My last post of the year . . .

will be a retraction to my threat to list S on eBay. To my absolute horror, I have the DPN but forgot. I tore apart my house yesterday looking for it assuming the only explanation was that S had acquired the needle and hid it somewhere outside of mommy radar.

no . . . wrong. . . I'm a, well for lack of better words, dumbass . . .

If I had only remembered that I was doing a cabled scarf for DH, if only had I remembered using it at Lauren's birthday party of Friday morning, if only. . . I found the missing size 3 Double Pointed Needle in my Knitter's tote bag sitting pretty with the size 7s. I lost my cable needle and decided to use the DPN as the cable needle.

Yep, I'm not perfect, that's the last thought I'll leave for 2006. It's harsh thing to realize about myself. =) At least I won't have to sell S. I kind of like having him around!!!!

Would you think it was wrong of me . . .

to list my 2 year old on eBay b/c he "misplaced" one of my Size 3 DPN?????

The Shawl is done!!!

The never ending - taking forever - can't do anything else - forgot what my husband and child look like shawl is FINISHED and mailed off to little ol' Northeast Georgia for SP. Her engagement party is tomorrow night so I hope she can wear it.

I was up until midnight on Wednesday finishing the shawl. I bound off and found such a feeling of accomplishment. I went running into the bedroom around 11pm, waking DH up from a dozy state and was doing my happy jig which I only reserved up to this point for when DS pee-pees on the potty. DH was thrilled, but not too much when he realized that I still had to hand wash and block the shawl.

Ever so gently, I placed the shawl into a sink of cool water and daily shampoo (I realized at 10pm I had nothing else to wash it in!), massaging it just so, hoping not to mess it up. I have NEVER put a finished piece into the water completely to block it, but I knew that I wanted SP to wear it on Saturday. It had to be clean!!! So I hand washed it for about 10 mintues carefully monitoring the temperature so it never got too hot or too cold. Once the water ran clear (this stuff ran a lot) and bubbles were gone, I wrapped the shawl up in a towel. I was SO careful not to stretch it. I went through about 5 towels to get it dry enough to block.

So upstairs I went. The guest bedroom has a queen bed, quilt rack and a night stand. It is supposed to be a 2nd nursery, but since I can't get pregnant what better use then to be a blocking room for my knitting!! The cats were ever so curious and kept jumping on the shawl. DSs room in right across the hall, so I couldn't possibly shriek like a banshee at the cats b/c S would have woken up!! So I shooed them quietly out of the room.

Here we were, my Moby Dick and I. I just looked at this piece and knew I had done a good thing. As I shaped it on the bed I thought about SP's reaction and what her mom will say when the open it on Saturday (yes, 5 days late for a Christmas present). SP will definitely appreciate the shawl. She's just that type. The shawl spent all night with a fan whirring above it and by 8am on Thursday morning it was dried and finished. I was so pleased. Of course, L got the phone call . . . "It's done do you want to see it??" So I rushed to her house with S and lucky for me L's mom was visiting so I could get more accolades! I think I knit sometimes for the satisfaction of others praising my work. I guess we all deserve a little selfish pleasure when we knit for someone other than ourselves . . Right???

I packed it up and sent it UPS 2nd Day air to a tiny little town for a wonderful woman!! I feel such a sense of accomplishment! Here are the pictures!

Happy Knitting Anniversary to me!

One year ago today I picked up my first set of needles and some cheap yarn from JoAnns. R helped me through some AWFUL instructions for about an hour before we realized they sucked. The next day I went right to Borders and got Stitch'n'Bitch. Love this book forever!!

I started knitting b/c my Mom's group (we were MOMS International then) had a night out and took a knitting class. For one reason or another (most likely a business trip for R) I missed it. So many people spoke about the fun they had. I waited a few weeks and it seemed that many of my friends were sticking with it. I had to do it.

Thank God and the Goddess I did!! I really enjoy what I do. It is the best thing in the world. Off to toast my needles, yarn and me for a year of creation and happiness!!!

Some blog clean up needed and being done!!!

