Posted in meme, Musings on February 28, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Posted in baby stuff, Bunny, FO's, project photos, Socks on February 27, 2008 | 3 Comments »
Yesterday something came over me (really, I think it must be the lack of sleep) and Bunny and I baked cookies for three hours. I. Don’t. Bake. Ever.
Most days I am simply content to look at the flour, sugar, spices, and evaporated milk stuffs, as things that one should have on hand during an emergency, like a power outage or a world war or something. But, for some reason, the other day while I was at the grocery store (shopping – another thing I hate to do) getting a veggie burger for dinner, a bunch of other things found their way into my cart.
So, I bought these cute little cookie cutters thinking, I am sure, that Bunny would find some non-baking way to use them. Silly me. Of course, the moment that she saw them, she immediately worked out their use -despite not ever having seen anything else like it in our house -and asked to make cookies. So, we did. And we baked and baked and baked. And came up with these little wonders.
Those are almond chocolate chip biscotti, spring sugar cookies, and chewy ginger cookies. Bunny is beyond thrilled.
As well, I got something very cool in the mail yesterday and couldn’t not show you. Check out my new sock bag bug!! How cute is that?
Pretty and functional at the same time. I love that it’s deep enough to hold a two stranded sock project and the two balls of yarn that goes along with it. Even TG had to laugh at how cute (and ridiculous according to him) it is. I lurve it and that’s good enough for me.
Finally, I finished the Bunny socks that have been on the needles for so long. I will be honest and say that I really hated knitting these and only found the motivation inside of me to finish because I wanted to cast on for a new pair of socks and needed the needles. Honesty should count for something. Right?
Pattern: My own “Not So Vanilla” vanilla socks
Needles: US 1 (2.25mm) needles
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino – Monet colorway
I am still working on the Loopy Monkey sweater, but no pics today. I am feeling way too sluggish from all the cookies I have eaten. I just remembered why I don’t bake…
Posted in baby stuff, lace, Monkey, new projects, new yarn, project photos, sweater on February 24, 2008 | 5 Comments »
The Sweater of Infinite Joy(Ravelry link) is blocking. In it’s place, I have cast on for another, substantially smaller sweater. I am working on this sweater for Monkey. The pattern is free from Elann and I have been eyeing it for a long time. I had some left over Mission Falls cotton and so in an effort to knit from my stash (which is getting a bit out of control), I have cast on and so far, it’s a quick knit. So cute too.
I am calling it the Loopy Monkey sweater because she is making me loopy from lack of sleep. For some reason, she has now decided that she won’t sleep more than an hour at a time at night. It’s not working for me. I think tonight we may just have to implement some tough love at chez Monkey. If anyone has any ideas, throw them out there…
Also, look what TG bought for his best girl yesterday. Mmmmmmalabrigo….
Posted in Bunny, FO's, project photos, sweater on February 22, 2008 | 11 Comments »
Is it wrong to love a sweater so much that you don’t want to take it off for a minute? What about loving it so much that you can’t bring yourself to even block it (even though you know you should) because you are worried that the great essence that is the awesome sweater might be somehow blocked right out of it? Don’t act like you don’t know what I am talking about. We have all bought the perfect piece of clothing, only to wash it and have it somehow not fit quite the same after. So, although I know that this sweater will be blocked in the next couple of days, I wanted to share it with you first – pre-blocked – so you could share in the radiance of the sweater.
Pattern: Rusted Root by Zephyr Style
Size: Medium (I have a 38″ bust and went with the 32-36″ bust for negative ease)
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft dk (this yarn is amazing and oh, so forgiving!) – 5 skeins
Needles: I went with size 6 US as stated in the pattern for the body. I was getting stitch gauge, but not row gauge. So, I made it as long as I thought would look good. And, I went with size 5US needles for the ribbing so it wouldn’t flare out. I bound off with the US 6 needles.
Mods: I basically followed this pattern as written and only added three more increases to accomodate for my hips. I spaced these about as far apart as the waist shaping ones specified in the pattern. The beauty of the top down raglan is that you can increase and decrease as needed and you can try on the garment at any point to determine where these should be.
Now, if only I could get Bunny’s socks finished. Plain stockinette never gets any more interesting, does it?
Posted in lace, new projects, project photos, sweater on February 20, 2008 | 6 Comments »
Erin came out today on a brand new site for free knitting patterns. Go check it out if you haven’t been there already. It’s an amazing site and from what I have seen so far, I think it’s safe to say that this will be another invaluable resource for knitters and designers.
In other news, I am so close to being finished Rusted Root. I really loved knitting this sweater and will be sorry to see it put down. There was just enough excitement for me with the built in lace panel that it kept me from being bored to tears by the miles of stockinette. I decided to add some inches in the main body, so it’s taking a bit longer than I had thought. The nice thing about top down sweaters? You can try them on as you go. And, a little trick I picked up from the owner of my LYS is to slip half the stitches onto a spare circ needle and then you can try the whole thing on without fear. So much faster than sliding the stitches onto scrap yarn with a darning needles like I was doing before. The blue yarn that is sitting on top in the photo was put there to let me know how much more I have to knit before I can start the ribbing. Looks like I am almost there.
