BerryKnitty

C's "Northern Lights" sweater!

2011-12-30T17:54:00.008-05:00

Pattern: Northern Lights Sweater designed by Megan Lacey/Kids' Knitted Sweaters & More.
Finished Size: 28" (chest); 17" (length); 7½" (armhole depth); and 12" (sleeve length); size 4 with size 6 sizing for lengths.
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash 100% superwash wool; (100 g {220 yards}): Shire, 1 ball; Tangerine, 1 ball; Pumpkin Spice 2 balls; and Ruby, 1 ball.
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 6 24" circular & dpns, US 7 16" circular & dpns.
Comments:
Intermediate Knit. This is a Norwegian Setesdal Lusekofte sweater. I did not use the traditional red and navy for this. Instead I used colors that complemented C--warm autumnal colors. It was fun to knit and I am very satisfied with the finished sweater. Minimal finishing.

on the needles:

finished!

C modeling!!

I'm trying.

2011-11-30T15:55:00.007-05:00

Lots of Christmas knitting to get done. I'm last minute as usual and am trying out Lion Brand's Fair Isle Snowflake Ornament. I'm using some old Red Heart yarn I've had lying around the house that was meant for an afghan started in 2001 that will most likely never get finished.

I've completed one ornament and have one on the needles.

It's different and it's fun to knit. Try it out!

Looks like something right out of Crate and Barrel:

and one on the needles:

ornament takes a 5-inch styrofoam ball:

Photo Card

2011-11-14T14:41:00.001-05:00

Fun Christmas Wishes Christmas

Send Christmas cards personalized with your favorite photos.

View the entire collection of cards.

So much fun.

2011-10-20T13:43:00.011-04:00

Today, I became a card-carrying member of The Greater Boston Knitting Guild (GBKG) and attended my first meeting.

The guest speaker was Norah Gaughan and I couldn’t have been more excited to meet her.

My eye always goes right to her designs. They’re always so simple and elegant.

Norah gave a presentation on Berroco’s latest yarns and designs and she also handed out a booklet of all of her latest designs!

During ‘show and tell’ I actually got to show Norah my Gypsy Mesh Pullover that she had designed back when she was with JCA Reynolds for Interweave Knits magazine.

It was great to be in a room full of people that share my passion for the craft.

where are they now?

2011-09-22T17:18:00.002-04:00

C's heart blankie (she carries it around everywhere she goes, brought it with her to preschool every day for naptime--sadly now that she started kindergarten this year, she has to leave 'purple' blankie behind).

She knows the color is pink now, but originally, it was branded 'purple' blankie by her two-yr old self.

TODAY:

WHEN THEY FIRST FELL IN LOVE:

Knitting while recovering

2011-08-17T15:50:00.008-04:00

I had laparoscopic surgery on August 4th and have been trying to get some much-needed knitting finished and/or started while on my short-term leave!

I return to work on Monday so I will soon no longer have a lot of time to devote to my knitting; however, I feel I've accomplished quite a bit.

I've finished my tube socks (done in Patons Stretch Socks "Taffy"):

(and have one on the needles for gifts):

Today, beautiful Cascade 220 superwash yarn came in the mail (love when that happens :)) for C's 'back to school sweater.' I'm naming the sweater that to get myself motivated.

It's from the book Kids' Knitted Sweaters & More: "Northern Lights Sweater." Instead of the navy, I'm using Shire (green); instead of the red, I'm using Pumpkin Spice (brownish orange); in place of the lime green stripe, I'm using Tangerine; and in place of the orange stripe, I'm using Ruby. I'm hoping with C's coloring it turns out really nice.

Here's to continued productivity!

Baby Blue Blanket

2011-07-30T15:26:00.002-04:00

Finished today. Plymouth Jeannee: 51% cotton; 49% acrylic yarn.

Ready to be packed up and mailed to my husband's cousin in Seattle.

Summer Fun

2011-07-09T19:30:00.005-04:00

Made this delicious strawberry icebox cake.

We had it for dessert tonight. It rivals anything you'd get in a fancy hotel or restaurant--that's what my husband said :)

Tonight, I also found a monarch egg on one of the milkweed plants surrounding our vegetable garden, I was so excited! I've been hunting for a week:

This will be its new home until it's big enough to transfer into the cage with the larger screen holes:

I try to raise a monarch every summer. I used to as a kid and my own two enjoy this too--they're very excited right now!

I'm still knitting the baby blanket for my husband's cousin in Seattle--more to come on that later . . . .

Knitting in hot weather.

2011-05-31T13:02:00.013-04:00

It is hot hot hot here. Humid too. But it really doesn't affect me picking up the needles as I did yesterday.

I've started working on this Lattice Baby Blanket from Mac & Me.

I am thankful to Ravelry. I found out there that there is an error in Row 3 of the Lattice stitch. You really don't see it (and I suppose you could live with it) and I would have gone along knitting as it's written had I not posted this project to Ravelry last night and saw what others had posted on this pattern. Thank you fellow Ravelers!!

I'm using Plymouth Yarn's "Jeannee" and I love the cottony softness and the easy-care of this yarn.

Spring spiral scarf

2011-02-21T12:34:00.006-05:00

This scarf is a gift for a friend, but I just might make myself an identical one. I think I have enough leftover yarn. It's very spring-y. Light green, purple, pink and blue throughout the sparkle thread. With the variegation, you could wear this scarf with a number of colors.

I used one ball of Katia Gatsby in color 3806 (variegated pastel colors) and for the last two rows (last row and bind-off), I used Katia Gatsby Lux in color 88500 (all white sparkle).

Spiraling out of control!

2011-02-13T12:07:00.010-05:00

Right now, my knitting addiction is spiral and flouncy scarves. Can't stop knitting them!

This pattern was found on the internet. Simple pattern of:
Cast on 100 sts.
Knit next row.
K1 YO next row (200 sts)
Knit next row.
K1 YO next row (400 sts)
Continue in pattern until you have 1600 stitches.

I find you may want to use a light weight yarn for these scarves--they're lighter and fluffier that way.

I used Department 71 Sweetheart Sequins yarn in Grape Slush. 93 yards / 50 g per ball (you'll need two balls for scarf). 60% Acrylic/40% Polyester. Cute little heart sequins in the yarn but can be a pain to knit with as they catch on everything.

The intended recipient of THIS particular scarf is C. Here she is trying it on:

More spiraling to come.

Hit the "Super Bowl" sale last week at The Creative Stitch and got some Happy Feet yarn. Can never have too much sock yarn after all.

Berry Sparkle Scarf

2011-01-30T13:02:00.004-05:00

Pattern: Berry Sparkle Scarf Pattern Number L0417 from Lion Brand (Free Pattern).
Yarn: Vanna's Choice 100% acrylic (100 g {170 yards}): #148 Burgundy and #149 Silver Grey (1 ball ea.).
Vanna's Glamour 96% Acrylic, 4% Metallic Polyester (50 g {202 yards}): #189 Garnet and #150 Platinum (1 ball ea.).
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 10 straights.
Comments:
Beginner Knit. The pattern calls size 10.5 needles, but I used size 10. I changed the colorway: substituted Burgundy for Magenta; Silver Grey for Charcoal Grey; Garnet for Jewel; and Platinum for Moonstone. The pictures below don't really capture the sparkle that's in the scarf. I plan to use this as an accessory around my belted silver turtleneck I wear at Christmas. Finished the scarf last night.

Here are some more pictures of Baby V's blanket when it was still on the needles:

To me . . . .

2011-01-27T07:18:00.001-05:00

there is nothing like getting a box of yummy yarn on a snowy day!

V's blanket.

2011-01-10T16:41:00.023-05:00

Started this in August and finished last week.

An afghan to keep baby V warm this winter (my husband's cousin's new baby girl).

It's a pattern from a Leisure Arts pamphlet called "Lacy Baby Afghans." Pattern name is Diamond Pattern Afghan by Mary Ellen Yanich.

You might be amazed at how many of my knitting bags contain half-finished baby blankets that might have been meant for your new wee one, dear reader. It's nothing personal--my own son's blanket is in one of those bags lying around the house. That's right, he never got a blanket from his knitting-mom. My daughter on the other hand did. There is no rhyme or reason to it. Blankets are lovely, but boring to knit and if you get a blanket from this ADHD knitter, consider it a miracle.

Moving along to my current work-in-progress:
Lion Brand's Berry Sparkle Scarf. Mine is not very berry. I substituted with my own colors -- same brand yarn called for in pattern, just different colors. Not sure how I like my colorway, but I think once the next band of color is started, I'll have a better idea.

*MY DEEP THOUGHTS ON HOBBIES*

Do you have a hobby? If you do not, I encourage you to make it your resolution this year and find one.

Find something that allows you to create, develop, or use your imagination (or all three!). Whether it be photography, woodworking, gardening, reading, bird-watching or small engine repair, a hobby allows you to get passionate and focus on something other than the every-day mundane.

I know a woman who no longer works. She doesn't read, doesn't cook, doesn't sew, doesn't garden. No hobbies. So my question is this, what on earth does she do?
I myself grew up in a household where you were encouraged to find something to do (other than sit and watch tv). Both of my parents garden and cook. My mom crochets. My dad tinkers with engines and woodworks. I cannot imagine life where there was nothing to do but meddle in other's affairs or always going out to eat because you can't cook. The horrors!

I am also a better mom because I have interests outside of the home.

I work in the city and found three amazing women who I will be knitting with on Wednesdays in a conference room. You never know who you will find that shares your interest.

To quote Bethenny Frankel from "The Real Housewives of New York City," "GET A HOBBY!" You will be a more interesting, well-rounded individual for it.

Easter Bunnies

2010-04-14T19:35:00.005-04:00

These are Lion Brand's Bouncy Bunny Sock Critter pattern--free pattern! Well, free with a membership to their site. I knitted with scrap worsted weight yarn I had lying around the house.

They were very fun to knit and added real cuteness to the kids' Easter baskets! Only issue I had with the pattern was it never said when to change colors--so I took the liberty to make the sweaters appear long-sleeved.

Owl Vest!

