Yule Log Fingerless Mitts

DH and I were not exchanging holiday gifts this past year. So when I found out that I was getting a "non-gift exchange gift," I thought I should whip up something quick for him.

He commented that he liked the Maine Morning Mitts by Clara Parkes I knit for myself.

I used KnitPicks Swish worsted held with the Alpaca Pete's Alpaca yarn on a size 5 needle.  I wanted these to be very tight knit.   The fabric is so tight, these stand up on their own. See?


I think they look like a Yule Log without the mushrooms.

I lengthened the wrist part a bit much but DH will be able to turn them into a cuff and that should work nicely.

I submitted

My scholarship application to the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat.  (fingers crossed)

I thought I would post a video with some of the things I was thinking as I wrote up my nomination.  I hope I get it. 

Did you like the bit about having all the guys show me theirs?

David being silly with Quinn

David being silly with Quinn
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

Aren't they cute?

David and Sadie

David and Sadie
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

Sometimes I get sad that I won't be a father. But I'm part of The Uncles. That makes me happy!

and it is cheaper. No college to pay for. LOL

My Sister Finished a Hat!

My Sister Finished a Hat!
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

I got this photo from my sister earlier this week. She finished hat! This is what she wrote. "I just wanted to share this photo with you. I knitted my first hat! Not a big deal really but a milestone for me. It is a belated Christmas gift for Bobby. I used Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends and made a scarf as well. It was just knitted flat and then stitched together but it is a step towards bigger and better things. I have been looking at patterns for a baby cocoon I was thinking about knitting for a friend who is expecting in March but they all call for circular needles. I have not used circular or double pointed needles yet so I am a little afraid to take it on yet. I suppose I need to try sometime."

I suggested she search knittinghelp.com for help on the circs and dpns. Do you have other suggestions for resources?

A New UFO

A New UFO
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

My sister Joanne is an avid quilted. She is taking part in a UFO challenge in 2011. This is when you organize your Unfinished Objects, select 12 of them and put them aside. Each month, a number is selected and you spend the month finishing that quilt.

We're enjoying a visit and got to see her progress.

Strange thing, she started a "new UFO." I don't quite understand how that works. I asked her why she wasn't working on her project. After several minutes of talking she admitted that she was starting a new UFO.

Made me smile.

Men's Spring Knitting Retreat?

So I've been taking January off from the blog. Have you missed me?
I saw a post that they have two scholarships for the Spring Retreat on QueerJoe's Knitting Blog.

Calling For Nominations
This upcoming May, the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat will be held again in Upstate New York at Easton Mountain Retreat Center from Thursday, May 19 to Sunday, May 22, 2011.
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We want you to nominate any man you think should be able to go to the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat this coming May.

You can nominate a friend, a family member or yourself. The nominee must be a man and over 21 years of age. And please confirm that your guy has agreed to be entered into the nomination process and is available to attend. Two sample nominations would be:

I would like to nominate John O'Hara for the 2011 MSKR Scholarship. John is an Librarian in Northern Arkansas with a great love for reading and knitting. He is always teaching knitting to anyone interested and has taught his wife to knit and has begun to teach his children (who he thinks are too young yet to learn, but he still tries). He lives in a very rural state with no local yarn stores, so John helped start a knitting group at the library where he works and has also worked to increase the number of books on knitting kept within his library network (for which we are all very grateful). John would love to get together with other guys who have a love for knitting, crocheting and spinning and I think he would be an amazing addition to your group of guys.

I would like to nominate myself, John O'Hara, for the 2011 MSKR Scholarship. I have been knitting for 3 years and am completely hooked. As a professional who travels a lot, I take great pride in knitting in public and teaching coworkers how to knit. Unfortunately, since most of my work is done for non-profit organizations and I support a family of five, I have no funding, but would very much appreciate the opportunity of being around other guys that knit. I would appreciate your favorable review of my nomination.

Send nominations to me at queerjoe @comcast.net. Scholarship recipients will be selected from all the nominations by a panel of Men's Knitting Retreat coordinators (Michael Wade, Ted Myatt, Barry & myself). DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS January 28, 2011. The winner will be officially announced on February 4, 2011.
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Attending a Men's Knitting Retreat is on my "to-do list."
Anyone out there want to nominate me? I promise to video some of the fun. I expect there are rules for "what happens at Men's Knitting Retreat, stays at Men's knitting retreat." I'd love to go. But it scares me a bit. Have you seen what some of these amazing knitters create?
Yes, I am able to attend.
I've been knitting for 8 years. 
Thank you.

Heart of Darkness, a Documentary by Simon Williams

I got to support a young director work on a school project. Cool, huh?