Teapot Cosies...or is it Cozies

One of my favorite knitting projects...and I always have one on my needles...is a teapot cosy. This is the UK way of spelling what is known as a 'cozy' in the US. Teapot cosies are small projects that are quick to finish and make great gifts to any tea-loving friends...and there are SO many, many patterns available. The one to the right is a classic...found in most Brisish homes and a lot of fun to knit. TnR just did a Teapot Cosy workshop at a local tea-room and while the participants sipped tea and indulged in delectable desserts, they learned how to make one of these cosies from a kit available through http://www.tea-and-roses.com/tea_and_knitting.htm.

And one of the best things about this pattern is that it can be modified to fit ANY size pot. A friend has requested one in orange and cream (kind of like a creamsicle) for a short and stout teapot she got from her grandmother...this is one of the projects I will be working on this week as I relax on our Maine holiday.

DH's Warm Winter Socks...Finished!

Finally finished the socks I had promised DH...he wanted a pair to wear around the house or with boots. This pair was made with 90% wool and 10% acrylic (so they can be washed withour felting!). He really loves them and is looking forward to wearing them all winter....he is modeling them in this picture :-)

Almost completed!!

The bulky, shawl collared cardigan I am knitting from hand-dyed and hand-spun yarn by Susan Nadelson of Classic Warmth (and my spinning instructor) is just about done...yeah!! All I have to do is sew in the sleeves and that will be started tomorrow when I meet with Susan for a spinning/knitting lesson. I have never really mastered the art of sewing in sleeves...the last time I tried, I left big knots under the arm...enough to stop circulation when the wearer (my DH) lowered his arms :-( So for this one I need help because I want this sweater to be as perfect as I can make it. The yarn is incredible...warm and soft and classic..and I plan to wear this sweater forever. Even though it is May, the mornings and evenings are still quite cool enough to want to wear this long anticipated sweater. And the next one made with a different Nadelson yarn is ready to go on the needles. This sweater knit up very quickly on the size 10.5 needles. I will add another picture with the completed sweater modeled!

I am moving along on the pair of socks for DH being knitted from the yarn he dyed at our workshop at The Spinnery in Frenchtown and the alpaca shawl is about one-third completed. I always have at least three or more projects going at once. It is windy, chilly and partly rainy today...a perfect time for some knitting and tea...I think I with have some of Harney's East Frisian blend...a robust and malty blend.

My First Real Yarn

I have been spinning yarn since February and I am just about finished with 'my first real yarn'! I have named it "Woodland" as it is a mix of copper, brown, dark green, deep red and a bright sky blue...the last not a color I would have chosen for my blend but my spinning teacher prevailed and everyone loves the 'poison'...as she calls the unexpected color. I plan to make a cropped bulky pull-over sweater with a basket-weave design on the front and back with plain arms...but first I have to finish three other sweaters in my queue. The picture shows the plyed yarn, the unspun fiber batt and the spun singles.

Finished the Peace Fleece Socks

Just in time for summer :-( I finally finished the Peace Fleece Socks I have been working on since winter. If you don't know the story of Peace Fleece, check out their story on their website. I have them on right now and they are warm and toasty on this rainy, dreary day. As I write I am sipping a cup of one of my favorite teas, Brigette's Blend, from Harney & Sons. This tea is Assam based with a rich, malty taste. After a very busy week with a visit for DH's brother, I am taking a'day-off'! Now onto some spinning and knitting.