Greetings from the Ice Planet Hoth - Projects for when it's way to cold to go outside.

First of all...Happy New Year! Here's to a happy and productive 2018. Over here in Manitoba, we've been locked into a cold snap for almost 2 weeks now, with temps regularly dropping lower than -30 C with a wicked windchill added in for good measure. My one out of town gathering meant I had to brave the weather - and was rewarded with 2 flat tires before I even got out of the city! Luckily our second car fared a lot better and we did make it out to visit my family AND go see Kaeleigh at her new digs in the country. That was a jolly good time, especially since I had been just dying to meet those kittens of hers.

Suffice it to say, I've been staying home A LOT. It's been a productive time, so I thought I'd put together a pattern and book round-up. Maybe some of these will help you stave off the winter crazies if you're trapped inside like I am :)

1. The Yarnspirations Summer Mist Throw. Ironic name, no? I thought it was time to whip up a new afghan for the living room, since the current crocheted afghan I have in use is the literal first crochet project I ever did. It was definitely time for an upgrade. I'm working it up in the same colours as my hexagon curtains and I'm about halfway through. Here's a shot of how it's looking so far...

Thanks to Tiger Lily for the great job modeling, haha. What made me choose this pattern is the way that the four colours alternate through the motif. It's so thick and warm already! I did alter the pattern by making my rows 199 stitches across instead of 109, so that it's big enough to share when it's done.

2. Hats hats hats! I've whipped up seven hats since my last post! The latest one I did was with some lovely Koigu yarn that Kaeleigh gifted me. It worked up beautifully - amazing how much more impressive it looks when it's off the skein and made into something!

The pattern is called the Watchcap Beanie and it was easy as pie. Fingering yarn is slow going though, especially when you knit as slowly as I do!

At my family gathering in Winkler, my sister in law was saying she wanted a slouchy toque, so I whipped up the Shell V Shell Crochet Slouch for her. It worked up in a few hours and came out lovely!

And finally, my other sis in law got gifted five touques after she asked me to make her one. She had lost her only toque and due to skin allergies can only wear natural fibres. I raided my cotton yarn stash and challenged myself to make as many as I could for her before I saw her for Christmas. She ended up with two Slouchy Shells hats, a Jayne Cobb hat (without the ear flaps), a The Blog Collection Beanie, and my personal favourite - a Diamond Pattern Hat, which I worked up in black and a white with flecks of blue, yellow and green in it. It looked lovely and was my personal favourite :) I'll be making that one again FOR SURE. It even introduced me to using 2 colours in knitting - new skill acquired!

3. Books books books - 2018 aspirations. I've been gifted a few books lately and they encapsulate my goals for this year.

Here's hoping that by 2019, I'm dyeing yarn, designing projects, and knitting Fair Isle motifs like a boss! All of these books are available on Amazon, and they do not disappoint. 

Phew - that's all for now. Coming up next for me, the reveal of my completed Done in Love Pullover...as soon as I can borrow Kaeleigh's photography skills for my modeling session ;)