My friend from grad school, Liz, got married this past fall. When I heard the news, I was overjoyed and immediately resolved to knit her something special for her wedding. I used some eBay bucks and searched for yarn with free shipping - I got a nice ball of Laines du Nord pure silk for just a couple of bucks with the eBay bucks discount.
I knit the front panel very quickly. But the waist - I knit it, and decided it was WAY too big. So it sat for a few months until I realized the big event was coming up and I'd better finish it. I frogged the waistline (luckily it wasn't too hard, given it begins from a tiny triangle after the string) and started again. This time I think I got it about right.
I tied it with some ribbon I'd bought for my wedding, and sent it along with bachelorette items that Liz had gotten me at MY bachelorette (ha ha!).
Pattern: Lacy Thong, from Interweave
Yarn: Laines du Nord Mulberry Silk
Needles: size 5, probably KnitPicks 16" or something.
Yay!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Kniting for Christmas
So I knit this hat in a few hours over Thanksgiving break - cast on in the car, hit the ribbing, knit while talking between TLD's bedtime and mine, and it was done. So I decided it was doable to knit 5 more similarly. I went and bought yarn at my new favorite LYS, bought the necessary patterns on Ravelry, and cast on for the first one.
Yeah. Koolhaas, you are beautiful, but you are not fast.
Hat Most Likely to Succeed, you are faster than Koolhaas, but that's not saying much.
My original plan actually was that the men (3 total) would get hats and the ladies would get mitts. I've since decided that hats are much faster than any mitts could be.
I found some more fast-looking hats. Really fast. I don't want to repeat any of them. (Why not, asks a little voice inside my head. I've found a very nice looking, attractive, and proven FAST pattern?) I just don't.
Pattern: Nottingham
Needles: size 8, KnitPicks size 16, Takumi bamboo DPNs to finish.
Yarn: Cascade 220, 112 yds by weight.
Cast on November 24, finished November 29, and was not diligent. I might have made one of the cable crosses too late, hence ovals instead of cute little clovers. Did it all without a cable needle. Fast, fast hat. Very stretchy, should fit anybody from my huge-headed toddler to a grown man (its intended).
Next up: Finishing the forever cabled hat that must succeed, and salvaging my Koolhaas ribbing start to become a beautiful Turn a Square.
I usually avoid Christmas knitting, because I don't like to knit on deadline. But this year, I decided I was more into knitting than shopping (and I'd had one finished already). Next year, a mitt a month and I should be ready. Bonus if there's enough yarn leftover to make everyone mitts that match their hats.
Oh yeah, and it would be swell if I could finish TLD's sweater vest for Christmas. But I'm not holding my breath. The real deadline is February - a year from cast-on.
Yeah. Koolhaas, you are beautiful, but you are not fast.
Hat Most Likely to Succeed, you are faster than Koolhaas, but that's not saying much.
My original plan actually was that the men (3 total) would get hats and the ladies would get mitts. I've since decided that hats are much faster than any mitts could be.
I found some more fast-looking hats. Really fast. I don't want to repeat any of them. (Why not, asks a little voice inside my head. I've found a very nice looking, attractive, and proven FAST pattern?) I just don't.
Pattern: Nottingham
Needles: size 8, KnitPicks size 16, Takumi bamboo DPNs to finish.
Yarn: Cascade 220, 112 yds by weight.
Cast on November 24, finished November 29, and was not diligent. I might have made one of the cable crosses too late, hence ovals instead of cute little clovers. Did it all without a cable needle. Fast, fast hat. Very stretchy, should fit anybody from my huge-headed toddler to a grown man (its intended).
Next up: Finishing the forever cabled hat that must succeed, and salvaging my Koolhaas ribbing start to become a beautiful Turn a Square.
I usually avoid Christmas knitting, because I don't like to knit on deadline. But this year, I decided I was more into knitting than shopping (and I'd had one finished already). Next year, a mitt a month and I should be ready. Bonus if there's enough yarn leftover to make everyone mitts that match their hats.
Oh yeah, and it would be swell if I could finish TLD's sweater vest for Christmas. But I'm not holding my breath. The real deadline is February - a year from cast-on.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Cats & Mice sweater progress
I've finished knitting the body of the sweater. I took this photo at knitting group 2 weeks ago. I'm really pleased with how good it looks - the blocking was very gentle- just immerse in cold water, then roll in a towel and let dry spread out gently.
