Goodbye to 2007

Wow! I can't believe that when I wake up tomorrow it will be 2008! Hayden will turn 5 and start kindergarten, Lainey will (hopefully) potty train, I'll turn 38 and have my 8th wedding anniversary, and I'll have my 7th knitting anniversary! It does and doesn't seem like it's been that long. Most of the friends that I took the class with don't knit anymore, in fact, I think there's only one other out of the six of us. I have to say that I'm completely obsessed with it and can't understand why anyone would quit!

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year's Eve and 2008! I doubt I'll be up until midnight, unless I'm knitting.

As for knitting progress, I'm still working on my SIL's socks in STR G-Rocks. The first is finished and the second is on the needles. I'm not sure that she'll like them, but we'll see. I stopped the sock progress to quickly knit two little hats for our friends that just had twins. They were early, but healthy and only in ICU one day! I didn't take pictures yet (I was knitting right up until we headed to the hospital to visit), but will hopefully get pictures of them on the babies next weekend. Both were from Itty Bitty Hats. I used Cotton Fleece and did the newborn size on each, but think they should come closer to fitting than the hats they had on yesterday.

I got together with several friends at a new coffee shop last week to knit! They had great chai (and other things from what I heard) AND they have a fireplace! I love fireplaces (not that you'd know it... we have two. A woodburning and a gas log and we rarely use either. I guess I worry too much with two little ones around.) Anyway, the fireplace was going and we sat at the back of the shop right by it on the leather furniture. It was fabulous! We're hoping to get together next week at the same place.

Well, here's to another year of knitting gone by and (hopfully) another to come! I'm on a yarn diet that I'm hoping to be faithful to for 2008. The only yarn I'm able to purchase is if I don't have enough for a project. I'm planning to make a vest like Hayden's for each of his cousins, but I don't think I have enough Cascade 220 (unless they want them to be pink and green striped!) I won't be knitting them until closer to their birthdays, so I won't need the yarn until June or so. I'm hoping to have a complete lack of yarn purchases from January 1 until June 1. Then we'll see if I am still knitting gifts, etc. My "carrot"is $20 a month that I don't purchase any yarn. That could be a nice amount of STR if I'm able to stick to it! I am planning to make a small purchase from Knitpicks sometime soon though (without yarn). I'm hoping to order the sock needle set. My bamboo DPNs are on their last leg.

See you in 2008!

Jenn

PIF Exchange

I've got two takers on the PIF exchange. You can check out Sydney and Stacie on their blogs. Sydney is new to my blog, but Stacie was my sock pal for Sockapalooza 4. Thanks to each of them for "signing" up! I still need one more person to complete my three.

Not much knitting this weekend. Hayden has had a stomach bug most of the day. I've been trying to keep Lainey out of his way. Guess we'll see if we all come down with it. I'm hoping it will be all over by Christmas Eve, if we do.

Hayden wore his vest to his school program last week. He looked so handsome and he's asked when he can wear it again. I told him that after Christmas Eve it's all up to him!

Well, off to knit!

Pay It Forward

I was reading Chrisknits blog recently and she decided to take part in a PIF exchange. She decided to send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who left a comment on her blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. (I actually got in on this!) She stated that she didn't know what the gifts would be and it may not be received tomorrow or next week, but it would be received within 365 days. The only thing you had to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So, here I am making the promise! The first three people to respond with interest will receive a handmade gift from me sometime within the next year (I'm shooting more for sooner rather than later, but don't want to rush any presents I'm sending.) But, by responding and being chosen you also agree to pay it forward on your blog (if you don't have a blog you can do the same thing with a local charity or knitting group, etc.)

Now we'll see if anyone reads my blog! Thanks Chris!

Jenn

Christmas Knits

I started the red vest that Hayden requested on Monday night. I'm almost done with the front. I probably won't be knitting something like this again for a while. My arms and neck are killing me, so I'm headed to bed early tonight. I've been staying up late and L hasn't been sleeping well. BUT, I think the vest will fit well and Hayden seems to like it. I'll try to take some pictures soon, but we're supposed to have ice and freezing rain all weekend. I'm headed out to get a few things (milk, eggs, etc.) so that we can be stuck in the house all weekend. We're supposed to have a birthday party tonight, but we'll just see how the roads are around 4:30. I don't want to get caught out when it hits. I also don't want to disappoint the 3 year old having the party!

