Croc quickie

Poking in to share Ethan's finished "Crikey". He was fun to knit and I hope to make one for my crocodile hunter very soon.
Tree Jacket was completed on Saturday - January 26th - I wove in all the loose ends and gave her a nice soak. (remind anyone of canned beets???)
California has been gray and rainy...sorry, make that cold, gray and RAINY! We've had more rain this past weekend than all of last year. I'm not complaining as I love the rain.
Tree Jacket has been lying here trying to dry since Saturday. Slow as she goes.

Crikey! (the wip's never end)

If you are on Ravelry this little guy probably doesn't startle you one bit. He is far from extinct there. In fact he is flourishing in the warm Ravelry waters and you'd be hard pressed not to stumble across one of his cousins in just about every project pond. My mini gator isn't quite full grown, but his steady high fiber diet ensures he should reach his adult length very soon. He's looking forward to warming the neck of a very special two year old in the near future. Baby Alligator scarf from Morehouse Farm.

This is another everlasting bag stopper in the works. The yarn is Araucania 'Nature Cotton' from Chile. This is the yummiest, squishiest cotton in the world! It's so incredibly soft and the color is delicious. ooooooohhhhhh....Orangey goodness!
Garter/Gator scarf from another angle....knit, knit, knit, knit, knit, knit, -you get the idea.
And lastly, because I just can't seem to get enough of the ol'garter stitch. Tah-dah! One sleeve down....One to go! The resurrected Tree Jacket - SHE LIVES! (and wouldn't it be nice to get to wear her while the weather is cold) And knit, knit, knit, knit, knit, knit, knit......... sigh.

The big one.

Can you guess what this is? It's bigger than a quarter, but smaller than a dollar bill. No. It's not Barbie's overnight bag for a long weekend with Ken.
It's my new ipod nano cozy! See there, it's waving "Hello".


I wanted something to protect the little guy, but didn't feel like forking out twenty to thirty bucks for a cover/case. Besides, I happen to think this cozy is waaaay better myself! ;)
If you'd like to dress your ipod up too....Here's my pattern.

ipod Nano Karma Kozy

Needed:

size 2 - 32" - 40" circs ( for magic loop)

size 1,2 or 3 dbl points (whatever's on hand) for i-cord

Sock yarn (scraps - very small amount of yarn used) or favorite lace weight yarn

Super cool vintage button

Skills used:

Figure 8 cast on ~ Magic Loop ~ Daisy Stitch ~ I-cord ~ Twisted Rib stitch

Directions: Cast on 40 stitches using the figure 8 cast on method. Knit 3 rounds st st. Begin Daisy stitch pattern, making sure to mark the beginning of the round as it will move across the needles as you go. Knit 30 rounds in daisy pattern or until cozy completely covers your ipod nano. Knit two rounds st st. Begin twisted rib (knit 1 into back of stitch, purl) repeat these two stitches till end of row. Knit 4 more rounds. Bind off in twisted rib pattern. Knit i-cord using 3 stitches. Knit i-cord to desired length. Loop the end around and secure to cord. Attach the strap to one side of cozy & sew button to opposite side. Slide in your ipod and hook onto your favorite pair of jeans or most fashionable bag. Enjoy envious stares from others, you earned it! ;)

This is my mil's hat - being modeled by my sick 7 year old. The pattern is "Cherry" from Colinette and is knit with Colinette's Tao Silk. My mil has had this in her stash for over a year and I gently persuaded her to give it to me to knit up for her. (I basically had a death grip on it and wasn't leaving her house w/out it - but that's beside the point) Anyhoo....the kid was home sick last week, so I begged/bribed/forced him to wear it long enough to get some photo's.
Club head covers for some golfing friends of ours. I used bits of yarn from my stash and winged the pattern. I'm happy w/the results...but my duplicate stitch needs work. I'm hoping to distract the eye w/cute, fluffy pompoms.

And the fo's just keep on a coming. Finally, finally sewed on the straps to the everlasting bag stopper from knitty. I used cotton twill tape. This bag is so roomy and strong! Used the extra large skein of Lionbrand kitchen cotton in sea foam and found coordinating Peaches n Cream cotton in my stash for the trim.

Finally, the infamous bathroom mirror shot...complete with shower curtain back drop.
I knit the Yarn Harlots 'an unoriginal cap' for moi with EAR FLAPS!!!!!
Here's what I did if you have a hanker'in for ear flaps too!
***Added ear flaps.....***
With dbl points or short circs -pick up 14 stitches on side of hat
row 1 - p3, k2, p4, k2, p3 row 2 - k3, p2, c4f, p2, k3 row 3 - repeat row 1 row 4 - k1, ssk, p2, k4, p2, k2tog, k1 row 5 - p3, k1, p4, k1, p3 row 6 - k1, ssk, p1, k4, p1, k2tog, k1 row 7 - purl all stitches row 8 - k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1 row 9 - purl all stitches row 10- k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 row 11- purl all stitches row 12- bind off 2st, k1, k2tog ( 3 stitches left on needle)** w/3 remaining stitches, knit i-cord to desired length and add pompom for extra pizazz!
This is my preferred look for embarrassing friends & family members.

Round'um Up!

Now even though Southern California isn't known for cold weather, a girl can still get chilly. So this being the case, I grabbed the Malabrigo and..........
That's right ladies & germs. I give you two, Two neck warmers from a single skein. How's that for stretching your dollar. Here you can see the first one I knit for my niece Ashley for Christmas. And this is version 2. (I will be hanging onto this one)

Christmas & New Years celebrations have come and gone....but here at chez Sherlock, we are still partying it up. Our family has 3 birthdays this month, so we decided to smoosh them together this year. First up is my great-niece Neveah. Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

basic garter stitch cap w/pompom for extra cuteness. Used pink & cream yarn from my stash...add adorable baby for full effect....ain't she beautiful??? Next is my niece Alexis, who is also Neveah's Auntie. Happy Birthday to you too, Chickee!

Alexis loved all her cousins mitts so much and now she has her own....Stulpen mitts. Does this girl now how to play to the camera or what?

Lastly is yet another niece, Analiese. Happy Birthday gorgeous! She loves Jack, just like her favorite Auntie.

Analiese is wearing an "unoriginal" cap in black....so hard to photograph, but who cares when the model is this cute, right?All three birthday girls together. Analiese turned 14, Neveah turned 2 and Alexis turned 23. Happy, Happy Birthday Girls!!!! We love you all! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Guess I'll wrap this post up with some quick knits. Coffee sleeves are such a great way to use up those little balls of yarn in your stash. This one is knit with sock yarn, holding two strands together.

Cotton yarn was used for this one. The possibilities are endless.
Cozy in action. Cuppa Joe anyone?