Next up: steeking. By now I've crocheted some stabilizing stitches in one armhole and I'm toying with the idea of actually knitting the armhole edging BEFORE cutting the steek, as I'd read here. A little piece of mind by picking up and finishing off the edge BEFORE cutting. Intriguing.
Next up: steeking. By now I've crocheted some stabilizing stitches in one armhole and I'm toying with the idea of actually knitting the armhole edging BEFORE cutting the steek, as I'd read here. A little piece of mind by picking up and finishing off the edge BEFORE cutting. Intriguing.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Long overdue blog entry
I've been busy. I know you knitters with children know what I mean.
I've even knit, but haven't blogged.
But here I am. I figure if I can take a camera phone photo, at least it can make it to the blog less than 2 months later.
I did Revenge of Dish Rag Tag again this year, and it was fun! Here is what I received from my tagger. I remember taking a photo of what I sent out, but must have not saved it in my phone, because it's just not there. It's a dishcloth along with a solar powered blinky key ring and another ball of dishcloth cotton.
Hopefully I can get some more phone photo pictures to get some more of my projects up here on the blog!
BTW, as it is now November, I'm starting to think about advent calendars. While I really love some of those handmade ones, I don't have the crafty time to do it (along with knitting some small Christmas presents in the 20 minutes here and there). BUT - this I think I can handle:
Bubble Wrap Advent Calendar. My TLD loves bubble wrap! I even bought some Christmasy stickers at OfficeMax to put on the bubbles. Now to tell him to only pop one a day....this morning he was jumping up and down on a sheet.
I've even knit, but haven't blogged.
But here I am. I figure if I can take a camera phone photo, at least it can make it to the blog less than 2 months later.
I did Revenge of Dish Rag Tag again this year, and it was fun! Here is what I received from my tagger. I remember taking a photo of what I sent out, but must have not saved it in my phone, because it's just not there. It's a dishcloth along with a solar powered blinky key ring and another ball of dishcloth cotton.
Hopefully I can get some more phone photo pictures to get some more of my projects up here on the blog!
BTW, as it is now November, I'm starting to think about advent calendars. While I really love some of those handmade ones, I don't have the crafty time to do it (along with knitting some small Christmas presents in the 20 minutes here and there). BUT - this I think I can handle:
Bubble Wrap Advent Calendar. My TLD loves bubble wrap! I even bought some Christmasy stickers at OfficeMax to put on the bubbles. Now to tell him to only pop one a day....this morning he was jumping up and down on a sheet.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
World Wide Knit In Public Day
TLD made it to his 3rd World Wide Knit in Public Day. The Girl Scouts were having cake just next to where we were set up. They asked "Would you like some cake" and TLD was enthusiastic. Later he retold the story "Doodle [that's another term of endearment for TLD, and he uses it sometimes too] ate all the frosting. Mama ate all cake."
Off for a restful 4th of July vacation!
Off for a restful 4th of July vacation!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Checking in....
Just a quick post to check in. Easter was a blast. The Sweetie felt weird telling TLD "You see, there's this Bunny...." but after TLD found his first egg, he knew what to do. He brought a cart on wheels just in case he needed more capacity.
Sadly, I'm not knitting much. My work got a little shaky in the area of reliability, and so we rejiggered my hours so that one day a week TLD will spend the day with me instead of hanging out at daycare. The fallout is no more breaks at work, not even to visit my knitting group! No more pumping so no knitting while pumping breaks.
I'll try to get a stitch in here and there....
Sadly, I'm not knitting much. My work got a little shaky in the area of reliability, and so we rejiggered my hours so that one day a week TLD will spend the day with me instead of hanging out at daycare. The fallout is no more breaks at work, not even to visit my knitting group! No more pumping so no knitting while pumping breaks.
I'll try to get a stitch in here and there....
Monday, March 8, 2010
I can't believe it's been so long!
I totally did not intend for such a long blog silence. I've been knitting, and in fact I'm very excited. Here is the big reveal: I'm declaring 2010 the Year of Colorwork. And to kick it off, I planned to do the Cats & Mice sweater, in a waistcoat shape defined in the Elephants pattern. Both patterns are by Alice Starmore, in The Children's Collection.