Look for a little pay it forward experience in my next post!

Jenn

New Leaf

As the new year approaches I'm trying to change things I'm not happy with. Here are a few new leaves I'm attempting to turn over...

1. I'm going to go on another yarn diet! I've made a couple of purchases lately when a shop in town was closing (50% off) so that I can make the Tangled Yoke Cardigan and Indigo Ripple skirt. These (along with all the sock yarn I have) will keep me busy for a long time! I do not need any yarn. As an incentive I will "pay" myself $20 a month for every month I stick to the diet. In December of 2008, if I've been a good girl, I should have $240 to spend on yarn. (This does include sock yarn! If I ever start knitting myself socks my drawer could be very full before I have to buy any new yarn.)

2. From above, I'm really going to knit a few things for myself. I love knitting for babies because it will eventually fit and they just look so darn cute in anything! However, it would be nice to benefit from my own needles. After the haze has lifted from my Christmas knitting I'll get more specific.

3. Learn new techniques. I made my first moebius this year and there are several other techniques I'm interested in trying... steeking is the first to come to mind.

4. I'd really like to knit for charity. My goal is to start a project after the first of the year and keep one charity knit on the needles at all times. I'm not sure if I'll go for one charity or several. I need to decide this.

5. Post on my blog in a much more regular manner! I've been a slacker and I need to get myself in gear. I'm shooting for at least 4 times a week. Hopefully, I'll have enough content to entertain anyone who happens to read this!

And, so I don't completely bore you with my list, here are some fo's!

Lainey's finished socks to go in her stocking. They're from Cascade 220. It's an easy pattern called Cabled Toddler Socks by Rosemary Waits.

There's also a pair for Hayden. I had to add two cables, but now it fits him great (with a little room to spare.) He also requested a red scarf. I used FrogTree Alpaca worsted and it's so soft!! A red vest was also on his list and I started one (designing my own) on Monday night. It's from Cascade 220 heathers in red, but not bright red like the socks and scarf. I'm about 6 inches or so into it and will take a picture if we ever have any decent light here. So far I like it AND think it might actually fit him! I need to have it washed and ready to wear by next Thursday for his Holiday program at preschool.

I've finished two pairs of Fiber Trends Felted Clogs... The grey pair is for my BIL and the "bright" pair is for my FIL (who requested an "absurd" color scheme. We'll see if this works for him.) I'm gifting them unfelted since I'll be there to help them felt.

Now, in addition to Hayden's vest I need to finish the second in a pair of socks, another pair of clogs and a pair of socks for my SIL. I see little sleep in my near future!

It is good knitting weather here though!

Times flies when you have a deadline!

I've been knitting away and can't believe how long it's been since I posted! It's not because I haven't been knitting either. I finished the Reid sweater for our goddaughter. We forgot our camera and used my in-laws, so I'm waiting for them to forward pictures to me. I think it turned our very cute! I made the 2 year old size and it was perfect for her (just a little big so she can wear it more.) One of our local LYSs is going out of business, so I bought some Catania in a pretty harvest orange color and hope to make one for Lainey. Maybe for her birthday....

I finished the first of three pairs of Fiber Trends Felted Clogs for Christmas. I'm going to gift them un-felted so that they can get a great fit. I'm also still working on my MILs socks. I finished a cute pair of cabled slipper socks for Lainey and am almost done with the first of a pair for Hayden. They will be in their stockings this year. I'm using Cascade 220 in bright red. I also have a pair of socks to knit for my SIL, but they may not be done on time... She might get felted slippers as well. Hayden also wants a red vest for Christmas, so I'm working on that too.

I've got several projects lined up for myself and am excited to get started. More about that when I can actually see the light! I "donated" knitting lessons to the silent auction at Hayden's preschool recently and just gave my first (of an unspecified number) on Sunday. We worked on long tail cast on and the knit stitch. She caught on quickly, but we're going to get together soon for a quick refresher.

Anyway, I'll have pictures and more to talk about soon!

Jenn

Can't Believe It's Been This Long...

We've been to and returned from Philly, been sick and just overloaded with work (house and other kinds as well!) I can't believe it's been this long since my last post! Well, here are a few pictures for you. I've made a couple of trades on Ravelry, etc...

