Finished UFO's!

(Carson inspecting Miriam)

I had hoped to get some gardening done this past weekend, but spent Saturday, which was the only nice day,  in the truck driving up to Ohio to pick up some sheep equipment. Then, the rain started and it has poured nearly non-stop since.  The creek rose up, the sheep refused to leave the barn and I was very content to spend Sunday afternoon knitting by the fire, watching my very first Harry Potter movie.  (I know, you are thinking how can anyone even admit to not ever having seen a HP movie?!)

Yes, finally I have something to show besides a pair of finished socks!  I've been oh-so-slowly working on a big pile of abandoned and neglected projects (one of my goals for 2013) and managed to do some finishing and blocking over the weekend.  The first is my Miriam cardi (Carrie Bostick Hoge pattern).  I wrote about the inspiration for starting it quite a while ago , after visiting KnitWit yarn shop in Portland, Maine.  The pattern is beautifully written, but I had to complicate it by not using a yarn that gave the gauge specified in the pattern.  I wanted to use some of my own 2012 Sheep Dreams-Fresh from the Farm wool/alpaca blend, which knit up at 4.5 stitches per inch and the pattern called for 6.25 stitches per inch.  Ugh!  Math is not my favorite thing.  Anyway, after cruising through the body, I got bogged down on the sleeve shaping and put it down for several months.  Last week, I got over myself and plunged ahead.  I have to say, I'm pleased with the end result.  The yarn is a warm oatmeal color and I know I'm going to wear it a lot.  I love the simplicity of this sweater.  I added some length to the body and made the sleeves longer, which suits me better.  Now I'm thinking I'd really like to have one in a dark natural color.  I seem to be all about the natural colors these days.

(I love garter stitch)

And, there's more.  This is based on the Truly Tasha shawl (Nancy Bush pattern), named for one of my role models - Tasha Tudor.  I knit this pattern many, many years ago with my own handspun and it's seen a lot of wear, mainly as a substitute for a robe.  This version is knit with my 2011 Sheep Dreams yarn, also a wool/alpaca blend.  I fudged a little and eliminated the edging from the top edge because I just wanted to get it finished faster.  So, it's plainer, but best of all, it's finished!  I expect this one to last me a long, long time.

It feels good to finally have a little knitting content on here.  I've made a bunch of hats and cowls lately, but a sweater and a shawl feels like so much more of an accomplishment!  I'm trying hard not to feel justified in casting on something new.  It's back to the UFO pile for me.