Progression of a sock

Here is today's progress.  Not too shabby...I hope to be down to the toe decreases tomorrow.  I really want to be done with this one by the weekend.  I already have another sock that needs the toe grafted.  Then I need to complete the second sock for that pair.  Fortunately, those socks are for Princess #1, so they are small and go quickly.  How is your Christmas knitting coming?

Race to the finish

So, here is where I am on Christmas present number one.   There is another sock, and a really long story to tell.  That will hopefully be over the weekend.  My tablet is not the best medium to use for communication,  but it works for now.   And I can give more WIP updates.  That's all for now!

Pain

I would have updated something sooner, but back pain sucks.  I was fine and then all of a sudden, my back tightened up and it's been a painful existence ever since.  I finally had to get a couple of prescriptions from the doctor - it was that bad.  I worked from home (not that the boss was happy about it, but that was all I could do) and didn't feel like knitting or crocheting.  At all.  You know it's bad when that happens.  But, I did get to wear my socks.  I started a new one.  This one is for my mother for Christmas.  She asked for them.

It's the Business Casual sock, with a picot cast on.  My mom saw them when I took her to the doctor's office, and said she liked them and wanted a pair.  I changed the cast on, and used a lovely yarn from Madeline Tosh in Fragrant that I had in my stash.  I've turned the heel and am working on the foot, but I have to get the length.  She's supposed to be measuring her foot this weekend for me.  I'm trying to do a handmade Christmas again this year, as much as possible, but I'm cramped for time.  I hope to get these socks done in the next couple of weeks, and then I have 3 more pairs to do.  I was going to try Wraptor, from Knitty, but that would take WAY longer than the 2 weeks I have for each pair.  I'd love to sew a couple of pillows for the children, but if not, I have a couple of other gifts up my sleeve that will take far less time to make.  

I'm working on a serious shoe-string budget this year.  I'm trying to get everything (or as much as I can) done on about $400.  I was going to use $300, but I don't think I can make it.  Have you started making Christmas plans yet?

Testing new things

I am attempting something new.

It may not be the greatest, but now I can hopefully post more pictures!  Here is the latest new project, a Flax for the baby to match her big sister.  The biggest problem right now is seeing as I type, so I have to carefully proofread before publishing.  Hope it all comes together!

Not so great Oatmeal

I think I have realized that the pattern of Oatmeal, as much as I like the looks of the sweater, just doesn't work for me.

I'm not sure what the issue is, but I think since this is the third time I've tried to knit it, and it's still not working, I should just cut my losses and pick a different pattern.  No matter how I try, it's just not obeying.  Time to dig on Ravelry for another pattern for the yarn.  I love Jane Richmond, and her patterns are wonderful, but this one just isn't working for me.

Summer Sweater Update

Well, I'm still working on my summer sweater for the KAL.  I did finish my Flax:

Ha!  I will take a completed photo of it this weekend.  It's time for school pictures for both my children, and the baby as well (can't very well leave her out of it, now can I?!), and I can add in the sweaters.  I'm SOOOOO close to finishing the body of my sweater, I actually hope to finish that by this weekend.  Oh, and remember these socks?

Well, it's been quite a week, and I had a chance to finish the second one today.  I thought these socks would NEVER get done.  I started them back for myself in January - January, people!  It's now September!  In any case, all I have to do is kitchner up the toe of the second sock, weave in the ends, and proudly wear them.  It's been a long time coming.

I managed to finish it while waiting in the doctor's office for my mother.  I told you this week has been crazy.  My parents were both sick at the same time, and that never happens.  Or at least, it hadn't happened until this week.  My dad had really high blood pressure and didn't want to get behind the wheel of a car, and my mom was sick with what we thought was a virus, but turned out to be her blood sugar.  So, since neither was really in a condition to drive, I got to cart them both to the doctor on separate occasions, one on Tuesday and one today.  I don't really mind, but it would have been a little more calm if I had known and could have planned with work a little better, instead of it being a last minute thing.  Both seem to be doing marginally better, and I'm hoping by the weekend both are well on their way to being well.

I realized after I finished the first Flax that I had enough to make the baby a matching sweater.  I also found yarn for another baby sweater never started for Princess, and I am constantly reminded of yet another started sweater that needs to be re-knit (and will now go to the baby) and I bought yarn to make yet another coordinating sweater for Princess.  I have been inundated with ideas; my hands just can't work as fast as my brain.

