This neat little item was just added to my Etsy shop. I’ve made one for myself and have been wearing it non-stop. I see a pattern here with almost everything I make for Etsy… one for Etsy, one for me, once for Etsy, one for me…

It looks wonderful over a top with a contrasting color so the detail at the edge can show off (a bit of a taa-daa!). And, it fits easily under a winter coat so there is no need for a scarf. I’ll wear this over a light tee on warmer days when all that’s needed is a bit of warmth around the neck and shoulders. As usual, this is knit in wonderfully soft 100% merino wool from upstate New York.

For my birthday in October of 2009 I was given gift certificates to Purl, one of my very favorite places on earth. The gift certificates are quite generous—enough for a beautiful sweater for myself and maybe a scarf too! Since then I’ve been searching for my next project. I want something warm, with a good drape, not bulky and maybe kinda sexy, too.

I think I’ve found it!

I bought this Rowan book today and am just loving all the patterns in it. Most of the book’s patterns use Kidsilk Haze, which is absolutely lovely to work with. Anything I’ve ever made with it is always gorgeous. I’m going to make the Ghost Sweater, which uses Kidsilk Haze in 2 colors, Anthracite and Smoke, knit together. This sweater has a perfect length, it sort of wraps over and closes with a long knitted belt and seems to fall so nicely. I can see it worn with a t shirt and jeans or over a cami and long trousers, or pajamas on a Sunday morning.

Now all that’s needed is to get into the city to pick up my yarn and get started…

This weekend was devoted to Christmas decorating. It was so cold here which made it perfect for having a fire going all weekend.

I often decorate by the seat of my pants and this year was no different. The mantle could have used something new and as I was taking out last year’s decorations I remembered two wonderful designs that would be perfect. Then thought, why not make them now? So I dug out some wool felt that I bought in bolts years ago and got to work. The wreath design came from Wise Craft via Design*Sponge, and the trees came from Wise Craft. With both the trees and the wreaths, I played around with the shapes and changed them a little. For the wreath I used a holly leaf pattern that I found online by googling “holly template”. The garland on the mantle is a few years old and was incredibly simple to make. The string a is chunky yarn crochet chain and the pom poms were made with the same yarn.

This yarn arrived yesterday: lovely, all of it. Luscious and super soft merino wool came neatly bagged and packaged. I wanted to wind all the skeins immediately, put them into baskets and get to work. But instead, I waited until this morning to take pictures in daylight so they would look their best. They are now photographed and ready to be wound! The slate yarn will be made into the Long Cable Scarf, the Slouchy Hat and and the Tall Cowl. The red will be made into a new cowl that I’m working on. The aubergine yarn will become the Wide Cowl and the Cables and Pom Pom Hat. Can’t wait to start! The chartreuse, aqua and pink will be used for a new group of fun and colorful children’s hats that hopefully will be out for all to see in January. It’s a prefect day to stay indoors and knit. It’s 23 degrees and windy outside!

Originally, I made this cowl to sell on my etsy shop. But after trying it on, I couldn’t take it off. It was so yummy. I wore it while at the movies, on a walk, doing errands, and knitting in my pajamas. It did not come off. So I’ve kept the original and now make them as I get custom orders for them.

Much of the wool I use is merino wool from New York State. I love this yarn in particular because the quality is outstanding, it is so soft and an utter pleasure to knit with. Another bonus is that it’s produced less than 150 miles from where I am. It comes in many colors, and this soft white color comes from un-dyed wool.

Available on etsy.