Trying Something New....

I have decided I am ready to venture on to something new and a little challenging for me. Of course, this is when my head decides it's time for a migraine. I've spent the last 3 days dealing with that....talk about bad timing...and on a weekend. Grrr! I finally feel semi-normal again.


This is what I have managed to accomplish when the light isn't so bright and wearing my sunglasses. :P I am knitting my first real raglan sweater. It's a baby sweater but I figured I'd start out small just to get the "mechanics" of how it's done. I have to say...once again...not as hard as I had imagined. I love the way the sleeves look with the increases...so neat.

This is my youngest daughter's nearly naked doll modeling the sweater. She is the reason I started the sweater...she seriously needs some clothes. :P I refuse to have a porn star doll around here. She is getting dressed ASAP. lol I managed to get a good bit done today since my head is feeling better so I'm now at the point of joining the sweater sides and putting the sleeve stitches aside. If I can get this part right...the sweater should turn out okay I think. I'm using a skein of Omega Sinfonia...not sure of the color since the band is long gone. I think this is a skein Froggie threw my way.

Before I go off to knit some more....check out this contest! Christy is having a "For The Fun Of Knit" contest on her blog. Just leave a comment. She's so funny and I love her Weekly Warnings. If you've never read them....go back through her blog and check them out...they are hilarious! Sorry, Christy...I know some of them are funny at your expense but you know I love ya!

Okay..back to my sweater. I really want to call this one an FO soon. :)
Hugs!

Springtime Baby Blanket

I finally finished my Ravelympics project. Woo Hoo! I originally planned to do two but decided against the other one since things have been so crazy around here. All these sicks children have really stressed me out. I think it's time to take a break.

This is my Springtime Baby Blanket. I knitted it with I Love This Yarn in Orchid. I used a US Size 10 needle to give it a bit a drape....baby blankies should be soft and cuddly. The first photo was taken inside and it's pretty true to color.

This photo wast taken outside and you might need to click it and make it bigger. Yeah, the blanket isn't properly blocked but you can see the design pretty well when you enlarge it. :p
I've put it up for sale on my Dishing Knit Out blog and also on Ravelry for $3.00.

Sick update....Ms Thang had a stomach virus and strep throat...she's feeling much better now and goes back to school tomorrow. Skaterboy has a pretty bad ear infection but is also feeling much better today. He's going back to school tomorrow too. Mama needs some quiet time!! It's impossible to relax when the kids are sick.

Still waiting on my Dish Rag Tag box. I've been tagged already but the box isn't here yet. :( I am so ready to get it knitted and sent back out. I want my team to win this thing!! My team is Phaster Than Phelps.

Hugs!

Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono

I finally got brave enough to try something different. This is the Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono from the Mason*Dixon Knitting book. I cannot believe how easy this was to knit. There is seaming involved (I was so not thrilled about that) but I'm not showing you so it looks good. :P I used Sugar & Cream in Hot Pink and some scrap yarn for the flowers and the ties. It took a little less than 2 balls of S&C to make this little cutie. Shirl coached me through the flowers and the leaves and I'm so proud of the result.


I had a hard time getting a good photo. Things have been so crazy with school starting back and all the running around to get everything in order. I have to grab a chance to photograph it when I can. My Mom gave me the buttons in the center of the flowers. She's had them in her stash for MANY years. They were the perfect touch I think. Thanks, Mom!

A not so great close-up of the flowers. I can't wait to get a photo of it on the little recipient. It's for my cousin's little one who is now almost 4 months old. It might be too big now but once the weather cools down...I'm thinking it will fit just fine.

Sadly, that's about all the knitting I've accomplished lately. I've had the school chaos and then our A/C died along with some electrical issues around the house. My Dad has fixed the electrical stuff (Thank you, Dad the electrician!) and the A/C guy finally got that fixed (we were melting here) so hopefully things will soon get back to normal. It was too hot around here to do much of anything.

I am so behind on my blogging and blog reading. I think somebody is stealing my blog time....it's so hard lately to keep up. I guess the fact that there are now over 140 blogs on my reader might have something to do with it. :P I can't pass up a good blog.

I'm going to lurk around Ravelry for a while and see what I want to knit now. I really enjoyed the "baby knitting" so maybe a cute little dress if I can find an easy one.

Hugs!

It's Sunday Already!?

