New Friend

Have you ever met someone new and suddenly there is an instant connection? Like you have been friends for ages? That's how I felt a few days ago after being introduced to brioche knitting. What a neat technique which looks more intimidating than it really is. The interplay of the two colors is mesmerizing, as is the cushy fabric that is created from a series of simple slip stitches, yarn overs, k2tog's and p2tog's. I am currently knitting the Newsprint Cowl for my youngest niece's birthday which is a great beginner's brioche project. She loves pink...

...and I am still into everything grey.

Luckily, my new friend is an easy going sort and so we both get the colors that we want!



(linking up with WIP Wednesday)

Improving Your Skillset - 3KCBWDAY6

Today's topic ties in with one of my New Year's crafting resolutions which is to challenge myself to learn "something new". So far this year, I have intentionally picked projects that allowed me to challenge myself a little bit more. The following is a short list of some techniques that I would like to improve upon or learn this year.

Colorwork: stranded, brioche, mosaic

Cables

Lace

Unique sweater constructions: sideways, SusieM's contiguous method

News ways to embellish my hexipuffs

(Muckle Cowl,  Aidez Cardigan, Baby Chalice Blanket, Spoked Cardigan, Beekeeper's Quilt)

Something New

In my New Year's wishes post, I deliberately kept "learn something new" open ended and vague. Why? Because in the past, when I resolved to learn how to play the guitar, learn how to quilt, learn how to bake a pie, etc, etc...my procrastination tendencies kicked in and by the end of the year, I was left with a failed resolution and disappointment in myself for not taking even the smallest steps towards completing my goal. So this year, the pressure is off and I have given myself complete freedom to learn SOMETHING! ANYTHING! How can I possibly fail, right?

Yesterday, I taught myself something that has made me ridiculously happy: how to cross stitch on knitted stockinette fabric! Dramatic and life changing it's not, but my hexipuffs will never be the same for it.

redwork heart hexipuff

The hardest part will be choosing from among the motifs in this book. Lots of wonderful embroidery and cross stitch ideas with charts for all of the motifs can be found within its pages.

In other WIP news, I am almost finished with my youngest niece's fingerless mitts. These were meant to be one of her Christmas presents, but now will make a nice little handmade Valentine's Day gift. Can't wait to get this final holiday gift project off the needles!

As always, check out all the great knitting and crochet on display at WIP Wednesday with TAMI'S AMIS.