I feel compelled to say first that I finished a sweater for Louisa today. I finished knitting it on the 30th and I am counting it toward 2004 rather than 2005. (I don't have an actual total; I'm going to keep track this year.) It turned out pretty cute, though if I were to make it again I'd use smaller needles. I used 9s and Encore is really better suited for 7s.

Yesterday I did the calculations and cast on a yoke sweater for Josie in some vintage orange wool from the 70s that I'll be doing some contrast pattern work in some handspun; the handspun is reds, oranges, golds and pinks. I'm going to use a mosaic pattern that makes little dancing people around the yoke.

I'm also plotting out what yarns to use for a version of this tea cozy. I don't have Kureyon; I'm going to use up a motley collection of bits of light bulky handspun.

I also have plans to make a new pi shawl out of three natural colors of Romney I'm spinning in the grease--white, gray and dark gray/near black. I'm finding I really like wearing shawls pinned behind my back to make a sort of shrug and I have only one big pi shawl that's getting a bit ratty. I keep finding Josie draped in it dragging it across the floor.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor