Curious Bird

my favorite little elf

Lucky for me there have been a few chilly mornings thrown in with all of our warm weather allowing Felix  to wear the newest hat I knit for him. I love this little elf hat so much. It's so easy to whip up -- only takes a few hours, even for a slowpoke knitter like me.

The pattern is from: More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts
Naturally I don't remember where the yarn is from. One of these days I'm going to get a little more organized in that department.

Be well,

Leya

oh, honey

I finished my first big knitting project, the honey cowl from madeline tosh. And by big I mean something that took me longer than a week to complete (this took me almost two months!). It was a fairly simple project once I got going, but it took what seemed like forever, something about knitting that I am still getting used to --sewing has definitely spoiled me and made me come to expect every project to take only hours, or a day or two at most.

As I suspected, I have worn my new cowl nearly every day since completing it -- I love how soft it is and the deep mossy green color is one of my favorites. Overall, I highly recommend this cowl project...and I'm certain it would go a lot faster if you have a little time. Time isn't all that available in my world right now.

After finishing this project, I decided immediately that my next knitting project needs to be something quick. I need some instant gratification.
Any ideas?

Be well,

Leya

uh oh. this could become very addictive

I did it. I completed my very first knitting project. And the great thing is, unlike my first foray into knitting about eight years ago (not good, so I'm not counting it), it looks like an actual hat, a warm, functional, nice-fitting hat for my sweetie. I learned a lot during this project -- not simply how to knit and purl, but also how to slow down and enjoy the process of knitting. Slowing down is something I'm not very good at and it was quite difficult at first. But then I got the hang of it, and, like savoring a good book, it was even more enjoyable and exciting. Also, I absolutely love the feel of knitting, but even more, I love the combination of  knitting and the way my mind wanders as I knit. Very relaxing and meditative. Now I know what all you knitters have been talking about...this is good stuff (albeit a little expensive!). So, it's official, I'm hooked.
Project #2 is already in the works.  

**I don't have a link to the pattern I used as it was just a simple pattern my friend used to teach me. Also, I didn't block the hat before I took these photos, but it has been blocked and all is well. I followed this very helpful blocking guide.

Stay warm!
L.

the weekend

Hello,

Hope you had a sweet weekend. It was cozy and lazy around our house.

Felix was a big fan of our Saturday morning snowfall -- we took him outside for a few minutes as it fell and he did some snow tasting and even started a little collection on his eyelashes. The whole scene made my heart melt.

I continue to work on my first knitting project, a simple watch cap.  It's hard to find the time to sit down and knock much out at once, although I am completely loving how I am able to work on it little by little. I have to remind myself that being able to take things slow and easy is why I started knitting in the first place. That, and the fact that knitting allows me to take projects on the road with me -- I have gotten more knitting done on public transportation by far. I'll post photos of the finished project when it's complete.

In weekend cooking news, I made some of my favorite pizza dough for freezing and a pot of the tastiest miso soup to accompany a sushi dinner we shared with friends. I've been looking for a good miso recipe for eons and I have finally found one I love. Kind of embarrassed that it happens to be a Tyler Florence recipe, but what the hell, it's tasty.  I should mention that I used 2 oz. of dried shiitake mushrooms instead of 3 oz. and I cut them with my kitchen shears instead of using them whole (something about a giant shiitake in one bite kinda makes me wiggle). The bonito flakes are key.

Here are a few shots from our weekend.

Now I'm off to get another week started. Have a nice Monday!

-L.

In from the cold.
I love his profile.

Little by little.

Even better left over.

Tush.

 
Letting it rise.
 
Saturday morning in bed.

I'm slowly making progress on my first hat and I'm having quite a bit of fun with it, though I do find knitting to be somewhat stressful at times. I hear feeling like this is normal. Sooner or later the hunched shoulders are going to relax...I just keep telling myself to be easy-going about the whole process...so what if I have to unravel it a little. So far so good, though. And lucky for me I have a really patient knitter teaching me the ropes (Thanks, Stephanie!)

Speaking of knitting and Stephanie, check out the cutie pie hat she made for Felix.

Swoon. It's a lovely red (we love red!), and made with super soft merino wool. 



She gave me the remaining yarn so I can make him a pair of matching mittens -- hoping to accomplish that sometime soon. We'll see...

More soon,
L.