2010-03-07T14:30:00.003-05:00

C's Owl vest is completed. It fits her perfectly. She wants to wear it to school tomorrow which is a good sign she really likes it.

I made size 6 even though she's turning only 4 the end of this month. I did use smaller needles than called for--sizes 10 and size 6.

I'm now making Lion Brand's free pattern "Bouncy Bunny Sock Critter" for both B & C for their Easter baskets--its' ADORABLE.

An unexpectedly crafty weekend.

2010-02-21T13:45:00.008-05:00

Sitting around early Saturday morning thinking of what to do. . . . I suggest going somewhere 'exciting.' "Saftler's!" My son was like, "That's not an exciting place Mommy!" We had seen the clip on Nick Jr. of the mom cheerfully making "Moose and Zee" pillows and I had that in the back of my mind before we trekked to the yarn store. Exciting for mommy anyway.

Any of you moms and dads with young kids reading this will appreciate the lovable Nick Jr. characters Moose and Zee!

The kids started acting bored in the yarn store (who can blame them honestly), so I took my son to the felt section and asked him if he wanted to make Moose and Zee. He lit up "YA!!" he exclaimed.

So I purchased enough felt for two Moose and two Zees. I found the perfect colors--everything fell into place. I had fabric glue and poly-fill already at home. Off we went, back home to whip them up just like the mom on Nick Jr. did.

Until, that is, a footnote in the pattern (Nick Jr.) confirmed my original thought that they should really be sewed together, not glued.

So I dragged the old Singer downstairs. Let's just say after an afternoon of trying to thread it with hubby (even he, who never gets frustrated was getting frustrated) and eventually discovering that the tension knob was broken; telling the kids to "Get away!" "Stop stepping on the templates!" My hands sore from cutting felt all day.

We looked nothing like the cheerful scene on Nick Jr.

At the point of no return, we made a desperate call to my mother and father-in-law (my mother-in-law is quite the sewer), we took the hour drive to their house (mind you, it was already 6 pm at this point), with the Singer in the back of the car and the moose and zee pillows in tow. After a delicious spaghetti dinner, my mother-in-law expertly sewed the pillows together perfectly!

The kids were placed into their beds already asleep when we arrived home and I glued the felt face pieces onto the pillows (they're still drying):

The kids love them and a BIG SHOUT OUT TO BOB & DIANE--THANK YOU!!!!

I'm also working on C's owl vest. I got the eyes (in violet) in the mail yesterday from Glass Eyes Online and boy did they get shipped quickly! I'll be using these folks again.

B's Scarf!

2010-02-01T21:29:00.004-05:00

It's finished--yay! B is enjoying wearing it to kindergarten and in this cold, cold weather we've been having.

I wove a ton of ends in on this one and then sealed the knot with some fabric glue. The scarf curls in on itself as it's mainly stockinette--but I kind of like that effect as it doesn't show the 'wrong' side of the knitting.

Yarn is acrylic, Vanna's Choice in black, mustard, terracotta, chocolate, and colonial blue. I repeated these five colors eight times.
Ten rows of each color with size 8 bamboo straights.

I'm now knitting the same patterned scarf with Herrschners Worsted yarn (acrylic). I want to knit two of these but C's will have to wait (I'm knitting MINE first!). I'm modeling this after a Gymboree scarf I saw but it matches my ice pink winter jacket!

New Year, New Projects, Christmas Vacation, etc.

2009-12-31T16:56:00.008-05:00

Late this Fall, I treated myself to this book by cookie a:

I first heard of her at The Creative Stitch in Hingham. One of the nice women who work there was telling me to get on ravelry and to download cookie a's patterns for socks (after telling her I love to knit socks).

So, I also became a member of Ravelry. I'm a newby so I'm not that great at updating my projects, but this site is awesome, I can see that!

COOKIES!
**(Yes, I had my two cookie swaps to go to this year)**

Baker's Soft & Chewy Chocolate Drops

4 squares BAKER'S Unsweetened Chocolate
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ½ cups flour

Glaze
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (Do not thaw.)
6 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

COOKIES:
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Microwave unsweetened chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add sugar; mix well. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour; mix well. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

SHAPE dough into 1-inch balls; place, 2 inches apart, on lightly greased baking sheets.

BAKE 8 min. or just until set. (Do not overbake.) Let stand on baking sheet 1 min.; transfer to wire racks. Cool completely.

GLAZE:
PLACE frozen whipped topping and semi-sweet chocolate in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 ½ min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is shiny and smooth, stirring after 1 min. Let stand 15 min. to thicken. Spread over cookies. Let stand until glaze is set.

Christmas
I hosted Christmas dinner this year and we had a roast, salad, creamy au gratin potatoes, and squash (from our garden) for dinner. It was delicious! I also made a pumpkin pie and fudge for dessert along with my mother-in-law's awesome raspberry linzer cookies, among other treats!

I'm home with the kids this past week for Christmas vacation. It's been hectic, fun, stressful, everything. We saw "The Princess and the Frog," shopped at the South Shore Plaza, stayed in and played with Christmas toys because it was zero degrees outside, and today made these Wilton Gingerbread Pops (marked down at Michael's). Talk about a royal disaster. What a mess--I need to lighten up about it, but talk about microscopic candy beads everywhere when your six year old decides to dump the bag upside down!!!!

the pictures don't tell the whole story:

NEW PROJECTS:
B requested a scarf. He is in kindergarten now and just turned six-years old. So FULL OF ENERGY, it's crazy. He picked the colors and I did this sketch with his help:

We also shopped for the colors today at Michael's, laid them out to the sketches and I am going with the first order (black next to yellow). So it will go:
Black, yellow, orange, brown, blue, ending with black:

I can't wait to get knitting this TONIGHT!! Nothing makes me more happier than being INSIDE on a cold New Year's Eve night with my loved ones, knitting under a blanket.

***I also bought lavender yarn for C's Vintage Owl vest, stay tuned.***

NEWS!
Oh yeah! I wrote a letter to Creative Knitting Magazine and it got published in the January 2010 Issue! It's on newstands now, CHECK IT OUT! :) :) :) I'm excited about it anyway.

Lily's afghan . . . . shhhhh!!!!

2009-12-31T10:52:00.014-05:00

Pattern: Baby Sampler Afghan handout from a knitting class.
Finished Size: Nine 7" squares. throw-size or cradle size.
Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable; (128 g {268 yards}): #01008 Aran, about 5 balls.
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 8 straights.
Comments:
I started knitting this afghan in August for my cousin who is expecting a baby girl in December. Well, Lily was born Sunday night, December 27th and I finished this today! The afghan was going amazingly quickly in the beginning. Square after square after square. Then there were problems discovered in each square's pattern (this was from a handout from a knitting class I took a while ago at Saftler's. I think whoever wrote the pattern was drinking at the time--seriously. The two cable squares are substitutes of my own as well as the hearts in the middle. The smocking square is something I found online as the smocking pattern that was given was indiscernable. It became very frustrating very quickly.

I also ditched the leaf and garter border with a simple picked up garter edging. It puckers the afghan slightly but it evens it out better and LESS FINISHING!!!!

some leaf and garters knitted then ditched:

my substituted squares:

hearts:

mock cables:

cables and checks:

smocking:

Squares from pattern handout that actually worked but still had mistakes in them!

YO pattern, flower buds:

Blackberries:

Checkerboard or basketweave:

Increase, decrease ribs bordered with 4 garter stitches on ea. side:

YO "flower" pattern, Tulip lace:

I do think that the baby is going to enjoy running her fingers through the different textures in this afghan!

A Fall afghan (if I get to knit it this Fall that is . . . .)

2009-10-01T16:13:00.002-04:00

On this crisp Fall day--a package!!!

It's the "Wheat Sheaves Sampler" afghan from Herrschners.

Twisting and turning . . . .

2009-08-05T11:00:00.003-04:00

One spiral tube sock down, a hundred more to go! These are quick and easy--well maybe not so quick. There's no heel flap to create or heel to turn for that matter and no foot gusset to create--so they're easy that way. It's a pattern I got from Mary Maxxim using Patons Stretch Socks --I got colors in Taffy, Sugar and Plum--yum!

Another Ollie

2009-04-29T14:57:00.002-04:00

I made a second Ollie for my nephew just in time for his 4th birthday party a couple of weeks ago.

Happy 4th Birthday!

I'm working on socks now in Patons Stretch Socks for gifts--never to early to start. . . . .

Ollie the octopus and City Mouse

2009-03-27T17:21:00.006-04:00

These were a blast to knit (especially Ollie as he was done completely in the round with minimal finishing). B got Ollie and C got the mouse. The patters are on Lion Brand.

Ollie uses almost one whole skein of Vanna's Choice Baby yarn in Goldfish. City Mouse uses a little Goldfish for the ears and Vanna's Choice in Taupe.

I'm also forcing some forsythia and decorated it with Easter ornaments:

Quick Cowled Tunic

2009-03-04T19:31:00.006-05:00

Pattern: Quick Cowled Tunic designed by Jill Gutman Schoenfuss/"January 2009 Creative Knitting."
Finished Size: 47½" (chest); 24" (length). Tunic is meant to be oversized; size Small.
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted Colorspun 75% acrylic 25% wool; (100 g {200 yards}): #7990 Drifting, about 5 balls.
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 8 24" circular, US 8 straights for cowl.
Comments:
Beginner Knit. It fits wonderfully and it's so warm. On the cold days we've been having this Winter, it's perfect! I love the color too. The pattern calls for Caron yarn, but I liked using the Encore instead.

And Haste Makes Waste. I originally sewed the cowl on backwards, had to pull it out, and do it over--hence my disdain for finishing work. I also did the shoulder seams over as I didn't have my finishing book handy originally. I have no patience for finishing . . . .

More pics:

And the start to Ollie (stay tuned)!

on the needles. . . .

2009-02-12T16:55:00.004-05:00

I'm knitting myself the Quick Cowled Tunic from Creative Knitting/January 2009 magazine. I'm not finding anything real quick about it. It's very easy and straightforward, but since it's knitted in worsted weight yarn, it doesn't go as fast as a bulkier knit. The monotony of it could be part of it too.

