Thank you for the encouragement--I'm so feeling the late winter blues....I just need a bit of faith that it'll be okay on the other side. It always is!

Congratulations--she's beautiful! Hoping your recovery is fast and easy. (Obviously, that comment comes from someone who's never done it before.) Happy days ahead to you and your family.

Lori, I'm using Malabrigo sock--love! (And I'm finished with sock #1!)

I love the idea of a staycation, but I want to go to Naptown even more! Kinda like Brigadoon--if you think it exists, it does!

I know what you mean, Kim....kinda scary to think about. But hey, even if you're not into holiday knitting, these little knits would make great baby shower gifts, knitting hostess gifts, wedding gifts....

Several of those scenes are very, very familiar! Putting soul (ahem, Soule!) into a wise, old farmhouse takes a staggering amount of work, but dang it, it's *worth* it. Every day I look at our restored original maple floors in the home that's been in my husband's family for 100+ years and feel so lucky. I can see (hear?) your family's pride already--congratulations, Amanda.

I wish you had given me this advice *before* I went to school! Great list!

Thanks, V. I have a feeling I know a knitter who could help you out....

Hee. Actually, I'm a plain Jane tea drinker. No sugar, no milk. Yerba mate is my favorite, for shiz, but Angela Macke's (By the Light of Day) Creamy Earl Grey is pretty much heaven on earth. Love green and rooibos, too. I'm working on a slew of tea cozies for the shop....and soon, tea!

This is a Brown Betty, if that would help you, Zane. Maybe a '6-cup pot'?

You would.

Cement board is one of those really great low-maintenance products that is perfect for people who don't want to fuss with the 'real thing'--in our case, it was wood. We wanted to simulate the look of wood siding, which is pretty traditional for the style of building, but seriously--who wants to scrape and paint every two years? (Especially with a westerly facing facade.) Cement board, to my knowledge, isn't really on the "green" end of things technically speaking, but it stands up to time with very little wear and tear from the elements--so really, aren't you being less wasteful in the long haul? Plus, unlike vinyl, if we want to change the color, we can. Without scraping. We sided our own house with it and we love it. It's about three times more expensive than wood, but worth it!

Thanks, Kim! It's even better in person!

Thanks, Zane! You'll have to wait just a little longer to get your hands on the lusciousness.....the Malabrigo will be here Memorial Day weekened. I've been knitting lots of these samples and stowing them away for when the yarn arrives. Can't wait to see you soon.

I may have started another Madeline Tosh project....

I know, right?!?

Oh, definitely eight socks. Right now, I'm having a tough time finishing a pair....

You are too sweet. I know what you mean about a roving backload; my stash was manageable about six weeks ago and then I went on a mini Etsy spree--yikes! I'll be fooling around on Rav today looking for small project ideas, too. How about a cowl? Fingerless mitts? Can't wait to see more of your handspun, girl.

In a side note. Leesh, I didn't realize it was YOU! You went and changed yer name on me, girl. Where have I been for the past six years? D'oh!

Most definitely, Alicia! Click on the photo album in the upper left hand corner of the blog (The 12 Knits of Christmas) and the pattern for the scarf is on the page for Week 10. This is very simple--mostly just knitting! Enjoy!

Hi MaryAnn! Yup--you can access the I-Cord Scarf pattern by clicking on the "12 Knits of Christmas" photo album. Small gifts are such a fun way to knit through the holiday season! Melissa 9031 S. Kasson St. P.O. Box 54 Cedar, MI 49621 (231) 228.2800 www.inishknits.com www.woolandhoney.typepad.com (blog) Fall Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: 1 to 4 p.m. Open Knitting: first Wednesday of the month Open Spinning: Tuesdays: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Hi Kathryn! I plan on having the pillow pattern written by the end of the day---I'll email it to you. Let me know if you need help in the vintage button department; my button box is overflowing! M 9031 S. Kasson St. P.O. Box 54 Cedar, MI 49621 (231) 228.2800 www.inishknits.com www.woolandhoney.typepad.com (blog) Winter Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Open Knitting: Tuesday: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Open Spinning: Tuesday: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cutie, cute!