Ok. Can't hear with my left ear. Totally plugged. Back to the doctor tomorrow morning.
Also, Blogger is not showing me any font choices. Is it just me?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
enough with the sickness already!
I really appreciate all the lovely birthday wishes. I would love to regale you with a tale of birthday fun and adventure, but unfortunately I've been so sick for so long that we had to skip it. Would you believe I've been fighting the same virus since last Sunday? It started in my throat, then crawled up into my sinuses, left into my ear, and down into my chest. As of today my ear still feels plugged, my sinuses are still a bit clogged, and I've got a really lovely deep chest cough. You know the kind...when you see someone out in public coughing like I am right now, you wonder how that person escaped the TB ward...yeah, it's lovely. Not that I've been out in public much. I've left the house exactly twice in the last 9 days, and Daughter has been cooped up for almost 2 weeks straight. When these germs are gone we're so outta here!
Not that there are many places to go, as it's been snowing for days. Between the snow piled on top and the snow mounded up from the plows, I can barely see my mailbox.
I guess it's just good old fashioned crafting weather.
I did not mention this sweater in my previous posts about finishing up my languishing projects. I wasn't sure how I felt about finishing it, because it was started last summer when I found out I was pregnant with another girl. Once I knew she would never wear the sweater, I couldn't bear to work on it anymore.
But I had a lot of the shell work done already, which was quite time-consuming and complicated, both sleeves were ready and waiting, and also I needed to free up the needle I'd been using in order to finish up yet another unfinished sweater. I pulled it back out last week and cranked away until it was done.
This will get a gentle wash and be stored in my cedar chest. Hopefully I will get to use it again, but if not, it will be saved for someone else.
Pattern: Leisure Arts "Special Baby Outfits" leaflet #2329
Yarn: Stylecraft WonderSoft Baby 4 ply
Needles: US sizes 2 and 3
Mods: None
This sweater is from the same booklet as the wee dress featured in this post from last fall. Oddly, it looks like I was sick then too.
Aren't these buttons just perfection? They're actually little pearls, and not silver balls as they appear here. I had to do some tricks with editing the photo and they ended up looking silvery. Anyway, these buttons were a gift from my superstar blog buddy Karen. She sent me a surprise package around Christmas with lots of old buttons and awesome vintage knitting pattern books.
Speaking of Karen, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing birthday gift she sent:
I asked my family for clothing this year because my wardrobe is so pathetic, so I didn't expect to receive any "fun" gifts, if you know what I mean. But! My dear non-knitter friend from across the continent braved a yarn shop and came out with 3 skeins of Cascade Sierra in a beautiful brick-y deep red, as well as some gorgeous beaded stitch markers. I've been coveting beaded stitch markers for ages. I can't wait to get some more unfinished projects done so I can cast on with this beautiful yarn. It will become a sweater for Daughter. What excellent motivation! Also included in the package was another lovely vintage pattern book. Thanks again, Karen!
Not that there are many places to go, as it's been snowing for days. Between the snow piled on top and the snow mounded up from the plows, I can barely see my mailbox.
I guess it's just good old fashioned crafting weather.
I did not mention this sweater in my previous posts about finishing up my languishing projects. I wasn't sure how I felt about finishing it, because it was started last summer when I found out I was pregnant with another girl. Once I knew she would never wear the sweater, I couldn't bear to work on it anymore.
But I had a lot of the shell work done already, which was quite time-consuming and complicated, both sleeves were ready and waiting, and also I needed to free up the needle I'd been using in order to finish up yet another unfinished sweater. I pulled it back out last week and cranked away until it was done.
This will get a gentle wash and be stored in my cedar chest. Hopefully I will get to use it again, but if not, it will be saved for someone else.
Pattern: Leisure Arts "Special Baby Outfits" leaflet #2329
Yarn: Stylecraft WonderSoft Baby 4 ply
Mods: None
This sweater is from the same booklet as the wee dress featured in this post from last fall. Oddly, it looks like I was sick then too.
Aren't these buttons just perfection? They're actually little pearls, and not silver balls as they appear here. I had to do some tricks with editing the photo and they ended up looking silvery. Anyway, these buttons were a gift from my superstar blog buddy Karen. She sent me a surprise package around Christmas with lots of old buttons and awesome vintage knitting pattern books.
Speaking of Karen, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing birthday gift she sent:
I asked my family for clothing this year because my wardrobe is so pathetic, so I didn't expect to receive any "fun" gifts, if you know what I mean. But! My dear non-knitter friend from across the continent braved a yarn shop and came out with 3 skeins of Cascade Sierra in a beautiful brick-y deep red, as well as some gorgeous beaded stitch markers. I've been coveting beaded stitch markers for ages. I can't wait to get some more unfinished projects done so I can cast on with this beautiful yarn. It will become a sweater for Daughter. What excellent motivation! Also included in the package was another lovely vintage pattern book. Thanks again, Karen!
Friday, January 26, 2007
31
Happy Birthday, Wayne Gretzky!
Happy Birthday, Ellen DeGeneres!
Happy Birthday, Paul Newman!
Happy Birthday, Eddie Van Halen!
Oh...and happy birthday to me!
Happy Birthday, Ellen DeGeneres!
Happy Birthday, Paul Newman!
Happy Birthday, Eddie Van Halen!
Oh...and happy birthday to me!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
actual knitting content
People! I am so high on DayQuil! Aiyeeeeeeeee!
I have taken advantage of this state to finish something. Here is the cable pullover I've been working on for Daughter:
Pattern: Aran Family Child's Pullover from Knitting the New Classics
Yarn: Patons Classic Merino in denim, almost 3 complete skeins
Needles: US sizes 5 and 7
Started just after Thanksgiving 2006, finished 1/25/07
Modifications: The pattern calls for worsted-weight yarn and sizes 4 and 6 (US) needles. If I'd used those sizes this sweater could stand up by itself. Sizes 5 and 7 gave me a satisfactory fabric quite close to the stated gauge, though for an oversized style like this, I wasn't too concerned with being spot-on. Also, I blocked this out a bit bigger than the schematic called for, to open up the cables.
This was a pretty decent pattern - my only complaint is that the schematic for the child's version was incorrect. I couldn't find any errata information online, but it seems to me that when the directions tell you to knit a sleeve until it is 10" but the schematic indicates the finished length of the sleeve to be 6.75" there is a problem. Do any of you have this book in your library? Can you confirm this issue? Perhaps it was corrected in other printings, I don't know.