This is a skein of Fleece Artist Nova Sock yarn in Tangerine colorway all the way from Canada...A wonderfully "Smooshy" skein of Dream in Color Smooshy (blue lagoon colorway)...Ellen's Half Pint Merino/Nylon sock yarn in greens...

and blues.

I also finished another EZ February sweater. This one is in Louet Gems Opal. It's for a friend due November 1. The color is a bit darker than in the picture... more of a dusky violet.

I started my MILs Christmas socks with Online Supersocke Beach Cotton colorway 948. I'm just using a plain stockinette sock pattern since the yarn has enough interest itself.It was good knitting on the trip to Philly. Last night I cast on for ANOTHER February sweater that I'm donating to the Silent Auction that Hayden's preschool is having next week. After that I'll be back on Reid for our goddaughter. I've got the fronts done. The deadline is the 27th of October, so I have to get in gear!

Knitting Update

Let's see.. what has been added to the FO pile since my last post??? Camille's Birthday Hat is finished and will be gifted on Sunday. Lainey is modeling it below. She'd sit while I took the picture and then run over to look at it.



I'm working on Kate's Reid and have almost finished the 2nd front. It doesn't look like much now, but I'm hoping it fits after blocking. I've heard that the next too sizes are huge and Kate isn't too much bigger than Lainey. We also found out that Kate is going to have a little brother and little sister in December/January! Anyone have any cute baby sweaters to suggest that would look good together in pictures?? I think I see a pair of these in their future! Chris has come up with a cute sweater, but it will be a while before these will fit the twins.


I'm starting a quick February sweater for my friend Kerry who is due November 1. And I also need to get a sweater together to donate to Hayden's preschool silent auction. I'm thinking something machine washable. It may speak more to the parents there.


It's quiet here and the dishwasher is full, so off to start it and sit to knit!



Jenn

Click Clack

I finished Lainey's hat. The pattern is Ela's Favorite Hat from One Skein Wonders. Iknit it in Patons SWS. The yarn was fine to knit with although a little splitty at times. She seems to really like it, so she'll be warm this winter. Hayden has a Noro ribbed hat that I knit several years ago that he wears and a red ribbed hat from Frog Tree Alpaca that is too warm to wear unless it's seriously cold out. I'm working on planning my knitting for our trip to the cabin and to PA for the wedding. I think I'll take the socks I'll be making for my MILs Christmas present (plain stockinette), the scarf for Hayden (red Cascade 220), and the baby sweater I'm making to donate to Hayden's preschool silent auction. (I'm also going to offer knitting lessons. Guess we'll find out if anyone is interested!) I'm sure I'll take something that needs a bit more thought, but since I get car sick I need something that I don't have to look at often.

Mean Green Baby Sweater

I finished Lainey's "February" sweater Sunday morning before church. She got to wear it and it was adorable... Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures that morning, but she did pose for me yesterday! If you tell her you're going to take a picture (whether you have a camera or not) and ask for a "big smile" you get this expression. So cute! The sweater went quickly. I really like this look... 3/4 sleeves and a bit cropped in the body.

Doug took H fishing last night, so L and I hung out. We ran to the grocery and decided to run by Michael's. They had a 50% off coupon for Sunday/Monday. I ended up with a new knitting bag for $12.50. They had just started carrying them and they're cute! They also have totes, needles cases and some smaller project holders. I'm always on the lookout for a cute knitting bag. I tend to go too large and then I end up with everything in it!

I also started Ela's Favorite Hat from One Skein Wonders in Patons SWS for Lainey. The blue matches her coat and she doesn't have a hat for this winter.

Speed Knitting

Wow! I've finished two WIPs since the weekend! I made a pair of Saartje's Booties for Bex's baby (who hasn't made his appearance yet! She is SO ready!) I used some Koigu that I got in New Orleans.I'm hoping to make a sweater for him for the spring since I'm sure he has plenty of little fall/winter sweaters to wear. I also gave back a sweater that she had loaned me from the shop. I've got matching yarn and since she's now stated that her husband isn't opposed to a boy wearing it (it has some small flecks of green, blue, pink and purple on a yellow base) I'm going to try to whip up another pair of bootees to match.

