Knitting in my Backyarn

Happy NEW Year!

2012-01-02T12:22:00.000-05:00

New year

New laptop

New camera

New inspiration

New pattern!

I think I broke it

2011-08-26T21:14:00.001-04:00

My blogger is broken. Not because I haven't posted in a while. But because it wont let me leave comments on anyone else's Blogger blog. After four or five login screens it just tells me I don't have access to view the page. Hmmm, it has to be something with this laptop, because when I do it on the desktop I don't have that problem. Trouble is the desktop freezes up after about two minutes, so that wont work either! So just to let you all know that I have not been ignoring you, Blogger just thinks we're not friends anymore :(. And if you know how to fix it drop me a line :).

Oh, and about the posting? Well, I finished the little clutches for my mother's wedding. Then my camera died (I really don't think I broke that) so I took pictures of them with my mother's camera. Which then went to Hawaii, and is now in the midst of a move from Columbus to Chicago!

But they are so adorably cute (if I do say so myself) that I am thinking about submitting them. So no pictures, for now, might be a good thing.

Her ears must have been ringing

2011-07-09T11:22:00.002-04:00

When I last posted about how my new bag ideas usually come out in the summer I had an idea brewing around in my head, ready to come out when I had some time and a little wisp of inspiration. Well, my mother's ears must have been ringing because right after I wrote that she called me and asked for a little purse.

Two actually. She's getting married in August and she asked if I would make her a little something just big enough for a hairbrush and a compact. And one for my aunt, who will be her Matron of Honor. I asked her if she wanted anything in particular or if I could come up with something. She said "You're the purse designer, of course come up with something!"

Flattery will get her everywhere. This is one project for someone else I know will be appreciated (ok, two)!

All you purse knitting lovers stay tuned...a new pattern really is in the works! And it's not the one I had brewing either :). Stay tuned for a picture...Blogger is not cooperating this morning.

I'm in a yarn shop!

2011-06-15T21:47:00.000-04:00

I haven't disappeared. I'm just in baseball/school's out/working part time/summer mode. So in other words, don't expect to hear from me too much. But on the plus side, I tend to come up with new patterns in the summer, so please don't disappear from the Backyarn!

I just wanted to make a quick post about a new yarn shop in Westport, MA called Sisters of the Wool. Fantastic little shop with very friendly staff. Oh, and they have a little something there you might recognize!
Find and friend them on Facebook!

Cashmere for Baseball, or...adding a little style in the midst of a lot of dirt.

2011-04-30T21:02:00.001-04:00

Little League season has started, and now both kidsters are playing. Kidster #1 is on an instructional team, Kidster #2 is making his debut in T-ball, and of course Hubster is coaching both teams. Today was downright cold with gray clouds tumbling in and just enough of a wind to chill you straight through. So even though it's the end of April I cracked out the winter coat and finished casting off this cashmere cowl. The yarn is reclaimed from a sweater that met an untimely demise. I held two strands and knit on size 1's.

I'm not much of a cowl person for a couple of reasons. First off, I haven't found a yarn soft enough not to be irritating after an hour or so. And I hate having something too tight around my neck (I almost never wear turtlenecks!), plus there's the messy-hair-putting-it-on factor to deal with. But I am happy with this one. It is stretchy enough to avoid the hair issues, and not too loose or too tight on the neck. The result is just right for tucking behind a coat collar and is super soft on the skin.

Although I have to say that I won't be sad when the weather warms up enough that I have to put it away for the season!

Little socks

2011-04-16T18:18:00.001-04:00

Sock minis?

Sockinis?

Sock midgets?

Gee, I hope that wasn't politically incorrect or anything.

Whatever you want to call them, they are little socks. From the Ballet School Dropout Sockettes pattern, I knit mine with a shorter heel and the regular (not cleavage) toe.

I knit them specifically for these shoes. I would prefer to wear them without socks, but they rub right at the inside of the ball of my foot. So the socks are getting the job done as far a preventing blisters.

It has occurred to me that if I am going to make socks in the future, I need to stick with a solid or semi-solid color. Trying to match up the stripes was just that, trying. And having mismatched stripes? My brain doesn't work that way.

Shrug it off!

2011-04-08T13:48:00.003-04:00

My sweater woes have past.
Spring has finally sprung (today broke 50 degrees, just barely).
And my Retro Redux Shrug is complete.

Not perfect, but good enough!

In like a Blizzard, out like a Frog

2011-02-28T14:00:00.001-05:00

This is how my February started.

Full of high hopes and aspirations for some new winter wearables. I got my yarn and Knitpicks nickel plated interchangeables ready, and settled in for a long winter's knit. (And since I don't have any other knitting pictures to show you, I thought this one would try to give a little life to this post.)

So if March comes in like a lion, how does February go out?

Like a frog.

A frogged cardi.
One or two button cardi's are going to accentuate my middle no matter how cute they look on the size 0 model. And even though I plan to lose 10 pounds, I haven't lost it yet.

A frogged pullover, twice.
Even if everyone is making it, the bulky knit v-neck with the beautiful cable pattern in the center isn't all that flattering with negative ease. Especially when I can't get gauge and have to make it ~~one size~~ two sizes bigger making the cable pattern, the highlight of the design, seemingly disappear.

March will be a return to the things I do best. Small items finished in a relatively short amount of time. I have some charity stuff to make, a cashmere (yes!) cowl to finish, and a second sock in teeny tiny sock yarn to start. I will get some pictures up for you soon. But for now I'm going wait for the April flowers to start blooming before I go and get all inspired again.

Faux i-cord

2011-02-13T20:20:00.002-05:00

My newest pattern has been hibernating since June. I'm not sure why. It was fast, fun, and easy to knit. The pattern probably can fit onto one page. Which reminds me, where are my notes anyway? Darn it, see what happens when things just sit around for ever?

But one part of this new pattern has me pretty excited. For the straps I made an i-cord. But not the traditional kind that takes forever doing three or four stitches, one row at a time, or the kind that hurts your hands from trying to pull that yarn tight in the back.

Ladies, hold onto your needles. Gentlemen too, but I don't think there are any of you out there since I haven't heard from you yet! (Hint, hint.) I am about to present you with a groundbreaking knitting technique. (I checked.)

This is a faux i-cord. I'm sorry to say that it only works if it is felted, but it works like a dream and is so much easier to do!

For this particular one, I cast on about 250 stitches (you don't really need to count) and joined in the round. Keeping the stitches straight for the join is the hardest part, I promise! Then just knit away for 4 rounds or until your work naturally curls back onto itself (I was using worsted weight for this project, you may have to adjust rows depending on your yarn). Bind off.

Yes, that's it. Do not weave in yarn tails! Do not sew tube closed! Throw it in your washing machine and give it a nice strong tug when it comes out. When it's dry and you are ready to use it, cut it to the length(s) needed!

I'm starting a search party for the missing notes so I can finally get the pattern out. Soon!

Edit:
I have been asked a few times about making this on straight needles. Yes, you can!
There are two reasons why I didn't. First, I wanted to get as many stitches as possible on the needles and the best way (for me) to accomplish this was to use a circular needle. And the second reason is that if you work in the round, there is no purling! Yay!

My Mailman thinks I'm crazy

2011-01-31T10:59:00.001-05:00

Shovelling snow once again.

Talking to myself as usual.

I turn around to see my mailman standing right behind me. Now that I wasn't expecting. He was holding my mail, a little package, and a delivery confirmation to sign. I had almost forgotten about it, but here it was! I ripped open the package and twirled the contents around my neck with glee.

One thing I know for sure, my mailman obviously doesn't know anyone who knits.

This lovely new addition to my wardrobe is Isobel. Made by a Raveler who just couldn't stand the curling. I happen to love the curling so I offered to swap her for it. It's hard to describe the color. Is it avocado, moss, olive, lettuce, or kiwi? Frankly I don't care. They are all my favorite colors!

Are you sensing a theme here?

2011-01-26T14:06:00.002-05:00

My friend (husband's cousin's wife...yeah, easier to say friend) and I got our boys together last week. We were getting ready to leave when she saw the bee mittens and went crazy. If you're new to my backyard then you may not know that I made them two years ago. They were originally made for Kidster #1 and have since been very happily inherited and now loved even more by Kidster #2. They've been shaved more times than my legs (Ha! Just kidding, I wanted to see if you were paying attention!) and the eyes have been replaced but they are a getting dressed for outside staple.

Nov 2008, Kidster #1 and his new bees

Anyway, I noticed that my friend's DD had the cutest little black coat with a gray checkered lining and little red turn back cuffs. The idea for these came to mind almost immediately. I think she'll like them. We're getting together next week.

Now as much as I love people fawning all over my kids' knits, I hope they don't bother me for a while. I am trying to work on some selfish knitting.

It could be a mitten?

2011-01-22T09:31:00.000-05:00

iPod mitten.

Or iPod Sweater (kidster #1 giggles at this).

Or iPod Cozy for you more conventional types.

(Friday night post-beer prose deleted. Post is self explanatory, no?)

More mittens...

2011-01-15T06:15:00.001-05:00

This week I finished a pair of super cute mittens, if I do say so myself!

A friend asked me to make mittens for her 5 year old son, a friend and classmate of kidster #2. She wanted something that could go with his two winter coats, one blue and one brown. He asked for either Santa, reindeer, or a snowman. At first I thought about making these Cabled Snowman Mittens which I think are adorable (and will make for someone in the future!). While searching the Ravelry project pages, I came across these made by fellow raveler ironknitter and then I had my aha moment.

I am pretty proud of them and they even turned out just like I had imagined. They got thumbs up approval from both of my boys, and the look on Sam's face when he put them on was totally worth it. His mom approved too!

Retrofit knit

2011-01-11T14:10:00.006-05:00

Do you remember these mittens from last January?

Well I liked the idea of them well enough but I didn't really wear them too often. So I retro-knit them and now they are great!

Problem #1: Mittens are not supposed to be drafty!

I picked up stitches along the bottom opening and knit about another inch. I sewed the sides of the new flap to the inside. No more drafts, and the opening is still very accessible.

Problem #2: Sock top.

The original mittens had sock type decreases. I'm sure there's some technical knitting name for it, but I don't know what that is. Anyway, I much prefer the new rounded top.

Problem #3: Try to do anything with only your fingers.

I took out the bind off of the thumbs and added about an inch, then ribbing for an inch. Because they are longer than my thumbs they are perfectly warm. But when I need my thumbs, they are super easy to scrunch down or they can be turned down like a cuff for extended periods. Now I can tie skate laces and snap coats without taking off my mittens.

Ok, I'll be honest, I really needed my thumbs for texting and playing on our new iPod!

6 Months of Optimism

2010-12-22T21:48:00.002-05:00

I am so happy now that winter has finally started! Not because of the unending cold, and not because I can again wear some of my knittables, but because the days are now getting longer!

One painful minute at a time.

Is it funny that a knitter loves the summer so much?

