I am an Artist

Or so says my contract with a local gallery -- Art-O-Mat -- that asked me to knit up some scarves using novelty yarns for them to sell on consignment. www.licweb.com/artomat So, for the past week, in my spare time, I whipped up a few scarves with some yarn that was sitting idly in my stash. Am I a weirdo because I name all my knitting projects? I hope not. From top to bottom: detail for Carnival (red and grey wool tufts with metallic thread and paper flags) and Safari (black and tan wool tufts with a metallic thread and paper flags); all three scarves; detail for Starry Night (black handspun with blue beads and ribbon). A few months ago, I providentially ordered some labels to stitch into handknitted garments (none of which I've completed). Makes the scarves look so professional -- and well worth the $60 (!!!!) price tag that the gallery put on them. I get 55% if they sell. Wish me luck!!

Ribbed for (His) Pleasure

Well, the Ribbed for Her Pleasure scarf that I knit for my friend Robert was such a hit (see "October in Vermont") that I had to knit one for Robert's partner, Chuck, who requested forest green. Luckily, I had a large stash of Lamb's Pride superwash bulky in just that color, bought on my vacation in Montana in September. (Now THAT was the deal to end all deals -- 18 skeins/1980 yards for just $58.) So, while I was watching CSI, Law & Order and Without A Trace this week (plus The Wizard of Oz last night), I whipped up a scarf for Chuck. Not quite two skeins worth of yarn.

With the yarn that was left from the 2nd skein, I decided to try my hand at leaves, for flower pins, using a pattern from Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments books. One of them is tumbling around in the dryer as I type, since the sink-felting didn't seem to work too well. Look for a felting update later this week.

Secret Pal Mokie rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm participating in SP6 through blogspot and got my 2nd gift from my SP, mokie (not her real name) last week. I finally photographed it today, in all its splendor -- and splendor it is! Mokie's choices absolutely delighted me. I was jumping up and down like a kid at Christmas when I opened the box. Here's what she sent me:

• an American Red Cross Knit Kit for One Pair of Serviceman's Socks (complete with olive drab wool, DPNs, a tapestry needle and a vintage pattern)
• 6 balls of Knit One Crochet Two Cotonade, in a rich navy blue
• 1 skein KnitPicks Shadow merino wool, in Lost Lake
• 1 skein KnitPicks Alpaca Cloud, in Moss
• 3 skeins Reynolds Rapture, a 50% wool 50% silk yarn, in three lovely shades of green
• a spool of olive and forest green ribbon with gold metallic accent
• scrapbooking papers
• a stamp pad and alphabet and number stamps
• "Unusual Toys for You to Knit & Enjoy" by Jess Hutchinson
• "Simply Soft" by Debbie Bliss -- autographed by the great woman herself!!
• and a fun, funky tote bag to carry it all in

I am completely overwhelmed by mokie's generosity, and can't wait until the reveal so that I can sing her non-incognito praises.