Finally got the time to take pictures of Stuart's sweater. I started knitting about 9-10 months ago and this is the first sweater I made for him. I've done a couple of large market bags, a shrug and a couple of vests for Alyssa, and hats & scarves for everyone. I'm working on another sweater for Alyssa (a hoodie) and have a cabled sweater lined up next, plus Stuart wants a hat to match the sweater. Oh, and Alyssa wants another hat. I'm thinking I'll do a cabled one to match her sweater. I'm about 1/2 done with her hoodie now, so it's moving along nicely. Stuart chose this sweater to match one he saw in a trailer for the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie. It's a striped, zip-up cardigan that Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) is wearing in the trailer(he's in the middle in the back) and he wants a hat to match like the one Ron wears in Prisoner of Azkaban (I'll add a picture of it and one from the trailer). It took almost 2 months to make, but I had to adapt a pattern for a zip-up cardi that was solid and figuring out the stripes and lining them up on the sleeves and body of it were a challenge. If I use the same yarns they should look good together. It's a shame the movie was moved back to July, he wanted to wear the sweater. Oh well, he's wearing it now since it's gotten cold and says he loves it. The cabled sweater and hat are from Harry Potter movies as well, they are patterns from the ones worn by Hermione (Emma Watson) and are in a lovely soft gray wool. Since I'm making Alyssa's hoodie in white wool-ease, I'll probably make these in either a soft rose color or stay with the original gray.
I've started listening to the Harry Potter series on tape/CD. It's so relaxing to listen to them while I'm knitting, along with a lovely hot cup of tea (Earl Grey). Such relaxing times, although far too few! At this point I only have the first 4 books on tape/CD, but am getting the others for Christmas. Along with a new set of interchangeable circular needles and some lovely wool I wanted to order from Ireland. It's been highly recommended from my knitting group and I can't wait to try it. Oh, and I am thinking about ordering some lovely organic, hand-dyed wool from another Raveler. I'm still trying to decide on the colorways. It's more expensive than I would usually buy, but it's so pretty and unbelievably soft.
Well, I guess that's about it for now. It's late and I'm turning in. I've stayed up late a few nights this week already making a doll for Alyssa and the clothes and shoes for it and I'm feeling it tonight. I'll add pics of Alyssa and her doll later.