I have one side done, now just working on the other side, then the cowl, then of course my favorite part--finishing it together, yuck.

I do like the colorway--Drifting by Plymouth Encore Worsted--and hope to wear this for the remainder of the winter. Stay tuned!

I got a package the other day from Mary Maxim: sock yarn from Patons in Sugar, Taffy and Plum--yum! I have a stretch tube sock pattern that I hope to make for Christmas gifts--can't get started too soon--especially at the amount and time I have to knit lately:

my package:

Greetings in the New Year.

2009-01-02T09:09:00.016-05:00

Tree on Boston Common
I hope everyone had a happy holiday season, I know I did. I have been off from work from Christmas until today. I'm fortunate in that I usually am able to take this time each year--do some reflecting and getting ready for the New Year ahead. I feel like I'm back in school! Back to work on Monday . . .

Here's what I've been up to since my last post and most of the reason I haven't been on here in quite some time:

We went to Disney World in Orlando, FL for our vacation this year. First plane trip for the kids. All went okay although C had a few meltdowns during the trip (we pushed it with late nights and no naps) and on the plane ride--thankfully it's a plane full of kids. If we go again, it won't be until 2010.

We had B's 5th birthday party at our house the week after we got home (can't believe he's 5 and will be attending kindergarten next Fall)--I've only done birthday parties at the house so far--haven't gotten sucked into the bowling alley/arcade stuff . . . yet. I made him a pirate cake because, well, Pirates of the Carribbean was hands-down the favorite ride while we were in Disney!!

I found the pirate figurines at Michael's and found a quick idea online--used Nilla wafers for sand and hid a Nestle's Treasure in the cake under the 'x.' B got that piece. I made a two-layer--one chocolate and one vanilla 9" x 13."

Next, "Cookie Swap" season started. My next-door neighbor has one and then my aunt has one the following week--every year. It's loads of fun and I love trying all the cookies--although I did eat so many this year that I felt awful for most of December :)

I made spiced snowcaps (from Woman's Day November 11, 2008 issue):
makes 48
Active: 35 min; total 2 hr.
(includes chilling dough)

1½ sticks (¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 Tbsp chai spice blend or pumpkin pie spice (I used Trader Joe's pumpkin pie spice)
1 tsp each baking powder and baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1/3 cup molasses
1 large egg
1½ tsp vanilla extract
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
Nonpareil-covered chocolate candies

1. Beat butter, brown sugar, chai spice, baking powder and soda, and salt in large bowl with mixer on medium speed until well blended and paler in color. Beat in molasses, egg and vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually beat in flour just until blended. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to handle.

2. Heat oven to 350°F. You'll need a baking sheet(s).

3. Place granulated sugar in a small bowl. Roll rounded teaspoons of dough into balls; roll in sugar to coat. Place 1½ in. apart on ungreased baking sheet(s). Bake 12 minutes or until tops crack but cookies are still soft to the touch.

4. Place baking sheet on a wire rack. Immediately press a nonpareil candy in center of each cookie. Transfer cookies to rack to cool completely.

We celebrate Christmas and it was fun this year. B & C are at the age when it's most fun and believable: 5 and 2.9 yrs. We made dinner at our house and my parents and brother came over (turkey with squash, stuffing, turnip potatoes--like Thanksgiving). One of my sisters, my brother-in-law, and my in-law's came by for dessert (my fudge, pumpkin and cherry pies, wine . . .)

if you're wondering, I didn't make B's sweater vest

While it was enjoyable, I'm itching to take the decorations down--most likely next weekend.

This New Year's Eve was a snowy one here.

Being off from work, I kept the kids home from school and we made the spiced snowcaps (my 3rd friggin' time in one month). I think they had the most fun cracking the egg and C really got into rolling the dough--ya, it was all over her pants, floor, everything, but it kept her occupied. The kids are cooking in school this week so I thought it was appropriate on a day they didn't attend to keep up with the cooking! B is wearing his chef's hat that he made earlier in the week at school:

I love snow days!

And, I finished B's sweater. It's autumn stripes without stripes! from Kids' Knitted Sweaters & More. I made size 4 but lengthed the body. I used Plymouth Encore Bulky in denim with size 10 bamboos:

HAPPY, AND HEALTHY 2009!

sophia's ridged cardigan

2008-10-08T12:43:00.004-04:00

Pattern: sophia's ridged cardigan designed by Bernice Vollick/Kids' Knitted Sweaters & More by Cabin Fever Designers
Finished Size: 26" (chest); 13" (length); size 2 years.
Yarn: Cleckheaton Country 8 Ply (DK Light Worsted Weight) 100% pure new wool; (50 g {106 yards}): #1962 sage green, about 6 balls.
Ten ½" buttons.
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 6 24" circular, US 6 set of dpns
Comments:
Beginner Knit. I loved knitting this. I especially enjoyed choosing the buttons. I loved the Cleckheaton yarn--I would like to make a sweater for myself using this yarn.

I love these silver rose buttons:

C loves her new cardi:

I have B's sweater almost completed--just the sleeves to go:

Apple-y Knitting Goodness

2008-09-30T11:57:00.003-04:00

We all went apple-picking and had a long, fun day. The weather was gorgeous and the apples were plentiful!

and who can resist a caramel apple?

or apple pie? I made two!

I have a sweater for B on the needles:

and C's cardigan is awaiting the perfect buttons!

Baking, etc.

2008-07-18T11:21:00.004-04:00

Yes, I've been baking in this extreme heat we've had these last couple of weeks here. Don't know why I get the urge to bake in the heat, but I love to bake and I guess the heat just doesn't stop me.

I made oatmeal raisin cookies

and the 'grab 'n go crunchy granola bars' from The Sneaky Chef book for the kids (they love 'em)

and would it be summer without my brown sugar zucchini bread? It's been breakfast for me--I'm the only one in the house that'll eat it. Go figure.

and a blueberry upside-down cake!

I finished 'fixing' B's twisted cables pullover sweater. I pulled out what I did on the collar to fix it originally because it just didn't fit over his head--too tight (after being too loose). I picked up 88 original cast-on stitches and did 2x2 rib, then decreased after about a ½ inch to 84 stitches went up another ½ inch and bound off in rib. It fits better now and hopefully this collar doesn't stretch beyond oblivion. I also added about three inches to the length of the sweater--he might be able to wear this for a while now!

I also found a monarch egg--caterpillar hatched this week!

And isn't this cute? I had to include it in my blog post. It's a honey bear bottle filled with Dial soap on our bathroom sink. I got the idea in a magazine--Good Housekeeping/Woman's Day/Parenting? Funny thing is that they mentioned where you could purchase the plastic bear containers--I just used an empty honey bottle from making those granola bars! I think it's cute, especially having young kids in the house.

To the dog-days of summer!

Back on the Needles

2008-07-08T19:21:00.003-04:00

B's twisted cables pullover that is. Being an active 4-year old, he managed to stretch the stretchable cotton so that the neck was out of shape and falling off of his shoulders. The length was getting too short as well. Growing boy!

Being a top down, I pulled out (frogged: rip-it! rip-it!) the bottom hem and put it back on the circs to add another few inches or so in length. For the stretched out neck I picked up about 80 stitches (originally it was a cast-on of 88) and knit one row and bound off. Now, I can barely get it over his head--oh well. It'll work for the Fall and then C can wear it in about a year.

bottom hem put pulled out and put back on circ's

the neck

It's just that I get so frustrated when things don't turn out the way they're supposed to!

Almost there!

2008-06-30T19:41:00.004-04:00

C's 'Sophia's Ridged Cardigan' is not nearly as close to being finished as I'd hoped it would be by now. The super hot humid weather we've been having is not knit-friendly!

I think I found the buttons I want for it. I always do this--I think of things in my head and then try to find them. I was thinking Beatrix Potter--my local button shop has them too! But I need ½" and they only come in 5/8" or ¾" So now I'm thinking Tea Party theme . . . I'll find something.

Well, they're saying it's going to be a steamer this 4th weekend here so I don't have any hopes that this will be finished soon. Maybe end of July at this rate?

Sweet 17

2008-06-20T18:14:00.002-04:00

One of the pictures I got at yesterday's rolling rally in Boston. Right in Copley Square where I work:

Yay Celtics!!

cardigan yoke

2008-06-06T18:15:00.004-04:00

I've just about finished the yoke to C's cardigan. I love the beautiful sage color of this wool!

have a great weekend!

all in a weekend

2008-05-27T18:02:00.004-04:00

We visited Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack on Saturday and took a swan boat ride in Boston's Public Garden:

Afterward, we walked to Quincy Marketplace and ate at Durgin Park Restaurant.

We did a lot of walking, C had the stroller, but poor B was a trooper--they both were--C went without a nap and did great. We had a fun day.

I took quite a few pics of my newly finished socks (I finished them last night). Done on size 1 needles, it's simply Lion Brand's Basic Sock pattern. They're done using ONLine Supersocke yarn.

Now, I plan to start making C's cardigan from the book, Kids' Knitted Sweaters & More (sophia's ridged cardigan):

New Life. The marigold and zinnia seeds I've started have taken off in their little pots in the house, from this:

to this:

and the sunflowers have sprouted from the ground outside--so exciting!

Catching Spring and Knitting Fever.

2008-05-22T17:56:00.003-04:00

Last weekend armed with some Mother's Day money--myself, my husband, and the kids drove to The Creative Stitch in Hingham, MA. AND they were having a sale! My husband even brought up going because I've had my nose in the knitting books again--well, you don't have to ask me twice!

My husband (who works with someone who knows he has a wife who knits and recommended the place) eventually ended up taking the kids outside for a little walk because I got 'lost' in the yarn-buying. Initially I wanted to get yarn for sweaters for B--I even brought my notes with everything written down of yardage/weights/colors needed--but ended up getting sock yarn instead:

Plymouth Yarn's Happy Feet:

isn't this a gorgeous colorway for Fall socks?

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Tickled Pink (I love pink):

Classic Elite's Alpaca Sox--sooo soft!!!!!

