Knitting updates

Although you'll have to bear with me for pictures; I have finished the Yvonne sweater for my mom, and she loves it. She did think the back was a little narrow (It is a bit narrow seeming, but thats the pattern.) But does otherwise adore it.

I also made my first (and second) attempt at making a 'Fuzzy Mitten' toy. I made their lamb, first in white and black for Mini Monster.

It came out..... alright. Pretty good for a first attempt, but I overstuffed it, so I'll probably make him a new one.

The second one was in oatmeal and black "Wool Ease" and has button eyes ((So Mini Monster can't have it.)), but is looking a lot better, all it needs now is eyes. I'm planning a third that will get some modifications and will hopefully come out -really cool-. So knock on wood, it's for my Sister.

Continued adventures of MiniMonster: Champion of the world

Taking a short pause from reading more to Mini Monster. We just got back from our first trip together to the supermarket. He's been to WalMart once, with both his father and I, but this was our first trip alone. It got a little challenging to get things into the cart because I felt safer putting his car seat in the bottom part of the cart... but since there wasn't tons on the list we managed. Next time I'll grab one of the really big carts, even though they're super cold right now from being outside. It'll only affect me to do so, not Mini.
He was extremely well behaved, especially compared to the two something year old that was also in the store, and screeching like a Howler Monkey every few minutes. He actually slept through everything but the ride home, when he woke up and spit up on his car-seat strap. He was extremely displeased with having spit up.
Can't exactly say as to how I blame him on that one.

I'm also down to nine more 'sets' on 'Yvonne', then I'll be able to bind off, and try and finish Mini's yellow and green sweater. Bet I'm done just in time for the weather to warm up!

The potroast unfortunately didn't go quite as well as I hoped. Overcooked it, and again... Husband got an upset stomach. I didn't this time, so that was something, but still. *sigh* I think I'm just going to have to not make pot-roast.

Foo Dogs steaming up the Windows

It's brutally cold outside today, mostly because of the wind, though we've got some warnings that there might be an really intensive storm moving in? I'm not really sure if it will hit us or not though.

I'm back working on the Yvonne sweater. On the one hand I'm going through the balls of yarn fairly fast, on the other hand, I still have six left. Probably five before the end of the night. Really makes you boggle if you stop to think about the yardage involved. I mean thats a LOT of yarn.

We also actually have living room furniture now: An really handsome end table, a couch and a chair. The TV/entertainment equiptment is one of my husbands metal stands. I'm not sure if this one was from a bakery or if it was purchased from a closing clothing store, but it works well for the task. Down the road we'll have to contain the wires and stuff, but it's a good jumping off point, and it's nice to be able to sit in the Living room and look out the big bay window.

One of the other tasks planned is to replace or cover the destroyed wood on the bay window, which has taken quite a lot of damage over time. We have the stuff to do it, it just needs a little time.

Also one of the epic moments of the night was Mini Monster deciding to -growl- in his sleep. Not snore. GROWL. He was snoozing away and we suddenly hear: "errrrRRRRRRRRRRrrr." in an angry little voice. He was fine (we checked.) but it was comical as hell.

Wonder-Knit powers! Activate!

I love hanging out on Ravelry, and I'm definitely enjoying the Folklore and Fables group. It's so awesome to find other knitters as geeked out as I can be. Especially when in a Folklore and Fables group, we can joke our way not only through Fables, Tolkein, Dune, The Super Friends, and the Scarlet Letter. ((One of my new goals is to design the "Knitwench" logo.)) ((Another goal is to get the recipie for the apple-gingerbread upsidedown cake someone mentioned.))

I did finally finish Jr's Car Blanket. ((He's taking his time in arriving, just as well since his poor father is exhausted from unpacking and assembling the crib all by himself. X_X))
The pattern came out a little crooked, but I did discover I'm not the only "Raveler" with the superpower of botching stitch counts. ((Thus the Superfreinds jokes.)) That was sorta fun to know.

