Here is Easton last week in his jammies. We spent the morning in the living room, me knitting & Easton playing the Wii. While he was not feeling well he wanted me nearby always. Needless to say I knitted the entire hat that morning. The pattern is Armando and a really simple knit. It would show off the pattern better in a solid yarn, but I wanted to use this handspun that was gifted to me. The fiber was Romney and it was from Hello Yarn's fiber of the month club. The colorway is Alpine, I love blue and brown together. I am going to pick up stitches on the sides and knit earflaps for it as it needs to be a bit longer for warmth. This is as long as I could knit it as the handspun ran out. Fun, fast, and easy.....right up my alley.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
More Mystery Socks
Here are my completed mystery knit-a-long. Each week there was a clue released starting with the cuff, then leg, then heel, and finally the toe. It was fun to knit and watch everyone's progress. This sock was designed by Kirsten, her blog is Through The Loops. She hosted a KAL last year as well, I love knitting them.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Quant Everybody Wants One?
This is the notorious "Quant". It was featured in Knitty.com in 2007, designed by Star Athena. Star is also the one that started the Tour de Fleece. This is a headband, it will end up 15 inches long and have 10 inch ties on each end. The technique is entrelac which is basically knitting triangles and turning and picking up stitches every which way. It is fun and really shows off the changing colors of the yarn. This is handspun of mine, I spun this up a while ago and have been looking for a small project to use it on. I am thinking Delaney wil wear this as my hair might not work with this.
I'm Weaving
I don't exactly know what moment I decided I might want to try weaving. I remember reading a class description about weaving and thinking hmmmm. I did weave a bit in school maybe my Freshman year? I think we made the looms and then wove on it. This is a Rigid Heddle Loom built by an american company in Colorado called Schacht. It is well built and I am having fun reading my weaving books and working on this scarf. I think it will be a great tool for using my handspun or mountain of sock yarn. YAY ME!
Aren't They Handsome?
I have been neglectful of my blog. I have been very busy the past six weeks with soccer, hockey, football, piano, cathecism, lego league and just plain getting back into the swing of things. I have been knitting a lot. I have knit a couple pairs of socks, a sweater on the needles, a couple dishcloths out of organic cotton, a headband out of handspun and a mystery sock KAL that I just turned the heel on. I have also been spinning a bunch or maybe I should say plying? I had a bunch of singles just waiting to become yarn and now they are. I plied the last 4 ozs. and that is the only one left to be wash and the twist set. The photo of Rob & Easton is from last week as we were having a bit of family time and watching t.v. Everyone always tells me how much my boys look like him...maybe they are right! :-)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Another Trip Another Project
We decided to head back up north after our vacation time up there. I had six days off from the restaurant and Rob's Dad was there and said we were welcome to come up. This was my in the car on the way up project Garterlac Washcloth. I did rip this out as it appeared to not be right at all & it was! Of course the pattern said it would look wonky, but I still could not believe it. I quickly re-knit everything again and it was a fun, fast knit. I left this at the cabin for the kitchen. I will have to make another one or two of these for sure. I started some socks while I was there as well. I am on the foot of the second sock and it should be finished soon. I have of course been spinning in between knitting projects. It is so addictive.
Rainbow Socks
This is my knitting project during vacation in the U.P. they are for Delaney. I am planning on giving them to her on her birthday. She picked out the Rainbow colored yarn when we were together in the yarn store. The yarn is Mini Mochi by Crystal Palace Yarns. It was fun to work with...anticipating the next color change. It did however turn my fingers green when I was knitting with that color. I finally had a green thumb! :-) Rob's 95 year old grandma loved watching the progress and the modified Monkey pattern appear.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Tour de Fleece Spinning
I participated in the Tour de Fleece. It is a spinning group where a lot of participants spin during the Tour de France. It was a blast, everyone sets personal goals. My goal was to spin daily and to try different fibers. I did accomplish this, the only day I did not spin on the tour was when I worked Saturday and came home and left for the U.P. I ended up spinning two pounds two ounces of fiber. I can't wait for next year, the whole family had fun and we watched the bike race more than we normally would have. The posted picture is of a batt from Enchanted Knoll Farm called One Fish, Two Fish. It is very fitting considering....
Monday, July 13, 2009
I made this!
