Liesl Cowl

I have completed project one of the epic project fest. I foresee a lot more knitting this weekend, as I really need to buckle down on the abigail warmers. 

BUT! Way more exciting than project updates: My biggest, most adventurous project has just arrived, and I couldn't be more excited. First of all, I'm excited to be using yarn and a pattern from Quince & Co, an American yarn company. I discovered Quince & Co through a college acquaintance who has published several patterns with them. I get their near-daily mailing and love all of it. I recently ordered a copy of the shade guide, which is absolutely beautiful. Even if you don't have a pattern in mind, I would recommend ordering it - the colors will certainly inspire you to new knitterly heights!

Since I'm all about supporting American companies, local yarn stores, and independent businesses (or at least, I try to be that way!), I decided that my big project for the new year's winter knitting season would be from Quince & Co. I chose the Liesl Cowl because I am a sucker for cables. Also, a little bit because I want to be the model. 

After an incredibly long and arduous process, I selected the color 122, also known as Marsh. It's an olivey, marshy green. The photos don't really do it justice - but I think it's super lovely and I'm really excited to start working with the yarn. It feels wonderful and I CAN'T WAIT. 

More yarn shots because, in all seriousness, I can't get over how much I love everything about this yarn!

New Year, New Projects!

As we all know, it was just the holiday season! I hope everyone had a lovely one - I know I did! I got a ton of knitting done, even if I didn't finish anything. I got two very exciting gifts - cross country skis from my parents and a yarn swift from my granmom! Thanks family! You rock!

I'm still working on the intense fair isle grey and purple fingerless mittens - also known as the Abigail hand warmers. The first one is about 75% done, which is exciting, but also daunting - there's a whole 'nother one to go when I finish! (This is why I'm afraid of socks, actually).

I told myself I couldn't use my new yarn swift until I got my room organized. I failed. I used the swift - and my Christmas present to me, a ball winder - just a few days ago. I have yarn wound for four projects. Three will be very quick. The fourth will take longer, and I think I need to finish the first fair isle project before I start a second!

These are three skeins of Cascade Eco-Cloud. When I do a proper post on the projects, I'll note the colorways. The project: knit bandana cowls for my housemates from college. We're getting together for a mini reunion of sorts in early April, and I've got a ways to go. Four of my five housemates will be there, plus each of them has a significant other. I'm set on one of the s.o.'s project (it was meant to be a housewarming gift, but they moved in July, so it can be an "almost one year in your apartment" gift instead) but I have several others to choose - and frantically knit. I maybe set myself up for failure on this one. We'll see, I suppose. 

These are two skeins of Cascade 220. The project: Birdcage mittens from 60 Quick Knits, which is published by Cascade. This is the book that started me knitting, even if I think I've only knit 4 of the 60 possible projects. My first non-scarf project was a pair of mittens knitted flat from this book.

Anyway, happy new year! What are your projects for the new year?