WiP Wednesday!

Yes, I have WiPs to show you! On Wednesday! Can you believe it?!

I'm working on three projects right now, and they all have a deadline.

The first is the All About Aran afghan.



There are 16 blocks in this afghan, which makes a much more portable project than a one-piece pattern. I have finished just those 2 blocks (one of which has to be ripped a little because I made a big mistake that I was in denial about until after I finished it and realized that I had increased 2 stitches every other row for 12 rows). I'm using Mission Falls 1824 Wool. It's a bit pricier than I would usually use for a project of this size, but it's a wedding gift for a close friend, and she's definitely worth the extra cost. Due date on this one is 16 May.

Next up, the Landscape Shawl.



Actually, I'm not using the pattern. I'm winging it. I was too impatient to order the pattern so I'm making it up as I go. We'll see how it goes. I'm using Vanna's Choice. I know - ick, acrylic. Right? I bought the yarn because this is a gift for my grandmother's 80th birthday, and I needed it to be machine wash and dry. I looked around at Hobby Lobby for something reasonably priced and really liked the color choices of Vanna's Choice. It feels really nice too. Not at all squeaky like acrylic often is. Due date is 24 May.

And, lastly, is a Monkey sock.



These are for TechGirl's mom. Yarn is Regia Kaffe Fassett. Due date is end of April, at the latest.

And yes, that's a new kitty you see in that last picture. Shane and I bought home two kitties last Friday. I finally had a chance to take pictures of them and will post them later this week.

WiP Wednesday

It's been quite a while since I did a WiP post. Since the last time, I started and finished a secret project, started and finished a not-so-secret project that is currently blocking (pictures forthcoming), and started three other projects.

First up is the February Lady Sweater. Yes, I have hopped on the ever-widening bandwagon.



I haven't had the best luck at sweater knitting in the past, but when I saw this pattern, it looked easy enough that I thought it would be a good way to "start over from scratch" in the sweater knitting department. Top down so I can try it on as I go? Cool. No seaming? Awesome. And as icing on the cake, I actually got gauge! I almost never get gauge in any project.

Next is a sock for Socks for Soldiers.



I joined this organization this time last year, and have had the yarn to knit the socks for almost as long. It's been a busy knitting year, and I just didn't get around to starting my first pair until a few weeks ago. I am planning a much longer post on my somewhat frustrating experience with this whole Socks for Soldiers thing, but I want to get a few pairs under my belt first.

And, yes, those are dpns. For my first pair, I wanted to knit them exactly to pattern, which meant using dpns instead of my preferred magic loop.

Lastly (for the active WiPs anyway - we won't talk about the hibernating ones), I am making one of these for a friend.



Most normal people could finish a small stuffed animal in a few hours. Not me. I'm just hoping to have it finished in a couple of weeks.

So there you have it - the stuff I'm working on right now. Next week I may have a new WiP for you, as I am getting ready to start a baby blanket for my cousin.