Knittymama

April 22, 2008 · 1:06 am

Because there is so much I could say…

I’m probably not going to say much of anything at all tonight. There is just too much on my mind, and as I was doing the dishes I wrote about ten different blog posts in my head: destroyer boys and Destroyer boys, the first little kicks of Baby Three, reminding Baby Three every day to please be The Gentle Child, trying to decide where on earth to even give birth to Baby Three and be happy with my decision, indecisive two year olds who won’t stay asleep, birthday money to spend (and what on?), crummy weather, and oh yes, what I’m spinning and what I’m knitting. (I’m more on the mama and less on the knitty lately, I guess)

Yeah, I said it’s a lot. And I do want to knit tonight, so I’m going to keep it simple, light, and stick with yarn. Yarn you may have noticed on my Flickr badge:

It’s Knitpick’s merino fingering weight, and it’s my first random experiment at dyeing my yarn.

Little Man helped with the photography…

I decided that I’ve been too worried about dyeing my own yarn, and dove in when the chance came up.

We dyed Easter eggs with natural dyes in playgroup last month, and had a bunch of dye left over, mostly turmeric and onion skins. I brought the dye home, did about 5 minutes on online research about mordants and soaked my yarn. I threw it on the pot, poured turmeric on half and onion skins on the other half and brought it to just about a simmer. I left it on low for about 30 minutes, let cool, and rinsed away. This is what I got:

Pretty, huh?

It got the tiniest bit felted, but it wound off okay and I think it looks pretty darn good for 11:30 at night and not trying too hard.

I cast on last night for a Baby Surprise, my first one ever. As soon as I have enough knit up I’ll show you how it looks OTN. But I must say, I’m pretty pleased with this yarn.

16 Comments

Filed under dyeing, stash, Uncategorized

April 17, 2008 · 10:07 pm

The winner is….

Ellen, over at Lazy Daisy Knits!!!! The Randomizer chose #44, so Ellen gets the prize! Ellen, drop me an e-mail and let me know which prize you’d like!

Thanks so much to everyone who played and wished us all a happy birthday. You all left me such excellent links and I’ve really enjoyed checking them all out, as well as visiting the blogs of so many new visitors. I’ll be needing to update my Bloglines now!

Speaking of contests, I was lucky enough to win one last week as well. Amy over at Knit Think held a fun one and I was the winner. So not only do I get to send out a fun prize, I’ll be getting one as well:-) Thanks Amy!!

7 Comments

Filed under contests

April 15, 2008 · 3:28 am

Last Chance!!!

My dear Skeptic has his birthday tomorrow, the last of the marathon birthday season in our household. Thank goodness this next baby will be born in September, as I am burnt out on birthdays. The Skeptic, bless his heart, is happy to have a pie rather than a cake. He is also the type of guy who will not mind that his birthday gift is about the first ten rounds of a new black spring tam, which I will promise to finish up before it is too warm to wear it.

His birthday, of course, means that the 15th is the last day of the contest (see sidebar). I’ve really enjoyed all the wonderful links everyone has been sending, both old and new friends. I’m sorry I haven’t had the time to reply to all of you, but I promise I am reading them all as well as your blogs. It’s always fun to have new visitors! I hope you’ve also enjoyed stopping in and I certainly hope you’ll visit again.

The contest officially ends at midnight, USA Central time, on April 15th. I’ll pick a winner at random and announce by the 17th. The winner will then get a chance to pick their prize, either a needle roll or a small project bag, sewn in your choice of colors and fabrics (and I’ve got quite a fabric stash!). Have fun and keep those great links coming!

5 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

April 11, 2008 · 4:33 am

Down to the Wire

Saturday: Cast on for the Hello Yarn Top Down Bonnet for friend’s blessingway on Thursday. Knit about 20 rows.

Sunday: Begin decreases. Realize that something is drastically wrong. Realize that even though you have knit this pattern before you have no idea why you can’t knit it now.

Monday: Boycott hat due to inability to figure out problem. Convince yourself you have plenty of time. Knit on a sock instead.

Tuesday: Decide you just need to rip out and start over. Realize that the entire problem was that you needed to cast on 36, figure 8 style. Instead of casting on 36, you wrapped the yarn 36 times, giving you twice as many stitches than needed. Wonder if you can possibly be any dumber than that, remind yourself you’re pregnant and chalk it up to wonky hormones. Start your taxes.

Wednesday: Knit, do taxes, knit, do taxes, knit, do taxes. Be pleased you are getting money back. Be unpleased at your lack of progress on the bonnet. Remind yourself you have all day Thursday.

Thursday: 9:30am:Get to preschool late, leaving you with less knitting time. Once home, have wired Knittykid insist on climbing all over you, making knitting nearly impossible.

11:30am:Run errand and pick up Little Man. Get Knittykid down for a nap and settle down for 2 solid hours of knitting.