While knitting in the doctor's office, I found several of the older patients (and most of them were older) smiling in admiration at me.  Most said it took a lot of talent to knit a sock - I really wanted to tell them no, it doesn't take a lot of talent - just 4 needles and yarn.  I spoke to one lovely lady who had a bunch of crochet, knitting, and sewing items in storage in California, from before she moved here.  Her daughter had been encouraging her to get rid of it and she just didn't want to discard her treasures.  I helped her find the words to tell her daughter - it wasn't baggage, it was therapy.  Most people don't understand how crafts are therapy, and yet, they give us peace of mind.  They calm our soul, slow our breathing, help us center our minds and focus on something outside of ourselves.  So many people see only the hours upon hours of work only to find a flaw.  Crafts are not about perfection - they are usually about the process.  Of course we want a perfect end result (a sweater or socks that fit, no dropped stitches, beautiful lace or cable designs), but so much of it is about the process as well.  We wouldn't do what we do if it was all aggravation - we'd just purchase a machine knit sweater or manufactured skirt.  It's the rhythm and repetitive motion of making the garment that we enjoy.  It's the having to focus on one item and forget about the rest of the world and its troubles, even if it's only for 10 minutes.  It gives us a break from the hustle and bustle of our modern world, and connects us to past generations.  It connects us to future generations as well.  It's meditation and harmony and breathing.  It allows us to relax our minds and bodies while still being productive.

What are your thoughts?  Do you knit or crochet or sew for peace of mind or just for the end result?  What are you working on to find your zen?

Other projects

Here are a couple of other things I've done:

Princess wanted a scarf, and I wanted to get rid of some ribbon yarn.  It's a simple pattern: knit 5 rows, then on Row #6, wrap the yarn twice around the needle, and drop it on the next row (row 1).  I made a scarf for me AGES ago using that pattern, and it makes a pretty pattern for a novelty yarn.

This is the baby blanket I made for the newest addition.  Princess is helping to model it.

She loves the camera.  :)  More later on some projects, as I started participating in the Summer Sweater Knit Along with Luvinthemommyhood.

Do you have any knitting plans for the summer?

So here's what I've been up to recently...

Baby #3 is growing like a weed, as are the other 2.  Children have a tendency to do that.  Here's my big girl holding my little girl:

She flips back and forth between wanting to be a big girl, and wanting to be the baby.  I did find the missing knitting I was looking for the other day.  Here's the missing sock:

The ends haven't been woven in, but it's done.  Once the second one is done, all ends will be woven in and then they will be worn.  Here's the status of the second sock:

I made some progress on it today - I finished the heel decreases and started down the foot.  I figure if I have 3-4 more days at it, I should be finished.  How do I get so much time during the day, you ask?  That's the prerogative of a nursing mother who works full time.  I have a nice little office that I can lock and while I'm providing food for my baby, I spend some time knitting.  It's handy during the day.

What have you been working on?   How do you fit knitting into your day?

Catching Up

With a new baby, things get busy.  When you have 2 other children in the mix, things get even busier.  I have been knitting, and crocheting, and I'm working on trying to finish things.  I have a lot of yarn, and I have a lot of works in progress.  I've finished a scarf for Princess #1, and I'm working on a blanket just like this one for her:

And I just realized I never took a picture of the finished afghan.  In any case, Princess #1 wanted a blanket just like her little sister's, but bigger.  So, I'm working on it.  Then I have two sweaters to make for her and a sock to finish.  I'm still working on my Business Casual sock (sock #2), and I can't find the first one that's finished, and I don't remember if I wrote down how many repeats for the foot and if I did, where the notebook is, but I did get a yarn bowl.  I now also realize that when I take a picture of the finished afghan and scarf, I should also take a picture of the sock and yarn bowl.  There are a lot of things I should take pictures of, and hopefully in the next couple of days, I can get them taken.  In the meantime, I did take some pictures of the Littlest Princess.

I'm also hoping to post more often now.  And I'm hoping that some changes come through soon that will let me post more often on a regular basis.  Keep your fingers crossed for some positive changes.

Latest FO

'Nuff said. :)

Hiatus Hatred

I went on a hiatus, not because I wanted to, but because it just happened.  Everything I wanted to knit, or crochet, or sew...just wasn't working.  So, for about the past two weeks, I've done almost nothing.  And it was horrible.  But, I've since found my mojo again, or whatever it was that was missing (inspiration, perhaps?) and now look:

This is the quilt I'm making for baby #3, due in about 3 weeks.  Yes, I am this crazy.  I had a hard time figuring out what to do around the applique, until yesterday, and I realized that a blanket stitch would be perfect around most of it.  I have french knots for the eyes, and I still have to do the beaks for the birds, but I think just about everything else will be blanket stitch.  Then there's the issue of the stems for the vines, but I'll worry about that later.  Right now, it's time to get moving.  I'm planning on having someone else quilt it for me, namely Sew Main Street.  They have a long arm quilter, and for a very reasonable price, they will quilt it for me.  I love local shops.

