Bean's Baby

I finished another project this weekend - a doll for Delphine. It was a pretty quick knit and I had fun making it. I'll continue to knit or sew little clothes for her later on. I got the pattern from a book called Knitted Babes - it has lots of cute ideas.

I knit a small scar into her chest to match the one Bean has from her heart surgery...

and here is the finished product.

Taking the edge off

I've been knitting diligently on the holiday gifts, but I'm not good about knitting on a deadline. Suddenly, I want to knit almost anything except what I'm currently knitting. I've adjusted my holiday knitting expectations and I have one last gift to knit. I love the pattern, the yarn, and the gift recipient, but I was getting really antsy. This was a total impulse knit. I cast on and knit madly. It was done so quick, but it was just enough to take the edge off the holiday knitting. Now it's back to work for me. I'll check back soon with holiday knits before they get wrapped up.

Pattern is Winter Femme with minor modifications. Yarn is Tess Superwash Merino. Size 7 Needles. More details are on Ravelry under daniknits.

Finally!

It's been so quiet here - have you all been busy with your holiday knitting? I sure have!

I've been working on Dominic's Harry Potter House Scarf for a couple of months and I am SO glad to be finished with it! I could only sneak in rows after he had gone to bed, and it was just stockinette stitch over and over ....very boring. I know he'll really enjoy it - but it is one project that I'm glad to put behind me! Now I just have his hat and mittens left.

Wobbly Circles Tote...FINISHED!

Finally figured out how to make time for knitting, kids, and spanish class. I turned off the TV. This isn't meant to be revelatory or anything, I know many people who have made the conscious choice to jettison their TV and are happier for it. I don't want to chuck it completely, because there is 'The Office' to consider. But that can be Tivo'd and set aside while I try to learn a new language and finish some knitting projects that I started last year. And there is the yarn swap we've got coming up. I just bought some sock yarn for my lucky recipient, and let's just say I think she is going to be one happy knitter. So, onto the knitting stuff.



Behold the Wobbly Circles Tote! It's only taken me over a year to finish it (hey, it was a good TV year what with the Sopranos and Deadwood). I got so sick of looking at it that I shoved it into a bag and even thought about not finishing it. For a loooooong time. I don't know what revived my will to finish it, but here it is in all its glory, a birthday present for my very best friend in the whole wide world. Shockingly, her birthday is in December, not "last month." You are witnessing history, people.

What I have been doing with my time lately

since it is obviously not keeping up with this blog. There has been knitting, oh yes, there has been much knitting, but mostly I log on to ravelry and call it a day. Sorry for the neglect, peeps. I went to Stitches East in Baltimore earlier this month, which was GREAT! I took a class on steeks. which I knew nothing about before I walked into the classroom. Like, I didn't even know that you actually knit a steek into the thing you are working on. Nada. It is my goal in knitting (and with most other things) to learn something new each time I choose a project or take a class. So when I was looking at the class selections, I thought, "Steeks! Now there's something I know squat about! I'm there!" I signed up for this class way back in May. The class started at 8:30 on an October Saturday morning, and as the date grew nearer, I seriously questioned if I had actually intended to attend this class. Steeks? What the hell are those, and why do you want to leave the house at 7am to learn about them? WTF were you thinking? Luckily I had signed up with a friend, who told me if I wasn't outside my house for a 7:10 pick up, she was going to break into my house and start blowing an airhorn. In order to protect my family, I went. And I was so glad I did. I learned so much, and the instructor was great. There were, of course, a whole lotta freaks in the class, owing to the nature of Stitches East. I really didn't understand that it's really a big educational event, and that people actually flew in from far-flung cities, stayed in nearby hotels and took classes for four days straight. I was even issued a name plate that I had to wear around my neck. Official! Now, I like knitting as much as the rest of you peeps, but I am telling you the only way I am flying somewhere to attend classes is if the class is in a Tuscan villa with a kitchen staffed by Mario Batali. So as you might imagine, the Baltimore Convention Center was a big giant freakdome. And it hit me at that moment that I, myself, was a big giant dork. Who really enjoyed her class on steeks, and really liked hitting the marketplace afterwards. The marketplace was great--it was like sheep n wool, but without the crowds and elbowing. You had to pay to gain admittance, so I am assuming that limited the riff-raff. Pez, next year Stitches is in November in Baltimore (same knit time, same knit channel) so mark your calender and join me so we can get our freaks on. Or our steeks.

