First Day of School

Here are the kids ready for their first day! We made PJ get ready even though he doesn't actually get to go for a few hours.

This is so you can see their backpacks (Abby is using the same one as last year, but PJ's is new).

My favs! Abby is leaving and PJ is waving goodbye. There were lots of hugs and kisses!!

Cambridge Jacket - almost done!

Well, it fits! My fear, especially after knitting a large project, is that it won't fit the person it should. But Cambridge fits Wook nicely. A bit roomy which is what I wanted. It justs needs the zipper and collar. Since it is tan, I was thinking of a red or blue zipper. Something bright and contrasting. Wook had agreed. So today I showed him a few I had. Blue, orange, and red.

Me: Do you like any of these?
Wook: No, I was thinking of something not quite so bright.
Me: Like what?
Wook: Brown or white.
Me: I thought you wanted a contrasting zipper.
Wook: Yeah, I do.

Hee! Well, at least we had this discussion BEFORE I bought the zipper!!!

I also finished the Red Riding Hood doll (pictures tomorrow). And, I went through my almost done pile and got it cleaned out. It's the pile for things that need one more bit of work. It had 3 pairs of mittens waiting for antennae, 2 ladybugs waiting for spots and stuffing, and 4 mice waiting for stuffing, ears to be attached, and tails. All but 2 mice are finished.

First day of school tomorrow!! Early to bed for what is sure to be an exciting day. I drop A off it the morning. P has to get two shots before he can go (they are technically 5 year old shots, but the school requires them to enter Kindergarten even if you aren't yet five. Go figure). Then he goes to school after lunch. I am trying to think of something fun to do after school, but haven't had any ideas yet. Depends on the weather and how beat A is!!

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

I went canoeing around our pond (Herringbrook). We saw ducks and a blue crane which proceeded to take off and buzz us. Luckily, no dive-bombing! I watched P get his first bullseye in darts.
I flew balsawood planes in the yard with A.
I enjoyed time with the kids and watched them become closer than ever!

Vacation Tales

I can't believe our two weeks at the Cape are almost over. And school is about to start. But this morning I can definitely tell summer is starting to end. It was 58 when I woke up, although it is going to be hot again by week's end. So, I plan to enjoy every last minute of summertime! And the kids do too. The pictures are from my mom's camera (at least someone brought one!). We are at First Encounter Beach right down the street here in Eastham.

No knitting news now, other than I am up to the armholes on the sweater I'm designing. It is coming out well, but no pictures quite yet! Off to enjoy summer.

Warm and Toasty Cabled Earwarmers

(I promise better pictures when I return)

Warm and Toasty Cabled Ear Warmers

These make a nice warm band style earwarmer. They have 2-3 buttonholes so it can fit a variety of sizes as a gift. Plus, it is a great use for both leftover yarn and a single cool button!

Materials

Small amount of worsted weight wool (I used Malabrigo)

1-3 small buttons (depending on if you want one size or adjustable length)

Needles

Size 10 or size needed for proper gauge

Size

3 inches X 21 inches

Gauge

13 st = 3 inches, 6 rows = 1 inch

C2B – slip 2 st to cable needle in back, knit 2 st, knit 2 st from cable needle

C2F- slip 2 st to cable needle in front, knit 2 st, knit 2 st from cable needle

WAVES version (A, on the left of the closeup)

Directions

CO 14 stitches

Work in garter st for 4 rows

Row 1: Maintaining 2 st on each end in garter st, Knit 5, C2B, K5

Rows 2-6: Work in st st with 2 st on either end in garter stitch

Repeat rows 1-6 to desired length for first buttonhole (17” unstretched), ending with row 6.

Buttonhole row 1: K5, sl 2 st to cn in back, K2tog, yo, K from the cable needle, K5. This “hides” the button holes inside the cable.

Work rows 2-6 as above.

Repeat these 6 rows once more for a second buttonhole. Then work buttonhole rows 1-4 for a third buttonhole.

If you are making this for yourself, you can just size the band to your own head as you go and place a single button hole using the above directions. Either way, follow the final steps below after working row 4 of a buttonhole section.

Work 4 rows of garter st. BO loosely.

Double Waves Version (B, on the right of the closeup)

Directions

CO 14 stitches

Work in garter st for 4 rows

Row 1: Maintaining 2 st on each end in garter st, Knit 2, C2f, K2, C2b, K2

Rows 2-4: Work in st st with 2 st on either end in garter stitch

Row 5: Maintaining 2 st on each end in garter st, Knit 2, C2b, K2, C2f, K2

Rows 6-8: Work in st st with 2 st on either end in garter stitch

Repeat rows 1-8 to desired length for first buttonhole (17” unstretched), ending with row 8.

Buttonhole row 1: K2, C2f, K2tog, yo, C2b, K2. This places the button holes in the center.

Work rows 2-8 as above.

Repeat these 8 rows once more for a second buttonhole.