Three baby sweaters, all from the same pattern, two in the same yarn, and all three a different size.  Go figure on the gauge.  In any case, it's the Puerperium Cardigan, and it's a wonderful pattern.  The buttons on all three I found at an antiques mall in Helen, and the green ones I believe are actually glass buttons.

And, because I am that mom, and I am that crazy, a blanket.  This one is Saurey, from Berroco.  I'm making it from Rowan Pure Wool Worsted, and using size 9 needles instead of 7.  It's a pretty leaf pattern, and I'm hoping to get both this blanket and the quilt done before the baby arrives.  At least my hiatus is over, and if I need to, both of these can wait a while until after the baby does get here.  The weather has warmed up nicely, so heavy blankets aren't necessary.

Have you picked out your summer projects?  What are you working on?

Good heavens

I knew it had been a while since I posted, but I didn't realize how long it had been until today.  I have good news - I did find my camera last night.  Then, the computer broke.  I figured out how to turn it back on, which is how this is showing up now.  I still have to make it a permanent fix, but at least it's on.  I finished, and I mean FINISHED, 3 baby cardigans.  I also knitted up a bib and washcloth.  I'm trying to keep my projects easy and practical.  I made 3 of these:

They turned out lovely.  I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

For now though, I hurt.  I've been working late, and it's causing a lot of physical discomfort.  It'll go away, and I'll be okay, but I'm just worn out.  I'll update about current projects later too.  For now, this will just have to do.

Slow Sock Syndrome

I should have been done with my socks by now - it's been almost a full month.  I'm not even done with the first one.  I can't say I have second sock syndrome, since I haven't finished #1 yet.  I actually haven't done much this month, except the Puerperium cardigan for the new little one on their way.

There's more to do, but it's getting harder to do it.  The weather has been up and down - first snow, then sunny and 70.  Sleep gets elusive from time to time, and work prevents naps and sleeping late.  I had hoped to do more, but honestly, I'm just tired.  I am on a quest this weekend to find the camera, and hopefully, there will be pictures this weekend.

Little things

I know it's been a while, and I even had days off.  Without a camera, it makes for boring blogging, I know.  But, here's what I've been up to: I cleaned the living room floor.  And I made a baby sweater.  That may not seem like much, but when you're looking at a floor covered in toys, it takes a while.  Oh, and I made cookies.  We made the brown butter cookies found here.  It's the best chocolate chip cookie recipe we've tasted.  If you know of a better, send it my way, and we'll test it.  Cleaning the floor took 3 hours with the kiddos, but it was all clean!  There were that many toys.  I also made this sweater while confined to the house due to snow and ice:

It's in Debbie Bliss Primo, a lovely shade of green.  I got the yarn for Christmas, and I couldn't think of a better use.  I just need about 8 purple buttons, and then it's all done.  Well, I also need to wash it.  I've set aside my sock, maybe because I keep messing up the pattern.  It really shouldn't be that difficult, but I've dropped a stitch and I've also added a stitch on the foot - in separate attempts.  So, the sock is temporarily in time out.  I'm about to cast on yet another sweater, but this one is for Princess.  She really wants her purple sweater.  So, I'm going to start it.  It's a fairly simple one, and I have the yarn.  It's just a matter of getting started.

January Follow Up

Let's see how I did on my January Goals:

1. Little Man's birthday Sweater: completed.
2. Socks for me: started, but not yet done.
3. Slippers for me: knit, but not felted.
4. Cleaning a little each week: not so much - fail.
5. Blogging at least twice a week: so far, so good.

Not too bad, really.  Work was really rough the first few days of the month, so the fact that I got a good bit of knitting done is pretty impressive.  I also had a cold, which didn't help much.  When you feel bad, you don't really want to do much of anything.  I still can't find my camera - please don't hold it against me.  I'm hoping to find it soon.  It has mysteriously disappeared.  I'll list some February goals next time (along with some pictures).

