While I was Sleeping

Hey everyone, if there still is an everyone, I apologize for my lack of updates and other bloggy things. I had a bit of a knitting rough patch, where I haven't felt the angels singing, or the birds chirping, or the light dawning on any project at all. Nothing I have looked at has made me go I NEED TO KNIT YOU NOW! Well until this week anyway. I've been trying to do other things, such as monkey socks (one down one to go, currently in a corner), my niece's pinwheel sweater (sweater complete, one sleeve done, another to go, also in the corner. THis needs to be finished by next week obviously, so this weekend I'll force myself to complete it), a Chevron Scarf (also hibernating), and then over the weekend the otherworldy light hit the summit that is my new project, the famed Central Park Hoodie.

Interweave press just released an updated copy of this pattern with extended sizes for those of us who don't look exactly like Katherine Heigl (who knits btw). I have seen the pattern before and loved it but I thought I had to locate a magazine that was over a year old and we all know how that can be. So when I received an e-mail from knitting daily that they had the pattern for sale I was all over it. So I purchased it and then began to ponder which yarn to use. Most people on Ravelry seem to be using Malabrigo, Peace Fleece, Debbie Bliss, or Tahki Donegal Tweed all of which are a little rich for my wallet at this particular time of year. So this weekend my cousin, sister and I took a little drive to Salem, Ma and stopped into the cutest yarn shop, Seed Stitch Fine Yarn (great staff, friendly, helpful and warm) and I looked for the yarn that I would use. I roamed the tweed and the blends and the alpaca and wool when out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful yarn. OHHH the COLOR!!! It is soo deep burgandy/purple that it almost looks black but you know it isnt quite black. I walked up to the shelf and pulled it out of its home and to my surprise it was Cascade 220, which as we all know is much more easy on the wallet. Its a colorway called Galaxy (#4006, for those wondering) and I fell in love. They only had a few skeins left, so I bought them of course, and purchased the rest online (i'm not too concerned about lot # really) . Ok so here's a picture for you all, the color is difficult to photograph, so this is the closest I could get to true color at the moment. I will try again soon.

Also for a quick project and great little Christmas/Hanukah/whatever else there is to celebrate this time of year present, check out this ingenious idea for a knit bangle by a fellow Ravelry member, Mimsie. When I read the linked post I could hardly believe that these bracelets were selling for 175 Euro! I actually am making some for friends and family for Christmas and so far have one done (ahehe) but they are quick and easy. Here's a pic of the one I have finished.