Here they are, the previously mentioned Zombie socks in all their purple and black glory. (I love this colorway so much that I'm beyond a little tempted to purchase more of it and possibly in a larger quantity to make a tank top or light sweater of it.) The drop-stitch pattern was fun and easy to do. Also easy to memorize. I would love to do it again in the future, maybe next time in BMFA STR Raven of some colorway. I think the stitch pattern would stand out better in a yarn with less varigation, but a nice hint of color. I can't bring myself to use a true solid color yarn. This is the happiest I've been with a pair of socks I've made myself yet and I think I'm starting to get a really good feel for how to get a proper fit. I still have issues making my tension tight enough since I have this fear that ribbing isn't going to stretch. Silly, I know.
And here's a picture of my test sausage dog, also mentioned last entry. I finally stitched his face on and I will openly admit, hand-sewing and embroidering are not my strong suit. Regardless, he turned out rather well and I now know for sure that I want to upsize the pattern to make a version for DS, even went so far as to purchase new yarn to make sure the colors would appeal to him. 
I adore Blue Sky Alpaca's various yarns and their sportweight alpaca is no exception. It is so heartbreaking to live in such a warm climate that I can't use it for anything to wear! At least I can make cute toys out of it. They have such nice neutral shades as well; it can be such a pain to find a non-icky brown yarn. I'm debating purchasing a contrasting color to go with some sport weight I already have for DD's future puppy...though some of the current color line is just too pretty to pass up and makes it tempting to purchase new. I will likely work on another pair of socks for myself before I start on the larger sausage dog for DS: toys take such little time to knit that I may as well put it off a short while. And let's face it, I like variety. (And am a rather fast knitter.)
No pictures of my current project. I'm making yet another Jelly Bean Bunny from one of the first patterns I ever purchased. I'd argue that three uses in just over a year is not bad for a $3 pattern. I keep coming back to it because it is so easy but so cute at the same time. (Unlike that putzy Sheldon. Grrr...I still can't make another of those. Even thinking about it makes me twitch. Today I reasoned that by going up a needle size and using bamboo DPNs rather then nickel plated ones, he may not be so painful this time around and I can slightly upsize him.) I upscaled this pattern a bit to use some chunky weight yarn I've had sitting in my destash pile that no one seems to want to take off my hands. It matches perfectly with some tapestry yarn my MIL gave me that was left-over from a sweater she made DS. So, I'm making a manly little bunny for my bunny. There will likely be enough of both left over that DH has requested that he, too, needs a bunny. He seems to have some love for the homemade stuffed animals.
In non-project news, the new Twist Collective online 'zine was pointed out to me and WOW, is it impressive and pretty! It has taken me awhile to wrap my head around the idea that all the patterns are individually priced and have to be purchased as such, but it wouldn't exactly be the first time I've purchased patterns that way from a specific designer's site...so really, it isn't much different. I for sure plan to purchase Pam Allen's Come Together pullover as well as Cookie A's Lissajous knee socks. There are a couple other patterns I'm debating purchasing, but I'm assuming they won't take them down and I have time to decide for sure what I think and if I find it worth it to purchase. This 'zine has by far impressed me more then the fall previews of magazines I usually enjoy. For instance, there will not be a Fall Rebecca, Vogue, or IK in my home--unless IK has some seriously fabulous articles in it. Fall Knitscene is fab, but that's about it. Oh well, less to pile onto my queue from any of them. As if it needs to be flooded with tons more projects.
Speaking of my queue, it's about to get bogged down in items from Kim Hargreave's Nectar collection once I knit up all my Zephyr Gals patterns I have yarn for. After much searching, I was able to find a retailer that had the book in-stock and I went from wanting to make one-two patterns from internet glancing, to wanting to knit almost the entire book. I have a serious designer crush on Kim right now and I may have to see if finding back issues of Rowan is worth it. (She also has another collection that was previously available only online coming to a book available on Monday, if all goes well. *Crosses fingers* This time, I think I'll just pay the extra $10 and order from the UK rather then going through the hassle of finding a copy state-side. Of course it had to be another collection of hers that I'm a fan of and not one of the ones that I have little interest in.)
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