As for the book, all I can say is that one person's classics are another person's Bill Cosby 80s throwbacks. Most of the sweaters in this book are HUGE and many have that Cosby look we so loved...in 1987. If you are still fond of that style, well, grab a jello pudding pop and get knitting. Otherwise, I'd say check this one out from the library or borrow it from a friend for the 2 or 3 true classics within. Someone gifted my mom with a copy, and I'll be returning it to her now that I've made this sweater.
Argh, my cough is coming back. Time for another dose o' DayQuil.
Sorry for the glare in the photos. Hubs installed a new chandelier-like light fixture over the kitchen table yesterday and it shines with the light of a thousand suns. We'll be getting some lower-wattage bulbs very soon.
I have taken advantage of this state to finish something. Here is the cable pullover I've been working on for Daughter:
Pattern: Aran Family Child's Pullover from Knitting the New Classics
Yarn: Patons Classic Merino in denim, almost 3 complete skeins
Needles: US sizes 5 and 7
Started just after Thanksgiving 2006, finished 1/25/07
Modifications: The pattern calls for worsted-weight yarn and sizes 4 and 6 (US) needles. If I'd used those sizes this sweater could stand up by itself. Sizes 5 and 7 gave me a satisfactory fabric quite close to the stated gauge, though for an oversized style like this, I wasn't too concerned with being spot-on. Also, I blocked this out a bit bigger than the schematic called for, to open up the cables.
This was a pretty decent pattern - my only complaint is that the schematic for the child's version was incorrect. I couldn't find any errata information online, but it seems to me that when the directions tell you to knit a sleeve until it is 10" but the schematic indicates the finished length of the sleeve to be 6.75" there is a problem. Do any of you have this book in your library? Can you confirm this issue? Perhaps it was corrected in other printings, I don't know.
As for the book, all I can say is that one person's classics are another person's Bill Cosby 80s throwbacks. Most of the sweaters in this book are HUGE and many have that Cosby look we so loved...in 1987. If you are still fond of that style, well, grab a jello pudding pop and get knitting. Otherwise, I'd say check this one out from the library or borrow it from a friend for the 2 or 3 true classics within. Someone gifted my mom with a copy, and I'll be returning it to her now that I've made this sweater.
Argh, my cough is coming back. Time for another dose o' DayQuil.
Sorry for the glare in the photos. Hubs installed a new chandelier-like light fixture over the kitchen table yesterday and it shines with the light of a thousand suns. We'll be getting some lower-wattage bulbs very soon.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
sickety-sick
I finally broke down and went to the doctor this morning. I had a terrible night of lame sleep, and when I woke up this morning I couldn't talk. Swallowing made me want to come right out of my skin. I peered at my throat with a flashlight and it was definitely red, and I thought I saw some whitish spots. So to the doctor I went. Hubs was kind enough to stay home with Daughter so I didn't have to drag her with me. Also, did I mention I couldn't talk? Like, at all? Hard to care for a toddler when you can't shout, "no! Stop jumping on that chair! Get down now! You're going to fall and crack your head open!"
Ok, so being sick makes me maybe a little cranky.
Anyway, I don't have strep throat. It's just a virus. About which my doctor was apologetic. He actually apologized that the test was negative and that I therefore wouldn't need any medication. Is that what the world has come to? People just going to the doctor and demanding antibiotics for any old thing? I hate the idea of taking antibiotics (the germs are becoming resistant, as I'm sure you all know, and the medicines don't work anymore in some cases...that is bad! bad! bad!). I was glad to hear all I needed was rest and fluids.
So because I feel crummy and lazy, I'm going to hit you with a meme. I'm tagging myself for 5 weird things.
1) I like to eat things in odd numbers. Like m&ms - I purposely take odd numbers, preferably in different colors, too. If I somehow get an even number, say 8, I will eat 5, then wait awhile and eat 3.
2) The bathtub is never clean enough. I scrub it to the point of practically scratching the finish, I bleach it, I scrub some more, and yet I never feel it's truly clean. I loathed having to move Daughter from the little baby tub to the big tub, and I still cringe every time I put her in.
3) Feet oog me right out. Can't stand feet. Eew.
4) I will not share bar soap or toothpaste. In fact, I won't even use bar soap unless I am truly desperate and there is no other option (like in a hotel). I try to bring my own shower gel/wash whenever I travel. And I have my own tube of toothpaste in the bathroom - once Hubs uses it, it's his. I open a new one.
5) I would rather go on an educational vacation than a "fun" vacation. It's not that I don't like the beach, it's just that I prefer museums and stuff. I'm kind of nerdy like that.
That's all I've got. Off to the couch to watch some Balamory with Daughter.
Ok, so being sick makes me maybe a little cranky.
Anyway, I don't have strep throat. It's just a virus. About which my doctor was apologetic. He actually apologized that the test was negative and that I therefore wouldn't need any medication. Is that what the world has come to? People just going to the doctor and demanding antibiotics for any old thing? I hate the idea of taking antibiotics (the germs are becoming resistant, as I'm sure you all know, and the medicines don't work anymore in some cases...that is bad! bad! bad!). I was glad to hear all I needed was rest and fluids.
So because I feel crummy and lazy, I'm going to hit you with a meme. I'm tagging myself for 5 weird things.
1) I like to eat things in odd numbers. Like m&ms - I purposely take odd numbers, preferably in different colors, too. If I somehow get an even number, say 8, I will eat 5, then wait awhile and eat 3.
2) The bathtub is never clean enough. I scrub it to the point of practically scratching the finish, I bleach it, I scrub some more, and yet I never feel it's truly clean. I loathed having to move Daughter from the little baby tub to the big tub, and I still cringe every time I put her in.
3) Feet oog me right out. Can't stand feet. Eew.
4) I will not share bar soap or toothpaste. In fact, I won't even use bar soap unless I am truly desperate and there is no other option (like in a hotel). I try to bring my own shower gel/wash whenever I travel. And I have my own tube of toothpaste in the bathroom - once Hubs uses it, it's his. I open a new one.
5) I would rather go on an educational vacation than a "fun" vacation. It's not that I don't like the beach, it's just that I prefer museums and stuff. I'm kind of nerdy like that.
That's all I've got. Off to the couch to watch some Balamory with Daughter.
Monday, January 22, 2007
random
First things first: washing that vaporizer stuff out of hair is practically impossible. It's oil-based. Baby shampoos are gentle. So unless I want to break out the Lava soap, it will just take repeat washings to get it all.