I cannot tell you how nice the salespeople are in this shop. We talked sock-knitting and one very helpful saleswoman in particular showed me the socks she was wearing that she had knitted and also retrieved the ones she was working on from out back (I could have stayed there all day talking socks but I kept guiltily thinking of my husband and kids outside probably wondering what the H*** I was doing in there!). I even walked away with two links to two free online sock patterns that I've since downloaded. They said to come on in anytime if I ever needed help knitting something--I'll definitely be back.

The existing socks on the needles are coming along given my new knitting energy:

The same day, after lunch, we even stopped at Saftler's in Whitman, MA. A place I've taken a few knitting classes and owe my sock-making know-how to. I found a true stand-by yarn, Plymouth Encore Bulky, to make a top-down sweater for B in.

Still suffering from 2nd sock syndrome

2008-05-09T10:49:00.007-04:00

It's been a while! Three months and I haven't picked up the needles in that entire time. I'm itching to pick them up again soon though--I'm just not excited about the socks for some reason.

Have you seen these books? I want them:

Traditional Fair Isle Knitting by Sheila McGregor has just what I want in fair isle patterns--I want to make myself a winter hat for next winter with hearts all around in pinks and mauves--I'm imagining it, I just need to get it on my needles.

Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel was kind of a surprise--I didn't think I'd like it from what I read about it, but I picked it up in the bookstore to browse and most of the beautiful patterns are simple and done in the round (which I love).

Maybe in June when we have our "Healthy Returns" come in work, I'll get my gift certificate for the bookstore and get at least one of these for free. . . .

I need to finish the socks though, otherwise I never will. It's raining today, maybe I'll give it a go. After those are done I really want to accomplish a couple of sweaters for C with the yarn I got a few months back at Knitting Pointers in Milford, MA; then of course my hat . . . . here we go again.

The kids gave me some really sweet Mother's Day gifts today that they made in school:

From B, a hand signing "I love you"

From C, a card with her little handprint and sweet smiling face:

Second Sock Syndrome?

2008-02-19T18:34:00.007-05:00

I'm determined not to 'catch' it. I finished the sock I started back in November (I think it was Nov.) and I plan to cast on for the second one this week. This pair is for me and this one fits me perfect. I'm using the Online sock yarn--this is not my favorite colorway, but it's almost so ugly that they're cool! I mean, brown, yellow, blue, red, green and black altogether?!

I went to Knitting Pointers in Milford, MA a month ago and picked up yarn for two tops for C. Cleckheaton Country 8 Ply in a light sage green for a cardigan and Tahki Cotton Classic in a light yellow for a tunic. The colors remind me of Spring!

twisted cables pullover

2008-02-04T19:47:00.000-05:00

Pattern: twisted cables pullover designed by Mary K. Hobbs/Kids' Knitted Sweaters & More by Cabin Fever Designers
Finished Size: 24" (chest); 15" (length); 10" (sleeve length); size 4 years.
Yarn: Butterfly Super 10 (DK Light Worsted Weight) mercerized cotton; (230 meters/125 g {220 yards}): #3995 persian, about 2¼ hanks
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 8 (5.0 cm) 16" circular, US 6 (4.0 cm) 16" circular, US 6 24" circular, US 6 set of dpns
Comments: An intermediate knit--a nice challenge but not too challenging. I think my son will be able to wear this sweater the remainder of this Winter and during our cool Spring days into next Fall since the yolk 'stretches' due to the cable ribbing. I love this knit in the mercerized cotton--it has a beautiful sheen! Unisex in style and color so my daughter can wear it once my son grows out of it. Knit from the top down, with no sewing--love it!

From a recent Martha Stewart Living magazine (I think the December 2007 or January 2008 issue, in the "Good Things" section), someone gave me a page torn from it with a how-to on 'tangle tamers' for yarn. Basically, you take a cookie tin (or some other tin you have lying around that works best), prime and apply a coat of oil-based enamel paint in any hue to the outside of the tin and lid, let dry overnight, get a grommet kit from your local hardware store, and presto! No more knotty yarn.

Knit Therapy

2008-01-15T19:16:00.000-05:00

My holiday season was stressful. Not in the ordinary/last-minute-shopping/frantic-meal-preparation/insane-decorating kind of way. That I wouldn't have minded. In fact I was ready for that kind of stress. I was looking forward to B's 5th Christmas at 4 years old--the Christmas where they are so believing in all of it.

Now, don't get me wrong, Christmas turned out to be very fun but I just wish I didn't have a breast biopsy looming in the background to worry about. Right after Thanksgiving I was called back due to 'calcifications' in my left breast after a baseline mammogram.

Got good news on Dec. 26th that it is all negative/benign. Thank goodness, but coming down off that kind of worry is not as easy as it appears to sound. That's where the knitting comes in! It's definitely a stress-reliever but it was the last thing I wanted to do for most of the month of December.

I also obviously have not been on here to blog. I keep writing that I'll be on here more often and then there's always something to stop me--dag it all! I have read no blogs either--not in the mood--I'm slowly getting there.

Here's B's sweater progress (I had a whirlwind of knitting enthusiasm recently especially during yesterday's snowstorm):

I plan to finish it by the end of this month!

Festive Occasion Jumper

2007-12-16T12:22:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Festive Occasion Jumper/November 2006 Creative Knitting
Finished Size: 23" (chest); 19½" (length); 18 months size.
Yarn: Plymouth Jelli Beenz (75% Acrylic 25% Wool; 107 yd/50g): #1386 red, 5 skeins
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 6 & 8 circular
Changes: Instead of crocheting around neck and armholes to create a picot edge, I did an i-cord edge on the neckline and chained along the armholes.
Comments: Very simple knit and it's comfortable for a young child to wear. I also like that the pattern goes all the way up to size 6 yrs.

C loved modeling it!

Snow Day

2007-12-13T14:58:00.001-05:00

I took a snow day today. The weather is intense outside. Up to a foot of snow expected in the Boston area today--all happening into the evening commute. No thank you. It's pretty to watch from inside a warm house

making gingerbread cookies!

I just ate one with a cup of tea--heaven.

I also made about 4 lbs of fudge:

I love this sweater!

2007-12-09T19:26:00.000-05:00

B's twisted cables pullover from Kids' Knitted Sweaters & More is a challenge but yet still not difficult to knit--it's rated intermediate and that's about the skill level I like. The cotton is beautiful to work with and I love the color. The twisted cable yoke has proven to be a bit of a pain, I've tinked back a few times where the increases have gone wrong when I've gotten interrupted or daydreamed--I'm looking forward to the yoke being finished so I don't have to concentrate so much! The 'make one' knitwise and the 'make one' purlwise's are getting old.

I've put the sock aside for now--just need to finish the foot and toe, oh and then do a whole other one. . . .

I still need to get that ribbon for C's dress/jumper!

a quick in-between post!

2007-11-13T22:48:00.000-05:00

In-between knitting B's sweater (I need to purchase sizes 6 & 8 16" needles before I can begin) and C in her new dress/jumper:

A picture of her jumper (before I've woven a ribbon in the bottom of it):

B will not have his sweater before I take the Christmas picture and may not have it in time for Christmas at all--busy times . . . -- but he'll have it soon enough to wear this winter.

I've started socks for myself with Online sock yarn--the colors are very different but I like them for some funky weekend socks:

I also purchased a Canon Powershot SD1000 Digital Elph camera--hoping these and following blog pics are somewhat improved!

some progress!

2007-11-08T08:42:00.000-05:00

The back and front are knitted up to C's Christmas dress. The bottom picot hem is done and the edging along the armholes and neck is also done. I have to get a 7/8" ribbon to weave through the bottom yarn-over holes and I also need to tie in some loose yarn ends. Oh, and there's the minor detail that I did the edging to the neck and armholes in a simple chain crochet instead of the picot crochet that the pattern calls for. Not realizing how 'unforgiving' the chain stitch is, the neck and armholes are super-tight . . . so I have the neck hole of the dress stretched over my video camera bag (with the video camera in it) - about the size of C's head. I'm going to leave it stretched this way for another 24 hrs. at least, hoping this helps. Otherwise, I'll have to pull out this edging and try something else. Not being a crocheter at all, I can't figure out the picot thing to save my life. I think it's really simple looking in the "Crocheting for Dummies" book, but to do it for an edging has me confused and the pattern doesn't help hence the reason I consulted the "Dummies" book in the first place. Being in a rush doesn't help either.

C's walking across her dress last night while I'm trying to take a picture of it (this is before hemming and armhole and neck edging done):

my camera takes horrible-quality indoor shots--and sometimes outdoor ones too. I apologize for this. Hoping to get a better camera within the next year.

Yesterday, B's yarn came in the mail from the wonderful Showers of Flowers Yarn Shop. I ordered five hanks or approximately 1200 yards. I only need 600-something yards to finish his sweater so I have two hanks too many. In my haste (and the fact that I think B's pattern is an Australian one), I saw that for his size 4 sweater I'd need 5 balls so I ordered 5 hanks. Later I thought--no wonder the price was so out of whack! But it was too late. BUT, the yarn won't go to waste. It's the beautious S.R. Kertzer Butterfly Super 10 mercerized cotton. I'm familiar with this yarn as I used it before on B's "precious jewel cardi" back when he was only about six months old--awwwwww!!!!

B's Christmas-sweater yarn in the color "Persian." I love this color! I was going to get it in "Crimson" but I'm so glad I decided on the Persian color--lovely.

In other "progress," we got a Schwinn recumbent bike! I am in love with this bike. We had a 30+ yr.-old upright that we borrowed from my parent's that had a huge, uncomfortable seat--we finally burned a hole in the front tire from overuse (between the two of us we put about 1,400 miles on the thing!). We got over a year's worth of use out of it, but the poor thing definitely needed to be put out to pasture so to speak.

new bike!!!!

I'm still getting used to the recumbent position vs. the upright, but I really love this bike--it counts calories, records your heart rate, etc. It plugs into the wall, so no need for batteries, has a space for your water bottle and even something to read! AND . . . it's QUIET.

