Does Absence Make the Heart Grow Fonder?

Dear readers,

Does absence make the heart grow fonder, or, does it grow more distant?  I hope the former.  I apologize for the long absence.  My partner, J. passed away unexpectedly over the Holidays on the East Coast during a visit.  That, with a medical problem he struggled with all last year, left no time or energy for blogging.

Zombies Anyone?

But, now, after an extended absence I am back with a series of posts to show you what I've been up to.  I also have converted a Singer 201K to a treadle, later post on that to follow.  I also bought a spinning wheel from a friend, but have yet to quite spin anything.  

In the photo below, I've displayed all the projects I've completed (in two cases the projects are in progress), appropriately staged on J.'s piano, as usual:

Let me go over the knitted hats, woven scarfs, and cowls, first, with more posts to follow.

First, the Zombie BBQ Felicity Hat -- yarn appropriately named from Lorna's Laces Worsted.  A two day knit from cast-on.   I made it slightly small (cast on 70 stitches) -- next time I might make it slightly larger.  The Ravelry information can be found HERE.

Ready for the Zombie Apocalypse.  Now, if I can just get some life skills!

Second, the Metalico Fresco Slouchy Hat, on Ravelry, made with Metalico yarn that I had left over from another project.  The Ravelry information on this project is HERE.

 Easy, soft and with stash yarn -- yeah!!

This project is Honey Cowl made with Madeline Tosh Midnight Pass Yarns (which my dad jumped that bridge in his car in Sarasota back in the day (it is no longer there)) from A Good Yarn in Sarasota.  Super easy, but kinda boring.  Still, I loved the result.  The Ravelry information is found HERE.

Next, I started making these for both me and  J., but really only finished mine -- my first pair of socks!  The Cow Springs Hiking Socks, made with Lorna's Laces Worsted.  I love the heel on these socks.  Fabulous!  The Ravelry information can be found HERE.

Finally, from my good friend and weaver, Allyson -- she wove a scarf from this fabulous chenille. The scarf is patterned after the first 8 bars of the melody of the song Empty Chairs at Empty Tables from Les Miserables. She surprised me with it after a movie, which brought tears to my eyes, 'cause that is how I roll now.  Perfect scarf for jeans too.  I love it!!!

More to follow -- I have shorts, tights, a v-neck knitted sweater and two knitted pillows.  I am also in love with the new Jalie patterns.  Before that I need to do some stash busting I think.   My sewing and knitting are slow, but I'm in no hurry.

XOXO, P.