Daughter is feeling much better. Her sinuses are still congested, which I can hear in her little voice, but her eye is clearing up nicely. We have to put drops in 3X each day, 2 per eye (both eyes are treated even though only one was goopy). She's pretty good about it, and we've turned it into a counting game: 1-2-3-4. I put one in and say, "there's one, what comes after one?" And she says in a sad little voice, "twoooooooo." So we do drop number two and I cheer and praise her, then we go on to what comes after two, etc. Usually she throws in "all done? all done?" before we're finished, but we get all the drops in eventually.
After scrubbing pink liquid antibiotic out of the light beige carpet twice, we finally learned that we have to physically push Daughter's mouth shut after we shove the medicine in so she will swallow it. Otherwise she holds it in her mouth, then lets it all dribble out. Sweet. (Edited to add: we have tried all the tricks...in the cheek, etc. No dice.)
Hey, we are new to this parenting-a-sick-kid gig.
And now, for more fun and excitement, I am sick as well. It figures. My throat is raw, my neck is sore, it hurts to move my eyeballs...here's hoping it's just a cold and not strep. Of course, if it is strep I can get a medication. But I don't like to take antibiotics, so I guess I'm hoping for a regular cold after all.
I did do some knitting before I started feeling funky over the weekend. I'll post some photos tomorrow if I can lift my head. For now, it's back to the couch. After I put in yet another Sesame video (thank you, Childrens Television Workshop, for making so many Sesame videos).
Daughter is feeling much better. Her sinuses are still congested, which I can hear in her little voice, but her eye is clearing up nicely. We have to put drops in 3X each day, 2 per eye (both eyes are treated even though only one was goopy). She's pretty good about it, and we've turned it into a counting game: 1-2-3-4. I put one in and say, "there's one, what comes after one?" And she says in a sad little voice, "twoooooooo." So we do drop number two and I cheer and praise her, then we go on to what comes after two, etc. Usually she throws in "all done? all done?" before we're finished, but we get all the drops in eventually.
After scrubbing pink liquid antibiotic out of the light beige carpet twice, we finally learned that we have to physically push Daughter's mouth shut after we shove the medicine in so she will swallow it. Otherwise she holds it in her mouth, then lets it all dribble out. Sweet. (Edited to add: we have tried all the tricks...in the cheek, etc. No dice.)
Hey, we are new to this parenting-a-sick-kid gig.
And now, for more fun and excitement, I am sick as well. It figures. My throat is raw, my neck is sore, it hurts to move my eyeballs...here's hoping it's just a cold and not strep. Of course, if it is strep I can get a medication. But I don't like to take antibiotics, so I guess I'm hoping for a regular cold after all.
I did do some knitting before I started feeling funky over the weekend. I'll post some photos tomorrow if I can lift my head. For now, it's back to the couch. After I put in yet another Sesame video (thank you, Childrens Television Workshop, for making so many Sesame videos).
Saturday, January 20, 2007
a little dab'll do ya
People, I ask you, what is the scariest sound the parent of a toddler can hear? Is it the sickening thunk of your child hitting the ground after a fall? Is it the horrific crack of a bone breaking? No, it is not*. The scariest sound the parent of a toddler can hear is...
silence.
Tonight I was trying to prepare dinner while also emptying the dishwasher and folding laundry (while my husband sat on his butt on the sofa, but that's a whole 'nother post right there, I'll tell you what). Daughter was in her bedroom looking at books, or so I thought. Suddenly I noticed how quiet it was in there, so I called her name. No response.
I dashed in to find her sitting calmly on the floor, dipping her fingers in the little cup of her Vicks Vaporizer and spreading Kaz inhalant through her hair. Her head was a greasy, mentholated mess, as were her hands. This was largely my fault, because I was being an idiot once again and I left the stupid vaporizer in there on the floor. Also she has been "helping" to wash her own hair in the tub lately, so I'm sure that was the inspiration for this little act. Lovely.
So add to the list of dinner, dishwasher, and laundry the task of hauling a menthol-coated toddler to the bathtub without getting any of the inhalant stuff in anyone's eyes or all over the furniture or anywhere else...
Oh and also? She figured out how to take down the baby gates today.
I'm pretty much screwed.
Hope you're all having a great weekend too!
*tongue in cheek, people. tongue in cheek.
silence.
Tonight I was trying to prepare dinner while also emptying the dishwasher and folding laundry (while my husband sat on his butt on the sofa, but that's a whole 'nother post right there, I'll tell you what). Daughter was in her bedroom looking at books, or so I thought. Suddenly I noticed how quiet it was in there, so I called her name. No response.
I dashed in to find her sitting calmly on the floor, dipping her fingers in the little cup of her Vicks Vaporizer and spreading Kaz inhalant through her hair. Her head was a greasy, mentholated mess, as were her hands. This was largely my fault, because I was being an idiot once again and I left the stupid vaporizer in there on the floor. Also she has been "helping" to wash her own hair in the tub lately, so I'm sure that was the inspiration for this little act. Lovely.
So add to the list of dinner, dishwasher, and laundry the task of hauling a menthol-coated toddler to the bathtub without getting any of the inhalant stuff in anyone's eyes or all over the furniture or anywhere else...
Oh and also? She figured out how to take down the baby gates today.
I'm pretty much screwed.
Hope you're all having a great weekend too!
*tongue in cheek, people. tongue in cheek.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
mmmmm...crusty
Dudes. I am so tired. I think that when your kid is sick, it is actually harder on you, the parent, than it is on the child. Why? Because the parent gets to do the worrying.
We went to the doctor, and I'm glad we did because when Daughter woke up from her nap her right eye was completely swollen shut and crusted over with green goop. I don't even know what's up with this germ - 24 hours ago she was fine. The nurse practitioner who saw us said that in 16 years she has never seen a 21 month old child who has never been sick enough to require antibiotics. So I think we'll be getting a trophy, maybe, or possibly they will hang up our picture and a plaque in the office. Our streak is broken, though - Daughter was prescribed not one, but TWO medications to combat the sinus infection and the eye infection (an oral antibiotic, plus eye drops). They treat eye infections like this very aggressively, the NP said, because the eye is so close to the brain. Hey, what mother doesn't want to hear that? Super awesome.
Also, really, is there anything more fun than prying open a toddler's infected eye and squirting in some cold drops?
Poor baby. Poor mommy. Long day. I'm going to go collapse now.
