Danido Crafty » thoughts? ponderings?

I had a thought. I keep see these blog contests and I was thinking about having one. I think if I had a readership that I felt like I was talking to I might post more often. So I’m thinking of maybe running a contest on this here blog to get some people to stop by and maybe start reading on a regular basis, thus propelling me to update on a regular basis so there’s stuff to read. See how that works?

The four of you that currently read this; what do you think? And what should I give away? I’m broke but I have a pretty expansive stash, I suppose there’s yarn in there that other people might want/covet. If I were to give yarn away what kinds of yarn are good for giving? Perhaps some sock yarn? I have A LOT of sock yarn. Or some sturdy feltable worsted weight wool? I have a lot of that as well.

Now on to the real stuff! Knitting has been happening. I swear it has.

Baby Tank. A DaniDo Design that really should be a pattern soon.

 

 

 

I knit this well over a month ago now, I was working on it while my Mom was in town at the end of May. I don’t know why I hadn’t bothered to get a picture of it up here.

This is a bit of a departure for me for a couple of reasons, mainly as you can see it’s bright colors and STRIPES. Lots of stripes. Some of you may  know that I am a pretty ‘as easy as humanly possible’ knitter generally speaking and stripes are work. And all those ends to weave in! Oi!

And then there are the bright colors. I’m usually a fan of neutrals and earth tones. But these colors just screamed to be put together and the effect is so…cheery!

I’ve also been working on these:

Key chains!

Key chains of adorable miniature versions of some of my favorite things. Like mittens.

And…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Socks! Wee bitty socks! I made a little hat too, but I gave it to my dear friend Christina and I forgot to get a picture. It’s adorable I assure you though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then I tossed these damn things back onto the needles to try to finish up. I’m two repeats up the leg so far and I’m already sick of them again. I love them, don’t get me wrong and the pattern is a dream, but I’m just tired of them and I want them to be OVER already! I had originally had ambitions for these to be knee highs to wear with my little gray wool skirt in the fall, but…I just don’t see that happening.

I am looking for a good knee high pattern (toe up of course as it’s my preferred method for knitting socks.) so if anyone has any suggestions send them on over! (Ravelry links especially welcome!)

I’ve also started a simple top down raglan sweater out of some ridiculously soft merino that I had that is variegated, and then I’ll be doing the body of the sweater in an alpaca that I had laying around in the stash as well. I think it’ll be quite pleasing to look at but it’s slow going at the moment because it’s been 110+ degrees here in Las Vegas for the last few weeks and so anything made from wool that is bigger than socks has been put on hold for the time being.

I’d like to knit my brothers some things for Christmas as well, and I know it’s only July but I need good boy patterns too. NO sweaters or socks for them though, they’re both large boys over 6 feet tall and pushing 200 lbs. both of them. They can have hats, scarves and mittens.

So dear readers! Spread the good word! Lend me your wisdom and send me links and pattern suggestions! I’m not above buying a book for a single pattern, so if it’s in a book let me know the name of the book and I’ll look into it.