Knitterly Stash Enhancement

I visited Knitterly when I was in Petaluma. It seems like so long ago. Traveling home and unpacking and starting school have been some L.O.N.G. days. I had saved some Christmas money to spend on yarn. I just couldn't spend it on bills. My mom fell in love with Ella Rae Book 20 (I did too) and so she bought it for me. The 2 sweaters I want to knit are on the cover.

I found some great buys on the sale rack. I'm hoping I can make them work. The Cashcotton is for Lulu.

The Princess yarn is for the Saffron Pattern.

I decided to CO for the Saffron since it's short sleeves and right now 5 has a new dress that would look cute with this cardi. I figure I have to do better than on my Knitterly Hoodie. This can't take me a year. I had lots of problems with the swatch. This is my 2nd one. I couldn't decide if the lace pattern was supposed to line up or be staggered...and I kept having problems with the stitch count. With these problems I figured it was no wonder I couldn't get gauge. I asked for help on FB and then I decided to look at the Ella Rae site. Of course, there were corrections on this pattern. Someone from Ella Rae emailed me back so quick and I'm frogging my swatch and trying again. I do love how it matched my little table cloth so well. Nice summery colors.

And since these photos aren't up on the Ella Rae site or on Ravlery I'm showing you a few of my other favorites. How can you not LOVE this book?!? I mean these are so stinking cute. I LOVE the contrast ruffle on the sleeve here.

I LOVE the ruffle at the neck here and I just might need to find a toddler I can knit for.

I LOVE the simplicity of this one and I know it would be so squishy soft in garter stitch.

So...what are your new knitting LOVES?

Last Call

I had to get my little model to put on some hats for me. These hats are going with M to a mountain region where it will be very cold this winter. However, it was 113 yesterday in the city he'll visit next month. What a shock of temperature! I know these will be appreciated so much. He leaves at the beginning of September so it's not too late to send in a hat. I've also got some washcloths (still have to buy the soaps) and then I'll take photos of those. THANK YOU to those who have knit for others.

Here's a peak at part of the prize. I picked up this hand stamped project bag in Petaluma.

Knitterly Hoodie

I made my self imposed deadline. I actually had a day to spare. When we visited family last year in Petaluma I made a side trip to Knitterly. I bought the yarn for this hoodie. I worked on it until Christmas knitting took priority. Then this was laid aside while I knit some birthday afghans. I picked it up after it was decided that we would indeed be returning to Northern California this August. I had to finish this sweater before the 1 year anniversary. I had to wear this sweater in Petaluma. The 3 pieces were knit and I just had to seam, knit the hood, and knit the button band. I should mention here that the hood is 3 balls of yarn and the button band is 2. I finished! I wore the sweater to Knitterly! I forgot to take pictures! The only Petaluma photo I have is this one M took of me working on a Dare Hat and a relative looking through the Ella Rae book my mom bought me.

I did take some more photos the day before we drove home. I'm not super thrilled with the photos, but I do LOVE this cardi. It's warm. It would look better over a long sleeved T-shirt, but I didn't have any of those packed.

Heathered Hoodie. Knitscene Fall 2009.

GGH Aspen in Green. 16 balls

Wrapped in Hugs!

I'm just going to pretend I posted this a long time ago. You know you're really bad about posting things when a friend sees a new shawl in the living room before I blogged a Thank You. My internet connection was horrible 2 weeks ago and last week was monopolized by Little House Camp. I blinked and July is almost over. At the beginning of the month I had an MRI. I'm horribly claustrophobic. I remember how terrified I was of that little tube when I had the MRI on my knee. I took a little pill and asked a lot of friends to pray this time. And then Friday morning...I read that a friend was sending me a HUG in the mail. On top of that, I read What's That Noise and it SO encouraged my heart. How could this not be a good MRI? God had full knowledge of the scary things in my life. He has allowed it, because He knows what's best for me. He didn't just leave me there, He's holding me when I tremble. When I arrived, I was impressed with the new 3T machine. The bore is SO much bigger. I almost felt calm. I know the prayers of my friends and family were with me.