I just liked the cats & mice theme, and the waistcoat shape better. Plus, I have been dying to try steeks!
Late in 2009, I researched the yarn. I wanted it fingering weight, soft, and washable (it's kids wear, after all). I chose Berocco Ultra Alpaca Fine, a fingering weight wool/alpaca/nylon blend. It's super soft. I'd used the worsted weight in a scarf and it was yummy. It came in 14 colors, and I chose 12 of them, all jewel tones with a good contribution of light and dark.
I did it up right. I charted with colored pencils. I made a swatch. I washed the swatch, and took gauge measurements.
I learned from my swatch. I decided not to vary the color of the cats, as the whitish head on a brown body just seemed odd, and the dark brown tail got a little lost in the dark green. I learned that the lightest color, which I had been planning as "tan" actually reads "oatmeal". And I learned that the charcoal colored mice on the burgundy background do not get lost but actually look pretty good.
Then I declared it to be my knitting Olympics project, just to get to cast on already! Okay, I never intended to finish it during the Olympics. But for the duration of the games, this would be my #1 project. Certain household tasks could be put off for working on this. I wanted a real start on the project by the end of the games. I first aimed to get to the armholes. Then (when I had setbacks) turned it back to finishing one complete repeat.
I decided on a corrugated ribbing edge, and I started. I'm now just a few rows shy of that one complete repeat, but it feels good.
I know I've got some unfinished business (ahem, blogiversary prizes) and I'll get to them soon. But I finally took a photo of my swatch with my camera phone and finally got it uploaded. Still struggling with the new camera, although "struggling" isn't accurate so much as "ignoring the fact that I haven't figured out how to get the pictures off". But some recent events that I took pictures of should get me to put it at the top of my list soon.
Happy Year of Colorwork!
I just liked the cats & mice theme, and the waistcoat shape better. Plus, I have been dying to try steeks!
Late in 2009, I researched the yarn. I wanted it fingering weight, soft, and washable (it's kids wear, after all). I chose Berocco Ultra Alpaca Fine, a fingering weight wool/alpaca/nylon blend. It's super soft. I'd used the worsted weight in a scarf and it was yummy. It came in 14 colors, and I chose 12 of them, all jewel tones with a good contribution of light and dark.
I did it up right. I charted with colored pencils. I made a swatch. I washed the swatch, and took gauge measurements.
I learned from my swatch. I decided not to vary the color of the cats, as the whitish head on a brown body just seemed odd, and the dark brown tail got a little lost in the dark green. I learned that the lightest color, which I had been planning as "tan" actually reads "oatmeal". And I learned that the charcoal colored mice on the burgundy background do not get lost but actually look pretty good.
Then I declared it to be my knitting Olympics project, just to get to cast on already! Okay, I never intended to finish it during the Olympics. But for the duration of the games, this would be my #1 project. Certain household tasks could be put off for working on this. I wanted a real start on the project by the end of the games. I first aimed to get to the armholes. Then (when I had setbacks) turned it back to finishing one complete repeat.
I decided on a corrugated ribbing edge, and I started. I'm now just a few rows shy of that one complete repeat, but it feels good.
I know I've got some unfinished business (ahem, blogiversary prizes) and I'll get to them soon. But I finally took a photo of my swatch with my camera phone and finally got it uploaded. Still struggling with the new camera, although "struggling" isn't accurate so much as "ignoring the fact that I haven't figured out how to get the pictures off". But some recent events that I took pictures of should get me to put it at the top of my list soon.
Happy Year of Colorwork!
Monday, January 25, 2010
FO: Birth Hat for Susan's baby
The Sweetie's cousin just had a baby boy. I'd planned to make this hat over the Christmas break, but you know what happened. Then the baby arrived 2 weeks before the due date (thankfully, my lack of knitting progress didn't hold the baby up). So I quickly whipped this out as I was able.
Pattern: The birth hat pattern I'm still tinkering with, with a fussy tubular cast-on that turned out looking okay after all.
Needles: Size 3 for cast-on, size 5 for knitting.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.
I didn't have a chance to weigh it, as I wanted to get it in the mail ASAP - I cast on 72 sts instead of 64 but neglected to knit it for a full 4 inches before starting the decreases (more like 3 inches - eek!).