If you are making this for yourself, you can just size the band to your own head as you go and place a single button hole using the above directions. Either way, follow the final steps below after working row 8 of a buttonhole section.

Work 4 rows of garter st. BO loosely.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. Block lightly. Attach buttons. Enjoy warm and toasty ears all winter long!!

Pictures at last!

We finally figured out the phone camera so I can post a few of the FOs I've been writing about.
Sorry about the quality, but at least you can see them!

These are Toddler size felted slippers from Felted Knits. They will eventually have bunny ears and tails. They are the same size though the picture makes them seem like they aren't. I made them with grey Paton's merino.
Sorry about the sideways (can't figure how to flip on this computer). This is a little I cord man that I made with leftover sock yarn. He justs needs some crazy hair.
This is A's earwarmer. I made it with leftover handdyed marigold and pink cascade 220. I just garter stitched the whole thing of 10s and felted it. Too cute. She loves it. I may line it with polar fleece to make it even warmer.

RAK and more little stuff

First, the RAK (that is a random act of kindness). There is a great blog named good karma yarn. The whole idea is to find homes for patterns and yarny goodness that you know longer want or need. I dropped by after reading about it on the knittyboard. Much to my disbelief, a wonderful woman named Dotty had posted the Jean Greenhowe toy knit book that both kids had been begging me to get. Clowns. I am NOT a clown person. To tell you the truth, they creep me out (thanks to Tim Curry and Steven King). But they thought they were so cute. The books, though, are a bit hard to find and ordering them online was pricey. So, I replied and then, not hearing back, assumed it had found another happy home. So, how surprised and thrilled was I to get the email yesterday that I was going to be given the book!!! It is on its way to me and I can't wait to surprise the kids this Christmas!! I was also given a pattern I had been eyeing for P for his birthday, the sleepy snake and the mischievious mouse. If you have not seen this adorable pattern, stop reading now and follow the link. Go ahead, I'll wait. Adorable beyond words right?! Knittyhead Roxy gave it to me (even though I had offered to swap something in exchange). Big hugs to Roxy!!!

So, after so much kindness, I was having a good feeling day. Then, Wook buys a $10 Red Sox scratchy ticket and wins $50!! He tells me to go to the yarn store and buy yarn for the Tilted Duster (scroll down a bit) which I have been drooling over. I bought 3 skeins of Cascade Eco Wool in a yummy chocolate brown (I'll need about 2.5 so will have some left hopefully for a hat or mittens). Is he not the very best? Top that off with the kids playing without any (seriously) arguements all day and it was like it was my birthday!! I told Wook it was a gift for his last day of vacation. He goes home tomorrow (boo). But we stay through Thursday and my folks will be here for the rest of the time.

So, what did I knit? I finished and felted the booties. I knit and felted an earwarmer for A in leftovers that she picked out. I knit 2 different earwarmers with leftover Malabrigo from Genes. I plan to post the patterns once I get pictures. And, I started designing a jacket-style zip cardigan pattern. I hope to make that pattern available too (assuming it comes out nicely). I'll give more details as I go along. So far it will have seed stitch trim, will be striped, and have a fitted waist.

Here's hoping you had a great day too and that tomorrow is even brighter!

Still no pictures, but an update

Well, we are still away, so no pictures. The vacation has been very nice so far. Lots of relaxing and hanging around. We've been fishing everyday and all of us have caughter something. Wook caughter a good size bass and the kids and I have caught small ones. I am still not convinced that all 3 of us didn't catch the same not so bright fish! I am both looking forward to the kids going back to school (for a bit of a breather) and sad about them going. They are starting to get a bit excited. I'm sure they'll get excited once we get home and start getting their school things ready. P got a new dinosaur backpack. A got a red sox lunch box. And of course both have all new pencils and crayons.

After a momentary crisis when my IK disappeared (I was saved by another knittyhead who posted the needed info), I finished all but 1/2 of one sleeve of Wook's Cambridge Jacket. Why stop now, you may ask? Because I ran out of yarn. Yup. And I can't get more until we get home late next week. So, I knit all the pieces for the red riding hood doll for Wook's cousin's daughter Lucy. And now I am making a pair of felted bunny slippers. If they come out they will be too cute for words!! Wook thinks he has figured out his cell phone camera, so you may get pictures of all these things tomorrow.

Vacation!

Well, we are just a few days into our weeklong Cape vacation. We come up for a few days at a time, but it has been lovely to spend a longer time. Wook has until Sunday and we'll stay through the next Thursday. Just in time to get home and ready for the first day of school (!) on the next Monday. PJ is going to half day Kindergarten and Abby will be strating first grade. Both are excited.

I've been steadily working on the cambridge jacket. I am most of the way up the first sleeve with the front and back all finished. The problem is that I just started my last skein of yarn. Oops. I'm hopeful though that I can get more once I get home (I'm using Patons merino). But that leaves me with a week to go on vacation and no yarn to finish the sweater. Not to fear though, since I packed a huge bag (okay 2 bags) with yarn just in case. I'm planning on getting started with a doll for Wook's cousin's daughter. Her grandmother, Wook's aunt, asked me to knit one for her after seseing A's topsy turvy at her birthday party.

