Recap, hats and such.

You know those bloggers who write weeks in advance and never face a lull in their posting?  Sigh.  I actually thought about adding "blogging more consistently" to my to-do list...but considering it's March and I have yet to post my New Year Resolutions, let's not kid ourselves, shall we?

But here's something I can do:  knit hats.  Besides these two, I have another one that I knitted on the plane ride to TX.  And another slouchy that I knitted over Christmas, then promptly forgot about.  There are no photos of either, yet, so I will have to post them soon (just nod).

First up, a lace slouchy that is heading to my sweet sister-in-law for her birthday.  I loved this pattern.  It's from Woolly Wormhead and is called the Mystery Beret, or Meret.  I plan to knit another one for myself in a lighter weight yarn and a fun spring color.  I'm thinking Kiwi.  I'm also thinking I'll start wearing make up before the next self portrait.

 if it looks like Iike I'm making googly eyes at my new camera it's because I am

Next is a one-afternoon-wonder due to the simple pattern (stacks of knit and purl rows) in chunky yarn.  I needed a brown hat...so I'm keeping this one.  The pattern is called Slouchy Beehive and can be found on Flower Pot Designs.  I modified it slightly:  no flipped brim and fewer repeats before decreasing...it is still plenty slouchy.

And here is the sweater I began while away in Texas last week...I am jumping, with both feet, onto the Aidez bandwagon.  I have ripped and restarted the back--after getting five inches into it--three times.  Three! 

This is my "I can do it" sweater.  I will stop labeling myself a beginner knitter once I finish it.  I'm usually not drawn to tons of cables and intricate stitches in sweaters.  But my heart went pitter patter as soon as I saw this pattern.  It takes a fair amount of concentration in the beginning, so attempting my latest restart during the Oscars was not the best idea.  But I'm getting there.  What I lack in skill (which is a lot), I usually make up for in sheer determination.  This applies to more than knitting.

Sandra

Beanie.

Today, as Will hopped out of the car during preschool drop off, the helper told him she liked his hat.  He promptly replied, "thank you.  My mommy made it for me.  I like it too."  He sure knows how to make me happy!  And it also made me realize I never posted final pictures of his hat.

I had countless pictures to choose from because he has worn his hat nonstop this winter.  I still cannot get over how well it matches his heavy jacket--it wasn't at all planned, just a happy coincidence.  I decided against adding a pom pom because it wouldn't work as well with hooded coats.  Plus, it makes it harder to stuff into a pocket.  The free pattern is a super simple beanie by Elena Nodel--a great pick for a beginner if you're looking for such a thing (Ravelry link with pattern details here).

It's been keeping him warm all winter.

Except when a certain grownup lobs a snowball right at him.  Then no one is safe (Charlie has freaky aim).

Stay warm!

Sandra

Valentines.

Last year, we did the lollipop Valentine's Day cards, which were a huge hit.  The older boys want to do them again, so we will.  Just need to, ahem, get those shots.  But there's a glitch in my plan to repeat what I did last year--sadly, the laptop with my beloved graphics program installed recently kicked the bucket.  And my tech support (brother) has yet to get all of my goodies off of the computer.  So this year, I will just go with a shot in front of a blank wall, then use Picnik to add some heart stickers and text. 

Will was up first because his party was yesterday.  He was excited to participate this year.

Super excited. 

Here's the shot before the lollipop treatment. 

And a shot of the finished product (another poorly lit night time shot, sorry.  I know...I know...)

The older boys' celebrations are on Monday.  So, let's see...that puts me putting theirs together Sunday night, right?  Right.  Happy Friday!

Sandra

Lacy Baktus; haircut.

I really came to adore knitting this Lacy Baktus (Ravelry link here).  And it's pretty obvious that I also adore the end product as I have worn it nonstop since it came off the needles.  I think I'd better cast on something similar to mix it up a little.  I recently stashed a skein of sock yarn in a cheery yellow that might be fun.  But for now, I'll continue wearing this fella.  He makes me happy...

...I am choosing to overlook how I miscalculated the center point of the skein, resulting in a fear of running out of yarn and the need to rush the final decreases (so rather than the graceful taper per the pattern, I got wonky ends).  I probably wouldn't gift it this way, but it's fine for me...

Also, in other news, I finally cut my hair.  It's the third time I've donated my hair to either the Locks of Love or Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program.  This year, I donated 12 inches. 