Notes: The fiddly tubular cast-on was TechKnitting's 1x1 "Provisional tail" method, with extra help from commenter Rose Fox on how to slip the stitches when doing it in the round.
I cast on 72 stitches instead of 64, since I was running a bit late. I think I'll keep it bigger anyway. The trick was that I then had 9 repeats instead of 8. I continued with the decreases the way I had been anyway, and when I got down to 9 sts, I did 3 double decreases (centered, but I don't think that mattered much), then did the I-cord in 3-st I-cord instead of 4 stitches. I like it. Might keep it.
Next hat (and I've just found out a 2nd cousin of mine is expecting his first in May) I might try to do top-down, starting with the I-cord and finishing with a tubular bind-off. That might allow for less fiddling.
Pattern: The birth hat pattern I'm still tinkering with, with a fussy tubular cast-on that turned out looking okay after all.
Needles: Size 3 for cast-on, size 5 for knitting.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.
I didn't have a chance to weigh it, as I wanted to get it in the mail ASAP - I cast on 72 sts instead of 64 but neglected to knit it for a full 4 inches before starting the decreases (more like 3 inches - eek!).
Notes: The fiddly tubular cast-on was TechKnitting's 1x1 "Provisional tail" method, with extra help from commenter Rose Fox on how to slip the stitches when doing it in the round.
I cast on 72 stitches instead of 64, since I was running a bit late. I think I'll keep it bigger anyway. The trick was that I then had 9 repeats instead of 8. I continued with the decreases the way I had been anyway, and when I got down to 9 sts, I did 3 double decreases (centered, but I don't think that mattered much), then did the I-cord in 3-st I-cord instead of 4 stitches. I like it. Might keep it.
Next hat (and I've just found out a 2nd cousin of mine is expecting his first in May) I might try to do top-down, starting with the I-cord and finishing with a tubular bind-off. That might allow for less fiddling.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Bullet post
Stopping in for some bullets:
- Barbie is choosing a new profession. Go here to vote for Computer Engineer!
- You can donate shoes to Soles 4 Souls. They are starting a new drive to send shoes to Haiti, but it's not clear from the web site how to designate that your shoes be used for that.
- It's better when donating for disaster relief, to leave donations unrestricted anyway. That way the organization can use unspent money for the next disaster. Choose wisely.
- I got a new camera for Christmas. One of the side effects is that I have to figure out a new system for downloading photos.
- Yes, it should be easy with a cardreader. But it's a different one from my previous one, and apparently my computer doesn't like it.
- I want to post with photos. Hence my blogging is being held up by technology. But heck, I wouldn't have a blog without technology. So we can be patient for a little while longer, mmm?
Friday, January 8, 2010
3rd Blogiversary
Three years ago today, I started this blog. The first few posts were very list-y: listing fos, wips, future plans. This was the first photo I posted, several posts later.
Last year I was so busy starting up work and daycare I missed my blogiversary. This year, I'm a much more accomplished mom and knitter.
I wanted to take this opportunity to note the passage of time, and thank you, my readers, for your encouragement over the years.
And a contest! Leave a comment here, saying anything at all. I'll choose one randomly and send you a nice goodie. The contest is open until midnight Pacific time, one week from today, the 15th of January. If you don't leave contact info, please check back in a week (of course you'll be back to read about my grand plan for 2010, right?) and see if you've won.
Knit on!
Last year I was so busy starting up work and daycare I missed my blogiversary. This year, I'm a much more accomplished mom and knitter.
I wanted to take this opportunity to note the passage of time, and thank you, my readers, for your encouragement over the years.
And a contest! Leave a comment here, saying anything at all. I'll choose one randomly and send you a nice goodie. The contest is open until midnight Pacific time, one week from today, the 15th of January. If you don't leave contact info, please check back in a week (of course you'll be back to read about my grand plan for 2010, right?) and see if you've won.
Knit on!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
2009 FO Wrap-up
This was a very productive year, knitwise, in terms of # of objects finished. Like last year, it consists of mostly small items. And I narrowly missed finishing the final two items, due to this year's Christmas plague, which is just now clearing up.
I finished all of the knitting but not the duplicate stitch or blocking on 2 Christmas stockings for TLD's cousins, before the Christmas plague hit. Oh well, they'll have them next year. They didn't miss them much this year, I expect.
