I'm still here...

has it really been almost a month since I last posted? Well, there really isn't crafting much to report on this end. But I did want to tell you about a project that I am supporting.

Have you heard about Socks for Japan? It is a wonderful grass roots project to deliver socks to the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami survivors. We are sending a small box each package with short note. I was looking for wool socks, but it's hard to find here, so we're sending some cotton works socks. Here's a picture of them packaged with their notes tucked in.

If you are looking for another way to support the people of Japan, check out the website. You can learn why Mr. Kelly is collecting socks, how to send them and how they are being delivered. I am impressed at how organized this effort seems. There have been donations from all over the world.

Go ahead, click the link and read about this amazing effort. And if you have time, stop and read the blog posts about the deliveries to Kitaibaraki, Iwaki and Miyagi.

Mitss - DONE!

I don't know why it took me so long to knit the thumbs on these mitts! Once I started, it took less than 30 minutes. May I present the Celtic Moonrise Mitts...

These really were a quick knit, when I actually worked on them. I got to practice knitting without a cable needle. I think I'm getting the hang of it.

I did three pattern repeats, leaving the space for the thumb in the second repeat. I think I would follow the modifications for a gusset thumb, if I were to knit this again.

Anyway, they will be sent on their way to the Pacific Northwest soon!

Mitts

These mitts are almost done. I cast off the main part of the mitts last night and have just the thumbs left. See the blue yarn? I need to pick up those live stitches and knit the thumbs. Gee, by the time these are done, Spring will be here!

Needlepoint - hibiscus

Remember my trift store find? I've made some progress on it. Just a little, see...one flower and two leaves done. These preprinted canvases require some judgement calls on color placement. It's taking longer than I thought because I work on it only about 10 minutes at sitting.

Cables, again!?!

I used the leftover Patons Classic Wool to make another hat. A Cabled Hat, except that I did the second twist the wrong way and the cable has a different look than the pattern. Oh well, still functional.

A warm, quick knit! Three down...

Celtic Moonrise Mittens - YOSS February

It's time to cast on February's Year of Stash Sock KAL. I chose Celtic Moonrise Mittens by Rhiannon Donn. It is a free pattern on Ravelry. Since there are cables, I'm using Cascade 220 in Straw to match the St. Brigid's Carnamoyle Stockings.

I decided to use 2 circs (US5) and knit both mittens at the same time. It's a bit fiddly, but at least they will be same size.

Turn A Square - DONE!

Yay! I cast off my Turn A Square Hat this week and weaved in the ends last night. Here's a photo of it folded in fourths. My gauge was off, so it's a bit roomier that I expected, but it is 100% wool, so will be very cozy for the wearer. The orange is Cascade 220 leftover from my giraffe, the gray is Patons Classic wool, my impulse sale puchase on our last trip.

I think there will more of this hat to use up leftovers.

Into the the hat pile it goes... That's two knit for this quarter... 8 more to go!