I am working on a few things right now: a lap blanket for my wheelchair-bound grandmother, a green vest for me, and I am finally finishing up that stupid wobbly circles tote that I haven't picked up in half a year. It's all seamed; it just needs to be felted. These are all projects that are big and take awhile, and I was itching to get something done just to feel a sense of accomplishment. So I took that one skein of Malabrigo I bought at sheep n wool back in May and churned out a neck gaiter for myself. There was enough for two, so one is headed to a friend out in Colorado.


With all that said, I am not knitting as much as I would like. I am taking Spanish, so that is taking up a good deal of free time, and just hanging out with the kiddos a bit more. I don't expect to be knitting as much as I would like for a decade or two, at which time I will probably be crying into my knitting basket that the kids are grown and don't need me any more. Alex is already getting too big for my lap, and it is making me feel pangs of sadness that the days of sniffing his freshly shampooed little head as we read before bedtime are numbered. Boy, these days are passing in a whirlwind of madness, aren't they?

PS I promise next time I will trim the nosehair before taking any upshots of my nostrils.

Is this thing on?

Hellooooo? Fellow blog members? Are you not knitting? Or just not posting?

Frosty the Snowman

IMG_0879_edited
Originally uploaded by daniknits

The first holiday gift is finished. This little dude is from Jean Greenhowe's Christmas Special. I love him. I also love that I didn't buy a scrap of yarn to make him. He's made of leftover Plymouth Encore and Knit Picks Wool of the Andes. Knit on size 2 needles, in the round where possible.

I cannot wrap my mind around why, for the love of all things knitted, this was designed to be knit flat. Every.little.stinking.piece. As is every project in this book. Oh, joy.

Anyway, I believe Frosty will going to live with my husband's grandma. One down, and much more knitting to go.

Fuzzy Cardigan and Booties

I made these for my good friend who is expecting baby #3 (a boy) this month. It started with a hat that I began a loooong time ago, knit at a completely incorrect gauge, which will make for a very warm hat...perfect for a Minnesota winter baby! I love the feel of this yarn so I decided I needed to knit a matching sweater, which then led to matching booties and now I'm thinking about a little blanket! Baby stuff is so much fun! I love how fast the little pieces knit up! I've already given her the hat, but I'll be sure to update with a pic of the whole deal, including baby, when he arrives.

Food and Feet

Pez is right. Knitting all this play food is strangely satisfying and very addictive. All the pattern I've done so far have been free, including the strawberry form Pez. This first set, plus a cupcake and some cookies or donuts, are going to be a birthday gift for my friend's daughter. I'm going to load it all into a little picnic basket with a little checkerboard napkin for a tablecloth. If my children are any indication she'll love it.

In between the compulsive fruit knitting, I did manage to finish my Charade socks. I used US size 2 needles and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Vera.

Pezzy you're famous...

Look at your strawberries on Lime & Violet's Daily Chum! Yay for you :)

Tomato Tomahto

It's done. I love it.

Pattern: Tomato by Wendy Bernard
Size: 44"
Yarn: Tess Designer Yarns Superwash Merino
Mods: I added an extra set of increases to the waist shaping. I picked up the stitches for the sleeves and decreased every 5th row until I liked the length. Then I did 8 rows of ribbing to match the neckline.

I love this so much that I could see myself making another in the future, maybe with long sleeves next time. There are more pictures on Ravelry and Flickr under daniknits.

Holiday Knitting

I love to knit for the holidays.

Wait, scratch that. I love to plan what to knit for the holidays. When we get down to the actual knitting and deadlines, there's usually a great deal of coffee, late night tv, and crying.