We went to the doctor, and I'm glad we did because when Daughter woke up from her nap her right eye was completely swollen shut and crusted over with green goop. I don't even know what's up with this germ - 24 hours ago she was fine. The nurse practitioner who saw us said that in 16 years she has never seen a 21 month old child who has never been sick enough to require antibiotics. So I think we'll be getting a trophy, maybe, or possibly they will hang up our picture and a plaque in the office. Our streak is broken, though - Daughter was prescribed not one, but TWO medications to combat the sinus infection and the eye infection (an oral antibiotic, plus eye drops). They treat eye infections like this very aggressively, the NP said, because the eye is so close to the brain. Hey, what mother doesn't want to hear that? Super awesome.
Also, really, is there anything more fun than prying open a toddler's infected eye and squirting in some cold drops?
Poor baby. Poor mommy. Long day. I'm going to go collapse now.
more...coffee...now...
The kid is sick...runny nose, congestion, cough, eye goop...up half the night with the crying and the sniffling and the coughing and the misery...
So why is she flitting around playing while I am flat on my face trying to slurp coffee through a straw?
Tata. Off to the doctor's office.
So why is she flitting around playing while I am flat on my face trying to slurp coffee through a straw?
Tata. Off to the doctor's office.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
finishing frenzy
I am still working madly toward my goal of finishing up all the languishing projects around here. After finishing that ugly quilt, I put away the sewing machine for a bit (also my in-laws came for dinner over the weekend and we needed the dining room table). I haven't felt the sewing jones in a few days, so I'm concentrating on the knits.
Yesterday I wove (weaved? wove?) in the ends on these sexy little numbers:
Oh yes, those are legwarmers, baby. I knit them two years ago while pregnant with Daughter. I decided I had to have them because I worked in a little shop and whenever anyone opened the door my legs would freeze. I finished the knitting but by then had outgrown all my skirts, so they went into the craft cabinet and I wore the 4 pairs of maternity pants I had that fit me for the rest of my pregnancy. I guess I will keep them, though I don't know if they'll ever see actual use.
Yarn: Wool-Ease in gray and cranberry
Needles: possibly US sizes 8 and 6 but after this long, who knows?
Pattern: good question. I know I got a pattern from the internet, but again, it's been so long I can't remember where it came from.
Moving on:
This is the last knitted item I worked on while pregnant with Daughter. On April 18, 2005 I woke up at about 8 a.m. having contractions. Little did I know I was in labor and Daughter would be born almost exactly 24 hours later (she was not due until May 2). All that day I did laundry and knit the entire sleeve of this little sweater to keep busy and keep my mind off the pain, oh heavens the pain. It finally got so bad that I couldn't even finish the cuff and cast off, so that's where I left it.
I've taken it out of the bag and looked at it a number of times since then. I could finish it, but now it will be far too small for Daughter to ever wear. If I do finish it, it will either end up in the cedar chest o' knits, or I will donate it to charity. Part of me wants to just rip it and donate the yarn (it's just craft-store acrylic), but I hesitate because of this:
Can you see that cable detail on the raglan shaping? It was hard to get a photo of this minty green yarn and show that detail in the light available today. Anyway, that shaping took me forever to get right, because it's a pattern from the 1940s, and those patterns were apparently written for persons much smarter than myself. The directions are printed in tiny font, in long narrow columns, with maximum abbreviations, and nowhere near the actual picture of the garment.
Also, this was being knit using US size 1 and 2 needles, and that's a lot of work. Hmmmmm. To finish or not to finish...
In other news:
GASP! It's...crochet!
Yes, I do that as well. Actually, I went through a long period of becoming proficient with a crochet hook before picking up the knitting needles again in my mid-twenties. These squares come from a Leisure Arts leaflet - you're supposed to make all the squares and then make an afghan out of them (this is only a small selection...the booklet had something like 100 block patterns). As I have a serious case of crafting ADD, the idea of this sampler-style blanket appealed to me. In March 2001 I flew to Europe alone for a week-long stay. I wanted to take along something to do that wasn't bulky, so I stashed a crochet hook and some (craft store acrylic) baby sport yarn in my carry-on. Mmmmmmm...lovely, lovely acrylic. Hey, I was young and naive...what did I know of good yarns? Not much.
So these got crocheted over the ocean and in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Then I came home and stuffed them in a bag. Are we sensing a theme here?
I just need to sew these puppies together and edge the whole thing. The blocks are approximately 6 inches square, so it will be a small blanket. I suppose I will give it to Daughter for her dolls/stuffed animals.
And finally, the knitted item I am saddest about:
Oh, Kinsale. I am so sorry for leaving you to languish.
I even blogged about this sweater over a year ago, and STILL have not managed to finish it. This one was started sometime after my birthday in 200........3? I don't even know if that's right. I know my mom gave me the yarn as a (very generous) birthday gift. It's Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool. Gaw-geous.
I did finish up all the pieces last fall sometime. And I knit the neckband...no small feat considering it's about 120 stitches on US size 1 needles. Yeah, think about that. It makes my hands cramp just remembering it. I was so proud to finish it - I ran into the bathroom to try it on in front of the mirror...and I couldn't get it over my head.
&$#^*@)#*&!!!!!!
I should have cast off with a MUCH larger needle for elasticity. But rather than un-casting-off the stitches and re-casting off with a humongous needle, I got mad and stuffed it in a bag. It's back out, though. I'm going to take out those stinking stitches and re-cast it off if it kills me. Then I'm going to sew in the sleeves, sew up the sides, wash and block it, and WEAR the damn thing. Enough said.
So that's it. Other than the 2 sweaters I've been working on for Daughter and the pair of socks I always have in progress for waiting rooms, visiting with parents/friends, reading blogs, etc., I've really whittled down the wips.
The knitting wips, that is. Let's not talk about sewing, embroidery, and cross-stitch.
Woops, my stomach just made a noise that sounded like Chewbacca. Guess I should grab some lunch while Daughter naps. Stay warm, everyone!
Yesterday I wove (weaved? wove?) in the ends on these sexy little numbers:
Oh yes, those are legwarmers, baby. I knit them two years ago while pregnant with Daughter. I decided I had to have them because I worked in a little shop and whenever anyone opened the door my legs would freeze. I finished the knitting but by then had outgrown all my skirts, so they went into the craft cabinet and I wore the 4 pairs of maternity pants I had that fit me for the rest of my pregnancy. I guess I will keep them, though I don't know if they'll ever see actual use.
Yarn: Wool-Ease in gray and cranberry
Needles: possibly US sizes 8 and 6 but after this long, who knows?
