Toddler Flittens

Yesterday when we were playing outside, I mentioned to the Lorax that I will have to make her a neckwarmer for her pink coat (I'm thinking Scallo-pie, Not-a-scarf or just finishing the Zebra scarf). She pipes up that "My hands are freezing!" I told her that I had some handy dandy hand warmers that she could wear - and that they were just like mommy's, only pink. I had been wearing my Fetchings earlier in the day. "Sure!" she says. Be still my heart. We run inside and I pulled out the Sucky Thumb Mitts I made last year.


Of course we had to get right back to playing.


She kept them on! I think she really liked that her fingers were still "free" and able to grab the ball or throw leaves or whatever. Handy tip to put them on? Making the "Thumbs Up" sign so the thumb goes in first into the right spot. They are a little big, so I am thinking about knitting them again in a DK yarn to be a little more snug.


I was blowing raspberries at her to get her to look at me while I snapped the picture and she did it right back at me. We've got attitude, yes we do! We've got attitude, how 'bout you?

Fall Weekend

What a weekend. The weather here was decidedly chilly, but there was sunshine for a bit. Lately the Lorax seems to have boundless energy so we are trying to get in a good dose of running around outside each day. On Saturday we were doing just that and then realized that there were quite a few leaves in the yard - it might be fun to make a leaf pile for the Lorax. Generally our yard really doesn't get much in terms of leaf litter, but one section of the yard was just right.



We started out just dropping her in the pile (not the best move. There were tears. oops.) - after a bit of each of us running through the pile with her, tossing leaves and raking it up again, we almost couldn't get her out of the leaf pile! Success!

Saturday night we watched It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. We were both surprised that the Lorax really seemed into it - there's a lot of dialogue and the action is slower, but she has requested it multiple times now. In a few years I am looking forward to watching The Worst Witch with her...

I was hoping that all this Halloween prep (attending a Halloween Costume parade at the local apple orchard, watching the Great Pumpkin / kids in costume) would help convince the Lorax to wear a costume on Halloween, given her general stubbornness if I want her to wear something particular. We have been talking it up all week - and in the end, she was a Halloween-Ballerina-Dancer-No-Tutu-But-With-Halloween-Necklace-Tiara-and-Wand! I consider it a success.

We "trick or treated" at the grandparents houses and then stayed at my parents for dinner and to give out candy there. The Lorax seemed to get into it - shouting "Happy Halloween" at the kids. As the night went on and she saw more costumes, she did get a bit overwhelmed or scared by some of them - she said she didn't want to give candy to the "Maskers" (people in masks) - but she would readily give candy to kids her size - a cow, a dinosaur, a ladybug, etc. And then after giving out some candy she raided my mom's candy basket for some candy of her own. And this morning she asked for candy for breakfast. Again, Halloween success. :)

On to November....

This Moment.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. - from Soule Mama

Another secret revealed!

Having these test / sample knitting projects makes for great blog material. Yesterday I told you about my Sock Love. Today I get to share a bit of lace. At the end of the summer I started working on a sample knit for Nelkin Designs - a doily-turned-blanket sort of sample, Centrino. I think I hinted at it here and there - the super secret project, the white project of dooooooom...except not really. I liked knitting this - I did find it to be addictive and satisfying to work on! One of the best parts was the blocking! From blob to BOOM!

I used the full-sized mattress in the guest bedroom and every singe pin I could find. Magical!


Over the railing in my hallway.


Obligatory couch shot?

I found myself stuck for better ideas for styling / photographing this item - tricky too because I didn't dare let the Lorax or Jackson near it :) I love this photo that Laura has of it:

(borrowed with permission!)

Happy sigh - I'm really proud of that knit. As it was a sample, it's not mine to keep, but I will certainly think about knitting this again at some point.

Sock Love

I love knitting socks. An outside observer might think otherwise, given that there hasn't been a sock on my needles since September. And the fact that there are several mate-less socks in a drawer patiently waiting for their match to be made. Socks are a great way to splurge on nice yarn ($24 or so for a nice handpainted yarn, 400 yards or so, enough for a project!) and depending on your taste in patterns can provide a nice knitting challenge - just when you get really sick of one part, there is a new part to complete - cuff to leg to heel to foot to toes. Or the other way around, if you like toe-ups!