Still I'm back working on the "Yvonne" vest from Cocoknits, a pattern that fascinated the trainee Midwife today, so I gave her a link to Cocoknits and to Ravelry, since she used to knit and would apparently like to get back into the game. I wish her luck!

Switching back to the size five needles felt tiny, but not as disproportionate as my first attempt to start off the blanket, which was me switching between the little size fives and a full blown size ten straight needle. Man that was like switching from a pencil to a tree trunk. Size tens really aren't the largest needle out there, but by comparison....

Also ended up doing a fix job on a mobius scarf I made someone for Christmas. Apparently I should have included a note that they do not straighten out, because some very industrious fidgeting pulled the end thread loose, so I had to pick up some stitches and use some spare yarn to re-affix everything. ((I hadn't exactly planned for the recipients industrious fingers. Something I shall have to take into account in the future!!)) Everything seems to be ok now thogh, and the fix should be covered by the roll edge, since I didn't border the Mobius scarves to keep them from rolling.

The cooking project of the day was Cranberry Orange Scones, which we made from the King Arthur Flour mix. Husband was slightly thrown by several parts in the directions, which didn't match his experience with normal scone baking, especially not as sticky as they came out. Still it worked out in the end. Just not quite the route he was expecting things to take. ((The only other time I've made scones was with their mix, so I was sort of anticipating their world devouring globbyness.))

Sounds like it would definitely be interesting to try and make them from scratch some time though, if the experience is actually that different. Hmmm.

Just a Sleepy day

It's a pretty sleepy morning so far, and the car-blanket feels like it's completely dragging, maybe because it lacks the challenge of doing a shawl or the Yvonne vest. I even caught myself considering trying to learn how to do lace-knitting the other day, just for some more challenge. I must be getting a little cocky! Or maybe a lot.

I'm obviously going to keep on trying to get the blanket ready, though I've been debating doing a knit/purl version of a patern I found on Ravelry to make it a little more interesting, and just to give myself that little bit of challenge. Besides it's based on the logo for my favorite super-hero. ;)

Free pattern of course. Someone created it entirely for fun and fandom.
I just wish I could get a new WOMENS cut T-shirt with that pattern. I've only ever found one, and that was in Hot Topic. Unfortunately it needs a side seam repaired, and I don't really want to replace it with a tank sized mens version.

HEY DC!!! CATER TO THE GIRL-GEEKS TOO!!

On a side note; a friend of mine noted in their journal that people 'change' when they get married. Since they've known me since before I was married, I guess there's some basis for them to say so, though I'll be honest and say I don't -feel- like I've changed considerably. I just have less time to 'come out and play', though that really doesn't have as much to do with being married as it has to do with being a Mom-to-be. I've got a lot of things to do and prepare for, and a fair amount less energy, so yeah I'm probably not really as much fun. I've also become a little addicted to doing things I can actually see an end result on, probably as a result of the fact that I've been preparing for nine months for something that I can only feel and see in terms of my clothing not fitting, and an profound opinion on Italian-Sausage-Pasta-Sauce.
Otherwise I dunno. I guess the only real 'change' I can think of is that I feel like I don't have the room or time to be 'selfish'. I've got two other people in my life that I have to worry about, and help take care of, and they have to take priority. Is that maybe the change? Hard to say, since I haven't gotten to talk to this person in the last few weeks. Otherwise I'd ask.

In the mean time I guess I'll continue the blanket, and set my sights on finding someone to con into buying me THIS.

Apple Sputter

So we made some Apple Butter in the crock pot last night, complete with sputtering ((thus the pun)) as several of the apples persistently launched bits of peel across the counter or onto the floor, or into the sliding tray with our trash can. ((it's an awesome set up until you have to retrieve apple peel around a baby belly))

I haven't eaten any yet but I've made the recipe before and I know it comes out fantastic. :d It just takes a very long time to cook. It's definitely worth it though, so there's some in the fridge and some in the freezer.

