Project Round Up

I have finished those Anna and Elsa dolls that I spoke about here. No formal pattern was written up really. I did write something for Anna's cape, but it's not edited and I'm not sure it's really that fantastic.

I've made a baby blanket for my dear friend who has recently become a new mommy to a cute little baby boy. I'll also dug deep and made a pillow with his initial sewn on with buttons. You can see the project details here.

I'm obsessed with granny squares, but not the traditional ones. So I've started producing some 5" squares in baby weight yarn for the guest room bed to get a decent sized blanket on it.

I jumped on the band wagon to make the Cowl Neck Poncho....but...I'm not sure yet how it will turn out. I don't have too much left on it, maybe just a few rows...but it's not coming out exactly right and I'm not sure if blocking will do the job either. So I've kind of stalled on it until I decide to frog or finish and try to block. It's acrylic, so once I block it...I will kill it. Project details here.

I finished a crazy shawl pattern that I was dying to make for my sister. She is really into dragons and so this pattern was just perfect. I talked about it briefly in the fall. I pulled it out and restarted twice before I finally got something remotely close to the gauge in the pattern. Considering that you have to count to more than 600 for the starting chain, it was a valiant undertaking. Project details here.

I finally completed a baby blanket for Lily that has been hibernating since Spring last year. It just needs the ends tucked in and a decent blocking. I love the way it came out and it's bigger than just a regular baby blanket, so she can use for a number of years. This pattern is somewhat made up by me, using a stitch for the green from mypicot. Project details here.

I made a cowl for a friend of mine and she just loves it. I can't tell you how happy it makes me when I make something for someone and they actually use it. I was careful to send her a list of patterns that I could and would make along with some yarn suggestions from my stash....I had to hedge my bets that she would like, you know....Project details here.

I made a sweater for myself in the early fall. It was a fairly easy project and it's a really nice addition to my closet for the fall and spring weather. Project details here. Apologies for the sad looking cell phone shot...I never remember to get a picture with my real camera.

Excited

So this Saturday is Rhinebeck and I can't wait to go. My sister-in-law, a fellow fiber lover, will be coming along with me.

It's not so much all the buying options, but just seeing how many people are into what I'm into. It makes me feel like less of a weirdo. Some people think it's strange that I knit and crochet because I'm not a little, old granny hanging out in a rocking chair knitting up booties. Despite the recent "blow up" in popularity of the fiber world, it still remains quite a small blip on people's radar.

In other news, my Marshall sweater is chugging along quite rapidly. The pattern is easy and mindless so I 'm plowing through the body of it now. I haven't taken any photos of my progress because, even if I did, I probably wouldn't take them off my camera for days and days anyway.

I've stalled on the shawl. I think it's because I've pulled it out 3 different times, so now I have to kind of grin and bear it to get through the first bunch of rows before it will become fun again.

And since I have no content driven photos, here's a picture of something pretty.

Brush off the dust

I know in my last post I said that we had found our stride. I think that I might have been lying. 

Sometimes, that feeling of being in control is hovering just out of reach and it's covered in a slippery coating that is impossible for me to hold on to. Other times it's so far away that I don't see it at all. The worst part is that other people seem to have figured it all out, but I feel as though I'm not even close. Between guilt for working full time and being too tired to play with my kids at night and feeling rundown, it's as though I'm burning my candle at both ends and the middle is rapidly approaching. I almost have a feeling of impending disaster. Is this normal? If I could just put together some kind of strategy, maybe things would smooth out. At the moment, that is my priority; figuring this crazy life of mine, out.

I try to draw inspiration from people who have more challenges than me, because, truthfully, my life is good. I have a house, a family, a good job, and live in a safe area. Everyday, I work to remind myself that I have these things and even though everything is unbalanced, it's all good...

Step one, really, is to let go of the pressure. Let go of the self imposed, idealized versions of my life. I can't be super woman; I can't have a job, run a household, read all kinds of intelligent books, design patterns, write my own book, and care for my children, perfectly. That's the rub...perfection.

So, while I struggle to find my stride, maybe I will find time to log it all in here, and maybe I won't.