Back in June I had the opportunity to be a test knitter for Cookie A. - one of my favorite sock designers - for her new book. I finished one sock (all that was required for the testing) in 5 days!! I knit as fast as my knitting needles would go and I did it! I love this sock. I would love to wear the pair, so I really should get going on the second one, and eventually I will. Now that the book is finally available for pre-orders, I can share with you, Cusp:

The yarn is Alchemy Juniper in "Turquoise Pool" that I picked up during Team VA Weekend last year. A dream to knit with.


I have pre-ordered my copy of Knit. Sock. Love. - I will probably take it to my local copy shop and have them change the binding to a spiral one - makes the book lay nice and flat. I did that with Cookie A's other book, "Sock Innovation" (which I still dream of working my way through. A Julie/Julia thing.) There's a nice post comparing both sock books, FYI. Now I want to knit socks. But, they have to get in line behind a test knit in progress, a sweater for me, a few holiday gifts and a scarf!

Character Awareness - Tiny Talk Tuesday

This conversation happened while we were changing her pull-up:
L: Mommy, this princess is getting undressed!
Me: What? I don't think so...
L: No, she is! She's getting undressed!
Me: Let me see.


This character is on a kid's meal watch.

My dad asked L who it was.
L answers, It's a piece of cake!

Somebody will wear my handknits!

Almost by surprise, the weather has turned windy and cool - very fall like, and we knew (and hoped) it was coming, but somehow it is a shock to the system. The heat is on and I have been pulling out my handknits to wear - I love to layer with the scarves and shawls-as-scarves. I've posted many times about how the Lorax absolutely refuses to wear pretty much anything I knit for her, so my most recent knitting accomplishment has been for Jackson. I usually pop his cowl on him, but figured it was time to make him something new. Behold, the Wurstwarmer!

Someone is camera shy, or possible just ticked off. I used Sirdar Snuggly DK for most of the sweater - it was less than a full ball, when it was used up the last two inches or so are knit with Berroco Comfort DK. Both machine washable acrylic blends.


This is a great pattern. Obviously, the designer totally *gets* dachshunds and what odd little creatures they can be. I really appreciate how the pattern guided me through several measurements and then options as well relating to peculiarities of your dog: male / female, harness opening, to cover their little bum or not. This sweater stays on him pretty well - he was able to step out of it after doing a "squirrel" trick - his little legs fold up and then they are tucked into the sweater. If I knit this again, actual sleeves may help (a pattern option I opted out of) or casting off / on fewer stitches for the armhole opening.


The Lorax was helping me get Jackson to do his "squirrel" trick to take the photo. She is finally taller than the dog! Also, the Tinkerbell pajamas? A gift that her daddy picked up for her when they went out to the store while I was at Rhinebeck.


Stay warm little doggie. And learn to love the handknits - I will be making this again!

This Moment.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (From SouleMama.com)

Rhinebeck & Back Again

Not surprisingly, the weekend flew by - even more so because of Rhinebeck! I drove up on Saturday morning to pick up my sister-in-law and off we went to the festival. We had some goals in mind, and she was way more specific that I was. One of my goals was that I was actually going to speak up and say "Hi" to knitters that I know online - in each previous year I have chickened out and been shy.

I am quite proud of myself - I said "Hi" to quite a lot of people, old friends and new friends - it does seem so strange to feel like you know all these people, but I only really identify them with their username! We were on our way to get a lamb sandwich when we walked by the Rhinebeck Style spot Gale Zucker set up - and I saw a group of gals wearing a hat, just like mine! It was the Thursday night SnB crew - Wife, Mom, Knitter, Anphoe, jennsquared, Costumechick, BackstageKnits, Hedwigbc, & Alaina-Jane! I joined them for the group photos and I really am excited to see how they came out!