So, since M asked for some knitting, I figured that he owed me some photos. I couldn't get shots of myself in the shawl. Here I am...wrapped in a New Jersey Hug! Thanks Grace! I love the shawl. In the box there was a little mouse too, but it seems that my little mouse (5) took it to her room before I got a photo.

I love the span on this shawl...it's really generous and wraps around so cozy. It was even chilly enough for me to enjoy it a few mornings which is super rare for July. I'm counting that as a gift from God too. Since we're not running our AC, we really appreciate the cooler temps.

I really think this shawl was destined to live in L.A. I mean...don't you see Laker purple and gold?! ;0) My kids love that.

I can't wait for the cooler temps to return. So I can wear more hand knits.

Beach Day!

I've been a bad So.Cal mommy. It shouldn't be possible to live 45 minutes from the water and not spend summers at the beach. However, until today I hadn't taken my kids to the beach. Well, we've been to the beach...but I'd find places like Santa Monica where we could walk on the grassy area, enjoy a picnic, and see the waves, but I didn't have to worry about my children drowning. Today we went to Corona Del Mar...one of my all time favorite beach cities. A friend invited us and she chose this little cove that I wouldn't have found without her directions. I'm sure I drove right past it a million times. We arrived at 9:30 and it was cloudy. I wasn't too disappointed because the clouds made the beach less crowded...and we were less likely to go home with sunburns. It was low tide and the tide pools were perfect for viewing. This area of beach is protected, so there were rules on not taking anything from the tide pools and being careful around the living things. Here's 7 looking for crabs and anemones.

I took my knitting...here's proof. M took this less than stellar photo of me, but I'll share it with you anyway. I cut my friend out of the photo for the blog...she looked great. Me...even the kids said, "What's with that funny face you're making mom?" M really should let me know when he's taking photos of me.

I'm making good progress on the shawl. I'm at around 225 sts. I need to be at 366 before starting the lace.

After lunch it started to warm up and the sun came out from behind the clouds. I took my sweats off from over my swim suit. I waded in the water and took a walk on the beach with 7. Then 8 borrowed this boogie board from his friend and fell in LOVE with riding the waves. I got a little wet taking this pic, but it was so worth it!!!

And yes, 5 is missing from the photos. She's vacationing in Napa again. I think I was braver about going to the beach since I was only watching 2 and they can swim.

A bit of this and that...

Summer is right around the corner. Time to pull out the cotton. In the past, I've knit quit a collection of dishcloths at the park. These seem to be the perfect take-along project for summer knitting while the kids play. These 2 I knit awhile back...and they were in my stash of knit dishcloths. On Monday, they cried out to be mailed off to a friend. They're in an envelope...on their way to...

...you'll just have to wait and see.

Rex has been trying to spend more time outside. Sometimes he's good and will just lay in a patch of sun. They other day he took off for a bit. I hate when he does that since he doesn't have claws. I don't want to see him get in a fight with a squirrel. He did come back home though, and we found him trying to open the screen door with his paw. Silly kitty. Rex wants more blog time...I might just decide to join Whiskers on Wednesday. At least for now...I've got a kitty on a Wednesday post.

Maybe I can count better now...

A friend gifted me with some laceweight alpaca for a shawl. I CO right after I receive this. I read the directions wrong. I frogged. I started again doing the right increase. This time I couldn't count to 4 (4 garter ridges between the increase rows). I frogged and started again, but I put this in my knitting bag didn't work on this while taking any of the medications that prevent me from counting.

I pulled it out again after I finished Blanket #2. I just found an error and I'm trying to decide if I frog AGAIN or if I convince myself that this doesn't bother me. So, in this close up can you see the little hole on the edge below the blue rubberband? You might have to click on the photo to see the larger image. The hole is right where the cable goes under the knitting.

What would you do? It's likely that this tiny hole will be under my hair when I wear the shawl. And...can you even see it? Or is it just so obvious to me because I know it's there?

All I can say is that this will be as light as a feather when knit up! I'm really excited to wear it...hopefully by the fall.