It is hard to believe that someone shears a sheep, prepares the fleece, someone buys that, dyes it and resells it to someone like me. I do not want to even think about the long process before I got the roving or batt as it does not inpsire me at al. I am glad that process does bring joy to some and it brings me joy that I am not one of them. :-) Once I purchase the prepared fiber I then strip it down into a bunch of manageable pieces to spin. I spin & spin & spin until they are all spun into similar thickness and then they rest for a day and then I ply. This either entails two or three different strands being twisted together in an opposite direction as originally spun to make yarn. Then you skein it up, soak it in warm water, rinse, whack it (to even out the twist you put into it) and let it dry outside. The part I participated in is a process I love and the best part I end up with yarn! YAY ME! So here is a skein of yarn I spun up. I was in a spin-a-long and the fiber color & content would be a suprise. This is what was sent, a beautiful blue/green with pops of cream and a bit of orangey yellow. There was a lot of us in the SAL and we had until the end of June to spin and post a picture. A random number generator chose someone in the group to win a prize--fun, fun, stuff! I had a good time and it was by far the thinnest yarn I had spun. I am not sure if I will knit socks or maybe some sort of wrap? Got a bit of time and I am off to spin!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose!
I ordered a Majacraft Rose the end of May. It shipped from New Zealand to Michigan and arrived on Monday June 15th. I could not be happier, well I could if I had never spun on this wheel. I would not have known what I was missing. I had my Majacraft Little Gem and was content with it. It just seemed to take me longer to spin than everyone else on Ravelry. I just chalked it up to beginner spinner, well that is not so. Rob & I assembled the Rose after the kids went to bed and I spun up 2 ozs. in no time at all. I finished all 8 ozs last night just spinning while watching t.v. It would have taken me much longer on my little wheel. I am finishing my spin-a-long fiber for June on the Little Gem as that is what I started spinning the fiber on. Then I will play more of my Rose. The Little Gem will be going to Lake Superior with me for spinning lakeside in July! I am looking forward to that. The kids are at swimming lessons so I am off to spin for a quick minute.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
School is almost over!
We just had a long Memorial Day weekend. I worked Friday thru Monday at the restaurant. I am not complaining at all as we are getting new vinyl replacement windows throughout the house tomorrow. We can definitely use the extra money for that big job. I am looking forward to the windows but not the: "moving anything within two feet in front or beside any window". Yuck- that is a lot of things to move...beds, pianos, dressers, and all window furnishings.
I knit Delaney one sock during ball games last week. I will try to knit a mate this week. I knit a chevron cuff and a stockinette foot out of self striping yarn. I used the Yarn Pirate's BFL in the colorway Cupcake. I knit a ton of socks and this is really thin fingering weight. I did not enjoy the yarn that much but do like the color.
I have been spinning nightly. I am currently spinning some superwash merino from AllSpunUp. It is for a spinalong, we are aiming for sock weight yarn. I shall see it is taking so long as I ordered 8 ounces. I keep looking at the pile of roving stripped down and it is overwhelming. :-)
I must get busy with the bedrooms so the window guys can start there in the a.m. I must not knit/spin I must not knit/spin I must not knit/spin I must not knit/spin no spin/knit!
I knit Delaney one sock during ball games last week. I will try to knit a mate this week. I knit a chevron cuff and a stockinette foot out of self striping yarn. I used the Yarn Pirate's BFL in the colorway Cupcake. I knit a ton of socks and this is really thin fingering weight. I did not enjoy the yarn that much but do like the color.
I have been spinning nightly. I am currently spinning some superwash merino from AllSpunUp. It is for a spinalong, we are aiming for sock weight yarn. I shall see it is taking so long as I ordered 8 ounces. I keep looking at the pile of roving stripped down and it is overwhelming. :-)
I must get busy with the bedrooms so the window guys can start there in the a.m. I must not knit/spin I must not knit/spin I must not knit/spin I must not knit/spin no spin/knit!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Here is sock #1
Here is Cooper's first sock finished. I love children's socks and ones knitted on size 4 needles. Usually it takes so much time for socks knitted on size 1, and a leg that is 6 1/2 inches long! This was a piece of cake and done in one day. I might add kids also need that immediate gratification and they love trying the work in progress on.
This is what I have been up to
Here is my fiber from the Spunky Eclectic fiber club. The colorway is Myrtle and it is dark blue face leicester. I am making socks for my 9 year old Cooper. I did a twisted rib cuff and stockinette leg and it fits him perfectly. Of course all of the other kids want socks now. It is 73 degrees here and we are talking wool socks! I spun my 8ozs onto 3 bobbins, there was apporximately 34 wpi. I then plied the singles into a 3 ply at 17 wpi. I am happy with my first sock weight yarn. I would say this is a heavy fingering weight. I was hoping for more yardage but love the finished yarn and I am completely smitten. I am sure as I get to be a more seasoned spinner my plying will be not be so overly twisted? I hope and maybe that will give me more yardage.
