Thursday, February 15, 2007
Breathless
My beloved and beautiful friend Marcie sent me this picture the other day.
My goodness. Are you breathless like me? Her precious new baby Julian just celebrated his 1 month birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY! This is the first time I've seen him in the hat I made and I am so touched.
His big sister Jasper is wearing a lavender cardigan sweater that I made for her on her last birthday. Marcie sent the picture so I could see my creations on her adorable children and she very generously gave me permission to share it here.
Sigh...
I'm yearning to live closer to them right now. I want to pick up that baby and smell his little head and gaze at his tiny, little fingers. I also wish that Marcie and I could share a perfect cup of coffee and laugh together about all the ridiculous parts of our day. We've been good friends since long before we were mommies, and we've always shared a keen appreciation for the absurd parts of life.
Now that we have children, the absurdities are more plentiful than ever.
Thank you Marcie.
Project spectrum has been on my mind a lot. It's making me notice all kinds of wonderful things. Here is my first official entry. Grey cashmere heart pillow. A Valentine made for my big boy. Lavender silk embroidery stitching 100% by him.
And for the little one, a white heart with orange flowers that also flips to grey cashmere.
The pillows now have a special home in the backseat of the car where they can be comforting nap companions.
Another white thing around these parts: the #*@!!%* snow. No photos, because I'm not celebrating that. I yearn for springtime and when it comes, so will many photos of blue skies filled with puffy white clouds.
My beloved and beautiful friend Marcie sent me this picture the other day.
My goodness. Are you breathless like me? Her precious new baby Julian just celebrated his 1 month birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY! This is the first time I've seen him in the hat I made and I am so touched.
His big sister Jasper is wearing a lavender cardigan sweater that I made for her on her last birthday. Marcie sent the picture so I could see my creations on her adorable children and she very generously gave me permission to share it here.
Sigh...
I'm yearning to live closer to them right now. I want to pick up that baby and smell his little head and gaze at his tiny, little fingers. I also wish that Marcie and I could share a perfect cup of coffee and laugh together about all the ridiculous parts of our day. We've been good friends since long before we were mommies, and we've always shared a keen appreciation for the absurd parts of life.
Now that we have children, the absurdities are more plentiful than ever.
Thank you Marcie.
Project spectrum has been on my mind a lot. It's making me notice all kinds of wonderful things. Here is my first official entry. Grey cashmere heart pillow. A Valentine made for my big boy. Lavender silk embroidery stitching 100% by him.
And for the little one, a white heart with orange flowers that also flips to grey cashmere.
The pillows now have a special home in the backseat of the car where they can be comforting nap companions.
Another white thing around these parts: the #*@!!%* snow. No photos, because I'm not celebrating that. I yearn for springtime and when it comes, so will many photos of blue skies filled with puffy white clouds.
Labels: baby hat, project spectrum
¶ 10:38 PM 2 comments
Friday, January 19, 2007
Welcome Baby Julian!
Source: Hats that Fit pattern leaflet
Yarn: Araucania Atacama, 100% Alpaca shade 502 (aqua/turquoise) part of 1 ball
Needles: US 6 straights
Modifications: I used the formula in the Hats that Fit pattern to determine an approximate number of cast on stitches and I followed it's suggestions for the depth of the hat. Thereafter, I departed from the pattern. I used a simple 3/2 rib so that it would be really stretchy and I decreased gradually and carefully to maintain the ribs. I knit it flat and seamed it because I couldn't find appropriate circulars. I added a cute little tassel.
Unstretched, the hat is teeny, tiny. Without the cuff, it was a perfect fit for the almost one and a half year old, with plenty of stretch leftover. The four and a half year old could wear it comfortably, except it wasn't deep enough to cover his ears.
I sent my KMKS package out on Tuesday the 16th - right on schedule. It's heading all the way to Cambridge, England so I hope it gets there in a reasonable period of time. I am hoping that my pal still doesn't know who I am and it is therefore safe to share these pics of the package I sent.
The bag was inspired by this one. I used interfacing to give it lots of body and I lined it with fabric from a super-soft felted lambswool sweater. I was mostly happy with the result. My only complaint are the smallish openings at the top. They make it impossible to pass anything larger than a tennis ball into the bag. The overall size of the bag is small, so I'm hoping that small openings will not cause her much heartache. I think I'll make a much larger one for myself.
Here's a peek at the whole package. This was especially fun because my giftee lives overseas and was hoping to get some American loot. I sent lots of regional goodies.
On the other end of the swap, I've had the nicest correspondence with my gifter. She has been extra gracious and sweet in all her messages and I'm looking so forward to my package! Thanks in advance for your thoughtfulness "Knittingsurprise"!
So far, a really rewarding first swap experience.
