Monday, January 26, 2015

Cables eat yarn

I did not realize just how much, or how unstretchy they are, until now.

I reknit the hat, because the cowl ate my yarn. I wanted a set, a true set.  One that was not just the same color, but the same pattern.  If I had stuck with the cables, I would have had to buy yet another skein of yarn, and that is just not in the budget right now.  You can see the leftovers, and this hat is slightly smaller in circumference but taller and definitely stretchier.   



The cowl is now going to be in a P2, K1 rib, which fortunately does not curl much, but still has some stretch.  It matches the hat, and the mittens will also match, once I get those made as well.  I am really trying to watch the yarn budget these days, as I am attempting some movement in work circumstances.  I will post links to patterns and write up what I design.

Those of you who know me, know I have always worked outside the home, while my hubby has stayed at home with our children.  This is what we are trying to change.  It is a huge change, and one the I look forward to making.  because of this, I am trying to be very intentional about purchases and using what we have.  My nesting instinct is growing, and I really want to be home.  I have a rather large stash, mostly bought for me by my hubby.  I have yet to use anything near what I have, because I cannot see it - it is all in boxes.  That too needs to change.  And it will given time.  What plans do you have for this year?

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Quickly


I finished Little Man's sweatr, blocked it, and it stinks.  No, seriously, it smells like a wet sheep. I washed it a second time in baby shampoo (you have a lot of that when you have a baby), and it still stank.  So, last night, hubby dunkedo it once again into a bucket of water, this time with about half a cup of vinegar.  I hope that takes the smell out.  He then ran more cold water into the bucket, dumped some Soak in it, and when I get home, I hope it will no longer smell.

In the meantime, I told you that I wanted a quick project before I started my ultimate sweater quest.  So, here are the things I started:




These are miniature hearts ando flowers.  The flowers are for a Valentines wreath, and the hearts are for a bunting.  Obviously,  more hearts are needed.

This is my hat.  The color is more purple than the picture, but that is not half of it.  I decided I wanted a matching set, so I have 2 more skeins, one for a cowl, and one for mittens.  I plan on using these on the cowl:


Hubby bought me these gorgeous buttons for Christmas, and the 3 large ones are going on a cowl.  The small one on the right will adown the hat, and the iridescent one on the left will grace something else.  I have also been contemplating this:



I made this swatch before Christmas,  and I want to make Princess a sweater.  We are having a tea party in April, and I want to make her something elegant.  I have 4 or 6 skeins of the pink and 2 in a bluish grey.  I have not quite decided on what to do just yet, but the idea is percolating.   What are you working on?

Friday, January 16, 2015

Back in business

I am back to the decreases on Lancelot.  I messed up and had to rip back again 5 rows yesterday.  I got a little too much in a hurry, and the knitting suffered.




I have finished 4 of the 11 decreases, this time with my stitch markers in the right places.  I really want to hurry up and finish this sweater, not because it isn't a lovely pattern, because it is, but because I already have my next one planned.  It will be a short one, a quick knit, just for me.  I have to take a picture and let you try to guess what it will be.  Little Man's birthday is Monday, but his party is not until next Saturday.   Since everyone had been sick, we postponed it until then to get the sick germs out and take down all the Christmas decorations.  Hubby likes to leave them up through the New Year, and then he got sick and hasn't been able to take most of them down.  Once the quick project is done, it will be on to my sweater.  Are you ready for that?  It will be a massive undertaking, as I have knit this yarn 4 times, and each time it refuses to work.  I think it is user error, so I am taking a new approach and will be diligent in taking notes and trying it on.  I want a classic, comfy sweater that is warm and casual but dressy enough to wear to work.  We will see if I can manage that out of the Lion Brand yarn.  I think it will work, the hard part is just getting it to fit properly.  I have all the measurements though, and a gauge swatch, so hopefully it will come together.  I am also planning a new surprise for you, and it should be up by next month.  Keep your eyes peeled!

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Do Over

Remember when you were in elementary school, and playing some ball game, and no one could decide on a call, so you just got a do-over?


Lancelot is having a do-over when I get home.  I found I placed the stitch markers in the wrong place to start when joining the arms, which really wasn't so bad.  But now my stitch count is off, and I don't know where or how it happened.  So, I am just going to start over.  Also, the patron is now uneven, and that is just unacceptable.   The pattern is well written, but you do have to pay attention.  I hope the seconday time through will be a bit easier.  How is your knitting progressing this year so far?

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

To Be Honest

I wanted to post yesterday, but didn't.  Things were crazy, and when I thought about it, I had no method of posting.  Here is the progress on the sweater:


It looks a little cramped, but it's just the way it is laying at the moment.  I am at the decreases in the yoke, and I am not 100 percent sure I am doing them correctly, but they look okay, so I am going to go with it.  I had planned yesterday to show you what was next, along with progress, but it just didn't happen.  Maybe tomorrow, or the next time I post.Yesterday was another rough day, in part because I ate some things that I should not have.  You know that feeling you get when you think something would taste so good, and it sounds great and you eat it, and it does taste good, until about an hour later, and not only do you regret eating it, but you also feel horrible from eating it?  Yeah, that was me yesterday.  But, today is a new day, and I will not make the same mistake again.  I am excited abut finishing this sweater, and to show you what is next.  I think you will like it.  What are you working on?