**next post** C in her dress in (hopefully) some natural light (scarce as it is this time of year) and some progress on B's sweater.

stay warm.

Being a fan . . . .

2007-10-30T13:21:00.000-04:00

in Boston is taking up knitting and sleeping time!!

I went to the "rolling rally" in Boston today and cheered for the Red Sox as their parade traveled down Boylston Street. It was just steps outside the building I work in.

C's Christmas dress has not progressed. B's Christmas sweater awaits . . . my, how the holiday-knitting always turn into a crunch.

Fall is a favorite time of year.

2007-10-06T19:51:00.000-04:00

I love the Fall. Pumpkins, apples, my birthday, Halloween, B's birthday, Thanksgiving . . . . getting ready for Christmas . . . .

It's been a month since my last post here. Not that I had nothing to blog about here--that's definitely not it. Just that life got in the way. In a good way.

Work has been crazy-busy. It looks like Tuesday will be my work-at-home (WAH) day. I've had the laptop for months now, have had the VPN access for a while too and I could WAH now, but it's my decision to wait until the first of the year. I want to have 'face' time right now & learn the job more.

The corp. job tends to get in the way of my more important job . . .

FAMILY.

we apple-picked in Bolton, MA:

and just today I peeled, chopped, measured, sifted, and stirred and ended up with:

apple crisp:

apple pie:

and I'm making a 'butternut squash and apple soup.' In case you're wondering when I do this: C's NAP-TIME & B is usually outside working with dad in the yard.

and the KNITTING!

C's dress:

C's dress should be finished by now--I'm disgusted with myself that it's not . . .

as well as . . .

the heart baby blanket
(I decided it may be going to my cousin and not a co-worker--co-worker's tend not to appreciate handmade gifts--at least some--and well, I can't deal with that, and so I won't)

But as you can see, it's coming along and the knitting is still here and I'm still plugging along . . . . somehow.

I will be re-visiting blogland soon, I have missed u all!

Gypsy Mesh Pullover

2007-09-04T08:11:00.000-04:00

Pattern: Gypsy Mesh Pullover/Spring 2004 Interweave Knits
Finished Size: 38" (96.5 cm)
Yarn: Reynolds Gypsy (100% Cotton; 82 yd/50g): #423 gold, I used 10 skeins as pattern called for
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 8 (5mm) circular
Changes: One minor one. I bound off the neck edging knitwise instead of purlwise--I liked this bind off look better.
Comments: I came across knots in the middle of at least two skeins--very annoying--especially what I paid for the yarn.
I like this particular style completed in the cotton fiber, and overall I'm pleased with the quality of the yarn--nice drape and it makes for a sturdy garment. The color is another thing that attracted me to knit this pattern up in the first place so I'm pleased with the gold--it goes with a lot.
I will wear this a lot--especially Fall and Spring. I love it. I've already worn this twice this weekend! I wore it to my cousin's wedding with a skirt and it was great with jeans on another day as well!

my fingers need to fly!

2007-08-30T08:32:00.000-04:00

We're having a co-worker's baby shower Sep 12th and I want to have this blankie finished by then. I'm knitting it in TLC Cotton Plus.

progress so far (I've got a lot of knitting to do!):

can you see the stockinette hearts within the reverse-stockinette background? It's reversible too so that on the other side, the hearts are reverse-stockinette within a stockinette stitch background. The last time I made this pattern was for my nephew in 2003--the knitting and purling make it a fluffy afghan, with a simple yet delicate baby pattern. I love it in the cotton yarn.

I'm coming along with Gypsy--side seams are sewn up--all that's left is to sew the sleeve seams. Have I mentioned before that I hate finishing?

You say tomato?

2007-08-24T14:41:00.001-04:00

Yield thus far:

zucchini: 10 or so. Three breads made. Maybe a fourth.

bell peppers: 5 or 6

butternut squash: 4 picked; one small runt growing/ripening on vine. Not as big of a crop as last year's 20+ or so. Hoping to save two to have for Thanksgiving.

cucumbers: 5 or 6--again, not as big of a crop as prior year.

pumpkins: 2--one real big one and one real little one. Both still ripening on the vine.

tomatoes: approx. 75 and counting!!!

But what's really funny is that two different neighbors of ours have left us vegetables on our doorstep from their own gardens reciprocating what we did last year (they probably think that because they didn't get any from us this year that we didn't have a garden of our own--but it is only because I haven't had the time to bag them up and walk over with them--good thing I suppose!).

After inundating co-workers with some--lugging bags of tomatoes in on the subway--I look like I just came from Haymarket Sq.--I may put some in a food processor and freeze for sauce, to make with lots of paste. Who has the time for canning? I did this last year and it's wonderful.

garden loot from last week:

tomatoes picked just last night--I counted 40:

pizza I made last night for dinner on a whole-wheat crust using tomatoes from our garden:

**knitting progress?**
second sleeve is almost finished--¾ done--and then the seaming will commence on the beautiful Gypsy Mesh. I hope to have the finished pics up and posted the first week of September.

Happy Friday,

Burning up.

2007-08-17T10:43:00.000-04:00

Not much knitting going on but plenty of burning--

dvd's that is.

After learning way more than I should about the dvd format wars, with weary, tired eyes, I write you this.

Why can't pimply-faced teens that work in electronic stores understand the economic landscape some people face (of course they don't). Yes, my dvd player is four years old; yes, my hard-drive video recorder is one year old; yes, my computer is three years old. Am I supposed to upgrade this equipment every six months?! I want to scream at them; I want to pound my fists on the service counter "Do you not understand that I have two kids, work full-time (which makes even finding time to sit down to burn dvd's a miraculous event), have childcare to pay for blah blah blah????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

But I don't (because that would be pointless). Instead, behind my annoyance I smile politely, nod my head and leave the store with yet another piece of hardware or software purchased either needlessly or way beyond my budget or way beyond my technological-self or all of the above. I also leave knowing that my purchases have become dinosaurs the second I've left the parking lot.

After explaining this 'format war' to confused store clerks, I realize that maybe I know more than the average-joe about this (even if it's needlessly because, after all, I'm the only one that owns a four-year-old dvd player)--I mean if I purchased my dvd player 2 mos after I did--this whole thing wouldn't even affect me -- equipment today recognizes both formats (NOTE: CHECK THAT IT DOES IF YOU LEARN ANYTHING FROM ME HERE TODAY). Turns out my player only plays DVD-R; my computer only burns to DVD+R . . . . get what I mean?

My husband comes home the other night to find me on the floor with the computer's cpu unscrewed, panels on the floor, wires everywhere. After ruining my manicure, I've installed a new drive (that writes to both formats).

I got to bed by 1 a.m. the last couple of nights after burning, playing, and going through multiple panic attacks when the only footage I have of my babies churns away on my hard drive--all 800 gazillion gigabytes worth. I know these humongous mpeg files cannot remain on my hard drive--this creates a sickening urgency to the project.

Well, video is on dvd's--cheap ones--Staples brand--and they play in my &*!@ player. And because some of the playback skips (completely crushing the high I was on after successfully installing hardware into my computer and being able to tech-speak on DVD formats), I'm going to re-burn to a nicer brand maybe slow the burn speed (ya, I've done way too much researching on this)--here's to that working. If not, I'll accept the low-quality video. Low-quality video that cost way too much.

I'll leave you with a couple of sunny pictures. A monarch butterfly, found in our backyard as an egg on a milkweed leaf (like the one pictured). Raised in a jar in our house. We let the butterfly go back on August 4. B loved it!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Knit-Out and some knitting progress.

2007-08-10T12:20:00.000-04:00

I just went on bostonknitout.com and found out that the Knit-Out has been canceled this year and they're not having it again until 2009. Not enough funds I guess. Bummer! It's just something fun to go to and I've only been once back in 2005.

A second friend canceled out on dinner tonight so myself and one of my other friends are just getting together at my house tonight per usual. This works out best I suppose as I'm exhausted on Friday nights from the work-week, etc.

In more positive news, I've completed one whole sleeve to the Gypsy Mesh and will probably finish the other sleeve by early next week and then sew the seams up and voilà! DONE.

We've also let another monarch butterfly go last Saturday that we raised from an egg found in our backyard. I'll post some pictures of that too next posting.

Oh, and I baked a third zucchini bread Wednesday night! DEEE-LISH.

Have a wonderful weekend!

This just picked.

2007-08-02T08:01:00.000-04:00

Bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers from our garden:

and the second zucchini bread I've made. We're getting so many zucchini I can't keep up with it all.

Recipe: Brown Sugar Zucchini Bread
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
3 large eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium zucchini)
Turbinado sugar or other crystallized brown sugar, optional

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
Stir the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. When cominbed, mix in the oats. Make a well in the center of the ingredients. Whisk the eggs, oil, and vanilla together in a small bowl and pour the mixture into the well. Combine lightly, then stir in the zucchini. Do not overmix.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, mounding it up in the center. Sprinkle with the turbinado sugar if you wish. Bake for 60 or 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack covered with a clean dish towel to prevent indentations. Let the bread cool at least 10 minutes longer before slicing. The bread can be served warm or at room temperature. It keeps well and makes good toast, too.

Variation: Brown-Sugar Carrot Bread

Replace the zucchini with 2 cups grated carrot. Because the carrots are a little starchier, reduce the oats to ¾ cup.

notes to recipe: This time around I used a cup of whole wheat flour and a cup of white flour. I swear, using the whole wheat made such a difference--the bread is so much heartier and delicious. I didn't do the Turbinado sugar-thing.

The first time I substituted the oil with applesauce, but I didn't this time around--I used oil--but only about ½ a cup

For future reference, it is good to know that the applesauce works fine as a substitution for the oil.

***************
I don't like to eat my vegetables too altered from their natural state so making this bread wasn't because I don't like zucchini, I do--in fact, I usually just slice it, boil it up and put butter on it--it's just that we're getting so many of them at once and this makes good use of it. I have a slice every morning for breakfast.

I have a zucchini casserole idea from a woman I work with--may try it out!

Dinner last night was salmon and fried up bell peppers in olive oil--and of course, a delicious salad of tomatoes and cukes--very good, I must say.