The Good, the Bad, and the Party...in reverse

2010-12-10T14:27:00.002-05:00

The Party:
We had a family party to go to and my friend is one of those people who prefers that people remove their shoes when inside the house. I don't mind doing that but her floors are all tile or hardwood and my feet are always freezing there. I started thinking about making slippers. If you've been with me for a while, you might remember that last year I made two pairs of French Press Slippers for Christmas presents. I thought about making another pair for a few days, but by the time I was ready to knit them I knew I wouldn't have enough time to knit all the pieces, sew them together, felt them, wait for them to dry, sew them again...ugh. I think Freud may have been working in the back of my mind.

Do you get where I'm going with this?

Then I stumbled upon the pattern for Duffers (non-Ravelry link here). Can I tell you how much I love this pattern? It is so easy. The fit is fantastic and there is only one seam to sew up. Can you say 5 minutes? Seriously! And it's free, too. While I still like the French Press pattern, now that I have tried this new pattern I will not turn back.

The Bad:
I had the strange notion that making them with some of the half-boatload of Lopi I have in my stash would be a good idea. Um, no. I feel like I need to drag my vacuum around behind me when I wear them.
The Good:
Luckily I still had one more day before the party. I made these in three hours. That's like instant knitting for some of you high speed knitters out there (and you know who you are)!
The pattern is so addictive I want to make these for everyone!

So about the Lopi, you ask? Before you get all defensive on me, I know that every knitter has their own feelings about certain kinds of yarns. I get that. I have discovered that I dislike Lopi. Very much.

But if you like it and you want my Lopi slippers, or my Lopi stash, just let me know. Merry Christmas, it's yours. Seriously.

A busy Fall

2010-11-15T16:21:00.000-05:00

I have been a little quiet lately but I do have a few projects going on, all at the same time! Here's a rundown:

My boys are very lucky to have a cousin about 5 years older. We get his a lot of his things when he outgrows them. Being a private school kid there aren't a ton of clothes since he wears a uniform, but what we do get lucky with are coats! So when the weather cooled off a few weeks ago I headed to the coat box for Kidster #1. Of course a new coat means new mittens. He designed the colors and pattern. I tried convincing him to have lots of small stripes but he didn't want to hear it. He's my biggest fan so instead of arguing I got my needle ready for all those ends! They are just waiting for thumbs.

I also started some yoga-type socks for my mother. Ever since she broke her ankle, she's been saying how it gets so stiff on her in the mornings and when she's outside when it's cold. With all the screws and pins in there I thought this was the least I could do. I plan on making at least two and will have to dye them to her preferred work colors (navy or black). If there's time I will also make a thicker version for sleeping. Mom doesn't read the blog so I can show you how the first one looks, pre-dyed. And Mom, if you are reading, please let me know so I don't spoil the surprises in the future!

As for sewing, I am in the middle of a toy sack. The kidsters have a new found appreciation for Legos. And as you can imagine (or already know) they get all over the floor! A few years back we discovered some Legos in a vacation home we were staying in and they were in a great drawstring "bag" that opened all the way up to a flat mat. You can find actual vintage Lego bags on eBay, but buy one? Who me? I am ready to put in the grommets, string it up and it's done. I printed out an outline of a lego guy and I think I will try to embroider it on the side of the bag. I'll keep you posted.

Then last night I got another item added to my to-do list. My FIL brought over a chair seat. My MIL had been asking about how to get it recovered and generally hinting around so I offered to recover it for them a while back. I guess now is the time. Maybe I can drag it out a little and make it their holiday gift?

On a good note (fantastic, actually) I already have my holiday cards and have picked out a pretty good picture of the kidsters taken at my niece's wedding in September. It's not exactly "snowy winter wonderland" but it's better than the torture of spending a whole weekend trying for "the shot". Hubster isn't sold on the idea yet but he will be once I show him a nice stack of cards all done and stamped and ready for mailing before Thanksgiving. Usually we squeak them out on the 22nd of December!

Done, and in time too!

2010-10-28T11:11:00.002-04:00

Picture courtesy of 6 year old kidster #1. Enough said.

Details here.

Project update

2010-10-05T10:54:00.000-04:00

I've been plugging away on my latest project, the Easy Top Down Raglan that I am knitting as part of a KAL in the Spud & Chloe Ravelry Group. It's from Wendy Bernard's Book, Custom Knits. It has been going much quicker than I expected, which is good, because it is in this very fall like color and it would be a shame if I didn't finish it until April!Whew, enough links for you?

Crafty or Thrifty?

2010-10-02T20:52:00.005-04:00

Either way, I'm going to tell you how I saved myself $105 in about two hours.

Last night I was working on my latest knitting project and I hit a wall. Not a knitting wall, but a tolerance-for-my-cheap-plastic-ring-markers kind of wall. I had just sent one of them flying, again. This time right down through the cushions and all the way to the floor. While I was rummaging around for another I decided right then and there I was going to get myself some of those fancy beaded blingy type markers that have a little weight to them. I went on Etsy and looked around. Saw quite a few that I almost bought, too. Instead, when I was out getting some essentials, I got myself the materials to make my own. So here are my new $3.00 stitch markers that took me all of 30 minutes to make, and I couldn't be happier with them. (And there are tons more beads, so if I make more then they would become even cheaper!) Money saved? I'm figuring about $10.00.

Yesterday I was at the thrift store. I'd been keeping an eye open for winter boots for Kidster #1 since the summer. Because you know, it's October up here in New England, which means the snow is imminent. This trip I found a pair of L.L. Bean kids boots that look like they have never been worn. Normal retail $49.50, I paid $5. Add another $44.50 to the tally.

During the same trip my eye was drawn to this green handbag. I was not in the hunting for a new bag, but you know when you see something you like...? Ya, you do. As you may remember I am a fan of green. And I like the idea of a green handbag that can go with tan, brown, black, or just about any other color of shoe! See, I have this problem that I inherited from my mother. It is the black shoes must have a black purse, brown shoes must have a brown purse, and heaven forbid, never ever wear white shoes after Labor Day syndrome!

But I digress...my "new" bag $6. Estimated savings? Hard to tell, but I'll say $34 only because I wouldn't spend more than $40 on a purse. Which I don't because I can get them for $6. Ha!

While I love this new purse, it does have one problem that needed addressing. The interior is one large compartment with only a tiny zipper on the side for keys. I had to figure out how to adjust from my current bag that has a nice big zipper divider in the middle that makes a nice compartment on either side. I remembered seeing those purse inserts online and dug a little deeper. Found a great tutorial here on how to make your own. I made mine a little smaller, at 20" instead of 26" because I only want to fold mine in half instead of rolling it all up. I also added a loop to attach my keys. Start to finish, including waiting for the iron to heat up it took an hour. Cost $3.50, online (Etsy) it would cost about $20. Savings of $16.50.

Isn't she so cute?

There it is. I managed to save myself $105 in less than two hours. If only that money would appear in my wallet like magic.

Oh well. The kidsters are finally quiet and I'm headed downstairs to fill my new organizer! Yeah, with a beer. Happy Saturday!

A math riddle

2010-09-25T10:35:00.008-04:00

In honor of back to school I present you with a math riddle!

I bet you are thinking the riddle goes like this:
1 Hubster back to work + 1 kidster in 1st grade + 1 kidster in Preschool = mother with more time. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get that math to work out right. But I'm working on it...

No, here's our riddle for today:

2 boys + 1 old metal stool + new bathroom = n

So what does n equal?

A nervous (and somewhat poorer) knitter who knows how to make a cozy! Details on Ravelry, in case you haven't seen it already!

I do nothing but eat bon-bons all day.

2010-09-03T20:07:00.004-04:00

And if you believe that I have a bridge to sell you. Yeah, nice and cheap!

I realize I've been a little quiet this summer, but that's how it goes. I thought it best to let the blog get a little rest rather than slipping away to write posts and let world war 3 erupt in my living room. Besides, I only really had two projects for the whole summer. Snoopy, which you saw last post. And my bathroom. No, I didn't knit a bathroom (although that gives me an idea...). But I did manage to rip our old one apart and put in a new one!

I took advantage of some of the days the kidsters were at Grandma & Papa's and proceeded to bang, smash, rip, and tear the old ugly beige tile off the walls.

Next I ripped out the nasty floor followed by a little more demolition of the built-when-the-house-was-built vanity and medicine cabinet. Then I put in a new floor. A nice fresh new-fangled fiberglass backed sheet of vinyl. My bathroom is only about six feet by 12 feet, so it couldn't be that hard, right? And I've ceramic tiled my 20' x 10' kitchen, which wasn't too bad.

Yeah right.

I have to say it was the hardest thing I have ever done IN MY LIFE. It took me 8 straight hours of hard sweaty labor (the kind without an epidural). And with all that bending, squatting, and kneeling I could barely move the next day and was sore for a week! Now I know why floor installers get $350.00 to put one in.
Come on, scroll back up and compare the before and after again, will ya?

There was a little more work putting the other new stuff back in, but that was a piece of cake (other than the not being able to move part). There is one more thing left to do-a new shower door. But I will save that one for a rainy day when the kids are in school. Soon. Can't be too hard, right?
So when someone asks me what I did all summer with a raised eyebrow (expecting me to say "oh, just swam in the pool with the kids") they better watch out that they don't get a smack. :)

A cozy, of the most lovable kind

2010-08-28T09:37:00.014-04:00

As the only girl around here, I try to temper the sports, truck crashes, sword fights, and wrestling matches with the softer, kinder, and gentler things whenever I can. One of the things my boys like is having their "friends" close by. Kidster #1 's friends all stay on his bed, and he will choose one to sleep with depending on the day.

Kidster #2 has a few friends on his bed too, but Baby Bear is his love and will sometimes come along with him for the first hour of the day, or make an appearance before bed during our book time.

And then there's Snoopy.

As the youngest of seven children, Hubster was very attached to his Snoopy and treated him very much like how Baby Bear is treated today. He has been through his fair share of tug of wars and even had his arm torn off. Once we had kids, Snoopy reappeared from Grandma's basement and has been enjoying a (slightly) less stressful life here with the boys. However, being 40 years old he is not without some medical conditions.Every time I would try to patch a hole to keep the stuffing from falling out, a new hole would be created. The fabric just wasn't holding anymore. Faced with the possibility of putting Snoops out of reach on a shelf, Hubster asked me to save him. And since Hubster never asks for anything, I knew I had to at least try.

For details on how I did it, see Snoopy's Ravelry page!

It's quiet, mostly

2010-08-05T20:56:00.005-04:00

I am sitting here reading blogs. The kids are in bed. Hubster popped over to his brother's house for a few minutes. Through the monitor I can hear Kidster #2 softly snoring. Then I realized that he's probably peeling paint in there since I have the monitor turned most of the way down! Ahh, the great thing about having a pool in your backyard on a hot summer day is that you never have to worry about your kids having trouble getting to sleep!

Summertime is the best time for...

