Little things

Officially now I am playing the waiting game. It is a game I have played before, I am usually a good sport about it (even though I hate to wait!), so I am trying to focus on little things in the here and now. There have been some fun things of which to make note.

Lorelai has started really writing her name - this came about all on her terms - she's been able to write an "L" for a while now, and she can identify all the right letters, but this week (maybe thanks to camp?) she's been putting her name on things!


She's also been asking for some yarn and knitting needles. Maybe I should make her her own little yarn stash.


I am slowly but surely improving on my crochet - I made this little pair of booties yesterday. One day - including distractions! I'm floored that it worked!! I would make these again, they are quite cute.


Of course I wanted a certain family member to model them.


And I was able to snap this photo before pushing him to far (apparently modeling booties is where Jackson draws the line) - I started to see a snarl develop...


The mail brought me a fun package today as well - yarn I earned for sample knitting -

Lorna's Laces "Solemate" in the Grand Island Ink and Shadow colorways. This is earmarked for a Woodsmoke Scarf for me, but I can't decide if I want the body to be solid colored and the lace to be variegated or vice versa (opinions welcomed!).

Yarn Along - July 27

From Small Things

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr.

Most of the States were under that "Heat Dome" since last week. The heat seemed to be mentioned in most of the knitting blogs I read. I am no exception - my knitting mojo is seriously slowing down. I've been looking at patterns and yarn wistfully with big ideas of working on something, but right now I just feel so "meh". Even my reading has suffered. I'm still reading "Moby Duck" but with words like obfuscatorily sprinkled in there, it is slow going as I refresh my memory on SAT words that were covered in high school english class. I think I'm on page 135 out of 348 - and I have been at this book since what, late June? For me that is ridiculously slow. Eh. So, here's my in-progress items for this week.

These were passed on to me from my folks - they get random magazines because the companies think my folks are a doctor's office (Dad is a Dr., but non-practicing). Yeah, so I have been scanning / reading the gossip magazines - these two issues are awful, so many of the same photos even! I am embarrassed, but owning it - that's all my brain can handle.

I did finish up the basic foundation of the Rainbow Marley and it's cute. Now, it's on to the topper thingies. Oy, I'm not loving them. I really feel like they should be going quicker than they are - it's taking me around 45 minutes to make each of those yip-yip-alien-looking things and apparently I also can't count to 18. Fiddly little details. I have two more to complete, then figure out how to put them together / on to the hat. Meh.

The other topic I keep reading about is "Sock Summit" - those who are going, those who aren't, and the Couldn't Foot It self-challenge. In a moment of heat induced insanity, I did consider doing this, but quickly came to my senses. By random chance (which means I found the pattern, found the needles and had a ball of yarn ready to go) I did start a sock - Tennarisukka

Is it possible to take a flattering photo of your feet with a sock in progress? At least I feel pretty good about my feet this week - I indulged in a pedicure while the Lorax was at her camp - the color is Pamplona Purple, I spotted it on Pinterest, found it at the salon, and the woman next to me liked it enough that she went with it as well. Back to the sock - anklets are really satisfying for sock knitting - 6 rows and the cuff was done, a few rows and then bam! start the heel! Gusset is done! Now I am on to the foot and will be there for a while.

I am planning to get out to SnB this week (YAY!!!) but I have no idea what I will work on. The sock? The rainbow twirly thingies? The Stand-Mixer-Cozy (which I thought I was all set on yarn, then I realized it is the wrong weight, so I need to find an alternative or swatch and do some math) - by the way, I spotted these mixers online and if I wasn't going to knit a cozy for mine, I would consider hand painting...

A more usual hat

Last week's heat wave really had me a bit puzzled thinking about baby#2 - how to dress the little one? With the Lorax, who was born in November, I didn't really think twice about putting an extra layer / blanket / hat on her to keep her warm enough. This time around, I think I mostly plan on keeping the kid in a onesie for August. But, I still think hats are in order. I do have the the baby bucket hat ready but wanted something for maybe inside, just a little something. Babies need hats!

Anyway, I crocheted a Shell Stitch Beanie using yarn that was leftover from the Lorax's Big Bad Baby Blanket and the Baby Bucket Hat.

I stuck a little hair clip to the back of the flower, so it can be on the hat or not.

Allow Jackson to model.


It's quite cute, worked up really quickly even for a novice crocheter like myself. And, best mark of a good pattern? I would make this again. I think it would work year round in any number of yarns.

