Unexpected visitors

Yesterday evening, Hubbie and I decided that we needed to get out of the house for a while, so we headed down to the park. When we got there, we found a nice spot in some grass about ten feet from the path and laid out a blanket. He sat down to study some Philosophy (because that's what he does) and I, of course, sat down to knit. The park is next to a river and the sun was just starting to set. (Sorry, I don't have any pictures. I'm a blogging doofus and forgot to bring my camera.) As we sat there, I noticed a guy walking a very cute Maltese dog. She was tiny, happy, and adorable. I nudged Hubbie because she was too cute for him to miss. So we both sat there looking at this little dog and smiling, when all of a sudden she looked over at us. And I realize that she was heading our way. As I said, we were 10-15 feet off of the path, so she had to cross some ground to get to us. But she did it anyway. She came over to us, said the doggie version of "Hi, how ya doing?" and promptly sat on the blanket next to me. She sat there for several minutes, just panting and looking around and letting me pet her like she'd known me forever. Her very patient owner said her name was Holly and then just waited for her to decide it was time to get on with the walk. After a while she got up and she and her person said goodbye. I have to tell you, the sunset was beautiful, the weather was gorgeous, and it was great having couple time with Hubbie, but that little dog made my day.

Running a close second... I released my second pattern. It's the Midnight Forest Cowl. I knit it with GiGi in mind. She doesn't like to wear hats or scarves, so the cowl fills her head warming needs quite nicely. It's knit in Dream in Color Starry, in the Cocoa Kisses colorway. Starry is sparkly because it has threads of silver running through it. The yarn felt a little stiff as I knit with it, but after I washed it, it softened up and now has a fabulous drape.
$3 US

First pattern finished

Yay! I finished my first pattern today. Ok, it's actually my second, but it's my first free pattern. I'm offering it free on Ravelry just as soon as I get approval as a designer. It's the Checkered Not-So-Bored hat. I made it for Hubbie.

My second pattern for offer on Ravelry will be a cowl. And I'm nearly finished with the shawl I'm working on too. Here's a taste of the shawl. :D

Finish-it-up and designing

Well, I started Finish-it-up 2009. I managed to finish three projects before it got to me and I cast on a few more. So now I am, at least, back where I started. And now another wrench has been thrown into the works.

I've recently started designing shawls (plus some cowls and hats). And my brain is overflowing with pattern ideas. Which is great, except all of these patterns will have to be knit. Oh darn. :D

Here is a pretty hat that I knit for Hubbie. It's the Circus Loop Hat (ravelry link). The yarn is Lion Brand Superwash Merino (black) and Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend (contrast color 7338). Hubbie really likes it.