1:30pm: Have Knittykid wake up after 30 minutes, crying that he needed “that!!!!” God only know what “that” is. Take 20 minutes to figure out “that” is a Thomas the Train Leapad cartridge. Take Knittykid to rocker with cartridge and get stuck for an hour with a half asleep boy. Notice you need to be at the blessingway in three hours. Curse the snow.

3:30: Crazy fast knitting. Be thankful boys are actually hanging out quietly.

4:00: Make it to the I-cord. Realize you still have to make a pasta dish to take along and you need to leave at 5:15.

4:10: Break up first real fight between boys over a Jr. Scrabble game. Have a hard time not cheering Knittykid on when he finally decides to retaliate from being pushed over by punching Little Man and pulling his hair. Decide to intervene when Little Man attempts to sit on Knittykid’s head. Wonder what it will be like when they are in middle school.

4:20: Bind off final i-cord, weave in ends.

4:30: Steam block hat, throw together world’s fasted and yummiest pasta dish. Manage to do dishes and put on clean clothes.

5:30: Run out door, amazed that everything is finished and the hat actually looks good.

6:30: Help to host beautiful blessingway, have a great time and know friend will have a beautiful birth. Friend loved hat and knows you well enough to take a blog photo with a promise to e-mail it to you.

11:15: Realize this is a really long post and wonder who, aside from your mother, will actually read the entire thing. Decide enough is enough and go to bed.

Contest reminder!!!! 44 entries in already, yay! I’m loving all the links:-) Remember you have until April 15th to get your entry in!!!

16 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

April 8, 2008 · 2:24 am

Happy Birthday Little Man!!!

It was five years ago today that this dark-haired, beautiful little boy emerged into this world.

FIVE.

It seems like just yesterday that he was a tiny two year old. A few of my friends’ children turned five that summer and I remember thinking what a huge turning point that was. Five meant kindergarten, that first real step out into the world, and it seemed so far away at the time. Now here I am with another two year old and my oldest is turning five. He’s not so little anymore…

I am constantly amazed by my firstborn. His joy, curiosity and enthusiasm are contagious. His amazing stories, observations, wonderings and constant chatter mean I never have a moment to not have something to think about. Just now, as he’s sitting next to me on the floor putting his legos together, he blurted out to me, “Mom? Isn’t it funny how some people think it’s morning time, when it’s really night time?” This is what I love about five, because I know there is a story in there somewhere that will come out any minute. I wish I was better at remembering to write them down.

So today I wish the happiest birthday to my own dear Little Man. Thank you for five amazing and happy years. I can’t wait to see what this next year brings to you!

16 Comments

Filed under family, kids

April 4, 2008 · 2:52 am

Randomness

Thanks for all the kind words about the baby! We are pretty thrilled around here, and it’s fun to finally get to share the news with all of you. Baby knits update to start soon. Anyone got a favorite?
Knittybaby is hereby promoted to Knittykid. You all had such great suggestions; I really loved them all. I was tempted a lot by Knittytot, but I figured Knittykid would last longer. And who knows what other version may reappear with our little Three?
I hosted my first ever kid birthday party today for Little Man. (His real birthday is not for a few more days). I kept it seriously low key, a few friends, a few games, cake and just hanging out. All in all it was a fun morning and it wasn’t as crazy as I thought it would be. A few moments: “No, this is a party…you can’t kick most of your friends out of the room. I think you can all build legos together…”But otherwise it was all good. And this cake? Seriously, wow, wow, wow….
My Qiviuk Webs Tam (not made in qiviuk) made the pattern page on Ravelry (third one down). I feel like such a knitter.
I’m obsessing over all the blankets at January One. Specifically how on earth anyone can afford to make that many blankets in STR. I looked up how much it would cost me and decided I should probably plan on sending my kids to college instead. At least the first semester, since that’s what one blanket would cost me. (Yeah, I know, I’m delusional about tuition).
This sweater looks innocent enough:

It’s not:

Great contest entries so far, keep ’em coming! Remember, you get to pick the fabric, and I’ve got a lot to choose from! Link is on the sidebar…

11 Comments

Filed under contests, kids, knitting, random, sweaters

March 29, 2008 · 3:05 am

I Have a Secret

So I’ve been keeping a secret from all of you. A big secret. A secret that will explain the sloppy knitting, the lack of knitting, the fewer and fewer blog posts, my inability to even manage to comment on all the blogs I barely can manage to keep up with these days…

“What secret?” you all ask. “What could possibly keep a person from knitting?!”

I’ll give you a hint.

I inherited these vintage patterns from the Skeptic’s great aunt. Got any ideas yet?

Still not sure? Here’s another….

Okay, maybe this one will really clue you in….

Got it now? If you guessed that there will be a new addition to our family, you are right!! 🙂 Exciting news for us, baby number three is on his/her way!!!

