Graduation Present

We have a friend graduating this year and I wanted to make a pair of mittens in her new college colors for her gift... wouldn't you know this month seems to be flying by and her open house is only 10 days away! I found this pattern on Ravelry - over 140 people had made it and there were very few modifications so I figured I was safe to use it for a quick pair.

Would you believe this is one evening's work? It took me longer to get the pattern ready, find the needles and wind the yarn!

Cascade 220 yarn in Maroon and Gold (for the Cobbers) and the Warmest Mitten pattern from the Knitting Pretty book - or free online.

Picture-less Mother's Day

We gave each of our Mom's a knitted washcloth and photos of the boys for Mother's Day but wouldn't you know it - I didn't get a picture of any of the washcloths! Grandma R got a watering can on hers since she loves plants.... Grandma A. got a cat on hers since she's a cat person.... Great Grandma a daisy, her favorite flower (and mine).

End of April Monthly Dishcloth

This pattern is from a Yahoo group I'm in that walks us through 2 different dish cloth patterns each month. I'll definitely try out this stitch pattern again.

Notions bag

This is a notions bag... I'm not sure I like it but I can't quite decide. I used the directions I found in a book for an "exposed" zipper since I quilted the fabric I used to make it nice and firm to hold it's shape. I'll make another one, just not sure what I'll change first.

A finished Clapotis

I am in L O V E with this yarn - cascade paint!

it isn't stipe-y.... it didn't pool ... the individual colors shine clear and clean

Gorgeous!

Clapotis beginning

I have started the Clapotis I am making. I'm using Cascade 220 Paints yarn and the pattern from Knitty.

The yarn is really beautiful and I love the fact that it isn't striping. You can see on the very tip of the Clapotis where I started out using markers. It was taking so long I didn't think I would EVER be done. I then used the tip from the Ravelry group and made the stitch that will be dropped later a Purl stitch. This made it so that I could remove the markers and my speed increased very dramatically. The piece in my hand is what I did with the markers... the rest of it was done in a similar time frame but is a lot bigger. I seem to be cruising along now.

I am really loving the texture in the Clapotis and can't wait until my first dropped stitch.

Clapotis

My yarn has arrived for the Clapotis I'll be making with the Tangled Skein class. Isn't it gorgeous? It's Cascade 220 Paints in colorway 9826. I'm so excited to see it knit up!

Calorimetry

I have been wanting to try this pattern for ages - I finally did it.

Calorimetry number 1 made with ella rae classic print yarn. I've made a baby's ear cozy hat from this skein and now a calorimetry. I still need to weave in the ends, wash it and put on the buttons.

Calorimetry number 2 was made with one skein of Noro Kureyon .

This is how much yarn I have left...Like the other one, I still need to wash it, weave in the ends and sew on the button.

Pattern is from Knitty - you can see it here
I'll be teaching this at a class at The Tangled Skein this spring.

Woodworking class sign

It's official - I even have a sign!

Starting the Baby Mocs

I finished DJ's 2nd sock yesterday while knitting with friends at The Tangled Skein. It's so nice to have our weekends back now that the local hockey is over for both boys!

I found this pattern online here for Baby Moc-a-Soc's and just couldn't wait to make them. I'm sure their future recipient will reveal themselves to me one day.I'm using Dalegarn Dale of Norway yarn in Stork (100% cotton for easy washing) in a brown and a cream/white. I have two 50 gram (180 meter/195 yard) balls of brown and one of cream/white.

Happy Birthday Niece #3

Niece #3 turns 8 on Sunday - wow, time flies by! For her birthday package we are sending her American Girl Bath and Body Works products, a cute little American Girl bag and a washcloth knit just for her with lots of love. Happy Birthday Gorgeous!

Made with Rowan chunky cotton chenille on size 5 needles using the pattern from the Weekend Knitting book. I will definitely make this pattern again even though the cloth seems to be HUGE!

Welcome Claire and Liam

There is a certain goalie coach that has been a wonderful resource and mentor for our family and our young hockey goalie. A few days ago, I received a photograph of his brand new family with the recent addition of twins!