Okay, well I've decided to do a few things before the end of the year to make this blog a little more readable and intresting!
First, I'll be adding my gigantic list of Blogs I Read. I see so many of you here and even have seen little links for my site on your blogs. I just want to return the favor.
Second, I switched my font and size. I wish I had a little more knowledge of HTML b/c I have a lot of ideas, but no way to get them on the computer.
Finally, I'm going to work my arse off to get those adorable knitting trackers on here. I have a few already loaded to my hard drive, but can't figure how to get them on the blog. You'll see some soon!! PROMISE!!

Long time no post

Well, I've been enjoying decorating for the holidays and loving being Santa!! S really *gets* Santa this year at 2.5 years old. He asks if Santa is bringing him more train tracks for Thomas or a new box of markers. It's so cute! When he realizes he wants something he tells me, "Mama, Daddy tell Santa, me want choo-choo track" I could literally eat him up when he does stuff like that!

DH is working his butt off right now so it's hard to find time to get out and about. I'll kill him in his sleep if he makes me miss one more girls' night. I've missed a wine tasting and crafting night in the last 2 weeks because of his job. Drives me NUTS I'll tell ya!! Luckily, he appreciates the fact that I don't bitch or whine at him when he calls from the office with some lame ass person on the phone ready to cry over a line in a contract. I just go on like nothing is happened. That gets to him more b/c I think he's ready for me to pull a Lizzie Borden on him being so calm. I do get out twice this week.

First for Night Out with my SAHM group. I will tell you that we have recently left the evil clutches of MOMS Club International!! They basically let us know that a dinner time playgroup that met from 4:30 to 6pm for members that had LATE WORKING HUBBIES, was taking us away from our families. HELLO . . we brought our children to the group!!!! Who else needed us at home?? Freddie the Frog needed a lettuce leaf at 5pm?? Whatever. They told our President that the decision to come to the group hindered our capability of being there for our husbands. Amazing how stupid they thought we were. Needless to say, we left and are now Moms For Moms!! I'm so happy that we did this.

I digress back to what I'm doing this week!! A few of us are hitting the malls and drinking before Christmas!! I'll be intoxicated with a credit card. Not a good combo, but I deserve some crazy time right now!!

So that is another reason I've been MIA on the blog. No DH to contain my child for me to type!!!
Yes, this is a knitting blog, so let's get to knitting.

Here's the big news:

I'M FINISHED THE 60 INCHES OF THE LANA GROSSA BABYKID

SHAWL.!!!

I'm just so happy!! I still have the ruffles to go and I'm not sure that SP will get it by the 24th, but she'll get it soon!! It's done!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!! Here's the picture of the finished piece. You can see I'm not too far in the ruffle part!! YIKES!!!

So what other stuff have I been up to???

I finished a hat to match the scarf I made for J's oldest daughter. I combined Fantasy Natural with Fun Fur and it turned out to be a delightful little set. I'm so happy with the weight of the set. I thought it'd be a better spring set, but the two yarns really knit up tight and warm. I just have to get my butt to the post office tomorrow!!! Look how snuggly this is! I think a 6 year old would love this!

Now I've got a secret! I found the world's best natural wool yarn!! Here it is! This stuff is great! It knits like a dream and I had no problems with it at all. I will tell you also that I use a ball winder and swift for the first time on Saturday. The Eco Wool is over 450 yds so there is no way I could ever hand wind that stuff. I travelled to my LYS and they got the winder out. I'm in love and would leave R for this swift and winder!!! I love how the ball pulled to when I stitched up a watch cap for R. I didn't use a pattern and ended up with a great hat! I'm so proud that it fit. Now I have my first cabling to do in a matching scarf!! Who knows when that'll get done!!! UGH!
That's all to report this time fellow knitters! Stay warm and keep on knittin'!!

Winter Wonderland!!!

48 Inches on the shawl and about 12 on the ground!!! Gotta love Wisconsin. The 1st snowfall is SO beautiful!!

Back from the Holiday

Okay, we didn't go any where, I've just been a slacker with the blogging. I've read countless blogs over the past few weeks, but just couldn't bring myself to do anything on my own. I think it's a few reasons.

1. I'm working on stelth Christmas/New Year's gifts for a few people that read this blog. I couldn't possibly give it away.

2. The Lana Grossa Baby Kid Shawl is just SOOOOOO boring right now!!! I'm basically 40inches into a 60in rectangle of Stockinette Stitch!!! It's coming along a lot faster that I would have thought b/c of the Addi Turbos I bought. These things are REMARKABLE!! The yarn glides effortlessly across them. I feel like I'm just flying with these things!!! Here's a picture of where I am right now!! Only 20 inches and ruffle to go!! I've got time right????