I can't believe the entire weekend is gone already. I have no idea where it went or where I was while this was happening. I survived it though so I guess I can't complain. The baby shower went well and my cousin loved the blanket and the teddy bear. She was more surprised that I made the bear...she had a clue already that the blanket was coming. I'm so thankful that I have family who appreciate a handmade gift. She had the blanket in her lap for a while and whenever someone new came in...she would take it out and show them and tell them that I made it. It made all the struggle with that dang yarn seem worth it. The photo shows most of the things I gave her...all handmade except for the outfit. I tried to con her into believing I made that too but she wasn't buying that. lol Worth a try. :P I put these in a laundry sized wicker basket along with some baby wash, powder, shampoo...that sort of thing and used the blanket to cover everything. She was really happy with it.

I feel like a major weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Whew....loved doing it for her but glad it's over. A friend of hers asked me about making her a blanket (for pay) but I just don't think I want or need to get into that right now. I have a shawl to get busy on and I need some time to relax and get focused again. I can't even remember what I wanted to knit next.

Off to relax and do absolutely nothing. *yeah, right*

Hugs!!

Jazzy Bear Is Ready To Go

I decided to make another of the Jean Greenhowe bears to go with "The Fuzzy Pink Baby Blanket That Never Grows". These bears are so quick to knit so I knew getting him done would be no problem. This one I knitted with Bernat Berella "4" on US Size 8 needles. He's about 9" tall and perfect for baby sized hugs. All I have to do now is make this darn blanket grow a little more and I am done. Either way...I'm done tomorrow....the shower is at 4:00 pm.

I broke down and went to the crochet class today. It wasn't exactly what I expected but I did learn some tricks I would never have learned on my own. Kelsey taught the class and she is so sweet and so patient. I know that if I needed extra help...she would take a moment to point me in the right direction. We left with a scarf pattern and I hope when I get some things done...I can give it a try. She did take a minute to show me a little about making granny squares. If I can ever get the hang of that one thing...I think I'll be satisfied. I could make them to donate or put them together myself and donate the blanket or afghan. Then again, being able to crochet a baby blanket would sure help me out a lot in the near future. I just need to try to fit in some time to practice what I learned today and then go from there.

I took my double points that I purchased not so long ago back (one of them broke the first time I used them). Margaret (my LYS owner) graciously took them back and let me get different ones. I settled on a set of "addi" premium US #2/3.00mm and these are (I think) bamboo. The ones I returned were made of birch....very thin and fragile. I think I'm going to like these much better...I sure hope so cuz they were even more expensive. :P

Okay...back to the blanket. Hugs!!!

Goodbye Duck....Hello Turkey

It's been a rather sad day for lilduckie...he has to say Goodbye to Spike. Spike will be on his way to his new home tomorrow. Christopher's birthday is Sunday so Froggie will take Spike home and hide him away until her little one goes to sleep Saturday night and then...she's going to sneak in later and put Spike on his pillow so he finds him when he wakes up. I can't wait to find out if they bond. *sigh*

Progress photo of "The Fuzzy Pink Baby Blanket That Never Grows". It has grown...finally. I've decided that I will knit on it off and on until Saturday morning and then cast off. It will be whatever size that happens to be. I found out the shower isn't until Sunday so I may even knit on until Sunday morning. We'll see how it goes.

And the turkey... Being a Southern girl...I do love me some turkey and sage dressing but it never fails that the dressing is gone long before the turkey so what to do? Make turkey salad. Don't get me wrong, I love my chicken salad sandwiches but if you've never tried it with turkey...you don't know what you're missing. Once you get the turkey all chopped up to your liking....it's quick and easy from there. Add what you like in the amount that makes you happy and get to fixing some sandwiches. Good eating...trust me.

*Oh, the texture cloth is the Diagonal Ripple Dishcloth . Thanks to hakucho for spotting it right away. She pointed me to it so I got to finish mine early. :)

Hugs!

Long Weekend

Major Cuteness looks better doing it but this is how I'm feeling right now. It seems like it's been the longest weekend ever. I'm knitting my fingers off trying to get my baby things ready. The baby shower is next Saturday but I'm more concerned with her going into labor early and not having the baby's knitting done. I got a few more cloths done and I'm probably 2/3 of the way done with her blanket. It's not so bad really....I just hate feeling rushed. I really wanted to have a teddy bear done for her too but I don't know if that's going to happen. I guess if I give her that later it won't be so big a deal since the baby won't be ready to play with him for a while.