In my snippets of free time, I have been crocheting and knitting like mad. I've started a sweater as a Christmas gift and a shawl. The sweater is coming along ok, I had a few gauge issues, but I think I've worked it out. The shawl is still not working right. I used to knit/crochet very tightly and it was an annoying thing, but now it seems I'm the exact opposite and my gauge is way off. The sweater worked by going down a needle size, but the shawl...gosh...driving me nuts. You can see my tribulations on my Ravelry project pages.

And just because she's cute, here is a picture of my daughter.

Time

Hello.

I think we have found our stride.  It seems that things have finally smoothed out.  I can breathe again and little E can walk again.

Lily is GROWING.  I forget how fast it all goes, but in so many ways, I'm thankful for that.  Newborns are hard work.  She has been sleeping through the night for almost two weeks now and that's like a little miracle.  She holds her head up on her own now, miracle two.  Soon it will be baby cereal and sitting up.  Even though I'm in a small rush to see her a little more independent, it's an amazing thing to watch her personality emerge.  Everyday is something new.

I have had some time for crafting.  I've started this top.  UGH...it fits terribly so far.  In the pictures it looks so great on people, but not me.  I still have a few more inches to add and maybe it will carry the bulk away from my midsection.  If not, I may add a few more inches to try and get a better fit.  I would hate to pull it all out and it might not be me but maybe my choice in yarn.  We'll see.  It might look better in a drape-ier weight and material.

The pattern itself is sort of well written.  I feel like, it could have been edited better.  I think if you're a beginner, or even a not-so-confident intermediate crocheter, I would avoid this one for now.  Here's my project page.

One thing that I've been sort of chugging along on when I have any free time is a garter stitch blanket made in this yarn.  It makes such a cozy, easy to care for blanket and I had four skeins of it left over.  Whenever I have a free moment, I pick it up and add a few stitches.  So far, I've managed to get through two and a half skeins...

A few days ago I cut off about fifteen (FIFTEEN) inches of hair from my head.  I was so tired of it and now...it alllll gone.  Here's a sort of strange and forlorn picture of my ponytail.  And the second is a less forlorn but possibly just as strange Before and After picture of me.

WiP Wednesday - FO Edition & Home Update

Although I have a new WiP, I didn't get a chance to spread it out properly and get pictures, so instead I will show what I have totally finished....there was a few FOs that needed to be blocked and finally I got around to it this week.

My maternity leave has been a whirlwind of appointments, household chores, and cooking for after the baby comes.  I have to say I've done really well with that.  I've gotten lots of batches done and in the freezer.  All together I think I will have cooked about 22 lbs of chicken and 26 lbs of beef.  I did not keep track of the pounds of veggies that goes with all of this though.  Needless to say it was an expensive up front cost, but to keep us all fed and healthy for the first couple of weeks with a newborn at home, it was worth every penny and the hours on my feet, in the kitchen.

But I did squeeze in time to knit and crochet, and you will get to enjoy seeing the fruits of that labor....

Serriform Shawl :

Oaklet Shawl :

Simply Soft Blanket : 

WiP Wednesday - Back to the Vest

So, I've taken a break from the baby blanket to work on my vest again.  Just ready to knit for a little while.  I like this pattern, it's simple and I can watch TV while I knit.

I'm having such issues with this yarn, and although I already complained about the first faulty skein, I'm debating to complain about the second.  Likely, I will not, but it's really got me annoyed with the large number of extra ends I'll have to weave in.

Ravelry Project Page
Pattern Page

In the last picture you can see all the ends....

WiP Wednesday - Mashrabiya Vest & Shawl

I started this a few days ago and I really like it.  The pattern is easy to follow, except for the beginning where it doesn't exactly tell you what needle to use when and I think I guessed wrong, but I can deal with it.

It goes pretty fast once you get the hang of it and the lace pattern is quite pretty.  I do plan to add the armholes to make this more versatile and I'm pretty excited to wear this once the baby is here...no way am I squeezing that poor shawl around my waist...It's almost a moot point as I really don't have a waist.

So the pattern is Mashrabiya Vest & Shawl by Sarah Wilson, The Sexy Knitter.  I also read and follow her blog, go, check it out.

The plan is to use this KnitPicks yarn that I got a few months ago for a different project, but never got around to it.  It's shades of green and I plan to make it stripey...fingers crossed that it won't look cruddy or make me look fat with the horizontal striping.