Whenever I make the appointment, I find that the stylist thinks I will need a "moment"--to do what exactly, I am unsure.  Say goodbye to my hair?  Really, I am unclear.  But they always look at me rather shocked when I say something along the lines of, "listen, I've got 30 minutes before I'm needed back home.  Cut it off, bag it, and let's go!" 

I am, like most women, vain about certain things.  But not my hair.  I figure, it grows--it's fine long, it's fine shortish.  I just don't do short short because I have funny-shaped ears (looking at you, dad).   One of the nice parts about growing out my hair is that I just forget about it.  I rarely even trim it because I don't blow dry it/style it very often.  And yes, if you are wondering, I generally look awful when I'm running around with the kidlets with my hair pulled back in a mess.  But at least it means only one fancy haircut every 2.5 years.  Think of how much money I save!

I didn't get a good shot of the swoopy bangs (yes, bangs!) my stylist talked me into.  And this self-portrait is rather out of focus...but it's the only shawlette-shot I took that has a bit of my head in it.  Also, it was a good opportunity to try out some free photo actions I've recently discovered.  I'm rather shocked at how much "help" you can give a photo with post-processing effects...I am new to photo shop elements, but I think I likey.

I thought my stylist did a good job of giving me a wash-n-go cut...he knows of my lazy ways.  This is with a few minutes of blow drying but allowing it to mostly air dry on the fly.  It sure beats the wet mop of a bun I've sported the past two winters.

Sandra

For a good cause.

Over the weekend, my friend Caryn and I donated some handmade items for a silent auction that our close friends organize each year to benefit cystic fibrosis research. 

Caryn is the crocheter in our craft group.  She made the most adorable basket stuffed with "learn to crochet" goodies.  I think she's trying to up the number of crocheters in the world. 

I was a lucky recipient of one of these baskets when Will was born.  I use it as a catchall on his dresser and I could easily use fifty more around the house.  (And to Caryn who gets email updates of my blog posts:  here, let me pick up that hint for you...)

For my donation, I made a "mommy and me" apron set.  I used the Pretty Ditty Apron pattern, modifying it slightly to add a full lining.  I bought enough of the fabric to make myself an apron as well...because how many cute, handmade aprons I have made for gifts or donations?  Eight.  And how many cute, handmade aprons have I made for myself?  Zilch.

My pictures are, predictably, taken late at night in our deteriorating closet mirror--like last year--and are--like last year--not so great.  But here you go anyways... 

Here's the mommy's helper apron...modeled without groaning for the princely sum of a cookie before dinner.

And another shot of the adult apron, worn by someone whose identity I have sworn to protect...

 

Here's a shot of the lining...notwithstanding the opinions of the above two models, who doesn't like a little color zip by way of some fun, green zebra? 

I even remembered to sew in a woven label into each apron.  I always forget to do that.  And I have a gazillion of them because I once had the notion that I would sell things for fun at various markets.  I now have roughly a gazillion minus two.

Sandra

New WIPs.

Just a quick preview of a few things I'm working on in my crafty world.

Cleaning up after some sewing...I made a Pretty Ditty apron as a donation for an auction (different pattern but similar to last year).  I need a better system for tracing off and storing my pattern copies.  I find that often, the tracing is the slowest (and least fun) part of my sewing projects. 

...just need to weave in the ends of my shawlette.  It's my first go at knitting in fingering weight yarn!  I am not nearly adept enough to mindlessly knit in this finer gauge, but the drape is incredible.  And it was fun working in lace again--especially an easy-to-memorize pattern (the Lacy Baktus by Mustaa Vilaa). 

As a bit of a retreat from working with the finer yarn, I cast on for a super chunky sweater.  But I think I over shot--I feel like I'm knitting a bulky carpet.

All the details and finished project shots soon (I hope).

Sandra 

Deja Blue.

This hat.  Again.  How is it I've knit the star-crosssed slouchy beret in this Malabrigo colorway three times but still don't have one to call my own?  Oh, right...this is how:  My first one was lifted (lovingly) by my mom.  My second one came out too small, more like a beanie despite aggressive blocking (no clue what happened; it is headed to my niece).  And most recently, I knit the one pictured above for my mother-in-law (she picked out the yarn and pattern while visiting at Christmastime). 