I don't have to frog the Icelandic Shawl...thank goodness! I haven't had a chance to do any knitting on it though with the baby deadline. You're all going to be shocked though when I get it done...cuz I will!

Short post since I'm so tired and I'm heading off to bed. Hugs!!

Baby Cloths And Duckie Parts....

I got started on my baby knitting right away since the little one seems to be in a hurry. I considered doing a handful of cutesy little baby cloths but given the rush I thought just quick little garter stitch cloths might be best. I can always do some cutesy ones later. I have a skein of Cotton Tots in Confetti...it's the first time I've knitted with this yarn. I have heard some complaints but I have to say that I really like it. It does seem to fuzz up a bit but I've been able to easily brush off the bits of fuzz so far. It's very soft and I like the feel of it while knitting. I think I have a skein of pink around here somewhere....will have to stash dive and get it out to make more.

I still don't have lilduckie's brother seamed and stuffed yet but I thought I would post a picture of the duckie parts....give ya an idea of what he's gonna look like. It's really not such a neat pile of parts but I hid all the ends underneath so it would look all neat and tidy. :P *Froggie, DON"T LET CHRISTOPHER SEE THIS POST!!!*

*Still haven't touched my Icelandic Shawl yet. I am so disgusted about having to frog back. I will get back on track...not to worry.

It was an awesome warm, sunny day today. 64 degrees F and I can check the mail without swimming out to the mailbox or renting a boat. YAY!!

Scarf Finished And Baby News

I finished a scarf yesterday. It's made from yarn sent by my wonderful friend, Shirley, in South Africa. It's an eyelash type yarn and I was surprised to find that I really like it. It's so soft and it's actually pretty warm. The yarn is called Vere which, in Afrikaans, means feathers. I will have to get a better photo of the finished scarf so you can get the full effect. Right now, Ms Thang has it on and it's looking like I'm not getting it back. Oh well, I have enough Vere to make another one.

I have to say a big CONGRATS!!!!! to my dear friend Cat. A lot of you know her already. She found out today that she is going to be a Grandma!! Woo Hoo!! I'm so excited for her. She didn't think she would see this day. "Mommy To Be" was told she could not conceive so please keep Mommy and "Baby To Be" in your prayers. And stop by and give Cat a big "Congrats" on her wonderful news....I know it will make her day! *Like the baby news hasn't already done that*

More Baby Booties

These are my latest baby booties. I used Sugar & Cream...don't remember the color exactly....this was some leftover dishcloth yarn. I like these much better than the acrylic. They aren't as pretty but I feel better giving her natural fibers...you all know how I love that acrylic.
A friend just reminded me also about the dangers of using acrylic with babies....the fire hazard issue. I probably wouldn't have chosen green for myself...not this shade anyway but my cousin loves green so I thought this would be okay. I think the green would also be appropriate for either a boy or a girl. Now I just need to make a matching hat.

We got a little rain today...we need it so bad. We are finally beginning to see the colors of fall. I thought they would never get here. I hope to get some good photos soon to show you. They still have a little ways to go before the colors are really showing enough to take photos. I've noticed a big change just in the last few days so maybe it won't take long.

Okay I am off to try out a pattern I found on Ravelry....my newest addiction. It's a pattern for slippers done in Lion Brand Homespun. If it works out, I'm thinking Christmas gifts. :)

I don't know why I didn't think to include the link for the slippers last night...so sorry, here it is...
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_5466264,00.html

Baby Booties Finished and Baby Bib

I have seamed up the other booties...finally....and now I have the set. I mean, who really needs just one bootie? I am now going to try to do a pair in some cotton leftovers. I know it can stretch but I'm hoping since I knit rather tightly that it won't really been a problem. We'll see how that goes. I just loathe acrylic (no offense to anyone who likes it....but I prefer natural fibers) and don't really enjoy knitting with it. I do have to admit that it is better than it was in the past. This particular yarn doesn't have that scratchy feeling to it. It's a baby yarn...if I remember correctly, it's made by Red Heart. I would have to go back through my files and find out since this was also leftover from a scarf I was making a while back.

