Der Spousal Meme

Let me say that generally, I think memes are kind of . . . well, dumb. But I've seen this one on a few blogs of late, and it made me wonder what Mr. Wonderful might have to say. So I asked him to do it for me. Minutes later (and I DO mean minutes) it was finished and sent back to me. So without further ado:
My responses/addendums in italics

1)What is your favorite thing about my knitting?

I like that you have a hobby that pleases you and produces beautiful things.

2)What is your least favorite thing about my knitting?

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3)What is something I have knitted, that you recall is good?

That beaded shawl you did was amazing. I just couldn’t imagine having the patience to do something like that.

I believe he's referring to my Swan Lake Stole. He's right, it was good. There have been other beaded stoles, but this is the one I think he was most impressed with.

4)Do you think knitters have an expensive hobby?

It certainly isn’t cheap. But it could be a lot worse.

Is that a challenge? I accept your challenge, good sir! I don't usually own up to all my yarn purchases, and I like to think we have a don't ask, don't tell policy in our home. I'm sure he would have an aneurysm if he knew the value of my purchases . . but then I don't hassle him for spending his money, so I guess it's fair game.

5)Do you have a stash of any kind?

I suppose one might say that I have a stash of DVD’s. It’s small…but you know…there it is.

Small? His 'stash' of DVD's takes up all available shelving in our basement. And some impromptu shelving as well, come to think of it.

6)Have I ever embarrassed you, knitting in public?

Not at all. I’m proud of your talent.

7) Do you know my favorite kind of yarn?

Ummm. You have a favorite? Seriously you've got like 90 million different kinds. But I know you think Alpaca is the shiznit. I don’t know that you have a favorite brand but you certainly have a favorite fiber.

He's absolutely correct. Different yarns are good for different projects. And I love alpaca. YUM!

8) Can you name another blog?
Yarn Harlot?

Does that count?

9)Do you mind my wanting to stop at knit shops wherever we go?

Not really? As long as I have a cup of coffee I’m a happy camper.

10) Do you understand the importance of a swatch?
Those watches from the 80s? I suppose there is a nostalgic sort of importance. I had a neon green one.

I did not tell him to say this. I know it's similar to someone else's response, and that's hilarious. Sadly, I'm unable to track down said response. Damn.

11) Do you read my blog?

Occasionally.

Terrifying. I better keep saying nice things, eh?

12) If I didn’t knit, what would be different?
Silence?

13) Anything you would like to add?
2+2 = 4

Challenge!

I challenge you not to snort, or snicker, or smile, or melt inside a little when you see this . . . ready? Steel yourself!!















How did you do? There's nothing like a laughing, squealing, fun-havin' baby to make you happy inside, is there?

Or how about this photo? She's got her tongue out and everything!


What a happy little girl!

Growth: illustrated

Holy monkeys is my little girl ever growing!
At 3 weeks, we started taking a weekly picture of her on a quilt to illustrate how much she's growing. I plan on taking this weekly pic until she's about 1. It's astonishing how much the child can grow in just one week. Behold, the amazing Sweet Pea!

And while we're staring adoringly at this photo, I must point out 2 things: 1) cupcake slippers! $12 at the Great Canadian Superstore - where I spent 45 minutes yesterday petting all the pretty little clothes, and I didn't buy a single thing! Mr. W should be very proud of me. Consider that the same slippers with a certain name brand on them would be $28. 2) BLUE JEANS! What is it about a baby in jeans that is just so irresistible? I put her in jeans for the first time about 2 weeks ago, and I've had a hard time loving her other clothes ever since. They're just so cute, and they go with everything!

Whether the weather be cold . . .

. . . or whether the weather be hot,
we'll be together,
whatever the weather,
whether you like it or not!

Our weather has gone completely bananas!I never know how to dress poor little Sweet Pea -- aside from 'in a layered fashion'. Cold-ass mornings, inferno afternoons. Yipes.

So, last week I did a terrible job of blogging. There wasn't much to tell until Thursday. We had a growth spurt week chez nous, so it was more or less a clinging to sanity with everything you've got week. However, Thursday I had a knitting night with my favourite ladies! Our wayward wanderer has returned from her tour of Europe, looking well and slender and very happy. Man alive I've missed her contributions! It was great to see her again! It was also great to have 5 'aunts' on hand to take Sweet Pea and deal with her for a few hours - she's such a well loved baby. What a lucky little girl. And Sno made her official announcement that she's taken a job - and it's one that sounds like just the right fit for her. What a happy evening we had!

