When size matters.

Our church is having a silent auction next month to raise money. What does one do when one wants to contribute in a knitterly way, but has very little time? Why break out the biggest needles she can, of course!



Look at the size of those suckers! You are looking at a baby blanket being knit with size 19mm needles (number 35 if you are American) and four strands of chunky yarn held together. I knit for one of Char's naps and I am just over 1/4 of the way along.

My gauge is 1-1/2 stitches to the inch!! That's some biggggg knitting!


A little perspective: look how teeny the stitches on my sock look--look at the teeny needles!! Let's see how much farther I can get after bedtime and the Buffy or Battlestar Galactica (I haven't decided yet) starts.

A New Sweater!

click on pictures to enlarge
After battling with the buttonhole band until I thought I would lose my mind, I give you Bulky Cabled Cardi

Details:
Designer: Stefanie Japel of Glampyre Knits
Yarn: Patons Shetland Chunky 75% acrylic, 25% wool, in Deep Plum (colour now discontinued)
Needles: size 9 mm, 7 mm, and 5 mm

Notes:I had a hard time with the button band. I ended up abandoning the pattern instructions and winging it on my own. The rest of the sweater just flew off of my needles. I really like the top-down construction as there were only two seams to sew. Making-up went very quiclky. I finished it just in time--the leaves are changing and there is a definite nip in the air. Hubby says the back looks like Klingon Armor...in a good way. Thanks, Hon! I think your geek is showing a little.

Putting the "knit" back into "knit wit"

I haven't been knitting much lately.

I worked on Branching Out and a cotton/silk sweater while at camp but got discouraged when my wrists couldn't handle the cotton yarn. I left my darning needle at home so I couldn't move my life line up as I completed pattern repeats on my scarf--I left it in its original place until the scarf was longer over the life line than under. I thought I would be tempting the Knitting Goddess if I pulled it out any sooner than necessary. Thankfully, no frogging was required.

My enthusiasm for knitting was re-kindled when my good friend and knitting partner Poppins brought me back some crazy self-striping sock yarn from her trip to Germany. Clearly, some Jaywalker socks had to be cast on. The zigzag pattern nicely highlights the bold pink, orange and red stripe in the yarn. I turned a few heads at my Weight Watchers meeting as I knit them last night. They are my first real attempt at sock knitting, so I will be mastering the heel turn and toe graft. Right now I am having fun watching all the pretty colours show up as I go around and around the leg.

Poppins is also quite the enabler. This sweater showed up in my inbox one morning. I must have it. I visit the website daily to gaze at its loveliness and imagine what colour I will make it in (suggestions?) In fact, the yarn for this pattern is on my shopping list for my trip Out East next week. I will be bugging hubby to download the pattern today (I can't remember the PayPal password).

Hubby was teasing me about my chronic case of "startitis". He has not seen me complete an adult-sized sweater since he has known me. He rolled his eyes at me while I explained how I needed the patttern for a bulky cabled sweater as I already had the yarn in my stash. I just never knew until I saw that pattern what it was going to be. You see, the yarn in question was already the back of a sweater I started before I was pregnant with Emmett. I have grown to dislike this sweater immensely. I suddenly realized how very little I would wear a bulky pullover turtleneck. I can't stand turtlenecks and prefer layers since my internal thermostat can go from Arctic to Equator in minutes sometimes. I toyed with the idea of converting the original pullover pattern into a cardigan, but then this number caught my eye. Top down construction, minimal seaming, interesting texture, cables--it was love at first sight. The back of the pullover was frogged for swatching, and now the cardigan is emerging from the needles--this sucker is on 9mm needles and the yarn is chunky, it is taking shape quickly. I had to go up a size in needles so the garter bits are a little holey, but I still like the look. This will be my plane knitting while on vacation next week--I think a giant plastic circular needle should make it through security. I may make this the priority project so I can get some wear out of it this Autumn.

Father's Day, 2007???

I had better get started now, if I want Richard to have his own hand-knit Ferrari.

Progress.