Better Late Than Never
I finished these earlier this week they are Breathe Deep Mittens by Kirsten Kapur. I decided to join a knit-a-long on Ravelry for this pattern in March. Needless to say I got sidetracked with spinning and never casted on. They are done now, the yarn is Malabrigo and the colorway is Frank Ochre. I will be gifting these to my 17 year old niece Whitney. She wanted a hat for her birthday and we never decided on a pattern so the hat never came to be. I think she will love these. By the way--- her birthday was December 22. Yikes!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Spinning Has Taken Over
This is my third skein of handspun. It was a roving of Gale's Art merino called Rose Garden. I bought it last year from The Loopy Ewe after I bought my Majacraft Little Gem. I did not want to spin with it until I had a class. I took a spinning wheel class in March and haven't stopped spinning since. This is a two ply yarn and is about 153 yards. I am not sure what I am going to knit with it as of yet. I am excited to though.
The Final Swap
These are the socks I knitted for my final swap package. They went off in the mail last week to Washington. I have decided to lay very low on the swap front. I loved doing it and met some really nice people. It tends to cut into my knitting time. There are some projects I want finished yesterday! These were a fun knit, it is hard to remain focused when the finished object is not for someone you will see wearing the item. I hope my swap partner will love them.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Knittin' Slippers
I participated in a slipper swap. It was a fun pattern to knit, I found it on Ravelry it was for a mystery knit along. I did not participate during the knit along so I knew they were slippers from the beginning. The others knitted a part of the pattern each day and knit it and then on the final day they finshed and seamed it and it was a slipper. Oh the fun! It was a quick fun knit. I used Noro Kureyon and Lorna's Laces yarn. I found the buttons @ City Knitting in Grand Rapids. I finshed up and mailed a few other goodies & the slippers to Fairbanks Alaska. I hope she likes them!
I took a spinning class at City Knitting, it was informative and got me spinning finally. I purchased a gently used Majacraft Little Gem at the end of last summer. It has not gotten much use until now. We picked the wheel up on a horrible windy, rainy, thunder & lightning day. I promptly named the wheel Stormy, it is fitting. I had tried to spin before and did (rope), but it was such a frustrating experience. The class helped my with the drafting process and I haven't stopped since. Now I am dealing with cramps in my hands from holding the fiber. I will post soon when I finish my second bobbin of merino. I have the first bobbin filled with dark brown romney. I am going to ply it with the merino that is hand dyed. The color is called Accidents Will Happen, I received it from a woman in New Zealand. It is very pretty with blues, browns, and cream. I am hoping for a pretty yarn when I am done. The plying process scares me a bit...we will see.
I took a spinning class at City Knitting, it was informative and got me spinning finally. I purchased a gently used Majacraft Little Gem at the end of last summer. It has not gotten much use until now. We picked the wheel up on a horrible windy, rainy, thunder & lightning day. I promptly named the wheel Stormy, it is fitting. I had tried to spin before and did (rope), but it was such a frustrating experience. The class helped my with the drafting process and I haven't stopped since. Now I am dealing with cramps in my hands from holding the fiber. I will post soon when I finish my second bobbin of merino. I have the first bobbin filled with dark brown romney. I am going to ply it with the merino that is hand dyed. The color is called Accidents Will Happen, I received it from a woman in New Zealand. It is very pretty with blues, browns, and cream. I am hoping for a pretty yarn when I am done. The plying process scares me a bit...we will see.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Malabrigo Slippers
This is the second pair of Malabrigo Loafers I have knitted. They are a fast knit you just have to pay a bit of attention as there are many short rows. I was watching t.v. and not paying close enough attention and had to rip back a few times. They go very quickly and I love knitting with the kettle dyed Malabrigo. The colors are many and vary so much. This was for a swap partner I had from Minnesota and I was sure she would get some use out of them. I still have to knit myself a pair. I wear slippers every day and I am sure I would love these.
My Little Sister's Birthday Socks
I am not going to lie, I knitted these for myself. When I finished the socks they were too big. Kim's birthday was in a few days and although we usually do not exchange gifts....I know for a fact her foot is bigger than mine. I went through all of the usual knitting things in my mind. Will she know how long socks take to knit? Will she appreciate the gift? Does she know how much a skein of Socks That Rock costs? In the end I gave them to her during our knit night which was on her actual birthday. She loved them and tried not to cry...It seems her husband had forgotten her birthday so it all worked out and she did not feel forgotten on her day after all. What are sisters for?
The pattern for these socks is: Kites by Anne Hanson. A very easy pattern for anyone. It went fast, I did not like the look while knitting. I do like it on the foot.