TLD got a sinus infection which spread to his eye, and in order to prevent sharing his germs with his cousins (aged 1 year, and 3 months) we high-tailed it home on the 23rd. The Sweetie and I managed to also get sick (big surprise) and now we're mostly well again. TLD recovered splendidly and was a challenge to keep up with over new year's! But we were sad not to be with our extended family on Christmas.
Stay tuned for big knitting plans for 2010!
- 9 dishcloths (1 of them a NICU blanket, but I'm counting it as a dishcloth anyway)
- 8 hats (all for babies)
- 3 baby footwear
- 1 baby sweater
- 2 misc.
I finished all of the knitting but not the duplicate stitch or blocking on 2 Christmas stockings for TLD's cousins, before the Christmas plague hit. Oh well, they'll have them next year. They didn't miss them much this year, I expect.
TLD got a sinus infection which spread to his eye, and in order to prevent sharing his germs with his cousins (aged 1 year, and 3 months) we high-tailed it home on the 23rd. The Sweetie and I managed to also get sick (big surprise) and now we're mostly well again. TLD recovered splendidly and was a challenge to keep up with over new year's! But we were sad not to be with our extended family on Christmas.
Stay tuned for big knitting plans for 2010!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Knit Love
I just wanted to share this blog post from Pioneer Woman with you: Knit Love. She has been traveling a lot and here she appreciates some lovely hand-knit gifts from her fans. Wouldn't you know, the first photo I saw I said, "That's Fetching!" I love it when I can spot a knit pattern right away.
In the photo, TLD is actually drinking water from a measuring spoon. This is how he "helped" wash dishes the day after Thanksgiving. He loves playing in water and drinking water from cups as well as from spoons. We'll be leaving for the holidays in the next day or so, so I just wanted to wish all of my readers a merry Christmas and happy holiday.
Knit Love!
In the photo, TLD is actually drinking water from a measuring spoon. This is how he "helped" wash dishes the day after Thanksgiving. He loves playing in water and drinking water from cups as well as from spoons. We'll be leaving for the holidays in the next day or so, so I just wanted to wish all of my readers a merry Christmas and happy holiday.
Knit Love!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Long live the dishcloth...
The dishcloth is dead!
In the "where are they now" series*, here is a beloved garterlac dishcloth. Previously blogged here, it was well loved. But, it tangled too many times with knives in the dishwater.
After snapping this photo, Itook pity on it declared it retired with meritorious decoration for its duty under fire, and sent it to its final resting place.
Thank you, dishcloth!
In the "where are they now" series*, here is a beloved garterlac dishcloth. Previously blogged here, it was well loved. But, it tangled too many times with knives in the dishwater.
After snapping this photo, I
Thank you, dishcloth!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Lambtown, USA
In early October, we all went to visit my SIL and their new baby in Davis, CA. We got there nice and early (thanks to TLD's sleep schedule) and had our visit. The Sweetie was slated to attend an evening Cal game (TLD opted to go to bed instead) so we had a free afternoon, just TLD and me.
I happened to remember it was the weekend of the Lambtown, USA, in Dixon, just a few miles from where we were! Admission was $1 (free for TLD) although parking was $5. TLD had a nice nap on the way there, and when he woke up, we went to check it out.
Way back when I first learned to knit, my teacher told me about the sheep to shawl competition, and I've been wanting to see it ever since. Here it was all laid out. The teams (5-6 people) card a fleece and spin it, and weave it into a shawl. The loom is pre-warped. But they even ply the wool before weaving! The shawls are judged on aesthetics and quality.
See more photos here.
Our souvenirs: TLD got an alpaca bear, because I held it up to him and he grabbed it, held it against his face, and said "Ooooh!". I got an alpaca finger puppet. Originally I thought TLD would like it but after the initial 10 seconds he showed no interest in it. I managed to resist the wiles of the marketplace. Whew!
I happened to remember it was the weekend of the Lambtown, USA, in Dixon, just a few miles from where we were! Admission was $1 (free for TLD) although parking was $5. TLD had a nice nap on the way there, and when he woke up, we went to check it out.
Way back when I first learned to knit, my teacher told me about the sheep to shawl competition, and I've been wanting to see it ever since. Here it was all laid out. The teams (5-6 people) card a fleece and spin it, and weave it into a shawl. The loom is pre-warped. But they even ply the wool before weaving! The shawls are judged on aesthetics and quality.
