Keeping Busy

 I tried to stay busy this past weekend doing various projects.  There was this crocheted puppy.  It's suppose to be a yellow lab...does it look like one?  Anyway, I think it's cute and I like it.  In fact, I think I'll do more...
I started a red one (remember Clifford??) this morning and will probably do a brown one if I can find a shade of brown I can handle.

    The 2nd project this weekend was this 
tree ornament.  It's for the shop's entry in the annual Adorn-a-Door Wreath raffle.  I usually knit something mini but this year I decided it was time to go back to the lace angels.  This one is less than 4" tall so it should fit nicely on our wreath. (The angels I made years ago were 7-9" tall and very fancy but too big for a wreath.)  I had thought of getting some beads and making her a halo but this silver cord was a simpler and cheaper way to go...and I think it looks fine, too.

     In between my crocheting, I've been knitting winter hats.  It's finally been difficult to keep my hat display full!  Both of these are with self-patterning yarn.  The one in front with the green trim is with Robin Paintbox, a dk weight yarn from Great Britian that I
got in a Yarn Pal package. (I've got another Paintbox color combo that just needs the pompom.  And, hey, the neat pompom makers came in a Yarn Pal package, too!)The other hat in the photo is done with Red Heart worsted in a self-patterning called 'Derby Fair Isle.'  I think of it more as a 'cut and paste' pattern because to make the pattern work out even in the row with the number of stitches you have you must cut and a add yarn as you go.  It leaves a lot of ends but the results are worth it.  Today I got a skein Red Heart 'Calm Fair Isle'...also a self-patterning worsted that I'll use for another hat.  (And I'm pretty sure it will end up being a 'cut and paste' job, too.)
   And I even found time to knit an adult beanie to send to my cousins in Colorado.  They're collecting hats, gloves and socks for the homeless and will deliver them with breakfast on Christmas Day.  I told Michaela I'd so some hats and mail them to her.  I've got 1 done!  I'd like to finish 3 or 4 more.  Michaela's grandmother was my cousin and one of my greatest friends.  I miss her so much.  She meant so much to my mom and me.
   And on that somber note, it's time to get back to work!!  It's suppose to snow tonight and tomorrow and I've got the clean the woodstove's firebox so I can have a decent fire!!
   This hat's going to the shop, too. 

It will fit a 1-3yr old and is knit with Mary Maxim Baby Blankie, an acrylic self-patterning yarn.  I 'cut and paste'  the results a little to get the Fair Isle pattern more to my liking.  I think all the ends that have to be worked in are worth it!