Here is my Ravelry Project Page and a picture up to my switch to the second color.

Girlie baby stuff....

Although I have no time, I have lots of ambition...it's ironic and also a common predicament amongst us crafters.  I have two baby blankets to finish by May/June and another one to start and finish by July, but all I want to do is make baby girl stuff for my little lady or...shawls...yes...I feel like I never have enough.  I've also been baking like a mad woman, something my husband certainly appreciates.

I made these and holy moly they are delicious....and only 3 points per bar...not too shabby.

Now, more baby stuff that I want to make.

Mermaid Dress

This dress is really cute and since it's raglan it will be really easy to knit.  It's not free, but I might be willing to acquire such a pattern for the sake of cuteness everywhere.

Sweet Pea Sweater

This pattern seems great, my only issue is the price.  It seems a somewhat simple construction and they are charging quite a bit more than I would like to pay for a design like this.  It's so cute and appears easy to make, so it's definitely on my wish list for now.

Peachy Ensemble

I can't believe this pattern is free.  It's awesome.  It has matching booties, puffy sleeves, and bloomers.  This is a must make for me.

I will probably have to do another post of my baking escapades, a "round up" if you will, of yumm-e-ness.  If you can't wait for that, head over to my pinboard.  I try to comment on the recipes that I've made, including any modifications or things I didn't like.

If I can get some decent pictures of my blanket, I'll be back on Wednesday with a post of my progress...If not, maybe I can rehash the past few days of my little man and his hand surgery....such gripping blog fodder...I know.

WiP Wednesday - Abstract Cats

Well, I had some hopes of finishing up this blanket in the past week.  In fact, I've barely had time to work on it at all.  A few rows here and there, but my son was needy and we had some company over, so no rest and no crocheting.

I want to make all of this baby girl stuff, but I have requests for two baby blankets....yes...two...so those will probably come first; cute little, frilly girl dresses come second, and third is that new pattern from Ysolda for her mystery shawl KAL.  I want to make that in the worst way, but I know if I start it before the other "must do" projects, I won't get the baby blankets done.  I've been browsing patterns and will likely start another one this week.

I don't have a picture today, because, really, it looks fairly similar to last week, so you'll have to stay on the edge of your seats to see how it will look next week...ahem

Stuff I love

Yeah, so...that little heart button on Ravelry...it's dangerous.  I think I will blow up their website with the tag for "baby".

Here are some of the highlights of that scary jungle:

Ravelry Link

That is a little piggy romper....holy crap....I can't get over it, in fact I don't even have words.  I only know that I have to make this and stick my baby in it.

Ravelry Link

Little birdie....and I love the little bows...

Ravelry Link

Remember how I told you of my torrid affair with the bloomers...this pair is great because it's perfectly plain and ready for customization.  They also appear to be quite functional.  The best part...it's a free pattern from our friends at The Purl Bee.

Since the baby will be here in May (hopefully not any sooner), it will already be getting quite warm, so most sweaters and heavy stuff is out, which, when you're talking about knit/crochet is a large chunk of the pie.  Mmmm...pie.

FO, FO - Yay

My Starke Scarf is all blocked and pretty.  Too bad I'm all chubby in the picture, but alas, that comes with pregnancy.

News

I found out last week that I'm having a little girl...now it's time for all things fluffy and pink...not sure if I'm ready for that, but luckily, I haven't a choice.

It does bring to mind all kinds of little girl dresses that I can knit or crochet.  Baby boy stuff is all more complex, with pants and sweaters, but girls...blissfully easy with long tubes that have straps...I can handle that.

I'm not even sure my little girl will know what pants are because I plan to keep her in crocheted/knitted baby dresses for as long as I can manage....

Here is a cute one from JoAnn Fabrics (free)

Ravelry link

I likey this one too....(also free), Red Heart pattern

Ravelry link

A vintage pattern, but it's still perfect

Ravelry link

WiP Wednesday - Must Have Shawl

Slow going, but I LOVE it...not sure I'll be able to give it up....I will try valiantly.  I never did count my stitches to see if I made an error or if the pattern has an error.  Sorry (but not really).

Ravelry Project Page

WiP Wednesday - Olive Basket Cardi

I was cruising along on this project and then I stalled....ran out of gas, I guess.  I don't have much time for knitting lately, and when I do, I've been working on my Must Have Shawl (love it).  