I felted that alpaca hat! It turned out . . .um. . . . interesting!! I like it. Wouldn't have been my first choice, but since a loggerhead turtle could have worn the hat prior to felting, it's good! Here's a picture of the hat and the matching scarf that I made in January 2005 from yarn from L.!

Weekend Update and the Decision is Made

Thanks to Leah and Michelle for suggesting a little bag. I think that is what I'm going to do!! I need something to tote around my smaller knitting stuff, book club reading, S's diapers and sippy cup, etc. I think it'll be something nice to have during the dreary winter in Wisconsin.

Thanks to everyone who suggested things Yes, Nina, even the legwarmers!!! =) There were some lovely ideas that have sent me in search of yarn for different projects.

This weekend I did a few things. S had a minor procedure on Friday so we had to take care of a very sore little boy. He's doing fine now and is back to his normal 2.5 year old self!

Saturday night, R got into a HBO boxing presentation, so after 10 mintues of watching men bash each others faces in, I gave up! I hid in my closet (aka. Yarn Stash Storage) and began to sort. It is my intent to start 2007 with organzied yarn. I have an excel spreadsheet with all the needles, yarn and even some patterns(don't judge people!) but that really isn't enough. I need my yarn organized by fiber content or use. Right now everything is in bags, which I HATE!! I'm in need of some very good storage bins. I saw some at Home Depot and have asked Santa to bring me those drawers!

Here is what I have down: wool, fancy/expensive stuff, baby use, cotton, acrylics (yes, I use them for kid stuff!), novelty yarns, and scrap yarn. Now we need to get them into bins!

Finally, I admitted to myself that I did a piss poor job on my gauge for this hat. It's Misti Alpaca Chunky, and I really went nuts when it came to gauge. I mainly make hats for kids or babies so the gauge really has never been a problem. I swore it looked just fine for me. Well, it was HUGE. It was even big on R's head. He said it just slid on. Well, I felted it. It's drying so the result is still unknown. The felting did the trick, but now it's a waiting game to see if it's still beautiful and soft like it's matching scarf that I made last year. Notice my attempt to be a creative displayer of my work. I love how people are displaying their work lately! Sorry L, had to copy ya!

March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month

I was lucky enough to have a full-term (overdue) pregnancy with S, but so many of his friends decided to come early. We're blessed b/c most of them have a happy healthy life, but so many babies are impacted for years b/c of premature birth. I just wanted to honor the March of Dimes for trying to help these babies.

2 FOs for the holidays and 1 crazy cat

I've been cheating on my Lana Grossa Kid Shawl. It's taking a long time and for 60inches, it's stockinette Stitch over 100 stitches!! UGH!!! I'm SO bored with it, but I promised to make DHs cousin a rockin' gift for his family's gift exchange. Oh, the things I do for love!! =)

Anyway, about every 5 inches or so I have to do something new. Here are two projects I'm completed. The first is the same pattern as DHs afghan, but it's for my granny. She's 86 and ALWAYS cold! I used light pink and cream in Patons Divine and then Sierra in LionBrand Homespun. I love this for a gift! It's warm, looks so fancy, and it's QUICK with a huge, huge capital Q!!!

The next is just a hat and scarf set I made for the youngest daughter of one of my lesbian internet friends =). L is around 18 months and so cute. I used some stash yarn (Caron Simply Soft and Moda-Dea Beloved) and it turned out great!! I used a simple garter stitch pattern on both pieces and it really works b/c it looks so lovely and girly. It'll be great to see a picture!!!!

Finally, I have some creepy pictures of Kramer. He's our dog-cat and he has to be in on everything. Here are 2 pictures of him testing out granny's afghan!!!

Can't blame anyone but myself for this!!

WHAT DID I DO??? I was browsing some blogs yesterday and saw the mention of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Sock of the Month Club/Sock Club. I checked it out and found the wonderful Sock Club 2007. I knew L would totally get into this so I happily sent it to her. While waiting for her response, I continued to read my Sunday blogs and I realized how most of the knitters that have work I really enjoy are avid sock knitters. I started thinking, why haven't I made socks? Why is it that I've been knitting for almost a year making sweaters, hats, afghans, scarves, etc but I've never ventred into socks?