Blanket #2

Well, really this is blanket #4 or #5 of this same pattern. But, this is the 2nd one I've knit since the beginning of the year. I knit one for 7's birthday. And then I started one for my MIL's birthday. 12 skeins of homespun in garter stitch hardly holds one's attention. I actually did ok for the first 18 skeins. Half way through this 2nd blanket my attention waned. Add that to the fun times I was having with pain killers and muscle relaxants. I didn't finish on time. But, it sure is pretty. I think she'll like it. The colors match her living room. Lionbrand Homespun: Prairie.

6 skeins makes a blanket that is about 60" square. It's a good size for cuddling on the couch. This blanket has been great on my lap as I've knit. I am glad to be moving on though.

I think the only problem with this gift is that someone seems to think this is HIS blanket. He'll have to find a replacement. ;0)

knitcroblo6

Revisit a past F/O

Bring the fortune and life of a past finished project up to the present. Document the current state and use of an object you have knitted or crocheted, whether it is the hat your sister wears to school almost every day, or a pair of socks you wore until they were full of hole. Or maybe that jumper that your did just didn’t like that much...

One of the first things I knit after the 36 fun fur scarves was this pink poncho. It's a rectangle, and another piece that starts with a rectangle and tapers to a point. The 2 pieces are stitched together and the trim is crocheted on. It's Paton's Divine on big needles. It goes against every thing a knitter will say is cool...but I still like to wear it. It's WARM. It feels like I'm wearing a blanket. On a rainy day, I'll throw on a black knit dress and this poncho...and I'm warm.

I wore this back in February for Chan's Pink Parade. Only, I'm just now posting these photos. I still wanted to link back. There's so many reasons PINK still needs to cause us to remember those we've lost, those we love...and remember to get checked!

And it seems that non-knitters still don't know how "un-cool" fun fur is. Especially the 5-8yo girls...they all want to sit on my lap during story time...or next to me and hold onto the "blanket".

So...while it's not October...remember to schedule your DR's appointments. I'm due to see my DR in June.

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knitcroblo5

Location, Location, Location

Where do you like to indulge in your craft? Is your favourite arm chair your little knitting cubby area, or do you prefer to ‘knit in public’? Do you liek to crochet in the great outdoors, perhaps, or knit in the bath, or at the pub?

I love my favorite chair. This isn't a great pic, but here's how I knit...with a yarn lover in my lap. It's a good thing he doesn't have claws because I don't have to tell him he can't play.

I'm also grateful to be able to knit on road trips while my hubby drives. We just might be planning a long road trip for the 4th of July. M figures if he's still not working, then we should sell some things to be able to afford the gas to visit my family in TX. Once he's working again, the vacation time for a trip like that will be hard to come by.

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knitcroblo4

A New Skill

Is there a skill related to your hobby that you hope to learn one day? maybe you’re a crocheter who’d also like to knit? Maybe you’d like to learn to knit continental, knit backwards, try cables or attempt stranded colourwork.

I've been wanting to try something in brioche. I have the book and the yarn to knit this brioche hat. I was really inspired by the Cheesehands Chan blogged about this week. I'm hoping to try double knitting too and I loved this pattern.

***I'll get back to day 3 in a bit...I was busy yesterday with the birthday girl and I didn't blog ahead.***

Non Rav links...

Cheesehands

Brioche Hat

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knitcroblo2

An Inspirational Pattern

Blog about a pattern or project which you aspire to. Whether it happens to be because the skills needed are ones which you have not yet acquired, or just because it seems like a huge undertaking of time and dedication, most people feel they still have something to aspire to in their craft. If you don’t feel like you have any left of the mountain of learning yet to climb, say so!

Wow...there's lots I could put here. One of my dream projects is the Denim Blanket in Indigo Knits. To me, that a huge undertaking of time and dedication. I don't have the book or any denim yarn...so that's a big expense too. Someday...I'd like to make some argyle socks too. My Gram had made those for my Gramp years ago...and that just seems really cool. Someday...I'd also like to design a pattern. I think the designer in me needs an outlet. I love how sizing a garment is math. If that makes me a nerd...oh well.

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7's Birthday Blanket

I can't believe it took so long for me to blog about this. I'm almost a month late. That's what happens with I take the photos on M's camera. I never think to download those. Here's 7 opening his gift from me on his birthday.

I can already tell I'm not going to get a "normal" shot of this kid...

