Monthly Archives: March 2007

March 30, 2007 · 11:25 pm

Frazzled

I turned 33 yesterday.

This in itself is a good thing, as so far my thirties have turned out to be my best years ever. But the week itself has been lacking, and while there have been lovely moments, to say I’m feeling frazzled would be a bit of an understatement.

The Skeptic has had to work so much that he’s pretty much been MIA since last Friday. Both boys have seemed to hit major developmental milestones that has made this week one of my “top ten toughest weeks ever” in raising children.

Little Man just seems to be in some sort of crazy “I’m turning four” thing which has resulted in one disaster after another, usualy prefaced with “Wanna see what I did?” I won’t get into details, but one of the worst ones involved two cans of cocoa and my couch.

Knittybaby has hit that ever so tough stage where he has realized that he wants to do things, like climb the stairs or get a bag of tortilla chips off the counter, but he can’t. This happens about every ten minutes, and he expresses his angst in the only way he can: high pitched screaming while hanging onto my leg.
You can’t blame either kid. Growing up is tough, and luckily I’ve had enough pleasant moments to get me through the week: a swell SP10 package, a lovely birthday gift from The Skeptic and the boys, a night out with my friends, playgroup. It’s probably the only reason I’m not hiding in the closet right now. So I know you’ll all forgive me when I don’t have pictures or a full report yet. My pizza’s just about done and then I’m going upstairs for movie night and maybe a little knitting if I can hack it. The Skeptic has the weekend off, and I’ll be back with lots of goodies for you all to see!

Oh, and I’m thrilled with all the contest entries so far! I’m trying to get back to everyone and visit the blogs that are new to me. Thanks to everyone who has already entered. If you haven’t, you’ve got until the 15th!

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March 26, 2007 · 4:10 pm

The Good Postman

The Good Postman came today, with packages! First he made up for the package that the Not-So-Good Postman messed up. My last SP9 package!

Look at all these beauties! A candle, notebook, and more of that lovely soap she sent before (I LOVE handmade soap). There were chocolates, but I had to hide them as Little Man was having a fit because I only would give him two. So they are now “up-high” as we like to call it. Do you see the beautiful handknit washrag? And of course, the yarn! 1450 yards of lace weight merino. I think I’m in heaven. Now, what shawl should I knit with it?

Thank you so much Jennifer for being such a great pal! I’ve loved everything!

So what else did he bring?

My Spunky Club yarn for March:

Pretty, isnt’ it? Very Easter-ish, I think. It reminds me of dying eggs. The yellows and greens are actually brighter than the picture, almost a neon, but they look great with the softer blues. I think they’ll make great socks for the boys.

I also received a little treat for myself: Lotta Jansdotter’s “Simple Sewing.” Just beautiful. You can’t beat a book with 24 patterns in it!

But I don’t just have patterns to show off, I have been knitting:

The Project Spectrum soaker is nearly finished.

This yarn, from Sandy’s Palette, is a great example of how a yarn can look even better when knit up. I liked it on the skein, but love it as a sock.

The Skeptic Socks on Cherry Tree Hill Yarn. You’ll notice some deviation from my usual here. I’m trying toe-up again, and I’m trying it on two circulars. The toe-ups are because apparently the Skeptic likes his socks as high as possible. After being together for over 13 years, I have just learned that he wishes all his socks would come up to his knees. I find this hilarious for some reason. But with just one skein, that’s not going to happen. How far can I even go? Shoudl I start looking for a second skein. He’s only a 10 and 1/2.

I’m not so sure about the circulars either. I’m finding that with my tendency to knit tight on socks I have trouble sliding the yarn back over the join each time, which slows me down. Ideas?

Okay, that’s a lot for one post. I’m off to add another arm to a little bear.

P.S. Don’t forget to get your contest entry in!

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March 22, 2007 · 3:15 am

Happy Birthday Knittybaby!!!

One year ago today, our lovely Knittybaby made his appearance.