These hats are knitted with love for Claire and Liam. This one was knit with Claudia Hand Painted Yarns - Fingering Weight 100% Merino Wool on size 2 needles using the Open Top Preemie hat pattern from here.Liam's hat was knit with Lana Grossa D-85080 Gaimersheim yarn that is 80% wool and 20% Polyamid on size 2 needles with the same Open Top Preemie hat pattern from above. Since Daddy is a hockey coach and they are from a fellow hockey parent, I thought it would be fun to cinch the tops with the lace from a hockey skate. I've also included matching twisted cord ties for the hats for the "off-season".

High School Parent's Night for Hockey

Have I shown you my handsome hubby and eldest son lately?

This is our family on Parent's night. We were one of the first families on the ice since we have one of the youngest players on the high school hockey team.

The other players skated out, gave Mom a carnation and a kiss on the cheek.... Dad said "I'll give you $10 if you get a kiss on the cheek". My big smile is due to the kiss AND the $10 richer!

He has skates on so he has a few inches of assistance in the height department but I still am starting to feel short - and I'm 5' 9" tall!

Happy Birthday Baby Brother!

I PROMISE I'll finish the other sock soon!

One done and one to go. They are made from 2 skeins of Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino using the 8 stitch per inch socks from Ann Budd's book Getting Started Knitting Socks.

Gift Exchange Yummies!

The Yahoo Group KnittingParents that I'm on did a winter gift exchange. We were to make our giftee something out of a skein of yarn and send it to them. Look at the goodies I received!!!

There's a great card, mintey bath/shower gel, dark chocolate (YUM) and a gorgeous cloth AND hand made soap and bag. I am so spoiled! I am marking off Saturday morning to get re-aquainted with my bath tub and making the men in my life all leave the house so I can have an hour of peace!

Thank you so much Elizabeth!The pictures do not do show how wonderful the fabric and color is - part of me wants to save it and just admire it but I know the real beauty of knitted items is when they are loved and USED!

Wristlet for Gift Exchange

This is pair #5 of the pattern "Little Green Wristlets" from the book 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders edited by Judith Durant. I really like the pattern. My alterations were to not make the thumb on the first 4 pairs (pictures to follow from my nieces - I hope) and to only do two pattern repeats at the wrist.

Hallowig

I am very late in reporting this finished object. Chris intended to wear it for fun at Halloween but wound up dressing as something else instead. The yarn is Bernat in Acrylic and hurt my hands to knit. Well written pattern from Knitty.

Ear Cozies Hat for Jayden

Fiber Trends (CH-34) Ear Cozies hat made for new baby Jayden. I made it in the Medium size with Ella Rae Classic Print in color 203, 100% wool. It was a quick knit and as usual turned out gorgeous. It is all wrapped up and ready to present to Grandma today for delivery.

8 stitch socks are finished!

I have finished the socks for me! I did the same ribbing on the leg and top of the foot but on this sock I stopped at the toe decreases. I like it better than the first sock I did and it was much easier to just concentrate on the decreases instead of the ribbing AND decreases. I did the 3 needle bind off as well. I promise the next pair I'll try harder to do the kitchener. I have quite a bit of yarn left, hmmmm what to do.

Kid and Camera

Do you ever find odd things on your camera that you're sure you didn't take?

First Day of School

Oh my - We have a 7th grader and a 10th grader in the house!

Please forgive the pictures, they were impatient and hate this first day of school photo tradition of mine.

One down and one to go...

I finished the first sock of a pair of socks for me. I used the new Ann Budd book "Getting Started Knitting Socks" and her 8 stitches per inch pattern. I used Trekking XXL yarn and a size 2 US set of Bamboo DPN needles.The first 20 rows are K2, P2 ribbing (2 inches) and then I did the leg and the top of the foot in K3, P1 ribbing. It fits well, doesn't feel loose or tight so must be perfect. I tried the kitchener join on the toe but got frustrated and gave up. The 3 needle bind off inside was fine. Then I started sewing in the ends and discovered this random floater of yarn... must have entirely skipped a needle! ARGH.

