Nothing says love better to knitter/yarn aficionado than a giant heart-shaped box full of yarn. Who needs chocolate? :)

(via CraftZine)

(Image from LionBrand.com)

I saw this scarf in the Winter 2009 Lion Brand catalog and knew I had to make it for my friend Winnie. The colors of the yarn used (Lion Brand’s LB Collection Superwash Merino in mulberry & mahogany) are so fantastic together!

The gorgeous cityscape-like pattern is created by knitting short rows with the mulberry and the rich brown as the base. Using size 4 needles, this was a really fun knit. I finished it just in time for Winnie’s birthday in March and was so glad she loved it.

As luck would have it, I found this vintage button at the antique fair just a few weeks before I finished the scarf. In the same shade as the mulberry, it was the perfect color and size. Is that the perfect button or what?

The pattern is free and can be downloaded here (you need to sign up with Lion Brand). It is classified as “Intermediate” but I think it should really be for the “Advanced Beginner.” All it involves is the knit stitch, decreasing, short rows (this version is really simple and sounds harder than it is. No “wrapping” involved), and making a buttonhole. I was able to do it and I’m definitely not an intermediate knitter. Knitting with two colors and doing short rows kept it interesting while not frustrating at all. If you like knitting with smaller needles, this is a perfect project with a big impact.

Last winter, I asked my Mom if she wanted anything knitted for Christmas. I gave her a feather & fan scarf a few years ago and she really loved it. She said, “A vest!” And so I decided to give it a go.

The pattern I found online (Pretty in Pink on freepatterns.com) on was very easy to follow and the cable looked fairly easy to do. I had never done cabling before this, so I figured this might as well be my chance to use a cable needle for the first time! Plus it’s knitted in the round and doesn’t require seaming! I used Valley Yarns Valley Superwash from Yarn.com and it’s lovely to work with! It’s so cozy and warm, with great stitch definition that really made the cables stand out.

Needless to say, my Mom loved it. She gave me a big hug and asked, “How did you know it would fit so perfectly?”

I call it beginner’s luck! :)

I loved the Anthropologie-Inspired Capelet so much that I made one for my friend Yvonne. She loves the color orange, and I thought this style would look super cute on her. It took me a few days to complete, and I gave it to her about a week before Christmas.

Today she wore it for the first time and sent me a photo and it totally made my day!!!

Is that super cute or what?! She was happy that it fit her so well, and so was I. I love seeing people wear something I made. This keeps me want to keep knitting.

Thanks Yvonne!

Another knitted gift! I made this for Caroline. The pale yellow reminds me of ducklings (she loves them)!

JoAnn Sensations Dolcetto yarn in a pale yellow on sz 8 needles. Vintage shank button closure. Pattern based on "Little Ruff" from One Skein Wonders.