Yarn Along & Blogiversary Giveaway Preview

I took all of your great advice in the comments on last week’s Yarn Along post and cast on Nathan’s green tweed vest later that day.  (Seriously, not one person suggested I cast on something else—who am I to ignore the power and sensibilities of the almighty knitting bloggers?!)  And I’m loving it so far, so thanks!   The pattern is Milo (Ravelry link), and it’s knitting up really quickly.  The pattern is easy, the little cabled owl motif is charming and the yarn is soooooo darn soft.  I’m knitting it in Knit Picks City Tweed DK in colorway Toad, and I didn’t realize its fiber content is 20 percent alpaca when I bought it—that must be what’s making it so luxuriously soft and smooth.  The yarn is just flying through my hands.

And to the few who suggested that I might cast on more than one project from that box of new yarn….you were right!  I have to keep it a secret for now, but the truth will come out eventually.  Wink, wink.  And I may cast on yet another new project tonight!

I just picked up Corduroy for Nathan, not because he’s ready for a story this involved (it’s not that involved, really, but for a not-quite-two-year-old….I guess it is), but because I remember it from my childhood and I had to have it.  He’ll grow into it soon enough.  It’s about a stuffed bear in a department store that sits on the shelf, with a button missing from his corduroy overalls, and no one seems to want him. This book struck a chord with me when I was young because I felt like my stuffed animals had feelings, even though I knew intellectually that they didn’t.  This book is proof that I was right!

An Irish Country Village is going great, although I still haven’t made Irish Soda Bread, or Wheaten Bread as they call it in the North.  (Thank you all for the buttermilk substitute tips!)

And finally, I picked up Knitting Fair Isle Mittens & Gloves from the library today for some inspiration.  I’ve knitted Fair Isle patterns before, but didn’t know the history behind them or the way they’re traditionally knit—it’s fascinating!  I’m such a knitting geek.

Onto the giveaway preview!

Next week is my first blogiversary and I’m getting excited already.  That’s because I have a week of giveaways planned!  I have three Knit Picks-sponsored giveaways (yes, you heard me right, free yarn!) and two surprise giveaways—one is such a surprise that even I don’t know what it is yet!  I hope you’ll follow and check back next week for all the giveaway action…please help me spread the word!  When I started this blog a year ago, I had the lofty goal of reaching 200 followers by my first blogiversary....and I'm so close!  I hope you can help me reach my goal!  : )