Six weeks ago I promised myself that I would blog at least twice a week and post every FO of 2009 on my blog. I've almost made good on that first resolution. Well, not really. But here's to trying! In an attempt to not completely trash my second resolution, I present to you a parade of FOs!

First I'm actually going to show off something from last year, but it goes hand in hand with a 2009 FO.

His:


Ravelry link: For His Pleasure
Pattern: Morningside Neckwarmer by Brooklyn Tweed
Yarn: Dream in Color Classy in Cocoa Kiss
Needles: US 8
Notes: Once I taught myself brioche and frogged this sucker about 7 times (no joke) it was easy and quick. The plus side to my frustration and slow start: I learned that DiC Classy frogs really well.

Hers:


Ravelry link: For Her Pleasure
Pattern: Morningside Neckwarmer by Brooklyn Tweed
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes in Light Blue
Needles: US 11
Notes: Even though I used twice as much yarn, this one went by so much more quickly than the first. What they say is true: the brioche stitch is addicting. May I also share my surprise and pleasure with these sexy photos? I took them late one night before bed sans all makeup and with slightly dirty hair. Am I cute or what?
Ok, so the picture is slightly scary, but I'm impressed by how even my skin tone is when it's naked.

Up next is a gift for my youngest brother's birthday:



Ravelry link: Too cool for handknit mitts mitts
Pattern: Made up from a bunch of different "parts" in the book Folk Mittens by Marcia Lewandowski This was a great reference, and I'm going to have a hard time giving it back to the library!
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted
Needles: US 6
Notes: KP Swish Worsted has surprisingly become one of my favorite yarns. I made socks for my whole family out of it for Christmas, and they've held up well (albeit look a little worn) to many wearings and washings. It is super soft to work with and wear. One of my brothers even asked for a hoodie made out of it. This is the second or third time he's asked me to make him a sweater. All previous requests have been for cashmere, so this should reflect well upon goood old Swish.

Next, a FO from a 2008 UFO



Ravelry Link: Melting Snowballs
Pattern: Popsicle by Nicole Hindes
Yarn: Hip Knits Cashmere Sock Yarn (I couldn't find a link to this one--it may be discontinued)
Needles: US 2
Notes: This fun pattern "melts" off the side of your foot, so each sock is different. This was the first time I used Cat Bordhi's riverbed architecture. It was interesteing to knit the gusset in a different way, but I say "meh, who cares?" It does make the side of the instep a little prettier and smoother, I guess.

Next, more cashmere:



Ravelry link: Pure Scrunchability
Pattern: Scrunchable Scarf by Susan McConne
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere (discontinued)
Needles: US 9
Notes: This scarf is suuuuper warm and light. However, I had barely enough yarn, so I did felted joins as to not waste any scraps. I would have like to have another skein or two to make this a little longer, but it's still great as is. This picture shows how short it really is with the scarf wrapped around my face but under my hair once:



More socks:





Ravelry link: Azalea Orchid Loops
Pattern: Froot Loops by Kristi Geraci
Yarn: Three Irish Girls Kells Sport Merino in Azalea Orchid
Needles: US 1.5
Notes: This was the first club shipment for the Three Irish Girls Sock Yarnista club. I love it, and I call it my birthday yarn because it arrived the day after my birthday!

Finally:



Ravelry link: Another Alpaca Cowl
Pattern: co 60 and knit in the round until you run out of yarn. Thanks, Justine!
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Brushed Suri
Needles: US 13
Notes: Simple and satisfying.

There! Now we're all up to date.

Paper Cranes for Neil

I've been quiet for a while, partly because I've been busy, and partly because I have so much to say I don't know where to start. I'll begin with some horrific turned good news. Most of you probably don't know this, as I couldn't bring myself to blog about it, but about three weeks ago one of my sister's best friends was in a bad car accident. On January 23, 2009, he was driving home with another friend on a narrow, winding country road near our houses. No one knows exactly what happened, but somehow he lost control of the car, spun around, and hit a tree on the driver's side. The passenger came home from the hospital the next day with a concussion. He still won't/can't talk about the accident. The driver, Neil, the sweetest kid I know, was airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson hospital in New Brunswick, where he remains in ICU with severe head injuries. For a while his future was uncertain, but I am so happy to say that for the past few days he's been opening his eyes, trying to focus on people's faces, and moving his right hand and leg. Today he showed the most hopeful signs of progress and moved his eyes toward sounds. His parents have been blogging about Neil's journey here. His family is really wonderful. They're so generous, kind, and full of honest loving faith. I've been thinking about them and Neil a lot, and now I'm so relieved to have something more than hope or a prayer to hang on to.

My sister has been organizing some of their friends to make origami paper cranes for Neil. Here's a link to the facebook group. According to the Japanese, one thousand paper cranes = one thousand good wishes. Neil's father spent some time living in Japan, so this custom has special meaning to the Stone family. So far Sarah has between 100 and 200 cranes, which still make lively and colorful decorations, but it's far from 1000. If you'd like to make some, email me for our mailing address and we'll add yours to one of our garlands for Neil's room. The doctors and nurses say that Neil will be able to move to a rehab facility soon. Hopefully there he will have even more room for our good wishes!