I had spent the day in rehearsals at Orchestra Hall and was beat. The Skeptic was at a gig that night and I came home exhuasted, stuck with getting an overactive Little Man fed and to bed on my own. After a few days of false alarms I was sure Knittybaby wasn’t going to do me a favor by showing up a week before his due date. So, I plowed through the evening, kind of feeling like I ate too many enchiladas but nothing else.

Around 9pm I called the Skeptic: “So I’m not really having contractions but I feel weird. Just so you know to hurry up after the show, just in case.” Then I went to sleep.

Around 10pm I called our doula: “So I’m not really having contractions but I feel weird.”

“Take a nap and call me later,” she said. So I did.

Around midnight the Skeptic came home. “I’m having some contractions. Maybe I am really in labor, do you think? ”

We called our doula. “Sounds like it. Have a snack and get some sleep, she said. Give me a call when you think you need me.”

So we did. An hour and a half later I woke up: “Hey, contractions! Big contractions! Two minutes apart! Let’s go!!”

So my brother came over, we told our doula to meet us at the hospital and off we went. We got there, registered, got into our room and before I knew it my water broke and it was time to push. Sixteen minutes later, there he was, another beautiful boy, another easy labor, another natural, gentle birth. What a blessing. (For those of you keeping track while you’re reading, yes, it was less than four hours from when I decided I was probably in labor to the time he was born. I am a lucky, lucky girl.)
So a year later, we celebrate.

Knittybaby enjoys his first cake at his party on Sunday.

Little Man decided that instead of the card he was going to make his brother, he would feed him a pile of hot chocolate mix for his birthday instead.

Knittybaby thinks eating hot chocolate is a great idea. Knittymama, who was busy online doing preschool registration at the time, wasn’t so sure.

Knittybaby did receive his gift. He found it to be very exciting, despite the fact that it is missing it’s ears, arms and legs. I gave up at midnight last night when I couldn’t stay awake anymore. I reminded myself that as wonderful as handmade gifts are to give, occasionally reality sets in and you have three nights of cuddling a sick baby rather than crocheting a bear. I know Knittybaby would much prefer the cuddling and since he’s just turning one, won’t be too concerned with a “bear in progress.”

Knittybaby thinks his bear is cool, and was thrilled to hear that the bear will be magically growing ears, arms and legs while he sleeps. Not many bears can do that.

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March 21, 2007 · 1:37 am

Contest!!!

And now what you’ve all been waiting for, the contest!

We’ve got a month of birthdays here to celebrate. Knittybaby turns one tomorrow. I’ve got a birthday the following week. Then comes Little Man, and the Skeptic finishes it all up on April 15th. So the contest will run from now until midnight, April 15th.

What do you need to do? Pretty simple. Leave a comment on this post telling me about your most memorable birthday ever. Whether it was fun, silly, sad, crazy, exciting, whatever. As long as it was one to remember. What if every single birthday you’ve ever had has just been dull and you really can’t remember anything other than turning a year older? Well, then just wish us all a happy birthday and we’ll call that an entry too!

Of course, there will be prizes. Three of them actually. I’ll give away two handmade needle rolls, either a regular double point needle roll or a mini sock needle roll, your choice. I’ll also give away two skeins of yarn. I’m hoping to get to Gale Woods this weekend to pick some up, as I’d like the yarn to be something local.

So that’s it. Get your entries in and have fun!

Speaking of birthdays, here is the status of Knittybaby’s amigurumi.

I ran out of the blue yarn last night. So I’m cramming tonight: two ears, two arms, two legs and the back of a head. I’m a little concerned, as I will feel like a total loser mom if his first birthday present isn’t done in time.

Thanks for all the lovely comments on the new blog. I was glad to see some comments about the header. I love that picture and was trying to find a way to make it work. Any suggestions? I’d like to get some more color on the blog yet and maybe tweak the header a little bit.

I asked the Skeptic what he thought last night. His reply: “Nice, but it’s a little beige. What happened to all the color?”

Gotta work on that.

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March 20, 2007 · 1:59 am

Welcome!!

Glad you made it!