I also finished a sweater for Elsie, the daughter of good friends in KC. She's so beautiful and I was planning to make a Pea Pod set for her, but I've never been able to get it printed out (long story!) Instead, I checked out EZ's Knitter's Almanac (they haven't had it at the LYS, but it took a while to dawn on me that I could check it out from the library while I'm waiting! I'm a little slow to catch on at times! I blame it on the kids.) and knit up the "February" baby sweater out of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Tea Rose. It was done in less than 3 days and I love the way it turned out. It even fit like a little 3/4 sleeve cardigan on Lainey.... SO, I started one in Cotton Ease (the green matches several of her dresses) with a larger gauge for her! We've got a wedding to go to in Philly in October and she needs a little sweater with her dress.

I've also got a pair of socks going that will probably be for Lainey. They aren't going to be quite large enough for Hayden, so his pair will come next.

Lots of knitting going on here! More to show soon!

A Finished Weasley

Lainey's sweater is finished! It's done blocking and I've tried it on Lainey (although she wouldn't hold still long enough for a picture.) It's in her room right now and she's sleeping, so I can't take any other pictures. It was a very quick knit and turned out well. It was nice to have a product that was finished in less than a week. Now I'll start Hayden's socks for his stocking. He asked for red, but I'm using a rainbow colored cotton/wool Sockotta yarn. I think he likes it so far.

I'm waiting to start Elsie's sweater since it won't take long. I want to make sure I make the right size. We'll see if she's growing as quickly as my kids or just at a normal pace! haha I've also been unable to get the pattern to print. I went to my mom's today and didn't know my password to log in to IK. Oh well, I'm planning to start it September 1st, after I finish a few other WIPs.

Off to knit!

Knitting for Christmas

I'm getting ready for the holidays (in August with 100 degree weather outside) by beginning my Christmas knitting. I finished Lainey's dolly dress.

I've also started Lainey's Weasley sweater (it will have an L on the front). Other than the intarsia for the letter it's just straight stockinette. Should knit up quickly on size 9s. Hayden hasn't decided for sure what color he would like his to be, so I'll wait to get the yarn until he's ready. I'm also making a pair of socks for each stocking. (We started a tradition of new pjs for the kids in their stocking that they get to open on Christmas Eve and I decided I'd add a new pair of handknit socks to that tradition).

Am I the only one starting presents for the holidays?

Not much else going on. We've got playdates, swimming, etc. planned for this week, so I'm hoping to wear the kids out and have a little extra knitting time. hehehehe

If anyone bothering to read this ends up on Ravelry, let me know! I'd love to add you to my friends!

Hope this hot weather ends soon! I'm ready for Fall (or even snow.)

Jenn

I've got my sock pal socks!

I love them! They're knit with Fortissima Socka Mit Bambou (wool/nylon/bamboo) and they fit perfectly. The pattern is Thuja from Knitty. I love the yarn and the colors too! This is my first pair of handknit socks. I've knit them for many friends and family, but none for myself. I wore them around the house for quite a while before the 100 degree heat made me take them off. Thank you Wanda! You're fabulous! I greatly appreciate all the work you put into these socks... I couldn't ask for a better pair!She also included this skein of Trekking. I love the colors! I'm tagging it for the first pair of socks I make for myself. I've truly enjoyed Sockapalooza and will definitely take part next time!

Sock Pal has her socks...

I got an email Saturday night and they arrived! She liked what I sent, so I'm HAPPY! Now, I'm patiently awaiting socks from my pal. She could send me any color or pattern and I'd just be happy. It's so exciting! I will definitely be joining in for the next one.

I ended up starting a dress for Lainey's baby. I printed out several patterns the other day and the computer crashed right as I was getting to the Pea Pod set. Off I go to work on the doll dress while Lainey is taking a nap and Hayden plays with his cousin.

Have a fantastic day!

The Finished Product

Here they are along with a few other things I'm sending... I know we don't have to send anything other than socks, but I thought I'd surprise her with a few little things. I included a skein of yarn and a set of stitchmarkers that I made for her. Two of her colors were blues and pinks. When I saw the blue beads with pink flowers I knew they were meant for her! I also included extra yarn from her socks, although I kept some and am planning to make something with it... I'm not sure what.. a mini sock? We never got around to picking up the honey candies though.

And, we found out that our friends in KC had a baby girl... Elsie Marie! I'm planning on the Pea Pod set for them, but I got the cutest little dress with floral embroidery on the yoke at BabyGap for cheap. Now I'm thinking maybe a little shrug to go with the dress or keeping the dress for our friends expecting twins or some other future babe. Who knows! Our printer isn't working, so I can't start the Pea Pod until I get to my mom's tomorrow and print it off. Guess I'll knit up a little baby outfit for Lainey's naked doll.

