Knitting and Stuff

I have started another lace alpaca shawl. The pattern is from Kraemer Yarns (free online) and I used their alpaca yarn the last time but I bought this yarn in St. Petersburg, FL, when I was there in October. Actually, this yarn never saw St. Petersburg. I ordered it at a litle shop there and it took 6 months for it to come.

I kept calling and kept being told it was "back ordered". But it finally came and it's gorgeous.

I wish I had more time to work on it. I haven't been knitting much lately but not because I don't want to.

I'm still playing a little with my camera. Below is a shot of my mother's day flowers from Michael. I love how the 50 mm. lens blurs the background. I wish I had more time to play with this new hobby too. It's slow learning when you don't have time to experiment.

This weekend we will celebrate Colin's 4th birthday and Clare's 2nd birthday.

Where did the last 4 years go? It was gone in the blink of an eye.

The perfect button....

It's the little things.....

Swing Coat Finished!!

This turned out so much better than expected. The crochet trim made all the difference. I really didn't like it much before I added that.

And I'll tell you the truth. I wanted an applied i-cord edging on it.

Hard as I tried, I couldn't get it. I think if I would have used larger needles to bind off, I might have been able to do it. I just couldn't pick up the stitches around the bottom. They were way too tight.

I have used this yarn before but only to make small items. I love the fabric it makes.

The piece is much heavier than I expected it to be, and it really does feel like a "coat".

It's going to be perfect for chilly evenings and early Fall.

I just pray she'll wear it. She'll be two next month. My daughter asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she replied, "Pink things."

Oh well.

Ahhh.. Spring!

It makes for a good desktop background.

Still waiting for my skein of yarn to come to finish Clare's Swing Coat sweater.

I have resisted the temptation to start a new project until that is finished.

It hasn't been easy because I have a ton of them in my head.

I'm on the fence about Maryland Sheep and Wool.

I know that I can't go Saturday, but I'm still thinking about Sunday.

Thing is... I have a cupboard full of yarn. I don't need more.

Hmmn.... will I, or won't i??

Playing with Digital Photography

I didn't need a new hobby.. really, I don't have time.

But in wanting to learn how to use my new Nikon digital, I took a class.

May have been a mistake.

I could be getting a little addicted.

The things I've learned have surprised me.

First, it's complicated. Much more so than I thought.

Second, like most other hobbies, if you want to really do it right, it's costly.

You want all the toys... lenses, filters, flashes... the list goes on.

But mainly, it really is all about the lens.

Clare's Girlfriend's Swing Coat

I purchased this pattern from Wendy Bernard's website long before Clare was born simply because I loved it and I hoped one day to have a grandaughter to make it for.

I'm happy to say the time has come.

Believe it or not, this is my first experience with top down knitting

I love it! I'll definitely look for more patterns that are knit in this manner.

My daughter chose the yarn used in the pattern.

Blue Sky Alpaca's Blue Sky Dyed Cotton.

It makes a great fabric, but the fibers continually go up your nose making it very

annoying to work with.

Also, the pattern in size two called for three skeins of yarn and I don't think I'm going to have enough to finish.

Hence, I stopped before the length called for and put the hem on waste yarn because it looked long enough for Clare without the extra length.

I'll finish the sleeves and the collar and if I have enough, I'll add more length.

The increases are fun and I love the "swing" effect.



The only issue I'm going to have is that she'll actually wear it.
Like her brother, she's pretty particular about what she puts on her back.
Nothing like a one year old fashionista.

Introducing... William Patrick

9 lbs. 2 oz. of cuteness

So, Number 3.... What Will You Be????

Regardless, I'm prepared!

New Wrap

Cabled Button Wrap

by Erika Flory

can be found on Ravelry

MY VERSION:

I made it a little wider and probably shorter because I used what yarn I had and never even measured.

Notice too that I did not block out the cables like she did. I like mine a little tighter.

Done in Universal Yarn's Deluxe Worsted

100% wool

I love the yarn. It is very soft and almost feels like there is another element in there but it's 100% wool. I'll use it again.

Baby Hats

I've discovered that baby hats are the perfect de-stasher. I bought this Berroco Comfort DK to make Clare a sweater and decided I didn't like the color mixture I picked. I have about 9 skeins of different pastel colors so I figure I'm set for baby hats ..well.. forever.

It's interesting knowing that I need to knit two this time because we don't know what baby # 3 is going to be. This is my first one... very girly. Now I just need to find a cute one for a boy.

I tend to go toward the nautical for boys. But my daughter doesn't. She's not punk rock or anything, but I think she would like one with the little skull and cross bones on it. That seems to be the "in" thing for little boys these day.

Go figure.

Projects? Yep, I got em.