Things are still a wee bit sloppy over here. I’ve a few more things to add to the sidebar but for the most part this new site is ready to go. I’d love to hear what you think, and of course any suggestions or ideas are welcome.

I was hoping to have everything perfect, but I’m realizing that just like maintaining a home, a blog always needs a little clean up as well. I wanted my blog-opening to coincide with our month of birthdays, so ready or not, I’m making the switch tonight. There will be a month of celebrating as well as a month long contest with many prizes to give away. I hope you all join in with me for the fun!

I’ll announce the contest tomorrow night, one night before Knittybaby’s birthday. It will stay open until the Skeptic’s birthday in April.

In the meantime, don’t forget to switch to the new RSS feed so you don’t miss the party. When I first started blogging I thought, “it’ll just be a little something to keep track of my knitting…” Little did I know how important all of you would become to me! I love this little community here. Thanks for joining me on this next step!

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March 14, 2007 · 2:49 am

Coming Soon…..

Thanks to a nice weekend back at my parents, the raglan is done and I’m happy to say it is awesome!!! But, it’s still damp so no pictures yet. I should be able to get some tomorrow and then I can show it off.

Glad everyone liked my collection of stuff in the last post. The needle roll? Let’s just say there will be more to come with a certain new blog unveiling next week, as soon as I get my act together. I’m stressing a bit, because our little household will be celebrating all four birthdays in the next month. I want to open up the new blog and have a little celebration and we start with Knittybaby’s birthday next week. “What??” you’re all saying….Yes, he’s going to be one. I’m totally shocked about this. Then it’s my birthday. Then Little Man turns four (crazy!!). Then the Skeptic has his. That’s a lot of cake in one month.

So anyway, next week keep your eyes out for the move, and the needle rolls. In the meantime, I’ll keep you updated over here until I’m all set to go.

Keep your fingers crossed I get that amigurumi done. He still has no head.

Now where was I?

Oh yes, projects.

But first, I know I didn’t get a chance to say thanks to all of you who left me such nice get well messages. I went from feeling a little better Monday night, to even better Tuesday, to thinking I was surely going to die of a head explosion yesterday. I did absolutely no knitting for the last two days and went to bed early. Very rare for a busy body like me. Usually I’m more of this variety: I feel like my head is going to expolode and this pain is unbearable. I need to go to bed. But first I have to wash the floor, do the dishes, and knit twenty more rows on my sock. Which is probably why I’m so sick in the first place. But today was good, and while I did wash the floor I took it easy most of the day.

So anyway, before I gave in to the sinus infection of death, there was a dragon at my spinning wheel.

He’s been making frequent apperances lately, which should make his grandmother very happy that money for the dragon costume has been well spent. The dragon, along with his assistant, the tiny Wool-Eater, had been helping me to spin this:

Into this:

Which now looks like this:

Still pretty uneven. My spinning is still in the “woo-hoo, I’m SPINNING!!!” stage which means I just keep spinning away, oblivious to being even slightly even. But it’s still beautiful, and really, how even can you get with a dragon and baby who eats wool as your assistants?

Next, the pincushion:

Nothing too fancy. My first attempt at piecing anything together. But hey, it’s cute and does the trick.

This is my favorite:

Another one? Yes, but not just any old needle roll. A sock needle roll. A tiny roll for tiny needles.

See those little six inch size zeros in there? Yes folks, no more needles sliding around in a too-big needle roll that was meant for seven inch size eights. This is for teeny-tiny sock needles only! And with interfacing…no more poking holes in the bottom. I’m very excited about this, and guess what? There will be more coming!

The only thing I’m a little dissappointed with is that the inside panel was supposed to be off-center on purpose, but I didn’t off center it enough so it just looks like I can’t measure. Other than that I’m pleased with the roll as well as my sewing skills. All those hearts made this a breeze.

Finally, the Ann Budd Raglan of Interweave Knitts, Spring 2004. It’s been hiding in my closet for two years. It used to be my lunch project, and I lost interest while pregnant since it would be no fun to finish it and not get to wear it. But now it’s back, and I’m decreasing.

