Well, not really, but I'm still super excited.

My last post caught the attention of
Connie G. Barwick at About.com: Cross Stitch.
She liked my Giraffe so much that she decided to feature it on her blog today.
She also offered me a trade. I sent her my Giraffe and Monkey.
In return she sent me three great kits.

This is Scenic Lighthouse (65057) from Dimensions' Gold Collection.

This one is from The New Berlin Company.

This cute little Santa (4150) is from NeedleMagic Inc.

She even threw in something a little extra.

John James Gold Plated Tapestry Petites.
I've never used "fancy" needles before.
I always use the needles that come free with my kits.


I am so glad that others enjoy my work.
I think I'll be stuck on Cross Stitch at least through the spring.
Be sure to watch for new posts and new projects.

I have been knitting these baby hats for fun,
but this weekend my Pom Pom Bear hat
came in handy as a 1st birthday present for my cousin, Annabelle.


Doesn't she look adorable?


The hat even complimented her crazy "Brady Bunch" dress.


I am so pleased to see my work in action.

I have been just going straight through my
Baby Beanies: Happy Hats to Knit for Little Heads by Amanda Keeys.
This pattern is called pompom bear and can be found on page 51.

This hat required a three-needle bind off.
I have never attempted that type of bind off,
but the instructions included in the book were easy to follow and understand.

I used Punta's Merisoft Hand Painted yarn in HP66.
I love the bright colors!

I used Clover Takumi Bamboo needles in 16" size 9 circular and 7" size 9 DPNs.
I also used a Clover large Pom Pom Maker in 2 1/2".


I really enjoyed this pattern and I am already making a new and larger sized version right now.
I have been told this hat is similar to the one worn by the cartoon character, Chowder.

I had to take a break from my baby hats to make a very special hat for a very special person.
Someone very close to me has been diagnosed with cancer for a second time.
She recently started chemotherapy, so I knew she could use a nice hat.



I have been knitting for charity with the Minnesota Rollergirls since the beginning of this year.
I'm glad that MNRG and Crafty Planet gave me this great opportunity to learn about the need for chemo caps.



Please let me take this chance to ask all of you to donate at least one crafty project this month to your favorite charity.
If you are not sure where to start, check out this list.



This pattern can be found at HeadHuggers.org.
The yarn is Caron Simply Soft Brites in Blue Mint.
I used Clover Takumi Bamboo needles in 16" size 9 circular and 7" size 9 DPNs.

I have finished my second baby beanie from
Baby Beanies: Happy Hats to Knit for Little Heads by Amanda Keeys.
This one is called 'special day silk hat'.


First, let's meet my new model.
Her name is Natasha.
I found her on clearance at my local Toy R Us store.


I used Cascade Sierra yarn in 15 pink and Offray Simply Sheer 7/8" ribbon in light pink.
The pattern called for Cascase Pima Silk yarn,
but I wasn't able to locate that particular kind at any of my LYS.


I used Skacel's addi Turbo Circular 12" US 7 and Clover's Takumi Bamboo 7" size US 7 DPNs.
I really enjoyed using the addi Turbo needles.
They were very smooth and fast.


Natasha's head is a bit small for this hat,
but I appreciated her patience while I photographed her.

I finished a new hat!

I found the pattern for this 'simple roll-brimmed hat' in
Baby Beanies: Happy Hats to Knit for Little Heads by Amanda Keeys.




This is my first project using circular and double pointed needles (DPNs).

I used Clover Takumi Bamboo needles in 16" size 9 circular and 7" size 9 DPNs.
I also used a Clover small Pom Pom Maker in 1 3/8".



I used Caron Simply Soft in Sage for the hat and
Caron Simply Soft Paints in Spring Brook for the pom-poms and braids.




I am so happy how it turned out.

I hope I can find a little head to enjoy my new hat!

This is Spritekin.

He is completely hand-sewn.

I used flannel and felt.

He is crafted from a pattern found in the book
Cute Dolls by Aranzi Aronzo.

Here is my cat Asha helping me finish up my new hat.

I made this using a 9.5" Knifty Knitter round loom, Patons Shetland Chunky yarn in Imperial Variegated, and the Knifty Knitter flower loom.