handmade by stefanie

There aren't many FO's I can share with you these days, so I'd like to share something cool from my crafty friend Lauren, who recently used my Whale Chart for an unexpected endeavor...I would like to present to my dear readers the first-ever "put a whale on it" fuse bead ornament! It probably won't surprise you to learn that I succumbed to a few Black Friday/Cyber Monday yarn sales. Even if you only read this blog occasionally, I'm sure you've figured out by now that I am incredibly weak-willed when it comes to all things yarn and fiber. At any rate, my first order showed up earlier this week - another skein of Tundra in Scotia Sea (I want to make the Arctic Circle cowl to coordinate with my mittens !) and the last skein of Swan's Island Organic worsted in the limited-edition colorway, Sugar Maple. I can't wait to knit with it - the color is even prettier in person and it's very soft! I was also thrilled to finally get my hot little ...

It's been a while since I've shared Raveler projects, so here's the latest, greatest projects to inspire you (clockwise from top left): Beentheredonethat's Stuffed Ostrich : Who doesn't love an ostrich playing piano?  S tickpixie's Hot Little Socks : Lacy Summer Socks knit with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Flames! Annedon's Kitchy Pleated Bag : This Raveler has made several versions of this purse using my pattern from Malabrigo Book 3 . Love the silk lining and tag - so fancy! MrsNezbit's Lipstick Purse : Knit with Malabrigo Worsted in Comfy Junkie and Lipstick, this is a great variation of this pattern! NaiadDreams' Whale Hexiflat : Oh, those clever hexipuffers (and hexiflatters, too!) - I'm honored to know that my whale chart has found its way onto a few Beekeeper's Quilts!  For more FO Projects, visit the Tami's Amis blog !

I was super-psyched earlier this week when I discovered that someone on Ravelry used my whale chart on a hexipuff !  Though I am not knitting a Beekeeper's Quilt (I think they're pretty spectacular, but just can't commit to something so....time-consuming), I am delighting in seeing everyone's projects and living vicariously through them (and, mayhaps, enabling them a wee little bit !).  Siri oh-so-cleverly duplicate stitched this little guy onto a hexipuff...yet another awesome and creative way to put a whale on it!

I'm continually delighted with the amount of whale-themed projects popping up on Ravelry using my little whale chart .  It's always interesting to see how people use it - some take a few elements that they need while some use the entire chart, for example.  There's a good variety of projects that just look better with whales on them, other than the socks that started it all - hats, sweaters, cellphone cozies, etc.  Then we get down to yarn types and colors - and today's featured projects are a great example of the infinite possibilities of all these elements.  yarnstormer's whale hat I've shared this first hat with you before, but I want to post it again because a) it's super cute and b) it's a great foil to the next project I'll be sharing with you.  If you recall, yarnstormer's whale hat is a striking mix of Madeline Tosh Sock, Zitron Pro Trekking, and a few colors of The Loopy Ewe's solid series.  She's even kind enough to give...