I designed a new amigurumi cat! The pattern is available for free in the content section of the site. Here is the direct link: cat pattern.

I was thinking I might make a bunch of amigurumis and sell them this summer at craft fairs or online. So now I'm wondering what animals customers would be most interested in. Do you guys have any ideas of what I should make?

The pattern was originally published in 1948, which I think is kind of interesting. I'm really interested in vintage stuff. I especially like to go to antique shops. I keep my eyes open for odd sewing and knitting notions. The other day I bought a vintage crochet hook made of bone!

Since mittens were on my mind, I made mitten avatars for my affiliates and link exchanges. I have a new link exchange, Bridget!

So, on the site I actually have some updates! Nine special adoption pixels have been abandoned and are now back up for adoption. I've updated my reading list with a few new books and I have a new link exchange, Kittycookie!

I also have one new pixel. It is a Portuguese good luck rooster (Galo de Barcelos) and it is a symbol of honesty and integrity. My mom owns a couple of these traditional rooster figurines which is what inspired me to make this pixel. The rooster has a story behind it that I think is really interesting. The story goes that a man was traveling to Spain and on his way came to Barcelos, Portugal. A crime was committed in Barcelos and the traveler was immediately suspected. A judge declared him guilty and sentenced him to be hanged. On the day of his execution, he made a last request to declare himself innocent before the judge once more. He was brought before the judge as the judge was hosting a dinner. The man claimed his innocence and the judge demanded proof. The man pointed to the cooked rooster on the judge's dinning table and said something like "If I am innocent, may that rooster crow!" And surely the rooster stood up on the platter and crowed. The man was immediately released and declared innocent!

I knit another hat! This one is for myself. It's my first project making cables. It turned out great and I absolutely love it! The color and yarn are wonderful! I bought the yarn last month at the Christmas market in Lincoln. :D The pattern is free on the Ravelry website: link.

England got a bit more snow last week! However, it is all melted now, as you can see in the above picture. Below are a few photos I took of the icey weather. Click on them to see them larger.

I have two new lovely affiliates, Carson and Danica. They both have great sites. Please visit them!

Happy New Year! 2009 was a good year for me. I learned a lot and experienced a lot of firsts. I'm looking forward to learning new things this year! I've resolved to read the entire Bible. I'm following the schedule in the Daily Bread booklets I get from my church. I hope I can stick to it. :)

My Christmas was all right. I made my dad a wool cap! He really likes it. I started knitting a lace beret for my sister but didn't finish in time. I'm hoping to finish it in the next few days. :)

There is a new layout here at Pine Needles! I like it because it's simple and clear. :) I've added a new link (portfolio) in the navigation drop-down menu. I've been working on making a photo gallery page to add to it. I hope to be finished with it soon. :D

I've wrapped up my sneeze counting project. I'm not going to count again this year because it's getting a bit tiresome. I sneezed 694 times last year! I made a graph to compare my 2009 sneeze data to my 2008 sneeze data. (I sneezed 745 times in 2008.) You can see the graph by clicking here: graph.

Also, I've joined Fragile-Orchid Topsites, so if you would like to, you can vote for me there. ;)

I hope everyone has a lovely day tomorrow. Merry Christmas!

My sweet avatar is a gift from Zuri. :)

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is having a great day!  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I had a great day relaxing with my family. My sister and I baked a pecan pie. :D

I thought I'd share a few mushroom photos I took recently on a couple of nature walks. Click on the pictures to see them full size. :)

Hello! I hope everyone's having a nice Veteran's/ Remembrance Day. Today my dad bought me a poppy. And last Sunday I went to see a Remembrance Day parade. It was really nice. :)

I have finished knitting up a pair of socks! Now I'm working on finally finishing my cardigan. It is taking much too long but at least now all I have to knit is the sleeves!