As the weather is cooling down, my list of knitting "wants" continues to grow, but I'm trying very hard to get some projects off the needles and not cast on too many new projects. You see, I have several pairs of socks in progress (I'm not going to count, it's really just embarrassing at this point), 3 sweaters (maybe 4 or 5, but one is going to be frogged and the yarn re-purposed for a shop sample and 2 are linen and it's not really linen weather in Wisconsin now), a hippo that needs to be done this weekend since the recipient will be arriving in a couple weeks, and a few others. A list might be a good idea, but (for now) I'm going to focus on getting a few projects finished before I shock myself into reality.

This weekend I've focused on turning the heel on a pair of socks and 2 other projects:

The first is the pink... I've been beta-testing for the new CustomFit shapes that are coming soon *squee* and with my sweater body finished and on the blocking boards, today was the day to cast on the sleeves. I'm several inches past the twisted rib cuff and I expect to wrap up the first one tonight yet and hopefully the second tomorrow. It's exciting to think that there's a very good chance that I'll be wearing this sweater (and be able to share details) in just a few days!

The second project is the brim of a hat - also twisted rib... This is a new project that I just couldn't resist casting on and it's going to make a fabulous Firefly Fibers shop sample when it's done. This is the Passerine Hat by Erica Heusser and I can't wait to get past the brim and start knitting those birds!

I've had my eye on Passerine and managed to push it aside, but then a friend mentioned it to me a few days ago, and with the sleeves queued up, casting on was inevitable to motivate me. So, after contemplating Unicorn Tail colors yesterday for much longer than necessary since I stare at them for hours a day at the shop, I finally decided on Glazed Pecan for the body and Cousteau for the birds. Did I mention that I can't wait to start knitting those birds?! The pattern calls for 3 Unicorn Tails of the MC and 1 of the CC, but I decided to go with a full skein of TML for the body since I'm sure I'll be knitting more than one and the Glazed Pecan is a great background color.

With that... I better wrap up and get back to the knitting (and the very neglected crying husky). Hubby is helping family up north today and he'll be home soon, so I should probably get some supper started and prep for our weekly podcast recording. I hope you found some time to create this weekend!

Cheers!

With the holidays coming up, little 'somethings' really come in handy (and are very much appreciated), so that's just what I've got for us for our November Simple Knits project... say hello to the Jolly Wee Elf by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas!

Aren't they totally adorable? Each elf measures about 3-1/2" tall and is knit in fingering weight yarn - if you use 3 colors of Rowan's Fine Tweed (this is what Churchmouse knit theirs with and what I'll be using for mine), the 3 colors will knit up into 5 elves with extra left in the contrasting colors, so you can pick a couple main colors and for a gaggle of elves!

One of the things I love about these little ones, is they can be used year after year - if you're gifting, add a loop to the top of your Wee Elf and you've got an ornament that doubles as a personalized touch to a wrapped gift.

The Jolly Wee Elf is simple to knit and has some fun techniques wrapped up in the small package. The base is knit flat, then stitches are picked up around the edges to knit the body in the round - no fumbling with double-points with a super-small circumference. There's also a bit of brilliance with weighting down the bottom with a washer so it weighs the base down nicely so your elves will stand upright and sit nice and flat.

So, pop on over to Ravelry for more details and click on over to ravelry to purchase the pattern from Churchmouse Yarns & Teas. If you want to use Rowan's Fine Tweed for a rustic elf, visit Firefly Fibers in person or can order from our online shop -20% OFF in-store and online through the holiday season!

And... don't forget to share your progress in our Ravelry thread - these should be quick knit (especially after the first one), so be sure to add individual posts for each finished elf for more chances to win a Simple Knits Knitalong prize.

Happy Jolly Wee Elf Knitting!

Cheers, Alisa

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