**Oh, and in case you're dying to know, the back and front are now knitted up to the Gypsy pullover. Tonight, after dealing with this made-in-China-fiasco, I will begin the shoulder-seaming and pick up stitches to begin a sleeve.**

Cotton-y goodness and organization(?)

2007-08-01T14:20:00.000-04:00

I had until midnight last night to order $35 or more at Herrschner's in order to get free-shipping . . . and so I did just that.

I got the Circular Solution for my out-of-control & twisted, circ's:

and I got 6 balls of TLC Cotton Plus in Cream for a baby blanket. A co-worker's baby is due this October. I plan to start the blanket soon as it takes me a good three months to finish one--these days, it may take even longer. I also plan to start C's jumper/dress as I want that done well before Christmas.

I have had a second wind with the Gypsy Mesh Pullover and only have ten more rows (which I WILL finish tonight) left to the front piece. Then onto the sleeves and seaming. I'm not posting anymore pics of ~~that thing~~ the top until it's finished and modeled by moi!

Here's to some cooler weather . . . just a tad drier is all I ask.

This is what happens when . . .

2007-07-18T08:24:00.000-04:00

C:
diaper rash, teething (need I say more).
B:
wants to know why this and why that; where this toy is where that toy is.

both at the same time and,

it's hot

it's humid and

I'm trying to knit.

I'm nuts.

And so I frogged the front piece back quite a way (oh, and this is also because I never moved my lifeline up--because the above would never happen to me):

at least the cotton is in nice, neat little balls now. From now on, the knitting will wait until the kids are asleep and I have peace and quiet. No matter how often that is. I know what you're thinking--I may never get any knitting done.

Baking, knitting, and . . . .

2007-07-03T20:43:00.000-04:00

I made this delicious raspberry and blackberry tart from the barefoot contessa cookbook that my mom picked up for me at a yard sale about a month ago.

AND all the berries are from my backyard. You see we live in the house my grandfather built and it has about an acre of land --and just about all of it is in the back--huge, beautiful yard--we really are lucky to have it. It's very private too. Anyway, there are all these golden raspberry, red raspberry, and blackberry bushes just bursting with berries this time of year. It's such a treat and while picking or whenever I'm out in the yard, I can't help but think of my grandparents who have since passed. My grandfather had such a knack for gardening. There's wildflowers, some strawberries, he ALWAYS had a vegetable garden--a HUGE vegetable garden with anything you could imagine. And well, we try to too, never like grandpa though.

I plan to bring the tart tomorrow when we visit friends at a cottage near Cape Cod.

Ya, and I've been knitting, really, I have--STILL this:

I can't wait to finish it and hope to wear it out with friends when we go out in August--I better move it. Just not motivated lately . . . new job preoccupying the mind and all.

I got Plymouth Jelli Beenz for C's dress--she loves the yarn as you can see!

the yarn bandit strikes!

and I bought this with another 'health' gift cert!

it looks to be a book right up my ally.

I ♥ ebay

2007-06-13T19:57:00.000-04:00

I found an awesome seller (it took only 3 days to receive this yarn) who had the green, yes green yarn that I was specifically looking for because of Alison Hansel's (the blue blog) embossed leaves socks.

what a find!

Now what were the odds that I found the only person on ebay selling Lang Yarn's Fantomas and they were only selling GREEN? Nobody likes green? I love green! Now I'm patiently waiting on a Patternworks order for something completely different, of course . . .

embossed leaves?

2007-06-05T14:10:00.000-04:00

After drooling over Alison's sockapalooza knitting and her rendition of the embossed leaves socks using Lang Fantomas, I can't stop thinking of getting this yarn and trying to knit myself a pair. Eventually.

I think back when I subscribed to Interweave Knits that I may have *gasp* thrown this issue out so instead of purchasing Favorite Socks which has the embossed leaves pattern in it, I scoured the city of Boston searching yarn shops for the Winter 2005 issue:

and I found it for a total of $7.34 at Newbury Yarns! Now, on Newbury Yarns--I have mixed feelings on this yarn store. I love it's convenience to where I work in the city, but the prices are ridiculous and today I discovered that the website no longer comes up (I checked their link out of curiousity because I noticed someone different running the shop today when I walked in). The new owner, or so I think it was the new owner, was rude. She didn't seem to care that I was there to purchase anything and as I stood at the register, she kept listening to this knitter go on and on and on and on and on about his needles and this and that and what's best, etc. instead of excusing herself to help someone that was actually going to BUY something, that someone being me. Granted he was there first, but HE actually had to tell her to go help me. Common sense--does it exist anymore? Then I commented on the adorable crochet teddy bear on the table and she just smirked and shrugged her shoulders in a snobby way. Well, I wanted this issue so badly, that I wasn't going to let her reaction deter me from purchasing it. But I will never purchase another thing in that store again. I scampered out with my prize in hand, never to return again. Weird phenomenon, these LYS owners, very weird. Alison, I feel like your kindred spirit in a weird sort of way--the embossed leaves calling my name, the rudeness I experienced today, wow.

Score!

2007-05-25T14:44:00.000-04:00

I have today off from work for a morning routine dr. appt. and then I went downtown to meet my husband for lunch and to pick up a mother's ring (my gift for Mother's Day). I had some time to kill because it turned out my ring wasn't ready on time so I scored a couple of Fiber Trend patterns at Windsor Button before meeting my husband for lunch.
Felted Clogs & Classic Hearts sweater:

the clogs pattern was the one I was really after, I am going to take Yarn Harlot's advice and use Patons Classic Merino (she talks about the clogs in her January 12, 2007 blog entry).

Before stumbling upon the felted clogs pattern, I found the Classic Hearts sweater pattern and thought it would look adorable in a rose colored yarn--so me & it's knit in the round!!

oh, ya and my ring!

mesh opportunity

2007-05-18T12:39:00.000-04:00

Here is the beginning of the 'front worked as back.' I'm back knitting the Gypsy Mesh Pullover and I can't wait for it to be finished.

Heck, I also can't wait to start my new job on Monday. There will be more flexibility with this position. I need that with a young family. It's a rainy day today so I'm getting some much-needed housework, knitting, and relaxing done before I pick the kids up from daycare.

dos = 2

2007-05-11T09:02:00.000-04:00

My 3 ½ year-old son is taking Spanish lessons in preschool and this was written on one of his practice sheets. I thought it an appropriate title for this entry as I just finished "twin" sweaters for twins-to-be-born to a co-worker's daughter--real soon!

Finished!

Very simple sweaters from my new Kids' Knitted Sweaters and More book. I didn't do the stripes that were called for in pattern--just solid red. She doesn't know their sex so I figured red is a good choice for either. They're about 18 mos. size so around Christmas '08, they should fit. I hope they're not too bulky though!! I'm actually thinking of knitting some for my kids for next Christmas for their pictures. These sweaters are knit completely in the round from the top-down. I've never knit an in-the-round sweater before nevermind a top-down one--it's so efficient and simple, love this method.

The first sweater went quickly and then because of the somewhat boring stockinette solid coloring, etc. the second one went much slower. It's also been about 80 degrees and humid lately here so I just haven't wanted to pick up the bulky yarn.

I used Lion Brand's Wool-Ease Bulky in Red. I think I'd use the recommended Lamb's Pride Superwash Bulky next time.

I'm busy.

2007-04-16T16:14:00.000-04:00

Stay tuned for more info on my WIP's:

meshing around

2007-03-26T08:35:00.000-04:00

I have about another four inches to work up on this piece, before casting off and making another identical piece. I've been counting rows so that I make the next piece identical in length. I hate seaming when one piece is evenly slightly longer or shorter than the other. So far I've used almost three hanks. The size I'm making requires ten hanks so if I figure another three for the back, that's six and if I use two for each sleeve that's a total of ten--perfect. I think I purchased eleven or twelve hanks so I'm good.

a gift for health

2007-03-20T15:27:00.000-04:00

The company I work for participates in a wellness program where if you meet your goals or maintain your good results for cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, etc. each quarter, you receive a gift certificate for $20 (used to be $25). I chose Borders Books for my gift and purchased this book:

I really like this book and can't wait to start a project from it. Projects have minimal finishing, sleeves are done by picking stitches up at the edges or sweaters are knit in the round from the top down and there are vests knit in the round. There is a beautiful cabled tunic that I'd love to make for my daughter as well as a "northern lights" sweater that is great. Not to mention the adorable striped pullovers and the twisted cable pullover for my son--oh, did I mention the Chanel jacket??

I also really like that the materials are worded as for the type/weight of yarn recommended not a specific name brand which we all know can be discontinued and unless you know the weight of that yarn, you've got to figure your gauge out with less information to work with.

I love it.

Big eyelet row--phew!

2007-03-12T08:17:00.000-04:00

turned into being a big pain in the you-know-what-row. I had to rip back about five times to get it right--it's not difficult at all, you just really need to concentrate on this pattern. The ability to concentrate while I'm knitting these days doesn't happen regularly.

You can see the 'big eyelet row' in this picture along with some progress beyond:

In working the row immediately above the eyelet row, you're supposed to knit one, purl one, knit one in the double yarnover of the big eyelet row--that took me a little while to figure out too. I mean there's only two stitches and the pattern wants you to work three stitches--huh? You end up increasing a stitch each time and although the pattern says this, I couldn't figure out how. I finally got it.

I have since put a lifeline in this project (I removed the lifeline before taking the pictures yesterday-- but, believe me, it's back in--very necessary for this project). As soon as I got the 'big eyelet row' right, in went the lifeline.

I made a mistake too:

The yarnover is off too far to the left. I can hardly tell so I didn't bother ripping back to it--it doesn't bother me. I really don't know what I did unless I knitted in Row 1 pattern when I should have been knitting in Row 3 pattern at this point or vice versa.

Also, C is starting to show an affinity toward string:

(future knitter?)

golden opportunity

2007-03-03T16:46:00.004-05:00

to finally knit something for myself. I've started the "Gypsy Mesh Pullover":

and I must say that as for gauge, well, I'm winging it. I think I'm a-okay but will of course check throughout. You had to swatch in pattern stitch and there is a decent amount to keep track of in the pattern stitch with all the yarn overs and well, I just didn't feel like swatching (bad, bad, bad and I may come to regret this decision later).

