Knit Afghan - "Stroll Through an Irish Wood"

I have finished my lastest project that I've named "Stroll Through an Irish Wood". 

The design is orginal and I've combined cables and lace work for the first time.  The edges are knit with cables that give the image of tree trunks and branches complete with dangling leaves.  Through the center is a Celtic Knot pattern, which is the path for your stroll. 

I used over 2,400 yards of worsted weight yarn and it got pretty heavy while working it near the end, but I kept snuggly and warm!  I knit with 2 strands of slightly different shades of yarn that give just a hint of highlights through out the afghan.

One of my luck children will get this for Christmas this year... now which one has been really, really good?

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Branched Cables

I found a lovely cable variance while looking through some of my knitting books recently.

I really like the way this branched cable design looks and flows and especially like the results when it is on an object ~ such as this wine bottle cozy.

The texture is interesting and fun at the same time.

The pattern for making this branched cable is worked over 10 stitches with reverse stockinette stitches on either side.  Note that I worked the bottle cozy in the round, so the actual pattern is reversed on the even rows as the front is always being worked.

Row 1: P3, CF4, P3
Row 2: K4 P4, K3
Row 3: P2, 3B, C3F, P2
Row 4: K2, P6, K2
Row 5: P1, C3B, K2, C3F, P1
Row 6: K1, P8, K1
Row 7: C3B, K4, C3F
Row 8: P8

** C3B =  slip next stitch onto a cable needle and hold at back of work, then knit next 2 stitches from left-hand needle, then kint stitch from cable needle
** CBF = slipe next 2 stitches onto a cabe needle and hold in front of work, knit next titche from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.

You can also modify the direction the cables branch by switchin the first cable from front to back in the first row.

I also knit a cute little vase cozy with the same pattern.  I guess these are just too much fun to make!

What is your current knitting project?