So cloche, so far

Still here, still pregnant. I did go off to Rhode Island for the night with the Lorax and my mom - it was really nice to get to hang out near the beach and even go out to dinner and show with a few of my aunts. One of my cousins babysat the Lorax while we were out and I am so pleased that went off without a hitch, given that only grandparents have watched her when we have gone out! Makes me feel a bit better about dropping her off for "camp" next week :)

I finished up the cloche last night... I don't think I'm going to bother with the ribbon inside the bottom band or bother to look for a big old button either.

meh. I think I may try tossing it in the wash and then lining it so it can be a bowl instead.


I tried it on Jackson as well, but he really was in no mood for a photo shoot. Most of my photos look like this:


Lorelai is actually a pretty good assistant - she sat next to Jackson and held the hat on his head.


And I think she may be a budding photographer as well - after we took pictures of Jackson she wanted to take pictures of Dan wearing the hat. Luckily, he is a better sport than Jackson:


Oh well. It's done and I can move on to other projects.

Yarn Along - July 20

From Small Things -

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

"Moby Duck" has been put aside while I brush up on (My) "Pregnancy Week-by-week" - sure, it may be a little late in the game, but whatever. I read this book faithfully when I was pregnant with the Lorax and enjoyed it, as much as one could - several other popular pregnancy books only made me worry needlessly. I am trying to brush up about labor and delivery, and figure out what to put in my hospital bag. I've made good progress on the cloche though it has lost some steam - I am at the decrease section and need to pay attention a bit more carefully. I have also reached the decrease section for the Rainbow Marley baby hat.

Like most of the states, it is plenty hot here. And humid. Today the Lorax and I did venture out to the beach - there was supposed to be an informal playgroup with other kids who will be in camp / "school" with her in the fall, but I am not sure if anyone else showed up. I didn't see anyone I recognized, nor did I spot anyone who looked like they were looking for others. Oh well, we had a good time. Like her mama, the Lorax loves the beach - I haven't been to the beach since 2001 or so when I brought my Japanese grad school roommate to see it. As a kid we spent days at the beach and it was a blast!

Seriously, she had a good time. This was a forced break to have some water and a snack! We were there in the morning, from 10:30 to just before noon, so I think our timing was good too. I would like to take her again - but it's likely not to happen until next summer.

I found a great recipe on Pinterest (if you haven't joined it yet, do it for the recipes and food stuff - I have yet to be let down by anything I have found there!) - Blueberry Pie Ice Cream - I made a batch with some local blueberries and my word, I could eat the whole thing myself. So yummy, and easy - if you have an ice cream maker and are in need of new inspiration, give that one a try!! Speaking of which, I think it's probably ice cream o'clock right about now!

Perhaps I jinxed myself

Off and on, for a while now I have been working on a Baby-squared-for-my-baby-blanket. Last Saturday night, I cast off. Jokingly, I said to Dan, "Ok, the baby can come now - the blanket is done!" I wove in the ends last night and was tempted to leave one end unwoven just so it would not be completely finished... (I didn't finish Lorelai's blanket until after she arrived!)


I've even got a bucket hat done too. And then on Sunday we finished putting together the dresser / changing table. This week I have a long list of things to do to finish getting ready (laundry, cleaning, sorting, nesting type things, packing a hospital bag, picking up some diapers and wipes, etc). The car seats are in the cars, the crib is made, we're making good progress. Possibly too good. At my doctor's check up yesterday I found out (to my surprise and hers) that I have already begun to dilate at 36 weeks! And it is enough to cause my immediate family to start looking at me funny.

I feel fine, everything else is fine. Just this one number is interesting. I am supposed to take the Lorax with me to RI on Thursday to visit with my mom and grandmother and spend the night - so now I am waiting on the nurse to call me back to let me know if I can go or if I am better off to stay at home. I missed knitting last week due to a family birthday dinner, not sure what will happen this week. I am happy that this likely means that the baby won't be late like the Lorax was, but at the same time, stay in there and finish cooking baby!!

So, today I am trying to get as much crossed off the to-do list as I can. I did start another baby project, but as it is another hat it will be done quickly - a Rainbow Marley from the Itty Bitty Hats book.


I am very thankful for air conditioning in this heat - hope you are all staying cool and comfortable!

Yarn Along - July 13

From small things

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr.

