went out to the pub last night for a steak dinner and I gave her the set. She loved the hat and said the gloves would be perfect for work.

Her phone charm apparently just fell off, too- so this teeny owl toy I whipped up the morning of the party will have a new home. Isn't he sweet? I am having so much fun making little minis.

Waffle Cowl and Christmas Presents

I just finished this waffle cowl using some yarn a friend gave me and some thrift store yarn. Originally I had the darker colour on it's own, but the cowl was way too small. I pulled it out and made this waffle cowl. Much better. I like the delicate little picot edging too .

The slight waffle pattern gives it some texture and I think adds some warmth. It's just sc flo worked in the round.

I've been making hats for some of the guys on my list for Christmas. Isn't this pattern great? It' the Best Guy Hat Ever and I think it's just a great all around hat. Simple, stretchy and nice. Easy to work in any yarn, feels great on. I made this one and handed it to my boyfriend to try on. He was very sad when I told him it wasn't for him.
I might make one for me once I'm done with the boys on my Christmas list.

This weekend I'll be at the Creativ Festival downtown. I've never been, so I'm looking forward to it. I'll be working, but that's ok. I'm not to spend any money there. Only look. Nothing at all.
(I'll do my best...)