2010-07-17T20:06:00.009-04:00

new cool haircuts...

vacation... (yes, that is my MIL and no, there's not a Freudian message here. The kids? Well that depends on the day.)

trying something new...(tons of fun, btw)

A 4th of July parade that was just too hot to be any fun...

well, for the grownups...

a birthday complete with a trash truck cake and lots of garbage bags...

plenty of pool time...

And I'm right in the middle of a very serious project, more to come on that.

So can you see why I haven't been able to keep up lately?

New Pattern preview!

2010-06-08T08:57:00.005-04:00

I'd like to be able to say that the reason I have been quiet is because I have been squirreled away busy working on my new bag pattern. Unfortunately that's not entirely the truth.

Summertime activities have taken over. Kidster #2 is already out of school for the summer, our pool is open, and the days have been so nice that I find it hard to stay inside.

The good news is that playing outside means more knitting time than usual. And there is a new bag pattern coming!

I love quickies!

2010-05-27T09:28:00.009-04:00

Well who doesn't?

My last few projects have been nice, quick knits! But not just mindless either, I learned a new technique. Bobbles. They were surprisingly easy, but I was glad to practice them on a not so important project, if you know what I mean.
I have a boatload of this cotton that my neighbor gave me last summer. I was going to dye it, but that is another one of those someday projects. So when my mother in law started complaining about the price of Swiffer cloths, I did what every knitter does. I thought for about half a second and said, "I can knit those!". In her somewhat skeptical, non-knitter voice she said, "and they will work as good as the Swiffer ones?" I gave them to her this week, so we will have to wait a bit to see what the verdict is.

The first pattern is available here on Ravelry or from Birdysknits directly. I modified it only slightly by purling the first and last three rows to ease the curling edge.

The other one I made was just 65 stitches knit in garter until it fit. Even though there was only minor sewing involved, I think if I make more I would knit the other one just to avoid it :).

Ok, who isn't getting the biggest kick out of the fact that this yarn is the EXACT same color as the Swiffer???

Friday Fill-Ins

2010-05-21T11:33:00.004-04:00

1. This picture never fails to make me smile.
2. I'm looking forward to Saturday (it's my birthday!).

3. Kidster #2 playing with Hot Wheels is what I'm listening to right now.

4. Potato salad must have no celery in it!

5. Pumpkin cheesecake muffins was the best thing I ate today.

6. Today is the most beautiful weather day we have had!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a Little League baseball game, tomorrow my plans include going out to dinner for my birthday and Sunday, I want to plant in the garden some of the things hanging around in pots, but it might rain!

Get yours: http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/

Underwater on a rainy day

2010-05-18T07:33:00.012-04:00

The Under the Sea birthday party was a success. Well, as much of a success as having 14 kids between the ages of 4-6 stuck inside on a rainy day can be!

Luckily I had spent some time decorating our family room. I just didn't trust the weather folk who kept telling us it would clear (which it did, 20 minutes after everyone left). The bottom half of the walls were covered in craft paper so the kids could draw fishy things and sign their names.With kids everywhere, getting a good picture was hard. And since I didn't get parental permissions to plaster their kids' faces all over the internet, you'll have to make do with backside shots and the occasional mug from kidster #1, the birthday boy.

We made fishing poles out of shovels, went fishing, and used the fish we caught to "stick the fish in the ocean".

I made flippers for each of them (how do you like the fish on my head? Ha!)and then goggles and snorkels rounded out the attire. It was supposed to be a scavenger hunt, but I didn't want kids all over the house so I sort of just handed everything out. (Bummer.) We swam like our favorite fish and had a few other swimmingly fun games before cake and presents.

The birthday boy was happy and that made me happy.

Cool Cat pattern available

2010-05-11T09:28:00.002-04:00

The pattern for the cat I test knit is now available!
Ravelry
The Pattern Box

I've been avoiding the subject.

2010-05-08T06:40:00.000-04:00

Here is my spring hoodie. It is an Ugh.

The pattern has a few errors. The hood does not make a hood, it makes a flap. You know, like a big sailor collar. Yeah, not attractive. And the yardage requirement is way off. I should have known that 750 yards for a hoodie sweater was not going to cut it, but I was wearing my rose colored glasses. So I now have a pointy hooded vest. And if you would like to have a pointy hooded vest, just let me know!

Another cat in the house

2010-05-03T19:57:00.007-04:00

This little guy is the latest off my needles. I needed something small and portable to take with me on my trip to Ohio. It had just so happened that my friend Anita, of The Pattern Box, was asking for test knitters for her two new designs in our Ravelry group. I knew the cat would be perfect since I did owe kidster #2 a knitted toy. Back when his brother got the ninja turtle I had asked him what he would like and he said a cat. I searched around but never settled on a pattern that I liked. In fact, the only pattern that I even considered was another of Anita's, the Scaredy Cat.

I made this one black to resemble our big black cat Zoey. I didn't do a face...and I probably wont. I like that our Mini Zoey can feel however Kidster wants him to (that, and I'm not good at embroidering)!

I'll let you all know when Anita releases the pattern! In the meantime, here's my Ravelry project page.

Top 5 reasons

2010-04-29T16:47:00.008-04:00

...why I haven't posted in two weeks.

1. School vacation week. Everyone home. Enough said.

2. My mother broke her ankle in two places and had to have surgery to put in pins and screws and the whole nine yards. So I took a rather unexpected trip to OH to help her figure out new ways to get around. She lives alone in a split level house, and of course it's her right foot (no driving!). But don't feel too bad for her, she broke it rollerblading!

3. My sweater has turned out to be an UGH and I haven't moved forward since. Pattern errors (of which the company who sent out the pattern still hasn't responded to my inquiries-bad, bad, bad customer service!) and just general ughedness have me at a stalemate. I'll have to make another post about it because I could keep going on...

4. Kidster #1 just turned 6. I am in party planning mode for an Under the Sea theme. Suggestions gladly accepted!

5. Construction in the house kept me away from the computer on the one day a month when the planets aligned and both kidsters were gone for a significant amount of time. Major bummer.

During my mini blogcation, a few new friends hopped in the sandbox. Welcome, and say hi!

New neighbors!

2010-04-15T10:02:00.001-04:00

OK, another non-knitting post I know, but at least it is a backyard post!!

A couple of years back, Hubster had some bluebird boxes made by the woodshop class. We hung them up hoping to attract the bluebirds we kept seeing pass through. They would always stop and check out our boxes but we hadn't been able to get them to stay. This is a pic from November when five males (one is going in the box) were fluttering around checking out the neighborhood. We learned that the males pick out the spot and start bringing in the twigs to build the nest in order to attract a female. Once she approves, she takes over the interior decorating. Hey, can't blame a girl for knowing what she wants!

It has been a few years, but finally we have permanent residents.

The female (in the forefront) comes and goes quite a bit. The male (in the background) flies around outside keeping close watch for them. And we have noticed that when she is out, he will sit on the perch and look in, sometimes until she comes back. Why?

There are two eggs that we can see. And once they hatch and leave the nest, the mother may lay another bunch! And the other box in the yard? She builds a nest in that one too, to keep out any rivals. Amazing.

We survived it.

2010-04-10T20:07:00.007-04:00

Since my last post, we had the flood of the century. For those of you in the states, you may have seen the news coverage of Rhode Island under water. The town I live in borders RI. We received 8+ inches of rain in one day. Everyone on our street had water in their basements, and most had sump pump failures because the water was coming in so much faster than the pumps could get it out. One neighbor had to move into a hotel so they could work on ripping out all their damaged walls and floors. A road nearby got washed out completely. On our street, the far end has a pond that flooded and completely covered the road. Our end looked like this:

I took the kids out so they could see some of what was happening around them. Don't ask me why they have shovels! Our house is just behind that gray one in the background. We were lucky. I guess there is one good thing about a 1970's curb-appeal-challenged raised ranch. No basement. I have a new found love for my ugly house.

Selfishness and RAK's

2010-03-29T16:55:00.000-04:00

I was perusing the projects I've completed this year and it seems I am on a bit of a selfish knitting jag. So far this year I've made myself a scarf, mittens, socks and a sweater. If I knit some pants I'd have a new outfit. Ok, just kidding! My newest project is this:

The Cables and Eyelet Hooded Cardi

I've been taking it everywhere with me trying to get a row in here, there, and where ever possible! I'm hoping I will finish it by the end of the month.

I was searching on Ravelry for something, I don't even remember what now, and came across the group Random Acts of Kindness; actually it was a particular post within that forum that touched me. I sent my hearts off to a fellow Raveler who is having a tough time right now. If you have knitted the hearts and want to offer yours in support, I know a fellow Raveler who would be very comforted by them.

Since then I have offered up two more parcels to members of the group. It has made me feel a little warm and fuzzy inside. Maybe a little voice inside my head is trying to even out the knitting karma :)

My second First

2010-03-22T13:09:00.003-04:00

In my last post I showed you my first sweater, the one I made 17 years ago. Besides the 13 year hiatus from knitting in general, it has been all of those 17 years since I knit another sweater. Enough time, I think, to say that whatever I learned the first time has long since been driven from my brain by the tolls of motherhood!

So it was with an abundance of cheap acrylic yarn lying around that I thought, "why not make another sweater, I mean what else am I going to do with it?"! That wasn't actually my thought process, but we'll go with it because it doesn't contain any profanity.

I made the Nimbus sweater by Berroco. My only change was to knit longer sleeves instead of the short sleeves in the pattern. (Edit: I actually made another change, the garter bands are 3" instead of 4. I forgot about that one.)

On the bad side, it's acrylic. I can practically hear it pilling. And something is going on with the wider than expected collar. Not at all what it appears to be in the pattern. It's not too bad, but remember, tiny head syndrome :).

On the good side, it fits. I made it 5" longer than called for; I probably could have gone another inch but it works. It was inexpensive, downright cheap. To make this in wool would have cost me more than I can afford. Luckily Hubster got me one of those nifty clothes shavers!

Go Green!

2010-03-17T05:38:00.001-04:00

Vintage is so cool!

2010-03-15T14:25:00.003-04:00

Lookie what I found from Aunt Rita:

At first I thought it was weird and cumbersome. I mean why wouldn't you just write all over the pattern and mark up the margins and every free space you could find to keep track of where you were?

Um, yeah, I gave it a try and it is awesome!!! And apparently they are available all over the place (Amazon, Joann), even though I don't remember ever seeing anything like it. I am thinking about making an updated-magnetic-wallet-type version. You know, in my free time!

My first time

2010-03-10T13:09:00.005-05:00

I wanted to share a little bit about my first time:

I did it in the middle of the summer in 1993.

It was the first time I ever did it, and I didn't do it again for 13 years.

Everything was supposed to be big.

I was in college, and I'm sure I had more important things to do.

It is the most amazing color of purple, blue and green.

Huh?

Yes we are talking about knitting! Get your mind out of the gutter, will ya!

It has been hibernating in my cedar chest for an eternity. I took it out so I could show you a modeled shot. Like I said, everything was supposed to be big back then. It is rather unflattering, isn't it? Although, sporting extra pounds makes me wish sweaters like this were back in style!

