Not So Secret Knitting

i've been a knitting machine in the past 3 weeks.  well, it's easy to make a lot of knitting progress when you're off from work, but whatever.  i have some projects to show.

1.  my last project of 2007 was the celestine tree topper.   my version isn't a tree topper but a jingling "ball" toy for my 1 year old niece. 

i used 12 different colors of patons classic merino (and size US6 dpns -- oops i meant size US3) and i put in two big jingle bells.   half the fun was letting j think that i was making a hat.  j's not a big fan of multi-colored jester hats.  when he saw that i had made a toy, he was considerably less horrified and may have admitted that  it was kind of cute.

2.  my first elizabeth zimmerman project, the baby surprise jacket.  this jacket is also for my little niece.  i hope it fits.  anyway, this was a fun knit and super easy if you aren't afraid of following a pattern that's written more like a list of  suggestion than an actual pattern.

i used caron's simply soft in paisley print that i had in my stash.  yeah, it's acrylic, but if my niece is going to wear this, it needs to be easy care because there's no way her mom is handwashing anything.  the buttons were purchased from graceful stitches.

and finally ....

3.  kate gilbert's super cute bird in the hand mittens.

i made my version with ella rae classic in burgundy red and off white.  i was a woman obsessed making these mittens and after a good blocking which took care of the slight puckering from the stranded knitting, i'm really pleased with how these turned out.

i love the picot edge.

and the little birds on the thumbs.

that's all i've got for now.