So here is my sad progress on sleeve number 1....

My Ravelry Project Page

WiP Wednesday - Must Have Wrap

I know, I know...another new project, but when I saw this pattern come through the CEY newsletter, I had to make it.  I think it will be a Christmas present for someone, but we'll see what happens.

It's called Must Have Wrap, and I think it's a fairly accurate name.

I went stash diving and came up with my ColourMart Silk/Linen 12/60NM Fingering Weight yarn.  I have about 1600 yards of yarn and this pattern calls for about 1200 yards.

I've cast on using my brand-spanking new Darn Pretty needles...let me count the ways over these things.  If you don't own some of these, go buy some...and do it fast because there is quite a LOOOONG wait for them.  I'll write about them next week and how much I want to scatter them on the ground and roll around with them.

Now let me admit how lazy I am.  I cast on for this twice.  Both times, I'm pretty sure I counted right, but since it's not a big deal, I didn't really bother to go back and count.  Both times, I wound up with the stitch count not working on the wrong side rows.  So, I just fudged it and have moved on.  Oddly, it works perfectly on the right side, but not on the wrong side.  So, because I'm such a slug, and don't want to figure out how many stitches I have, this will remain a mystery.  Had to get that off my chest...because if it is a pattern error, then at least you've been warned.

Moving on.....Ravelry Project Page

WiP Wednesday - Olive Basket Cardi

Chugging along on this again, and happy to be back.  Knitting has been competing with FB gaming, reading and sleeping, lately.

Here she is, in an all her dusty teal glory....minus sleeves, those are in the making as I write this...

Also, I'm totally sorry for this terrible photo.  I looked all over the place trying to find a spot with good lighting where I could get a shot of the body of this thing...aka needed a hanger.  I need to get myself a make-shift dummy to at least drape my projects on for fit and photos.

Ravelry Project Page
Pattern Page

Monthly Menagerie - July 2013

Better late than never....

JULY 2013

WiP Wednesday - FO Edition

Things are a bit busy for me at this time and so I haven't had much time for the things that require a bit of concentration from me, ie. crafting.

So, for a little while, I think that I will show some FOs here and talk a little bit about that project.

As for WiPs, I do have a few....the TTL KAL isn't completed, but it's about half way through.  The WendyKnits Summer KAL has the yarn all ready, but no needles...aka...not started...I'm really sad about that.  Once our basement renovation is completed, then I can unpack all my yarn supplies and hopefully come across my needle pile.
Olive Basket is still on hold, which was the plan so that I could work on my Mad About Tosh Club projects.

Ok, so today's FO: Seraphina Shawl

I don't know why I have not posted about this before, but this pattern was AWESOME.  I've never crocheted something so big, so quickly and loved the result so much.  This pattern is crazy easy to memorize and I literally zipped right through it.  Blocking is completely necessary with this project, but the blocking helped to really open up the shells and give it a better overall shape.

Best part....the pattern is totally free!

Here is my Ravelry Project Page and the Seraphina Pattern itself.

WiP Wednesday

I wanted to start the WendyKnits Summer Mystery Shawl KAL.  I ordered yarn from Knit Picks...after having a great brainstorm about how I wanted it to go.  The yarn arrived and I pulled out my camera to take a few glamour photos.

Then I went to grab the desired needles....alas...they are not to be found.  I literally had a pile of circulars in my basement.  I went to find my pile and poof....!  It was gone.  I have no idea where they all went, but I can't knit anything without knitting needles.  I do have the right size in a smaller cable, but with the number of stitches to cast on, that will not work very well for me.  I also realized that I need to invest in a few more stitch marker; this pattern calls for a quite a large number of them.

Ravelry Project Page

WiP Wednesday - TTL KAL

I have finally completed the first clue and I've just started the lace section for the second part.  At the moment, between my being sick and then the baby being sick things are a bit hectic.

Here is a picture of my progress:

I have to be honest though and say that although life has been crazy....I was possessed by an urge to make myself a new purse....I went stash diving and out popped the purse pattern that I just posted....

I promise that next week I will have some more progress on the TTL KAL.

Ravelry Project Page

And tomorrow I will post my weekly weigh-in...I have some fear that I did not lose any weight this week...