Mid-February Freeze

The past few years I've noticed that the winter weather doesn't seem to come until February.  Historically the third week of January is the coldest of the year, but lately the cold doesn't hit until mid-February.  It seems as if all of the seasons have shifted by a few weeks to a month.  We finally have snow on the ground.  Not much and it isn't going to last.

The past month has been busy.  Trisha and Craig have made a lot of progress on their wedding plans.  The venue is booked, which includes the food, drinks, cake, DJ, table decorations and ceremony location.  Her dress is ordered.  The bridesmaids dresses have been picked out, but not ordered yet.  The photographer is booked.   Later in the fall we'll go to the venue and make the design decisions for the cake, table settings, table flowers and menu.

One of my goals this year is to knit and/or finish some of the projects I already have.  First on the finish list is the Jimmy Beans 2019 shawl.  I finished the miles of I-cord bind off and blocked it.  Squeaks was very interested in the blocking process.  Not that it is done, I've worn it a number of times.  I absolutely love it!

Speaking of Squeaks, she's become my little buddy.  She won't crawl on my lap during the day, but occasionally she'll sleep by me if I'm in the one chair.  The other week she was a very tired kitty after a good belly rub.

She even let me tuck a blanket around her.

I made myself a little project bag.  I had watched a class on Bluprint and decided to give it a try.  I didn't box the corners correctly and I'm not a fan of the interfacing the instructor recommended.  I think next time I'll use a fusible batting instead.  And remember to do the corners the right way.

I love the fabric I used.  There will definitely be more project bags in my sewing queue. 

I am using this project bag for my latest knitting project, the Discovery poncho from Heidi & Lana.  I bought the kit at the 2018 Wool Gathering from YarnByrds.  It's been hovering at the top of my queue for a while.  After I finished the JB shawl I pulled it out and cast on.  It is an easy knit and will go with me on my upcoming trips.

My knitting enabler talked me into doing a Gift Along at our LYS.  Each month they will have a new project to work on with the thought that the projects can be used later as Christmas gifts.  I joined for the February GAL, which is the Twistmas hat.

Someone at the GAL suggested going down a needle size.  It is making a very dense fabric, which I hope fits an adult head.  I'm not sure I'll join the GALs each month.  Because of a conflict I won't make the March get together.  We'll see if April is a project I'd one to make before I decide.

That's about all the updates I have for now.  Happy Knitting!!