Therapy went well today. Emm is getting to know the therapist and her routine better so the session went pretty smoothly. She was impressed with Emm's new ability to keep his mouth closed for longer periods. We worked on that at home by practicing making lipstick prints on paper. We have to work on eye contact and improved communication this week--a much more challenging task. We have to work on not "telling" Emm things and letting him fill in blanks more. We have some songs to sing and games to play to work on that. We have to teach him some new signs too. Lots of work to do.

I fell off the Weight Watcher's wagon pretty hard and landed at McDonald's this weekend. Not my finest moment. I am not looking forward to weigh-in tomorrow, but I will face the music and look that scale in the eye. I am trying to be more honest with my food journal as well--no creative accounting of points allowed! I just gave away a bunch of my bigger clothes--I need to shape up because I can't go up. I also need to figure out how to stop snacking while I am cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. Hubby won't buy my story that he needs to do the dishes to help my weight loss efforts. I posted a favourite low-point muffin recipe on my food blog so we can all eat better together.

I have started my first lace knitting project -- a leafy scarf. I have to do a lot of tinking (ripping back for you non-knitters) so by the time I have finished it I probably will have knit it a few times, but it is so pretty I must perservere. I am doing it in a lovely hand-dyed amethyst-coloured merino wool.

Finis!

Here is a baby sweater I made for a friend--she picked the yarn and pattern.
Yarn: Bernat Baby Boucle 100% acrylic. The colour is mostly lavendar with bits of pale pink and blue mixed in.
Pattern: Baby Hooded Pullover from March 2006 Creative Knitting Magazine
Size: 9-12 months (Char is usually in 18-month size so these sweaters are generously proportioned)
Needles: 5.5 and 6 mm (I had to size up to get proper gauge)
Notes: This boucle was tricky to work with sometimes and it was pilling up as fast as I was knitting it. Good thing the sweater is already pretty fuzzy or it would be more obvious. The yarn fluffed up nicely with washing and blocking. I seamed it with matching, smooth yarn. I am not a dummy! I added the tassle because a pointy hood needs a tassle. The orginal sweater was knit with a smoother yarn and embroidered with flowers. I left the embroidery off of this one. I like the pattern--I think I will knit one for Char--in a smoother yarn and then I can practice my embroidery skills!

click on pictures to enlarge them

What Kind of Knitter are You?

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Goddess. You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with reward, you simply want others to love knitting as much as you do. If someone wants to knit miles of novelty yarns, you are there for them. If someone wants to learn short row shaping, you can help. There are no taboos in knitting, only opportunities to grow. Everyone should have friend like you around if they want to learn to knit, and there's a good chance that your passion has rubbed off on a few others.http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!








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Flashin' my stash.

Hey! It's Flash Your Stash Weekend! I didn't have time to pose my stuff, so you see it in its natural state. My stash has several layers--just like an archealogical dig, the deeper you go, the older it is.This is the newest yarn, aquired on our last trip to the Big City. It is still sitting in the van organizer in my front entranceway. You see some cotton/viscose/silk for a summery sweater, a bunch of chunky acrylic blend for some kids sweaters and some Patons Kroy socks for well, socks. There are a couple of balls of bamboo in there too--to add to its friends in another layer.
The second layer of stash lives beside the couch in a basket. It contains all WIPs. You see a bamboo Clapotis, a sweater in Paton's Shetland Chunky I have been picking(throwing) at for at least a year, a purple boucle baby sweater for a friend and a cotton dishcloth thisclose to being finished. In the tall box is some wool hubby bought me that doesn't know what it wants to be yet, but it is happy hanging there with a loooooong swatch. Anybody know what to do with thick/thin yarn??? Really. I need some ideas here.This stash lives in the top drawer of the entertainment unit. What did you think I would put there? DVDs? There is more bamboo, some Knitpicks Wool of the Andes for a dog sweater and more yarn for The Sweater That Will Never Be Finished (see WIP basket) The back of said sweater lives here too.The final layer of stash lives in the basement. Hence, the bad picture--the lighting is terrible and the flash didn't know what to do. The drawers contain, from bottom to top: An acrylic monstrosoty that needs to be frogged and turned into an afgan, some green wool harvested from a sweater that my MIL gave me because it was wayyyy too big on her, leftover Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake from a baby ponch and assorted eyelash crap, cotton for dishcloths and on top in the bag is inherited stash from my late Grandma--a Mary Maxim Christmas stocking kit and some cool sock yarn. The blue box has randon bits of this and that, mostly from Grandma. There is a bag of rough brown handspun wool that doesn't know what it wants to be, a bunch of baby weight acrylic, and leftovers from projects.
This picture is for the Mommy bloggers who read me--Emmett got some new kitchen toys this weekend.

