What the HK is on Viki's Needles?

I've been a busy little knitter as of late.

 

Last year, it seemed like I didn't get as much knitting done as in other years. We were finishing our basement and had trades coming and going for a good part of the year. There always seemed to be something to distract me or stress me. Sure, I still finished a decent amount of projects, nothing to be ashamed of really, but I had a lot unfinished things as well. I almost hate to admit it, but several of my KAL projects didn't get finished during the allotted time. I was not a very good KAL host, I'm afraid.

 

This year is off to a much better start knitwise. I dug a few projects out of deep dark WIP storage and finished a few +5 year projects - which felt so good. I whipped up a couple of hats for the kids - which felt so responsible. I already finished my KAL project for January/February - like a good host should do.  I've even started a new design which feels like it might just work out.

 

As a result, I have several HK projects to share with you today.

 

Last week I cast on a pair of Business Casual socks as part of a KAL being hosted by Celtic Cast On. I'm knitting mine in Artisan Sock in the club colour Twilight. I knew I liked this colour in the skein, but knit up it is fantastic. It reminds of the bluish black edges of India ink. With this pattern it almost looks like it has been distressed. 

 



On the same day I also cast on a new pair of socks for our Adrienne Fong (Belly Button Knits) KAL on Ravelry. This time I chose Ode to Frogs and the Pond. I'm knitting this one in Artisan Sock in the club colour Flicker. It reminds of those super cute (and usually poisonous) orange frogs.

And why did I cast on a second KAL project? I had so much fun knitting the first one, I wanted the KAL fun to continue. My first KAL project was the mystery sock Adrienne designed especially for our Ravelry group. I knit the now-named Chinese Bell Flower socks in Artisan Sock in the club colour Surf.

As I mentioned above, I also play around from time to time with my own designs and recently cast on for a new design project in Artisan Sock in Posy. Without giving too much away, here's a little sneak peek.

And remember those Business Casual socks above that I cast on just last week? I actually finished them on Sunday night. Seven days from start to finish. Unheard of for me. I think these may become my new vanilla sock. Love!

I'm thrilled that my knitting for 2013 seems to be on a roll. I'm sure I'll have more to share with you soon if this keeps up.

Book Giveaway - The Results!

Thanks for all the comments and sharing your WIP totals with me - or at least the ones you are willing to admit. Truth be told, I'm feeling pretty normal now. I am not alone!

 

I've compiled all the comments (removing late arrivals, doubles and anonymous), fed the random number generator and came up with the following result.

 

Congratulations GerryART!  We'll be in touch about sending you your prize.

This was fun. I'll have to do this again soon.

Let's have some fun!

It's time for another book giveaway! And this one is adorable.

 

Rebecca Danger of Dangercrafts is well-known for her original and creative toy designs, especially her monsters. Perhaps you are familiar with Maddox the Mischievous Monster? I've seen him popping up all over blogland for years.

 

Now Rebecca has taken her passion for monsters and created an entire nursery of designs in her latest book Knit a Monster Nursery. And today we have a copy to review and share. 



 

Knit a Monster Nursery is chock full of patterns your littlest family member will enjoy, from clothing to toys to decorations. 

I think these Monster Bootees would be a real treat in HK DK Lively. Maybe in Stick o'Butter and Zest.

 



Several of the patterns in the book also call for a fingering weight yarn, like Artisan Sock, including my absolute favourite: the Monster Mobile. How fun would this be in a nursery? The monster hanging upside down by his feet just slays me. I love it!

With 19 adorable patterns in the book you are sure to find the perfect idea for your nursery or perhaps to knit and give as a baby shower present. You'd be the hit of any shower, to be sure.

We love Rebecca's patterns so much, we are currently working with her on a super secret project (Shhh! I shouldn't even be mentioning it!). More on that in the future!

To see all the patterns included in the book, check out the book's ravelry page here.

To see Rebecca's complete list of patterns on Ravelry, click here, or you can visit dangercrafts.com.

To learn more about Rebecca you can follow along on her blog, here.

Knit a Monster Nursery can be purchased through most bookstores or directly through Rebecca, here.

And as promised, one of our lucky readers will win a copy of this super cute book. To be entered to win all you need to do is leave a comment on this post by midnight PST Friday, February 8, 2013 telling us how many knitting projects you currently have on the go (make sure you leave an email address or Ravelry name so we can find you). My answer? I've just cast on two new socks today (more on those soon) so that puts me up to 5 WIPs.

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