Little Man’s suggestion? “Take is apart. It’s yucky.” (Someone didn’t think taking pictures of Mama’s stuff was a fun afternoon activity. I can’t understand why.)

I also have started some socks for the Skeptic but no pictures yet, as my picture taking mission had to come to a close. I’m sure you all understand why.

Now, off to another early bedtime.

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Filed under kids, sewing, spinning, sweaters

March 5, 2007 · 2:36 pm

Sick

So two weeks ago I came down with a little cold, which has since turned into some sort of ranging sinus infection. It kept teasing me. I’d feel better one day then worse the next. I finally decided this morning that work was just not going to happen and I needed to go to the doctor today. This stinks, as now I’ve missed my Monday music students two weeks in a row. Not cool when I only see them once a week. But, I reminded myself that this will not cause the world to end and I need to take care of my health. So off to the doctor I will go today.

I actually had a productive weekend craftwise. Being sick means I avoid all real housework and take it easy, either in front of sewing machine, wheel or needles. I sewed a new needle roll and pin cushion on Saturday (when my body tricked me into feeling a bit better) and spun a bobbin on Sunday (as I progressively got worse again). By the afternoon I just plopped myself in front on the needles and attacked my raglan sweater with a vengence. What raglan you say? The Ann Budd raglan hiding in my closet. I’m officially on the yoke. I have no pictures to show as I feel too crummy to find my camera.

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March 3, 2007 · 2:31 pm

Finally

So it’s a little late, this snowstorm, as I was already starting to look forward to my tulips. But I’ll still gladly take a good snowstorm, even in March.

On Thursday, Little Man decided that he and Knittybaby needed to sit back and watch the storm start up.

After two days of snow, this is what we awoke to this morning:

My ever faithful mailman showed up Thursday night around seven (he’s usually here by three, poor guy) with this lovely prize from Javajem. I won her contest!!!

I can’t say enough how thrilled I am with this package. Beautiful yarn, hand dyed by Jody herself. I love the colors! And inside that adorable little bag (oh how I love little bags!)…

Her own hand made stitch markers and earings, and two cute little sheepy erasers. I love these so much! I’ve been wanting set of beaded markers, and this little kitty ones are so cute. I’ve been needing new earings and these are so lovely. Thank you so much Jody!!!

Finished:

Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Sport
Color: Vera
Needles: size 3
Pattern: Nothing fancy. Cast on 56, garter stitch rib cuff. Heel flap.
Verdict: soft and warm!

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March 1, 2007 · 8:59 pm

Valentine’s Day?

Yeah, our Valentine’s decorations are a little bit late. But, I’m pleased that I stuck it out and finished this little garland up.

The lighting wasn’t so hot and I had a hard time getting a good shot. But they look beautiful hanging by the window and I’ll leave them up until Easter, to add a bit of color to the house. Lately I’m wishing for the house to be filled with color. It feels so blah lately….

The heart garland is a kit from Anna Maria Horner. This was a perfect practice project for me. Practice in using my rotary cutter for more than straight lines (easy!) and having to sew curves (HARD!) although I got better.

The big trouble was my sewing machine. All of a sudden it wouldn’t bring up the bobbin thread. I messed with it for an hour and gave up. The suggestion at Mom’s Night last evening was to change my needle and wind a new bobbin. Those mamas are smart, it did the trick and the garland was finished last evening.

Now for a little envy: SOCK CLUB!!!

I joined one at Spunky Eclectic. I love her colors and you join on a month to month basis, which I like. The one for February is called Forecast.

Considering we’re swamped with snow here, it’s perfect. We’re gonna hunker down for the next day and enjoy a nice snowstorm!

And just because there’s always room for a good laugh at the end of a post, guess what Little Man called me this morning? “Friggin’ Mom. Friggin, friggin Mom!” He did not like the lack of chocolate in his breakfast options. Apparently the Skeptic and I have not cleaned up our vocabulary quite enough.

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Filed under finished objects, kids, sewing, socks