The Luckiest Little Boy. Ever.

This kid is seriously lucky:

I found the pattern for this sweater.  There is a website that has all the old Bergere de France patterns uploaded into PDFs on it.  I have no idea if it is "safe" or "legal" and honestly, since the site is completely in French, I have no way of knowing.  However, when I translate the page (thanks Google Chrome) it comes up as a Bergere de France website, so hopefully no copyright laws are being broken.  The best thing is that all the patterns are FREE.  Yep, completely free.

The pattern is also completely in French.  Go figure - my residual 8th grade French doesn't extend that far.  We never learned knitting terms, and the only thing I remember how to say is that I don't speak French.  However, I had another stroke of luck: there is a translation website here.  Now, for the hard part: translation.  It shouldn't be that bad, as lots of knitting patterns are written with repetition.  I am hoping that translating it won't be terrible, or take 50 hours.  I don't think it will, as once I get into a rhythm, we should be good.

The weather is proving to be helpful in prepping things for my Etsy shop this weekend.  We are threatened/promised (it depends on how you look at it) with ice and snow.  For most northern states, that's not a big deal,   But here in the south, it's HUGE!  It is rumored that we can have between 4-8 inches of the white powdery stuff, with a 1/4 inch of ice.  Around here, especially in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, that's very dangerous.  The street that we live on has a steep hill, and getting up (or down) that hill safely is going to be a trick if it's icy.  Since we're going to be cuddled up anyway, no time like the present to get things situated!  I will probably roll things out as I have them, rather than wait and put everything out all at once.  If I waited, it would never get done!  So, please watch for more updates, and I'll post when it's ready!  Please leave a comment or feedback on the Etsy site (constructive or positive only, please) and let me know what you think!

Me and My big mouth

This little guy is turning 9 tomorrow!

As tradition dictates, he gets a birthday sweater.  And after looking through a bunch of patterns, he likes this one:

It's Pull A Capuche, which isn't published any more.  I looked online, to see if perhaps I could find a copy, to no avail.  So, now it's time for me to work Mommy Magic.  It's a simple enough sweater, fairly straight forward, with a dragon worked in intarsia on the front.  I think I can handle it.  Little Man REALLY liked the sweater, so I may search a little more for the pattern (as having it already written down would be easier to work) but if not, it's to the drawing board for me.

Changing names

I am thinking of changing the name of this blog, to consolidate and simplify.  The new name will help identify it with our shop, and that's what I really want, but I may keep this one separate, for personal use.  Any advice?

Here's what I've been working on:

My Multnomah.  It's lovely, out of JoJoLand Melody.  I'm done with the last repeat required, but still have a good bit left of my second skein.  I was thinking of doing at least one more repeat, but then I could do a whole bunch of puffs, once I find my pattern of the Bee Keeper's Quilt.

This was my original design for a mug cozy.  I found some pictures online, and kind of based it off some of those.  I wasn't happy with it, as it curled a lot and didn't really look finished.  So, I did this one:

Much better, don't you think?  Here are close ups of each one, and I think the top one looks better.

This is one of my Christmas gifts: Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn in River Run colorway.  I had asked for sock yarn to make more socks for me, and this was one of the lovely skeins my husband bought.

This is an unfinished object, to be sold, with the cup cozies and ear bud cases.  What is it?  Take a guess.

What is life without a little mystery?  I hope to have the shop up and running in a couple of weeks.  Keep watching for more updates!

Happy New Year!

It's a new year!  Happy New Year!  I hope you have a wonderful year, and that this new beginning inspires you to conquer something new.  I know it has for me.  This year, I am opening an Etsy shop.  I took some pictures yesterday, and I think they turned out alright.

It was a bit overcast, but it wasn't too bad.  I still have some more to do before the shop is ready, but I'll keep you posted.  I may be linking this blog to the shop, and to the shop's website.  There's still a good bit to do, but before the end of the month, everything should be launched.  I would like to wait until it's all perfect, but if I do that, it will never happen.  So, the best thing to do is dive in with both feet.

I have a few things to open with, and I'll add more as I make them.  I am also planning on getting into some craft fairs this year.  It promises to be a fun and busy year.  Let's make the most of it.