Life sorted out

2010-03-07T07:42:00.004-05:00

I've been gone for a few weeks, I know. First it was school vacation week with everyone home all the time. There was no time to sneak away and get lost at the computer! Then both kidsters and Hubster had a turn playing with Norovirus. It even managed to work its way through the grandparents but for some reason I was spared. And I was very worried. There is only so much you can avoid when you are cleaning up every half hour and your three year old needs you to be his pillow for 10 hours straight. I think it was Mother Nature's way of making sure everyone else was going to be taken care of!

On the knitting front I do have a few things to report. My socks are done. They fit ok, but I've learned how to make them fit better for the next time. I finished my sweater also, but don't have a good modeled shot of it to show you, so that will have to be another post. I only managed to make one more heart. Valentines Day came and went, so the desire to make more has faded. But I love this pattern and I'll be making more for next year. I officially frogged the Auntie Mitts. That left me with an empty knitting bag. Instead of casting on something new (gasp) I needed to clear out the spare room. I have made it through most of the Aunt Rita yarn and have quite a bit to find a new home for. I have two more big bins to go through so I am sure this pile will only grow!

Are you a yarn snob?

2010-02-10T12:48:00.006-05:00

I don't really like to use that term, Yarn Snob, because it just sounds bad. I'm not trying to alienate anyone either. But if you detest acrylic then you will want to click out of this post now. Right now. And I don't want that, I'd hate to see you go. Well, maybe just hang around for a minute to find out why?

My husband's aunt used to knit and crochet like the wind. She would make samples for the LYS. We still use a beautiful blanket she made for Hubster years ago. In fact, she made dozens of the cutest baby booties as the shower favor for my baby shower. For some reason (grin) she has always loved me. Hugs the daylights out of me and packs a lipsticked kiss on me every time I see her. I must be like she daughter she never had or something. Aunt Rita has been cleaning out her house lately. Her husband died this past summer, and now her son and daughter-in-law are going to be moving in with her. She has also had problems with her hands and isn't able to knit or crochet anymore. (Pausing for a moment of silence) She has been gifting me with all of her stash. Yup. Loads. And loads more on top of that! There is no way one human being could possible knit up this much yarn if all they did was knit constantly!

There have been some interesting finds; quite a bit of Swa Laine, which looks like a mini i-cord instead of plied yarn strands. And some Lite-Lopi. But the majority of it is Acrylic. Lots of Red Heart and Caron Simply Soft. I can hear the mouse clicks now. Come back soon, will you please?

So in honor of Aunt Rita and her stash I will be holding yarn giveaways on a regular basis in the hopes of reclaiming our guest room (my craft room) before anyone visits and needs to use it! Details yet to be determined, but stay tuned!

What are your resolutions?

2010-02-01T11:40:00.001-05:00

Ok Friends we're a month into 2010, long enough to have given up on the resolutions that wouldn't work and make the ones you are really going to try to keep. Let's keep the lists short since having too many goals that don't get met can only lead to disappointment. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours?

1. Lose 10 pounds.
Last year I wanted to lose 10 pounds. At my physical last month I discovered I had actually gained 10 lbs since the previous visit the year earlier. Ugh. Well, the appointment was the Monday following Thanksgiving, so not all of those 10 lbs are permanent! Right? This year I am not saying that I will lose 20 lbs because let's face it, that will never happen. But I would like to lose those 10 lbs!

2. Do not let my kids' fighting drive me crazy.
They are boys. They interact like boys. They are rough and fight with each other. And I am ok with that. Repeat, I am ok with that. (OK, I'm going to need a lot of meditational breathing to get through this one).

3. No new yarn purchases unless specifically intended for a project that will begin imminently!
I think we all make these kind of resolutions at one point or another. But I have a lot of one and two skeins of wool that I will be working on using up. Purse designs are churning up above. One exception from this resolution will be recycling yarn from sweaters. I was warned that I would become addicted. While not (yet) addicted, recycling has benefits! It is lots of fun, I can do it with the kidsters in the room (they like to help!), and I seem to find very nice stuff at amazing prices lately! I wonder if I will make a new "business" out of it (smirk).

The redirect

2010-01-29T12:19:00.008-05:00

Have you ever started a project and got about halfway through when you thought to yourself "this would look so much better as ...."? It doesn't usually happen to me because I tend to plan ahead and deliberate about the next project while I work on the current one (or as of late, four). Well, it happened to me this week. I had about ten minutes to kill off in between kidster taxiing so I sat down with my socks. I had the weather channel on (Why? They never get it right.) and was listening to the forecast of teens and negative degree wind chills. I happened to put my feet up and this was the view.

Normally I take my shoes off the second I come in the door, but like I said, I knew I was leaving again in a quick 10. I thought how funny it was that this yarn that I seemed to have no use for matched my sneakers. Then I thought about how I don't have any mittens. I have thin fleece gloves for driving and thick insulated gloves for snow, but no mittens. So the socks were redirected. I've had the peekaboo mittens pattern queued for about as long as I've been queueing in Ravelry, and what I had so far was perfect for changing over. Here are my mittens, that are just as good as gloves but better! The cuffs are a little long since I decided not to rip back the progress I had made on them as socks, but rolled up they fit just fine, perfect actually! And just in time too, it is 18 degrees with a -5 windchill today! I guess they got this one right.

Why did I do that?

2010-01-21T09:24:00.000-05:00

I've done it again. I now have four projects going at once.

The first project was Auntie Mitts in the Atacama I had used for the scarf. I hadn't decided on a hat pattern (and still haven't) but needed to get knitting. I found one skein that was much lighter than the rest with very little of the gray and red in it. I thought it might look nice in this lace pattern and it does.

I had planned to wear them with the cast on edge at the fingers because I like the gentle scallop it has. I am mostly done with the first one, but have put this aside. I'm now thinking of just some wrist ruffles (cuffs?) instead. So while I muddle it they have taken a back burner to the other projects.

My Nimbus is going along nicely. The back was a piece of cake. Then I made the two fronts at the same time. Figured it was the best way to make them the same size! I'm about to start the sleeves already!

Then last Friday night I started this heart, a new pattern I found on Ravelry. I was at the point where the decreases start for the sweater, and being beer night I decided I had better wait for a weeknight or else I might end up with three armholes! I finished this little guy up Saturday and it is so cute, even without felting. (Apparently the designer thinks my photo is cute too because she put it on the pattern page!!!) I am hoping to make more and turn them into some sort of Valentine's Day item. Maybe a wreath, maybe some conversation hearts!

And to top it all off, there are the socks that I am making in the KAL. I am rationalizing this one away as not really being a WIP because we only get one step every Friday. It's done later that night (beer and all!) and then I have the rest of the week to work on the other items.

So as far as the WIPs go, lets look at this rationally. The socks don't really count since the that week's step gets finished right away, right? And the mitts don't count either since they are in hibernation, right? With the sweater being my weekday knitting and the hearts my weekend project (with each heart getting finished by the end of the weekend), I really only have one WIP which is the sweater!

All right! I think I'll be ok this time. I promise I wont get stressed out. And I also know that I am not casting on anything new until at least the sweater gets done!

Finally!

2010-01-19T13:02:00.001-05:00

I'm making socks.

Most of you are thinking..."what's the big deal!", but this will be my first foray into socks (finally, I know). I am in a Yahoo! group, one of too many, and there is a learn-to-knit-socks type of KAL that started this weekend. You get one step every week so that you have plenty of time to ask questions if you get stuck. I like that set-up and I've cast on with some Galway in a weird melon color I can't seem to find anything else to do with.

I have to say that I am not at all intimidated by socks. And I love knitting with dpns. (Magic loop will have to wait, lets try one new thing at a time here!) There is really no reason I haven't knit them before except that I just haven't knit them before. The KAL wants us to use worsted weight yarn so I'm assuming we'll be making boot socks. That's fine because I have tons of worsted weight yarn in my stash that needs to get used up. My only issue is that I am a jump right in type of person with, as you know, limited knitting time. It would be nice to make some Monkeys, or Jaywalkers, or some of these lovely socks designed by my friend Shortly, no? OK, ok, one thing at a time.

So far, so good. Look like mittens to me!

Happy Birthday Blog!

2010-01-16T08:57:00.005-05:00

Thank you old friends (as in been around for a while) and hello new ones. I want to thank all of you for encouraging me, staying with me, and most of all humoring me for the past year. It has been fun and I look forward to my posts and reading yours now more than ever!

By the way, this is an actual cake made by my almost sister. Her website is here!

The best lasagna I ever made!

2010-01-12T07:25:00.002-05:00

I know I've said before that I don't cook. I think that might not be exactly right since I usually muster up one or two dinners during a regular Hubster-at-work week. I have about three recipes that I do and they usually involve casseroles or crockpots.

Hubster likes to look online or clip recipes and have me try them. I think that way if they bomb it goes against my less than perfect track record instead of his (smirk). I try to look them up online and read the reviews. I usually take them for what they are worth since everyone's tastes are different. I especially laugh over the ones that say "My picky 3 year old asked for seconds!" since I have a picky three year old and he never even eats it, never mind asking for seconds.

So it was with a casual acceptance that I made the newest experiment: Crock Pot Lasagna. Hubster found it in the Kraft Food & Family magazine (online recipe here). I have a lasagna recipe but haven't made it in a few years because it takes about an hour just to put it all together. Plus I'm not a huge fan of baked pasta dishes, I don't like dried out or crusty edged pasta.

But this lasagna was excellent! Moist, saucy, delicious, serious comfort food. My only change for next time, and there will be a next time, is to add some garlic. It took only 15 minutes to make just like the recipe said (another pet peeve, when it takes you twice as long as they say). My picky three year old ate it and my even pickier five year old actually did ask for seconds, no kidding! I took a hand count on whether or not to make it again and I am proud to say I got four out of four votes! If you're looking for something super quick and yummy on a cold winter night give it a try. And let me know how your family liked it!

Bean head hat update

2010-01-09T12:25:00.000-05:00

I want to send special thanks to all my Fiber Friends for their advice on a beret pattern. It seems though, that instead of helping me narrow down to one pattern, I've come up with even more lovely choices to choose from. Plus I've found some more that are in the running too, like Star Crossed Slouchy Beret, and the Orvieto Hat! Oh well, it's a good thing I started something else in the meantime. I hate to waste that precious knitting time. I'll keep you posted about the hat.

The bean head hat search

2010-01-05T19:33:00.000-05:00

Remember my scarf I just finished? And remember that thing I have about wanting matchy things? Anyway...I am on a search for a hat pattern. And maybe some gloves, mitts, or fingerless somethings, too. But I am having a time of it, even with the help of Ravelry. I'm hoping you can help me.

Here's the issues:

I want to use the Atacama in my stash to keep things all matchy.

I do not like the way Atacama knits up in stockinette since the color repeats are so short. I love the way it looks in the scarf lace pattern though!

