Thank you for all the comments on whether I should keep the blue argyle blanket or give it away. I decided to keep it and it has become my constant couch companion. I’ve enjoyed how it continues to soften the more it is used. Since my last post I finished two more knitting projects to give away.

The first was a scarf made for my sister’s boyfriend as a Christmas present. He lives in San Francisco so I wanted a light-weight scarf with lots of texture.

The second project was an op art spiral throw for SB. He loved the first one I made and requested one of his own. I made it slightly larger than the first. While I’ve been snuggled under my blue blanket, he’s been cozy under his spirals.

For my ninth knitting project I wanted a preppy design in a masculine color palette, something that would age well as the intended recipient grew-up. I think I succeeded with this diamonds on diamonds pattern in navy and gray. It also turned out huge! It is about 3′ x 5′ of fantastic superwash merino wool. This pattern had a stitch guide that I had to refer to for all fifteen square feet of knitting. It took me forever and has already logged a ton of miles, flying with me to Oregon and Utah.

Which all brings me to the rub. I’ve grown attached you see. This seemingly simple pattern was actually a ton of work and I’m so happy with the results. I don’t know if anyone but me will appreciate the hours and hours that went into this thing. But can I just keep it?

It wasn’t for any specific event, just a nice, good will present to be given at no particular time. I could always make another blanket, maybe something I’m less attached to? But then I don’t really need another throw and I was intending it to be a gift. Will it be more satisfying to give it away or to snuggle under it myself?

This summer I undertook three baby blankets. I missed the deadlines (birth dates) on all three and so far have only completed one. I blame my poor timeliness on two factors: my inability to order the right amount of yarn and my new plan to make all baby blankets in adult throw sizes, which means somewhere around 3 feet by 4 feet. That’s 36 square feet of stitches!

I’m really happy with how the first one turned out, the green one below. All three use the same super-wash merino wool from Knit Picks. I love the saturated colors that this yarn comes in and I also think super-wash merino is fantastic. I just need to keep on knitting and knitting and knitting.

I started my third knitting project, a lace scarf of cashmere, back before Christmas. This piece looked so simple, but after ripping it out five times it was all I could do to start over again and slog my way through. I learned a lot and the end product makes me smile but I don’t plan to undertake something with this fussy of a yarn for a while.

Rounding out my finished projects for 2007 is crochet project #14, the baby cape. This cape is going to a baby due in cold and snowy Wisconsin January. I’m hoping the hooded design will make for an easy wrap and hold for a little extra baby warmth.