Finally Fini

I finished the Wine and Roses mitts last night! Blocked, dried and ready to wrap up for the giftee. I hope she likes them! I enjoyed the pattern and definitely plan on making a pair for myself (out of my stash). My only problem was that if I even attempted to knit on them (other than a few stockinette rows) I would mess something up and have to tink back. I've not done a lot of lacework (no big lace shawls here), but did enjoy it. I think I need to wait until the kids are a bit older though. Today is my L's first birthday! I had just gone to the dr to discuss being induced and we set it up for two days later. (My son was 9 1/2 pounds and 2 weeks early.) Because of some problems I had about a week after he was born (vaginal hematoma that ruptured and emergency surgery - I don't recommend it!) they were a bit concerned that we might have problems if she was also big. But, she knew what she was doing! 10 p.m. that night, my water broke. By midnight my contractions had started and I had her (naturally) at 3:30 a.m. She was 9 pounds even and 21 inches long. No complications this time! She's beautiful and healthy AND she just started walking everywhere. She's also trouble! I'm hoping to swatch for my Sahara and (possibly) start on my Clapotis. I also had to clean up the house a bit, bake a cake (see cake smeared on baby above!) and prepare for our little birthday party tonight. I'm guessing there won't be too much time for knitting today, but if I can at least get the swatch finished I'll be happy. Doug leaves tomorrow afternoon and won't be home until Sunday.


Jenn

Goodbye

Not to knitting! To the pacifier! We have finally gotten rid of it and I'm excited. There are moments (like 6 a.m. when she's talking up a storm while H is still asleep) that it's still tempting to give it to her, but it's been a week and she's only had it a couple of times for a few minutes each time. She's not looking for them anymore (and I think that I've found all of them.) I'm hoping that this will help us get more sleep. She has never been a good sleeper (short naps, frequent wakings) like her brother. And what does this have to do with knitting? Well, I can't get much done when I'm exhausted all the time. Things are getting better, but I've yet to have a really good night sleep.

I'm about half way done with Doug's fingerless mitt. I haven't done much with the Wine and Roses mitt in the last few days, so there's not much to show. I got the new Spring Rowan mag. It does have some great patterns, but all that will wait.

Well, I'm off to get my swim suit on and take H and his friend S to the pool for a bit. Mom is coming to have a playdate with L. Knitting is better on days that S is here. She and H play so well together that I can sit and watch them while I knit (and L is captivated by them both!)

Also, my in-laws are coming to babysit on Friday! Doug's band is playing on Friday and I'm actually going out with adults! No children! Who knows, I might live on the edge and even have a beer. I think I deserve it since my birthday is Sunday (and I'm hoping that there might be some yarn involved in the presents!) I guess I'm now officially in my late 30's instead of mid 30's. I still feel 20ish though.

Jenn

A Little Progress...

Oy, mama is knitting again! I just had to share this picture since I'm quite infatuated with this little, squishy baby. Unfortunately, her brother doesn't want to hold still for the camera lately. Here's my progress on the Wine and Roses Mitts. I can't wait to see it once it's blocked! I hope the recipient likes them as much as I do (and I've got yarn to make a pair for myself as well.) These are definitely an "after the kids are in bed" knitting project. I'm slowly finishing my sock and Doug's mitts when kids are up, but not needing me at the moment.

I had a nice little break from the kids yesterday. Mom came and watched them while I went to see the ladies I used to work with and have a knitting lunch. (I was at the same place of employment for 15 years - although not the same position). It was great to get to catch up. Most everyone brought their knitting or crocheting with them. We had a pair of fuzzy feet on the needles, a couple of scarves and a hat. I've been home for 2 years in July and I still miss everyone!

As for the picture below, I believe she's trying to gnaw off the store bought socks so mama can make her a pair worthy of such sweet little feet. I've got some Gems Opal in pink panther and a pattern picked out. Good thing she'll be able to go barefoot soon though since she may not have them before fall. Does anyone else find themselves dreaming about knitting on current WIPs? Between L being up last night and weird knitting dreams, I didn't get much sleep. Maybe they weren't dreams... Maybe they were just hallucinations.

Well, off to get L up from her nap so we can run around before H gets home from grandma's house. (It's a great thing to have my mom so close! I did manage a short nap before the phone rang today.)

Jenn

Another Hat and One Mitt

You may have seen the little pigtail hat I made for L. It's a bit tight (I'll rip to the Chinchilla again... third times the charm, right?) and she won't leave it on. So, I was inspired by Grumperina and the beret she made for her grandmother. I was shooting for less of a beret, but not a kufi. I thought it would look cute on L. I made this from Frog Tree chunky alpaca. She seems to like it and will even leave it on for a while (or maybe I'm finally wearing her down. She takes it off, I put it back on.)

I've got one of the mitts done for my husband. I just cast on 48 stitches with some Chocolate DB Cashmerino Aran (#8 needles) that I had in my stash, knit 2x2 rib, knit 8 stitches on scrap yarn to add the thumb later, then continued in rib until he deemed them long enough. He asked if I was going to make them fingerless gloves, but I envisioned him being able to slip his thumb out and push them to the wrist, when needed. (He'll be using them when fly fishing, among other things. I can picture my "hard work" floating down the White River if he actually had to remove them.) He's headed to the cabin again this weekend, although I doubt he'll try any fishing (we just got about 3-4 inches of snow and it's in the low 20's right now.) I promised I'd have them done for the weekend. That means, while he's gone I can work on a project that I want to... namely the Wine and Roses mitts. I've worked a bit on the wrist of the first, but I noticed a problem when I picked it back up today. I think I'll have to rip and start again.

But first, I need to come up with a little hat. Doug is also headed to Springfield this weekend and will be visiting our friends Kenny and Laura! They had little Owen Kenneth (O.K.) last week (her water broke during Survivor, just as predicted by a friend.) and I need to come up with a hat to go with our baby gift. Guess I need to go look through the stash again!

Jenn