The other day, someone was kind enough to comment on my Brooklyn Tweed post and inform me that she felt that the new "Shelter" tweed was a little too rough for her. I still have to test it out myself, but it reminded me that I had taken pictures of my tweed stash to share with you.

Strangely, my tweed stash isn't as big as I imagined it, but I still have a few sweater quantities of tweed waiting to be knitted up. The problem is that I'm not too sure what to knit with it. I was hoping that maybe you guys might have some suggestions.

I have two colors of Jo Sharp Aran Tweed , a mauve and burgundy, ten balls each:

I've got some random Plymouth Tweed. Just two balls, so I think they're destined to become fingerless mitts of some sort.

And finally, I have 5 balls of Reynolds Whiskey and I have absolutely no clue what to make with it.

Share your ideas in the comments. I do want to knit some tweed in the new year.

I haven't been doing too many links posts these days, but there are a few things that have come up in my feedreader that need to be shared. So take a moment from your holiday shopping and check out these nifty links.

Go Knit In Your Hat has an interesting review of Warm Knits, Cool Gifts. It looks like something I want to find under the Christmas tree. Hint hint, nudge nudge, say no more.

Hipknitizer has her top 9 favorite basic yarns. She also has a great account of a book signing with Debbie Stoller.

The Designer's Studio has an interview with Galina Carroll, a knitter who has worked with many fashion houses and knitting magazines.

The Samurai Knitter has a complete review of the latest Vogue Knitting, along with commentary regarding the feasibility and wearability of each of the projects. I've enjoyed flipping through this issue, but going over it a few times, I'm not sure if I will actually knit anything from it.

The Student Knitter has finished the Bearded Torque, which I consider a finished object made of awesome.

Knitting is not just about the yarn and needles. So, next in our series of gifts for knitters that aren't yarn or needles is a selection of gadgets and tools for the savvy knitblogger.

The dedicated knitblogger needs some techie tools to blog in a style that is becoming to one's stash. For instance, If you want to have a fully documented stash on Ravelry, you're going to need a fabulous laptop, a high-quality camera, a super fantastic smart phone, and a HD camera that you can fit in your pocket. OK, well maybe some of these things will just help with your blogging ;)

These items have been chosen mainly because I covet them.

(The links are affiliate links, which help support our website. Many thanks for your support if you click on them. Please see our blog disclosure page with any questions)

1) A super duper awesome uber mega pixel Digital SLR Camera. I happen to like this Nikon:

It's got more than 12 mega pixels, a nifty lens (at least in the Amazon package), Movie capture, and a 2.7 inch LCD screen. I could eat that for breakfast.

2) A stylish and fast laptop

Is it so wrong to want my laptop to look good AND kick ass?

3) An Android Phone

Yes, yes, I know everyone wants an iphone, but I don't want a smart phone that doesn't actually work as a phone. I know that Verizon will probably get the iphone in 2012, but it's not 2012 and I need a functional smart phone now, so I have a Droid X. I love lurve my DroidX.

It's great for capturing that yarn graffiti that keeps popping up everywhere.

4) A Portable HD Video Camera

You never know when you're going to bump into the Yarn Harlot in an airport and get an opportunity to Kinnear her.

As promised, here is a dispatch from the knitting basket.

I've finished my first pair of toe-up socks. They were destined to be a Christmas present, but when I saw how well they fit on my own feet, I uh, changed my mind. And, I'm fully converted to knitting toe up socks with a short row heel. They fit way better than the heel flap in my opinion.

Of course, not a day went by without me considering what socks to knit next. I've long planned to combine some sock remnants with a solid yarn. I've had this Nature's Palette in my stash for ages and this leftover Pagemill sock that I've been longing to see together... here are the results:

I'm almost done with the second ball of my Clapotis, just 1.5 balls to go. This is the project that is taking up most of my time. I really want to finish it in the next week or two so I'll have time to make a bunch of little things :)

I've also (guilt twinge) added to the yarn stash. I blame the BMFA mill sale. I didn't make it there, instead buying some stuff off of ravelry. I think I still saved money this way, but still added to the never ending yarn stash. When will I get the time to knit all of this yarn?

Lightweight Socks That Rock in Never On A Sunday

Lorna's Shepherd Sock in Robin's Egg Blue

So how's your knitting going? What have you added to your stash?

Look closely at this commercial for the Nintendo DSI XL... the children are wearing super awesome, seemingly handknitted intarsia sweaters featuring your favorite icons from Super Mario Brothers.

Here are some known super mario knitting links. I wonder who made the ones in the commercial?

The Happy Seamstress's awesome Mario Sweater Vest

The Super Mario Piranha Plant Scarf

The Super Mario Scarf Blog has a bunch great Nintendo Knitting Links