This was my chance, L responded back that she pre-registered for this, so I had to too. I had a calling. So after quickly typing all my information into the registration and hitting submit, I realized . . . I have to pay over $200 for something I've never done, tried, or even took a stab at!!! WTF!! The excitement got to me!!!

I'm going to do it, but I'll have to REALLY hide my paper trail from DH, I'm sure he could find much better ways (or at least in his opinion) to use 200!!! Oh, yeah, maybe more since I have only have 1 set of DPNs!!!

Won't you help a fellow knitter out!!

Okay, fellow knitters. I need some ideas!!! I have some really beautiful Patagonia Naure Cotton by Araucania. Now I have NO idea what to do with this yarn!!!

Here is a picture. As you can see I'm taking the cue from many of my fellow knitters, I'm starting to take my pictures outside. Hopefully, I can continue this for a while until snow gets here!

On a side note: I always feel funny about using the word hopefully in posts. I had a professor in college back in 1991 that didn't allow us to use the word "hopefully" to begin a sentence. We would have to say, "I'll get into grad school full of hope" instead of "Hopefully, I'll get into grad school" Then we would see the error in what we were saying. He felt that the word "hopefully" was used wrong more often than any other word in our language!! Sorry to veer off track on that!

So anyone have any ideas?? I'll take any and al ideas no matter how outrageous they may be!!!

The color is pink (obviously!) and I have 210 yards. A scarf might be fun, but I just finished the silk one so I don't think I'm in the *mood* for a scarf. . . okay, I lied. I'll take any idea as long as it's not a scarf!! =)

S'n'B at the coffee house and the scarf

We had S'n'B this week and it was great. Sonja was there and we don't see her much. She's been knitting a long time so she always has some wonderful projects going. L had her Socks That Rock, but too much laughing took place and she messed up the pattern. I tell you, even at a coffee house, our S'n'Bs get out of hand. We were near the medical school and all that brain power was severely stunted by all the SAHM craziness. The amount of stares and dirty looks we got bordered on comical by night's end. I tell you, we're a loud bunch that's for sure. I'm sure we ran some of those kids out of there.

Anyway, I easily slipped into my drop stitch scarf made of the Mango Moon Recycled silk. I love this stuff. It's so pretty. I've been wearing it everywhere just waiting for someone to compliment me on my creation. This lovely item that will adorn my neck for years to come. I fall short of shoving it in people's faces and screaming, "THIS IS GORGEOUS!!! Why won't you say anything .. ." I never thought that I would be this obsessed with external gratification, but here I am. It's actually funny b/c R said to me at lunch, after the server had rudely ignored my masterpiece, "If it makes you feel better, which I know you need b/c of the sad look on your face, that scarf is just beautiful!!" What a smile he brought to my face . . of course, then The Beast grabbed it and started to clean our table with it!! One woman's masterpiece is a 2 year olds wash rag!! Such is life!! Here are some pictures!!

Shawls and blankets and scarves, OH MY!!

I am officially un-motivated to knit. This could be a serious illness or a sign that we at the "end of days" - LOL. I can't believe after almost a year of knitting. I officially started knitting in December of 2005. I taught myself from Stitch'n'Bitch and it went from there. I've many things, one total failure, and a handful of projects just waiting to be started. Why now?? Who the hell knows! I started the Lana Grossa Shawl for SPs Christmas present. . . I've gotten through 1 ball and haven't even picked up the rest of the yarn from our LYS that has been in for about 2 weeks now. The library called with another pattern book I had on hold, I never went to get it. I started my grandmother's blanket. I've done it before, it's the same one I made for R, but in different girly colors. Frogged it and now I can't find the f-ing needles! How do you lose Size 19 Circulars??? I guess the 2 year old is a huge factor!!

So now what? We have Stitch'n'Bitch tonight at the local coffee house. I need something. I always do a lot of work at SnB. Let's look in my stash . . ah, this might have promise . . . a beautiful purple jewel toned Recycled Silk by Mango Moon Yarns.

This is basically the colorway I have, just a little more purple:

L suggested a drop stitch scarf so it's on!! I'm going to knit myself a gorgeous scarf tonight! Pictures to come! I hope this gets me out of my knitting funk! I hate idle hands and can't imagine why I can't get myself going!!!

