Beautiful Yarn from South Africa

My favorite yarn buddy has left me for greener pastures full of succulents in South Africa. This fact by itself is very sad, but the blow was significantly softened when I received the most delightful parcel in the mail covered with stamps of strange birds.

The pictures do no justice, you can't really tell how shiny, silky and beautiful this scarlet and gray bamboo yarn is. I'm told they import the fibre from China and then dye and spin the silk in ZA.

This second picture is a snapshot of the green wool I immediately knew would become Foliage from Knitty. I didn't even grab a picture before the hasty de-skein-ing. The actual color is brighter... and perfect for Smigel.
Smigel loves lime green.
Don't try to steal Smigel's PRECIOUS!!!

The Ultimate UFO

Anybody recognize it? Crowe?

(You can tell where I started in, the gauge is different and I didn't get the yarn doubled to match the pattern. The pom-pom? I just couldn't help myself.)

Swatch Watch

I've been stuck with a misbehaving laptop the past couple days, a state which threatens my very existence being that I live more fully online than in the shadows of the lab. All is well now, until the next catastrophe. Here's a glimpse at some of that gorgeous Ohio State colorway working up into a surprise Valentine gift. She's a muggle, so if I tell you it's a Clap, the secret is safe...

Giant Pixie Hat

I made this Pixie hat from a Crystal Palace pattern... it was supposed to be for a wee little baby, but I think this one will have to go to a toddler or a goat or something.

Stitch Markers

Apparently they no longer sell goofy vinyl finger puppets in Columbus. I didn't make it to Yankee Trader, and have now given up and just ordered some online to be sent to Santa Cruz. I was forced to make stitch markers instead of DPN stitch holders. I need to practice my wire wrapping skills...

Finger Puppets

That's right, I said finger puppets, and I need some. Really cool vinyl ones. My never ending quest to make as many of my own craft-y gadgets as is humanly possible has hit a very small and manageable bump in the road, a profound lack of finger puppets in my auxiliary craft stash (the one in Ohio).

I really want to make some of the cool DPN project holders as seen at Sweet little domestic life. Here's an example of some of hers. I know I have pencil toppers and finger puppets in Santa Cruz, but can I wait?