I am a glutton for punishment.

Well, we had an almost perfectly enjoyable weekend. Richard and I didn't manage to sneak away for the night, but we were given tickets to a jazz concert and a brave 15 - year - old came by to babysit. As a belated birthday gift Richard's stepmom took me shopping to not one, but two yarn stores!!! At one, which was going out of business, I stocked up on chunky yarn to make the kids new sweaters for fall. At the other one, I picked up some luscious Cezanne to make a lacey sweater in lime. I felt like a kid in a candystore. I wandered the aisles, touching everything!! I am being very careful with my wrists so I haven't been knitting as much as I would like, but I am too stubborn to give it up. Who could say no to the cotton/silk blend I picked up? I just like looking at it and petting it!!

On Sunday I went into a bridal shop to try on a bridesmaid's dress for a friend's wedding. Oh the horror! I looked like a big brown triangle. I was quite disappointed with the shop in general. I started trying on other dresses to see if something else would be more suitable to my frame and most of the sample dresses had broken zippers. Is that any way to sell clothing? Two (of six) bridesmaid's are coming to visit me to see if we can find something that won't make us cry. I officially hit rock bottom with my weight that day. I am going to be starting Weight Watchers as soon as I can. I need some structure and rules to get myself back on track and drop about 25 pounds of baby weight. Unfortunately, only a tummy tuck will really get rid of my belly--I will get stick arms and a flat chest and still have a pooch, but at least it will be smaller. (I have lost these 25 lbs before--I know the road)

I picked up another shift for tomorrow--wish me luck!! I have learned from my previous mistake, so I will have to find a new one to make.

Oh the pain!

I knit one of my armwarmers last week. The pattern was not working out for me. I frogged the dang thing at least 4-5 times before doing a little research and finding out the chart had errors. Even with the corrected chart I was not happy with my work, but I perservered because I was tired of frogging. Flash forward to this weekend. I get to go on a trip to the mall BY MYSELF!! I head to the bookstore with my mom's birthday gift burning a hole in my wallet. I pick up a copy of Knitting for Dummies (along with Yarn Harlot: the Secret Life of a Knitter). I leaf through my new book and skim the chapter on reading charts. I was reading the gol-durn chart backwards!!!! No wonder my work looked wonky. Do I frog again??? Do I try to block the cables into something more recognizable??? I don't know. I am feeling a lot of rage toward this little armwarmer. So much in fact, that I had to console myself by casting on a Clapotis in some slinky, silky bamboo fiber. Despite the slickness and tendency for the bamboo to split, I am in love. This fabric is so soft and drapey, I just love feeling it run through my fingers.

Emmett finally got the hang of the Big M play structure. We went there for lunch with friends and he spent two hours scampering up and down the towers. A couple of times we had to send kids in for rescue missions, and the last lap before we went home I went in to rescue him from a perch near the ceiling. This did not traumatize him in the least. As soon as we got back on terra firma he ran back in. I had to reach in and pull his screaming little body out and he did not stop crying until his carseat was buckled. He is getting more frustrated with his inability to tell me things. His vocalizations are more insistent, he points harder and glares at me now. His tantrums are more like nuclear meltdowns. I wish I knew what to do to help him. We are still waiting for therapy, after over a year on the waiting list. It is breaking my heart. The way Charlotte is going, she will be teaching him how to speak. This girl is in such a hurry to grow up. She looks deeply into my eyes and babbles at me with a seriousness and intensity that is comical. She is getting so good at crawling on her elbows and can balance for longer periods on all fours. She is trying so hard to keep up with her big brother.