¶ 2:10 PM 3 comments
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Two baby things
Pattern: One Piece Baby Kimono by Christina Shiffman
Source: Mason-Dixon Knitting
Yarns: Araucania Nature Wool, shade 26 (orange) part of 1 ball
Rowanspun DK, shade 734 (blue) part of 1 ball
Needles: US 7 Addi Turbo
Knitting Time: 4 very late nights. Far longer than
anticipated for such a wee sweater.
Modifications: This sweater was a gift for my cousin's baby daughter who is due in early February. I wanted it to be woolly warm for the season, so I opted against the Peaches & Creme cotton called for by the pattern. Also, I added six-stitch cables to fancy it up a bit. I regret a little that it will only fit her for about 5 minutes, but I just didn't have time to knit something practical and fabulous.
And for when she grows bigger:
As many of you know from experience, felting is a rarely a clean, simple solution to a knitting gauge disaster. The hat felted very little in width, and too much in length. The two yarns felted at different rates, turning the previously snug little cabled brim into a ruffle. A lot of the sweet faux-cable stitch detail was lost. I pulled on it like hell to bring the length back, and then I made a nice little i-cord, cut little slits right in the felt to thread it through and VOILA! A swingy, girly little thing.
My cousin was thrilled with the gift, and I was disturbed by my feelings of yearning each time I saw another adorable baby sleeper.
Now I'm off to knit something boyish for my still-pregnant (?) Seattle friend.
And for when she grows bigger:
Pattern: adapted from the Dougie Dog Hat by Lucinda Guy
Source: Handknits for Kids by Lucinda Guy
Yarns: Araucania Nature Wool, shade 26 (orange) part of 1 ball
Rowanspun DK, shade 734 (blue) part of 1 ball
Needles: US 6 straight
Knitting Time: One weekend at the in-laws, and a couple after-bedtime hours.
Modifications: I must begin with a confession. This hat was originally intended for a baby boy. But, my yarn substitution gave me a vastly different gauge from Pattern's and I didn't compensate for the difference as well as hoped. I wound up with an excellent little hat that fit my own head. This was a bit tragic and I was filled with loss for about five minutes, then it hit me! I'll FELT it!Source: Handknits for Kids by Lucinda Guy
Yarns: Araucania Nature Wool, shade 26 (orange) part of 1 ball
Rowanspun DK, shade 734 (blue) part of 1 ball
Needles: US 6 straight
Knitting Time: One weekend at the in-laws, and a couple after-bedtime hours.
As many of you know from experience, felting is a rarely a clean, simple solution to a knitting gauge disaster. The hat felted very little in width, and too much in length. The two yarns felted at different rates, turning the previously snug little cabled brim into a ruffle. A lot of the sweet faux-cable stitch detail was lost. I pulled on it like hell to bring the length back, and then I made a nice little i-cord, cut little slits right in the felt to thread it through and VOILA! A swingy, girly little thing.
My cousin was thrilled with the gift, and I was disturbed by my feelings of yearning each time I saw another adorable baby sleeper.
Now I'm off to knit something boyish for my still-pregnant (?) Seattle friend.
Labels: baby hat, One piece baby kimono
¶ 8:53 PM 5 comments
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Happy Everything!
I'm back.
Today I return from a family Hanukkah/Christmas party where we lit the Menorah - one day late for the last day of Hanukkah- but God will forgive us. We sang Christmas carols and gave the kids insane piles of gifts and naturally we ate Tapas. There was also dancing and dreidel games.
My family embraces it's own strange amalgam of celebrations that we hope honors the traditions of our various ethnicities while still keeping it light and mostly secular.
It was great. The hosting Aunt and Uncle live on a snow-covered mountain and the views were so gorgeous. There were snowy mountain vistas for miles and clear cold air.
I have been so busy that I've had no time to look at my many favorite blogs, much less post a hello to y'all. Most of my time has been occupied spending lots of money and making miles and miles of wrapping paper with my kiddo.
Much as I wanted to, I didn't get around to making a stocking for the little one. I will resort to borrowing one for him from my stash of family acquired stockings. This makes me feel a little sad, but I'm telling myself that he'll never notice. Next year I will make him a kick-ass stocking that will fill his little heart with joy at being loved so well by his mama.
And while we're talking about things I had on my list, but never got around to making, this is the advent calendar that now graces a 9x12 inch spot on the living room wall. Not exactly what I dreamed of, but it's making us all very happy just the same.
It was picked by the big kid, from among many at a local bookstore and he loves imagining that Santa will sit on our armchair, just as you see him here, napping and digesting his cookies. He's been regularly squirting water into the fireplace to make it more sanitary and comfortable for Santa.
A wonderful thing happened to us. We went to one of those huge home center stores yesterday to buy some paint and the clerk, all dressed in a flannel shirt and work pants, otherwise looked exactly like Santa himself. When I asked him if anyone ever points out the resemblance, he leaned over to my big boy, winked and said, "Oh yes! Ho Ho Ho!"
