Ox on Sox, Sox in Ox

** Ox on sox. Sox in ox. One ox rocks! **

These are the Oomingmacks felted musk ox slippers from Knitty -- FINALLY finished! These ox[en] really will knock your socks off! They are soooooooo warm and cozy, that you won't need to wear anything else on your feet.

But, be warned, they are not for the faint of heart... I spent more time sewing than knitting. The basic slippers worked up in no time. The facial stockinette "scarf" was extremely boring, but a good mindless project. The rest was hell! After felting the slippers & 30" rectangle, I had to sew the head, chin, horns, eyes, and #$%&@ long hair by hand with a needle & thread. Applying the tufts of brown hair was not unlike performing Hair Replacement Therapy plug by plug.

Make them to celebrate the Year of the Ox (2009). Make them because you think they're cute. Make them because you think the nostrils are hysterical. Or, make them for an Art Show (like I did).

Peace, Love, & Happiness

It was emblazoned in bright yellow electrical tape on the top of the black mortarboard I wore at my college graduation. Now it is knit permanently into an ear-flapped hat that I finished yesterday. PEACE, LOVE, & HAPPINESS. Although, this time, it's in Hebrew!



Charting the Hebrew characters was no picnic! Thanks to Crayola for making Magic Markers in the same colors as my stash yarn!



Doing the Math: Centering the words in the front & back of the hat meant that every color band had a different starting point. No problem. Color-coordinated baggie tie "marker tags" marked where each word chart would start.



It's almost done. Now to figure out how to handle the top of the lamed. Hmmmmm... center it between decreases, use Intarsia and a small bobbin of white yarn, change back to the purple main color.



A close-up of the finished hat. Read from top to bottom, but from right to left: Shalom (in white), Ahavah (in red), and Simcha (in orange) mean Peace, Love, Happiness.

Winchester Class Projects

As promised, here are two photos of the almost-done-but-not-quite projects from my Winchester, MA Winter 2009 Adult Knitting Workshop. Each student worked so hard on her project, and finished most of what she started. (If only the class were a few weeks longer!) Congratulations on your excellent work. I look forward to seeing you (or the intended recipient) out & about town wearing these completed hand knit items!

A handleless handbag, a single sock, a scarf-let, an afghan strip...

and an armless sweater.
(The speckled pink scarf is complete!!)