Fibonacci in da house!!!

Okay, I know I can't pull that off!! =) Well, it snowed here in Wisconsin. Not anything heavy, but it snowed and it's the freakin' middle of October. On this one snowy morning, S looked at me and said, "Outside?" I realized at that moment, my son has no hats or scarves for this winter. He luckily has a really cool jacket that I just won off of eBay, but nothing else. So I called L, "Let's meet for lunch and take the kids to Joann's. " Off we went.

First, we are those women I would roll my eyes at with unending spite prior to having a child. S and V were all over the place, in a good way. S was going after needles and V was looking at books. They were chasing each other down the aisles and S was tormenting V in a way that only S can torment his girlfriend! Neither met any of my criteria for removal from the scene (blood, property damage, or all out tantrum) so we shopped! I got 3 skeins of Wool-Ease and decided to make mittens along with the hat and scarves.

Once I got home I got an itch to do something new and fun with a boring ol' scarf so I decided to use the Fibonacci method of knitting. I saw an episode on Knitty Gritty about Fibonacci knitting. Here's a blurb about Fibonacci from the Knitty Gritty website:

First off, you need to know that there is a number Phi (1.6180339887498948482) that is an expression of something called the golden ratio. Since ancient times, it has been known that using this golden ratio enabled designers to create art and buildings that were most pleasing to the human eye. Even Mother Nature used the golden ratio when designing spiraled things such as shells and sunflowers! Then, in the 13th century, a guy named Leonardo Fibonacci (Fee-bo-nah-chee) discovered that when he took a number (starting with 0), added the previous number to it and continued doing that with each resulting sum, he arrived at a unique sequence of numbers (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21...) that had golden ratio-like properties. As he went further and further out in the sequence, he found that the ratio of one of the numbers to the one preceding it began to approach the golden ratio!

So you basically just knit Fibonacci numbered rows for an aestheticly pleasing item without your normal stripe pattern.

Well, I did it and I LOVE the results. The scarf is all Fibonacci and I even used each color 8 times!! The blue and yellow in the hat are sequenced, but the grey isn't! I'm quite fond of the scarf though!! Now all it needs to do is snow again! It was in the 50s today, so no need for all this garb!!

Ugh!!! Can't believed I have done it . ..

No not that you dirty dirty people!! I mean knit lately! I was a 2-3 hour a day knitter until a week or so ago. I think it has to do with the failed sweater for Laney. Yes, it was a total bust!!! I had the sleeves all ready to go, so I put the sweater on S to just see how it fit. He looked so pretty in the pink sweater!! Here's the problem, THE SLEEVES ARE TOO SHORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

S looked like he had on a short sleeved shirt!! I measured those sleeves about 5 times before binding off, just to make sure. I was sure. They matched the pattern EXACTLY!! Nowhere in the pattern did it say that is was a 3/4 length or short sleeved sweater. So Laney's getting something from Gymboree, about a month late!!!

I think that is why I haven't knit in a while. I'm just bummed that I failed. I guess it's just the control freak in me b/c I can't figure out why it went bad..

So here's a toast to you, little pink sweater, that never will be. Maybe I'll use you to make some socks for Laney's sister Kelsey . . . she loves pink!!!


Next for me is http://www.yarns-and.com/LAGbabykidshawl.htm. It's GORGEOUS. The BabyKid yarn from Lana Grossa is fantastic. I can't believe how soft AND durable. I can't break it just by pulling it. The shawl is for R's cousin SP in Cinncinnati. I think she'll love it. I'm using a dark gray. It's coming along easily, but I'm not used to the weight yet. Of course, it's been days since I worked on it . . . . I have a few more weeks until my date to have it done! We have SnB on the 24th so I'm hoping to have the body of the shawl done. I need L's help to finish the shawl. I've never picked up stitches before!! The ruffle is wonderful so I need to make sure I have everything just right!!!

So I have a few things left for the year. My mind changes constantly so I hate to blog what I want to do today, because it'll be different tomorrow.

We're back!!!