I also managed to run into and actually say hey to several people I've knit for - Laura (Schaefer Yarn), Amallen (Lorna's Laces) & Knitgrrl - so that was really cool. On top of that, when I spotted Amallen, she was walking around with Ysolda - so I got to gush about her work and admire the new pieces for a bit. I also managed to find TammyG, Jesh, Librarysarie & baby, and The Painted Sheep!

After all that people watching and yarn fondling, what was my part of the haul? I surprised even myself.

One skein of Socks that Rock Silkie - Tlingit.
After carefully looking at all there was - I found that my favorite items were at vendors I bought from in the past, and still have not yet used that yarn. So I resisted. I was almost swayed by Sanguine Gryphon (OMG, that Bugga is amazing!) but I didn't want to wait in a 45 minute line. I was also almost swayed by a beautiful raspberry-merlot lace (1200+yds for $20!) but I'm not planning to knit lace anytime soon. I'm blessed to have a pretty decent yarn stash, and I've got yarn "payment" headed my way. So I decided on the STR - there wasn't a line really and it's not something I can just pick up at the LYS. Likely this will be a shawl or scarf - I have another skein of silkie from when I was in the Rockin Sock Club - so maybe they will work together for something or just by itself like a Clapotis, Simple Things, or Trinity Shawlette...

This is the start of a great several weeks of fiber that is somewhat local - Stitches East is next week (not sure if I'm going), the New England Fiber Festival is in a few weeks (very curious to check that out!) and then I'm going on the Knitter's Review Retreat!

Representing at Rhinebeck

I am so excited for the weekend - it time for NY Sheep & Wool a.k.a. Rhinebeck! I am going to be going with my favorite sister-in-law (how awesome is it that she is a knitter?! AND we discovered last year that we have similar shopping strategies!) - she and my brother live not too far, so I will be able to hang out with her, and then see my brother and stay with them (so nice not to have to think about driving back the same day or figuring hotels!). A mini-vacation for me!

Several of the gals at my SnB are planning to be there and they made hats so they can find each other easily. I want to be one of the cool kids too, so I made a hat. Seriously, why do people stress out over a "Rhinebeck Sweater"? Make a hat, your friends can find you! I might wear a handknit sweater, but I'm not sure of the weather yet and I think it will be easier to dress in layers (including my Ravelry shirt).

When I was making this hat (using Farmhouse Yarn's "Mary's Little Lamb Light Worsted" held doubled) I had more than one moment of panic - I really thought that it was going to be a Lorax sized hat, but thankfully it does stretch!

I did knit it flat, but did a three needle bind off to seam the top and quickly seamed up the side. I think I might have to wear pigtails to match to top tassles, though with the state of my hair now, when I do pig tails they look like cocker spaniel ears! This yarn is leftover from my Chickadee Cowl, and I still have 25grams left. I think this is the first time I have a matching set - hat & cowl! If it's chilly enough, I'll be wearing both!

If you're at Rhinebeck, you can spot me in the hat, or my knitting bag:

I would love to say "Hi!" I'll be keeping my eye out for several fellow knitters as well!

Of course, I can't have a finished object post without Jackson modeling!

Maybe I'll use the leftover yarn to make Jackson a new neckwarmer....

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Overheard (and so glad I had my camera phone nearby):

"Jackson - now you look like a princess!"

Etsy Holiday Boot Camp

Today is a beautiful day in New England - it's warm. It's sunny and clear. It's also the 25th of September - and this means a few things.
*It's fall! Summer - you were great, but I'm ready for the next season. Buh-bye!
*Like it or not, it is 3 months until Christmas. I have a few projects already planned for Christmas, a few more to figure out. (And I'm not a person who does Christmas early - I like to enjoy fall and Thanksgiving. The Monday after Thanksgiving, I'm all about Christmas.)

I have been thinking about my etsy shop (beccah.etsy.com) and how I really would like to put more effort into that and make it work, especially with the onset of cooler weather and such. I received an email from etsy actually about a Holiday Boot Camp and I'm all for it. So, here's my accountability blog post:

I, Nutmegknitter, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!

This should work for my own gifting as well I think.

And while the blog is a really great public space for goal setting, I am still thinking about the specific goals I want to make and meet. I haven't yet decided if I should just keep it to myself in a notebook or put it out there - either way, it's out in the universe for good things to happen right?