Awww...here we go. My cuddle bug. Just don't let him hear that I still call him that. I'm so proud of this 7yo. He's got a real tender spot in his wild heart. He lives passionately.

The yarn: Lion Brand Homespun in Barley. Diagonal Baby Blanket. 6 skeins. Just like the one I knit for his brother when he turned 5. When this kid turned 5 he declared a blanket to be not gift worthy. This year, he decided he wanted a blanket just 2 weeks before his birthday. I finished 2 days late...but still, 16 days to knit a blanket is pretty impressive with my schedule. And if anyone wants to know why my wild kid would want a brown blanket. It matches Rex. Here's a picture I took while working on the blanket. My lap, the cat, and the blanket.

Olympic Knitting

I didn't decide to knit an afghan until the Tuesday after the Olympics started. So, this isn't something I entered with the Yarn Harlot or in the Ravelympics. But, it is an Olympic feat. I'm hoping to finish the afghan (6 skeins of homespun) for 6's birthday...March 5th. I started into the 3rd skein last night. At this rate (2 skeins per week), I'll finish the afghan 1 week after it's needed. I haven't been working on it much during the day because I don't want him to see me working on it. I'm giving up much of my computer time to knit like a mad woman. Pray I make it. And this officially means that my Hoodie won't be finished by March 1st. I wonder if there's still a hope to have it for St. Patrick's Day?

ACK! and YUM!

ACK! I was going to start the decreases on the 2nd front of my Heathered Hoodie...after 5 repeats of the XO cable pattern...and somehow my gauge on this front was off. AGAIN! So, I frogged it and I'll knit this front for a 3rd time, checking with the other front after each repeat. I think on my next sweater I'll knit both fronts at the same time!

YUM! I got the Pioneer Woman's cookbook for Christmas. I made her scones yesterday morning. We changed out the pecans for walnuts because we have TONS of walnuts from when M picked them in Napa. M is thrilled with this recipe. Maple & Walnuts! The only thing that could make this better for him would be bacon. This is a cruddy time for me not to be eating wheat*. I took one bite. But, I don't want to risk it with eating more.

*Healthwise* In December I gave up gluten. This wasn't some fad diet for me. In recent years, 2 of my cousins have given up gluten and felt tremendously better. For them it helps with the pain of Fibromyalgia. One horrible day in early December I ate a packet of instant oatmeal for breakfast (trying to use up things we have) and a flour tortilla (bean burrito) for lunch. I had the worst stomach pains ever. I know that instant oatmeal has added gluten. I'm sure the tortilla had all sorts of other bad things in it too. I felt like I'd eaten a bottle of glue...yes, that's gluten for you. The next day I gave up gluten. I felt SO much better 48 hours later. For 30 days I was gluten free. Then I added back oats (but only steel cut oats), so I'm not truly gluten free anymore. And I'll have soy sauce if a recipe calls for it. But, I'm still not eating wheat. At a birthday party on the 31st, I thought I'd try a cookie (my Italian friend makes the best Italian Almond Cookies with Icing). I paid for it the next day with a bloated tummy and a tummy ache. So that pretty much will keep me from trying to eat wheat for some time.

Treasures

Some times it's easy to rely on the things we have around us and not choose Faith.

I've been thinking a lot about this recently as I've read the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. When you have a portfolio for retirement, a sizable savings account, a stocked freezer,...are your thoughts with God's provision or with how well you've arranged things so you won't ever have to worry? I know what I was thinking...

And again as I've watched this YouTube video on the Advent Conspiracy. And I watch the masses scurry around buying just to have presents when so many don't have clean water, warm blankets, or food for the next meal.

And now, the moths have had me thinking.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

I really do appreciate the stash I have...but, I need to think about it differently. Where are your treasures? Here are mine.

One hundred years from now
It won't matter
What kind of car I drove
What kind of house I lived in
How much money I had in the bank
Nor what my cloths looked like
BUT
The world may be a little better
Because, I was important
In the life of a child.

Author Unknown

MOTHS!!!

A knitter's swear word! The hole in 4's hat just didn't sit well with me.

And then tonight, I found 2 similar holes in a sock.