Still chugging away on the socks...

I have finished 2 inches (20 rows) of Knit 2, Purl 2 ribbing.... another 6 1/2 inches of Knit 3, Purl 1 pattern on the leg... the heel... and the gusset. Now I'm doing the "knit plain" part of the foot until it is time to decrease for the toe. I'm continuing the K3, P1 leg pattern on the top of the foot. I'm hoping this helps hug my leg/foot and makes for no dropping socks. I'm anxious to try it on and see what it's like!

I am not a sock knitter.... I think

Let me clarify - I have knit a pair of "hunting" socks out of superwash worsted weight wool for my eldest son from a Lion Brand pattern. I have made a pair of footies out of sock weight yarn for my youngest son. Still no absolute NEED to make socks... however... the gorgeous sock yarn out there is calling to me! During the recent Knit Picks book sale, I bought this book by Ann Budd "Getting Started Knitting Socks". I was inspired. During our trip last weekend to a hockey tournament in Duluth, I started a pair of socks out of Trekking XXL in color 100. It is 75% wool and 25% nylon in pretty turquoise, gold, oranges, reds and greens. I'm really liking how it is turning out. Using size 2 needles and getting 8 stitches to the inch... I did 20 rows of Knit 2 Purl 2 and have now switched to Knit 3 Purl 1 for the main part of the leg. Can't wait to see how they turn out!I'm off on a plane tonight to spend some time teaching at our Idaho facility - and hanging out with my brother and his family. I hope my seat is conducive to plane knitting, otherwise I'll have to drool over the yarn and read a book instead.

Room Redo Number Two

Now the other son wanted his room redone - by rights it really was his turn in the first place. Last Friday we pulled everything out of the room, painted 3 walls blue and one tan... shampooed the carpeting and then put things back.

We put in a loft bed and got a small love seat couch for under it. Tom sanded the paint off his old nightstand and "modernized" it by making his own handle for the drawer.

He is all settled... now, have the elves done the sewing room yet?

The Great Room Switcheroo

I'm not sure whose bright idea this was to begin with - but it sure is a lot of work. Chris and I are switching rooms. He is getting what was my sewing/craft room in the basement, and I am getting his bedroom upstairs on the main floor. It will be nice to have the boys further apart and Chris goes to bed earlier than everyone else so will get more quiet at night... but so much work!

His new room downstairs has been completely emptied, repainted and furniture moved in. I still have one cabinet with items in it but he should be ready to fully unpack and get settled.

My new "activities" room upstairs? Well, let's just say almost everything is in there - but it's not even remotely close to being organized. I got rid of 5 huge garbage bags full of "treasures" and there's still a lot of items. I'm hopeful that the close proximity to the living area and our bedroom will enable me to get more time in the room to accomplish things. There's material I bought to make the boys clothes back when they were itty bitty that just never got done. Not to mention all the quilt materials, stained glass, painting, polar fleece, yarn. I need to get crackin' and produce some stuff out of all that stuff.

I'm still here!

Sorry it's been so long! Things are busy busy busy this summer - of course that's pretty normal around here. On July 11th our "baby" turned 13. THIRTEEN! How did that happen???

My brother (from Idaho)was in town for a visit and we got to celebrate Chris' birthday with him and the 4 gorgeous women in his life. It was great to have little ones splashing and having fun in the pool and to get cake and ice cream all over their faces.

Vacation at the cabin

Ahhhhhh - there is nothing like a week at the cabin. We were blessed with lots of sunshine and blue skies. We even were treated with a daily visit from our lake's resident swans and their 6 babies. We spent many hours lounging outside with friends and with just our immediate family. We watched Drake "fish" for hours and swim with the boys. We even did a little celebrating on July 4th with our cabin neighbors and others on the lake who shared their own firework displays.

The picture is of Tom sitting on our steps down to the lake, feeding the swans some corn right from his hand. They also love bread.

I read 3 books and finished the left side of my 2 button jacket. The right side is just a few short cm from being completed. Then it is on to the sleeves and collar and I'll be ready to wear it!