Last year, I did a very reasonable amount of holiday knitting. Just 2 toddler sweaters for my nieces. I had a bit of a time crunch near the end, but I didn't break down. Therefore, I'm counting last year as a victory.

I'm feeling encouraged by the lack of tears last year, so I'm making my list for this year. This is the earliest I have ever begun the holiday knitting. See how prepared I am?

I decided to start with a modest amount of knitting. Some knitted food (a la Pez) to make picnic baskets. One for my children and one for my nieces. Oh, wait, one more for my other niece and 2 nephews. 3 baskets. Not bad. Then I found these.

I have never ever knit a toy. I've never wanted to. But these are the cutest toys I have ever seen! I now think that each of nieces and nephews need a doll or stuffed animal. My aunt and in-laws need Santa and Mrs. Claus or Snowmen. My good friends, who just moved into their first house, need little ornaments and maybe the sweet knitted creche. I can't forget about the vest was going to make my mom, either. Or the family members I was thinking of making socks for, or the hat for my hubby, or fingerless mitts for my godchild.

I am making a list. I am counting up my available knitting hours per day (AKH). I am considering my discount a the LYS.

In my lucid moments, I know this is crazy. I even dreamed about the Christmas knitting last night. What are you planning for the holiday knitting? Please tell me I'm not the only freak.

Knitdiot

Tonight's blog entry was going to be "Block Party," and it was going to be followed by pictures of all the stuff I was blocking tonight. I've been saving a few projects and wanted to do them all at once. So, after I finished the pea pod hat that I had to re-knit because the first one was way too big, I threw into a pot the sweater, the two hats, and the Clapotis I made for my mom awhile back.

The clapotis that was knitted with Claudia's Handpainted yarn.

From very deep reds and purples.

Do you see where I am going with this?

I almost cried when I pulled out the sweater, which was resting on top of the clapotis in the pot. It had dark patches where it had made contact with the clapotis. It was only due to the quick actions of my husband, who jumped up, grabbed the sweater and started rinsing it with warm water, that the sweater was salvagable. He stood over the sink for a good fifteen minutes, massaging the sweater, and mentally willing the colors out. It was very sexy.

It's drying now, and I will look at it in the morning to see if it can be given as a gift. I think I see some faint marks where the colors ran, but it could be just me and my overly critical eye.

By the way, I am using blocking wires for the clapotis. I like the clean edge that it allows, but it is not a time-saver. Also, why don't the wires have tapered ends? I am QUITE PUT OUT.

I wish I had thought of Knitdiot when I was signing up for ravelry. That really would have hit the nail on the head.

Pea Pod Sweater...COMPLETE!

Finally, the pea pod is done. It's for my college roommate (well, actually her baby, due to appear in December), who taught me to knit in the first place. My roommate is German, where everyone knows how to knit by elementary school. One dull, gray day she said to me one day, "I'm going to the knitting store, wanna come?" We hopped on the back of her scooter, buzzed down University Avenue, and twenty minutes later I was the owner of size 10 bamboo needles and some red yarn for a scarf that Ellen was going to teach me how to make. The scarf was awful, fraught with all sorts of beginner mistakes and dropped stitches, all of which Ellen found delightfully amusing. I didn't do much with the needles for the next ten years, and had to reteach myself a few years ago. That's why this sweater and hat set is like a gag gift--I think she will be very surprised when she opens it.







Comments are in ravelry, for those interested in the modifications and changes.

I'm blasting through my stash, let me tell you. Still have to stitch up the tote and felt it, but it FEELS finished.

It Fits!

I've been working on Tomato by Wendy Bernard from No Sheep for You. It's a nice easy top down sweater with a bit of waist shaping. I decided to leave out the the colorwork at the bust line because I just don't think it would be that flattering on me and the yarn I'm using has alot of variation in tone. I think it works better alone.

There's nothing too exciting about this, but I am entranced. I think it's because I have never made anything for myself bigger than socks or a scarf. Two nights ago I gathered up all my courage and transferred my live stitches to waist yarn and tried it on. IT FITS!!! I danced around the living room in my half top while Brian and kids looked at me like I'd lost my mind.