And as a note to myself / to share if you're interested -
blog post about online selling tips for the holidays

This Moment.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (From SouleMama.com)

I'm proud to say that my kid is that kid - the one who decided to spice up her dance class outfit with Rainbow Brite style legwarmers.

Wednesday Web Watch

I've come across some great links in the blogs lately and thought I would share, and also to remind myself of them. I use google reader and I love that it is so easy to use from the phone (this has saved me from going out of my mind during the Lorax's tv time).

Bel Kai Designs - My latest window shopping find for jewelry. Her blog gives insight into the pieces she makes. My favorites? The Teal Necklace, the Starfish, Sand-Sea-Sky Necklace... I'm going to save my pennies for one of those!

I made these Apple Brown Betty Muffins from eatathomecooks.com - a dense muffin, would be great with nuts added to it (but I didn't because *some* people around here don't like nuts. Not Me - I love them. Anyway, still delicious). Good snack, good breakfast.

I can't stop playing Pocket Frogs - it's right up there with Words With Friends - I'm nutmegknitter on both if you want to play or be my neighbor. I am still not sure I completely understand the Frogs game - it's like the Sims sort of game. The frogs are cute!

I've got a rather large project pinned to the bed in my guest bedroom - it worked! It's so pretty - I wish I could share it with you, but it is under wraps for a while longer. I am working on some baby hats for my etsy shop. The Lorax seems to be back to normal, so we are on an upswing again. And Glee returns!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

On Monday morning we went in to get up the Lorax. As usual, she requested that her daddy read to her - a "Finding Nemo" book where you have to find items in each of the pictures. A few pages in the Lorax asks, "Where's Nemo's Mommy?"

Thinking to myself, shooting a look at my husband, eyebrows raised, I am so NOT ready to have this conversation with my 2.5 year old!

We told her this is a book about daddies and the baby. Nemo's mommy isn't in the book.

I'm still feeling unsettled about the whole thing. (Note to self: No Time For Flashcards has some good book leads... future reference)

Linking up to Not Before 7 & "Tiny Talk Tuesday"

Fair and Square

We checked out the Guilford Fair this weekend.

We had to do a bit of explaining with this activity, but we got it.


No explanation is needed when it comes to ice cream.


And my knitting won some ribbons!

2nd place in the Children's Sweater category - the first place / Best in Show piece has a Husky on it. Sure, Go UCONN and all that, but I still think Dachshunds are way cuter!! Especially on that Willie sweater!


I did score a 1st place ribbon on the Malabrigo Dress I knit up last year. The categories are narrow at the fair for the knitting entries, so this went under "Miscellaneous".

That's pretty much it for pictures - the Lorax did way better at the fair this year and I expect that next year we will have to give in and let her do some rides, but this year was good. She could walk next to us or be in the stroller. She was interested in checking things out and seeing the animals. Good times!

Cuteness

Ingredients for a fun weekend (part 1):
1 roll pink tulle + 1 roll white tulle + 1 elastic + ruler + needle / thread + scissors + Fantastic "Make a Tutu" Tutorial from FeelsLikeHomeBlog =

-Ponytail was her idea, as were the pearls. The wand is a gift that came with a different tutu-ballerina-butterfly outfit.

These Moments

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (From SouleMama.com)


"Self Portrait"


"Dance Class"

Maglia Ritorta

I finally have some knitting to show! I finished something, wove in the ends, took some photos and sent it off. Presenting... Maglia Ritorta designed by Jill Wolcott (her website is y2knitpatterns) and knit up in Mountain Meadow Wool - Laramie (their worsted) and the "Sky" colorway.

Front.


Back side. (Wow, I need a haircut. I do like how red my hair looks here.)

It's not blocked (per my sample knitting instructions) - it still looks pretty cute. It nicely wraps around your shoulders and being worsted wool created a dense fabric that is quite warm. It blocks out quite nice though - apparently I didn't upload the swatch photo to flickr, but it is on the project page on Ravelry.