Friday I ventured off with JennyP. We began with a breakfast out, then she took me to what I can only call Baby Clothing Mecca. The Great Canadian Superstore. Seriously, they have this huge clothing section in the grocery store. The baby things are 1) Adorable 2) Reasonably priced 3) Rather extensive. I've never seen selection like this anywhere else, and certainly not for such great prices. I think we've found my store of choice for all our mini clothing needs.
Then we all piled back into the car and took a trip to The Purple Purl. Fabulous yarn store. Lovely place to shop.
I kept myself in check - the Knitter's Fair is in 3 weeks, and I really do have enough on the go to keep me busy until then. But it was so good to have a wander, and a sniff, and grope all kinds of yarn. I miss that.
Then we finished up with some sushi, and a watch of Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog.
Everyday with JennyP is a good day. I swear we could sit in her house and watch her cats groom and it would still be fun.

Saturday: uneventful.

Sunday: Wedding. We took Sweet Pea along, she was invited. Not sure if it was due to her age, or if it had more to do with her disposition, but the crowd was not a good thing for her. She's only 7 weeks, I'm sure it was overwhelming. She and I spent a fair bit of time in a quiet 'children's area' nursing. Truth be told, she only cried a little wee bit. Mostly she just made "I'm not very happy" squeaks and grumbles. It took us 2 1/2 hours to settle her when we got home, but it doesn't seem to be a lasting unhappy.

Knitting:
Just the button bands left to go on Narnia. I did one row on my lace stole last week, after having not touched it since I was pregnant. I really need to pick up mom's sweater again . . . running out of time!!

Sweater heaven

I think Sweater Heaven is in my living room, or possibly the couch downstairs. Not in the sense that it's where sweaters go when they die, but in the sense that I'm making dozens of sweaters, and it's heavenly.

Current undertaking: the Chronicles of Narnia sweater. Ravelry Link. Here's mine:

Using up some leftovers in the flowers - you may recognize the colours from Sweet Pea's Kimonos.

I've been forced to admit that my Fair Isle needs practice. Here it is before being 'altered'

Lumpy, bunchy, generally weird looking.

And after:Much smoother and more satisfying!

Also satisfying: this sweater looks much larger than the others in Sweet Pea's collection. Perhaps she'll get to wear it later in the year, and more than twice!

Now, do you remember this?

Well, I took a similar one today. Look how much she's grown!

Miscellany

I have so many photos to share!
Let's begin with my lap. This is how you fit 3 family members on one couch cushion:


Baby on the left, cat to the front, me underneath all that.

Peaceful moments:

Note the lovely BSJ, crafted by the talented Jesh

And finally, the newest 'just fits now!' addition to the baby wardrobe:

Early smiles

Now how precious is that? Definitely not the first smile ever, but adorable nonetheless.

They grow so fast . . .

No really! They grow VERY fast!
Remember the Peapod sweater I just finished? Well here it is:

While it fits her nicely, I wish that I felt I would get more than 3 wears out of it! It looks great on her, and I think I'll have to make another much larger one . . . but wow that was a lot of stolen knitting time for something that just fits.
Sidebar: isn't she cute?


I've also learned that I have a stack of sweaters, all hand knit, that share the same characteristic: they will fit my daughter already, and not for too much longer. They are sized for 3 month old babies according to the patterns! While Sweet Pea is 3 month sized in length, she is still only about 10 pounds. I suppose that there is a fair bit of give and stretch in most of them though. And it has been a cool summer, it's not like she can't use them right now.

And the current eyelet WIP? Sized for a 9 month old, according to the pattern. Upon eyeballing, it sure looks similar in size to Sweet Pea's other sweaters! Initially I didn't believe I had gauge - well, I measured yesterday and I did get gauge. I only hope she gets to wear it a little before it doesn't fit anymore.

Yar.

Blogging time is precious little these days, and I'm sure it will be harder and harder to score as Sweet Pea becomes more interactive, and mobile!

No new pics of the little one today - just this news . . . I finally got buttons on things!
I got buttons on my Gender Neutral Wraplan - which I will not link because the pattern is very flawed, and I value your sanity.


And I got buttons on Sweet Pea Pod




And I got buttons on Little Mothers, which I knit up MONTHS ago - but I forgot to photograph. I'll do it though. I will!

I've been working on the Modified Drops Eyelet Baby Cardigan lately. I get a few rows done each day, at least. When Sweet Pea is feeling very sleepy, or very interested in staring at things, I get several rows done. It's shaping up to be a lovely lightweight sweater for my little girl. Truthfully,
I'm a little jealous . . . I LOVE the yarn! (Tofutsies, but it's the colour that turns my crank!)


Here it is a few days ago. Now, there are 2 sets of eyelet repeats done as well. Lovely.