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More crochet.

Seems I’m on a bit of a kick. It’s just so easy to avoid other things when you’ve got little tchotchkeys to crochet.

Pattern: Birds of a Feather by Hannah Kaminsky.

Hook: 4 mm/G

Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Fresco, color #5367, blue turquoise.

This little guy was a gift for friend Tuko, who’s birthday was yesterday. At her house a few weeks ago I noticed this book (maybe, one very much like it anyway) on the coffee table.

Me: You know, I always think of you when I see these things, but then I second guess myself and think maybe it’s a little too cute? Maybe we’ve outgrown cute?

T: I loooove CUTE!!!

Right then.

Now that I’ve tried it I gotta say amigurumi is freakin’ fun you guys, there’s no doubt I’ll be making more. It’s like instant plump and squishy gratification. The only real problem is finding enough people to palm these off on, though judging by other people’s reactions last night, especially my Dad’s, it wont be too hard.

Next, another birthday present, this time for friend Bonnie, who has a mass of red curls and will, I think, look fab in this color.

Pattern: Queen Anne’s Lace Scarf by Khebhin Gibbons.

Hook: 3.75 mm/F

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted, color #506, mint.

Sorry about the craptacular photo, I finished it rather late in the day and only had time to steam the thing, stuff it in a gift bag, and head off to the party. I wish I had something that showed the whole scarf, instead you get the pics I snapped when I first started it, harsh noon light and all. I want to make one for myself, so maybe I’ll have some better photos to show you then. It’s just such a cool end product, so organic, so Rococo, so easy to make. Right now I’m deciding between another solid colored one or an imitation of Yarnbee’s gorgeous version.

Finally, there’s something I didn’t make, but I wanted to show you guys anyway ’cause I’m smitten with it.

Back in November Tuko gave me this bracelet, which she commissioned her friend Christa to design and make. They picked out the colors together, especially for me, and I gotta say they’re dead on. Between the juicy hues and the abundance of those many petaled flowers (so many teeny stitches!) I feel like I’m wearing summertime.

Turns out my bracelet was the prototype for one Christa sells in her Etsy store, so if you want one, you can have one too. Or maybe one of the other charming pieces she makes? Personally I’m pretty enamored with the sequin rings.

Its a New Dawn

Its a new day, and I’m feeling good.

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.  …  It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.”

Today it feels like this old world really is a new world, a bold world. A world where hope can triumph over fear and divisiveness, and where I can feel real pride in, not to mention be inspired by, my fellow Americans.

Tomorrow: actuall knitting content. Yay. In the mean time how about saying goodbye?

**illustration courtesy of january20th2009