Finally Finished

I never seem to be able to finish anything on a Friday so I can link to Finish It Up Fridays, so I will just have my own "Finally Finished" Posts.

Finally Finished #1

I finally finished my Afghan which I began in May.  I hesitated including it because it isn't blocked but included it anyway since it might never be blocked.  I wanted a more textured afghan and it is that but I am not entirely happy with it.  I suppose it will grow on my and it will certainly be useful as it is a good size.  I knit it with Plymouth Encore in Cream and it has remained basically nameless-I usually name my afghans.

Here is a closer look followed by a closeup-I have to get better at taking these camera phone pictures-of the border.

I had a bit of yarn left and crocheted around it in single crochet hoping it stabilize it a bit even though seed stitch is pretty stable in and of itself.  That didn't do much so I put a slip stitch close to the edge and that I was pleased with, so blocking may not be necessary.









Finally Finished #2
Bandana Cowl #4

This one is for me to wear this winter.  It turned out as expected and I hope washing and drying will soften it up a bit.

I could relax and knit the short rows on this one without any trouble-that was great.  I will be shopping for a soft, bright bulky wool yarn for my next one.











Finally Finished #3


Socks!  Years ago I never could make sense of why knitters knit socks, but about three years ago I began to be intrigued because I saw pictures of so many beautiful hand knit socks.  So, I took the plunge, bought some light colored sport yarn so I could see what I was doing and I began.  It all went well and I have a pair of socks.  Not knowing if I would be successful, I chose an acrylic and as a result I will do some sliding if I go sock-footed in the house.  The next pair will have some wool in them.   Here's my first one.  You can't tell it is over another sock.
The second one was knit on smaller needles and the third one is being knit on even smaller needles-and I knit TIGHTLY!

Here is a closeup of the heel and gusset work which is not difficult at all.
















 And a picture of the pair.  Hard to tell they are not quite the same size.    Anyway,  I found that I like knitting socks.  One plain pair like this can be knit in a couple of evenings, if I don't get on the computer too much or pick up a book to read.



Needless to say, I am having a hard time not ordering $50.00 worth of beautiful heathers and bold solids for future pairs.  Will hold off for awhile-I can find yarn here to knit.










Finally Finished #4
Another dishcloth!  I saw this pattern on the internet and wanted to make it thinking I might use the stitch later then in a different project.  I had so much trouble reading where I was I charted and color-coded it.  That helped some, but I needed strong self-encouragement to finish this.  I will file it away and try and remember that I liked looking at it but not knitting it.

It is called Winter Sunbeams and has a Multiple of 10 +2 over 16 rows.



















Stay tuned for quilting finishes and my really big project this month.