Made with love...a little late.

With Flash...


Tanya is my best friend. We were friends in high school and co-workers shortly after, then roommates. I moved out after moving in with my then boyfriend.

Anyways, I love knitting for her. I know she's going to take care of it, she's tiny enough that I can make her something pretty quick, and she's allergic to anything except acryllic or cotton, so I get to go to the "real" yarn store and not Michael's or JoAnn's....not that there's anything wrong with them.

For Christmas I wanted to knit everyone something special. I found this pattern in a magazine and instantly thought of her.

I had Jack in November. I knew he was coming. I knew I'd have plenty of time to knit while he slept...right??

Um, no.

I had most of my Christmas stuff done by the time he came. Except something for Tanya. I had the yarn. I had the pattern. I didn't have time.

Babies really do cut into the knitting time.

Finally I started it and the vest was a really quick knit. I was able to give it to her by the last week in January (I think). I probably should have been more embarrassed to give her such a late gift. Best friends understand.

So, I made her gift with love...it was just a little late.

Made with size 7 straights, pattern from Vogue Knitting magazine, Winter 2004-2005.

Rogue...another revisit.

This pattern took me 4 months to complete. FOUR months.

I got through many, many firsts with this project. First time working with different cables, first time using charts, first time doing a hood, first time working a large project in the round.... the list goes on and on.

It is one of the most expensive items in my closet. I got the yarn on sale though.

Look at this hood. It took a month to complete. I was obsessed! I think it came out good. It took alot of blocking. When ever I wear it I get compliments. Strangers have come up to me asking where I bought it.






It's made with Jo Sharp's Silkroad Aran. Great yarn!!

Here's where you can buy the pattern. Check out Eris too. Oh yeah...we're doin' that one too. It's on the list.

Heather's scarf

This scarf was made for my friend, Heather. It's made from Jaeger's Roma yarn- a mix of viscose, nylon and angora. Very fun yarn, I must say. It does want to split, so you have to take care. It also was a bit itchy to me. But let me just say that I think most animal based yarn is.

The pattern was super easy- 1 row knit across, knit 1 purl 1 on the second row. The scarf is reversible too. I love that.

Here's another shot:

It seemed silly to give a scarf to someone in the spring, but she'll wear it next winter, right??

More later...

I'm back!

After a much needed break, I'm back from the in-laws. No blogging (or even surfing for that matter. I don't do dial-up and they don't do cable modems) was allowed during that time. My MIL caters to the baby's every need- and to mine for that matter. She's a blessing to have in my life.

DH is back from chasing hockey pucks (with a short business trip added in for good measure). They lost every game. Boo.

I'm working the red non-silk silk cami. It's coming along. I went down a couple of needle sizes so it's taking me longer than anticipated...surprise, surprise.




I'm also working on washcloths for my mom to sell. They are b.o.r.i.n.g. You'd think that they would go quick, but with the baby it's tough to get in more than a few rows at a time. Here's what they look like.





Last night was the last that my knitting teacher taught class. She must be in her 80's and has so much knowledge. With her 30+ years of knitting experience, she helped me and so many other women learn to knit. I went into the class only knowing how to knit and (sometimes) purl and by the end of the first session she gave me the confidence to do so many things. I went from hating to purl to loving it because of her coaxing me. I made my first sweater with her looking over my shoulder. Because of her I can say that I loved learning different stitches, how to read patterns, how to cable, starting Rogue, swearing off cheap fun fur, finishing so many projects I can't even count.... My life is richer because of her. I'll miss her to pieces, but I know that she's ready to retire.

And maybe, just maybe I might be teaching the next session. She put in a good word for me, plus everyone in the class is behind me.

I'm so excited. They haven't started the interviewing process yet and I know I have competition for the position.

Wish me luck. I'll keep ya updated.

All my yarn is packed...and 100 things.

I'm ready to go.

I'll be at the in-laws for a few days while the husband is chasing hockey pucks.

Let me leave you with my 100 list.

'Cause I love reading these types of posts.

