Little Knits

This past Saturday we were supposed to attend the ordination of our youth minister.  Josh is a special person in our lives and his wife, Hannah, and his daughter are special to us as well.  Hannah and Josh just moved around the same time we did which made parting a little easier for all of us.  Hannah was due with baby girl #2 in October.

We got a call 2 nights before the ordination that Hannah was in the hospital - her placenta was failing.  So the eve of Josh's planned ordination, they became parents for the second time - baby and mom are fine.  She's 6 weeks premature so I figured they needed something for her to wear.

I dove in my stash, found some Sirdar Baby Bamboo and found the Paxton pattern for preemies on Ravelry.  I wanted the blue sweater to be girly so I added an eyelet bit at the edge and got some lovely buttons with flowers.

A little knit for a little angel.

Found Among the Unpacked Boxes

This little guy was half done - he had his body but no head as I ran out of fiberfill as I was making him. I never got to the store last winter to finish him off and he got stuck in a bag which I found while rummaging among the boxes in our basement.

So in my errands yesterday I found an AC Moore, got some fiberfill and finished him off.  Now I want to make more.  Last year Jennifer made a whole slew - they really are fun to knit.  The pattern is called Let it Snowman and it is free!

Time to get some more white yarn - I used a soft white not pure white - kind of prefer that.  Then for the hat and scarf I grab any old leftover little bit of yarn.

There's time for everyone you to make one for everyone on your Christmas list - better yet, you can put them on wrapped presents as a decoration that later goes on the tree.

Between Project Knitting

After finishing my daughter's sweater, I felt a lull and lack of inspiration to start a big new project.  I have lots of ideas but I needed some "go to" knitting.  So I cast on a few Christmas ornaments.  These are earmarked for a silent auction for the kids' youth group back in CT.  They will decorate a wreath which I hope will do well in bidding.  I need to whip up a few more but I had fun making them.  I'm including a close up of the 2 sweaters - I used to follow mini-sweater patterns but now I make up my own.  Good way for thinking of future sweater inspiration.

Finally an FO to Show!

I just finished this for my daughter - it is in Nashua Creative Focus and it is Peabody which is part of the Brooklyn Tweed Fall 11 collection.  She asked for longer sleeves and it fits her like a dream!

When in Doubt - Post a 10 on Tuesday

This post is an easy one for me - maybe harder that I didn't get enough beach time this summer but I think it will write itself anyway.  Ten Things to Do At The Beach!

1.  Read - I read at the beach a lot...summer reading is my favorite.  I now have to wear granny glasses over my sunglasses but that doesn't stop me (yes I know you can buy bifocal sunglasses but it isn't in the budget).

2. Look for seaglass - after a nor'easter I can spend hours doing this.

3.  Swim!  Diving through waves and riding them is a family favorite.

 4.  Nap - nothing beats a nap on the beach - you get lulled by the sound of the waves and the warm sun and before you know it you're drooling all over your beach towel.

5.  Talk - best conversations are had on the beach.  Hearts are poured out, tasty tidbits are exchanged (read gossip), tales are told...all perfect.

6.  Build sandcastles - always a favorite and you need to decorate them with shells, feathers, and driftwood.

7. This is for kids - get army men and set up a battle.  Hours of this game have been played by our kids.

8.  People watching - it is de rigeur on the Jersey Shore - the tattoo factor and the bathing suit choices are amazing.

9.  Walking - not to be confused with looking for sea glass which is a MUCH slower pace.

10.  Knit!  Yes, I finally knit on the beach now...I didn't for years and now do.

LOVE this theme and can't wait til I'm next at the beach!

The Yarn Made It Safely

No pictures, not knitting but a good yarn for you...
I carefully packed up my yarn in a large box and marked it and put a note on it that it should go to the office and not the basement where I asked the knitting books and other knitting stuff to go.  I mentioned to my DH that I was worried about my yarn going on the moving van and he gave me this look like I was crazy - a look I saw quite a bit when the moving guys were unpacking the truck.
The van arrived on Wednesday morning and the entire day was spent directing 4 guys where things were to go and solving problems like which rug pad went with which rug (they didn't label the rug pads but did label the rugs).  On occasion I'd visit the stacks of boxes in the basement and around the house checking for my yarn.  I then mentioned to one of the movers who was this nice college kid that I still hadn't seen my box of yarn (eyebrows up and a response of "yarn?").  The truck was almost empty and no yarn...I wasn't frantic but I was concerned as all the other boxes of knitting stuff had made it off the truck.
At this point my kids were asking what would happen if my yarn was lost - perish the thought.  I told them the moving company would replace the yarn (and then I mentally tried to think of what was in the box).  The kids know I have one skein of Qiviuk and they know it is cherished and expensive to replace.  They suggested if I have to replace my yarn it should be all Qiviuk and then started wondering  exactly how one gets the underbelly hair of a yak...so glad I could amuse 2 teenagers on moving day.
Then just as I was getting more worried and mentally setting up an order at Webs, the yarn walked in the house.  My joy was great and the look on the college kid's face was priceless.  It is now in the office right near me and waiting to be unpacked...it will have to wait as I think clothes, dishes, glassware, etc are a little more important.
Oh, I finished my Perry sweater - it just needs buttons...that will be my next post I think.

Vardon Vest

Sometimes I surprise myself - I didn't think I'd be done until August but in the midst of packing boxes and cleaning the house, I found time to publish this pattern - presenting Vardon Vest.  Available on Ravelry for $4.50...comes in 3 sizes (3, 6, 12 months).  

