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!