The yarn isn't too bad to work with, not a lot of give to the cotton and for me not having a ball winder or a swift, I'm risking a really bad tangled mess with this stuff but I have a system and as long as C the 11 mo-old doesn't mess with this system, I should keep my sanity with the yarn. I love the gold color and as that's what attracted me to the project in the first place along with the design, I'm keeping it as it called for in pattern.

I hope my finished result turns out well.

The Good & Plenty socks are finished! Now, I have to get them to my sister as this was supposed to be a Christmas 2005 gift:

Note to self: must never underestimate the fascination an 11-mo-old has with the bright blue 'on' button for the computer. This is my second attempt at writing this!

Gypsy Mesh Pullover

2007-02-27T08:38:00.000-05:00

Something for me? For this Spring? Made on time? We'll see.
From this issue of Interweave Knits:

(Spring 2004)

I want to make the Gypsy Mesh Pullover (no picture unfortunately--but I'll post one soon) designed by Norah Gaughan. It's made with Reynolds Gypsy--a course cotton that may not be fun to work with but the finished result will be substantial and sturdy, I believe. I have the color Gold that the pictured pattern was made in as well. I purchased this yarn at "Snow Goose" in Milton, MA--the only time I've been there and it is a gorgeous yarn shop. I actually bought this yarn right after I got this issue of IK (spent a ridiculous sum of money on it but I needed to make this sweater right then you see) so I've had the yarn for three years . . . just . . . waiting . . . and collecting dust in it's see-through plastic bag. I brought my then 5-6 mo. old son with me to the store (he's now almost 3 ½!). I remember trying to navigate in this delightfully cramped store (though not thinking so delightfully at the time) with his big bulky carriage--I was that desperate to yarn shop! I must get to this store again!

Anyway, I promise pictures of the finished Good & Plenty socks -- the toe to be grafted tonight on the second sock -- and pictures of the yarn and pattern of the Gypsy Mesh Pullover next posting.

As for the designer, Norah Gaughan, well it seems I might have to get her book:

My eyes are drawn to her knit designs. As I was flipping through my notebook full of patterns, I noticed that I have a lot of hers and never realized it. Whether it is from IK or Vogue's KnitSimple, her designs are simple yet elegant--I guess they are attractive to me anyway.

Three Wise Owls and some socks

2007-02-18T10:45:00.000-05:00

B's owl vest is finally finished after waiting months to be seamed together. I hate finishing and I think this will be it for the animal vests for a while. This vest was knit using Lion Brand's Wool Ease in the color Loden.

So during an episode of "48 Hours Mystery" on CBS last night, I seamed it up!

The Good & Plenty socks are almost done!

B looking over his new vest after telling me he doesn't want to wear this one :)

♥ Books ♥

2007-02-14T11:47:00.000-05:00

These are the latest additions to my ever-growing knitting library:

I picked them up last month with a gc I got at Christmas. Anyone own these, opinions? I did enjoy reading the first two KnitLits.

I hope to 'finish' that means sew up--ewww the owl vest this weekend -- finally. And I've got to finish the Good & Plenty socks--the second one is well underway and I'm working on the foot gusset.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Good & Plenty Socks

2007-01-29T11:31:00.000-05:00

That's my new name for these socks. The colors of this Regia yarn remind me of licorice and the Good & Plenty candy box and the colors of the candies.

Once upon a time there was an engineer
Choo Choo Charlie was his name, we hear.
He had an engine and he sure had fun
He used GOOD & PLENTY candy to make his train run.
Charlie says "Love my GOOD & PLENTY!"
Charlie says "Really rings my bell!"
Charlie says "Love my GOOD & PLENTY!"
Don't know any other candy that I love so well!

One sock done and the other in progress on the size 2 needles.

a basic sock pattern done in knit 5, purl 2 ribbing.

See what I mean?

All my sock yarn--the Jawoll and the Plymouth Sockotta were the most recent purchases done with a gc to a local yarn shop that I got for Christmas from my husband:

That's five pairs that I can make with all of this--yay! I'm really curious to see how the Sockotta knits up--it's got real pretty hues of light pink, mauve, white and blue. The Jawoll is pretty too--solid deep mauve but the picture doesn't show that there's a shimmer throughout.

B requested a pair of socks when he saw my finished Good & Plenty one. He took his sister's socks off of her feet, put them on his hands to prove his point.

Now I'm going to look for patterns in preschool size or hope he forgets!

Niece's Birthday Gift Finished

2007-01-06T11:37:00.000-05:00

I finished her bunny vest the other night just in time for her 2nd birthday party today. Yay!!

It's going to hit 70 degrees F. in some spots here today in the Boston, MA area--weird.

Bunnies!

2006-12-31T15:54:00.000-05:00

I'm making progress. I finished this in the last 24 hrs! I've done the back to the bunny vest for my niece. Her 2nd birthday party is this coming Saturday so I should have the front finished and the vest sewn up by then.

Now, on to the front . . .

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas has come and went!

2006-12-28T23:03:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it.
We had a wonderful Christmas and I'm looking forward to the new year--I hope 2007 brings to you everything you hope for and more! I hope for a great year of good health and prosperity for all my loved ones.

I'm setting the sock aside for a bit--I've turned the heel:

To work on a bunny vest for my niece for her 2nd birthday. I purchased the yarn for it today (Patons Canadiana in light rosewood):

I also made a turkey soup from the leftover turkey carcass from Christmas dinner (we hosted this year). I used this recipe. I took the broth out of the fridge today, skimmed off the fat, chopped up the veggies and turkey meat and voila!

It was a delicious lunch and there's more in the fridge!

Good intentions.

2006-12-15T21:21:00.000-05:00

I've always had the intent to update this blog at least once a week and it's not like I don't have knitting content every week to write about. It's finding time to get on the computer and take pictures of my knitting, etc. that's the difficult part. With a 3-yr-old and a 9 mo. old and working full-time, five days--it's nearly impossible. Why right at this minute I fear I'm neglecting something.

I read this blog called the blue blog. I love reading it, actually. The woman has twin boys and a baby girl on the way AND she's ALWAYS crafting something and her 'somethings' are not just average, they're incredibly good. Amazingly good. WHEN DOES SHE FIND THE TIME?? I'll be so curious to see once her baby arrives if she's blogging as often as she is now. I honestly HOPE so (I love reading her), but I'll be mystified as to how. Am I a bit envious? Definitely.

I've put down the owl vest for about a month now, but here is the finished front (the back may never get done, we'll see):

I'm now back to my sock addiction, I'm working on a pair with Regia in a nice jacquard with purples and blues. This was supposed to be for my sister Christmas '05--she may get these for her birthday in February '07:

The stockings look wonderful hanging with care on the bannister (with hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be here!).

here I am in the same spot a year ago preggers with my daughter:

Hope everyone's holidays are wonderful! Peace and joy to everyone--I hope I am able to update before Christmas, but I can't promise!

A better fit.

2006-11-04T16:55:00.000-05:00

So I frogged (rip-it! rip-it!) my son's bear vest. It was too small and kept riding up on him. Not all my fault--in the last few weeks he's had an amazing growth spurt.

Here is the re-knitted front and back using size 8 and 13 needles and knitting size 6 instead of size 4 (my son's going to be 3 in two weeks). Yarn=Plymouth Encore Worsted in Cocoa:

front:

back:

Pictures of him wearing it after I sewed on the glass eyes from here, you can tell it fits (he's a very reluctant model)!

Being a Libra

2006-11-03T14:10:00.000-05:00

I found this by accident today through a link from someone else's blog. I'm a Libra too and this is rings true with me so much.

must explain why I frogged my son's entire bear vest . . . post to follow . . .

Bear Vest back!

2006-10-16T19:19:00.000-04:00

The back of my son's bear vest is finished. This works up really quick and I think it's going to be an adorable vest.

I'm using Plymouth Encore Worsted in Cocoa, color #1204. 75% acrylic; 25% wool. Knitting with size 6 and size 10½ needles.

I love the bear's little tails.

Finished Purple Stocking

2006-10-12T18:18:00.000-04:00

I finished this Tuesday night!

It's all ready now for my daughter for her first Christmas.

I've now begun my son's bear vest and it's coming along on the needles:

I ♥ Fall

2006-10-01T22:25:00.000-04:00

I knit all summer long, but when Fall comes around I really get the knitting bug. I devour knitting catalogs and books, want to go yarn shopping all the time, dream of wearing a newly knitted sweater that I made--hunting for the perfect pattern--fair isle? plain? I want to knit everyone socks and knit for the kids. NOW!

I pick my knitting up much more often when those cool nights arrive.

Here is the progress on the Christmas stocking:

kid stuff

2006-09-09T17:04:00.000-04:00

I am currently almost halfway done with my daughter's Christmas stocking:

I really like the purple shades. Purple isn't my favorite color, but it's up there as one of my favs. You'd never know it from all the purple stuff I'm knitting my daughter.

Here she is in the hooded sweater I knitted her this Spring:

Today, I got yarn from Patternworks, Plymouth Encore in Cocoa:

to make my son this:

Knit-Out

2006-09-05T15:36:00.000-04:00

So last night I'm looking at the calendar and my heart kind of sinks. I won't be able to make the Boston Knit-Out this year--already promised my friend I'd go to her brother-in-law's 40th. It's sad because now I'll have to wait another whole year to go. . . Not to say that the cookout/party won't be real fun, but I've been looking forward to the Knit-Out for a while now.

The pattern came in the mail today

2006-08-31T19:17:00.000-04:00

In just yesterday's post I was wondering where this was and it arrived today!

The one I want to make my son is the one in the top right-hand corner. It has bears on it--not a great pic of the leaflet but once the vest is done, I'll get a good picture of the finished result.

Coming along with the Christmas stocking.

2006-08-30T19:25:00.000-04:00

I've started my daughter's Christmas stocking and am now working the fair-isle snowflake part. This stocking works up just like a top-down sock on a much larger scale--I love making socks so this is a lot of fun.