I would still like a hat to match my cowl.  But I honestly don't know if I can knit another one of these!  Hmn.......but it is a quick knit.  And goodness knows I have the pattern memorized.  And--incredibly--I still have yarn left.  This stuff is like the everlasting gobstopper of yarn.  So maybe.  Maybe... 

Sandra

My Francis Revisted sweater.

My latest handknit sweater is the Francis Revisted pattern, by Beth Silverstein.  It has become my uniform of sorts--I've reached for it repeatedly these past few blustery days.  It is made from Berroco Ultra Alpaca, which is deliciously squishy, yet light and warm.

I was determined to upload some photos--so I ignored the harsh light coming through our front window as I took some shots.  I almost like the glare effect, though I know it makes the sweater harder to see, sorry.  But  I figured I'd better just post what I have because today and (most likely) tomorrow are snow days.  Soon I'll be wearing my alternate winter uniform of fleece and gortex, head-to-toe.  Our boys are counting on some sledding time.

     

The sweater knit up quick because it is mostly stockinette stitch with touches of moss stitch at the cuffs and hem.  It's a great pattern, knit top down and in the round.  I am not the best at moss stitch (a.k.a. seed stitch) because I purl much slower than I knit.  Here's a close-up, although it's hard to see on the dark colored yarn.  It's just enough detail for some interest, but not so complicated as to get in the way of TV knitting.     

 

My Ravelry notes are here.  I am now working on a small lace shawlette--the thin yarn, a silk and merino blend, feels odd and delicate compared to the worsted alpaca.  And the small needle size means it's a much slower project.  Not sure how it is sitting with me.  In case it's not obvious, I am not the most patient crafter.

Sandra

Gingerbread decorating party, 2010.

   

At our annual "gingerbread" decorating party, our day was filled with candy-laden graham cracker houses and bits of frosting everywhere.  This year, I decided to go with traditional royal icing for the mortar rather than the melted sugar like last year. 

To make house construction go a bit faster and easier, I did two things.  First, I used one cracker for a bottom base, gluing it to the cake board then building the sides around it--it made a huge difference in stability!  And second, I did not make gabled sides...doing those pointy sides always made for dozens of crumbled and unusable crackers.  I wised up this go and simply cut crackers in half for the sides.  I then added a cookie to cover most of the gap.  I thought they looked like wreaths.

We had 37 kids this year.  And as luck would have it, it turned out that the holiday party for my new job was the night before this party.  Charlie and I had a great time at the business party.  But it left me in no shape to get the house ready for our party.  Luckily, no one seemed to mind and my good friends helped shoulder many of my hostess duties.

Notes to myself for next year:

*  First and foremost, do not drink wine hand over fist, no matter how good it is or how fancy the bottle, on Gingerbread Eve.  Just don't do it.

*  The bag of 8 lbs of mixed candy, available at Costco, is a bargain and works great but takes a bit of time to unwrap the individual pieces.  Do it ahead of time--the candies will not stick as long as no other soft candy is introduced to the mix (keep away mini marshmallows and any soft mints!).   

*  Open House style and brunch time worked well as did the simple menu (bagels, salmon, fruit, breakfast casseroles, coffee, cider, and then pulled pork sandwiches for lunch). 

*  Cake pops were probably not necessary as there were plenty of sweets.  But they still went! 

Check out the cake pop stand Charlie fashioned--details to follow...

Every year we wonder whether we'll do it again the next year.  But so far, we don't think the boys are outgrowing it, so odds are we will.  I hope so; I love this tradition.  And I love how proud they are of their creations. 

 

Hope your holidays are as sweet as can be, too!

Sandra 

Fly.

As you may know, I have three kids.  You probably also know that kids like to be entertained.  So it follows, then, that I spend a lot of my time trying to keep my kids entertained.  Here's one of my party-tricks, let's call it.  I wouldn't exactly say it's the gateway to being a super-cool-mom-to-kids (especially boys).  But if you did, I wouldn't argue. 

I am talking about paper airplanes. 

A bit ago, we received a kit from my fabo Uncle and Aunt.  It came with fun printed papers and a cool book of directions on how to fold different types of airplanes.  Many designs are very involved, requiring me to do the folding, as the boys hang on my elbows. 

But for our every day planes (yes, every day, at least in the winter) I use these instructions--it makes one of our favorite styles and is pretty durable if you reinforce it with tape.  If you memorize it, I can assure you, your fan-base will go nuts.  Don't do it at large playgroups, though...unless that's all you want to do.

Sandra