Pattern: good question. I know I got a pattern from the internet, but again, it's been so long I can't remember where it came from.
Moving on:
This is the last knitted item I worked on while pregnant with Daughter. On April 18, 2005 I woke up at about 8 a.m. having contractions. Little did I know I was in labor and Daughter would be born almost exactly 24 hours later (she was not due until May 2). All that day I did laundry and knit the entire sleeve of this little sweater to keep busy and keep my mind off the pain, oh heavens the pain. It finally got so bad that I couldn't even finish the cuff and cast off, so that's where I left it.
I've taken it out of the bag and looked at it a number of times since then. I could finish it, but now it will be far too small for Daughter to ever wear. If I do finish it, it will either end up in the cedar chest o' knits, or I will donate it to charity. Part of me wants to just rip it and donate the yarn (it's just craft-store acrylic), but I hesitate because of this:
Can you see that cable detail on the raglan shaping? It was hard to get a photo of this minty green yarn and show that detail in the light available today. Anyway, that shaping took me forever to get right, because it's a pattern from the 1940s, and those patterns were apparently written for persons much smarter than myself. The directions are printed in tiny font, in long narrow columns, with maximum abbreviations, and nowhere near the actual picture of the garment.
Also, this was being knit using US size 1 and 2 needles, and that's a lot of work. Hmmmmm. To finish or not to finish...
In other news:
GASP! It's...crochet!
Yes, I do that as well. Actually, I went through a long period of becoming proficient with a crochet hook before picking up the knitting needles again in my mid-twenties. These squares come from a Leisure Arts leaflet - you're supposed to make all the squares and then make an afghan out of them (this is only a small selection...the booklet had something like 100 block patterns). As I have a serious case of crafting ADD, the idea of this sampler-style blanket appealed to me. In March 2001 I flew to Europe alone for a week-long stay. I wanted to take along something to do that wasn't bulky, so I stashed a crochet hook and some (craft store acrylic) baby sport yarn in my carry-on. Mmmmmmm...lovely, lovely acrylic. Hey, I was young and naive...what did I know of good yarns? Not much.
So these got crocheted over the ocean and in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Then I came home and stuffed them in a bag. Are we sensing a theme here?
I just need to sew these puppies together and edge the whole thing. The blocks are approximately 6 inches square, so it will be a small blanket. I suppose I will give it to Daughter for her dolls/stuffed animals.
And finally, the knitted item I am saddest about:
Oh, Kinsale. I am so sorry for leaving you to languish.
I even blogged about this sweater over a year ago, and STILL have not managed to finish it. This one was started sometime after my birthday in 200........3? I don't even know if that's right. I know my mom gave me the yarn as a (very generous) birthday gift. It's Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool. Gaw-geous.
I did finish up all the pieces last fall sometime. And I knit the neckband...no small feat considering it's about 120 stitches on US size 1 needles. Yeah, think about that. It makes my hands cramp just remembering it. I was so proud to finish it - I ran into the bathroom to try it on in front of the mirror...and I couldn't get it over my head.
&$#^*@)#*&!!!!!!
I should have cast off with a MUCH larger needle for elasticity. But rather than un-casting-off the stitches and re-casting off with a humongous needle, I got mad and stuffed it in a bag. It's back out, though. I'm going to take out those stinking stitches and re-cast it off if it kills me. Then I'm going to sew in the sleeves, sew up the sides, wash and block it, and WEAR the damn thing. Enough said.
So that's it. Other than the 2 sweaters I've been working on for Daughter and the pair of socks I always have in progress for waiting rooms, visiting with parents/friends, reading blogs, etc., I've really whittled down the wips.
The knitting wips, that is. Let's not talk about sewing, embroidery, and cross-stitch.
Woops, my stomach just made a noise that sounded like Chewbacca. Guess I should grab some lunch while Daughter naps. Stay warm, everyone!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
birthday wishes
Psst! Go on over and wish Karen at The Big Trade-Off a Happy Birthday today! I'm not sayin' how old she is, but it rhymes with, ummmmm..."flirty fun."
Monday, January 15, 2007
wishing i could bottle the cuteness and keep it forever
How my daughter sings the sesame street theme song (imagine adorable toddler voice):
SUN-ny day...
Clow away... (sweepin' the clouds away)
A-E-Seet! (On my way to where the air is sweet)
Tell me get... (can you tell me how to get)
Seseet! (how to get to Sesame Street)
The adorableness! It kills me every time.
We are also treated to this one daily:
LALA! LALA!
Elmo wode...
LALA! LALA!
Elmo wode...
Elmo go shish
Caaaaaan too...
(And that's it. She skips the last line every time.)
Oh, how I love this child. There are just no words to describe it.
There will be sewing and knitting to show soon, I promise!
SUN-ny day...
Clow away... (sweepin' the clouds away)
A-E-Seet! (On my way to where the air is sweet)
Tell me get... (can you tell me how to get)
Seseet! (how to get to Sesame Street)
The adorableness! It kills me every time.
We are also treated to this one daily:
LALA! LALA!
Elmo wode...
LALA! LALA!
Elmo wode...
Elmo go shish
Caaaaaan too...
(And that's it. She skips the last line every time.)
Oh, how I love this child. There are just no words to describe it.
There will be sewing and knitting to show soon, I promise!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
boy, it takes a long time to bury a body when the ground is frozen
Excerpt from an actual dinnertime conversation last week:
Me: Wow, I can't believe my birthday is coming up so soon.
Hub: Yeah, you're getting pretty old.
Me: What are you talking about? I'm going to be...25.
Hub: Honey, if that's the line you're going with, you'd better invest in some Miss Clairol.
Me: Wow, I can't believe my birthday is coming up so soon.
Hub: Yeah, you're getting pretty old.
Me: What are you talking about? I'm going to be...25.
Hub: Honey, if that's the line you're going with, you'd better invest in some Miss Clairol.
Friday, January 12, 2007
stick a fork in it
Ok, peeps! I'm really doing it. I'm finishing stuff. Ok, so far I've only finished one thing, but still...
Scary Bunny Quilt
Approximately 52"X42"
Started Summer 2003, Finished January 2007 (sad)
I call this the Scary Bunny Quilt because those faceless bunnies freak me out. This is a classic example, to me, of a cute pattern and pretty fabrics that just should NOT be put together. The original pattern picture (no, I don't recall where the pattern came from) featured this quilt made up in sweet vintage fabrics, with a very country look. But we had just received these fabrics in the shop where I was working, and I had the genius idea to make this bunny quilt with them. I kind of hated it as soon as I got the bunnies ironed down (they are fused with Heat 'N Bond lite, then appliqued around the edges). I suppose that's why this has been shoved in a bin for almost 4 years.