Friday, January 09, 2015

Small blessings

The news I received on Wednesday wasn't as exciting as I had hoped.  It turns out that although things are changing, my job will only be changing with it - not going away.  Oh well...it was wishful thinking.

This week has been full of small blessings though.  Despite the family being sick and work being rough, there have been several little things that have happened that are happy little things.  First, early this week, I was notified that I won a contest.  I hardly ever, and I mean HARDLY EVER, win anything.  This is the fourth time in my life that I have won anything.  I have won more in the past 6 years (3 times) than I ever have before.  I won a Flip video recorder at a company function, a baby quilt kit, and now this.  Then yesterday in the mail, I received a thank you card from our church for directing the children's choir for Christmas, with a restaurant gift card in it.  And today, I received an email that I have a $20 store credit at a local yarn shop.


I also found a penny walking out to my car tonight.  I thought the old saying, "see a penny, pick it up, and all the day you'll have good luck."

I started the second sleeve for Little Man's sweater, and when I attached the first sleeve, I wasn't sure about the second chart.  But then, it suddenly became clear.  The designer thought it through more than I had, and it's a good thing she did.  I have already planned out the next project(s) - yes, I will be making my own sweater, but I also have plans for a cowl and hat.  The cold has definitely made me want more warm things to surround me.  The store credit I have will go to good use - another skein of Malabrigo Rasta to match the one I already have, and a skein of sock yarn.  I am honestly trying to use up what yarn I have.  My hubby has been a jewel and bought me tons of yarn the past couple of years for Christmas (this year he went light, but bought Quivit!).  I want to use it, but I have to select the right patterns for it, and I also have to see it to know what I have, and think about it.  But now I have enticement to buy more yarn.

The plans I had if work ended, they will still come about.  The plan is still there - it will just take longer.  I plan on continuing, and being intentional.  This year, there will be things happening, albeit slowly.  Keep watching - I hope to continue posting often like I have so far.  How is your new year shaping up?  Any big changes?

Wednesday, January 07, 2015

A Sleeve is Born


I would have updated yesterday, but I forgot and I was tired.  Here is the first sleeve for Little Man's sweater.  It is whizzing right along.  This pattern is fantastic and if there are little ones in your life, I highly recommend it.

I learned some interesting news at work today - it looks as though a lot of what I do may soon be obsolete.  This really does not bother me, as I have been hoping for a way to leave soon, but the job market is not as resilient as the news reports.  Again, it does not upset me, but it is an odd feeling.  Much like watching a building fall or a car crash, knowing what will happen, yet powerless to stop it.  I am bemused.  This will open a new door for me, and allow me to start a new chapter.  I have always looked forward to change, and now is no exception.  It will be life altering in a new way, especially with the children along for the ride.  I know it will be soon, but exactly how soon I cannot tell.  Any news fromedia where you are?

Sunday, January 04, 2015

Getting better

Slowly, the family is getting better.  This is great, because I'm not sure how many days I can live on adrenaline.  I was surviving on that for Thursday and Friday, and got the adrenaline to drop off sometime around 1 a.m. Saturday morning.  I'm still working on Little Man's Lancelot, and I've started the 3rd repeat of the body.  I am actually enjoying working it from the bottom up.  I will have Little Man try it on tonight, since he's MUCH better (he asked for a Frosty, a sure sign he's feeling better) and he can easily try it on.  I'm also working on a version of this:

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This is the Neat Ripple Pattern from Lucy at Attic 24.  I'm not using nearly as many colors - I only have 5, and I'm doing 6 rows of each color.  I have only completed one section of each color, and I just started the second section of the first color.

In case you haven't noticed, I'm working on blogging every other day.  It seems like a lot, but I thought I would see if more frequent updates would help readership.  I'm also trying to update my project page in Ravelry more, to see if that helps.  We'll see how it works.  Please leave a comment to let me know you're reading!  Now that things have slowed down a little with the children (hubby is still on the mend - he went to urgent care and got medication yesterday), I hope to make really good progress.  I'm keeping busy, even if it's not in crafty ways.  How's your new year progressing so far?

Friday, January 02, 2015

Tiredness

It is hard to imagine, but I am already exhausted this year.  Everyone but me is now sick, and I have had to nurse everyone back to health.  But, I have two items to show you.  First:




This is my bullet journal.  You can find out more about them on Pinterest, or by going to Bulletjournal.com.  Second:


Here is my progress on Little Man's Lancelot.  I am on the second skein, and need to have him try it on, but poor baby is sick.  Trying on a sweater isn't in the cards at the moment, but hopefully soon.  I am usually not a fan of yellow, but I have to say I do not mind the gold.  It is Valley Yarns Berkshire in Gold, and I rathere like it.  How is your new year starting?