In through the front door!

The newest knitter in the family!!

Afternoon Fun!

Ah... Spring is Here!

Finished Finishing

Topsy Turvy is finished. She was actually pretty easy to piece together, though it took a bit of time. I was most nervous about the hair, but it came out well. Here are some covert pictures, since the birthday girl can't see it until Saturday. She knows I made her one, along with Sheldon, but hasn't seen the finished products. I'll add a picture of sheldon when he comes out of hiding at the party.

Without further ado, here she is awake:

Here she is asleep:

And here is how she works!!

Froggy!

Well, finally I'm going to post the pattern for the cute froggy I made up. It was inspired by this pattern.

There is also a book coming out I am eager to give a try with the great name Making Felted Friends .

Froggy is very quick and took about 1 hour including writing out the directions!

Froggy

worsted weight wool (I used some leftover wool I space dyed, in daffodil)

gauge - doesn't much matter, I used size 8 needles

Start at the foot and worked up

CO 7 sts. Knit 8 rows.

Row 9: (K1 K2tog) two times, K1

Row 10: K

Row 11: K2tog, K1, K2tog

Row 12-29 (or until you like the leg length): Knit 3 st I cord.

Row 30: K front and back, Knit 2 (4 sts)

Cut yarn and put on holder.

Make a second leg the same, only do not cut the yarn.

Row 31: after increasing for the 2nd leg, CO 8, K the 4 sts of the 1st leg, CO 8. Join in the round (I had 8 sts on 3 needles)

Row 32-40: K

Row 41: (K10, K2tog) two times.

Row 42: K

Row 43: (K9, K2tog) two times

Row 44: K

Row 45: (K8, K2tog) two times

Row 46: K

Row 47: (K7, K2tog) two times

Row 48: K

Row 49: (K7, Kf&b) two times

Row 50-51: K 2

Row 52: (K8, Kf&b) two times

Row 53-55: K

I stuffed at this point with scrap yarn.

Row 54: (K2, K2tog) around

Row 55: K2tog around. Secure.

Arms

CO 5 sts. K 4 rows

Row 5: K2tog, K, K2tog

Row 6: K

Row 7-12- 3st Icord. Cast off.

Sew just below neck.

Eyes: I crocheted 10 single crochet into a circle and pulled tight. I sewed these on and then added a knot for the pupil (I was out of black yarn, hence the blue eyed frog).

Felting: I hand felted him since he is small. Then sit him on the counter to dry.

There is no place like home, right?

Well, we arrived home today after our minivacation at the Cape. It is always nice to be home, but I always look forward to going back. It will be at least a few weekends though. Next weekend is A's 6th birthday party and my stepsister's wedding shower. A surprise for her, which is nice. All women, which stinks! Ah well. I'm looking forward to getting back into the school groove. P just has a few more weeks of preschool and then A ends in June. It will be nice having them all summer, though I am sure there will be days I am wishing they'd go year round!!

Yesterday I decided to give this pattern a go. I had 2.5 balls of a black cashmere/merino blend I got on clearance at AC Moore in the same gauge. It looks ok and kniw quickly, but doesn't really fit well. I went back after casting off and added a few inches to the length but it still looks BAD. Ah well. Luckily I didn't invest much time and the yarn felt yummy.

Waiting for me at home, was this beautiful yarn that I got via a swap at Knittyboard. I've always wanted to try the Lorna's Laces yarns, but haven't wanted to pay the price. The color is called Vera and it is sportweight. I am very excited to give it a try with some simple sock pattern.

And, I this is a cute tank I made and just finished blocking. It is from Blue Sky Alpaca with their bulky cotton. I got it as a kit though I can't recall for the life of me where! The color is called Honeydew. I made the small. Only change was to add double crochet to the armholes and neckline.

Tonight I will work on the topsy turvy doll since she is on a deadline for the weekend!

Done! Now time to finish!

Done and finished are such different terms in knitting. While the topsy turvy is done (meaning all pieces knit), it is FAR from finished. There is still the stuff, sewing together, and mostly importantly the decorating. For a doll, this has to be the most important step. It is the step that turns knit pieces into a doll ready to be loved. So, topsy is going into the knitting bag. She will have to patiently wait to return home tomorrow where the finishing supplies are.

Since the weather has taken a turn for the better, we spent most of yesterday enjoying the coming of spring. We took a hike in Chatham, played garden in the side yard, and flew slingshot airplanes. Wook and the folks all arrived last night, so we are looking forward to going on a hike this afternoon. This morning, we head to Zooquarium, a fun place to stop if you find yourself around these parts. We only go this time of year since it is INSANE during the peak season. Well, everything is insane during peak season. Anyone who spends alot of time on cape knows that you need at least two ways to travel. The way you go during the season, and the one you use off season. So, as we enter the peak season, I say time to take the roads less traveled!!

On the road

We were on the road to our home away from home in Eastham on the Cape. Well, it is my folks place, but it feels like home. We usually stop for a walk along the way, but since the Nor'easter is still all around us, that was out of the question. Using McDonald's very cool map, I found one with a playplace and we made good use of it. They played and made new friends while I knit for an hour! All left happy. A and P are not big fans of the food, but love the toys (this was their third visit).

So, yesterday I jinxed myself. The doll was going quickly until I cast on the first of 2 dress pieces. Each is 144 sts to cast on and then 9 inches of st st. On size 4s. Endless. Mindless. So I switched back to my keyhole tunic. Finished the right side back. At McD's I almost finished the left back. So, progress is coming. I've brought both projects plus a bag of other stuff just in case. I mean, you never know, right? We will be here through the weekend. Wook and the folks join us late Friday (poor guys all have to work). My sis and her husband are also heading up. So, with all those people, the kids will be plenty occupied and I may just squeeze in some extra knitting. Well, a girl can dream, right!!