What a fun weekend!!! What a crazy debaucherous weekend!!! I didn't drink b/c of TTC so I LOVED watching my friends drink and joke. I haven't laughed that hard in a LONG time. I can't believe 2 things: 1. How close we all are without the petty girl stuff and 2. How much we all longed to stay just another day or so. I think everyone was actually sad to leave. This is definitely a repeat activity!! I think it might have to be a different gathering than STITCHES! next year.

L did a great job planning the whole thing. The condo was GORGEOUS!!! The restaurant was divine!!! There wasn't one thing about the weekend that was sub-par. It was all more than I expected, even The Devil Wears Prada on Pay-Per-View!

The amount of alcohol that was consumed rivals a fraternity party!! I'd put my SAHM friends up against any frat boy in a drinking contest!! We'd win and still be able to whip up pancakes the next morning for that wussy and his frat brothers!!! ROFL!!! Notice the variety of alcohol involved in a "knitting" retreat!!!!!



I actually got a TON of R's blanket done. I'm so glad I picked that to take instead of S's sweater. I would have NEVER gotten it done!! The colors are just fantastic and masculine. I'm so happy that I went with the Homespun instead of the Shetland Chunky!!!



S has been getting under the blanket when I'm knitting. He says it feels "off" (soft) and loves to pet it like the cats!! Too cute. My heart breaks whenever he does something that cute!! I just keep realizing he's growing up!

Leavin' on a Jet Plane . . .

Okay, not really, just a car with Jodi!! It's the 1st Annual Milwaukee Knit Weekend!!! WOOHOO!! I can't tell you how friggin' excited I am to have a whole weekend of knitting. Just knitting. I don't have to do shit if I don't want to!! R is a trooper and hasn't complained once about being with S all weekend!! What a guy! No wondered I married him!

There are 7 of us going. We have a 4 bedroom condo up north and we just are bringing food. We never have to leave! The weather is supposed to be rainy, but that is OK with me! Better to nap and knit in!!

I'm packed and ready to go!! Notice the contents of my overnight bag!!!!

My project is R's Afghan. It's a basic garter StSt pattern from Patons on Size 19 needles. I decided to do something easy so I can talk to the girls. We have a few non knitters coming with us! I hope they can offer entertainment. E and K are funny people so I'm sure I'll be laughing too!

I'm using Patons Divine in Soft Earth and Dark Earth in the throw. The main yarn was Shetland Chunky (Patons), but I didn't like the colorways they offered, so I found a Lion Brand Homespun that I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! I've casted on and I know this is going to ROCK!! The colors are unbelievable together!!

I can't wait to see this finished!! I can't wait to share our weekend with everyone!!!

Vacation and Sweater knitting

My question . . . What the hell is a placket???? I have a pattern on how to do one, but I have NO idea what a placket is!! It should make itself apparent as I knit both pieces, but who the hell knows!! How sad it that!!!

The vacation was fantastic. S had a wonderful time!! I couldn't get over his love of the beach and ocean. My Florida blood runs deep in him!!!! LOL.

While on vacation I began to knit Laney's sweater. I realized however as I was 1/2 done the front that the gauge is off!! I did a swatch and it was just 1 stitch off. This off stitch SHOULD have made the sweater too big (which would have been fine!), BUT, the sweater isn't going to be as wide as the Size 4 it's suppposed to be!! WTF is up with that! I've called Laura to get me measurements for Laney but I don't know. Looks like Ks oldest will be getting a sweater for Christmas or her birthday!!

Here are some pictures of the sweater. I got to knit about 9 hours total during S's naps and then at night.

Sweater on September 3

September 4

September 7

Back is finished!!!

Example of slip stitch pattern

A realization of my life!!!

Well, actually, I've taken on a more stand back and see attitude with my scheduled knitting. Just last week, I posted monthly schedules of what I need to do. Of course, I'd look back on this liast on New Year's Eve and realize there would be a bunch of coulda, shoulda, woulda's about projects I didn't finish. I decided to just try to complete a few projects this year (see new sidebar) and if I have time, great, I'll choose something else off of my monthly schedule!

The weather is slowly turning in SE Wisconsin. Fall and Winter are so close. I need to savor and enjoy the rest of the summer right now and knitting will have to take a back seat! That's hard to admit, but time goes by too fast. I feel that S shouldn't hear, "Just one more row, baby" when he so desperately wants to go outside to savor the last few weeks of summer. He needs mommy to play with him not knit. Did I just say that????????