Both of those items were in a basket of knit things in my room that was on the floor. I'm PRAYING that my stash has not been affected. I did email back to comments on my last post and got some quick answers. Thanks Amanda and Jessi! Chan said freezer too...and I'm hoping she's not right about the 10 to 14 days, but I might just see how much wool I can fit into the freezer and leave it until after Christmas. Well, at least the good stuff. I'm going to separate the cottons and silks and synthetics. Then I'll bag the wool and prioritize the freezer treatments. I'll start with the yarn in my room, as I haven't found evidence in any other place yet. I did find 2 good articles on infestation.

A Colorado article here.

About Knitting article here.

I typed the above, then I went put all my wool in the freezer. All the good stuff fit. The rest is in ziplock bags waiting its turn. I didn't see any evidence of intruders in my stash. But, the freezer is good insurance anyways.

And since I put the fear of Moths in you all, here's a fun photo of Rex so you don't just stop breathing. It's been a bit chilly here. He's a spoiled kitty. He's been sleeping curled up in our down comforter. I didn't want kitty fur everywhere, and I didn't want to shoe him away, so I gave him my robe to lay on...and left the comforter cave to keep him cozy.

A fix...

I have to fix a hat. I'm glad I took this photo of the kids.

But now, looking at it, I think I can see a tiny hole in the hat here. It's 4's hat. I thought I could just mend it, but its seems to incorporate several rows. I undid the 3 needle bind off last night and was disappointed to find the hole is in the 2nd of the short-row wedges. So I have a question, I've never unknit and added to a piece backwards. Can I unpick the CO edge and then reknit in garter the reverse way. Otherwise, I'll just unknit the whole hat and start over. Here's the kids with M in front of my Gramp's house. They were on their way to the tree lighting.

Since I haven't taken it's own FO shot, I cropped in a family shot to show you the Hurricane Hat I knit for M. while on vacation. It's in Zoom which is cotton/merino yarn. Lovely yarn really!!! But, this is a thin hat and he needs a warmer one too. Why don't I think of knitting hats in the summer?

Another List

I'm so glad I can share my fun memories with you all. Too bad lists aren't as fun. They sure help my productivity though. And at least I've found a few photos. =0)

My mom helped me finish an apron today for a birthday gift tomorrow. 4 needs the next size up, so I see some sewing in the future. I bought the cutest apron pattern a few years back. It was the best $10 I've spent on a pattern. We've made 6 or 7 in the little girls size and I have one.

I sewed in ends on a scarf. It's a feather & fan pattern in Blue Heron Boiled Wool. 6" x 80". I haven't decided if I'll keep it or if it's a gift yet, but I have decided a scarf is a good "car project" for me. This isn't blocked yet, but I'm not sure if I will block it or not.

I liked my Beach Fog Ishbel so much...I cast on for a 2nd one. I worked on it in the car to and from Napa. On the way home I actually started the lace portion. But, I haven't had a chance to work on it since coming home. This is the only photo I have of this project...taken quite awhile ago. This one is in a really special yarn...that will get it's own post...hopefully next week. Some of you will recognize it. ;0)

And to replace my last scarf project, I started this one. It's Ysolda's Ariel in Tilli Tomas Disco Lights Teal. I got this yarn from my MIL & FIL for Christmas (I'm not sure if it was 2008 or 2007). I don't think this scarf works as a "car project" because the purl rows have pattern to them as well. Still, I hope to finish this for New Year's Eve. Maybe it will be for 2010...

My new "car project" is the 2nd front to my Hoodie. I've finished 2 1/2 repeats this week carrying it with me. I have 3 1/2 to go. Then just the hood! Hopefully I can finish this to where it while it's cold here (that's such a short season).

I'm hoping to felt some hats. I have one ready to go (for 4) and one that just needs the shaping at the crown (for me). And they should have flowers. Maybe I'll finish the hats and add the flowers later...they have to felt separate anyways.

M is still asking for another hat. He's got quite a few picked out. Pismo. Groovy Tuque. Handmaiden Quick Hat (but he thinks that they cheat by loosing the stitch pattern when decreasing...I think he's right, but I'm not sure I can fix it.) Wilson. Aaron's Hat. Dean Street. Botanic. Flintshire. If you've made it this far...and looked at some of these links...let me know which hat you like.