See more photos here.
Our souvenirs: TLD got an alpaca bear, because I held it up to him and he grabbed it, held it against his face, and said "Ooooh!". I got an alpaca finger puppet. Originally I thought TLD would like it but after the initial 10 seconds he showed no interest in it. I managed to resist the wiles of the marketplace. Whew!
Monday, December 7, 2009
FO: Cal Football Hat
It was the week before the Big Game (Cal v. Stanford, football) and the time was set for 4:30pm. We decided to take TLD and just see how it went - if he needed to leave, I'd take him. Maybe he'd make it to the end of the game. Who knew?
But - in the fashion of "the cobbler's children have no shoes" - TLD didn't have a warm hat that fit. (He has lots of sun hats.) I couldn't BUY one, I'm a knitter! So I broke out the blue and gold yarn I'd earmarked for a sweater (THAT wasn't going to happen in a week) and made another football hat, this time in the largest size, 2+ years. TLD is average in size, except in head circumference. He has a big cranium, in the 90th percentile for his age.
The 2+ year size fit perfectly, and he looks adorable in it. The night of the game, he wore it a little, but this past weekend we were at an outdoor event and he wore it pretty much the whole time. Yay! It makes my heart warm just to see him wearing a hat that I made for him.
Pattern: Football Hat from Itty-Bitty Hats
Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Summit Hill, worsted superwash
Needles: Size 5 for seed stitch, size 7 for the rest
Notes: As before, I decreased the stitch count on the crown by 1 stitch in order to make the seed stitch work out, then increased just before the stockinette portion. Then just knit like crazy. The belly button at the top is a little more open than I'd like, but I could repair it. The ear flaps sort of flap in the breeze, but it's very endearing. I didn't do the football or even a C in duplicate stitch - I didn't have time. Maybe I'll add it later, but my guess is it's done and it'll stay that way.
Profile view:
Photos taken with my phone, because it seems to take impossibly long to get photos from my camera to Flickr.
Oh, and the game? Cal won, in a very exciting finish. And TLD made it to the end, falling asleep on me in the front carrier with only 10 minutes or so left in the game. He stayed asleep for the rest of the game, the walk to the car, the drive to the house, and into the crib. It was a splendid day.
But - in the fashion of "the cobbler's children have no shoes" - TLD didn't have a warm hat that fit. (He has lots of sun hats.) I couldn't BUY one, I'm a knitter! So I broke out the blue and gold yarn I'd earmarked for a sweater (THAT wasn't going to happen in a week) and made another football hat, this time in the largest size, 2+ years. TLD is average in size, except in head circumference. He has a big cranium, in the 90th percentile for his age.
The 2+ year size fit perfectly, and he looks adorable in it. The night of the game, he wore it a little, but this past weekend we were at an outdoor event and he wore it pretty much the whole time. Yay! It makes my heart warm just to see him wearing a hat that I made for him.
Pattern: Football Hat from Itty-Bitty Hats
Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Summit Hill, worsted superwash
Needles: Size 5 for seed stitch, size 7 for the rest
Notes: As before, I decreased the stitch count on the crown by 1 stitch in order to make the seed stitch work out, then increased just before the stockinette portion. Then just knit like crazy. The belly button at the top is a little more open than I'd like, but I could repair it. The ear flaps sort of flap in the breeze, but it's very endearing. I didn't do the football or even a C in duplicate stitch - I didn't have time. Maybe I'll add it later, but my guess is it's done and it'll stay that way.
Profile view:
Photos taken with my phone, because it seems to take impossibly long to get photos from my camera to Flickr.
Oh, and the game? Cal won, in a very exciting finish. And TLD made it to the end, falling asleep on me in the front carrier with only 10 minutes or so left in the game. He stayed asleep for the rest of the game, the walk to the car, the drive to the house, and into the crib. It was a splendid day.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Random Wednesday (on Thursday)
My camera card is full, but I've been going to bed early every night this week fighting off a sore throat and cough. Hence, a random Wednesday (a day late) and a random photo. This is TLD doing what he loves best, dumping water out of a container. I think he's about to ask for more water.
Bullets:
Enough randomness for today. See you soon, hopefully with more pictures!
