Friday Finds

First Friday Finds of March, and Sunday marks this blog’s third birthday! In the past I’ve held contests in the month of March, and I do hope to do the same this month, but things are a bit busy in my life right now, so I don’t want to promise anything. I can say, however, that I am incredibly appreciative of everyone reading this blog right now. I don’t know how many of you may have been with me from the very beginning, but I love you all for stopping by and seeing what I have to say in this corner of the craftosphere. So far, blogging in 2012 is blowing away all of the expectations I had for this year, and I’ve got a lot more ideas churning in my brain right now, so I hope you’ll keep coming back!

In honor of all of you and the creativity that abounds, here’s a super-sized birthday edition of the Friday Finds!

• One of the things I love most about knitting is that you can always go back and change something. Want to work a different sock heel? Throw in an afterthought heel. You can do the same thign with mitten thumbs, and thanks to this excellent photo tutorial from Lori Times Five, you can even work an afterthought pocket into whatever you’re knitting.
• Kirsten Kapur recently released a new cardigan called Zelkova ($6.50). I’ve yet to knit any of Kirsten’s patterns, but one of the things I love about her designs is their clean, simple lines.

  

• Isn’t this a pretty cowl? Yes it is. This pretty crocheted cowl looks warm and snuggly and incredibly clever. Rusalka Cowl by Yuliya Tkacheva ($5.50).

  

• Ruth Garcia-Alcantud’s After Five Sweater (£4.50) is a classic silhouette with simple cable details. I especially love how her variegated yarn striped on the sleeves!

  

• I have apparently reached that age where many of my friends have decided that procreation is the way to go, so I’m constantly on the lookout for up-and-coming baby-related patterns that I will likely never have time to knit anyway. But I do love the texture of Triona Murphy’s Kari Baby Blanket ($5), with is quasi-reversible stitch pattern.

  

• I fell in love with Mandy Powers’ Water Street Cap ($5) when I first saw it and immediately bought a copy, taking advantage of her introductory sale through March 4. I think I even have some of the yarn she used in my stash.

  

• Amy Miller’s Honey Pullover ($6) is a top-down raglan in stripes, which I love, with pockets, which I also love, in a beautiful gold and white pattern, which I really love. So, basically, I love this sweater.

  

• General Hogbuffer strikes again with the Pucker Socks (free). Fun, zigzaggy stripes that pucker when not worn look like a lot of interesting knitting!

  

• Harmony Shawl (CAN$5) by Judy Marples features a beautifully repeated lace pattern of swirls in that gorgeous golden color again. Just imagine it in a deep brick red, though. Mmm.

  

• And finally, this gorgeous crescent shawl, Meira ($6) by Vanessa Smith, is knit in a gorgeous deep red and lovely columnar lace pattern.