I'm Alive

Busy, busy week. Lots to talk about. But first look what I got in the mail! Goodies from my SP! Thank you, thank you! I so badly wanted this pattern. I've already started looking for the perfect yarn for it. Also included were stitch markers (I have a fairy that steal mine), some wonderful soap, and a little purse for change. How did you know, SP? I've been looking for one to keep my American and Euro coins seperate. Perfect! Oh, this is soooo much fun! Next, I joined the Clapotis Along this morning. I had already started mine a few days ago and figured I might as well join too. Everyone's that I've seen so far are beautiful. I couldn't wait to start so I didn't order the Lorna Laces suggested. Instead I went to the LYS and found this beautiful Micro Color from Schachenmayr. It's very soft with a beautiful drape. Also, I am making it only about 12 inches wide but will lengthen it a little bit. Can't wait to wear this one! So, my mom's been here all week. She's been keeping me on the go, seeing things and shopping. She has friends that live here so we went to visit them in the cities they live in. One day was in Bamberg and one was in Wurzburg. Of course I checked out the yarn stores there! Didn't buy anything. Oh, wait, I lie. I found some sock yarn on clearance at a Muller's for one Euro each. So, I bought enough to make three to four pairs of socks. Yipee! Bonus, it was stretch. You know, we've done so much, I can't even really say what it was. Ever get like that? Anyway, she also brought me goodies from the US--knitting magazines and 2 skeins of Fishermans Wool. Now I can make my booga bag. Well, next week, that is. I'll be in Idar at the end of the week and this weekend will be spent sleeping on the couch. That is because I am wore out! I forgot how tired you get at almost 8 months. Everything starts to hurt after an hour on your feet! Well, as much as I wanted to write, I think I need a nap. Next post might be this weekend, unless something happens tomorrow.

Snowflake Sweater

Here's Reilly modeling his newly completed sweater. I got this off of Rebecca Magazines' website and it's been sitting in my UFO pile since April. All I had to do was seam and weave. This was my first attempt at insartia and I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. Finally I was inspired to finish it Tuesday night. Sadly, that's the last time I've picked up my knitting. I'm getting over a cold and although I'm feeling much better, my mood has been yucky. I haven't felt like doing anything, yet I am sooooo bored. On top of that, I have a million things to do! Mom will be here on Tuesday and I really need to get the house in order. I mean, it's a complete mess! Embarrassingly so. Hopefully, I'll be out of my funk by tomorrow and can get some stuff done. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but I hate housework and will skate by with the minimal amount required. That's probably why I can get so much knitting done! I have added two more projects to my want list. First, I want to do the Booga Bag. I've had a skein of Kureyon waiting for it's home and this will be it. Although I need more yarn to do it, I've thought that I would do it in mostly either purple or green with the Kureyon in the center part. That way it wouldn't be too bright and flashy. Second, I have to have Clapotis from Knitty. I swore I wouldn't make myself any more scarves, but it's just too cool. Next week when Mom's here I'll go on a search for the yarn to do it. Really I don't need anymore projects right now. I need to finish what I have started. I also am waiting for the yarn I ordered and those projects need to be done first. I think I need a knitting machine to help me along! Although I kinda consider that cheating, think of all that could be accomplished. Off to heat up pizza and chicken strips for dinner. Yeah, that's how bad my funky mood is, I don't even feel like cooking.

Almost Finished

Progress has been made. Cabaret is almost done! All I need to do is weave in the million ends and tighten up the neckline. Broadripple is half done. And look, they almost match! It seems that all I currently want to do is red. I'm not sure if I'm happy with Cabaret or not. It's hard to tell if it fits or not, due to my large belly. But, I think I made it too big. And I should have incorporated some shaping as well. The problem I see is that it fits around my bust, but is too big elsewhere. Lol. Always the problem--all too often patterns that accomodate a large bust, think that we're large elsewhere. But all is not lost. With each sweater that I knit myself, I'm learning more about design and shaping. I just need to start applying these lessons into future projects so that they actually fit and flatter me. Had another OB appointment today. And let me tell you, I hope that the baby is not this feisty when he is born. He kept kicking the doctor while she was examining me. It took her 10 minutes to get a heartrate count because he kept kicking at the probe! He did this last time too and I thought maybe it was just a bad day for him. Well, I guess not, he just doesn't like being messed with. Had both the nurse and the doctor laughing hysterically. Well, the countdown is on. Two months to go and I'm getting pretty excited. At the same time, a little worried. I wonder how Reilly will react to him. I just wish Royd was going to be here. The two weeks that they'll let him come home, just won't be enough.