Jenn

Life is Good

My sockapalooza socks are finished! Hot off the needles... Here they are preparing for a dip... Oh, the bubbles provide a little coverage for the modest little socks...

Preparing for a little massage into shape...

And, I get to start reading the 7th Harry Potter book. I know some people have no interest, but I've really enjoyed them. My husband was skeptical when I read the first one, but when the second one came out he decided he should find out what all the talk was about and read the first two. Now he's just as much a fan as I am! We've enjoyed the movies as well.

It's been so hot here for the last few days and doesn't look like it will cool down. The rec center we belong to has the pool closed right now for cleaning and annual maintenance, but it should reopen next week. We've just been hanging out inside playing playdough, etc. I can't wait for Fall! Then we'll hit the park almost every day and can resume our nightly walks.

Just a little over a month and Hayden will be starting preschool. He's very excited! So am I! Lainey and I will have some time together alone. Right now she's very interested in the potty (she's only 16 months old, but we're going with it for now.) She's made several "deposits", but I wouldn't say she's near potty trained. I'm waiting for some training pant covers to arrive. Apparently, I'm the odd one out since "everyone" wants to use disposable training pants. I found the little padded underwear at Target, but none of the vinyl covers. Once they arrive we'll ditch the diapers except for naptime and bedtime. I'm torn between my baby growing up too fast and the "dream" of no diapers to change (or buy!) Below is Hayden with our goddaugther. He's very secure in his boyhood!
Lots of excitement at our house!

The end is in sight

What a crazy, busy, exciting week! I won a lifetime pass to the Missouri Theatre! They have a symphony, put on other concerts, work with a local indie theatre to show some movies and provide theatre space for the True/False Film Festival that is held here every year, and host many other events. It was built in the 20's and is a beautiful old theatre. It's now closed for the next 10 months while they restore and renovate it to its previous glory! Since I'm from here and we have no plans to move, they're going to be stuck with me! We'll still have to buy a ticket for Doug or the kids, but I hope Doug can watch the kids sometimes while I go alone.

I've also watched my cousin's 7 month old son this week while his daycare was closed. Busy, but fun week with him. He's just starting to military crawl and he was all over the place!

I'm in the straightaway on the socks... So far I've enjoyed the Magic Loop.I have a bit of a ladder on the sole, but am hoping it will even out when they get a bath in a night or two. This is the last time I'll be modelling... My SPs feet are smaller than mine! (Fairly easy to do since I wear a women's size 11!) I've made some stitchmarkers to send with the socks and have a couple of other little things to go as well. We need to run out to a local honey producer and pick up some honey candies to send along. I'm going to start a Weasley sweater for Lainey (christmas present) and a Reid for our goddaughters birthday. We also have some friends that are due any minute. Once we find out what they have I'll be making a Pea Pod baby set for this fall.

Last night I watched HP and the Goblet of Fire again in preparation to see the Order of the Phoenix sometime soon. We're hoping we can get away later in the week for an afternoon matinee and dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant. We'll see if it happens! Doug finished book 7 and I'm hoping to start it soon as well.

I've also continued putting in too much time on Ravelry. I have most of my stash photographed and entered. I've got a huge queue of patterns I'd like to (eventually) knit. I hope it's open to the public soon. There are still things to fix and add, but it's going to be/is a great site!

On to the heel...

I've finally gotten to the heels! It always seems like they go so quickly from this point on. Tonight I'll be up until I get the heels turned and all my stitches picked up. I've also got the 7th Harry Potter book sitting here staring at me... But, I won't start it until the socks are done. Besides, I told Doug he could read it first.
And, this is why I've been moving so slowly! She's getting molars and having separation anxiety. Last night I'd had it with her getting up. She just wasn't happy with much of anything. I decided it was time to night wean (maybe wean completely, but since we're not having any more kids I hate to go that far yet. I love breastfeeding!) I decided to tell her that "they" were sleeping... This did not go over well! After about 20 minutes of crying, rocking and trying to console her I just put her in the crib so I could rub her back. That started a whole new tantrum. So, I left the room. Doug was awake and offered to go in. He walked into her room and told her it was time to sleep, she pointed at the door and said "mama" to which he replied that I was sleeping. She laid down and we didn't hear another peep until 7:45 a.m.! He is hired!!!

