For the Love of Yarn

Back in August, when my girlfriend and I attended Sock Summit, we made a pinky swear to not purchase yarn for a year.  Ahem.  I think I've done pretty well (Nate gave me only a month).  I can proudly say, I have purchased no yarn for me (Nate did give me money though to buy some... so that's really a gift... right?).  The only yarn I've picked up have been for projects for the kids. 

One thing I'm particularly enjoying about this challenge, is searching through my stash for yarn for that project I can't wait to knit, rather than heading to a store.  What that has meant for me, is that I end up knitting the project in a colour I know I wouldn't have otherwise.  But everything I've done so far, I've absolutely loved.  I double love it, because my stash is getting smaller.  That's a good thing (I think I could be called a yarn hoarder).

It's nearly February 1st, but I'm still sneaking this post into January.  Here's what I've cast off the needles this month!

This is Aidan's birthday hat.  The boy loves his puppies.  I love that when he runs in this hat, the ears flop.  It's knit out of my go to yarn for kids hats - Diamond Luxury DK.  Seriously this stuff holds up well to washing, it's comfortable, and it's great to knit with.  The pattern is McHenry Hat :)

This is the Top Down Shoulder Warmer.  I'd had it in my queue since early 2010.  I'm not sure what colour I had envisioned it, perhaps red, but I had two skeins of Madelinetosh DK in my stash - settled!  I LOVE how it turned out.  I can layer it with cream, brown, or blue long sleeves, and tanks probably in the spring.  It's fantastic with jeans.  As one of my first knits using Madelinetosh, this yarn is a dream.  A dream.

My Gingercowl.  Pattern is the Honeycowl, adapted to knit out of Madelinetosh Pashmina (cashmere blend = yum!).  I struggled with this knit.  It's a combination of knit, and slipped stitches, and for me, was really monotonous.  I had it as a personal goal to finish it by the end of this month, or it may have sat unfinished for months.

I also cast on, and off, two socks this month... but two different socks.  Their matches will hopefully be completed in February, so I will leave their reveal until then.

This means I have 3/33 projects so far for 2012.  If I can keep it up I might make my goal (of knitting as many projects as I am old). :)