October 07 Knitting

Hello all, or hello few I should say. I mostly update this blog for myself. I love the combination of knitting, writing, and photos. Recently, I've been in a knitting groove lately. I've made 2 children's sweaters, a matching hat, 2 navy blue shrugs (one short sleeved/one long - no photo YET), a hat with ear flaps, and a pair of mittens. WOW. All this AND from yarn I had in the yarn closet.


I bought a new book, 2 Socks on 2 Circulars. It teaches you how to do just that. Knit 2 socks at the same time on 2 circular needles. No more SSS (second sock syndrome). I say BS, AND WTF. This 'method' is a pain in the butt. I could have made a whole drawer full of socks by now. I was constantly fighting the needles - PITA. I've since moved those socks, yea the dull, boring gray ones to DPNs, the cute little 5 inchers that I bought not too long ago.


The sweaters were for a my friend's niece. I made the first one - oops - too big, and made the next one the next day. The pattern was free off the Internet and easy as pie, and fast. I gave the other to another special one year old on her bday. So they fit a 6-9mo old and a 1 yr old. The hat was from Itty Bitty Hats, basic rolled edge hat with a 'Marly' topper. Super easy.

I made the navy shrugs for Cece and her best friend from school. Cece's was short sleeved and Emma wanted long sleeves. I made them based on the pink/orange sweater construction but made them without a pattern. They're done in LionBrand Thick and Quick - again easy and fast.

Evans hat with ear flaps is made from the same yarn. The pattern for it was from DIY Network.com. From Knitty Gritty - a fun show to watch while napping!


The mittens are for Biddy's knitting pal. She sent the yarn and "never wanted to see it again". It was in a bit of a...tangle. The pattern that I used was from an old holiday knitting magazine I dug up. They look good from far away. I found some mistakes, but they'll still be warm. They cemented my hatred for 'fu-fu' yarn.

Since I'm rather wordy today, I'll just close by telling what's up next on the needles. I'm going to go into a finishing stage. Finish the gray socks, finish the black underwear? boxers? And then push into the Christmas season, oh the variegated greens and reds...barf.

Maybe a little more sock knitting to come. I figure it's about time I knit up something in the ol' alma mater's colors.

It's almost Halloween so I've also included a few photos of the youngins. Cute huh?

P E A C E

Sarah E (ala Rosie fame) sent me the PEACE t-shirt. I normally would not post a photo of myself, but I'm throwing caution to the wind, and here it is. Sarah H got her's from Sarah E too and we're sending the photo for a chance to have it posted on Rosie's blog. Here it is. No comment other than that.Except notice the Hawkeye colors! Thank you ALL for remembering this old gal, Dave, Mom/Dad, Biddy, Johanna, Sarah, Kristin, Jane, Sam/Sarah E. I had a great b-day and treated myself to an IPod Touch and some yarn (not a lot). I also had a few celebratory cocktails. Again, thank you.

I have finally finished all of the Cy sweaters. It's been a long time coming and feels great to be done, and to be sending good'ol ISU the bill.

Here's a photo of less than 1/3 of the finished product. Thank you G-Juli for sewing the monograms. Unfortunately, the sewing machine broke and is in need of a repair, sorry.



On to a little knitting . . . I had the pleasure of attending Biddys Knitting Knight. She holds class at her kitchen table (handmade by Rich). Her students have 3-ring binders, come with their homework done, and are an enthusiastic bunch of knitters. Hi Susie. Hi Sherry. You're all on your way to being great knitters! Keep up the good work.
I'm going to make a baby sweater and matching hat, then 2 matching shrugs for Cece and her friend Emma. I'm off now to fold clothes and find the perfect pattern for that perfect yarn.
See ya - and Happy Birthday Lily O.

For Michele

Here's the baby socks and hat for Michele. I'll send her address via e-mail. This little project was a great break from the ever-on-the-DPNs Cy sweaters.

I couldn't help but include a photo of the new baby bamboos - they are so cute. I used them for the socks - great choice.

In case you're wondering about the white background? It the metal lawn chair outside, probably not the best choice.

Short and Sweet.

Back Into the Swing of Things

Catholic school, uniforms, first day of school photos taken outside when everyone is squinting. Priceless.



We're getting back to the 'back to school' routine - sort of. Evan is playing soccer and Cece and Will play micro soccer. We're busy and enjoying it.

The Lowe's visited during the Labor Day weekend. We had a good time. Biddy and I did a little yarn shopping and came upon many a good deal. At least that's what we told Tom and Dave. What they don't know . . .

I've been trying, without much satisfaction, to rearrange my 'yarn closet'. I think I need professional help. Bottom line, I have too much yarn and too little space to store it in. Maybe when Evan moves to college I'll take over his room, that may be enough space. Maybe.

I'll post a few photos - various ones, not much on the knitting needles except those ISU sweaters. They're coming along.




Cece's sixth celebration (say that 5 times fast). Her birthday was great. Thank you all for the gifts - until you're more formally thanked by Cece herself.

Dork

WTF who's Ed anyway. Get a life. Surfing knitting blogs? L O S E R. (Ed left a nasty comment)

A Short Note

Hey there - here's a Meez from Meez.com check it out. They have an animated one that would show me knitting in Times Square, but like anything it's not free. So use your imagination.
Off to pick up Evan from school. More later

Summer 2007

So we're finally back to school, at least Evan is. I'm hoping to start updating the blog site more often now that I'll have a little more time to myself.

So here it is in a nut shell. We've had a great summer, tons of swimming (thank you Muzzy), a couple of short, weekend trips and a last minute hurrah at the Iowa State Fair. It should not be missed, never, go every year. The corndogs and the knitting exhibit are worth the price of admission.

Knitting? Well, I haven't been very productive with all the going's on this summer. I finished the shrug/bolero for Kristin. It turned out good except a little on the short side. I also finished 6 of the 35 Cy sweaters. Lord, I really need to get on those babies. Oh yea, and I've been working on a little som'in som'in for Sarah for Christmas. I cannot reveal just yet.

I haven't bought much (insert yarn here) lately. Trying to hold out. I did get a new book, Knitting from the Heart. I love everything in it. All easy and colorful. Can't wait to get going on some of those projects.

Next on the needles? Finish up that gift for Sarah, Cy sweaters (forever), maybe some felting. I'm thinking slippers galore (oh yea, I bought some wool roving to needle felt with). Hey, it was on sale.

Now what you've all been waiting for. Photos.

This is the finished product, bad photo, meant to show the pink flowes with 'bling'.


And a few stitch markers. They were so easy, Cece and I made them one afternoon. I was obsessed at the craft store finding just the right beads etc. I can see how beading can become an obsession. Look for the little yarn/needle charm. Perfect.


Here's the finished shrug/bolero. Again, a bad photo. I MUST work on the photography. Really. I 'wrapped' it on a Vera Bradly, padded hanger, black with maroon print. It looked nice on the hanger. Missed the photo op.


So here's a few misc photos. Evan's 8th birthday. One word. Heeley's. Our trip to St. Louis, and the state fair. Hi Lily.