I'm almost halfway done with the waist shaping and then I'm going to make the sleeves a bit longer. I'm using my all time favorite yarn, Tess Superwash Merino . I can't wait to wear it.

I'm also ignoring the French Market Bag that's been languishing on my needles in favor of a pair of Charade socks. I'm using Lorna's Laces Multi, which is not self striping, but, none the less, is making a cool continuous spiral of the green around the leg. I love when the yarn does something unexpected like that.

"You totally need to knit me those"

Um, no I don't. Man, I am so tired of non knitters asking me to knit them stuff. My sister is in town, she is a wonderful AP mother of a 2 year old, she is also a dancer. I picked her up from the airport at 7PM and by 9PM I have already been asked if I could knit up some play food for her nephew and if I would knit her a pair of wrist warmers and leg warmers. I must have given her a funny look bc she said 'Oh, I guess your knit list if full'.

And teaching her to knit is not going to happen because she has said "I'm too active to be knitting"


Le Sigh. They really don't get it, huh?

In other knitterly news, and speaking of people not getting it, I have been doing a butt ton of swaps. I have been slightly obsessed (me, obsessed, imagine) with purging the house of crap toys so I've been doing swaps with toy makers. Many a knit sandwiches and strawberries have been flying out of my house. And that is about it. Once these are done I will be finishing up some top secret socks and starting the Tater sweater.

What have you been up too? Any 'knit me these' type stories to tell?

Superhero Red Socks

Superhero Red Socks
Originally uploaded by ~*Melissa*~

Dominic loves red socks. In fact, on most days it is the only color sock that he will wear. He had one pair of toddler socks that were red and white striped and he wore them until his foot could no longer squeeze into them.

He helped me dye the yarn (Knit Picks Superwash Merino) with Cherry Kool-Aid last month and I knit these up over the last two weeks using the Easy Children's Socks pattern by Knitting Pure and Simple. I was excited because just a hint of white striping appeared as I knit. He requested them "high like a boot" and I left a little room in the toe for his growing feet.

Even though it has been very hot and humid - his new superhero socks have remained on! He's tried on a variety of costume and cape combinations to see which ensemble looks the best. It's been fun to have him be so excited over a project!

Sickbed Knitting

Not that I would recommend this by any means, but recovering from surgery has given me an unprecedented amount of time to work on a bunch of things that have been languishing in hibernation for months now. This is, of course, when I am not watching all three seasons of The Office, which I was smart enough to buy a few months ago. I have been spending a lot of time in bed, while the kids are attended to by others. It's been great, but also necessary. I feel totally wiped out. I can't imagine taking care of the kids in this state. Luckily many have stepped up to help me out and keep the fridge stocked with dinners I wouldn't be able to prepare on my own.

So here's the progress: I have finished side two of the Wobbly Circles Tote that I started last August. All I have to do is sew it up and felt it. I liked the colors when I started, but now realize I need to take a course in color theory or something to make my knits more attractive and less "home made." I also made the two sides different, because I didn't really see the point in making them identical. While I don't hate intarsia like some, I admit this project really annoyed me at times. I wouldn't do it again, because it calls for two sides. When I finished the first one I was ready to throw it OUT, not make another and throw it in the washer. It strikes me that's probably what second sock syndrome is, that thing I will never experience because I am not loony enough to knit socks. Here it is:


Also, I am making a heck of a lot of progress on my Pea Pod baby sweater. Instead of making the sleeves and sewing them in, I picked up the stitches and knit them in the round. This is how much I hate seaming: that I would rather spend time calculating how many stitches to decrease and when to do them rather than knit a flat piece and seam it up. I don't think I save any time by doing it that way, but it sure saves me a lot of sanity. Or should I say saknity? That word still doesn't look right to me.



Favorite Office Moment (so far): when Jim throws Andy's cell phone in the ceiling and keeps calling it, driving Andy to punch a hole in the wall. OMG.

