From Little Green Men to UFOs

In the process of cleaning up my crafting area(s), I keep finding UFOs (Un-Finished Objects). My goal for the last 25 years of my life is to finish all projects and start fresh.

:::: Pausing for those of you who know me to stop laughing ::::

I won't even go into my quilting projects but some of the knitting projects that were started were painfully close to completion so I had a good short-term goal to aim for.

First off are the Seaweed socks that lacked only ribbing on one sock and a cast-off for both socks. Since these were toe-up, I had been looking for a cast-off that I liked. I settled for EZ's sewn bind-off edge and it seems to work better than others I tried. I'm still not totally happy but I'll keep searching for a favorite toe-up cast-off. The socks fit wonderfully and I'm looking forward to wearing them soon.
Specs:
Pattern: Seaweed Socks by Wendy Johnson - WONDERFUL pattern :)
Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock in Alabaster colorway purchased at The Hook and Needle in Bryan, Texas
Needles: Size 0 double point
Notes: toe up using Turkish Cast-On and EZ's sewn bind-off

Second were the Leyburn's that I actually started in January. I joined the Socks That Rawk group on Ravelry and this pattern was the current project. I used a skein of lightweight Socks that Rock that had been languishing in my stash since I don't wear much green. Plus it was a colorway that hadn't been claimed. I probably would have picked something else but for that last fact. But it is good to get it used.
Specs:
Pattern: Leyburn by PepperKnits
Yarn: Socks that Rock by Blue Moon Fiber Arts in the County Clare colorway
Needles: Size 1.5 double points
Notes: Cuff down using 72 stitches, 35 on flap heel, 18 pickup on gusset. I modified the pattern so that is came to a point on instep and did not repeat on the foot of the sock. I like smoother fabric on the foot section.

Third is a charity project that I also started in January. I had seen the Shedir cap pattern on Ravelry but didn't want to have to buy that expensive skein of Rowan Calmer to do the hat. So I tried it with Cascade Fixation with great results. I can stand doing a bit of cabling ... this hat was just pushing my patience when it was done so perfect. This hat will go to a local hospital as a chemo cap for a cancer patient.

Specs:
Pattern: Shedir by Jenna Wilson
Yarn: 1 skein of Cascade Fixation (used almost entire skein) in Red (3628)
Needles: Size 3 circulars, knit using the magic-loop method
Notes: On the small size - would go up to size 4 needles if I knit again with this yarn. The cap is soft and very stretchy.


Next up .. a shawl that is almost long enough to bind off.

Specs:
Pattern: Lacy Ripple Shawl by Cathy Hardy - I received the pattern from Debbie Macomber
Yarn: Berroco Comfort (color 9807) purchased at Twisted Yarn in Spring TX
Needles: Size 8 bamboo straights
Notes: I love the color and feel of this yarn. Very fast knit. I'll post final pictures when done.

That's all (whew!).

Till later ~~ Dene