This is my model for the baby bib. It's the Baby Bib O Love from the Mason-Dixon book. My cutie nephew had already gone home so I couldn't con him into modeling for me. My daughter insisted on her "baby" as the model of choice. The bib is done in Peaches & Cream and the color is Pink Lemonade. I never really had a preference between the P&C and the Sugar & Cream before but now I have to say...I really prefer the P&C. Now that I have more experience with yarns and textures, the P&C really stands out. It feels better...knits up a lot nicer....and the finished piece just seems a lot nicer. It's a good thing I don't live near their outlet store or the company...I would be in so much trouble. I would love to go visit though.

I do have another yucky spider photo for you all....I know how much you loved the first one. lol I will save him for another day. My son found him on the front of our barn and just had to take a photo. I've got him almost trained to look for the next good photo.

Another Manly Soda Cozy And Some Rambling

Nothing much new to report...finished another soda can cozy for my youngest son. He requested black but I found this new color at Walmart and had to try it. It's Peaches & Cream in Licorice. I love the way the colors came together and I really want to keep this one but I can't. He did ask for it. I tried the "but you said black" excuse but no deal. He loves it and he's keeping it. Oh well, I do have enough left over to make another one.

I got a message from a blog reader about printing out the free patterns on my site. She was having touble getting them to copy and paste so she could print. If anyone has problems with them, feel free to email me or leave a comment anywhere on the blog (I will get the message) and I will be happy to email you a copy of the pattern/s you want. I have them all in Word doc. format saved on my computer.

I finished the baby hat but it was WAY too small. It has now found a home on my daughter's baby doll's head. lol The doll still only has one bootie though. I still need to make her another one. I will post a photo of my baby bootie set soon. (Did I already promise that already? lol) I also have to start another hat in a bigger size for the real baby. Hope everyone is well and happy. I've felt a little overwhelmed lately...trying to get it all together. My Ravelry guilt is about to get the best of me. I so need to get back on there and get my page done. So many people still waiting to get in and here I've been in for some time and have done NOTHING. I'm so ashamed. My name on Ravelry is "lilknitter" if anyone else is already on. I hope to see you all there eventually.

Baby Knitting And Where Did All The Color Go?!

Had to show you what I've been working on lately. I have been bitten by "baby knitting" bug. My cousin is due to have her baby in April...still don't know if it's a boy or girl yet....so I've been searching for easy baby patterns to try out. This is my first baby bootie....I did it in pink because I'm trying to will it to be a girl. lol I will also do a pair in blue just in case. I have a little hat OTN to go with the booties. I'm really want to find a VERY EASY baby sweater to go along with these. I have never even attempted a sweater or anything that requires any major shaping so I'm still a little uneasy about it but, you never know until you try. If I can't get it...I can always frog it. lol



I've also got a baby bib from the Mason-Dixon book OTN. I'm using Peaches & Cream in Pink Lemonade. (Everybody think.....girl, girl, girl, lol) You know I will have a photo for you as soon as I'm finished with it.


I'm open to any suggestions for patterns or other things I could knit that I haven't mentioned...so if anyone has any, please feel free to leave me a comment and I will check them out. I will so appreciate it if anyone has any new ideas for me.


Fall is finally getting here and tonight it's a wonderful 53 degrees. It has sure taken it's sweet time coming this year and the leaves aren't as pretty as they usually are. This is my dogwood which normally would be much more colorful this time of year. I really miss seeing all the yellows, oranges and reds. I don't know if it will get much better than this. :( I try to remember to take my camera whenever I leave the house just in case I see some color somewhere....we sure don't have much color around here.

Waiting on Ravelry Invite

Okay so I'm trying to patiently wait for my invite but it's so hard to be patient. Not that I have a choice in the matter but I'm sure they get tired of me constantly looking up my place in line. It has become almost a daily ritual. I just checked for the day and.....YAY ME! This is what they said today...

Found you!
You signed up on June 18, 2007
You are #9961 on the list.
34 people are ahead of you in line.
18153 people are behind you in line.
35% of the list has been invited so far

It shouldn't be long now. I can't wait to get in and see what all the hype is about. The things I have heard make it sound wonderful. They say you can spend hours just looking at all the photos of other member's FOs. As if I need something else to become obsessed with...lol.

If you'd like to check your place in line, just click the photo above to go to the antsy page and find out where you are.

I also found out today that my cousin is expecting her first child. New babies are so exciting, especially since my baby is now 11 years old. :( I get to do some knitting for a baby. I have a blankie almost done already but it will be fun to try some little booties and a hat or two. I will have to browse around for some cute and easy patterns. I don't want anything that requires shaping...not ready to got there just yet.

