A sulky monkey, and other knitted goodies

I haven't blogged about my knitting in ages, mostly because I've been knitting gifts.  (And I've knit probably twice as much stuff as I'm blogging here, but these are the best photos.)Eamonn's christening gift. (Pattern here, raveled here. I love this little vest, will be knitting more of these for sure.)Calorimetry, one of those patterns everybody and their uncle has knit, and now I know why. Really want to knit one for myself now. (Raveled here.)

Waffle socks using Cascade 220 Superwash (also for Kate). These knit up so fast, I may never make another pair with fingering-weight and itty bitty needles! (Pattern here, raveled here. That is the gorgeous UK edition of Philip Pullman's Four Tales in the background, a gift from Ailbhe. I ♥ Philip Pullman, as you know. Perfect holiday treat.)

A fuzzy-wuzzy cowl for Mamacita, using a strand of aran-weight mohair (that had been languishing in my stash for ages) and a strand of Cascade 220 on size 15 needles. I had to frog and reknit once but it was still a nice quick project, and I had no problem grafting with the mohair. (Pattern here, raveled here.)

This monkey (pattern download via Ravelry, raveled here) was a pain in the took to put together, but totally worth it, as you can see:

When Olivia comes over she likes to go 'yarning' with me. I knit with it while she unravels the rest of the ball.

I knit mostly smallish things this year, apart from Kate's cowl neck sweater (link to the designer's blog here, it's a free Ravelry download, and my project link here; I also made my grandfather's reindeer jumper and my short-sleeved sweater, both Rowan patterns):

(I played with his hair so it would flip like that. He's not just a good sport, he loves being fussed over.)

And speaking of the pleasure of seeing someone wearing a sweater I knit them...

Here is Ailbhe and Christian's little man (he's the bebe I made the zig-zag quilt for; cardigan Ravelry link here. I used Berroco Vintage, which has held up very well.) Talk about the unbearable cuteness of being! He and I got on very well while I was in Galway last month. My friends were joking about hiring me to be their nanny and I said, only like 10% kidding, SIGN ME UP!