Knitting, Sci-fi and other stuff...

     There is a cold working its way through the members of our household, yes all two of us.  It took a few days for me to catch it, I thought I was in the clear, then my throat started burning Wednesday evening.  I pulled through the week, but I back out of working tomorrow night shift.  (The fever and cold sweats are supposed to be hitting me about then, if I stay "on schedule.)  Okay enough icky talk of being sick.  I've completed some more items!      I finished the scarf for my Mother.  Turns out I didn't need the buttons since its adequately long.  The pattern called for 200 yards, but 200 yards gives one a whole scarf.  I used the pattern Another Scarflet!, which is no longer available.  I downloaded the pdf to my computer when I first found the pattern.  It's written out a bit on the vague side and I missed some of the directions.  It also claims that only two repeats of the lace patterned rows will yield a scaflet.  Unless my gauge was really really off th

     I've now completed three projects and submitted to one challenge.  I think I've figured out what I'm doing for Giving Geeks as well, which will not involve crafting.  So onto pictures.      I made a hat in answer to the Simple Machines challenge.  I used Lion Brand Tweed Stripes and the pattern Chunky Dean Street Hat .  This pattern is also available in a worsted weigt version.  I've used the Tweed Stripes before, its 100% acrylic.  Its not horrible but I prefer some wool mixed in there.  The tweed effect is accomplished from the two plys being slightly different colors.  I found the yarn slightly splitty due to this feature.  Its difficult to see the stitch detail in this picture, but the twists aren't cables.  When knitting the Right Front Cross row, one inserts the needle into the third stitch in and knits that, leaves it on the needle and then knits the two in front still on the left needle.  That's where the twist comes from and its a really nifty

     Tournament 7 of Nerd Wars is now underway!  So, lets look back at what I finished in January.  I've already shared the dishcloth, on to prettier things.  It took me the whole month but I've finished one pair of Elf Clobbers .  (I still have one pair to go.) I called these Floridian Cuff as that's their ultimate destination.  The crochet part of these turned out very large.  I went up one needle size since the Ella Rae Extrafine Heathers is more of an aran than a worsted and my gauge is always so tight.  I used almost the entire skein for just this one pair.  (The Extrafine Heathers are only 85 yard to begin with, which is a bit short for worsted weights.)  That being said though, the Extrafine Heathers is one of the softest, springiest and pretty yarns I've worked with.  When I bought it, Beth told me its a really under-rated yarn and she is so right.  It is glorious to work with.  I picked up another skein back when I thought I may run out, so I have another on