I have a ridiculously small head. A bean head. Yes, it's true. OK, well, maybe not that bad, but I am tall (5'9"), have broad shoulders, and a long thin neck, all of which emphasize the slimness of my head.

I'll wait for you to stop chuckling...

I do not look good in caps. If you don't believe me then look at this. (I can't believe I'm showing you these!)

And I have bangs. Been cursed with them ever since my mother gave me my first haircut. Except for a little feathering stint back in the 80's, I can't seem to shake them even after 37 years. Jeez, I need a new look! But I digress...

So I have been thinking that something with texture or a beret of some sort. Give some dimension to my head and puff it out a bit. But not too puffy or we'll be in the same "look-how-small-her-head-is" situation. I've only been able to come up with these three possibilities:

Ripple by Wendy Bernard

Ruche by Susan B. Anderson

Fountain Hat by Phoe M. White

So I need your help! Do you have a hat pattern in mind that might solve my head problem? Should I keep the Atacama for mitts and go with another yarn for the hat?

HELP!!!

Twins!

2010-01-02T09:37:00.001-05:00

Scarves, that is.
I knew one of my Christmas gifts was a new coat from my mother (since I had picked it out, tried it on, and brought it back from Ohio with me a few weekends ago!).

I knew that I had a good yarn candidate in my stash. Boy, that doesn't happen too often! Once I started the pattern I was sure I had made the right decision. The various shades of gray (so my favorite color to wear, it seems) and the little pops of maroonish red in the Atacama knitted up into a really nice fabric.I also knew halfway through knitting the Mustard Scarf that I would be giving it away. Those pops of red kept reminding me of my Mother-In-Law's maroon leather jacket, and her struggle to find a nice neck warming accessory to match it.

It was finished the morning of Christmas Eve. I steam blocked it and attached the button just before we were leaving for our big Christmas Eve celebration at Hubster's parents' house. I gifted the scarf to a very thankful MIL then realized that I hadn't taken any photos!!!

What to do?

Make another. And I did. This one's all mine.
Sorry for the bathroom shots. It's the room with the best lighting!

A new hat

2009-12-29T19:39:00.001-05:00

Last month I made Kidster #2 a new hat. There's just something about being a knitter and seeing your child in a hat that doesn't match their coat that makes you want to stop everything and "whip up" a new hat. (Or maybe that's just me.)

I wanted an earflap hat that would be warm on his neck too. So I just made one long neckflap then started the hat. It's ok. Yes, it's a little too big. But, it's not bad for no pattern and a first attempt. If I shorten the neckflap and go down a needle size it should be perfect!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T06:15:00.000-05:00

If they would only do a little more of that. Sigh.

Knitting in childrens' stories, part 4

2009-12-20T19:56:00.000-05:00

Let me start by saying I love this book! I reserved it from my inter-library loan and I am so glad I did. From the title, "Shall I Knit You a Hat? A Christmas Yarn", to the last page this is a winner. The pictures are beautiful and the story about giving is perfect for this time of year.
It's a story about a little rabbit that wants his mother to knit hats for all of his animal friends. He proceeds to describe how each hat should be knit! It's a good thing Mother Rabbit is a knitting-designer-on the fly!

Shall I Knit You a Hat? A Christmas Yarn
by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise

Keeping up with the season

2009-12-16T10:16:00.007-05:00

It snowed for the first time. Not too much, but enough to have some frosty fun.

When we came in, I made hot chocolate and put the guys to work. We made our traditional Cranberry Bread. And we've been trying to get the "perfect shot" for our Christmas Cards. How do you think that's going?I guess I don't have to tell you which of the kidsters likes to ham it up for the camera.

The "way huger than that" bag was gifted this weekend and I'm happy to report that the recipient loved it. She's even texted me since about it, so I know it was a hit.

And I finished up another pair of slippers for my sister-in-law's gift. I hope to felt them later today and get pictures soon!

About the big ticket items

2009-12-08T19:52:00.003-05:00

I've had two "big ticket" items in my immediate mental queue for a while now. The first (you might remember from this post) is the Heather Hoodie, but in a regular person size. I've been wanting to make it for a while now. I bought the Fall 2009 Knitscene magazine and even bought yarn for it, too.

The second is Mayer. I loved it immediately when I saw this picture on the Berroco website. I loved it even more when I saw this picture on the Webs Yarn Store blog. I have eight balls of this yarn perfect for it. Shhh, I've even done the S word for this project! Yes way! So this has been in the top position for when I am done with Holiday knitting, kidster knitting, and the other small projects I want to finish first. I figured it was about time I made something big again. And for myself. I even thought about returning the bulky yarn I bought for the Hoodie.

Then it happened.

I was out gift shopping and with an arm full of stuff when I saw this. It's not exactly the same but it has a lot of similar elements, the most obvious being the wide collar and the similar (not exact) stitch pattern. It has snaps that can turn that wide collar into a turtleneck (which at first I didn't think I'd like, but once I tried it I did). I tried it on in off-white because it was close to what I was going to make. But because of the snaps being a darker color it looked a little odd and they stood out too much. There was a black marl that I liked but three quarters of my sweaters are black or gray and I couldn't justify it. This brown one was a nice color and those big snaps blended in a lot better.

I hemmed and hawed, a lot.

1. This one is longer than Mayer.
2. I'm tall and can manage a long sweater.
3. If I did try to make Mayer it would probably take me until next winter, at least!
4. With a 30% off sale and a coupon in my pocket it would cost less than the yarn I had at home.
5. If I buy it then I wouldn't have the pleasure of making it.
6. The brown blends in with my hair color and I might look too washed out.
7. It's still not the same as Mayer and I might still want to make it and then where would I be?
8. Buy it for $20 and you can wear it right away.

Get it, or not? What do you think happened?

The bandwagon stopped...

2009-12-04T14:58:00.001-05:00

just long enough for me to jump on!
In case you haven't figured it out yet (or seen my Ravelry update), they are the French Press Felted Slippers by Melynda Bernardi. They knit up quickly. Really quickly! Most people could probably get the knitting done in a day. The seaming wasn't so much fun, but then again you're listening to someone who will knit in the round at any and every chance. I got these done in 6 days which included a day of downtime for button shopping. Perfect match, I'd say!

I made them for my mother for Christmas. The strap came out shorter than I would have liked, and the toe area is much wider than I anticipated. But I know my mother will appreciate them for the hand knit love that they are. She is definitely knit worthy.

Multitasking...it's not really for me

2009-12-01T20:14:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I had three wips going at once. I was working on the turkey, a kidster hat, and the big cable bag. I have to say it was a little strange. Me, your ever faithful monogamous knitter was cheating again. At first, I said to myself, "so this is what all the other knitters are like". Then it dawned on me that having multiple projects was not for me.

One reason was that I was trying to knit at times I don't normally knit. It was getting in the way of keeping up with the other non-knitting things that needed to get done around here. I guess having more projects going made me feel pressured to get something, anything finished. The other reason that struck me is that I spend the whole day multitasking between kidsters, school schedules, and basically keeping everyone (ok, mostly me) sane. It wasn't working for me to try to multitask in my knitting. It was stressing me out! Now I am thankfully back to one project. I hope to keep it that way for a while since I could use a little relaxation. I'm off now to go sit and knit on my one project for a while.

Better late than never!

2009-11-27T19:44:00.004-05:00

Hi Friends! I am here. I can hardly believe it's been three weeks since my last post! Thanks to antibiotics, everyone in this house has recovered. We had a pair of sinus infections and a pneumonia. Kidster #2 managed to squeak by with "just a cold", but boy did it take him forever to kick it. Then Papa had a little stomach problem, and now Grandma is sick. Yikes! When will it end? My crazy schedule has finally caught up to me. But I have a bunch of projects that I have finished or am working on, so I promise no more posting vacations!

I did this turkey as part of a Spud and Chloe KAL. Susan B. Anderson released the pattern in pieces, as she knit them. In the beginning I was keeping up with it. Well, the head and the body anyway. I got a little behind after that, for reasons that will be discussed later. The whole pattern can be found on her blog or here on Ravelry.

Yes, he might be a day late, but he is finished. He missed the feast and festivities but is still very much loved by little hands.

Friday Fill-Ins

2009-11-06T12:50:00.005-05:00

Due to a lack of sleep and antibiotics, I am doing an easy post. Have a great weekend everyone!

1. Plans and schedules are an absolute must with the kidsters.
2. I'm happy when things go according to the plan.
3. The last thing I drank was orange juice.
4. One of the most valuable things in my life is Hubster. He doesn't exactly know what to do when I'm sick but he knows when things get too crazy it's time to take over.
5. I like bacon on my pizza.
6. Dear November, if you want to be windy, that's fine. If you want to be cold, that's fine too. But keep the germs away from here will ya?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleep, tomorrow my plans include sleep, and Sunday, I want to sleep!

Get your Friday Fill-Ins here.

We Won!

2009-11-02T06:17:00.000-05:00

Thanks friends! Thanks to your support, the Braided Cable Handle Tote is the November bag KAL in the Bag-A-Month Club on Ravelry! I'm going to be joining the fun and knitting another one. Another one you ask? Yup. This time in a "way huger than that" size, requested by one almost 15 year old niece. Details will surely follow. Hope you join us!

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T14:46:00.002-04:00

The other day (you know, the one where I was sick?) I took advantage of a few free minutes to finish up a little project. Kidster #1 wanted a ninja mask for his costume. I had made one for him a while back when we inherited the costume from his cousin but it was red. It was the only fabric in a TMNT color that I had on hand at the time, and I only cut it out and never stitched it. It actually fits him perfectly, but he would rather not be Raphael. See, he has a thing for Purple. It's his favorite color. And since Donatello is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle with the purple mask, it only makes sense that it's his favorite guy and that's who he wants to be.

The purple one is a new and improved model. I made the front out of felt (because I was dead sick and didn't feel like sewing around those eye holes). I made the back ties nice and long, and I even attached an elastic band to keep everything nice and snug. That way we don't have to rely on the ties to hold it in place. It's not perfect, but it's pretty good work from someone who was half dead.

I'm not worried about the red one. It has already found someone to love, and now they play together (sort of).

Special thanks to Charlie Brown for modeling today. Hope you get more than rocks this Halloween, Chuck! Oh yeah, and never jump in a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.

Calling in Dead

2009-10-28T13:32:00.006-04:00

With two kidsters and one Hubster in school there is no way to avoid the inevitable. But I have actually avoided the inevitable for two months now. Each of them has gone through at least two, maybe three by now. My hands are raw from all the washing and hand sanitizer. But it finally wore me down. Yes, you guessed it, I'm sick. I couldn't even talk this morning when I got up. And don't think the kidsters didn't take advantage of that, let me tell you!