My first gold medal

Ain't it purdy? I am such a nerd!!!

It fits!

See? The sweater fits real babies too. Char is wearing it over overalls, so I know it will fit for quite a while. Char does know how to smile. I have seen her do it. I will stop posting about a silly baby sweater now.

I have finished!!!

Here it is, every seam sewn, every end woven in. Char has gone to bed so Hillary Barbara has graciously volunteered to model. If the closing ceremonies are still replaying on TV, do I still get credit? Given the setbacks I had, I am just so happy I finished mostly on time.

Stats:
Pattern: Chaos sweater from Knitty in 12 months size.
Yarn: Vintage Mary Maxim Starlette and Starlette Heather worsted-weight acrylic.
No modifications to the pattern made. If I make it again I will change the increases on the arm to knitting in the front and back of stitches instead of the M1 increase as those left holes.

Up next? Wristwarmers in my pretty Kureyon. Then I get to sit by the mailbox and wait for the big box of yarn I ordered to start on Christmas presents with.

Olympic report.

Here are some shots of my Olympic work-in-progress. Don't worry, the front of the sweater is supposed to be shorter at one shoulder than the other--I will be picking up and knitting a button band along that side. I am really happy with how the cables look. I am now working on sleeves, in cream as I have only enough yarn to do the neck and button band (I hope)

I don't think I will be done by Sunday, but that is ok. I am happy with all I have done.

Olympic report.

According to Yarnharlot's evil Olympic ticker there is are 6 days, 4 hours and around 15 minutes left of the Olympics (as of the time of this post). I am plodding away to the finish line. The back of Char's sweater is off of the needles and the front is up to the underarms. I have reached a new snag: I am running out of yarn. I have enough to do the front, and hopefully the neck and button band, but there will not be enough for sleeves. There is no possible way to get more of this stuff. I am guessing the ball I have could be at least 20 years old. I have a ball of ivory in the same brand and weight, so I guess we are going for a colourblocked style.

A switch got turned on in Char this weekend and now all she wants to do is move. She is chasing one of Emmett's toy cars around the livingroom floor right now in a modified commando-crawl. When she is in her walker, she just tears up the main floor. She really surprised us with her speed and agility in it!

Emmett went sledding this weekend for the first time. Once Richard convinced him it was ok to go down a hill on a piece of plastic he thought it was ok. He didn't think it was really great until he saw another kid at the hill do it too. (Lesson learned: Dad is not as cool as a big kid is.)

Winter finally came.

Ahhh, February on the Prairies. Schools are closed today because of the severe windchill factors. If you go outside my door today you will be blasted with -45C (-49F) winds. Yeah, we are not going out today. I was listening to the radio this morning and the hosts were throwing boiling water into the air. It froze before it hit the ground. I'll have to see what tricks I have up my sleeve to keep an energetic 2 1/2 year old entertained this afternoon.

I have a drafty almost 100-year old house. My bedroom was COLD last night. I climbed under the covers and was taken back to camping trips where you try to lay as still as possible inside your sleeping bag in case you stretch out and find a cold spot. Hubby is a night owl and when he finally came to bed I warmed up. Thankfully the kid's rooms are warm. For some reason the heat does not make it to our bedroom. An old home quirk.

I am making progress on my Olympic sweater--I may actually make it to the finish line. I am having anxiety about running out of yarn. If worst comes to worst, Char's sweater will have cream-coloured sleeves instead of blue. I keep looking longingly at my balls of Kureyon--they keep asking when they can come out and play. I must not lose focus! My Snowflake yarn is calling to me too--there is a girlie pink or purple teddy bear in the yarn that wants to come out. This is the first time I have ever committed myself to knitting only one project at a time. Who knew it would be so hard?? I am not a knitting monogamist. I know very few knitters who are.

Knitter down.

