I have almost finished my current sweater, Mr. Greenjeans. I have 4 pattern repeats on the left sleeve, 2 pattern repeats on the right sleeve, and a button band.
I have to knit Monkey socks for my friend Jen, who gave me a swift.
I am in a race to finish the Hey Teach sweater before my friend Barb.
I am participating in a knit-along for the Annette sweater in the most recent issue of Knitty.
What am I thinking?
Baby Surprise Jacket, Knitting Workshop, Elizabeth Zimmermann
Needles: US6
Yarn: Bernat Baby Jacquards, Boo Berries
This was super easy, but you really MUST blindly follow the instructions. I also used Dawn Adcock’s Row Counter. Super helpful. Once you are complete, you end up with a tragic looking blob, then Hey, Presto! you have a sweater. A couple quick seams, and it is done! Again, as with all my baby sweaters, I skipped the buttonholes. I just don’t trust chewing little babies with buttons.
The blob:
And, for your viewing pleasure, my little guy in his Easter best:
it would probably be buried in the backyard with a little cross shaped out of two twigs and secured with some superwash sock yarn. Anyway, I’m here, with a list.
1. Wally World pharmacy is the enemy. I dropped off the baby’s prescription at 11am, was told to come back at 1pm. I got there around 1:30, and they were on lunch. Fine. Then they didn’t have it ready…for a long time. Then they gave me attitude when it became apparent to me that they have no organized system to handle their customers. I have a $10 copay wherever I go, so I’ll be going somewhere else from now on.
2. No more eczema! This cream is like a miracle, we have been using it every night and giving him Zyrtec before bed and he is doing amazing! I can’t get over it. Even the texture of his skin is better, it’s like he’s got that nice baby skin back. I didn’t even know how worried I was about it until I realized I was so bored the other night. I thought to myself, “What am I doing differently that I’m bored tonight?” Then it dawned on me that I wasn’t researching eczema, trying different products, and settling down a baby whose itch has woken him up from a sound sleep.
3. Knitters can never really be bored. I have launched into a pair of socks for a gift. It’s a secret, though. I don’t know if the recipient reads this, but it’s someone who has really helped us through this with their generosity and good natured spirit.
4. Easter is tomorrow! How did that happen? I am amazed that we are still hanging on as a couple, paying (most) of our bills and keeping food on the table. Time flies whether you are having fun or not.
5. I don’t think I would change a thing, even with our struggles.
6. I have nothing to wear to Easter services tomorrow. Usually we go to the 8am service, but I think we will go to the 10am one so the baby has some time to play with his Easter basket toys. I got him mostly toys, but also a sugar-free chocolate bunny. You have to have a chocolate bunny!
7. I am going to the doctor on Monday to get my heart checked. My brother’s cardiologist wants us all to be checked, and I am the only one who hasn’t done it yet. I am nervous because I know I have an irregular heartbeat, I can hear it when I get over-anxious or excited. I also know he’s going to tell me I’m too damn fat. He’ll probably say exactly that. He’s a great doctor, but not exactly known for his bedside manner. Aunt Kathy, got any good tips? If anyone knows about weight loss, it’s you! You are awesome!
8. State taxes. Ugh. We owe, as usual. I just keep faith that we will have the money to pay. I don’t want to file an extension, but I guess I will if I have to.
9. Easter Bunny. Do you tell your kids there is an Easter Bunny? My church didn’t teach that, we also never believed in Santa, but we go to a different church now, and I don’t know if I’m going to tell the baby about the Easter Bunny or not.
That’s it…I know it’s a long one, but I wanted to catch up as best as I could. Enjoy your Easter, Passover, whatever you may do, I’ll have a slice of ham and glass of wine for all of you!
Two-Needle Baby Sweater (February chapter), Knitter’s Almanac, Elizabeth Zimmermann
Caron Simply Soft Brites, Berry Blue
US 6 needles, straights and DPN’s
For a co-worker’s baby-to-be.
I must confess I altered this pattern a bit. You are supposed to work each sleeve back and forth and then pick up the stitches for the body. To make this completely seamless I chose to place the sleeve stitches on spare yarn, cast on the underarm stitches and knit the body. After that I picked up the underarm stitches and the sleeve stitches on DPN’s and knit in the round. I also picked up three stitches on either side of the yoke and knit i-cord for a tie rather than use buttons. This was an aesthetic choice as well as a safety issue. I wouldn’t want a phone call telling me a curious teething baby had eaten buttons off something I made them!
Knitting resolutions:
Learn Magic Loop and make one pair of socks using this method.
Finish Mr. Greenjeans.
Finish Tree Jacket.
Have a Christmas list ready to go by July, and all gifts knitted and blocked by Thanksgiving.
Make Knitbaby two sweaters.
Finish all baby sweaters for the preggos on my team. (Hopefully this streak will come to an end soon!)
So that’s it for that. Knitting wise, all can easily be accomplished over the course of the year, with some fun stuff thrown in the mix. Bigger resolutions to come.
Well, awhile back one of my favorite blog writers, Rachael at Yarn-a-Go-Go lost her dear mother. I was so upset by this because there are so many aspects of her life that I identify with, and I just couldn’t put myself in her shoes. I mean, what a loss, but she handled everything so gracefully and wrote about her mother with such kindness. So, what’s a knitter to do but send out mass emails and get some squares together?
The verdict is, she loves it. I am so glad!
I also have kept myself pretty busy with Christmas knitting, with a little time for spinning…
I think it is Crown Mountain Farms, but I must confess I have lost the band! It is Merino/Tencel, and so shiny! I got it at Rhinebeck 2006, and most of it was used for my first spinning, so this is only about 70 yards…what can I do with that? Anyone?
I also have this going on…
This is BFL by Gale’s Art in “Festival,” picked up at MDSW 2008. I really like this fiber, the colors are true, and I think the plying is going to make one awesome sock yarn…so much fun!
Here’s a few more pics, just for fun!
Did you ever make tents when it was rainy outside? Knitbaby seems to love it!
Getting dragged around the kitchen by Daddy is the best!
Some fun at the park! We have a GREAT park!
Have a great day, everyone!