Zzzzzzzz...

Not much going on over here. I've been trying to get in my 5 rows each night, but between the Police concert, recovering from lack of sleep and prepping for a garage sale I've been slacking on the knitting. Now that's done and I'm cleaning house, washing laundry and just trying to catch up on everything else. Tomorrow will begin my renewed effort to knit like a fiend! So, off I go to finish the chores. I'll post pics of the sock (at least you can tell a difference) tomorrow and maybe even a few of the clean and reorganized knitting/craft room. I can almost see the desk now and I just keep adding to the Goodwill pile (or maybe another garage sale!!)

Jenn

Dream...

In Color is such great yarn! I've lived up to my 5 rows on each sock per knit so far. My only problem is that my yarnovers vary in size so much. I'm even wrapping the K-YO-P under/over and back again (1 1/4 wrap) and the P-YO-K the same so that they use the same amount of yarn and they still don't look close in size. Hope my sock pal doesn't mind! I still think they look good though.

And I just got a surprise handcarried back from Ireland! Doug's bandmate, Bruce, and his wife, Susan, just returned from their second trip to Ireland. We went for two weeks for our honeymoon and can't wait until the kids are a bit older so we can go back and take them with us! I didn't knit on that trip we made. I started about 4 months after that. But check out the beautiful 100% wool they picked up at Blarney Woolen Mills!It was spun in Co. Donegal. Each skein is 100 g.... Now, must, put, with, stash... Must, finish, socks! I knew Doug had asked them to bring him some whiskey (Powers 12 year for anyone that enjoys it.)

One of the kids is in bed now and the other is having a fit. We'll see if she'll go to sleep soon so I can get started on my requisite 10 rows! I doubt I'll get it done tomorrow. We're going to St. Louis to the Police concert with another couple! Can't wait!

Jenn

Trying to get back on track

I'm done with the 2nd Ballet T-Shirt (for Sophia) and here is a picture of Camille wearing it for me! Now, to get back on the Sockapalooza socks. There will be no other projects until they're done! hahahahahaha Oh, can I really stick to this? I've got them next to my "spot" on the couch and once everyone is in bed I'm picking them up. 5 rows each sock minimum per night!

I'm hoping to get the Clapotis done by August 1 as well. I've got so many other projects that I want to start! I'm working on Ravelry as well. Maybe I'll get a good day and get some stash pictures taken. Doug's out for the evening, Lainey is asleep and Hayden is headed that way. Better get moving on my socks!

Where does the time go?

Too much going on, none to do with knitting. Lainey is cutting molars/dealing with a head cold. Hayden is just being 4. I've become a Mary Kay consultant (realized that 37 was a "mature" age and I should start taking care of my skin.) I'm not really into the hard sell, sell, sell. I was shown the products by a friend and liked them. Never in a million years would I picture myself doing this... but I am. We'll see how it goes. Now, I have a head cold that Lainey so lovingly shared with me (molars = lots of drool!)

I'm working on my sock pal socks (very little) and another ballet t-shirt for a birthday present for Sophia. I'm about 1/3 of the way done and hope to finish it this weekend. Then I'll get back on track with the socks. Most available time has been sucked up by Ravelry.com! I've still got quite a bit to enter and a lot of pictures to take. We've also been outside playing, going for walks, etc.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

Jenn

Have You Received an Invite?

I just got my invitation to join Ravelry.com a few days ago! If you haven't been added to the list, DO. Even though it's by invitation only at this point, it's wonderful! I've been adding my stash and library. I'm trying to get some pictures of finished and in progress projects to add. I can't wait until it's open to everyone! (I'm having problems getting the pictures to fit... then when I recenter the pics they don't stay that way. Guess that's just part of being in the testing phase!)

So, as for actual knitting... I finished a Ballet T-shirt from Loop de Loop for Lainey a little over a week ago. I had some Blue Heron beaded cotton in the Cooper colorway. It turned out so cute! I'm making another right now for Sophia's birthday. I'm working on my Waving Lace socks as well, but needed some more immediate gratification!

More knitting soon!

