Some Finished Objects for the End of Winter

Seems we've skipped spring here and gone directly from a late winter to summer! Crossing my fingers the snow is done for good.

While it was still cold, I got a few last winter-weather projects done. Time for a round-up!

1. Brad's Windschief Set

Brad had to go to oilfields in Alberta three times this spring. On site they're not supposed to wear synthetic stuff, in case of a gas flare-up or something. He's just driving around in the bog setting up big metal triangles for satellites, so I don't think there's much danger...but it was a good excuse for me to knit him a thing! Two things! Two matching things!

Pattern: Windschief by Stephen West.

The toque fits me in a trendy, slightly slouchy way, and fits him perfectly just covering the ears. I love it and have stolen it on several occasions. But of course, I haven't had the heart to badger him about standing around letting me take pictures of him wearing it. Sigh.

I used Illimani Yarn's Royal 1. It's 100% alpaca and amazingly soft with minimal halo. Pricey, but I got the set out of a single skein. I think it would be perfect for this amazing sweater, but oh would that be an expensive sweater!

2. My Blue Streak Cowl

While Brad was off in Alberta, safely warmed by his toque and neckwarmer, I raided the stash for some chunky yarn and whipped myself up a cowl too. The yarn was purchased to make a baby thing, but it adds a nice bit of colour to my drab wardrobe.

Pattern: Blue Streak by Wendy Chapman 

It's cozy!

3. Red Robot Mittens

 A friend of mine was dealing with some stuff, so I did what I do to cheer people up: make mittens! These are last post's sneak peek.

Made-up pattern.

Good thing it's been unseasonably cold where he lives; the robots may be getting some use.

4. Meggie's Birthday Herringbone Cowl

Sigh. Spring birthdays sneak up on you. I needed something for Meg, and it needed to be fast. I looked in a few stores, but nothing really struck me, so I decided (with five days before her birthday) to make something.

Pattern: Big Herringbone Cowl by Purl Soho, with modifications inspired by the Tea Latte Cowl by Laura Jansen.

I used bigger yarn and needles than called for but cast on far fewer stitches for a smaller loop. It's still quite big! The stitch pattern is loose enough that the buttons can go wherever, so you can wear it a few different ways.

One way to wear, folding the top down toward the buttons. You can also fold the bottom up for a kerchief-y look that's snug around the neck, wear it as one big loop, fold it in half, etc.

5. Wishbraid Headband

And finally, this quick little headband I made during a meeting.

Pattern: Wishbraid by Erika Neitzke. She called for i-cord ties, but I wanted a button.

Phew. That's it. I've been idle for a week or two, but a couple I play soccer with just had a baby, so there's something cute and soft in the works. 

And then? It's getting a bit warm for wearing knits, but I was recently hand-me-downed a working sewing machine...