Did I Miss Something?

Oh, you know, like a whole week!?! It really feels like it was just last Saturday. They say time flies when you're having fun, but that's only a half truth. I think part of my week was spent shopping and exploring the town and the other part was fighting with a toddler that doesn't want to take naps anymore. I was on a quest to find my SP some specific goodies. That took me to a local supermarket and there went alot of money. They had two aisles devoted to chocolate and candy. I am still drooling. Well, I got her some stuff. We won't talk about what I bought for myself. So glutonous. Here is my pitiful progress on Broadripple. I love them, but they're just not at the top of my list right now. I've been working on Cabaret and Cropped Sweater. Cabaret is now about 60% done. I've started the sleeves and that's going pretty quickly. I hope to have it done completely by the end of the weekend. Cropped Sweater is nearly done. I forced myself to sit down and seam the blasted thing. Now, I just have to do the turtleneck collar. Can't say when that will be picked up again. Let me just put it this way, I don't like twisted ribbing in the round-it requires purling through the back loop. Not hard, just tedious. I don't have any other knitting pictures to show, so here's one of Reilly sleeping on the couch yesterday. He's got a bit of a cold, but wouldn't fall asleep in his room. So, I brought him out to the living room and he fell fast asleep. I know it's horrible to even say, but kids can be so sweet and loving when they're sick. And here's something completely random: baby spit-up stains. Yes, I knew that already, but something weird happened... I was always good about washing all of Reilly's stuff before I stored it. Before we moved, I even went through all of it to see if anything needed to be thrown out and all looked great. Much to my surprise when I started sorting through it this week that stains have shown up! I have no idea what happened! I'm going to try washing everything and see if that helps. But if not, almost everything will have to be replaced. I will not be happy about that. Well, speaking of, I just got back from the PX and spent a boatload on stuff for the little one. Now, I have to put it away. Lol... I need a bigger house...

Cabaret Raglan

So, here is my latest endeavor. It's Cabaret Raglan from Interweave Summer '04. Last night I was playing around with various yarns for different patterns. After I saw how beautiful this yarn (Luzerne from Rodel) worked up, I knew I had a winner. Although the pattern calls for a lightweight cotton tape, I wanted something a bit heavier for the winter. Well, before I knew it, I had casted on and was going full speed. I've had to adjust the hem to prevent curling, but I'm pleased with how it looks. This is how the yarn looks worked up. This is the stuff I picked up a few weeks ago. Although it is 60% acrylic and 40% wool, it is an absolute pleasure to work with. The yarn itself mimics lopi in it's spin and feel. I just love the subtle variations in the red. I think that I'll do the front first this time, just to see how the detailing works out. My only concern is that it will appear too bulky. That way, if it looks bad I'll just frog it and do something else. I was looking at my latest issue of Knitters and actually found some potentials. There are two that I really like. One would require adjustments so that it would fit. So, I probably won't get around to that, but the other is a definite maybe. Now I'm glad I subscribed-usually most of their patterns are just not me at all. Oh, there's so many patterns I want to do! And not enough time. I know that my days of mindless knitting are numbered. Babies do that.

Happy Labor Day

I can't believe we're at this point in the year already. Three quarters of the year is gone and fall is almost here. Goody, fall is my favorite season. And I actually get to experience seasons again. Living in Ga. for the past three years really made me miss seasons. I get to wear all of my sweaters! Speaking of sweaters, I am almost finished with mine. Just a few more inches to bind off the sleeves and then I can contemplate seaming it. Seaming always tends to drag out completion. I've already started looking for patterns for the red yarn I bought a few weeks ago and think I found one. I haven't ever done a sweater with cables and I think that might be nice to do. So, I'm looking at one I found in FCEK from last year. Started the Broadripple Socks with some of the yarn I dyed. So far they look pretty nice. The pattern is so easy, but beautiful. I've dubbed them my current PGP (playground project). When we go, I have to have something that I don't have to concentrate on, so that I can watch Reilly. This weekend was quite boring. I'm trying to save some money for moms' visit, so we didn't go out too much. So, I spent the weekend fooling around in the kitchen. I haven't baked alot since Royd left, just haven't felt the urge. I made a cake and banana bread. Yummy. And since nobody we knew was cooking out, I did BBQ Pork Sandwiches. Double yum! I did get a trip to the LYS for my secret pal in. Found some beautiful stuff I think she'll really like. And I was a very good girl, I didn't get anything for myself. Well, it's off the clean and bathe the boy. Such fun!