Also, I have two flickr questions: whenever I post a picture on ravelry, it only shows the left side of the photo. Do I need to resize it or something? I have been taking pictures and putting my subject on the left to make up for this but it seems inefficient. And stupid. The second question is: can I post a picture here from flickr? I can't figure out how to do it and have been posting the photos on photobucket. I am sure that is so PC of me, but sometimes I can't figure out how to do anything on my Mac.

Tater's Cotton Cardi - A TCC KAL

La Green Eyes
Originally uploaded by pezdiva.

So, Elisa has a TCC on the needles, Dani has the yarn for one, and I am waiting on yarn so I can knit it up too. Who else is in for a KAL?

I originally purchased Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in a very snazzy cool purple but after swatching I realized the yarn was way too thick, so now I am waiting on something from KnitPicks (can't seem to remember what yarn) in sport weight. I have been wanting to knit this one up for awhile, and it doesn't look too boring either.

Photo of the Momo posted because not only is she so stinkin' cute, but I just can't blog without a photo.

Stitches Midwest 2007

Girls Day + Major Yarn Shopping= Perfect Day

Above you can see our group haul. this is our 4th time to Stitches, so we've learned to show some restraint and be a little pickier. For me, I try to only buy what is hard/impossible to get locally or , barring that, an incredible deal. I'm very happy with my purchases this year.

Tess Designer Yarns Superwash Merino. My favorite yarn in the world. This is going to be a sweater for me. I have only every made myself socks and scarves. It is time for that to stop.

Tess Superwash Lace. On my monitor the color is pretty true. It's very orange. This is destined to become a shawl for me. Maybe Bee Fields. I also picked up another pair of Addi Turbo Lace Needles. I love the sharp tips!

Aren't these pretty? Leather straps to go with the blue felted bag I plan to make.

My deal of the day. A full bag of Jaeger Matchermaker 4 Ply from Webs. Part of this will be the Tater's Cotton Cardi by Marie Grace for Maggie.

It was a very good day.

Not so happy with this one...

One Skien Diotima Shell
Originally uploaded by ~*Melissa*~

So I finished my One Skien Diotima Shell. It's my first garmet for me and I'm feeling a little "eh" about it. It's shorter than I would like it to be, and I modified the top a bit. I do however like the fit on my body - it's not to baggy, and clings just right. Deva suggested an outfit that might make me feel a little better about it - so I'll give that a whirl.

Mini Vacation

Peeps, I have been knitting, and I have even finished a project but I couldn't take pictures because it is for a book. The owner of my LYS is writing a book and was in a crunch about getting everything knitted for photos. I volunteered because the project was easy, and because I wanted a sense of completion of something, anything! My house is full of half-finished projects that bore me, or no longer interest me because the colors that seemed right at the time are all wrong now (case in point: the wobbly circles tote, which you lucky ravelers can see in my project list). I need a strategy for my stash and projects. I think I am going to knit everything I have before buying more yarn because I hate having yarn sitting around. Blasphemy, I am sure, to Elisa.

In other news, I took the kids to the Berkshires (Western Mass) for a few days to visit friends. The drive was long but the peace and quiet was worth it. Here's how the kids spent their days:



I will be out for a few days and don't expect to get much knitting done in the next few weeks, but I will do my best. Sorry I haven't been contributing much, but I will have some FOs soon.

PS Does it annoy anyone else when someone adds you as a "friend" on ravelry and you have no idea who they are?

Home Sweet Home Socks

Home Sweet Home Socks
Originally uploaded by pezdiva.

There really is no place like home. And there really is nothing like a pair of hand knit socks.

Another Monica

IMG_0585
Originally uploaded by daniknits

I modifed it to knit in the round and used i-cord instead of the garter straps. I used size 5 needles and Rowan Handknit Cotton DK. It was fantastically boring, and I only finished it through sheer stubborness. I do think it's damn cute though.

This is what we live for

Knits in action, on a baby you love. Knits given to your best friend who really 'gets' and loves your knitting. This is awesome.

No Petite Feet

No Petite Feet
Originally uploaded by pezdiva.