Beach Project

Well, we leave for the beach next Saturday and I just needed light weight project to take with me. I decided to do Laney's Birthday sweater. I chose to use a Vogue Pattern. It's a slip stitch pullover. The pattern calls for Cotton Fizz by Naturally, which is discontinued so I had to find a replacement. Now, I do believe in VERY good yarn for things, but I know a 3 year old in preschool is not going to take care of the sweater and spot treat it. AND I know Laura, mother of 3 doesn't have time to delicate wash things. So I decided on Lion Brand Baby Soft. It's acrylic which I'm not a fan, but for the wearability and value, it is a good choice.

I'm going to put some Fun Fur around the sleeves and botton for a little "princess" flair!!! Laney's a diva so she'll love the fur!! Here are the colors I'm using

:

Felted purse DONE!!

I'M DONE MY PURSE!! I'm so excited!! I finished sewing it last night at Stitch'n'Bitch. It was HUGE and looked strange, but I gave it a shot anyways. L got a call this afternoon from a panicked virgin felter. "I don't think the water is hot enough" "How do I shape and dry it" "Are the jeans enough to agitate it?" On and on. After few tips, I hussled my way to the washer and opened up the pillow bag I felt in . . . Saw this!

It's bigger than it was before. I knew, it wouldn't work. I had every urge to call L back, ask her why the knitting gods were looking poorly on me today, why is this my fate.

Well, then I stood up and figured that women had been felting items since the beginning of time and I had at my disposal, a fancy dancy washing machine. This is something that I HAD to do.


So back in the washer it went!


20 minutes later, I had this. Nice, still too big, but it was shrinking and the "tweeding" that was happening was FANTASTIC!!!

So in it went for another 10 . .okay it ended up being 20! I had DVRed Everybody Hates Chris and HAD to watch it all!! Funny show by the way!!





I took it out of the washer and rung it out. It was fantastic. Loved the color. The shape, well I needed to take care of that one. I went searching for the perfect drying/shaping item. Well, here is the result of my felting!!


Now it's a wait and see game. Not sure how I like the "legs" but the pattern called for them and I'll trust Berroco's pattern makers on this one!! I think once it's dry, I'll add a little stitching to the handle and opening . . maybe in cream?? Not sure. That'll be a group decision with my S'n'B friends!

What's on the hot seat now???

Okay, so it's the end of August . . . here's a tentative plan for the rest of the year!!

August Plans

Baby L's hat, sweater, bunny or whatever

September Plans

Vacation project - Laney's Sweater

My mother's scarf

Start DSs sweater

October Plans

DH's sweater or Afghan

Begin DH's name pick Christmas present

Finish DSs Sweater

November Plans

Fragrance Sachets for Christmas presents

Finish everything listed above

December Plans

Start Aunt P's socks for Feb. birthday

Questions Anyone??

Okay, ANOTHER friend just popped a kid out!! C is in Denver now and I really have no idea what to make her! I was thinking about a quick hat, sweater or a non-mutant bunny. I'm really not sure what to do. I'm done with blankets, that's for sure! Two of them about kicked my ass!!!
So that's question 1 . . . What to knit Baby L??

Question2: How bad will my felted bag look? Why you ask would it look bad??? Simple answer . . . I didn't read the directions correctly!!!! YIKES! Yep, you read it here folks! I read, "Hold 2 strands together throughout project"The directions actually said, "Hold two strands of B together throughout project!!! So I held two strands of 2 different colors together! The pattern has 2 colors of Ultra Alpaca (Berroco) listed, so I ASSUMED that 2 strands meant one of each color!!! So who knows what this is going to look like. I'm hoping a black/dark gray tweed look, but only time will tell!!!

Question 3: It will be impossible for me, by all known laws of physics and the time/space continunm to make DH a sweater and the house a large afghan by Christmas. So I have the pressing question . . Do I make the sweater or the afghan???? DH's birthday is in February, so I could wait until then to make the sweater. I think he'd appreciate something that he could use in the dead of winter here in the frozen tundra we call home. So either would be great!!

So those are my dilemas!!

Next project decided!!

I've finally decided on my next project! I was on the phone to L this afternoon lamenting on my lack of interest in anything. Well I went to my stash and looked. I have some wonderful Merino wool from Patons Yarns. I want to felt and I've always wanted to make a purse for myself, so here we go!! Found this pattern on Berroco.com. I wanted to do something bigger, but it required a lot more yarn and I need to use what I have, so there you go!

