Christmas Presents

I can almost never complain about my family's ability to pick out good presents for me. This year, instead of going the electronic route they chose to indulge my creative side. My brother and sister-in-law bought me two wonderful books: "Kaffe Fassett's Pattern Library" and "The Business of Bliss". Ever since I read about "The Business of Bliss" on Denise's blog, I've been dying read it. I'm not planning on giving up my day job any time soon, but it's nice to dream.

New Entries in the Library

"Knitting in the Old Way", by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts and Montse Stanley's "Knitter's Handbook" were purchased with a gift certificate they gave me to my mother's LYS. "Knitting in the Old Way" is just packed with interesting information about the designing sweaters in a more holistic manner. Stanley's book is one I've wanted to add to my reference collection for a while.

The magazines were just little gifts to myself. I wouldn't have picked up the Knitter's except for Elsabeth Lavold's sweater. I don't spin (and don't want to right now) but I love looking through Spin Off for color ideas and patterns. But the real score for me was InKnitters -- I don't think I would do any of the patterns, but there's some great pictures of doing one handed two color knitting Continental style, and a number of other technique discussions that made this one leap into my hands.

A Basket Full of Goodies

My mom put together a very nifty felting basket for me. In addition to the lovely little sheep ornament (which I may hang above my washing machine to scare away the negative energy felting pixies), there were two zippered pillow protectors, a wonderful little steamer (in the box), a Janet Scanlon pattern and 5 skeins of fabulous Manos del Uruguay in colorway 110 and color "X". How did mom know exactly what colors I wanted and exactly what bag I wanted to felt next? Apparently she had a little help from Rob, who remembered what I had been fondling when I visited the store.

Up Close and Personal with Manos del Uruguay Colorway 110

The colors in the 110 look pretty drab in that picture, but this closeup is closer to reality. The flash has made the colors a little brighter than they should be, but all those colors are definitely in the wool, just subtler.

I just can't believe how many fun felting projects I have ahead of me:

• Janet Scanlon's All Around Companion -- in Manos del Uruguay
• Janet Scanlon's Round About -- in Manos del Uruguay
• Bonne Marie's new and improved Bucket-O-Chic in Colinette Skye, velvet olive
• The "Red Line" version of Chicago in Cascade 220

I'm not sure which one will happen next, but I really really do want a warm, felted bucket hat to add to my winter wardrobe...