Knittypants

Making Progress

My blogging time has been limited of late, due to the new addition in our home, but even though I haven't had as much time to blog, I have been getting in my daily dose of knitting. Let me fill you in on what I have been working on.

The lovely Noro I was working on wasn't a scarf, but a sleeve. Actually, it was the second sleeve and has since been finished and seamed to this,

an almost finished Hudson.

I very rarely see a sweater and then decide I haveto make it right away.

Usually I will think about a pattern I like for a little while, then I will hunt down the yarn I would like to use preferably on sale, then after the excitement of purchase, I will let it marinate in the stash for a while, and then finally I will knit it up. But after seeing Aquaknits finished Hudson, I knew I had to make this one immediately. It was just what I had been searching for. I even wanted to use the same color, but I thought I would try to not be a complete copycat and chose these earthy colors instead. I am now finishing up the hood, and will soon have a complete sweater that will be all ready for next fall.

But, Hudson has some competition.

I've been chugging away at the collar of Blue Sky Alpaca's Snap Cardi. This collar's a bit daunting, 8 inches of ribbing will take a bit of patience. The sleeves are already complete on this one as well, so if I keep at it I will soon have 2 new sweaters. Also, I must wish my beloved a Happy Birthday

Peter is 31 today. And even though it's his day he still shared blowing out his candles with the 2 children who get most excited about it. Of course, he needed the help, there was 31 candles on that little cake!

Random Knitting Stuff

One finished knee high sparkling in the sun. Hottie's eyes sparkling ,too.

Two new swatches.

Can you guess what this is?

The Cutest Children

in front of the ugliest curtain imaginable. And most of them are dirty.

Jarvis, who can finally hold still and give a normal smile. This has been a long time coming. Ain't he handsome.

Fiona, who can barely hold still for anything, and gets so excited when I take pictures she almost pees her pants. Or maybe she does, she's still in diapers so it's not like I would know.

Simon, who is now smiling and cooing. A heart stealer for sure.

And Kaelen, who loves to pose and preen. She's only 10, but she thinks she's 16. I adore her.

Almost a Knee High

My Mixed Berry Knee High is slowly growing. I mostly work on these when my husband is driving, and that usually only happens about once a week so I don't knit on them too much, but I always have car knitting. I couldn't help myself today though, and finished the calf shaping. It turned out a bit wonky, but that's due to my own carelessness, and once on it looks fine. I'm getting exited to finish this sock, now that I am so close, just the ribbing to do. I might cheat on my car knitting and finish up tomorrow. Then I will quickly start its mate so that I still have my car knitting.

I'm wondering what people think is the best bind off for a toe-up sock. I was planning 2x2 ribbing and then a tubular bind off, but is there something stretchier that will work better, or is this a good plan?

And this link is for the grandparents to enjoy. Kaelen's blog.

I heart Rowan.

A little yarn shopping has been going on around here. Yarnzilla had such a great sale, with discounts on top of discounts, and I wasn't able to restrain myself. What could I do but overindulge on Rowan.

Rowan 41 and 39  for lots of summery inspiration, I think I've added aboout a dozen patterns to the "my heart's desire" list with the addition of these two books.

And the yarn, a bag of Handknit Cotton in Spanish Red for the sweet Vogue Lace Cardigan I have fallen in love with. Also, a bag of All Seasons Cotton (a yarn I am head over heels for, but that's another post) in Soul for Rebecca's Apricot Cardi.

Scottish Tweed in Lewis Grey, this was originally for a Central Park Hoodie, but there was a small mix up with my order and I ended up getting a little more than I need. Rather than sending it back I think I will just redesignate this yarn to another project. I am pretty sure it will become an Urban Aran, but I might still change my mind. Lucky for me a stash dive revealed some other yarn that will make a lovely Central Park Hoodie, so it all works out :-)

And last, Calmer in Slosh, which I want to turn into Bomber from Denim People.

Lots of new yarn, and of course I have found more to knit.

Chicknits new pattern, Nicole, isn't she beautiful! I love the cables and lace.

And these two patterns from Berroco, Britannia and Valpuri. I think both of these are so cute.

Also, I have been swatching up yarns for different patterns lately, and I brought out Karabella's Bramble Stitch Jacket pattern to start swatching for. But after looking it over, I realize I have lost my love for it. Really, I think I am just too hippy to have this jacket look good on me. So if anyone is interested, just mention it in the comments  and I will pop it in the mail for the first person who asks.

Finished Fair Isle

I finished this little fair isle quite a bit ago. In fact, the knitting was finished before Simon was born, and the buttons were sewn on about two weeks later. He's had the chance to wear it a few times and received some compliments, but I haven't found time to blog about finishing the sweater. Better late than never, right?

Peek-a-boo! This is the Beaded Fair Isle Cardigan from The Baby Knits Book by Debbie Bliss. The pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Wool Cotton but I subbed with my favorite baby yarn Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. I found sub recommendations at The Wool Shack as the Wool Cotton is discontinued and getting hard to find. I did change the body color from pink to beige to keep the sweater neutral. I am glad I did, because I really like it and it suits Simon very well. Also, I didn't add beads, I figured practicing one skill, the fair isle, was enough new knowledge for one project.

Here is a close up of the fair isle yoke. This was worked back and forth, I can definitley see the benefits of knitting in the round and learning to steek. That will have to be for another project.

And a close up of the buttons, aren't they pretty. I found these in a button jar I inherited from Peter's grandmother. I love them so much.

This is a picture of Simon and I. He was dedicated on Sunday and this is his fancy dedication gown. Unfortunately I don't have a good one of the whole gown. It was handmade by my great, great grandmother. Both my sister and I were dedicated in it, and all 4 of my children have worn the gown for their dedications. A much treasured piece of my family's history.

Onsie

This onsie is my favorite baby gift. It really sums up the life of my little guy.

Although I worry that wearing it is driving him to early rebellion! See what  those little fingers are doing? Shocking! And, no, there was no finger manipulation on my part, it's all his own doing. His fingers seem to enjoy that pose, I have a number of baby pics now that I haven't been able to send off to doting grandparents, because even though Simon is cute as can be in them, he's also fingering the camera.

Progress on my pretty sock, I have run into a bit of a dilemma though. As a fairly young sock knitter, I never realized how much yarn comes with 2 skeins of sport weight yarn. I am what I thought was going to be nearly done the first sock, but I have an awful lot of yarn left. I guess I am going for knee highs here, or at least as high as the yarn will take me. I am going to be having to do some shaping for my calves, hmmmm...I guess I had better search for some knee high tutorials.