2009 Knitting Year in Review

So, um, I did a lot of knitting in 2009. So much so that I couldn't fit all of the projects into one mosaic in the photo mosaic makers.

45 completed projects.

Even if you don't count Lizard Ridge--which I started in 2007--that's still 44 projects. How the heck did I do that?

5 hats, 9 baby things, 6 scarves, 7 toys/dolls, 4 shawls, 6 pairs of socks, 2 sweaters, plus one pair of mittens, a finished throw, a kiddie tank top, and a dishcloth.





(There's still two I haven't shown you.)

Wow.

Orange you glad I didn't say orange?

Now that this has been gifted, I can post what I made for my mom for Hanukkah this year.



Pattern: Waffle Rib scarf, improvised from a stitch dictionary
Yarn: Mirasol Nuna in orange (1.5 skeins) on US7 needles



I bought this yarn months ago with my mother in mind. It's totally her color.

And I made a matching hat.



Pattern: Waffle Rib Hat
Yarn: Mirasol Nuna (1.1 skeins) on US8 needles



I've got a couple of other projects I still can't show, as they'll be gifted in the New Year, but thus ends a very full year of knitting!

He respects Owl, because you can't help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn't spell it right.

That's kind of how I feel about this project. I love the idea of it, but the final product--at least my version of it--less so. I've seen it look great on other people; me, not so much.



Pattern: Owls, by Kate Davies
Yarn: Berocco Air in geothermal (7 or 8 balls--I lost track) on US10 and US10.5 needles



I had to upsize the pattern to fit me, and I got the numbers right, but it's a pattern for bulky yarn, and the combination of bulky yarn and my body isn't a good one. The owls are cute, though.



But it's finished, at least, and I can move on to my next project with a clear conscience.

snugglies

It's winter time, and little ones need to keep warm!

One of my former co-workers is expecting his first child next month, so I've been on a baby knitting spree.



Pattern: Sweet Baby Jayne Hat, by Heather Hill
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in cranberry and terracotta and Vanna's Choice Baby in duckie, on US8 needles
Notes: Based on Jayne's hat from Firefly. It's really cute, but I am 90% sure the pom pom is going to fall apart the first time it goes into the washing machine.



And the baby will need warm feet, of course!



Pattern: Converse Baby Booties
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in cranberry and white, on US4 and US5 needles
Notes: Despite having to weave in a million ends, I lovelovelove this pattern.



This baby is going to be stylin'!



And while I was at all of this baby knitting, one of my favorite babies needed a winter hat.



Pattern: Modified Baby Jayne Hat (68 stitches around, no pom pom)
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in dusty blue and light blue on US8 needles

Doesn't it look adorable with those big blue eyes?

somewhere over the rainbow

Over the rainbow shawl, that is!



Pattern: Revontuli -huivi/Northern Lights
Yarn: Kauni Wool 8/2 Effektgarn in color EQ (180 gram skein) on US8 needles



I started this to have a project on my train rides home for Thanksgiving, and it was a simple but pleasing lace pattern.



And here it is blocking.

in which a namesake meets his inspiration

No, not David Tennant. Sorry, guys.

I did spend the weekend playing fangirl at the New England Fan Experience. Since I went by myself I didn't do a lot of the more social stuff, like the dance and costume stuff, but I wandered around the dealers' room and went to several panels (Corin Nemec has freaky skinny legs and John de Lancie really likes sailing) and saw the back of Leonard Nimoy's head as he was herded past.

But the main reason for my going was the presence of Gareth David-Lloyd, who played Ianto Jones on Torchwood. And also known as the inspiration for my Knit Ianto doll. Both the Ianto doll and the Captain Jack doll came with me this weekend, and I got lots of very nice compliments about them.

I went to both of Gareth's panels, and even did the photo session, which was a little bit awkward, but he was very sweet. And at the autograph session yesterday afternoon, I introduced Gareth to Knit Ianto. Amazingly he did not act like I was crazy (he's seen worse from fans) but was quite lovely about it. And he called me "angel," which may have been where my brain froze.

And the two Iantos together:



And since the photo session picture came out well--I am so not photogenic--I'll even post that one.



I think I like fangirling.

putting on my top hat

I already had two other projects going this past week, yet something made me drop both of them to start a third. And, of course, that's the one I've finished.



Pattern: Keyhole Bow-Tie, from Knit Simple, Fall 2009
Yarn: Berroco Boho in red (~1.5 balls) on US 7 needles



I had my doubts as to how it would come out in this yarn, but I actually like it. The ribbon yarn gives it a shape it wouldn't otherwise have. And I like the colors. Now to see if I ever actually wear it!