Well, off to stop the whining. Too bad that doesn't seem to take a vacation!

Amanda's Squatty Sidekick's...Sidekick

After knitting two of the cute Amanda's Squatty Sidekick pattern from Knitting daily, I decided that what I really needed was a smaller version to be used as a change purse or credit card holder. I often just grab my license, credit card, and a dollar or two when I run out to the store. So this littler sidekick had the same shaping, but no handle. It is perfect inside the Squatty sidekick or on its own for those who, like me, like to travel light!

Since I am away there is no picture. But I promise one as soon as I get home!

Amanda's Squatty Sidekick's Sidekick!

Finished Size
the size of a credit card (specific measurement to come)

Yarn
Cascade 220, or any WW feltable wool; leftovers

Needles
Size 10 1/2 : dpn

Notions
Button for closure

Bottom of the bag
Cast on 5 stitches. Work 22 rows, slipping the first stitch knitwise on each row.

Body
Knit the 5 stitches. Pick up and knit 11 along the side, 5 on the cast on edge, and 11 on the second side (32 stitches). Join for working in the round.
Rounds 1-2: Knit
Round 3: (K2, M1, K1, M1, K2), K11. Repeat once more
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: (K3, M1, K1, M1, K3), K11. Repeat once more
Rounds 6-8: Knit
Round 9: (K2, K2tog, K, k2tog, K2), K11. Repeat once more.
Round 10: Knit
Round 11: (K1, K2tog, k, K2tog, K), K11. Repeat once more.
Round 12: Knit
Round 13: (K2tog, K, K2tog, K20, K11. Repeat once more.
Round 14: Knit

Round 15: BO4, Knit 9 (for closure), BO remainder and cut yarn.

Closure
Join yarn on wrong side
Row 1-3: Work in St st
Row 4 (RS): Slip 1 st, ssk, K3, K2tog, K1
Row 5: Purl
Row 6: Slip 1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1
Row 7-9: Work st st
Row 10: Slip 1, ssk, K2
Row 11: Purl
Knit 2 st I cord for ~1 inch and then graft to other 2 stitches.

Finishing
Weave in all ends. Felt the purse (I did the felting by hand in the sink since it is so little). Attach the button and enjoy!!!

Summertime Fun

Sometimes, the summer heat and humidity are enough to drive me insane. Plus, I have some wierd allergic runny nose and sneezy nonsense going on. Only one solution: THE POOL. Something about swimming just seems to soothe all three of us. I get to sit and just dip my feet (unless it is like today when I jump right in). They get to play pirate and walk the plank, practice diving, or hunt for buried treasure (diving rings). Ahhh....the pool!

Moving Along

Well, after the cabled vest, I think I had forgotten that knitting can move along at a visible rate! I have been working on Wook's cardigan and am already up to the armholes on the back.
Such progress!! I also finished my small Clapotis which is shawlette size. I'm really happy with this one. The silk in the yarn makes it just so yummy. I would never have bought it myself, which is why I love swaps!! I discover lots of new and wonderful yarns that I wouldn't have tried any other way.

I also just finished a small sari silk bag for a sample knit assignment. No picutres of that I am afraid. On the home front, we are enjoying the summer as it winds down. Today we went veggie picking in Avon, CT. Such fun. Green, yellow, and purple beans. Squash, eggplant, and tomatoes which are currently cooking in a huge pot, the one usually saved for the lobsters! I'll freeze a bunch so I can have summer all winter long!

Cousins!

We visited with my newest nephew and got this great picture of the 4 cousins!

Surprise Day!

Yesterday, Wook called from work to tell me to not make any plans for today. He said my mom was going to stay home and watch the kids and we were doing something. Well, this morning he tells me to don my Red Sox shirt, because we were off to Fenway! Yippee!! So, after dropping the kids off at swim class, we drove to the T and were there to watch a great game. Back to back homers and some great fielding by Coco. Plus, the first pitching appearance by Gagne since the trade on Tuesday. And we won. It was a great surprise date and we had a blast. Oh, but can I mention the guy next to me. Very nice, but a beer an inning? Really? Does that seem like a good plan?? Plus, at $7 a pop..... I'm just saying, really??!!

As for knitting, I finished a really pretty sample knit in recycled silk yarn (all but the cast off). It is very pretty and the yarn is more of a purple than the red I am used to. I also just started Wook's sweater. I decided to go with the Cambridge Jacket designed by Ann Budd. It is in the summer 2006 issue of IK. It is simple, but a bit different with the ribs and shaping. I am using good old Paton's merino in a creamy tanish color. I plan to use a nice red zipper for contrast, but we'll see as it goes. I'll take a picture when I get a bit further.