Before you ask, let's have a little conversation. What ever happened to just being good old sick? You know, go through a box of tissues (or two in my case), get the red under your nose, cough for a few days, hack up a little mucus (sorry for the graphics) and then you are on your merry way. But now, everything has changed. Forget about going to the store to buy some cold medicine. One cough and people go running from you or get that fear in their eyes like you just started the next plague. No, it's not swine flu! I'm not the epicenter of a national disaster! I'M JUST SICK! It happens you know.

Thanks, I feel better now knowing that you understand.

Campaigning for your vote!

2009-10-26T16:09:00.004-04:00

Hi fiber friends! I have some exciting news. This week my Braided Cable Handle Tote pattern was put into the running for the November KAL in the Bag-A-Month Club group on Ravelry!

So I am calling on all of you out there to vote for me! Come one! You don't have to leave a comment. You don't have to fill out a ballot and mail it out. All you have to do is go to this thread in the group then click on the "agree" tag within post #5. And you'll be transported into online knitting heaven at the same time. How easy is that?

Thanks for your generous support!

Sweater recycling update

2009-10-24T21:01:00.003-04:00

I have been so busy I can't even believe that it's been a whole week since the last post. (Big sigh.) With one kidster in school in the morning and the other one in the afternoon, I have been spending a little more one-on-one time with each of them. The 5 year old has really turned on his charm and manners lately. Not sure if it is because of school or me, but I'm not complaining! The 3 year old has also adjusted nicely to school. At home he's still Dr. Demando, but we're working on it. I remember 3 being the (ahem) fun age.

But back on topic! You're all dying for an update on the yarn situation aren't you? Ok, even if you're not, you are going to get one anyway!

Last Saturday night I armed myself with my scissors and a beer. I think the beer part should be a prerequisite when you are taking apart handiwork made by someone else. Or at least it's a good excuse!

I had Googled "recycle sweater yarn" and came up with a lot of useful links. Having the need to really know what I was doing I read at least four articles and blogs; but the first one Craftstylish had all of the info anyone really needs. (BTW, Shortly has a post today from her sister also loving this tutorial!)

I had a little trouble getting started at the cuffs of the arms. They had been reinforced with thread and I was nervous trying to cut the thread only. I moved up a little on the seam, made a snip, and viola! The whole seam just pulled out. I managed to do this with both sleeves, the raglan joins, and the sides! I had the pieces apart by the time I had finished beer #1! Of course it was on to beer #2. By the time I was done with that one I had unraveled the neckband and both arms.

On Sunday I got a little help. Kidster #1 unraveled while Hubster wound. They had so much fun together that I am going to remember to put them to work next time! I took out my homemade swift again and proceeded to measure and prepare for washing. This part was very tedious. If you can, unravel directly onto the swift. You'll be glad you did.

I soaked the yarn in a big pot in my tub and hung it to dry in the storage room. Please pardon the mess! If you look closely between the yarn you can see the tower of bins that is my stash. Well I do have some more in another room, but don't we all?

I have yet to wind all this up into balls. Probably because I don't have a ball winder. Yet!

Even superheroes need lace!

2009-10-17T19:47:00.006-04:00

What do superheroes and lace have in common? Apparently a lot, since I've already been commissioned to make a small one in white and a huge one in green.

The lace pattern is from Water Web. Kidster #1 and I thought it would make a perfect net for catching those bad guys. Besides being a chance to practice all those yarn overs it was a good car project, since a few "five minutes at a time" seems to be about all the knitting I can get in these days. But an FO is an FO so I'm not going to complain, even if the rest of you could have done ten of these by now!

More yarn projects!

2009-10-13T08:45:00.002-04:00

I recently inherited a huge box of yarn from my terrific neighbor. Since retiring she hasn't had any time for knitting (isn't that funny?) and decided to donate it to me! Most of it was Lopi which I am looking forward to felting into lots of fun things (slippers, anyone?). But there was also quite a bit of this cotton. I thought it was interesting because I am churning through the red cotton I bought on sale this summer and I am looking now for an apple green color. I know, this isn't quite apple green. Or pine green. Or green at all.
It's teal, and quite bright. But I am going to play around with it and some yellow and see if I can get it closer to some kind of green color. I made up my homemade swift (I love Ravelry!) and got one of the skeins all ready. I have the dye. Now I just need to find a pot at a yard sale or something. I don't have any extras that we don't use!

It's all about the yarn.

2009-10-09T15:08:00.003-04:00

Remember my trip to the thrift store? Of course you do, it was only the last post. Well, I didn't mention this sweater that I bought for $4.00. I found it in the men's section and it didn't have any tags. It's huge, so I'm guessing it's an XL. It is a tweedy darkish blue with hints of green. And these pictures don't do the color justice.After closer examination I determined that it might even be handmade. The front and back were knit then seamed (not cut!) so I should be able to get some great yarn from this!

I am so excited. I have had my eye on this hoodie vest. I think I'd make it longer since I am not a size 2 like this model obviously is. But checking out the Ravelry projects for this one shows a lot of different body types and it seems to work for everyone. With the blue yarn I think it would go great with jeans! This might be the yarn and project to get me inspired for something a little bigger. Off to disassemble my first sweater...

Fashionable, cheap.

2009-10-07T12:00:00.005-04:00

Spending time with the kidsters is great, terrifically funny, and very rewarding (see, I'm grinning, really I am). But one thing it is not is fashionable. The cooler weather has meant transitioning from shorts to jeans, but the t-shirts and sweatshirts remain. It's all about easy, comfortable, and cleanable! I've always wanted a winter wardrobe full of handmade sweaters but let's face it...it's not going to happen with an hour of knitting time a day.

This morning I happened to stumble upon a 50% off sale at the local thrift store. I check in every now and then for pants for the kidsters, to replace the blown-out knees that we have or are about to have. (I take advantage of it while they are too young to care. Once they want to have Abercrombie they can get a job and pay for it themselves!) And since I was there, and since I had time, and since it was a sale, I looked around. I was specifically looking for a large stockpot to start experimenting with dying yarn. Didn't find one. But I did find some very nice sweaters. Right up my alley in terms of simple comfort but with some real style. And in my favorite earthy neutral colors! Here's my take, for about $20.The brown one is very soft cotton and the ivory one is linen and gorgeous. Both are new with tags! How great is that? I can see myself wearing the black t-shirt sweater all the time. I'm a sucker for a v-neck. The green one caught my eye because it is a hoodie (love it) and it has those mini cables that are quite popular this fall. But my favorite is the gray cabled shawl collar sweater. I wish it was colder out today so I could wear it right now! My winter wardrobe is complete.

Maybe now I can be comfortable and fashionable!

Braided Cable Handle Tote A Free Pattern!

2009-09-30T12:54:00.018-04:00

Also available as a free Ravelry download.

An easy tote with braided cables that continue into the handles.
A perfect first cable or felting project.
Available in three sizes!

Finished Sizes:
Large: 13” wide x 9-1/2” high x 3” deep. Handle height is 10-1/2” from top of bag to shoulder.
Regular: 12” wide x 8-1/2” high x 2” deep. Handle height is 10” from top of bag to shoulder.
Mini: 11” wide x 7-1/2” high x 1-1/2” deep. Handle height is 9” from top of bag to shoulder.

Skill Level:
Advanced beginner
Gauge:
Not extremely important. This will be felted.
Yarn: about 450 yards of worsted weight feltable wool
as pictured: Patons Classic Wool in Sage, Black, Natural Mix
Materials:
US 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 24" or 36" in length
US 8 (5 mm) double pointed needles
Cable needle
Markers in two colors
Stitches/abbreviations:
cn cable needle
dpn(s) double pointed needle(s)
k knit
p purl
sts stitches

Cable Abbreviations:
CF: Slip 4(3, 2) sts onto cn and hold in front. Knit 4(3, 2) sts, then knit 4(3, 2) sts from cn.
CB: Slip 4(3, 2) sts onto cn and hold in back. Knit 4(3, 2) sts, then knit 4(3, 2) sts from cn.

Pattern is written for Large(Regular, Mini) and worked with one strand of yarn.

Bag Base
Cast on 72(64, 56) sts.
Working in rows, knit in garter for 32(28, 20) rows.
At end of last row, do not turn.
Place marker, pick up and knit 16(14, 10) sts, place marker, pick up and knit 72(64, 56) sts, pick up and knit 16(14, 10) sts, place beginning of round marker. You now have 176(156, 132) sts. Markers are located at bag corners for reference.

Bag Body
Note: You may have to use dpn’s for a few rounds until you have enough room for the circular needle.
Round 1: *k4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k4, pass marker, k16(14, 10), pass marker. Repeat from * for other side.
Rounds 2-4: Repeat round 1

Begin knitting in Bag Cable Pattern.

Bag Cable Pattern:

Round 1: *k4, p2, CF, k4(3, 2), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k4(3, 2), CB, p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 2: *k4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 3: repeat row 2.
Round 4: repeat row 2.
Round 5: *k4, p2, k4(3, 2), CB, p2, k32(30, 28), p2, CF, k4(3, 2), p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 6: *k4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 7: repeat row 6.
Round 8: repeat row 6.

Knit Bag Cable Pattern for a total of 8 (7, 6) times.

Handle set-up rounds: (garter stitch rounds)
Round 1: *p4, p2, CF, k4(3, 2), p2, p32(30, 28), p2, k4(3, 2), CB, p2, p4, p16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 2: Repeat round 2 of cable pattern above.
Round 3: *p4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, p32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, p4, p16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.

Bind off, removing markers as you go, as follows:
Round 4: Bind off stitches until you get to the two purl stitches of the cable pattern.
*Bind off first purl stitch, purl one stitch, knit across the cable, purl one stitch. Keep the live stitches on the needle and continue to bind off until you get to the purl stitches of the next cable pattern. Repeat from * until you have bound off all stitches. Cut yarn and pull through last stitch. Each handle should have 14(11, 8) stitches; your cable stitches and one purl stitch on either side.

You now have four handles on one circular needle.
Mark the first handle by placing a permanent stitch marker somewhere at the beginning of the handle below where you are working. This is for visual reference, so you know which one is handle 1.

I strongly suggest that you take a moment to wind your remaining yarn into four fairly equal balls. This is extremely important if you are making the large bag, as you will be knitting to the end of your yarn! It is very helpful for all of the sizes so that you can work on all four handles at the same time. That way you will be sure they are all the same size. I used four zipper bags and thread my yarn through a snipped corner to keep everything from getting tangled. They fit nicely inside the bag too!

From now on you will be working in rows.

Finish this cable repeat as follows:
Row 5: [handle 1] attach new yarn, p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 2] attach new yarn, p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 3] attach new yarn, p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 4] attach new yarn, p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
Row 6: k1, p12(9, 6), k1 for all handles
Row 7: p1, k12(9, 6), p1 for all handles
Row 8: repeat row 6

Continue knitting the Handle Cable Pattern, remembering to change yarn with each handle.