Bullets:
- Alana of Never Not Knitting is celebrating her 2nd blogiversary with a contest. Head over and congratulate her! For an entry into her big big prize, take a photo of yourself with a sign "I'm Never Not Knitting at ___" and send it to her.
- This one's not on Ravelry (yet): Roller Skating Penguins knitting pattern. Adorable!
- I saw this dress and I want to have it. I've also been actually planning to make a Polar Chullo and something by Alice or Jade Starmore, a child's vest or pullover in real Fair Isle. Might be 2010 is the year of colorwork.
- I also want to make one of these. Probably won't happen this year, but someday I'll have time.
- I've done the easy Christmas decorating. I swapped out the hanging on the back of the closet door from "birdhouse" to "Christmas tree" (we keep it hanging on the inside of the door during the rest of the year), got out red napkins (we don't do tablecloths right now because of TLD), and swapped out the everyday mugs for the Christmas mugs (these too, live in a high cabinet in the kitchen, so they're nearby). I'm ready for mulled wine!
- Still reading? A short whine: how come it takes 2+ full knitting/pumping sessions to do finishing on a Christmas stocking? I got to Kitchener the toe and weave in 10 ends yesterday. 5 ends to go, plus duplicate stitch 2 hearts and Niecey's name (have to chart it first too).
- Edited to add: I cooked this last night. It was really good and it used up food that was going to waste. Chicken thighs (unfortunately not on the bone, but it was still good) from the freezer (who knows how long), swiss chard that was wilty (but still good in soup), and we had it with a baguette that was hard but I toasted it in the oven and it was great, especially when dunked in soup. TLD loved it (well, he skipped the chard). The only thing was I couldn't find red lentils so I used brown, and I should have put them in sooner, because I think the brown take longer to cook. This morning at the store I found red lentils! I'll try them next time 'round.
Enough randomness for today. See you soon, hopefully with more pictures!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Even more cute babies in hats!
Wondering what to get for a knitter friend? Look no further than these awesome sheepy flannel sheets!
Here is the recipient of the pumpkin hat. It fits! She's approximately 4 months old now. She wears it beautifully.
Here's another silly photo:
Here is the recipient of the pumpkin hat. It fits! She's approximately 4 months old now. She wears it beautifully.
Here's another silly photo:
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Continuing our parade of modeled knitwear...
I've had the fortune of getting lots of photographs of modeled knitwear that I've given away. Here's Tim S., the recipient of the Northwestern Football Hat and Booties. He's now 3 months old and the hat fits perfectly!
In this photo, I think he's shouting, "Go Cats!"
In this photo, I think he's shouting, "Go Cats!"
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Another YABH in action!
Here is the sweet recipient of the Pumpkin Hat, when she was first born. She wore it home from the hospital and it became her mom's favorite hat.
I'm struggling with a name for my hat. I'm thinking of writing it up as a free pattern. I haven't had anyone ask for it, but I'm making so many I thought I'd write it up for my own edification.
I had been calling it "birth hat", as in put it on right at birth instead of the hospital-issued one. Trek dubbed it "Who Hat" but I want to avoid any copyright problems.
I want it to imply that it is for very young babies, just born. I have some ideas:
I'm struggling with a name for my hat. I'm thinking of writing it up as a free pattern. I haven't had anyone ask for it, but I'm making so many I thought I'd write it up for my own edification.
I had been calling it "birth hat", as in put it on right at birth instead of the hospital-issued one. Trek dubbed it "Who Hat" but I want to avoid any copyright problems.
I want it to imply that it is for very young babies, just born. I have some ideas:
- Natal
- Soft Spot
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
FO: YABH and Sweet Pea Shoes
A family friend is having a little girl in early December, and so I decided to make my signature "birth hat" (I guess I'm calling it Yet Another Baby Hat, or YABH, at the moment) in red with a little snowflake embroidered on it. Then Crazy Aunt Purl blogged about the cutest little Mary Jane booties, and I started searching Ravelry.
I found Baby Sweet Pea and I was done for. Paid, downloaded, and cast on. With about a week to finish, I thought I could make it.
I did. But I was weaving in the morning of the shower, whilst TLD was playing with his grandparents and great-aunt and uncle. I was going to finish the night before except TLD woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep in his crib. Actually, after an hour and a half, I put him down crying and went to finish the cast-off! That turned out to be fortuitous because The Sweetie watched TLD on the monitor and noticed he was grabbing his mouth. We double teamed him, gave him Tylenol, and he nursed and went to sleep beautifully. But I was shot and had to weave in the next morning.
