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I am so excited to make The Season of Darkness and Winter Light from Norsk Strikkedesign that I’ve already made a swatch. This is despite the fact that I won’t be able to start this project for many many weeks… But look!!

The yarn is Knit Picks Andean Treasure in “Embers” and “Granite” (the cabled edges and collar will be in “Woods”). So rad.

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I started something else with a synthetic, furry yarn. Don’t worry, it will all make sense in the end…

Sleepy Bear is still in the works - I have to go get buttons for the little suit. Stay tuned.

So I’ve been sick all weekend, and into this week. Boo for being sick. But that means that I’ve had some time to knit, and do a little aimless internet surfing. I found a couple of things that are fun and exciting:

V&A Museum 40’s Knitting Patterns

Now, I know there are vintage knitting patterns all over the web, but I always love finding more, and I was particularly happy to find a pattern for fishnet stockings (!), which I’d never seen before. Totally making those. Also, V&A has a great little section on knitting on their website, including profiling interesting knitting designers and artists (go to http://www.freddierobins.com for some cool machine-knit art pieces). By the by, V&A is definitely one to check out if you are ever in London - it rocks.

I’ve also become very excited about making a visit to Habu Textiles, as I think the idea of knitting with stainless steel(!) and paper yarn sounds too good to pass up. I’m kind of digging some of their designs, as well, such as this, made with paper and silk:

As far as what I got done this weekend on my own projects, I have sleepy bear almost finished, but not quite, and I don’t want to ruin the surprise, so I’ll just show you a little bit of the progress that was made…

I’m in the process of getting this blog going, so I’m slowly adding information about all the finished projects to the right, for anyone who’s interested. I’ve updated several already, and will keep on adding on in the next few weeks. So check back often!

Bunny pajamas started…

Little pink hood

The bunny pajamas for the sleepy bear are coming along. Sometimes these little toy clothes (like the sweater for the fisherman bear) seem to take as much work as regular adult-sized things. I mean, you have to make sure they fit right, of course, and there are a lot of little details and stitches that need to be picked up and seams to be sewn, etc. Despite this, I have to say that making knitted toys is lots of fun - they knit up relatively quickly, don’t use much yarn, and are great little gifts. Every one I’ve made has gone to someone as a present.

The pattern is from Debbie Bliss’s Teddy Bears. I won’t ruin the surprise of just how ridiculously cute this pattern is, unless you want to go see for yourself. Debbie Bliss’s toy patterns are pretty clever, although they do incorporate lots of sewing. For the bear I’m using Knit Picks Merino Style in Nutmeg and the bunny suit is in Petal. This yarn is awesome, not just because it’s so inexpensive.

This guy is for someone in particular, but I’m not telling who yet.

Sleepy Bear in Progress…

So I have an embarrassingly long list of projects started. However, I have all the confidence in the world I will finish every single one of them. During this year or possibly the next. Ahem. Some projects have lingered a little longer than others…

Wrap with Sleeves, Rebecca (free from website)

This is one of those “constant” companions of mine, started back when I was first learning how to knit. I know what you are thinking: “Clearly a design utilizing mohair yarn and fisherman’s rib stitch is a very appropriate choice for a beginner!” Whatever. It’s going to be awesome. Now that I know how to actually knit it. I picked this up again after the many months it has been hibernating in my closet, and I’m excited to finally get it finished.

Ursula Bag, Original Design

I am close to being finished with this bag, which has a rendering of my lovely kitty, Ursula, on both sides.

This is a very sweet picture of her, and I will be proud to carry this around with me to show her off to perfect strangers. I realize now that this graphic might be even better felted, but I’ve never felted anything before and so didn’t have that in mind when I was planning it. I may make another one to see how it turns out that way.

More ongoing projects still to come…