I am very pleased to have that project finished. I'm just about done with another super-huge-super-secret project, I'm working on a test knit for a fellow SnB (and I have to say - having friends who have nice taste in yarns makes for a dreamy project. Silk = luscious!!), one "Memorable Women" sock is done and I've got another sample sweater started and then I have also started to think about Christmas gifts...

Testing

Last week, during Hurricane Earl (Thanks for Nothing Earl, by the way), I needed to work on a new project. My knitting projects have been in the blobby-it'll-be-interesting-when-I'm-done-knitting stage and I think because I was working hard to get them done (both deadline projects) my brain just needed a distraction. Anyway, I've had this patchwork wristlet project on my "to-do" list ever since I spotted it. Seems like another great way to practice my sewing skills in addition to trying it out as a potential Christmas gift.
I have to say that Pink Penguin puts out a great tutorial! I felt quite comfortable taking it one step at a time - really - I think this project took me most of the day, plus another hour or so on a different day to get acquainted with the zipper foot on my sewing machine.
Ta-da!

(one of the more difficult items to photograph!) It works! There are plenty of beginner mistakes that I notice and probably most others could to if they took a good look at it, but I can learn from that and the next time I work this up (I am pretty sure I will) I can make adjustments.


Inside. I gave this little wristlet a test run this weekend - it nicely held money, id, lip balm, pack of tissues and my phone. It is really handy and matches my new favorite nail polish quite nicely, in my opinion. Nail polish by the way, is OPI's "Ski Teal We Drop" - September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and I wanted Teal Toes - love it so much I wanted it on my fingers too - it's a great teal - more blue than green, and it's a solid true color - not frosty or shimmery.

Final thoughts? I think I will make this again - hopefully I can adjust my mistakes to perfect this before giving as a gift (possibly). I may move on instead to a different project, also from "Pink Penguin" - This lunch bag would be great for a knitting bag!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

The Lorax has been quite verbal for the past year or so. We are getting to a point where it dawns on her dad or myself when talking with her that Holy Chickens, We are having an actual conversation with her - not just us telling her something, or her saying a few words here and there to express what she wants. She talks nonstop - usually along the lines of "Daddy, I open the door for you. Don't forget your id and lunch. After work we go to the park. I'll meet you there on saturday with friends. Jackson will bark at you."

Today she really made me giggle (and pause, OMG she's getting to be a real KID! Why does that surprise everyone, me included? She is a person, not a pet!) so I decided to participate in Tiny Talk Tuesday - I hope this will be a good way to keep track of those silly things kids say.




So, this morning the Lorax is drawing and coloring - she's been getting pretty good writing Ls and we're starting to see some circles, but mostly it's scribbles and she tells me what it is. Today she shouted out to me, "Mommy, I draw a diaper!" -

What do you know? That's not half bad!! :)

Hello September!

While I have some difficulty wrapping my head around the fact that it is indeed September, I am more than ready for it. I love summer, I really do - but heat waves I cannot stand. I have had enough - I am ready for cool breezes, layers, cups of tea in the afternoon and evening, eating warm foods and baking in my oven! September also means that sweater weather is coming! And I have finished a new sweater for the Lorax.
Jackson a version of Willie.

I used Plymouth Encore Chunky (which is fantastic! I love this yarn!) in a mottled grey-brown for the dachshund part which is a pretty good color match to some of Jackson's dappled spots. Same yarn for the body, in a cranberry-ish red. I used Patons Canadiana held doubled for the cuffs and trim.

I think my favorite part of this sweater is the ear. Totally makes it. I didn't bother to block the ear flat because I like how it curves or flips up - gives it some dachshund attitude.

Jackson snuggled up (and under) the sweater. I tried to get the Lorax in it (even with the promise of her favorite candy, Ms. But she runs away from me shouting "I Don't Want To Wear It!" - and we've had a rough week. Lots of whining. Lots of meltdowns. I'm not looking to start another fight and I'm tired of the tears (crocodile or otherwise). I think that this is going to be long on her - almost like a coat instead of a sweater, but that's fine - maybe we can get a wear or two out of it as an extra layer, this year or next.