We also ordered a second car-seat base for "Junior", so that we could more easily transfer his car seat from car to car, and found out Graco makes a stroller that also fits the car-seat. Woo.

With his imminent "D-day", I've put aside Yvonne temporarily after 12 increases, and I'm knitting up a quick Newborn Car Blanket in black and white "Encore" from Plymouth Yarn. This is because although I did make him a 'cozy'... it won't go into the car seat because there's no place for legs, so the blanket CAN go on or over the car-seat, and help keep him warm and non-wind-blasted.
Black and white is because I read in several locations that Newborns eyes are still adjusting, so for a time they actually find the contrast of Black and White more soothing than they find the bright colors they find stimulating later.
The More you know.... etc. Because "Encore" is mostly acrylic, with a dash of wool, it won't be as warm as something with a higher wool content, but it's mostly a stop gap to help, since he'll be wearing other layers as well.

Chaos Express was fun this morning ((She updates Mondays)); for those of you who do not know, the characters are based on friends and acquaintances, always with permission. Included in the comic is yours truly! I feature as one of the "Evil Scientists Union". I'm ESU 314. ((After Pi 3.14....)) and my other good freind is ESU 42. ((Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe.))
So go check it out.

Blather, Rinse, Repeat

Still working on Yvonne from CocoKnits, I'm almost up to 10 increases. ((Out of 21, which makes me feel pretty slow.))
Technically I guess I'm not being that slow, but it feels that way. I am increasingly pleased with my results though, so I guess thats something. Since I've gotten into the swing of things I've only had to back up once or twice when I almost forgot to do an increase, and both times were fairly late at night.

I did end up loosing a bit of sleep last night, although this time not to patern-rage. This time I woke up for no particular reason, then couldn't get back to sleep. I had a vague idea for an knit pattern stuck in my head, inspired by the Briar Rose fable. ((I'd love to mock it up at some point but you'll have to forgive me if I don't do so immediately,)) and while I was combating that to try and get back to sleep, my brain decided it would be a blast to start cycling old show tunes in my head.
"Luck be a Lady" ((Guys and Dolls version)) was one, and there were at least two others. ((I think one was a song from Man of La Mancha I enjoy.))

Today was also novel in other departments: We had the artist of "Chaos Express", Her Husband and their adopted daughter over. Summer apparently thought my Blueberry Muffins were the best part of the trip.

My Husbands sister and her S.O. are downstairs at the moment getting rid of some concrete blocks that were left in our basement. They don't serve a purpose for us at all, and aren't even remotely structural, so away they go to people that can use them! I'm making them some Banana Bread as I type, since I can't help with the blocks. ((Which doesn't bother me that much. Moving my car is cold enough!))

It's actually so cold outside my Husband went out to shovel this morning, and when the wind blew the steam from his breath back in his face, his eyelashes froze together. NOT. FUN. His hair even froze from the same.
This especially for the man who's virtually impervious to cold. He went out for ten minutes later to do the roof rake, and lost the feeling in his fingers. This the man who can't wear a light sweater 99% of the year because it's 'too hot'.

Oh well, everyone's fine and mostly warm now. Thats a releif.

Onward

And I march onward with the "Yvonne" pattern from CocoKnits. I guess I must still be a little frustrated by my occasional interpretation issues, since last night I kept having dreams that people in my family were really getting my goat. To the extent where I woke up determined I was going to call one of them and give them what for, because how DARE they do what they'd been doing in my dream.... then I remembered I'd only been dreaming, and that calling them out for their activities in my sleep would probably only cause a huge amount of confusion. Especially in the middle of the night. Unfortunately I did apparently punt my husband once in the middle of it too. Not teribly hard though. ((PHEW)).