No, in fact considering my height I would say my feet are down right huge. They used to be sort of cute and small but with each pregnancy not only did they get a full size bigger (size 9 now!) I also grew an inch (I am 5'5). So I guess it is not so bad.

I started this sock on Monday morning after a very bad night of trying to make up my own ribbed sock pattern using Tofutsie yarn. Trying to design your own sock after only knitting 1 pair of adult size socks, how can you say, um, not a good idea. So after going to bed angry at my knitting (what you don't have a relationship like this with yarn?), I decided to google 'Basic Ribbed Sock Pattern' and guess what came up - a basic ribbed sock pattern. http://www.spunmag.com/article/060421socks

This is Misty Mountain Farm yarn that Melissa gave me and I honestly think I am in love. The yarn is perfect for this pattern, and the colorway is not something I would have picked up for myself but it is so totally perfectly me that, well, I am just amazed. The colorway is Virginia Creeper, how cool is that?

So, as I blog I am sort of torn on what to do. This sock will have a mate, but that Harry Potter books is super tempting, plus there is Stampin' Up goodies to play with, and those little sprites to attend to too. Even with my cell phone missing (my link people! my left arm!), I can still say life is good, big feet, missing cell phone, and all.

PS. Baby Ari has arrived and I will be crashing at his place for an hour or so and going crazy making him wear my knits and taking tons of pics.

Be well peeps.

Finished!

First Pair of Socks
Originally uploaded by ~*Melissa*~

I finished my first pair of socks - and I'm in love. They are so comfy! I think I have enough yarn leftover to make a pair for Delphine too. I used Trekking XXL Yarn and followed Silver's Sock Class tutorial.

Where one ends, the other begins.

I finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows last night. This morning, the yarn arrived for Noah's Weasley Sweater. Even though I am in the midst of another knitted project, I just had to cast on for the sweater. The yarn is quite lovely. Feels so squishy & soft running through my fingers. I think I shall love knitting this sweater for a boy I love dearly.


The yarn is Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran (aka Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed) in Enamel, which is a wonderful deep blue color of old enamel cookware. It's 85% wool, 10% silk, and 5% cashmere. I saved about 40% ordering it from Discount Yarn Sale, however it took 3 weeks to arrive. While I was a bit impatient about this at first, in the end, the timing was quite perfect.

Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair

A new yarn show/fest/fair was held this past weekend about 45 minutes from my home. The girls and I went and Maggie enjoyed her first Girl's Day with us. There were 3 large tents set up with booths of yarn, fiber, spinning wheels and supplies, and gift type items. They had live music and beer garden. Best of all was the weather, upper 70's and clear. You don't get many July days like that in the Chicagoland area.

My first purchase of the day (see above) was a 1 pound bag of wool for felting from Little Barn. $4.95 - no joke, really. The girls and I bought 4 bags and then took them home and re-assorted the colors because the colors combos were...well, they just needed to be redone. I got the lot of blues and it is destined to become a felted bag. I'm thinking a french market bag in blue stripes would look great with jeans for the fall.

My best purchase of the day was this:

Brooks Farm's new yarn, Solana. It's so new it's not available on the website yet. When it is, trust me, you want some. 320 yds per skein of super soft and squishy, superwash, hand-dyed wool. I've been big fan of Brooks Farm since I first saw them at Stitches Midwest 4 years ago. This is destined to become a sweater for Matt. I'm thinking either Foothills from The Garter Belt or maybe a hoodie.

I'm almost done with the Monica tank. I won't let myself even wind the new stuff until I am. I'm hoping to be done tomorrow. Just think, Stitches is in 3 more weeks. I better knit fast.

Big Brother Little Sister socks

Big Brother Little Sister socks
Originally uploaded by pezdiva.

The Momo loves short little ankle socks, so short little ankle socks she got.