Jenn

Rippin' n' Rollin'

Well, this is the Jaywalker... At least I found out how much my gauge changes when I use Magic Loop now instead of when it was done! I've decided that I do need a break from them, so I've put them aside and will pick them up after my sockpals socks are finished.

I've also (re)started my sockpal socks (after L removed them from the dpns). I LOVE the yarn! The color is gorgeous and it's so soft and squishy. The pattern is fun as well. Waving Lace from Favorite Socks. I did a few rows on dpns, then switched to Magic Loop. Maybe it's the fact it's lace (Jaywalkers don't have much give anyway) I'm already planning my little care package to go with the socks. I'm going to include a few stitchmarkers that I made, maybe some chocolates from a local chocolate store... Just a few little things to go with the socks. I'm going to have to do this again next year! It's so much fun planning a surprise for someone!

Jenn

Little Problem (little sock)

Well, I'm decreasing at the gusset and decided to try the sock on last night just to get an idea of fit... it won't go on my foot. Now, I'm not horribly worried. I have HUGE feet. Size 11 women's, but I have doubts that they'll fit my mom either. I think these may end up going to my SIL (tiny woman) for Christmas -- which is fine since she was getting a pair of socks anyway. Luckily, they're coming into town for the holiday this weekend, so I'll be able to have her try it on and see if it will work for her. If not, I'll spend my holiday frogging. I finally got the needles for my sock pal socks (started on dpns, but L pulled them out when my back was turned.) I've been waiting for size 2 circs (47") to come in at the LYS. I got Addi Lace needles in 2 and 3, both 47". Now, if the Jaywalker has to be ripped, then they'll just wait while I work on sock pal socks. I'm actually quite anxious to get back to them. Maybe I'll just go ahead and start them again after the kids are in bed tonight...

Jenn

Great to Be Home

We had a fabulous time in New Orleans, but it's good to be home! The flights were fine, weather was perfect and we walked until our feet hurt. Doug's co-workers are a lot of fun (much more than us.. we were in before midnight each night.) Judy, who's in charge of arranging everything for the meeting did an amazing job (as usual). The last meeting was on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. It was fun as well, but I was pregnant with Lainey.

One of the highlights (can't say the best, but only because I don't want to hurt Doug's feelings! ) was meeting up with Christina to knit at Cafe du Monde. She emailed me about some yarn that I had for sale on Destash. When she sent me her address I realized that SHE LIVES IN NEW ORLEANS! I emailed her and asked if she'd be interested in meeting up and I could hand deliver the yarn. Luckily, she didn't think I was (too) weird... We met up and had cafe au lait and beignets while we both worked on our STR socks. I'm so jealous... she's in the Rockin' Sock Club. I just didn't get into socks in time to sign up before it was closed for the year. Her socks are beautiful and I love the yarn and pattern... Maybe next year! After we knit for a while we walked over to Quarterstitch, the LYS in the French Quarter. It's a tiny store, but they have some beautiful yarn. I ended up with some Koigu (above) to make socks for me (browns/pinks & solid pink) and Doug (blues/solid blue). The top skein is some Mama E's C*Eye*Ber Fiber Sock yarn in Indian Corn colorway. (It didn't come from New Orleans, but I hadn't shown it yet.) Christina got a skein of recycled sari yarn. It's beautiful stuff! As we were leaving the store we saw Jerry Springer. We stood outside the store debating.. him, not him. We were pretty sure it was him, but our suspicions were confirmed when some guys working next door started yelling "Jerry". He waved just a bit and another woman snapped a picture as she walked by. Unfortunately, neither of us had cameras with us. You should definitely check out Christina's blog! She was planning to go Saturday night to get a tattoo and there are pictures on her blog. It's amazing! I didn't get as much knitting done as I thought I would, but I did make it to the gusset on the first Jaywalker.

We found cute t-shirts for the kids. Hayden's is a pirate shirt (cartoonish skull and two pirate ships - pillage. plunder. pillage. plunder). Lainey's is a cartoon crayfish and says "Who's your crawdaddy?" And, of course, we brought home pralines (for us and the grandparents).

We also stopped for a couple of hours in KC after we got back to visit Greg and Sara. They're due in July and she's just so darn cute! We don't get to see them often, but they are always fun. Sounds like they (or at least Greg - just depends on how she's feeling) will be coming to the CD release party on June 2 for Doug's band, Celandine. I think it's going to be a great time!

Jenn