Last night, I cast on my first ballband dishcloth. I have wanted to do one for a while but looking at the pattern just boggled my mind. For some reason I just couldn't figure out in my head how the color combinations came together....which color ends up where , etc. After a few rows, it suddenly clicked! I can't wait to finish so I can post a photo.

Snake Bath Puppet

This is the snake bath puppet I just finished for my nephew. He loves to take baths and uses washclothes I knit for him. I thought this would be more fun than the washcloth. It's designed by Brian and is a free pattern available on his site. There's a link in my side bar if anyone is interested. (BrileyKnits) It's under free patterns...Brian's Designs. I can't wait to give it to my nephew and see how he likes it.

My snake turned out a little "beady eyed"....please don't blame the designer. No where in his pattern does it say "beady eyed" snake. I am just not skilled at sewing on eyes. It was another first for me. I think it adds to his "cuteness". That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

This little guy was fun to knit. I really enjoyed watching him come to life. It was also good practice for me at picking up stitches. I'm pretty comfortable knitting in the round but I've only done one other pattern that required picking up stitches. I will be making more of these for Christmas presents...and it'll give me more practice as well. Brian also has a frog and a duck pattern available. Thanks for sharing these with us, Brian. There are so cute.

Killian's T-riffic Washcloth

Killian’s T-riffic Washcloth
© Copyright 2007
Designed by Melanie Thompson
1 Ball 100% Cotton
US Size 6 Needles
Co 40
Row 1-4: Knit
Row 5 & All Odd Rows: Knit
Row 6: K4, P32, K4
Row 8: K4, P32, K4
Row 10: K4, P32, K4
Row 12: K4, P4, K1, P10, K1, P2, K1, P3, K1, P4, K1, P4, K4
Row 14: K4, P4, K1, P10, K1, P2, K1, P3, K1, P4, K1, P4, K4
Row 16: K4, P4, K1, P10, K1, P2, K1, P3, K1, P4, K1, P4, K4
Row 18: K4, P5, K1, P9, K1, P2, K1, P3, K1, P3, K1, P5, K4
Row 20: K4, P6, K1, P8, K1, P6, K1, P2, K1, P6, K4
Row 22: K4, P7, K1, P7, K1, P8, K1, P7, K4
Row 24: K4, P6, K12, P5, K1, P8, K4
Row 26: K4, P6, K1, P11, K1, P3, K1, P9, K4
Row 28: K4, P5, K10, P3, K1, P3, K1, P9, K4
Row 30: K4, P4, K1, P2, K2, P1, K2, P3, K1, P3, K1, P1, K1, P10, K4
Row 32: K4, P4, K1, P2, K2, P1, K2, P4, K2, P2, K1, P11, K4
Row 34: K4, P4, K1, P12, K1, P3, K1, P10, K4
Row 36: K4, P5, K1, P16, K1, P9, K4
Row 38: K4, P6, K1, P15, K1, P9, K4
Row 40: K4, P6, K1, P3, K2, P2, K2, P5, K1, P10, K4
Row 42: K4, P7, K1, P2, K2, P2, K2, P4, K1, P11, K4
Row 44: K4, P8, K1, P10, K1, P12, K4
Row 46: K4, P9, K10, P13, K4
Row 48: K4, P32, K4
Row 50: K4, P32, K4
Rows 52-54: Knit
Cast off and weave in ends.

I hope you enjoy the pattern...my nephew loved it. Feel free to print and use the pattern. The cloths can be given or sold but please do not sell my pattern.

Easter Egg Dishcloth

I knitted this cute Easter Egg dishcloth and gave it as a gift. It was designed by Kayleen Clements. She is sharing the pattern on her blog...http://kayleenknits.blogspot.com/ . This picture does not do it justice...it's got some really nice detail that doesn't seem to show well in my photo.

I was hoping to have my next freebie ready to post today, but I had to make some minor adjustments. Have to do another test knit and then I hope to have it posted tomorrow. It's a design for my 2 year old nephew, Killian. I don't want to say too much and give it away. I want it to be a surprise. I will only say that it would probably look best done in purple...lol. Okay, that should be a dead give-away to anyone who knows what 2 year olds are into. Check back soon, I promise to have it up ASAP.