Secret Pals

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? I wish. However, the budget usually ends up winning. I try to buy the best quality I can afford, but when it comes to the kids stuff, i'll use acrylic. 2. Do you spin? Crochet? I can crochet, but never got into it. 3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) No, but strong perfumes drive me crazy 4. How long have you been knitting? about 2 years 5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No, but I do have a fantasy wish list in the sidebar 6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) citrus scents 7. Do you have a sweet tooth? HUGE 8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? none, but am experimenting with sewing and embroidery 9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if you want to make her a CD) Mostly country, but will listen to pretty much anything 10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? fall colors,(reds, browns, greens) black and the occasional pastels 11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? married, little boy, expecting another, two kitties 12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know) Win the lottery and buy a small homestead (with sheep, of course) 13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? ELs' Silky Wool, pretty much anything soft 14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? furry novelties, super harsh wool 15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? socks 16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? small quick projects 17. What are you knitting right now? two sweaters, socks, presents 18. What do you think about ponchos? (this is really a curiousity question for us) going to make one, primarily for ease of breastfeeding 19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? circular, except for socks 20. How did you learn to knit? out of a leisure arts book 21. How old is your oldest UFO? Hmmm.... I think it's a blanket that needs to be frogged from over a year ago The baby sweater is done!!! I used a darker colored yarn to do the trim. As I was looking at it, it was just screaming for something else. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Can't wait to put a squirming baby in it, although it looks a bit large for a newborn. Went to the local Fall Bazaar this morning. Sadly I left emptyhanded. I was expecting good deals, but everything I liked was over two hundred dollars. And I didn't feel like paying twenty for a tiny piece of parmigiano reggiano. I think that they jack up the prices for these things, thinking that we don't know any better and to cover exchange rates. Plus, I thought that artisans were to be the feature, but mostly it was representatives from larger stores and companies. Heck, they even had reps from cell phone companies! Oh, well, no big loss.

My Lovies

Here's my knitting fan club- Ling Ling and Cozette. They just love it when mommy forgets to put a ball of yarn away. I don't even know how many times I've awaken to yarn all over the house. But, they're my babies and I love them no matter what they do to my yarn. So, I decided to be a "good Army wife" tonight. I went to the FRG meeting. Ugh. What a waste of my time. Next time I think I will clean the grout in my bathroom with my tongue first. Seriously I think it will be a better time! First, they used to arrange activites for the kids, but not this time. So, all the children (including mine) were whining and carrying on. Second, we started 40 minutes late and the whole presentation only lasted 15! Third, no new information was given. I can get better and more accurate info from the Army websites. They're so scared to tell us anything. As soon it was over, I ran out the door, swearing to never go back. Now, I'm not bashing all FRG's, just mine. I've heard from other woman, that theirs are great. I may just go to theirs instead. It's not me either though, because out of about 1000 spouses, only 30-40 were there. And half of them had their husbands with them! Okay, rant over. About finished with the baby kimono sweater. Just have to do the sleeves and seam it up. Maybe tomorrow I'll get it done and show it off. Waiting for my stuff from Herrshners to get here. They said it shipped Monday, so we'll see how long it takes this time. The first two orders I placed were here within a week, but the last one took about 3 weeks. Not their fault, the PO's. Speaking of the PO. I got a newsletter today that was dated it mailed Aug. 12th. It was mailed from the same PO! Talk about inefficiency--over two weeks to place it from the inbox to my box. Anyways, I order some TLC Amore to do my poncho, Caron Simply Soft Brites for a baby blanket and some Kroy sock yarn that was on clearance. Do I have a problem? Why, yes! I buy more yarn than I can possibly ever use. I did find out the name of my Secret Pal on Monday. Checked out her blog and I don't know what to get her! I have ideas, but am not sure. I never got the newsletter since I signed up after it was sent out. Wondering if we're going to do something along the lines of what SP2 did with the questionaire. I guess I'll just email her some questions to try to narrow down what she's like.