Emptyknitster

We had a fun filled and busy week. Many games were played, Ticket to Ride, Montanaopoly, Garbage, 4 wheeling, cookie baking, making wish lists, black Friday shopping,  and tree decorating.

When SadieLou comes to town I like to have a project of two we can do together. She loved sewing the makeup bags as Christmas gifts for friends.  We both ended up with bags for ourselves and I think mine will get a lot of use.  All four of us made some Scandinavian Star Christmas ornaments and I'm proud Isaac stuck it out and made one too!

I found some yarn in my stash to use for this cowl. It was 4ply superwash and MAN is this going to be warm when we go to Iceland! It was much to warm for the breezy fall day of football! Pattern: In the Loop by Espace Tricot Yarn: Beroco Ultra Wool Colorway: Hollyhock, Cast Iron, Granite,  Black Pepper Needle Size: US Size 8

It's so nice having a little one to project for again! I've enjoyed knitting this sweater in the past and was happy to pull it out again to knit a Christmas sweater for grand niece AnnaMarie. I also found a stuffed doll pattern I thought was cute. It's called Sleeping Buddy and is intended to be scented with lavender. I hope this becomes a favorite but little ones often love them to death or they don't give them a second glance, and they end up at the bottom of the toy box, time will tell! Pattern: Tasia's Cardigan #607 by Dana Gibbins Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted Solids & Heather Colorway: Navy Needle Size: US Size 5, US Size 6 Pattern: Sleeping Buddies-Lavender stuffed dolls by Vanja Grundmann Yarn: Hobby Lobby I love This Yarn! and Red Heart 4-ply acrylic Colorway: Tropical Pink, Bloomtique, Flesh Color Hook Size: 2.0mm

Pattern: Vanilla Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners Colorway: Blue Tit Needle Size: US Size 1 Pattern: Vanilla Yarn:Zwergar Garn Opal Reiselust 6-fach/6-ply Colorway: Rum Nien Needle Size: US Size 1 I finally had a pair of needles confiscated by airport security, It was on our journey home, leaving Ecuador to Miami.... the guard said they were "dangerous" and I couldn't take them on board the plane and then proceeded to stare at me. Finally I asked for them back and slid the needles off the almost completed sock and handed her the needles. Her response, "Those are very pretty socks." - Oh, come on lady!

After touring the volcanoes we had  lunch in  the home of a local artist along with an interesting conversation and a tour of her home and studio. Then is was a short drive to a nearby rose plantation. Ecuador is  the world's third-largest exporter of cut flowers, 73% are roses. High in the Andes roses have a much longer growing season.