100 THINGS ABOUT ME
1. I’m in my early 30's, but sometimes wish that I was 55.
2. I am a stay at home mom.
3. My son Jack Henry was born in Nov 2005.
4. He has my eyes.
5. My husband is an amazing dad.
6. My son likes to watch me knit.
7. My favorite part of my day is when he wakes up in the morning, looks up at me and gives me a big grin. Life is worth living just for that grin.
8. I also love my husband’s grin. You know, that “I know what we did last night” grin.
9. I miss my husband when he leaves me, even when he goes to work.
10. We had the wedding of my dreams. It was the perfect, sunny, breezy July day.
11. I procrastinate.
12. I’m a messy person by nature.
13. I can’t sleep if there is nothing on the floor next to the bed.
14. This drove my husband nuts for a long time.
15. He’s a clean freak that I’ve converted.
16. Having a baby changed my life.
17. I was hospitalized 8 times for excessive vomiting during my pregnancy.
18. I really liked the hospital’s breakfasts.
19. I was very sick with Toxemia when Jack was born.
20. At one point during the delivery (and right after it) I had 9 different drugs going into me.
21. For a long time my mother and I didn’t speak.
22. We have forgiven each other and now she helps when she can with the baby.
23. I’m a much better mom than I thought I’d be.
24. My father and I are estranged too.
25. I don’t miss him, but I miss the man I want him to be.
26. I love 80’s music.
27. I have an irrational fear of spiders.
28. And the dark.
29. And my husband’s driving.
30. I knit. A lot.
31. I learned to knit by accident. A friend was taking classes and signed me up for a birthday gift.
32. Someday I want to work in a yarn shop.
33. We don’t have enough storage room for all the yarn I want.
34. I love sapphires.
35. And diamonds.
36. My engagement ring is made of both.
37. I used to work in a jewelry store and when I was having a bad day I’d wear a ton of gems around the shop.
38. I wish I was in better shape and more athletic.
39. I hate people who tailgate.
40. And people who talk during movies.
41. I have a hearing impairment.
42. I also hear ringing and vibrating noises in my ears.
43. I’ve been in therapy on and off since I was a teenager.
44. I’ve overcome a lot of challenges in my life.
45. Some of these challenges have been my fault. Most have not.
46. I was one of 9 children growing up.
47. But I only have 1 biological full sister.
48. My parents divorced and remarried other people.
49. My mom had 3 kids going into her second marriage, my stepfather had 3 kids going into the marriage with my mom, and then they had 2 others after they got married.
50. There were 8 children living in 1 house for part of my childhood.
51. I have a half brother that lived with my dad. I haven’t seen him since I was 18 and he was 12.
52. I spent my 30th birthday in Vegas.
53. My husband and I went skydiving while we were there.
54. It was the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done.
55. I’m addicted to chocolate.
56. Once I went to a chocolate show with my best friend. She got sick of the chocolate and was ready to leave before me. I could have eaten much, much more.
57. I’ve seen John Cusack and Philip Seymour Hoffman on the street in SoHo, NY.
58. I have a Barbie that’s named Punk Rock Barbie.
59. She used to come out to the bar with us when we were much younger.
60. I love renaissance festivals.
61. The first time I went to one I instantly felt like I “belonged” and I’ve never felt like that before.
62. I feel more comfortable in that type of clothing than in any other type.
63. I made 2 full ren fest outfits.
64. My husband hates the renaissance faires I go to.
65. I would love to work at one.
66. I love when my nails get very long.
67. Although I don’t have the time to take care of them any more.
68. I spend a lot of time on the internet looking at nothing.
69. I love my best friend Tanya.
70. She moved to Brooklyn to be with her boyfriend at the time.
71. They met at our wedding.
72. They eloped recently in New Zealand.
73. I’m happy that I didn’t know ahead of time that they were going to do it because I would have been very upset that I had to miss it.
74. Instead I’m thrilled that they are married.
75. I was homeless once.
76. I slept in my car and showered at the YMCA where I knew the people who worked the front desk.
77. I could eat ice cream for every meal.
78. Oreo with chocolate sprinkles is my favorite.
79. I worked in an ice cream shop as a teen and ate much more than I sold.
80. I was fired from a job once.
81. I was happy to go.
82. Sexual harassment sucks.
83. They are no longer a company.
84. That’s the forth job that I’ve had in the past that the company is no longer in business.
85. I'm a rabid NY Yankees fan.
86. I'm a Dallas Stars hockey fan too.
87. My grandmother is the most important woman in my life.
88. I love photography.
89. I read every night before going to bed.
90. I love reading romances and historical novels.
91. It’s a dream of mine to meet Oprah in person.
92. I’d love to play with her jewelry someday.
93. I’ve been to Hawaii twice.
94. The first time I hiked for hours by myself and felt totally safe.
95. I can’t walk down the street in my neighborhood and feel the same way.
96. My dream house would have a waterfall in the back yard.
97. I’m close to my mother in law. I love spending time with her and I wish she lived closer.
98. I’ve been to Disney World twice by myself.
99. I could have written 300 things about me. I'm not sure what means, but I like it.
100. I dream of having a college degree.