Radio Silence

I'm busy packing up one house to move to another.  My husband started his new job in Massachusetts on 6/25.  We got a renter last week for our house here who asked to be in by 7/31.  So, the kids and I went school shopping then rental shopping and landed everything in a few days.  The moving van arrives in 16 days.  Lots to do and not a lot of time so I'm taking a bit of a blogging break.  I'll be back with news of a new home and town and give you a picture of where I'll be knitting when I can get going again.  I do have a test knit going on that is looking good.  Hope to publish by end of August.

Happy rest of July and I'll be back in August when the dust settles!

Sneak Peek

I've been designing and having fun with color and texture.  Have written up the pattern and am putting it out to test knit.  More to come.

On the move front...still in limbo as we're trying to rent our home.  Found several good towns/schools to show the kids soon.  This limbo is killing me though.  I like to have a plan and can't stand when I don't know what is next.

Guess knitting is next, huh?

Ch..ch...ch...changes

Well, after a 9 month period of ups and downs and stress and frustration, my husband has landed an amazing job in the Boston area.  He starts in just over a week.  Which means a move is in line for us this summer.

When delivering the info to our two high schoolers (they had an inkling this was coming), they both had their concerns and wishes for the area.  Our son wants to keep pole vaulting and our daughter wants to keep riding.  I told them not to worry - I wanted to keep knitting and had already googled knitting stores in the area.  That at least made them laugh for the moment.

Lots to do in a little time...tears of joy, tears of sadness all around.  This space might be quiet but I'll post as I can.  I AM knitting - I cast on the Perry cardigan with some Cascade 220.  I'm also designing another baby sweater - a boy's vest.  I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, I'll take all good thoughts (outside of Boston knitting store recommendations!).

My First Sale

I put a pattern up for sale on Ravelry on Sunday and last night I got an email that I sold my first one!  Can I tell you how excited I was?  I've wanted to do this for ages but have been filled with self-doubt that anyone would want what I think is pretty or functional.

The pattern is called Bamboo Shoots Blanket...it is lacy and lovely and perfectly soft and wonderful to wrap up a cherished baby.  You can link directly to it on my sidebar.

Now my brain is brimming with my next pattern idea...this is so fun!

Close up detail

Larger view

Crisp and clean when folded up

A Little Inspiration

A while back I knit a Camilla Babe Sweater - I love it and I had leftover yarn.  Friday evening with nothing on my needles I wondered if I could make a hat to go with it.  A little inspiration, a little research, a little math and Ta-Da!  Presenting my newest pattern which is for free...I called it Fanfare based on the Fan pattern.

I envision this cute hat being worn with the fan detail on the side.  I wish I had a baby to model it for me...hmmm I'll have to see who I can find.

Sidebar Activity

I know entirely too many people having babies right now - nothing wrong with babies but boy something is in water.  Funny but after Hurricane Irene and then again after the October snowstorm when people in our area lost power for a week each time, I told my husband "just wait - 9 months from now there will be a bunch of babies".

Babies are fun to knit for - fast easy, etc.  I also realized that when I look at patterns I too could design some.  So I did some research, found this cute butterfly stitch pattern and was inspired...so in the sidebar you can see I published a new pattern called Farfalle Cardigan.  Farfalle in Italian means Butterfly.

I also got a bit wild while swatching and designed a new ribbing pattern which I really love.

The detail of the ribbing I designed.  

Butterfly (aka Farfalle) detail.

Ravelry was a huge help - I recruited some test knitters who made the pattern and gave me input.  You can see their versions here and here.  I published it last week and already have 58 favorites!  Do take a look at it - any input you might have would be greatly appreciated.

This has been quite a learning curve - even just getting it on the sidebar and having the link work and having it linked properly on Ravelry.  This is a free pattern - next learning is how to charge for a pattern.  I already have one lined up - a baby blanket.  Did I mention I know a bunch of people having babies??

Wish Lists Work!

Big Box from Webs

Back in April, I sent my sisters a wish list from the Webs annual sale.  You see, my 50th birthday was coming up and I figured I'd like some fiber and why not have them find something on sale.  My birthday was last Sunday (mother's day which is ironic as I was born on mother's day) and on the Friday before the big day, the big box arrived.

Now when you make a wish list it is a wish not a shopping list...my sisters were amazing (I have 3 but only 1 is a knitting and understands what this gift really is for me) they ordered EVERYTHING on my list.

I'm set for a year a of knitting - now onto the pattern selections - how fun!

 

8 Skeins Cascade Eco +

8 Skeins of Cascade 220

Enough Silky Wool for a Sweater

8 more skeins of Cascade 220!

In My Ears Latest Edition

I know I've been quiet from a knitting standpoint.  I don't have a lot on the needles right now - just a baby blanket I've designed.  I also have a pattern being test knit by 4 people and hope to release it soon.  I'm substitute teaching full time til the end of the school year and the workload requirement is VERY different than day to day subbing.  I'm "on" during the class as I'm actually teaching and as a result, my knitting is suffering majorly.

I am, however, still keeping up with my podcasts and I've discovered a new one I want to share with you.

The Yarniacs Podcast...with Gayle and Sharlene.  They live in California and have a wonderful banter about their knitting.  Their segments are fun too - they always start with "what are you wearing" and they talk about whatever handknit they are sporting that day.  They discuss what they are knitting and what they are "stalking".  I love the "stalking" segment as they tell about  what patterns they are currently obsessed with and why and their thought processes as they work towards actually starting the stalked pattern.

Check them out - you'll feel like you've pulled up a chair at a knitting group with good friends.