This has been the most brutal first trimester I’ve ever been through. Sick to my stomach 24 hours a day and exhausted (two little boys have helped with that.) Seriously, picking up knitting needles was too much work, they seemed so darn heavy. Plus I pretty much fell asleep with the boys each night and there was no waking me up. The last two weeks I’ve started to feel more like myself and I actually should have some FO’s to show off soon, or at least some WIP’s.

I love the second trimester, it’s the time to get stuff done and have some energy to do it. Of course, my list is laughable, it’s so long, and I know completely impossible. But dreaming about baby knitting? So gratifying!

37 Comments

Filed under family, kids

March 27, 2008 · 12:48 pm

Birthday Contest Time!!

Thanks so much for all the excellent nickname ideas and birthday wishes for my little guy. I’m still pondering which is my favorite, but I should have Knittybaby’s new big boy name for you all very soon.

It’s finally time to get the birthday month contest going. All four of us have birthdays in a four week period, so it’s time to celebrate!

This contest will be a pretty simple one, but I think fun for everyone. This winter hasn’t given me much time for keeping up with my own blog, let alone everyone’s great blogs and all the wonderful knitting sites out there. I haven’t even been back over to Ravelry in a month, eeek! I’m feeling a bit out of the loop right now.

Here’s where you come in. All you have to do is give me the link to the best knitting, spinning, or sewing thing you’ve seen online so far this year. It can be a pattern, article, great new blog, just link me up with something fabulous!

The basic rules:

1. Post your entry in the comment section for this contest post.

2. Be sure to include the link to whatever great site, pattern, or article you’ve found so far in 2008.

3. Get your entry in by April 15th. I’ll use the random number generator to pick a winner.
The prizes now, of course!!!

You will have your choice of either a mini project bag (perfect for socks) or needle roll, custom made with your favorite colors. I’ve got a couple of examples below for you to see, but you’ll get to pick your favorite colors and style.

That’s it!! Pretty simple, huh? I hope you all enjoy seeing all the great links, I know I will!

55 Comments

Filed under contests, Uncategorized

March 21, 2008 · 4:28 am

Happy Birthday Knittybaby!!

Are you all ready for this? My baby turns two, yes TWO today!!!

I’m constantly amazed lately that this tiny little boy is now really, truly a little boy. A little boy who can climb, jump, wrestle, dance, talk, sing, color, and even sass his mama or give his big brother a smack. He is an amazing blessing, and is truly the most joyful, happy little person to be around.

I love this age, despite the “It’s mine!” and the “I want that!” that I hear twenty times a day, there is something very special about this transition to two. It’s that absolute cuteness in everything they say, or try to say; that realization that they can really communicate with you, even when you can’t always figure out what they are saying. (“Cresens, cresens, I want cresens!!!!” Lord, I wish I knew what that meant.) The things they say are so, so funny and so incredibly sweet. I wish I could hold on to these first sentences forever.

This birthday of course, this little baby turning into a little boy right before my eyes, brings into question the longevity of his nickname. When he was born he was this tiny little guy who would of course, be a baby forever, right? If I was Knittymama, well, he should be Knittybaby, it just fit. But now I’m wondering how much longer until it’s time to move him up to a more “big boy” nickname, but I just can’t think of one that seems to fit him perfectly. Any ideas?

This birthday also opens up contest time here at Knittymama. We’ve got four birthdays coming up in the next four weeks, so it’s time to celebrate!!! I’ll announce the contest on Monday sometime. I’ll also have another big surprise coming midweek.

For everyone that is celebrating Easter this weekend, I hope it is a blessed and happy one for you and that it truly feels like spring. Personally, I’m just hoping that we’re not going to an Easter egg hunt on Saturday in 6 inches of snow. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

26 Comments

Filed under contests, family, kids

March 19, 2008 · 3:27 am

When it’s clean,

and sunny,

my workroom is my favorite place…

It’ cozy, has a great view,

and places for my favorite little people to come inside and do their own projects.

Sometimes, they get their projects mixed up with mine.

But it all seems to work out in the end.

It took me a long time to get this place back into a somewhat manageable space. After Christmas it was such a mess I could barely stand to go in there. But spring is my favorite time of year to get things organized and put together, and as of today, it still looks pretty tidy and workable up there.

Weekends are always an interesting blend of the boys coming up and down all afternoon. The Skeptic has his shop in the basement and I’m on the second floor. I’d love for us to have work spaces together, but wood and electronics just don’t mix well with fiber and fabric.

The boys pop in and out all day. Sometimes the Skeptic takes them out for awhile so I can work in peace, sometimes I take them out for awhile so he can work in peace. In the end everyone gets some family time together and some Mommy or Daddy time alone. And it’s funny, as much as I love my quiet time, I also love hearing the car door slam, looking out the window and seeing the boys trot up to the back door with Dad.

I feel so lucky to have a space like this right now. On a gloomy, busy Tuesday it’s a nice thought to look forward too, especially now that I know there will be more days to open up the windows, sit in the sun and work.

13 Comments

Filed under family, handspun, home, kids

Tagged as miss babs, workroom