Handle Cable Pattern:
Row 1: [handle 1] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 2] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 3] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 4] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
Row 2: k1, p12(9, 6), k1
Row 3: p1, k12(9, 6), p1
Row 4: repeat row 2.
Row 5: [handle 1] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 2] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 3] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 4] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
Row 6: k1, p12(9, 6), k1 for all handles
Row 7: p1, k12(9, 6), p1 for all handles
Row 8: repeat row 6

Knit 9(8, 7) full cable repeats, not including the handle set-up round, or to your desired length (or until you are about to run out of yarn!).

Finishing
Row 1: p1, k12(9, 6), p1
Row 2: k1, p12(9, 6), k1
Repeat rows 1& 2 once.
Move handles 3&4 to another circular needle or holder.
Working with handles 1 and 2, make sure straps are not twisted. Kitchener stitch together.
Repeat for handles 3 and 4.
Weave in ends.

Felt carefully, checking often! Tug and pull out the braid sections in the handles and bag and check to make sure the handles have not felted themselves into a tube.
Block with an appropriate sized book wrapped in a plastic bag.

There are lots of felting tutorials out in cyberspace. If you still have questions or prefer one-on-one help feel free to comment, e-mail me, or contact me through Ravelry.

Post your pictures! If you are not on Ravelry, e-mail me a picture or send a link to your bag. I’d love to see it!

Cable charts are included in the Ravelry download. Contact me if you want them but are not a member of Ravelry.

Enjoy!

Braided Cable Handle Tote

by Amybelbags
amybelbags@gmail.com

This pattern is offered for personal use only. The pattern, photos, and products made from this pattern are not to be used or sold for personal monetary gain without the written consent of the designer. Do not copy, cut, or paste this pattern. Links back to this pattern are always welcomed.

Hopefully this will get you excited :)

2009-09-29T16:45:00.005-04:00

Ok, so the Ninja Turtle didn't get you going. I understand. It's a very specific target audience and I realize you are not a five year old boy. And if you are a five year old boy reading this blog, then you aren't interested in it either.

Maybe this will work. I've been doing this:

and now have this:

Are you excited? Can you show me some love?

How to make a Ninja Turtle weapon!

2009-09-29T12:14:00.010-04:00

Donatello, the first of my knit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is complete. I say first because kidster has already asked for the other three guys. I can understand. They are a team. A matched set. Like socks. You wouldn't make just one of those would you (at least not on purpose!)? I told him that I had other knitting to do first. Which I do. But I'm going to try to get the other three guys done and surprise him.

His other request was that Donny have his weapon. What good is a mutated superhero turtle without his weapon anyway? I didn't want anything hard that could cause bodily injury (to his brother, for instance) but wanted it to look like a pole and not a piece of spaghetti. I thought a bit and came up with this solution. I'm already noodling how to make nunchucks, a long sword, and battle forks. Battle forks? Yup. Not sure what the technical term for them is, that's just what we call them.

So if you are making or have a Donatello and want a weapon to go with him here's what you do:

Pierce the end of one arm with your knitting needle. This makes a little hole through the yarn and stuffing. Take a drinking straw and cut off the bendy top portion. If you don't have a bendy straw, just cut down a regular one to about 6 inches. Fold the end a little and insert it into the hole you made. You will just get it through and need to pull from the other side. Straighten out the folded over part. Position the pole how you like. With the needles you used for the turtle (I used 5's) and the dark green yarn for the shell, cast on 5 stitches. Make a 5 stitch I-cord as long as the part of the straw that is below Donny's arm. Cast off and fasten end closed. Set aside. Make another I-cord as long as you need it for the top portion of the pole. Stick each end of the straw into an I-cord. Attach the cast on edges to Donny's arm using the cast on tails.

Viola! A Turtle and his weapon!

Some progress...

2009-09-26T09:47:00.005-04:00

I've been working on writing up that pattern we keep talking about. That's why I've been a little quiet lately. But I have made some progress on my knitting queue too. I ended up making two candy corn hats. They are for the kidsters though, not for Super Aunt. But I still have more yarn left so she might get one after all.

Donatello (aka the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle) is coming along. Right now he's a one-legged super hero crime fighter. Kidster #1 has informed me of various "enhancements" he should have so I'm sure he'll need more than his leg to be considered complete.

And my car knitting project is complete. Why did it take me the whole first cloth to get this easy pattern down? Maybe because I was doing it one or two rows at a time. Hmm. Anyway, it's not quite for me. I like the front, but the back makes me frown. Remember, I need things to balance. Symmetry. This doesn't have it.

Delivered!

2009-09-19T09:16:00.011-04:00

Last night was ladies night again. After two weeks of in-laws away and Hubster busy on the weekends it was nice to get away for a few hours. But I digress!

I finished up the sized-to-order purses and brought them to the ladies. After making five of these I think I am finally ready to take all my notes and scribbles and write out the pattern! It is my next major undertaking, I promise. Well, that and getting rid of the baby gear, getting a dresser in kidster #2's bedroom, painting the kitchen...ok, ok!

Here are my latest cable bags. In "medium" and "small". And here are all three sizes!

He did it!

2009-09-16T06:51:00.004-04:00

He has been so excited about going to Preschool.
No tears. Not even a look back. I'm proud of my little man!

My first KAL

2009-09-13T20:02:00.005-04:00

One of my Ravelry friends and Fiber Friends is Anita. She sells her patterns here and on Ravelry. She even has a fan club on Rav (she's so lucky)! When she released her newest pattern for this felted Halloween Ghost, I immediately had to let her know how adorable he is.

(photo used with permission)

Anita thought it might be fun for our group to make him for a KAL. I had a little trouble finding white wool, since there isn't an LYS nearby. But I managed to pack up kidster #2 the other day when it was rainy and we took a drive. Thankfully he loves the car! I got myself some Galway and I'm just waiting for the fun to begin. I'm pretty sure everyone will finish it before me, but that's OK! If you are interested in joining us, check out our Ravelry group!

Two down, one to go

2009-09-08T09:26:00.000-04:00

Kidster #1 started Kindergarten last week. We waited for the bus to come. And waited...and waited. Apparently the bus driver determined that there was no where on the road for her to turn around, so she decided she wouldn't pick him up. And didn't call anyone either. Not me, the school, the town's transportation department, or the bus company. It's straightened out now. All it took was one very firm mother, a father being an administrator in the town's school system, and the fact that you can fit three tanks in our driveway!

So here he is, on the second day of school.

An answer for Vicki

2009-09-06T11:18:00.005-04:00

All of you Blogger users know there is no good way to respond to comments folks leave. Bummer. Vicki had a question about yarn for felting, so I thought it would be good to repeat her question and my answer here.

Vicki said...
I love this bag [Around About]! I would like to make it in a yarn other than wool, though, as I am allergic to wool. Can you recommend another type of yarn I could use to get a similar, sturdy bag? Thank you!~Vicki

Amybel said...
Thanks Vicki!
In order to get yarn to felt it should be 100% natural animal fiber. No superwash, acrylic, cotton, etc. You could try Alpaca and see if you get an allergic reaction. Alpaca tends to be a little "furry" after felting, but it is very soft and should felt nicely (and you could always give it a haircut). I would recommend that you try to felt a sample swatch first just to make sure! You wouldn't want all that hard work to go down the drain (pun intended!). There are also wools blended with other animal fibers like llama or alpaca that might be less irritating to your allergy. Or, if you are not wallet constrained you could opt for higher end yarn like mohair or angora. Good luck! And let me know how you make out :)

Good luck Vicki, and keep in touch!

What's in your knitting queue?

2009-09-02T08:54:00.001-04:00

I don't mean the 145 things you've queued in Ravelry. I'm interested in your immediate queue. What are the next five things you are going to make or finish?

Here's mine:

1. Finish mini cable handle bag before Brenda's niece drives her nuts.

2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle for Kidster #1. He's literally obsessed with them (he's my son?) and ever since the puppy and giraffe he's determined that I need to make him something. He even picked out the yarn so that I would make the right color. I'd like to make a kid sized mask for him too, since I know already what he wants to be for Halloween.

3. I have a new purse design floating around in my head and I need to get it out!

4. Speaking of Halloween, my SIL (aka Super Aunt) has a birthday in the beginning of October. She loves all things fall and Halloweeny. I'd like to make her this hat with matching ones for the kidsters just for fun, and some felted candy corn.

5. Make more Christmas Gift Holders. I made some a few years back and they were a huge hit. A little vague? Yes. Does that mean another pattern is coming? Yes. I'd better get on it quick so that I can get it out there for all of you before New Years!

So what are your next five? Leave a comment with your list or post it on your blog. Don't forget to comment so I can check it out!

WIP's

2009-08-30T19:51:00.001-04:00

OK, well I didn't manage to get pictures but I did manage about 10 minutes at the computer. So here's a little knit update...

I'm working on two more cable handle bags. This time in alternate sizes. One of my Ladies Night Girlfriends asked for one, but a little smaller. "The larger your purse, the more crap you carry around with you." Words of wisdom I say.

And Brenda called to say that her niece keeps stealing her beige bag so I needed to make one for her pronto! Being as her niece is only 13, I think it will be a mini version. The plus side of all this (besides making a little $$) is that I can write the pattern to include the other sizes! The down side? Well, I have to write that pattern now, don't I?

Is it Friday already?

2009-08-28T19:59:00.004-04:00

I'm starting to get grouchy without my computer fix. All week long I've barely made it here before some major catastrophe erupts. I think they secretly wired an alarm in the computer chair so that they know the instant I sit. By "they" I mean the boys, kidsters and Hubster too. They are all in cahoots I tell you.

So fine friends I'll have more knitting for you soon. Once I've had some time to take pictures, download them, and share them with you! But for today I will make the easy post.

Friday Fill-Ins:

1. He was a Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy From Company B.
2. Allergy medication is what I look forward to most this time of year.
3. My best friend is Hubster.
4. I can't wait for the kids to be in school, to be honest with you.
5. Appearances can be scary.
6. The last person I gave a hug to was Kidster #1, tucking him into bed, right as he said I was the best Mom he ever had (yes, I know I'm the only Mom he ever had).
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to beer, tomorrow my plans include keeping sane while stuck inside all day during Tropical Storm Danny, and Sunday, I want to steal a few minutes (hours) at the computer!

In case you're interested, you can get your Friday Fill-ins right here at http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/

Trying to find some time...

2009-08-23T07:57:00.003-04:00

to do anything! I have to post about my latest projects but have been busy cramming in every ounce of fun possible. The summer is winding down and school starts soon. Hubster is back to work already. Kidster #1 has one more week before he starts Kindergarten. Then Kidster #2 will start Preschool two weeks after that. They are on opposite schedules (afternoon/morning) so I think I'll buy stock in gasoline. And remember to bring my knitting in the car with me!

In case you were wondering...

2009-08-19T12:27:00.003-04:00

5:25 am.

He has a sixth sense about when his father is not home. After a half hour of chatting with his teddy bear he softly called to get up. Of course after a whole summer of waking up with Dad (which was somewhere between 6 and 6:30, btw) he didn't want to get up with me, he wanted to go back to "bed". I sure wish he would have done that at 5:26.

