WIPS to FOs

Happy Monday everyone! 
Well, I must say that I feel productive!  I just finished a gorgeous pair of socks using Schaefer's Heather sock yarn.  How I love that yarn for making socks!  I just ordered the new colorways that Schaefer is developing for Spring.  There a four new colors coming and are named after famous writers, this time!  They will arrive some time in May.

I also finished a pair of mittens that match the leaf scarf I finished the week before.  Both patterns are from Cascade Yarns' new book, "60 Quick Knits - 20 Scarves, 20 Hats and 20 mittens"....I loved making both projects.  They were fast and easy and they will be a Christmas present for someone special this year. 

My daughter, Sheila, is a Registered Nurse (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...lol) who works in cardiac critical care.  Being a nurse, myself, I understand how it seems like a nurse has to have many eyes and hands.  So, I found a really cute stuffed "garden slug" on Ravelry.  It has 2 eye stalks and 2 lower eyes and SIX tentacles...almost the perfect nurse!  So, I finished that this week, too - with scraps of leftover yarn.

I'll be posting pictures of all of the FOs later today or tomorrow!

I have been working on two other projects for a while now - the one I am currently trying to finish is a simple fitted summer tank top.  I'm using Schaefer's "Susan"  which is 100% mercerized pima cotton.  A great light-weight yarn with plenty of color and shine!  Perfect for summer tops!  I also ordered three new colorways in Susan which will arrive in May.  A few months ago, I bought the Brioche Knitting book from Cascade to try it out.   I started the Hedera Jacket in 5 different colors.  The brioche stitches are fabulous because your fabric looks just as great on the inside as outside.  The Hedera jacket has a collar that gets "folded over" when finished and the look is wonderful.  Well, I started it in February and then I caught some Spring fever - so I set is aside.  It is next in the queque after I finish the summer tank top.  I definitely want to finish the Hedera jacket after that!  The Brioche Knitting book is available at http://www.appalachianyarns.com/.  If you're interested in a fun stitch - this is it!  The book gives amazing tutorials and is really easy to follow!  You can catch a little glimpse of one of the brioche stitches on the home page of the store.

Next week, I'm thinking about the topic "How to choose your next project and the yarn to go with it"....stay tuned!
Toni