I'm off onto my second ball of "Rowan Wool-Cotton", and that feels like it's going fast, but then I'm increasing in the round, so of course it's going to. I still love the feel of this yarn, and the color. I think it's going to make a fantastic vest, in spite of my difficulty getting my head around the terms in the patern, and the placement of some definitions. It's definitely not a hard pattern once you get your head around the lay out and the abbreviations, so if this one comes out well I'd love to talk my husband into letting me pick some colors and make one for myself.

Well... I'll try on the finished project first and see if it looks ok. THEN I'll see about making Bambi Eyes at my husband.

Other plans for the day? I dunno, maybe finally catch up on some of the sleep I've been missing, or do some baking. We'll see.

Edit: Added a fish gadget at the top just for fun...and because I'll admit I'm sappy and I thought it was cute. I used to keep a fish tank but really I guess I'm not the type who gets so into my fish that I actually enjoy being elbow deep in stinky water. I'll stick to occasionally cleaning cat boxes.

Yvonne continued, and possible exchange attempt

Continuing onward with Yvonne. I'm doing pretty well so far other than the amount of time it took me to find out that "Welt Pattern" was described at the top of the sheet.
Welt is apparently an 'confuse the unenlightened' version of saying GARTER STITCH. Unfortunately this means I did the first set of four rows in all purl, because I was knitting late at night after a long day, and the Welt translation didn't ping on my radar. *facepalm*
I'm not planning on 'tinking' or 'frogging' the work I've done, but I'll continue from here with the -garter- stitch.

((For those who don't know the terms: Tink is a term someone coined ((Knit, backward)) to undo one stitch at a time, and frogging is to rip the whole thing out. ((Since "Rip it" sounds a little like Ribbit.)).

Otherwise I'm planning on seeing if I can join a bit of an exchange, and possibly another 'destash' afterward, and get rid of some of the yarn I'm unlikely to use. C_C;;
I'm developing a serious hoarde, and some of it should really go to someone more likely to use it. Or look good in it.

Mochi Shawl complete: casting on with Cocoknits!

So last night I completed my Mini Mochi Shawl!
It took roughly five balls of Mini Mochi, ((I used their "Intense Rainbow" yarn.)) Which actually came out incredibly nice. It's very soft, it's warm, and the intensity of the rainbow made it look like something from a travel show. ((I was jokingly calling it my "La Paz" shawl because when my husband and I were watching an old Top Gear special, we saw a woman in La Paz who had a big bag made in very similar colors. ))
So I was pleased to be able to say that I was able to finish a shawl from the broadest end down, even though most patterns go the other way and use an increasing stitch. The one thing you have to watch out for in doing it this way is that you're not decreasing too fast, and making a shawl thats too trunkated to be useful or fun.

I have also now cast on for a "Yvonne" vestm as by Coco Knits. It's a lovely looking pattern, and the end result will be for my mother. I'm knitting it in Rowans "Wool Cotton", though on a SLIGHTLY smaller needle size than called for by the pattern. ((Size five instead of size six)). Most of the vest will be a light cinnamon color, with an cream outer ring.
So far it looks like it should be pretty straight forward, but I have to note:
If you are planning on taking this pattern as a travel project: WRITE DOWN THE ABBREVIATION TRANSLATIONS.
They are not in fact included as part of the print out, so anyone who does not know this, and figures on taking it on a trip, could be in for a nasty surprise. Fortunately I don't have such limited access, but I figured it was still worth a heads up, since every other pattern I've worked with has included the translations as a foot note. Probably in case of ye old traveling knitter.
This by no means makes the pattern not worth trying, but if you're going to do it, just be aware of this little foible.

Looks like the site also has some cool other new patterns that will go up at some point, but it'll be a while before I can go after them. Limited budget and all, and after this month: probably limited time and attention span as I get used to being a mom.

I'll try and keep everyone posted, and if I can, I'll get my husband to help me take a picture of the Mini Mochi Shawl so people can actually see.