Hat:
Pattern: My own, birth hat or Who hat or what have you. 1x1 ribbing with an I-cord knot at the top.
Needles: size 5, Addi turbo 12", Lantern Moon dpns.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, a tiny amount of KnitPicks Swish DK for the embroidery.
Booties:
Pattern: Baby Sweet Pea, by Bekah Knits
Needles: Size 1, Knit Picks 16" circular for the shoes, and Lantern Moon dpns.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, KnitPicks Swish DK for the socks and embroidery.
Notes: I used a tubular cast-on for the hat. It is definitely a much neater edging than the picot cast-on I used to use, so I'm sold on tubular. Next time I'm going to try KnitTech's tubular cast-on. The snowflake felt wonky but looks great from a distance.
For the shoes, my previous attempt at a Bekah Knits pattern turned out really big, so I took some insurance out and went down a needle size. The second shoe's embroidery was a little wonky too but I was in a hurry. I also was playing it fast and loose (as it were) using DK yarn for the socks, when it called for fingering, but my experience with the KP Swish DK was that it squished down quite a bit. The result is the ankles are nice and stretchy but I think small enough to hug a newborn's ankles, and the shoes are just around 4 to 4.5 inches, which is roomy but I think it'll work for an under 1-month-old. They'll look cute and they'll probably stay on, and after all it doesn't matter to me. They were a hit at the shower and that's all that matters to me. Well, I'd love to get a modeled photograph when the baby is born.
Here's a close-up of the shoes:
The grandmother-to-be exclaimed, "I want a pair for myself!" It's possible, given that the cashmerino comes in Aran weight....I'd have to improvise it myself, although I'd probably start with the Adult size Moc-a-soc to begin with. Hmmmm....But it will have to wait until I'm done with two Christmas stockings.
I found Baby Sweet Pea and I was done for. Paid, downloaded, and cast on. With about a week to finish, I thought I could make it.
I did. But I was weaving in the morning of the shower, whilst TLD was playing with his grandparents and great-aunt and uncle. I was going to finish the night before except TLD woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep in his crib. Actually, after an hour and a half, I put him down crying and went to finish the cast-off! That turned out to be fortuitous because The Sweetie watched TLD on the monitor and noticed he was grabbing his mouth. We double teamed him, gave him Tylenol, and he nursed and went to sleep beautifully. But I was shot and had to weave in the next morning.
Hat:
Pattern: My own, birth hat or Who hat or what have you. 1x1 ribbing with an I-cord knot at the top.
Needles: size 5, Addi turbo 12", Lantern Moon dpns.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, a tiny amount of KnitPicks Swish DK for the embroidery.
Booties:
Pattern: Baby Sweet Pea, by Bekah Knits
Needles: Size 1, Knit Picks 16" circular for the shoes, and Lantern Moon dpns.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, KnitPicks Swish DK for the socks and embroidery.
Notes: I used a tubular cast-on for the hat. It is definitely a much neater edging than the picot cast-on I used to use, so I'm sold on tubular. Next time I'm going to try KnitTech's tubular cast-on. The snowflake felt wonky but looks great from a distance.
For the shoes, my previous attempt at a Bekah Knits pattern turned out really big, so I took some insurance out and went down a needle size. The second shoe's embroidery was a little wonky too but I was in a hurry. I also was playing it fast and loose (as it were) using DK yarn for the socks, when it called for fingering, but my experience with the KP Swish DK was that it squished down quite a bit. The result is the ankles are nice and stretchy but I think small enough to hug a newborn's ankles, and the shoes are just around 4 to 4.5 inches, which is roomy but I think it'll work for an under 1-month-old. They'll look cute and they'll probably stay on, and after all it doesn't matter to me. They were a hit at the shower and that's all that matters to me. Well, I'd love to get a modeled photograph when the baby is born.
Here's a close-up of the shoes:
The grandmother-to-be exclaimed, "I want a pair for myself!" It's possible, given that the cashmerino comes in Aran weight....I'd have to improvise it myself, although I'd probably start with the Adult size Moc-a-soc to begin with. Hmmmm....But it will have to wait until I'm done with two Christmas stockings.
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