The Mystery Socks
I found a pattern a couple of weeks ago on Ravelry. It was for the Through The Loops Mystery Socks. It was a knitalong back in October. The designer was Kirsten Kapur, she has a wonderful blog called Through The Loops. She released the pattern with a clue weekly starting with the cuff. In my picture there is a cable that runs down the sock that is barely visible...but it is there and adds so much to the pattern. I loved the pattern and the yarn which is my first installment of the Rockin' Sock Club from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. The Colorway is My Blue Heaven. I knitted these during the day while Easton and I were hanging out as he calls our time from 12:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. then the older kids come home from school. It was a fast and fun knit for sure! I hope she has a KAL this year.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Out Of The Mouths Of Babes!
I took the boys to the Dr.'s office yesterday morning. I had Cooper (9), Wilson (7), Holden (5), and Easton (4) with me. Easton & Cooper were the sickest w/headaches, stomach issues, and a sore throat. Cooper went first and the Dr. checked him all over and swabbed his throat for strep. Then it was Easton's turn, up on the table he went. The Dr. came over and asked Easton "what is bothering you?", Easton didn't say a word. The Dr. chooses to rephrase at this point and asks "what bothers you?" Easton looks at him and replies "Cooper". It was so hilarious we all started laughing w/the exception of Easton. The Dr. said "I am sure he does". I explained to Easton the Dr. wanted to know what was hurting him. Easton chose to start crying at that point and was very concerned he did not tell the Dr. about his headache and throat! It is a virus so we are home today hanging out together crying every so often (them not me) because someone looked at them funny. Oh the joys of motherhood! Tomorrow will be a better day for everyone.
Friday, January 16, 2009
These Nutkins almost whipped me!
I knitted the first sock very quickly. It was so easy to memorize and it was fun doing a short row heel and toe. I loved the toe. I had knitting to do for a swap and set it down for about a week. I then started the second sock and for some reason it was giving me trouble. It was the toe, I couldn't remember what I was doing. I am a very literal person and kept reading the pattern. Finally after I ripped out the toe for the second time I went to bed w/the pattern. I laid there and read the instructions and then finally figured out what I was doing wrong. I was not a ecstatic about the second sock as the first. I will do a different cuff, heel, and toe for the next pair. I will definitely make them again. I had fair warning from Ravelry re: the heel, toe, and twisting of the sock but I pushed on. I am happy though and they are for me. I used Spunky Eclectic in the colorway Lichen. Off to knit some Malabrigo Loafers.
Friday, January 9, 2009
My New Niece--Zora
This is Zora Ann, she is named after the author Zora Neale Hurston and Ann Pratt who is G.G. (see below) This was the first time I had met her during Cooper's 9th birthday party. We love having the 12/24 & 1/2 birthdays.... A lot of parties in a few days. Zora was here w/her brother Owen & parents from Madison, Wi. I was very happy to meet her. It will be fun to knit something for a teeny tiny girl for a change.
Zora is the only niece I have on my husband's side of the family. At first I was not sure how my darling daughter Delaney would take that. She loves being the only girl on that side of the family, especially when it comes to her Great Grandma (G.G.) who is almost 95. She is fine with now that she has met the wee one. :-)
Zora is the only niece I have on my husband's side of the family. At first I was not sure how my darling daughter Delaney would take that. She loves being the only girl on that side of the family, especially when it comes to her Great Grandma (G.G.) who is almost 95. She is fine with now that she has met the wee one. :-)
Will Hat Attack 2 Ever End?
This is the hat I received in December. Well it was a bit wide should be somewhere in the vicinity of 7" give or take an inch. It was the strangest yarn, stretchy and sprongy. I did try to wear it around the house and it just grew & grew. This is the second hat I received that the knitter did not get gauge. :-( So it has been forwarded to Amy in Georgia to reknit for me. I will die this month sometime.... This lovely game started in September who knew we would still be playing in 2009? My wish for this game was to get a hat I could wear, I am hoping. I know Amy will get it right...third time is the charm right?
The Final Afghan
This is Easton's afghan, I have made one for each of my children. I told Easton it would be done by his birthday and it was. I worked on his periodically over the past 6 months. It is knit out of Caron's simply soft. This is a very nice washable yarn if considering making something this large. The yarn is also affordably priced. The blanket shown is folded in half and is very large. I single crocheted the edging and I thought it was going to take a quick minute....think again it seemed like it took me hours. It is done though and has been washed more than once already. He loves it and it seems to be very warm.
My Incredible Hulk turns 4!
Easton turned 4 on Christmas Eve. We celebrated with family by hosting a brunch for 20. The weather was horrible the night before but everyone made it for his "BIG" day. It is hard to imagine that he was born at 30 weeks weighing in at 4 lbs 2 oz. Well he certainly hasn't stopped since then. He is so busy all of the time. He is fascinated with the Incredible Hulk, he has movies, books, and of course Hulk Hands! He does not know there was a series starring Bill Bixby and I hope he doesn't find out for a long time.
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