Well, I may not make it through the Olympics. While I was work yesterday handing in my resignation I slipped and fell hard at the bottom of a wheelchair ramp (how ironic). Everything down the right side of my body hurts, including my wrist and hand. I probably should have had it checked out while I was at the hospital and all, but sitting for at least an hour in emerg with two grumpy children just didn't seem like a good idea.

Send happy thoughts. (and painkillers!) I hope Emmett goes easy on me today.

While the cat is away...

Ahhh, who knew that 10 hours on a bus spread over two days could be so blissful? I knit and read and dozed while the scenery whizzed by outside my window. I may have to leave the car at home more often. When you are not responsible for the toddler asking "Are we there yet? How much longer?" it changes from grating and irritating to cute, and at most, easily ignored as you concentrate on the cool clicking sound aluminum knitting needles make as a sweater emerges from them. (yes, it is a different sound than stainless steel or wooden ones).

I love how my sweater is turning out. I am really regretting not using higher quality yarn. I have a handful of rows left on the back, then the front will be cast on today. (Why am I typing??? I should be knitting right now!)

The social was pretty fun. There were a lot of half-naked teenagers there. As I was checking IDs at the door I felt like sending most of the little girls home to put more clothes on. I got a lot of scathing looks as I stamped hands with the "no booze for you" stamp. (not that it mattered--I noticed that they all got hammered anyway)
Charlotte and Emmett are never leaving the house, unless it is to go to a convent or monastery. At the very least, I will try my best to teach them that having sex, even if clothed is not appropriate for public places. I was impressed that no one automatically got me to clean up the vomit on the floor (common hazard of being a nurse and a mom--you are the resident puke cleaner) I was also a little sickened knowing how all of those teenagers were going to get home that night--I didn't noticed anyone staying very sober.

I had a great time visiting with Robin and her family and future inlaws. It was also nice talking to the rest of the bridal party. I think that they put on a great party.

I won a basket full of chocolate at the party!!!!! (no, the draw was not fixed) I got to sleep until noon!!!!!

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Char was not giving anyone a rest. Her teeth are causing her a great amount of pain, and poor Richard did not know the trick to getting the painkillers into her. I was greeted by a sleepy hubby, crying baby and a smiling toddler clutching a video cassette sleeve. When we got home I found dishes done, floor swept, diapers washed and five baskets of folded laundry. I also found the entertainment center rearranged so that Emm (or I, for that matter) will need a stepladder to get to all of the fun stuff. I almost did a little happy dance. I did tell Richard over and over what a wonderful job he did.

I will forgive him for trying to sneak fluorescent bulbs into all of the light fixtures.

Olympic Countdown

Well, the Olympics start this Friday!!! So far 3000 knitters have signed on for YarnHarlot's challenge. That means there are more knitting Olympians than ACTUAL Olympic athletes. Yeah, I know that there are no Wheaties boxes in our future, or multi-million dollar endorsement contracts, but that is still very, very cool.

I am prone to pain when I knit and this is going to be a long challenge. Lets all be kind to our bodies and heed Beadlizard's advice. Lets not all end up with tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

I get to have two extended periods of knitting time this weekend as I am taking the bus Up North to help out at a friend's wedding social. One whole night without children or husband. I will feel so lost, but I will keep my chin up and try to carry on. I am sure an uninterrupted sleep-in will help immensely!! (Thank you, Sweetie!)

Thursday night is my Stitch n' Bitch night. In honour of Valentine's day we will be making This tasty number. It will also be something fun and simple to bide the time with until Opening Ceremonies. I just hope I can find the ingredients um, materials. I was at Sprawl-Mart today and they did not have the right stuff--you'd think it would be easy to find shoe-string licorice!!

Swatch-o-rama (and one F.O.)

This is the swatch of my Christmas yarn (Morbido) next to the sweater it will become. The wonky lace is on the right side of the swatch--See? You can't even see it without me pointing it out to you!













This is the back of the finished baby poncho (baby is simulated)








Here is the front (again, thanks to Leslie Bambi for her lovely modelling)












Vintage Mary Maxim












Olympic swatch. The picture does not do the cool cable pattern justice, but trust me, it will look amazing!!! The blue is also a gorgeous colour on Charlotte.