it's a secret... :D

I have started working on my afghan block for my Aunt Joni... and I am having fun trying to come up with ideas for Rowan's block. I still want to ask my boyfriend and his family if it is okay that I honor her in that way, because I never met her and I don't want to overstep my boundaries.

as far as the other knitting projects in my life go... I have been cranking out my red scarf/kerchief thingie and C recently asked if I would make her an earflap hat and matching gloves for next winter. living up north gets cold. uff da!! and who knows, if I like it I might make two sets. the current plan is a black hat with purple edging and then purple fingerless gloves.

I am also in a swap for Doctor Who fans... what fun! I should be getting my partner today but we'll see. :D I was thinking i could get some cheapish yarn at Coldwater Collaborative but... sad day! their yarn is rather expensive. hopefully I can find cheaper yarn elsewhere.

Sorry it took me so long to get this up!! here's the picture of Aunt Nancy's Square. It has been really hard to figure out how to design my square for my aunt... I was so young when she died I didn't get a chance to know her. so Aunt Joni's Square is waiting on some inspiration. Rowan's Square on the other hand I have a few ideas for... I was thinking about making a square with a tree (a Rowan tree) and in the trunk have a pair of angel wings. no idea on the color though... it would be great to make it in a fun bright color.. I never met her but I hear all the time about how full of life she was.

Blocks

I am no stranger to the quick project. but I have always thought that making an afghan out of blocks was kinda like cheating... a big project out of smaller projects?? what madness! I hate doing the same thing over and over though, so it makes no sense that I have such aversion to these afghans. But I mention this only because I have decided to take a baby step towards my own block afghan... I just joined a Ravelry group to contribute squares to a afghan that would then be auctioned to raise money to help pay for a surgery to prevent cancer. I am no stranger to what cancer can do to a family - my great aunt is going through chemo right now and I lost an aunt to cancer when I was little. I designed this square in honor and in memory of all of those people whose lives have been touched by cancer, and especially my great aunt, who is like a gramma to me. I hope that over the next couple weeks I can design another block for my aunt, and another for my best friends cousin, who died far too young.


Without further ado... Nancy's Square

I used caron simply soft in cool mint and size 7 needles... but any yarn will do.
the lady who will put together the afghan I am donating to has asked for a 6 by 6 square, so that's what the measurements are here
gauge is not important as it is a rather small project... whatever you decide looks about right will do
(and repeat anything in astericks to the end of the row)
Cast on 33 stitches
Row 1: K3 *p3, k3*
Row 2: p3 *k3, YO, p3*
Row 3: k3 *p4, k3*
Row 4: p3 *k1, k2tog, YO, k1, p3*
Row 5: k3 *p2, p2tog, k3*
Row 6: p3 *k1, YO, k2tog, p3*
repeat these six rows 5 times (I think) or until the piece reaches the desired length.

a picture will be up as soon as I can find my camera...

Knitting knitting knitting

projects are really the best after they have been finished... which is what i have been trying to do with the projects I brought home from college with me. my most recently finished project is the Unstrung pattern for my bestest friend Ashley's birthday, which is today. thank goodness they are done - and in the nick of time! I am so happy with how they turned out - they are equal parts awesome and sweet. the thumb was interesting and I actually enjoyed working with the little rounds. next project will be to finish my red scarf/kerchief... and then perhaps a quickly finished project?? one can only hope... although knowing my luck I will fall in love with a super complicated sweater or some such nonsense.