It'll be dark gray with no embelishments. Great winter bag!!!

Doctor? Who needs the doctor??

Again, my obsession about yarn continues! I cancelled a doctor's appointment today (not for yarn, more personal reasons) but kept the babysitter (insert evil laugh here). I headed to Starbuck's and the LYS!! I got lots of goodies for great prices!! 2 hanks of Patagonia hand dyed cotton, 2 balls of Primitivo from Filati Bertagna and a hank of Misti Chunky Alpaca for $40!!!!

I'm going to use the Misti Alpaca to make a hat to match the scarf I made from L's bday present to me! The Primitivo will be a scarf for my mom and I have NO idea what I'm going to do with 210yds of the patagonia! It's just so pretty (and cheap) I couldn't resist!!!

Totally lied about no more baby items!

I sit here re-reading my posts and my declaration of no more baby items . . . right. I decided to do a hat for Baby A's gift. Adding to the sweater. It turned out cute and swirly! I think it looks like ice cream or sherbert! So many different colors, but they pooled together is such a cute way!! This might get a pom-pom on top.

I just got a Joann's coupon today plus my allowance!! WOOHOO!! Needing a pom-pom skeleton is a great reason to go shopping!!!

Then I decided to knit a quick little cap for another girl in my SAHM club. It only took about 3 hours to do, but it is a baby item. I just can't help myself. The thought of purchasing anything for these people when I have a perfectly good stash of yarn is just beyond me!! I guess, I'll do some hats b/c they're EASY and it's almost winter. I'm still torn between a hat or bib for Shel's babies. Not sure what to do . . . .

Here is a picture of the hat. I used Moda-Dea's Beloved and this Lion Brand pattern:

Bend it Like Beckham Soccer Set

I think I'll add the pom-pom for a little more cuteness. I used 2 different blues. It was the easiest thing to make. I think the next one I'll do will have a bigger band so it can be flipped up. I think this is missing that.

Remembering Ryan David .

A friend of mine gave birth to a son one year ago yesterday. He was only with her a short time. He was called to heaven as a tiny angel just 2 days later. It struck me today that one year ago today, my dear friend was already saying goodbye to her son. I look at DS now and feel more patient, more thankful, and more blessed b/c of Ryan. He made me think about how precious each and every moment I spend with S is. Ryan has made me a better mother.

His mother is a wonderful woman is supportive and loving. I just can't grasp, even after a year, why Ryan was chosen to leave her when his life would have been so full of love and happiness. I still can't imagine not hearing S's laughter, seeing his smiles, feeling his hugs on a daily basis. Ryan's mom will never forget him, none of us will. His short life touched us all.

Birth of a Sweater

It's quite fitting that I am finishing a baby sweater the same day I start a treatment program for my own secondary infertility. I took for granted how easy S was to make, but now I'm on the other side of the fence. I'm using accupuncture and herbs with my Tradtional Chinese Medicine Doctor as well as regular western medicine. It's been 7 cycles and there is something wrong with my eggs, hormones, lining, etc . Who knows?? Lots of tests during the next few months. I'm hoping that I can have another child biologically, but adoption is option we'll explore. It's just a matter of time.

Meanwhile, I have uber-fertile friends and I'm knitting for them. Maybe all my baby gifts are my way of presenting peace offerings to the fertility gods. They might be pissed about something I've done (who knows what?) so they're keeping me from having that other baby. I think with all the flocking gifts I've made, I should be blessed with triplets!!! LOL

So Baby A's sweater is done. I need to wash it, make the matching hat and it's ready to go out the door!! K will be so thrilled. She can't knit a stitch and thinks all of us knitters are masters of our art.

Now this is the first seaming I've done outside of L's birthday cap. I'm quite the proud knitter right now! I can't believe how easy it is and how great it looks!!! I feel like a genius. Of course Stitch'n'Bitch really taught me everything I know!!!! Now I do have to give "props" to L! She answers any and all lame ass knitting questions I ask too!!

All the little pieces done!!!

I'm a Seaming Goddess!!!

A Little Blocking never hurt anyone!

More great seams . . . this time it's side seams!!


The final product!!!