And yeah, I totally love knitting socks. We just happened to pass a yarn store while we were out doing fun family stuff on Saturday so I just had to stop in and pick up a skein of sock yarn with a free pattern. The yarn is Plymouth Sockatta and I'm not totally impressed, it is a cotton/wool blend. I am sort of hoarding the sock yarn Melissa and Elisa have sent me bc it is so nice, not that I am afraid to mess up but I just, well I guess I am afraid I might mess up. My socks are knit on size 1 (pattern called for size 2 but I am a loosey goosey knitter), so they are taking much longer than the kid socks, but so far I like them.

Boy in Socks!

Boy in Socks!
Originally uploaded by pezdiva.

Done!

I can't believe the crazy strange satisfaction I feel over completing this pair. But, man socks are a pain to photograph. Here is the King doing his best at being a frog.

Up next, well I thought about trying out a toe up sock but I would like to knit up Miss Momo a matching pair so I may just go ahead and knit these for her in the smaller size. The only mod I will do with her socks is make the entire leg a 2x2 or 1x1 rib. Then when those are done I will tackle the figure 8 cast on toe up magic loop with the skein of yarn Melissa gave me. Ahhh, now that sounds nice.

A pair will be made.

Being the total joiner freak knitter I am, I started a pair of socks for King Louie last night from the Knitting Pure and Simple pattern Shannon sent me (thank you Shannon!). They are on size 4s with DK yarn from my stash, I am at the turn heel on the second sock. I have knit socks in the past, but they were more like bed slipper style. I knit a 'real' sock for the Momo in the past but didn't love the pattern enough to knit a pair. But this time, no single sock syndrome for me, no way.

The pair I am knitting now is top down, but after I finish this pair I am going to try the figure 8 cast on and knit these for the Momo.
http://www.spunkyhats.com/boogie_babykeepsockson.htm

I think I finally understand why people are so addicted to socks, I was looking at sock yarn this morning and not only is it relatively cheap (compared to sweater knitting) but the colors are awesome.

Now if only I had my Ravelry invite life would be near perfect.

First Sock

First Sock
Originally uploaded by ~*Melissa*~

I've started making my first sock with some Trekking yarn that I won a few months ago. I thought I'd have a hard time, but I'm actually really enjoying it. I might even have some leftover yarn to make Delphine a matching pair.

Baby needed.

Baby needed.
Originally uploaded by pezdiva.

Well, I don't need a baby but my friend needs her baby not just for wearing these wee little knits but her own sanity.

I guess you could say, I am smitten with tiny knits. However, all this wee baby knitting has helped me come to the very real and hard to come to decision that our family is complete. My baby lust is wearing away as I see my friend's body change and her family dynamic change with it. I am done, I am very much ready to be Auntie to the new babies that grace my life.

Knitting is funny, in the most basic sense, knitting is just turning string into fabric but there can be more if you need it to be. I think only a real knitter can understand how healing those simple stitches can be. Knitting has brought me peace in times of turmoil, and I have cried many tears while holding double pointed needles, the simple spiral comforting me in ways that no human could. When I talk about therapy knits, I think of my French Market Bag, a huge felted bag that made shape in the Children's hospital.

But now I will also think of this little layette, I daydreamed while knitting this and cried a bit too over the fact that I will never knit tiny items like this for my own babies. And I guess, this was the very mourning process I needed, to mourn the last baby I will never have but also delight in the fact that I will never have to wash poop out of a hand knit soaker ever again.

Some instant gratification

After I finish a big or very involved project, I like to whip off a few quick and easy projects. I need the break to refuel and daydream about the next big project. Also next week I'm going to the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Festival. I don't want to start anything that will require much commitment because I know I will want to cast on immediately with whatever new yarn I score. So, I've been keeping busy with little things.

Twinkletoes from Knitty. I used Luna by Filatura de Crosa (sp?). It was super fast. I did one slipper in less than an evening. I found the pattern a little awkward. Maybe it was just because I've never used the wrap and turn method for short rows. Maggie loves them and Matthew wants pair too. Next up:

A racer back tank. I made this up as I went along. I used some Blue Sky Cotton from the stash. I knit in the round from the bottom to the underarms and then worked the front and back separately. I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. Now, like everyone else here, I'm working on Monica, modified to be worked in the round. We should have done a Knit Along.