I did manage to get it sandwiched with batting and backing, and I basted it together way back in '03. This week, I finally quilted and bound the dumb thing. And the quilting is HIDEOUS. I really did a crappy job, but I DON'T CARE! It is finished! Now it gets thrown in the washer and dryer (LOOK AWAY QUILTING PURISTS - yes, I machine wash and dry my quilts with regular old detergent) and it will be the back-of-the-car emergency blanket/beach throw.
Still lots of projects (sewing, knitting, and oh my goodness I forgot about cross-stitch and embroidery) but every one I finish is a step towards doing something new and exciting.
Scary Bunny Quilt
Approximately 52"X42"
Started Summer 2003, Finished January 2007 (sad)
I call this the Scary Bunny Quilt because those faceless bunnies freak me out. This is a classic example, to me, of a cute pattern and pretty fabrics that just should NOT be put together. The original pattern picture (no, I don't recall where the pattern came from) featured this quilt made up in sweet vintage fabrics, with a very country look. But we had just received these fabrics in the shop where I was working, and I had the genius idea to make this bunny quilt with them. I kind of hated it as soon as I got the bunnies ironed down (they are fused with Heat 'N Bond lite, then appliqued around the edges). I suppose that's why this has been shoved in a bin for almost 4 years.
I did manage to get it sandwiched with batting and backing, and I basted it together way back in '03. This week, I finally quilted and bound the dumb thing. And the quilting is HIDEOUS. I really did a crappy job, but I DON'T CARE! It is finished! Now it gets thrown in the washer and dryer (LOOK AWAY QUILTING PURISTS - yes, I machine wash and dry my quilts with regular old detergent) and it will be the back-of-the-car emergency blanket/beach throw.
Still lots of projects (sewing, knitting, and oh my goodness I forgot about cross-stitch and embroidery) but every one I finish is a step towards doing something new and exciting.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
eye candy
Still quilting away...
If you like reproduction vintage-y country stuff, check out Tender Heart Treasures.
I am hoping to get this for my birthday. And if I get all my projects done, I might just order this for my kitchen!
If you like reproduction vintage-y country stuff, check out Tender Heart Treasures.
I am hoping to get this for my birthday. And if I get all my projects done, I might just order this for my kitchen!
Monday, January 08, 2007
there's a point in here somewhere
Ah, I appreciate the commiseration re: stinking it up in the parenting arena. I realize we all fail spectacularly once in awhile with the mommy-ing, but it is nice to hear it anyway. We are fine now, despite a few weekend references to the 'bo-ken' book. On Saturday, Daughter gave me one of those wicked headbutts to the bridge of the nose (you know the ones, where you're sure your nose is broken and it hurts all the way to the back of your head) so I figure we're even. Oh, also, she dropped a glass tumbler of water (which, hello, I was stupid enough to leave on my nightstand), so I spent some quality time cleaning up water and glass shards. Yes, yes, Mother of the Year, indeed.
Today did not start out too grandly either. We had a friend over last night who overstayed, so I got to bed really late, and then I woke up at 5:30 am for no reason. I was too hot and couldn't get back to sleep. What? I'm a champion of sleep! And besides, 4 hours is not enough for this mama. I managed to fall back to sleep, finally, and then you know how it goes. I totally couldn't drag myself out of bed when the alarm went off. And Hubby didn't help - he must have muttered "a few more minutes" and slapped his snooze button at least 5 times. Oy.
So I was really, really crabby when I got up. It took several cups of caffeine to get me out of my funk, but I finally sort of got it together. And I got to thinkin'...
I've been playing with the idea of setting up a little online shop to sell a few of my homemade things. My husband is fully supportive of the idea and has volunteered to help me (because he's the computer whiz). It would be partly to make a little bit of grocery money, but moreover to give me something to work toward each day. Right now I live a life of tasks, as do many stay-at-home moms, I'm sure. And that's fine, it really is. I'm so glad I'm here to do the things Daughter needs me to do. But I'm also looking to have a goal. Something personal, just for me.
The problem is, in order to figure out what I can make, I have to go through my bins of fabric stash and find appropriate fabrics, trims, etc. And that's what's been stopping me, because if I do that, I have to face all the unfinished projects that have piled up over the years.
When I first got married, I worked in a sewing machine dealership/quilt shop. I stayed there for almost 2 years (until Daughter was born). That was awesome and inspiring, but it led to a lot of unneccesary fabric purchases. I say again, A LOT OF FABRIC PURCHASES. Back then I had time, that precious commodity that is so sorely lacking now (oh, and money). So if I saw a project that looked like fun, I started it. Whee! But I have the attention span of a gnat - you'll notice you don't see any adult sweaters being knit around here, only wee child sweaters, and that's the reason - so I would quickly become bored and stuff the project du jour into a bin and forget about it.
Fast-forward to right now, and I've just really become disgusted with myself for my lack of follow-through. I have a fabric stash that I'm actually ashamed of...I will never, ever use some of this stuff. When I was working in the shop, a young woman would occasionally drop off her grandmother, who was a recent immigrant from some Eastern European country (I want to say Germany but I'm not sure), and somehow I always ended up talking to her. It was a challenge, because her accent was extremely thick, but we managed to communicate. Anyway, I can recall the first time she came in and she was just in awe of the bolts and bolts of beautiful fabrics. Where she comes from, she said, people don't buy big pieces of fabric just to cut them up into little pieces and sew them back together. Where she comes from, you sew together pieces of old clothing and scraps to make something that will keep you warm.
I digress, but the point is the excess. I just can't bear it, and I want to simplify. I need to simplify. I'm so fortunate to have what I have. Now I have to use it. I think I've been really good about fabric purchases in the past year or so. I've really only bought fabrics to make clothes for Daughter, and when I bring home new stuff, I make her a garment right away. As for quilting, I've stopped buying. I'm finally facing up to my bad habit of buying fabric and yarn to make myself feel good (I know some of you out there do the same thing), and now I'm going to finish stuff.
So I lied about making resolutions. My resolution is to finish up all these dang projects that are hanging over my head. I've gathered all the unfinished knitting into one pile and listed the projects and what needs to be done; I've also gathered the sewing projects into a sort-of pile but many are unwieldy and they're all at different stages. Sadly, several just need to be quilted...uuuuugh. But I'm doin' it. I started today.
