bits and pieces

first of all - I finished my january part of the lace KALendar.... I did change it a bit - it was too wide for a simple scarf, so I only worked it over a bit more than half the stitches. and I added a bit of twinkle - each of the holes that symbolise the snow got a silver lined clear bead:)) now I'd be ready for february - but I have to wait until the 15th of the month to get the new pattern... though - now that I look at the pic closely - I think maybe the beads would look better if I had fixed them to the stitch on top of the hole instead of the one, where I decreased.... no, no more frogging, I already frogged the first try, because I didn't like it that wide!

I also finished the Laidman "tree of life" socks in time (just:))... there would be better contrast if the solid black would have been one - instead of coming out anthrazite. but I didn't want to overdye it - so this is it. I did like knitting the socks; great fun if you like to knit with several colours. and I liked the idea of doing all the instep increases on one side! I'll try this on the next pair and see how I can work this into other designs.... I would change the toe finishing - but I like all the rest! and I hope the recipient likes them, too, even though they stay hidden under pant legs most of the time....

because my next batch of yarn was dyed, but not dried - I fiddled about with a pattern I found online. it's meant to make a scarf, but I didn't have enough yarn for this - I just wanted to try out the crochet pattern. the yarn is a handspun 2ply of dark blue merino, around which I plied a fine multicolour silk thread. soft enough to wear against the skin, and that's good, because....

it turned out to be a lacy neck warmer - or crocheted piece of woollen jewelry?:)) I had just enough yarn to finish the last "flower" and a tiny bit of silk without the merino to crochet one button for closure...

it looks funny, a bit like a tiara on snow - but around the neck it's ok, if not superbly warm. I think I'll give it another try as a longer scarf, but I have to find a suitable yarn first.
what puzzles me is the name of the pattern - queen anne's lace scarf. now, over here "queen anne's lace" is a common name for wild carrots, a white flowering herb with lacy tiny airy flowers - not huge chunky blossoms like the ones in the crochet pattern:)) or maybe this particular queen anne was a bit sturdier in built????
in between casting on (finally) for the men's vest - I finally managed to finish the 2nd of the gryffindor socks in shadow knitting... had to hurry or DS is growing out of them before the sock is finished:)) he didn't wear the snakes yet and not the red/black "voldemort" lightning socks either - and now no. 3 is done - so maybe I'll manage to do the 12 pairs of harry potter socks this year?? I'd be well in time - now:)) well, I never said anything about the year I'll be finished, when I promised the 12 pairs of socks......