Snow Days

In case you didn't know, Atlanta got dumped with about 3 inches of snow on Tuesday.  It wouldn't have been so bad, except that I don't think people really thought that we'd get it.  Snow is rare around here, but when it hits, it's debilitating.  The roads are curvy, and narrow, and hilly, and ice accumulates quickly.  We don't have a lot of salt trucks, since we rarely get snow, and it takes a long time for us to salt and sand roads once they do become icy.  I've lived in several places where snow was a regular occurrence, and I can tell you - it's just different here.  I did start my socks, and got a good ways down the leg, when I realized that I messed up the pattern.  So, out it went.  I know, I know - it wouldn't really have mattered, but they are mine, there's no deadline, and I can be particular about them.  I'm using this pattern:

It's called Business Casual, and it's from Tanis Fiber Arts.  I've admired her patterns for a while, and so far it's a great pattern.  Provided that I don't screw it up.  It usually comes down to a user error for me.  And that's okay - I can usually fix it.  I'm looking forward to having the first one done this weekend, and the second sock may get delayed a bit, as my busy time at work is coming up, and that means late nights and not a whole lot of knitting time.

In other news, Princess' tooth is fine, and Little Man lost his very first tooth today!  My babies are growing up, and it's wonderful to watch.  What have you been doing the past couple of days?  Have you been staying warm and wearing woollies, or just knitting them up?

Still Sick

I'm still sick - but getting better.  It's amazing how hard a cold can hit you when you're pregnant, and the weather goes from being 60 to being 20 in a matter of 2-3 days.  The camera is still missing - I have no idea to where it disappeared.  I finished knitting and seaming the slippers - now I just have to felt them.  They are incredibly easy to knit, and the seaming is easy, if you can pay attention to it.  Now, I'm deciding between starting my socks, or starting a sweater for Princess.  My goal for January would tell me to do my socks, and I think I will start them tonight, unless Downton Abbey distracts me.

Hubby bought me Seasons 1-4 for Christmas.  We're up to about the middle of Season 3 - no spoilers please!  I already know more than I want to about what happens in Season 3, and I don't want to know what happens in Season 4 until I watch it!  Speaking of Christmas presents, I also received this:

It's amazing to see what actually happens on a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis.  Barbara Parry breaks it down by season, and goes into detail about all the good, bad, and ugly of owning a sheep farm.  It's very informative about sheep and the life of a shepherd.  I highly recommend it if you've thought about owning even just one sheep or are curious about what it would take to own one.  It's also a great resource about some types of sheep and some great modifications modern farms need.  What have you been up to recently?

Slowing down

I finished the sweater, and still can't find the camera.  Trust me, he loved it.  He put it on, and it fit great.  It was slightly big, so he can wear a shirt under it, and he may be able to wear it next year as well.

I also started the French Press Slippers, and they are all knitted.  I had markers in it, then removed them, then put them back.  After watching the tutorial for seaming, I think I may iron the pieces slightly so they don't curl as much.  It's a little hard to see the edges, as they do curl a lot.  I'm sure though that I'll make this pattern again - it's easy and fun.

I still have one more item to knit for this month, in order to keep up with my goals.  So, I'm really not doing too bad.  However, I'm feeling a little under the weather.  I think the cold that's been going around my office has finally struck me.  I'm fighting it for all I'm worth, but if not, it could definitely slow me down.  Sleep, fluids, and soup will be my mantra.  I'd really like a pair of socks, though.

Moving along

Well, the birthday sweater is almost done - I'm on the collar.  I wish I could show you a picture, but my camera has gone MIA.  I hope that over the weekend I find it and can take pictures for you.  I'm going to finish it, and then start on my slippers.  I think I can get them knit up over the weekend, as I hear the pattern is really fast.

As for an update on Princess, she's doing fine.  The tooth is still a little loose, but we think it's healing.  She's still on a soft foods diet, which basically means no crackers.  This week has been up and down, but a lot of family time.  I was planning on going to Knit Night at The Whole Nine Yarns on Tuesday, but traffic was so bad, I didn't bother.  Somehow, there were several intersections blocked and I figured that by the time I got there, it'd be time to come back home.  It was tough for me to even get into my neighborhood.  What are you working on?

Emergency

So, yesterday was my 10th anniversary.  I've been married to the same wonderful man for 10 wonderful years.  We've had our ups and downs, but we've made it through together.  We've had 2 beautiful children, with a third on the way, and love every second of our children and our life together.  However, instead of having a lovely at-home celebration, I was greeted with my husband clutching my daughter to his chest, ushering our son out of the house, and hurrying to the car.

Apparently, just as I was leaving work, she fell and knocked out one of her front teeth.  Hubby had managed to put it back in, but we had to rush to a dentist that was open.  He tried to make a brace across her four front teeth, but with no luck (he was not a pediatric dentist, but did do the best he could, so it's not really his fault).  We're hoping the tooth stays, with no real damage, and she makes a full recovery.  Help us pray that the beautiful smile stays, and the bruises heal.