Project #1: bunny quilt (started summer 2003)
Today did not start out too grandly either. We had a friend over last night who overstayed, so I got to bed really late, and then I woke up at 5:30 am for no reason. I was too hot and couldn't get back to sleep. What? I'm a champion of sleep! And besides, 4 hours is not enough for this mama. I managed to fall back to sleep, finally, and then you know how it goes. I totally couldn't drag myself out of bed when the alarm went off. And Hubby didn't help - he must have muttered "a few more minutes" and slapped his snooze button at least 5 times. Oy.
So I was really, really crabby when I got up. It took several cups of caffeine to get me out of my funk, but I finally sort of got it together. And I got to thinkin'...
I've been playing with the idea of setting up a little online shop to sell a few of my homemade things. My husband is fully supportive of the idea and has volunteered to help me (because he's the computer whiz). It would be partly to make a little bit of grocery money, but moreover to give me something to work toward each day. Right now I live a life of tasks, as do many stay-at-home moms, I'm sure. And that's fine, it really is. I'm so glad I'm here to do the things Daughter needs me to do. But I'm also looking to have a goal. Something personal, just for me.
The problem is, in order to figure out what I can make, I have to go through my bins of fabric stash and find appropriate fabrics, trims, etc. And that's what's been stopping me, because if I do that, I have to face all the unfinished projects that have piled up over the years.
When I first got married, I worked in a sewing machine dealership/quilt shop. I stayed there for almost 2 years (until Daughter was born). That was awesome and inspiring, but it led to a lot of unneccesary fabric purchases. I say again, A LOT OF FABRIC PURCHASES. Back then I had time, that precious commodity that is so sorely lacking now (oh, and money). So if I saw a project that looked like fun, I started it. Whee! But I have the attention span of a gnat - you'll notice you don't see any adult sweaters being knit around here, only wee child sweaters, and that's the reason - so I would quickly become bored and stuff the project du jour into a bin and forget about it.
Fast-forward to right now, and I've just really become disgusted with myself for my lack of follow-through. I have a fabric stash that I'm actually ashamed of...I will never, ever use some of this stuff. When I was working in the shop, a young woman would occasionally drop off her grandmother, who was a recent immigrant from some Eastern European country (I want to say Germany but I'm not sure), and somehow I always ended up talking to her. It was a challenge, because her accent was extremely thick, but we managed to communicate. Anyway, I can recall the first time she came in and she was just in awe of the bolts and bolts of beautiful fabrics. Where she comes from, she said, people don't buy big pieces of fabric just to cut them up into little pieces and sew them back together. Where she comes from, you sew together pieces of old clothing and scraps to make something that will keep you warm.
I digress, but the point is the excess. I just can't bear it, and I want to simplify. I need to simplify. I'm so fortunate to have what I have. Now I have to use it. I think I've been really good about fabric purchases in the past year or so. I've really only bought fabrics to make clothes for Daughter, and when I bring home new stuff, I make her a garment right away. As for quilting, I've stopped buying. I'm finally facing up to my bad habit of buying fabric and yarn to make myself feel good (I know some of you out there do the same thing), and now I'm going to finish stuff.
So I lied about making resolutions. My resolution is to finish up all these dang projects that are hanging over my head. I've gathered all the unfinished knitting into one pile and listed the projects and what needs to be done; I've also gathered the sewing projects into a sort-of pile but many are unwieldy and they're all at different stages. Sadly, several just need to be quilted...uuuuugh. But I'm doin' it. I started today.
Project #1: bunny quilt (started summer 2003)
Friday, January 05, 2007
yet another reason why I'll never be mother of the year
Really quick, I just want to point out that I wasn't trying to make a thing out of size with that last rather cheeky post. It was just my observation about a particular store and their sizes. Personally? I think Old Navy is involved in some sort of conspiracy to get us women to buy more clothing. I have many sizes in my closet, and I have many body issues just like all women do. But only at Old Navy do I take home something as small as a 6...and I swear, it makes me want to go back and buy more pairs of pants, just because! So kudos, Old Navy marketers. Mark the pants a smaller size than they actually are, and I will keep coming back. Also, keep selling them for $15. Huzzah!
And...today I ironed a pair of pants that's labeled size 10, and I can barely zip them shut. So, eh, whatever.
Onward...
All of you with children are going to roll your eyes and laugh at me when you read this one.
Today I snapped and yelled at Daughter. When we lost Beth I was hypersensitive to people hollering at their kids and I swore I wouldn't ever yell that way, because I had a whole new appreciation for my amazing child. That's not to say I don't discipline her, because we do believe in that, but today, whoops, I lost it. And it was my fault (you'll see why in a minute) and I feel terrible now.
I did many, many chores today, which tired me out, and I did not give Daughter the attention I normally do. She watched a lot of Sesame videos. By dinnertime, when I went into the kitchen to peel a couple of potatoes, she apparently needed my attention and figured out a way to get it...by destroying a book. She tore up my copy of Joseph Had a Little Overcoat beyond repair. I was peeling right into the garbage can and she came toddling up with a crunched up paper in her fist. She said, "garbage!" And I said, "hey, what is that?" And she opened her little hand and said, "BOOK!"
And I yelled. I yelled that now Mommy was very sad because the book was broken and we couldn't read it anymore. I took away her bunny and her Beaker doll and told her she could have them back when she said, "I'm sorry, Mommy." I figured she would just mumble, "ah-soy-mommy" and we'd be done. But you know what she did? She planted her feet, looked me right in the face, and bellowed, "NO!"
So I put her in the playpen with no toys and she screamed and howled and begged me for bunny and Beaker (you know, the dude from the Muppet Show). And I kind of just stood there watching her and pondering my predicament. Because I sort of backed myself into a really stupid corner. The kid is only 20 months old, so I realize she doesn't know the concept of an apology. But she is bright, and she understands things like saying please and thank you, so I thought she could maybe pick up the idea of saying "I'm sorry" when she does something naughty. I did not tell her she was bad, because I don't like that. She did a naughty thing, but I don't want to ever tell her that she is bad, if that makes sense. But here's the rub - I'm the idiot who left the book where she could reach it. I am the idiot.
Anyway, she wasn't going to say "sorry" for love or money, so I let her calm down in the playpen and then took her out to talk about it. I said, "please don't ever rip mommy's books again, ok?" And she said, "Ok!"
And then she hugged me and laid a big smacking kiss on my cheek.