As we left the store, even I was convinced that we had just had a close encounter with the big man, incognito. There is really nothing better than a dazzled/absolutely-anything-is-possible expression on your beautiful child's face.
My closest and favorite friend for the past 20 years is named Celeste. She is fabulous in so many ways but most recently, she is fabulous because she spent part of her recent trip to France in a yarn store (even though she is not a knitter) and she bought me all this:
Aren't those colors just delicious?? Oh, how well she knows me! Wouldn't it be lovely to make it into something sweet for the gifter herself? There is only one problem. The precious (and it is indescribably adorable) pattern book is written entirely in French.
Despite 3 years of French instruction in high school and a refresher course years later, I read not a lick.
HELP! Can anyone out there tell me how to find English translations for Plassard pattern books? I would be grateful to hear from anyone who offer a tip.
Perhaps I'll email Becky at skinny rabbit and ask her advice. Hers was the first knitting blog I ever saw and I've been an admiring lurker for years.
I knitted 3 gifts this week. Two teeny sweater ornaments for the Christmas tree of my fabulous friend Jeanette, and a seed stitch hat for a cutie named Heath. The hat was my own pattern and was knit with a zany-looking bright orange, bulky yarn that I got in Taos at the yarn festival.
I am now required at the wrapping station (formerly known as my dining room table) to adorn 50 more gifts then it's off to sleep for two blissful hours before the baby wakes me up.
Merry Christmas and Happy Everything!
I'm back.
Today I return from a family Hanukkah/Christmas party where we lit the Menorah - one day late for the last day of Hanukkah- but God will forgive us. We sang Christmas carols and gave the kids insane piles of gifts and naturally we ate Tapas. There was also dancing and dreidel games.
My family embraces it's own strange amalgam of celebrations that we hope honors the traditions of our various ethnicities while still keeping it light and mostly secular.
It was great. The hosting Aunt and Uncle live on a snow-covered mountain and the views were so gorgeous. There were snowy mountain vistas for miles and clear cold air.
I have been so busy that I've had no time to look at my many favorite blogs, much less post a hello to y'all. Most of my time has been occupied spending lots of money and making miles and miles of wrapping paper with my kiddo.
Much as I wanted to, I didn't get around to making a stocking for the little one. I will resort to borrowing one for him from my stash of family acquired stockings. This makes me feel a little sad, but I'm telling myself that he'll never notice. Next year I will make him a kick-ass stocking that will fill his little heart with joy at being loved so well by his mama.
And while we're talking about things I had on my list, but never got around to making, this is the advent calendar that now graces a 9x12 inch spot on the living room wall. Not exactly what I dreamed of, but it's making us all very happy just the same.
It was picked by the big kid, from among many at a local bookstore and he loves imagining that Santa will sit on our armchair, just as you see him here, napping and digesting his cookies. He's been regularly squirting water into the fireplace to make it more sanitary and comfortable for Santa.A wonderful thing happened to us. We went to one of those huge home center stores yesterday to buy some paint and the clerk, all dressed in a flannel shirt and work pants, otherwise looked exactly like Santa himself. When I asked him if anyone ever points out the resemblance, he leaned over to my big boy, winked and said, "Oh yes! Ho Ho Ho!"
As we left the store, even I was convinced that we had just had a close encounter with the big man, incognito. There is really nothing better than a dazzled/absolutely-anything-is-possible expression on your beautiful child's face.
My closest and favorite friend for the past 20 years is named Celeste. She is fabulous in so many ways but most recently, she is fabulous because she spent part of her recent trip to France in a yarn store (even though she is not a knitter) and she bought me all this:
Aren't those colors just delicious?? Oh, how well she knows me! Wouldn't it be lovely to make it into something sweet for the gifter herself? There is only one problem. The precious (and it is indescribably adorable) pattern book is written entirely in French.Despite 3 years of French instruction in high school and a refresher course years later, I read not a lick.
HELP! Can anyone out there tell me how to find English translations for Plassard pattern books? I would be grateful to hear from anyone who offer a tip.
Perhaps I'll email Becky at skinny rabbit and ask her advice. Hers was the first knitting blog I ever saw and I've been an admiring lurker for years.
I knitted 3 gifts this week. Two teeny sweater ornaments for the Christmas tree of my fabulous friend Jeanette, and a seed stitch hat for a cutie named Heath. The hat was my own pattern and was knit with a zany-looking bright orange, bulky yarn that I got in Taos at the yarn festival.
I am now required at the wrapping station (formerly known as my dining room table) to adorn 50 more gifts then it's off to sleep for two blissful hours before the baby wakes me up.
Merry Christmas and Happy Everything!
Labels: baby hat, knitted ornaments, life in general
¶ 9:38 PM 6 comments