I go in spurts. From no knitting to frenzied knitting. I'm in the frenzied stage right now. Maybe it has something to do with the snow. But, anyhow, here's what's in the works:

Always socks... and always the same pattern. Basic Regia Sock Pattern. No fail, go to sock pattern. It's in my head and that's the simplest kind of knitting there is. No brain drain, do anywhere knitting. I think the yarn is Fortissima. (??)

A simple toque hat made with hand spun I purchased at Maryland Sheep and Wool. This is for me. I'm going to call it my "digging out my car" hat because that's probably the only time I'll ever wear it. I don't have the name of the pattern with me, but if you Google "pattern hat canadian toque knit"... it comes right up. Free pattern.

Below is the Button Cable Wrap by Erika Flory. (also for me :) I found this on Ravelry.. free pattern. I'm knitting it in Universal Yarns Deluxe Worsted and I'm loving the yarn.

In other exciting news I had my first digital photography class last night. As you can see, I'm experimenting with no flash indoor photos. I guess I'll master it eventually. I'd love to be able to photograph my knitting a la Jared Flood. Check it out at www.brooklyntweed.blogspot.com.

But of course, I'm a lot more interested in photographing my grandchildren!

Colin's Steggie.... sans zipper

I just need to put the zipper in... well, HAVE someone put the zipper in, and it's finished!

I think he likes it. I'm not sure.

He's a little particular! Judging from the look on his face, I think the

jury is still out.

Steggie

My latest project is the "Steggie" sweater from knitty.com. I have the back and the front finished and this is a photo of the first sleeve. I have read the pattern notes on Ravelry from the other people who knit this and there were very few complaints if any. I am finding these scales a big pain in the butt. I did an entire intarsia sweater and never had any trouble with the process but these scales are another story. They are not turning out well at all. I'm sure it's just me since no one else seemed to have a problem.

The only problem that was mentioned by most people who did the sweater was that the hood design was too small and they had to modify it. I'm not thrilled about having to modify anything. That's a little intimidating for me.

All I know is that I have to get this finished fast because I have a million other projects swimming around in my head!

On abandoning the blog....

I never really meant to do it. It just happened. I guess it happened when I stopped knitting. But now I'm knitting again. I didn't stop completely really. I did the usual Christmas socks and a wrap here and there, but nothing too exciting. I have a project on the needles I'll share soon. We'll see how it goes. The tricky part starts tonight. It will be my first project with a zipper. Hmmn. I sew. I can do it. Right?

My little kiddos are growning... and # 3 is on the way. Yep.. I gotta start knitting again!

Ugh.

I sure hope there are a few good articles in this issue... because there sure are not any patterns that I like.

I shouldn't have purchased it!

Knitting. Yes. I still knit.

On Sunday, I overheard someone at Maryland Sheep and Wool say that she was "wrap obsessed". I'm so glad I'm not the only one. Below is my second basketweave wrap made with Kraemer Yarns Summit Hill - worsted weight washable wool. I love this yarn. It's so cozy. My green basketweave wrap is really my "go to" wrap. I keep it on my bed in the winter and grab it when I get up. It's warm and large and it just feels great to wrap up in it. This one will look great with jeans for chilly summer nights.

I thought I'd do a summer top for something different. This yarn is Kraemer Yarns Tatamy Tweed which is a mixture of cotton and acrylic. I've made other projects with this yarn and it's great too. In fact, all Kraemer yarns are nice and they're made right here in Pennsylvania. I love their Alpaca yarn too.

We'll see if it fits. For as much knitting as I do, I haven't had much success in knitting things that actually fit.

I guess that's why I'm so "wrap obsessed" !

Happy Easter Everyone!

Things are beginning to turn green....even my grandaughter.

Mr. C. thought it might be fun to help his sister paint.

So, he opened the jar of paint for her.

Madness ensued.

Fortunately, it's non-toxic!

There is knitting going on. I'm making another basketweave wrap in cornflower blue. I know, I know... another wrap. There's just something about knowing that, no matter what, it will fit.

Ha ha.

What to say....

I'm not sure how to keep a knitting blog interesting when all the projects you are in the middle of are a secret. When you just know the recipient of a gift that you are making visits the blog on occasion, you're not going to plaster photos of your progress all over the place for them to see.

I will just say that lace is continuing to kick my butt. SOOOOO frustrating. I wish I had a dollar for everytime I come to the end of a row and do not have the appropriate number of stitches. I'd have enough money to pay people to knit lace for me.

The link below is the blog of one of the yarn shops in Charlottesville, VA that I visit on occasion. Check out the felted flowers. So cool.

The Needle Lady Blog

On the family front, Clare is turning into a little monkey. She loves to climb onto and jump off of the furniture.... and she isn't even walking yet so it's a little scary. Hard to believe she'll be one in May. Gratuitous grandchildren photo to follow. (of course)

COLIN AND CLARE ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY

I'm Hooked!

Castle

ABC Monday 10:00PM

One episode and I'm completely hooked.

Next Monday can't come fast enough.