I'm going to go poke myself with sharp sticks now, because that would feel better than my guilt.
And...today I ironed a pair of pants that's labeled size 10, and I can barely zip them shut. So, eh, whatever.
Onward...
All of you with children are going to roll your eyes and laugh at me when you read this one.
Today I snapped and yelled at Daughter. When we lost Beth I was hypersensitive to people hollering at their kids and I swore I wouldn't ever yell that way, because I had a whole new appreciation for my amazing child. That's not to say I don't discipline her, because we do believe in that, but today, whoops, I lost it. And it was my fault (you'll see why in a minute) and I feel terrible now.
I did many, many chores today, which tired me out, and I did not give Daughter the attention I normally do. She watched a lot of Sesame videos. By dinnertime, when I went into the kitchen to peel a couple of potatoes, she apparently needed my attention and figured out a way to get it...by destroying a book. She tore up my copy of Joseph Had a Little Overcoat beyond repair. I was peeling right into the garbage can and she came toddling up with a crunched up paper in her fist. She said, "garbage!" And I said, "hey, what is that?" And she opened her little hand and said, "BOOK!"
And I yelled. I yelled that now Mommy was very sad because the book was broken and we couldn't read it anymore. I took away her bunny and her Beaker doll and told her she could have them back when she said, "I'm sorry, Mommy." I figured she would just mumble, "ah-soy-mommy" and we'd be done. But you know what she did? She planted her feet, looked me right in the face, and bellowed, "NO!"
So I put her in the playpen with no toys and she screamed and howled and begged me for bunny and Beaker (you know, the dude from the Muppet Show). And I kind of just stood there watching her and pondering my predicament. Because I sort of backed myself into a really stupid corner. The kid is only 20 months old, so I realize she doesn't know the concept of an apology. But she is bright, and she understands things like saying please and thank you, so I thought she could maybe pick up the idea of saying "I'm sorry" when she does something naughty. I did not tell her she was bad, because I don't like that. She did a naughty thing, but I don't want to ever tell her that she is bad, if that makes sense. But here's the rub - I'm the idiot who left the book where she could reach it. I am the idiot.
Anyway, she wasn't going to say "sorry" for love or money, so I let her calm down in the playpen and then took her out to talk about it. I said, "please don't ever rip mommy's books again, ok?" And she said, "Ok!"
And then she hugged me and laid a big smacking kiss on my cheek.
I'm going to go poke myself with sharp sticks now, because that would feel better than my guilt.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
I love old navy because...
...at old navy I am a size 6. It's like being in another dimension. I love you, old navy.
That is all.
That is all.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
knitting in the new year
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Our tree came down a couple hours ago (boy, is Daughter going to be disappointed when she gets up from her nap), and the house is back to normal. Well, normal being the messy, cluttered, disorganized space it usually is, just sans large fake evergreen.
I rang in the new year with Dick Clark and a sock.
Does that sear your retinas or what? It's Knitpicks yarn, and the color is Zinnia, I think, but I don't have the label nearby. I'll give you the details when I finish the other sock.
Also knitted during the holidays:
The front of Daughter's new sweater. The back was finished up a few weeks ago, so I'm almost there. Time to get going on a sleeve!
And speaking of sleeves:
I could get going on a blue sleeve, but what fun is that when I could start something new? Actually, I like to have different gauge options to choose from when I knit, so this is a new sweater in a sport weight yarn for Daughter (the blue one is worsted weight). I know, my goodness, she might freeze to death unless I keep knitting more sweaters! It's a sickness, people. I admit it. At least I am getting into larger sizes so they will hopefully fit her for more than 5 minutes.
Anyway, it's a Debbie Bliss design, I'm pretty sure, and this is a sleeve. The cuff is extra long because it's meant to be turned back.
But it's not all knitting all the time...we do all kinds of stitching here in the Buff:
This is a quilt that's been haunting me for 2 1/2 years. I pieced it in the summer of 2004, but then got pregnant and proceeded to barf for months and months...not really conducive to quilting, you know? Last year I got all ambitious and machine quilted the major intersections, so it is at least being held together by actual thread (the pins are sandwiching smaller sections so they don't shift). However, I HATE machine quilting with all my heart and soul. Wrestling this sucker through my machine bed is the WORST. One of my dreams is to be able to afford to have all my quilts professionally quilted some day.
So I am hand quilting this thing.
Go ahead and look up "insanity" in your dictionary. Yep, that's my picture you see.
I stink at hand quilting, but the only way to get better is to do it, right? So that's what I'm doing, and I hope to have it done by summer...ish. Or thereabouts. Or something. It's roughly a bit smaller than twin-size. Crikey. Wish me luck.
I rang in the new year with Dick Clark and a sock.
Does that sear your retinas or what? It's Knitpicks yarn, and the color is Zinnia, I think, but I don't have the label nearby. I'll give you the details when I finish the other sock.
Also knitted during the holidays:
The front of Daughter's new sweater. The back was finished up a few weeks ago, so I'm almost there. Time to get going on a sleeve!
And speaking of sleeves:
I could get going on a blue sleeve, but what fun is that when I could start something new? Actually, I like to have different gauge options to choose from when I knit, so this is a new sweater in a sport weight yarn for Daughter (the blue one is worsted weight). I know, my goodness, she might freeze to death unless I keep knitting more sweaters! It's a sickness, people. I admit it. At least I am getting into larger sizes so they will hopefully fit her for more than 5 minutes.
Anyway, it's a Debbie Bliss design, I'm pretty sure, and this is a sleeve. The cuff is extra long because it's meant to be turned back.
But it's not all knitting all the time...we do all kinds of stitching here in the Buff:
This is a quilt that's been haunting me for 2 1/2 years. I pieced it in the summer of 2004, but then got pregnant and proceeded to barf for months and months...not really conducive to quilting, you know? Last year I got all ambitious and machine quilted the major intersections, so it is at least being held together by actual thread (the pins are sandwiching smaller sections so they don't shift). However, I HATE machine quilting with all my heart and soul. Wrestling this sucker through my machine bed is the WORST. One of my dreams is to be able to afford to have all my quilts professionally quilted some day.
So I am hand quilting this thing.
Go ahead and look up "insanity" in your dictionary. Yep, that's my picture you see.
I stink at hand quilting, but the only way to get better is to do it, right? So that's what I'm doing, and I hope to have it done by summer...ish. Or thereabouts. Or something. It's roughly a bit smaller than twin-size. Crikey. Wish me luck.
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