I think I'm going to tell him that Dad will be here in the morning just so he (we) can sleep in. Would that be so bad?

The Wakeup Call

2009-08-18T20:02:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow Hubster heads back to work. He has been off for the last week and a half, and before that he only worked Thursdays and Fridays for his summer schedule. And even then he went in later, after he enjoyed some quality boy time. It has been a tremendous summer.

Well, no more turning off the monitors when he gets up. No more waking up at 7, or maybe 7:30, or a few times even at 8. From now on I will be waking up to the soft, sweet, and singsongy sound of "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!".

Let's just hope that the first digit on the clock is a 6.

Keeping it even

2009-08-15T09:24:00.006-04:00

Baby Sadie and her family came over for a pool day last week. For some reason I held back and didn't give her the giraffe I had finished for her. And I know why. I needed to make something for her 2-1/2 year old brother! He's a love of a boy, a little pint of peanuts, and gets along with my kidster #2 famously, even though he's at least half his size!

I decided to make the sleepy puppy pattern. A quick enough knit, even for me! I started per pattern, which is to knit flat and seam each piece, and quickly decided that I would go crazy trying to make it that way. I took the advice of other Ravelers and made the parts in the round. Which was fine except that still meant sewing all the parts together. Ugh. Not my idea of fun knitting. But it's a cute pattern and if I do it again I will make the body first, then pick up stitches for the various parts.

So here's my attempt to alleviate any sibling rivalry.

Feel free to give them some Ravelry love!

What we've been doing lately...

2009-08-11T20:09:00.008-04:00

This is what Hubster has been doing... This is what I have been doing...

Clam boils (steamers)...

Clam sauce...

Chowder..."chowdah" Remember he cooks? Aren't I lucky? Today he got big quahogs and little necks (small quahogs). Tomorrow we'll be eating stuffies and clam chowder, batch #2. Mmmm. I love New England in the summertime.

Presenting....

2009-08-08T09:30:00.009-04:00

Ms. Girbra Zeraffe!
The world's one and only striped giraffe!
Thankfully, this little giraffe pattern is knit in the round with the only seaming being between the legs when they attach in the round. Which, by the way, is a little tricky. No I don't have a picture of that. But hey, you shouldn't be peeking into the little gals nether regions anyway! Thankfully she is heading off to baby Sadie who, I am quite sure, wont care about some messy underside seams.
I didn't embroider the eyes. I'm not sure I can do that effectively without the yarn coming undone. And since this is for a baby I think it best to go just the way she is.
Thanks to Tink for the zebra inspired giraffe name!

My Mother's Sweater

2009-08-05T07:58:00.002-04:00

My Mom has a little wardrobe problem. She has clothes (and wears them) from before I was born. The other problem is that the closets in her four bedroom house are full. With her clothes! So I am always happy to hear when she has put together a little bag to send off to charity (or trash, in the case of the pre-Amybel items). However, on my last visit she lamented a hole in this mohair sweater. Her mother had made it when her older sister was in Junior High School. That dates this sweater at about 50 years! She was so sad to see it go, I gave in a little and said I would see if I could fix it. I'm pretty sure that the hole is just from wear and not moths. Especially since my mother has always kept her wool sweaters in cedar chests (and yes, she has a few of those too, all stuffed!). After further review I decided that fixing wasn't an option since the fashion police might actually lock me away for enabling (pardon the t-shirt).

It's so not me with the pastel colors and all. Well, that and the pink in there :)But I think that maybe someday when she has forgotten about it (ok, when the kids actually let me work on big projects) I'll take it apart and make something useful out of this for her. Not because she needs any more clothes, but because it is a memory of her mother and the gift of knitting she passed down to me.

The Giraffe Progress

2009-08-02T08:09:00.000-04:00

As I promised, here are pictures of the world's only striped giraffe! Well, her legs anyway.

Another great award!

2009-08-01T11:19:00.001-04:00

I got an award from Alexandra the Great! She is fantastic and I'm thrilled that she shared this award with me.

The rules of the award:

1. Link the person who tagged you.

2. Copy the image above, the rules and the questionnaire in this post.

3. Post this in one or all of your blogs.

4. Answer the four questions following these Rules.

5. Recruit at least seven (7) friends on your Blog Roll by sharing this with them.

6. Come back to BLoGGiSTa iNFo CoRNeR (PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LINK) at http://bloggistame.blogspot.com and leave the URL of your Post in order for you/your Blog to be added to the Master List.

7. Have Fun!

Questions & Your Answers:

1. The person who tagged you: Alexandra
2. His/her site's title and url: Wool & Cotton http://wool-and-cotton.blogspot.com/
3. Date when you were tagged: July 21th, 2009 (Sorry it took me a little bit to get this on here!)

4. People you tagged:

Win Knitpicks needles!

2009-08-01T10:37:00.003-04:00

Head over to Things Moms Like to win the new acrylic needles from Knitpicks! There are lots of ways to enter. Good luck!

More projects...

2009-07-28T19:55:00.009-04:00

I'm loving my pirate project bag that I got from fiber friend Tink's Etsy shop. I think most people would use it for socks, but I am using it for the dishcloths I am now making from my super cheap bargain buy a week or so ago. It's great to just grab it and head outside for some knitting while the kidsters are occupied, playing together in the sprinkler or on the swings.

***Reality check!***

Ok, that's what I try to do. The bag makes it outside with me, and the knitting gets out for a little sunshine. But the kidsters do everything in their power to keep me from making any actual progress. It's like they've formed a secret alliance or something. (It might be the only thing they agree upon.) I've even said I would knit them some that are "cool". Kidster #1 wanted a fire helmet. So, no problem. I'm currently making this. Kidster #2 wants a trash truck. No problem. I found this one. I'll probably finish them when they have moved on to some other fascinations.

See, I am two timing it again. My night time project is this little giraffe. My friend (well, my husband's cousin's wife...but we're really friends too) had her second baby two weeks ago. She herself has this giraffe thing going. And she's one of those people that probably would appreciate a knitted blanket or something like that, but not use it or appreciate it like you or I would. Plus I would like something that will grow up with the baby, at least for a little while. So I am making the little gal for her new little gal to play with. It's worked from the legs up, and I have the four legs done. Tonight I am planning to get them all attached to the body. I know most people would probably finish the project in a day or two, but remember I am doing this one hour at a time!

Tomorrow we're headed off to Cape Cod for a few days. I can't guarantee that I'll get too much knitting done since the kidsters are coming too, but I'll post a giraffe pic when I get back!

Checkerboard Dishcloth

2009-07-26T08:15:00.000-04:00

I'm one of those people who like things symmetrical. And linear is pretty good too. I wanted a dishcloth that was the same on both sides and I didn't like any of the checked cloth patterns I found so I made this one up. It is so easy you don't even need to print out the directions. Oh, and very textured so it does it's job quite nicely!

The border is done in garter but you could easily change it to seed stitch or another stitch of your preference.

Skill Level: Simple

Materials: US 7 needles (or appropriate for your yarn)

Yarn: Worsted Weight cotton (I used Lion Cotton)

CO 36 stitches

Knit three rows in garter stitch

Pattern:

Rows 4-10: Knit 3, *knit 5, purl 5*, repeat 2 more times, knit 3

Rows 11-17: Knit 3, *purl 5, knit 5*, repeat 2 more times, knit 3

Repeat pattern two more times.

Knit three rows in garter stitch.

Bind off.

Remember it's a dishcloth. Don't worry about gauge or blocking or any of that fussy stuff. And if you can make enough of these to earn a small fortune, then by all means have at it.

I'd love to see you add your project to Ravelry.

Something new

2009-07-24T08:50:00.000-04:00

I don't think dishcloths will be my new thing. But I like that they are quick projects, and I can see the usefulness of them. Especially when finished it cost about $0.35 to make.I've started another already. I'm restocking my kitchen with matchy ones and throwing away all the fraying store bought washcloths. I was going to follow a pattern but then made up a checkerboard as I went along. I like that it is reversible. Soothes my symmetrical mind.

One of my favorite words!

2009-07-22T19:52:00.011-04:00

No, not "new yarn", that's two words!

"Finished".

Hubster looked after the kidsters so that I could get some much needed sewing done. It's not that I mind sewing, I just don't like the idea of it. It always seems to be looming over my head that I have sewing to do in order to finish up some bags. Then the days pass and it seems even more arduous of a task. Well, today I dug in my heels, plugged in the iron and got to work. I was on a roll (and the 'sters all off at Auntie's for a swim) so I kept on going. I managed to sew three linings, complete with pockets and magnetic snaps, for all the cable handle bag sisters! And then the last one just kept leering at me. This fuzzster has been laying around for a long, long time. Frankly I was just tired of looking at it any longer so I made one for that too. Yes dear friends, four linings done. Now off to watch some tube and sew them into the bags.

Ahhh, the lovely sound of "Finished"!

Update on the Twins...

2009-07-21T19:50:00.004-04:00

The twins are drying after felting last night. For some reason the handles on the blue one are shorter than the tan one. And not just by a little. Maybe the yarn was off by a few yards? It's very commercial yarn so that's probably not it. I'm guessing that it has to be the needle I used, since I had them going at the same time. The tan one was on my favorite green metal circs, the beige one on some Susan Bates circs. Nice needles but definitely more slick than the green ones. Come to think of it, I like them better than the green ones, I just always went with my favorite color. Oh well. Handmade=no two alike, right? The good news is that now I can work on writing up the pattern!

Yay, I actually did it!

2009-07-17T19:45:00.005-04:00

Yes, I managed to knit in my backyard. And it was stash yarn so I also managed to knit in my backyarn, too! While the kidsters were doing this...

I did this...

Got my toes done too! While I was at it I thought I'd show you my way of dealing with four working yarn balls at the same time.

It was so great! And over in 15 minutes. But I will look forward to the next miraculous moment!

We Have A Winner!

2009-07-16T12:01:00.003-04:00

Hooray, hooray! Congrats to Turtle, the winner of the project bag giveaway!

Don't fret if you didn't win. Head on over to Tink's Etsy Shop and get yourself one. Her prices are so reasonable you could get yourself two! I bet the Java and the Flower Power bags disappear quick, they were your favorites!

Fixed!

2009-07-16T06:49:00.002-04:00

Thankfully my blog is fixed. There must have been a drought which caused the grass to die. I managed to put the sprinklers on and get it to grow again!

Stay tuned for the project bag giveaway winner post (I need to wake up a little more folks!). I will be using random.org to pick a post number for the winner.

My ideas are leaking out.

2009-07-15T10:32:00.000-04:00

I feel like the Little Old Woman in the Shoe, who had so many children she didn't know what to do. Have you ever had so many ideas to post about that you just couldn't get any of them out? Or were afraid that they would rattle around in your brain so much you would forget them, or worse they would leak out? I started a list of post ideas, but then I lost it. I think kidster #2 threw it away or hid it somewhere. He's in the hiding things stage.

Hey, don't forget today's the last day to enter the giveaway!