Be back soon.

Tales of the Harlot

A couple of years ago I started looking online for free knitting patterns. I started reading some knit blogs. Most have ideas or patterns to buy. A few blogs I've become obsessed with....The Yarn Harlot being the main one. I spent a long time on her site that night. Her stories made me laugh. I kept saying to myself- YES! SHE GETS IT!

She wrote a couple of books. I was so excited to learn that she was doing a book tour and that she'd be in my area last spring. I was pregnant at the time. In my first 2 trimesters I was sick. Really sick. The color green that you've never seen before. I was throwing up anywhere between 3-10 times a day. All day. Every day. So I missed her with the first book. The second book tour was in October. I thought, "Hey, I'm due in November I can make it!" It wasn't meant to be. I had started to retain water. My size 7 wide shoes couldn't fit on my feet. Flip flops wouldn't fit. My doctor wanted me off my feet. So I missed her again.

Now it's April. She has a third book tour! Yipee. I can have my husband watch the kid, I'll have a free night out....the store that's having the signing is about an hour or 2 away, but I can do this.

Then I see the date. Now, I've known about the tour for about a month. In the back of my mind I knew that it would take a feat of amazing planetary alignment for me to make it to this signing. The springtime is always a busy time for me. Insane, pull your hair out, crazed madness type of busy.

My husband has Can-Am camp this weekend. He goes every year. He's unavailable.

I'm going to stay with the in-laws for the weekend. My MIL was more than happy to take the baby for the afternoon so I could go up to WEBS to see Stephanie on Saturday. The only stipulation is to be home by 5.

Ok- WEBS is about 1.5 hours north from me. My inlaws live an hour west of me. So it's going to take me 2.5 hours to get back to the inlaws, at least. The signing starts at 2. This will not work.

Ok, she's in Grafton Friday night. I can drop the kid off in the afternoon, drive up and see her. Nope. Traffic in my state is a nightmare on a regular weekday, never mind Friday. It would make a normally 3.5 hour trip into a 5 hour trip.

Bring the baby?? I feel awful doing that to the people going and to the baby. He's a bit of a shy kinda kid. It takes him a while to warm up to you. Put him in a room full of women and he's going to go bonkers. Not to mention he hates the car. He cries non stop in the carseat, squirming, grunting, fighting the straps...pure hell.

I also would be mortified if he started to cry during the talk. I don't want to be that parent. And what's the sense of driving hours on end to leave the talk early???

Ugh.

I'm going to miss her again, aren't I??

Blast(s) From The Past

This is a baby sweater that I did for another friend. It came out cute and was a quick, easy knit. It was done in a discontinued Lion Brand yarn.

This is an ice skate bootie. My husband is a hockey player and I searched for a pattern for these. I ended up making one up.You can find the pattern I made here. I plan on making a helmet to match.



Speaking of which...the viking hat.

My husband's team is the 7 Seas Vikings. Their colors are green and yellow. I found this pattern and thought it would be great to make for my son to wear to the game. I made the hat and it fits me. So I abandoned the project, much to my husband's disgust.

Not in wasting yarn or having an unfinished item. Oh no. He was mad that I won't remake it in the baby's size. Only because he wants to show it off to the teammates. Maybe next season, honey.

