A snowbird returns

If you look at the far end of the table, between Dorah on the left and Barbara B on the right, you'll see Jan who has returned from her winter break. She spent time in California and Florida where she said it was too cold to do the usual vacation activities so she had lots of time to knit. 

It's good to have you back Jan! 

Today's hot topic was about sourdough because Barbara B made delicious carrot cake cupcakes! She schooled us on all the varieties of food you can make with sourdough starter. It's not just for bread!

Nancy was getting pointers from Carole on how to make a Helix Hat. Carole loves them because they use up small amounts of yarn leftovers.

Carole wasn't sure about the selection of leftovers but they blended together beautifully to make a cheerful little baby hat.

Nancy is nearing the finish line on her Dot Shawl. She has decided to do the edging in just the purple yarn to highlight the little bobbles.

Janna found a lovely superwash merino in her stash in enough quantity to make a baby blanket. The Someday Baby Blanket in this yarn will have great stitch definition to highlight the basket weave design.

Barbara B started a pair of baby socks using TAAT magic loop method (two at a time). It's a good way to insure you get two socks of the same exact size...ask me how I know. LOL!

I will never knit two socks separately again!

Jan started a Changing Staircases Shawl, a free pattern on Ravelry. The variegated yarn will add some movement to the stockinette sections.

Dorah started a baby cardigan for a friend's baby and set it aside. That baby is probably in fourth grade now so the Chicks' inventory will benefit from her procrastination.

Cinzia designed a sweater for herself and is working both sleeves together on one needle. This will insure all decreases and design motifs will be the same on both sleeves, just like the TAAT socks.

Annika's lace scarf is getting longer. She said the pattern is an easy one to memorize even though it looks complicated. There is only one row to which you have to pay attention. The others are just knit or purl all stitches.

Margaret cast on 60 stitches to start a baby hat.

I didn't get a chance to ask, but these are the two yarns she will incorporate into the design. 

I'm thinking stripes most likely.

I'm working on the Top Down Raglan Child's Sweater which is a free pattern on Ravelry. It suggests buttons all the way to the bottom edge but I think I'll just use three.

Barbara B completed this adorable Short Row Baby Hat using the yarn that my daughter dyed with Kool Ait. The yarn is a soft baby alpaca which will require gentle care but hats don't get washed all that much...do they?

Carole used a 100% acrylic yarn about which she wasn't all that crazy but the finished Beach Pebbles Cowl turned out to her liking. It looks great and has such nice texture.

I spent ages vacuuming cat fur off the velvet seat cushions this morning so the Chicks wouldn't leave my house with "souvenirs" attached to their clothing. Guess what happened the second the last person left and the door closed! You can tell by the expression in his eyes that Fozzie knows the rules but just doesn't care! LOL! 

It's a good thing he's cute! 

Have a great week and keep those needles clicking!