As well, I have these on the needles right now. Just a taste now as this design has already been spoken for.
Posted in Bunny, lace, project photos, SOTS II, sweater on February 14, 2008 | 2 Comments »
I think that I must have come down with a serious case of the Winter blah’s because I haven’t really felt like blogging lately. To be honest, I really have nothing to show you today, but I figured that it had been long enough and if I didn’t get something written it might be months before I got back on this horse. So, here it is. Consider yourself forewarned.
I wanted to finish the SOTS II clue # 3 and was planning to continue on to the next clue when I happened to notice that it is no longer symmetrical and decided to hold off to see where this whole thing is going. Also, before I got to the end of clue #3, I messed up. Again.
I know that holding off on purpose defeats the purpose of a “Mystery Stole”, but in my defense, the yarn I am using is STR in a Raven colorway and so I really want to be able to wear the finished product. So, consider this my official suspension of the mystery stole – until this Friday – which is when the next clue comes out or until I have a chance to see the Lace Goddess again. She does house calls though, so this may be remedied soon. Fingers crossed.
And, I am very close to being finished the body of my Rusted Root sweater. I cast on for this at the beginning of February and will be sad to see it finished. I have really enjoyed knitting this one. Since I don’t want to spoil the surprise, the photos are non existent. Actually, it’s really hard to get a good photo of a sweater being knit in the round. So, no photo of that either.
Otherwise, not much to discuss. I am still trying to kick projects off the needles. Hopefully, Bunny’s socks will find their way onto her little feet soon. I am practically ready to begin toe decreases and then all that is left is the heel of the second sock. Whew. These were a slog in every sense of the word. I don’t know why either; she has little feet. Should have been a fast knit. It wasn’t.
Since I felt too guilty about blogging a whole post without any photos, I will leave you with this piece of yarny goodness. Did you know that Make One dyes their own yarn?
Posted in Uncategorized on February 7, 2008 | 2 Comments »
My five year old is Funny!! She continually makes me laugh and so, I thought I would share with you (in lieu of any real knitting content) what she said to me tonight at the dinner.
We had goulash, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts. Now, odd kid that she is, she requested the brussel sprouts. But, getting her to eat anything saucy most days is a pain. And, I mashed the potatoes with garlic butter (I can almost see the health conscious among you swooning) which usually is a no no for a five year old. But tonight, she proclaimed loudly to the whole table (her dad & I) that dinner was really good. And, she ate like a fiend.
Her: Dinner is really yummy mom. Thanks.
Me: Wow, I really am happy that you like my cooking.
Her (without missing a beat): Who is Michael King?
And then she laughed like that was the funniest thing she had ever heard…. sigh.
And, this one keeps trying to crawl into her exersaucer and eat my yarn…
Posted in gauge, new projects, project photos, Socks that Rock, sweater on February 6, 2008 | 2 Comments »
I started a new project and I didn’t even have the decency to blog about it. I don’t know what came over me. Sorry ’bout that. I solemnly swear not to do this again.
The project? A sweater. And, as promised, I am using my new Knit Picks harmony wood interchangeable circs. These are a pure joy to work with. Smooth join, flexible cable and all that. But, I digress. The sweater is actually Rusted Root designed by Sarah & Rachel of Zephyr Style. Originally, I had planned on making this sweater in the yarn that is specified in the original, but after seeing this Rowan Cashsoft dk at my LYS on sale during their boxing day sale, I decided that it would be the perfect yarn. I was right. Although I am not getting row gauge, I am getting stitch gauge, so no problems there. I started this on Friday and am satisfied with how quickly it is knitting up. Yay.
I also finished the second clue of the SOTS II KAL. That makes me only six days behind. With only 75 odd rows to go to finish the third clue and 2 days to get there, I am thinking that some sort of miracle might have to happen for me to get caught up on time. I’d blame the weekend away if it weren’t so dang awesome.
Otherwise, I am just going to keep plugging away at the UFO’s on my needles and trying to get those WIP’s down to a number under five. I think this should be a manageable goal…
Posted in birthday, new yarn, yarn stuffs on February 6, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Last night was knit night at my LYS and it came complete with presents and cake. This truly is the birthday that keeps on giving. Thanks to everyone that wished me a Happy Birthday. It was nice to celebrate with good friends.
And, can you believe that for my b-day, my good friend gifted me some Sweet Georgia in the River colorway?? Oh yeah. I have been trying to get my hands on this color for two years. She is the bestest!
Posted in baby stuff, birthday, Monkey on February 3, 2008 | 10 Comments »
Best Birthday evah.
I was steamed and scrubbed and steamed and scrubbed again, massaged and pampered. Oh, and then I was fed lunch at the spa.
Then, we came back and packed up, loaded everything into the van and set out for… Storm Mountain Lodge.
There was plenty of time to relax…
A gourmet birthday dinner and cake….
Snuggling by a fire, a warm bath & champagne for two…
Beautiful scenery…
And in the morning, good coffee and more time to knit than I knew what to do with…
It was, in short, the perfect weekend. Doesn’t TG look pleased with himself for setting the whole thing up? And, well, he should be. He did a wonderful job.
It looks like the children had a good time too. I came home to this. I will have to keep better tabs on this one it seems. Sneaky bugger.