For my next trick...

A silk cami not made of silk. It's cotton and microfiber. See the yarn type here. It's a birthday gift(less than 2 weeks away!) but it's from this book, so I think I can make it. The kid might get in the way, but I've learned to knit while holding him. Sometimes he helps. Sometimes he just spits up all over everything and that just sucks.

In any case, I'll have more photos later.

Ps. I'm now a paying member of Flickr. Wish me luck, people. Wish me luck. My computer might just blow up from all the html I'm going to be using in the next few days.

Purple Sock...done

My purple socks are done. Look at 'em.
Ok, not all the way done. The one of the left is an example of the "fish toe" problem I had. The pattern called for a figure 8 cast on. That's what I ended up with. Repeatedly. So, I frogged and reknit the toe on the right one. I still have the left to do. Then I'll be officially done.


This is the 2x2 ribbing close up. I had to bind off on a size 10 needle so that there'd be enough room the sock to stretch over my heel.

You can also see the gorgeous color. It's fabu.

The socks were pretty easy. I can now see why people like doing them so much. I have to work on the heel and not getting holes, but that takes practice.

In other news, off to see Dane Cook (hubba, hubba) tonight.

Happy Easter!

Special thanks

A special thanks going out to this girl.

She's never met me. She has no idea who I am. I have no idea why she'd spend countless hours writing emails, answering questions, explainging things like I'm a 4 year old...but she did.

Look at my rockin' new sidebar. (yippee!)

Yep.

Courtesy of her. She did it. I know how to update it too. Look at my photos. Yep. She told me what I was doing wrong.

Ahhhh. I love people who are kind to me.

Check out her blog. She has some cute kitties. And great knitting too.

Thank you, Sachi

Purple sock

This is the first sock I've made that I actually liked. I took a class from this shop on doing socks on 2 cable needles. It's 100% easier to do than dpn's. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that by being toe up it makes a wiggy fish look to the toe. I'll blog more about that later.

The sock has some holes in the heel. I have to go back and patch 'em. But all in all I'm proud of it. (I actually could have bought many more pairs of socks with the cash I spent- needles, yarn*$22.00 yikes*, the class, this book...)



Here is the second sock in progress.
I'm really whippin' these out. I have a feeling that many people are going to get socks this year! lol

Finished Vintage Cardi, cont.

  

This is the completed cardigan. I love it. I usually hate one part of everything I make, but this I truly love.

This is a close up of the sleeve. I made a small ruffle on the end. The photo is tough to see, I know. This is part of the work in progress, people. Bear with me. ;)

The Green Monster

I want this blog to be a trail of items I've done and what I'm currently doing. I love looking past projects and seeing the progression of my work. So bear with me while I update myself on stuff I've done in the past.

 
I call this one the green monster.

It looked like this when I first started it.

Please take note of 2 things.

A)The colors are in different spots.
B)There's a big HOLE in the center of the left front.

The pattern is called the 5 hour baby sweater. It took me 9 hours to do the first one, 7 the second. And I still haven't given it to the intended recipient.

Why? I think it's ugly.

And I procraste. Alot. That's a different blog though.

What happened, you ask? I did a knit row on a purl side and didn't notice until I was finished. Oops. So I took it to the local yarn shop and they told me just to frog it. I did, I reknit and it's kicking around my house.

We'll visit another oldie but goodie tomorrow.

Vintage Cardigan-done

These 2 shots are from my latest project. I finished it this week. I'll post a finished shot in a couple. I need a zipper for it to be really finished. The pattern was from Creative Knitting Magazine, Spring 2006. It's the Vintage Cardigan. I knit it using elann.com's connemara cotton. I'd recommend this yarn to anyone. The cranberry color I used is out of stock though. It took just under 6 weeks to complete- having a baby cuts into your knitting time. lol

Testing...testing

I really want this to work.

Really, really bad.

I have a vision of what my blog should look like and so far I just can't make it happen. Very frustrating.

I want to show off my knitting. I want to post patterns. Why does that seem impossible.

This is going to be a learning experience.

Bear with me.