A wildly colored photo this week. I'm still reading Moby Duck and still working on the baby squared blanket for baby#2. I am getting close - I've eyeballed off what I hope is enough yardage for the border and plan to knit until I get there. I am not sure why, but this version feels like it is turning out a lot longer than the last one I made. I am using the same yarn, Plymouth Encore Colorspun Worsted as before, so I think it is just a knitting illusion. No worries though, it is such a great pattern, and I really think that knitting a car-seat / stroller size is perfect. I am even thinking about working one up, slightly larger, for the Lorax - though, as she doesn't wear things I've knit, she also doesn't use the baby blanket I knit for her either. On top of Moby Duck is a new hat for me. I am working on a Sprial Tweed Cloche from Knitting 24/7 by Veronik Avery, one of my favorite designers. I do have it on dpns now, but have dug out the circular because I am finding I do not really like dpns for this many stitches at this weight. It is a good pick up and put down project.

If you are just popping by the blog for the "Yarn Along" - last week I was still working on my Juneblueberry Triangle - and as of Sunday it was all done, ends woven in and blocked! I posted about it here.

And just because this makes me giggle - the Lorax has been getting much better at her drawings - apparently she loves using all mediums which is fun - today I didn't even know she was working on this piece, a very identifiable ink drawing - a pregnant me!

Sure, I think I've gotten a little rounder in the face, I can't really see my feet too well, but I know they haven't swelled, and my hips have widened to make room for the baby. Not sure where my arms are - possibly crossed across me (and the boobs?). And yes, that's the face I make most days :)

JuneBlueBerry Triangle - finished!!

I am so excited that I have finished this particular project - makes me wish it was colder so I could put it to use! Presenting, Juneberry Triangle by Jared Flood, knit in less than 3 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted in the Periwinkle colorway.

I still hate bobbles, but I am glad I included a few of them. Certainly this would look nice with a little bit of sparkle / beads in place of the bobbles.

When I showed it to Dan, his first response was "That has a lot of holes. Is it really going to be warm?" I told him he'd be surprised - and will be jealous of me come winter!

Portrait

photo.JPG, a photo by nutmegknitter on Flickr.

This week the Lorax has really taken to her crayons and paper - she has drawn a thunderstorm, flowers, garden and then today she gave me this picture of me. It's morning, so I am wearing my glasses. And those circles in the middle? The baby. Awww.

Yarn Along - July 6

From small things:

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?

I finished Unbroken (on July 4th, appropriately) - Holy cow, what a life, what a story. I admit that WWII / historical anything is not my genre of choice, but this book was incredible - it was riveting right from the beginning. All the events described somehow manage to continue to top each other. Put it on your "Must Read" list!!


I started Moby-duck The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea and of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists, and Fools. It's interesting so far, but not as riveting as "Unbroken" - maybe because I find it to be much wordier. It is written by an English teacher, so part of me feels it is being wordy just for the sake of being wordy. I am halfway through the border on my "JuneBlueBerry" Triangle. I need to wind up another skein of Malabrigo. Now that I have gotten the hang of the border chart it is not too bad and it does move quickly, but I have to be able to pay some attention to what I am doing. It is not the best project to have out while you also have a very active 3.5 year old who is big into the "Look at me! No, you didn't look - turn your head, mommy, stop knitting!" sort of phase.

I had ordered a few other books and now that they are all here I am enjoying flipping through them and considering my next selfish knitting projects. These include: Brave New Knits - Foxgloves, Hydrangea Neckwarmer, Lenina, & Woodsmoke Scarf; Knitting 24-7 - just about everything in here I want to knit, but am thinking I'll try the Spiral Tweed Cloche first as I have the yarn called for in the pattern; New England Knits - gorgeous book, again, I want to knit just about everything, but Montague Bulky Lace Vest will probably be first.

I am still working on the baby-squared-for-my-baby blanket, and Sheldon's outfit has not been touched, and there is the acrylic Neon Nightmare. The blanket is actually not a bad one to work on in the backyard while the lorax plays about - acrylic yarn, no chart, crochet is super easy to pick up / put down as needed - so it's good to have as a (forever) on-going project. Even with all that I am getting the itch to start something new. And relatively quick to finish. And of course I can't decide what I want to work on and the weather is getting hot and humid - it hasn't been as bad as predicted or as it could be, it is more that I have trouble cooling down - it's hard to eat a snow cone and knit at the same time! I am pretty sure I will join WifeMomKnitter in making a Stand Mixer Outfit because why not? And I have dug two big skeins of acrylic in a cream / green from the stash that I think would work in my kitchen. My husband would love for the stand mixer to be anywhere else but the counter but it is actually holding the backsplash in place (the glue or whatever has come undone), so maybe a cover is the way to go.