I tried starting my son's animal vest but the pattern copy I had was missing part of the bear vest section (the animal I chose to make him) and the gauge section. Shame on me for trying to use a copy anyway so I searched the internet for the actual pattern leaflet. Surprisingly, I found it on Vintage Knits. I ordered the leaflet a week ago and there is still no sign of it--paid by PayPal too so it better show up soon. . .

Finished blanket=happy baby, which=happier me.

2006-08-21T20:42:00.000-04:00

It's finished!

Shortly after my three butterflies hatched, I found this little monarch caterpillar:

and another one like him. They're both chrisalids now and I just hope they don't hatch while I'm at work. I have a Plan B if that happens. I just hope Plan B works.

I also found this monarch egg along with three others around August 8th:

All four eggs hatched and I let three go on milkweed in my yard. I kept one caterpillar and unfortunately about a week later, he escaped and I couldn't find him, :(

'Science project' Part 2 (The Metamorphosis!)

2006-08-04T21:36:00.000-04:00

No knitting news, just monarch caterpillar news for today's post.

Since my last post, here's what's happened:

July 25:

July 26:

this picture doesn't do the monarch's chrysalis justice. It's the most beautiful, in my opinion. Otherwise known as the 'green house with the golden nails.' It's jade in color with golden specs and a gold and black line near the top.

TODAY!:

Two out of three hatched today. The last one will most likely hatch tomorrow morning as the chrysalis is darkening and you can see the butterfly inside now.

'Science project'

2006-07-24T21:59:00.000-04:00

Here's a little of what I've been up to the last few weeks. Raising monarch caterpillars. Ever since I was a young girl, I've loved raising caterpillars to watch them grow into beautiful butterflies (I've done moths, but it's just not the same) to set them free. It's a lot of fun and when the kids get older, I hope they take an interest in it as well. I haven't done this in years and being out on maternity leave has helped me find the time to hunt for caterpillars and I've ordered some online as well. Getting them mailorder is not the same thing as finding them in the wild, however.

I also love the black swallowtail but haven't been able to find them this year. Maybe next year. I'll plant some carrots or parsely which the larvae love.

It hasn't all gone down without a hitch. I originally had seven monarch caterpillars. Four I found and three survived from my mailorder batch. Four succumbed to this and it was panic-time. I wiped the cage down with a Clorox wipe and it has seemed to do the trick. I believe the reason was overcrowding so in the future I will do no more than three per cage.

The three left are doing great and it won't be long now before they're pupae (or chrysallis)--I love the monarch's chrysallis and will post a picture of that when it happens.

Back on July 12th, they looked like this:

Then approximately a week later, this:

And today:

They grow incredibly fast, shedding their skin multiple times. After shedding, they then eat their skin--gross, huh?

I'm keeping the caterpillars in this--a find at the Discovery Store, in the mall, years ago:

When the larvae were real tiny a couple of them escaped through the screen. I somehow found the microscopic Houdini's and rescued them. However, I think the escapees were part of the four that perished.

AND the baby blanket! Here it is, still a work-in-progress. I think I'm only going to do ten repeats of the heart pattern instead of the twelve the pattern calls for. Enough already.

Changed my mind.

2006-07-08T22:51:00.000-04:00

I'm now thinking of knitting a vest for my son next instead of the Christmas stocking for my daughter (that will get done before Christmas, trust me). I haven't knit anything for him in quite a while.

I got the vest pattern at the Boston Knit-Out last year. It has either owls, bears, rabbits or something else I can't quite figure out (it's late).

I have the perfect yarn already for it. Patons wool in aran that was originally meant for throw pillows for the living room.

The baby blanket is still trudging along.
Stay tuned, I may change my mind again.

Needle love.

2006-07-05T22:50:00.000-04:00

Knit Picks Options

I've never been a fan of the interchangeable needles, for example the Denise Interchangeables. I just wasn't on that bandwagon. I love my bamboos.

There's just something about these and the reviews I've read so far are good.

Thinking about my next project (a Christmas stocking for my daughter)

2006-06-08T21:29:00.000-04:00

I got a shipment this week from Herrschners. I find them to be perfect for this sort of yarn purchase since they offer me free shipping every once in a while.

I decided on purple for her stocking because it's a Christmas color (sort of) and girl-ish. I got purple and lavender.

I think I'm going to make the main stocking purple (darker color) and the toe and heel lavender (lighter color). The snowflake (fair-isle) in the pattern will be in Aran--which I have extra leftover from mine, my husband's, and my son's stockings.

I swore I wouldn't start this until after I finish that darn blanket and I'm going to stick to that!

This isn't knitting-related but I'd share a picture of a Pink Lady Slipper that is growing in the park where I take my walks. It's beautiful.

About halfway done with the slow baby blanket.

2006-06-01T14:12:00.000-04:00

Not the greatest picture, but I'm now about halfway done with this blanket:

For those of you who read my blog, sorry for no updates in a while. I had my daughter on March 30th and have been pretty busy recovering and taking care of her and my son ever since. I promise to update more often (I hope).

The start to a baby blanket.

2006-03-19T16:34:00.000-05:00

I'm getting closer to my due date!

I'm using pastel pink 'cause I just couldn't resist. It's Caron's CuddleSoft in Baby Pink. I hope it does end up being a girl--you just never know! Even if it doesn't, I can always give it to another baby girl.

This blanket is the pattern from hell. It's this pattern. It was a cast on of 245 stitches; size 3 needles and you can easily mess up with all the increases/decreases etc. I already had to pull it out once and then messed up on one row (you can't really tell and I'm just leaving it as is!).

I'll probably have it done by end of summer as I need to do what's pictured another twelve times!

Baby hooded pullover

2006-03-05T13:41:00.000-05:00

I finished this this morning for baby. I may embellish with some embroidery or buttons but haven't decided yet.

Now I'm going to start a blanket . . .

On to other things . . .

2006-02-27T13:59:00.000-05:00

I finished my mother's socks (finally) Sunday, Feb. 19! Phew.

AND she had them on last night when we went to visit! She said they fit perfectly and she loves them--yay!!!! I felt great *blush* I really honestly do LOVE to knit socks. Minimal finishing and they're so practical.

Finished result:

Me modeling them:

I've now started a baby hooded sweatshirt for my new little one due in about ONE MONTH! Hard to imagine it's almost here.

Future knitting plans.

2006-02-17T16:46:00.000-05:00

I'm almost done with the second sock for my mother and as I'm kind of anxious to start knitting for my baby, am getting sick of knitting socks right now.

I love these pewter lamb stitch markers I got off Ebay. They add whimsey and a bit of 'bling' to my knitting.

I love this pattern and plan to do this next for the baby. I don't think I'll add the embroidered embellishments as I am not a hand sewer at all. I love this magazine, Creative Knitting. I like it much better than that frou frou Interweave Knits. I think the patterns in Creative are much more realistic, down to earth, and do-able. It's the old Knitting Digest. I canceled my subscriptions to everything (incl. Vogue Knitting and Knitter's) along with Interweave and am only going to continue with Creative Knitting. The yarn is, yes, acrylic. It's Caron Simply Soft. I'm one of those mom's who loves the ease of washing and no hassle of acrylic for babies and does not find it scratchy. I prefer knitting with wool, but for certain things, acrylic, I feel, is best. No 'yarn snob' here.

I also have yarn (acrylic again), Caron Cuddle Soft for an afghan that requires size 3 needles and fine yarn. It'll take me forever, but I plan to start it after the hooded sweater above. I hope to have it finished by end of summer at the latest.

One sock done for mom.

2006-01-30T17:53:00.000-05:00

I royally screwed up the kitchener stitch at the end but I think I saved it okay. I actually stitched in a stitch marker and then tried to go back and, well, it wasn't pretty.

I decided to rib (k4, p2) the leg. My next pair I think I'll carry that over onto the top of the foot. As with all my socks (except the Lion Brand Magic Stripes pair I made) I'm using size 2 needles. Basic top down sock with reinforced heel flap.

Let's try this again . . . .

2006-01-15T22:56:00.000-05:00

I pulled out the entire baby hat that I knitted a little over a week ago with the leftover sock yarn. It was just too big. Despite following gauge instructions (I had correct gauge), I felt that 16.5" inches around was too big for a newborn. So . . .

Getting about 7 stitches to the inch, I cast on with my size 3 needles 96 stitches or 24 stitches on each of 4 dpns.

I then worked about 3/4" in k4,p2 rib instead of the roll bottom that I did earlier.

I worked the crown even for 5 1/2" because I like a hat to come way down over the ears with room to play with.

Then I decreased 4 stitches evenly spaced. 92 stitches remained.

Dec Rnd 1: *k2, k2tog; rep from *

There will remain 69 stitches.

Work one row even.

Dec Rnd 2: *k1, k2tog; rep from *

There will remain 46 stitches.

Work one row even.

Dec Rnds 3, 4, and 5: *k2tog; rep from *

There will remain 6 stitches.

Work I-cord for desired length--I tied in a knot.

I'm pleased with the finished result--this one will fit!

Baby hat with leftover sock yarn

2006-01-07T09:36:00.000-05:00

I finished this hat last night for a co-worker whose wife is due next Friday with a baby boy. I used the leftover yarn I had from my MIL's socks and I had just enough--it worked out perfectly. I made it with some guidance from Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns. When I originally bought this book I didn't think it would be that useful, but now I think it is more useful than any book I own.

Starting mom's sock.

2005-12-27T11:57:00.000-05:00

This is a Christmas gift that I had to give my mom and IOU for. I started her socks Christmas night and here's the progress so far:

It's also in Online Supersocke 100 #739.

Eleventh hour knitting.

2005-12-24T14:43:00.000-05:00

I finished the final sock to go to my mother-in-law last night. Phew. Here is the pair (the sock on the right was the one just finished) ready to be packaged up and given to her tomorrow:

One down, one to go.

2005-11-28T18:06:00.000-05:00

Last night, I finished the first sock of a second pair that I'm working on for Christmas gifts.