Monday 28 March 2011

MORE KNITTING!

Don't act like you're not shocked. I totally know you are!
Recently, Tottoppers put out a call for test knitters. She pays in patterns, and it just so happens that I really like a number of her patterns. PLUS, test knitting is one of those 'notch in my belt, I'm a REAL knitter now!' things for me. So I got myself added to her test pool. And then I instantly worried that I may have done something stupid ... I mean, a nursing infant, a toilet training kid, dolls on order, bags on order - when do I have the time?? Well, I'm glad I signed on! Check out these adorable knits!

First was Jimmy & Millie Monkey - a sock monkey hat. I made it up, and the whole family took turns wearing it. Thing is, it wasn't for any of us . . . it was for my SIL - who has a thing for sock monkeys. So I pried it out of Sweet Pea's mitts after promising her one of her own someday, and presented it to the lucky recipient.

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The pattern was really simple, concise, neatly written. I was pretty concerned about all the finishing, but the thing about a knit like this - you really want to see it finished! You just know it's going to be beyond cute, and you HAVE to see it completed. FAST! Deadline aside, it's one of those things that goes quickly.

On the heels of that one, I received a second test knit opportunity, and this one I just couldn't pass up. A girl's spring cardigan, worked in a worsted weight. Short sleeved and bottom up raglan - tight deadline . . . just 10 days . . . but it would be perfect for Sweet Pea, who has been sorely neglected in the hand-knits department as of late.
So I took her to Shall We Knit? and I let her pick out her yarn. In a testament to just how neglected she has been, when we got home she asked me what I would be knitting for Boober in the yarn she picked out. Frankly, it gave me a bit of a sad. And a bit of a laugh. Because the yarn in question was lipstick pink.

Did she love it? Yes, she certainly did.

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Every day she asked me if it was finished yet. When it finally WAS finished, I put it on her for photos - and she didn't take it off all day. We're talking about a little girl who picks out a sweater to wear every day, and then takes it off before breakfast.

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She spent at least an hour buttoning and unbuttoning.

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I don't blame her - the buttons totally rock.

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At the end of the day, I was happy to have made her happy. And the sweater was wearing a fine coating of crumbs and chocolate. Ah, to be 2 years old again.

As for the pattern, it represented some firsts for me: first inset pockets, first bottom up seamless raglan. I was able to give some input for Kate, and felt all-around useful. Again, a quick knit, deadline aside, this time due to sheer knit-ability. With all that stockinette, you can just . . . go. And getting the sleeves and pocket inserts done first makes it a really straightforward process. I loved making it, and I likely will again. I know my girl is big, but I knit her a size 4 -- and it fits perfectly. I was hoping to get a spring, a fall, and maybe another spring out of it.

Thursday 10 March 2011

I can't believe I haven't learned . . .

The importance of swatching. SERIOUSLY!!i

Today I was just about to pick up my knitting and go to it. But something . . . just didn't make sense. It was just off. Too long and skinny. And I still had 3 inches to go on the body. And . . . what?? So I got out the measuring tape, and my gauge was way, WAY off. I was missing 6 inches of width. SIX INCHES!! In fact, this sweater is supposed to fit a 1 year old -- check this out:


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Boober is 3 months old today. So . . . I frogged it.

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Straight from the sweater to the winder. It was actually a pretty good way to approach things. Minimal fuss.

Now Boober's sweater looks like this:

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And I'm kind of fine with that. I started this sweater before I got to know Boober. Now I know he HATES having anything pulled over his head. Lots of babies dislike having clothing pulled over their heads, but Boober will lose his bananas when I pull things over his head. And the following shoving of arms into sleeves?? The world is ending. Ending!!
So I'm going to re-do the sweater, but in cardigan format. It's not all bad news.

Tuesday 1 March 2011

The road to hell . . .

Paved with good intentions? Absolutely. It's hard to find blogging time with 2 wee ones. Boober just wants to . . . well . . . BOOB! All the time. Sweet Pea wants to sing, dance, read stories, and most exciting - Pee On The Toilet! All the time. Believe me, it's not that I don't want to ... I even upload the photos for posts. It's just finding time.

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Not nap time. During nap time I should be:
  1. Cleaning
  2. Doing dishes
  3. Doing laundry
  4. Folding laundry
  5. Making dolls a bit at a time
  6. Knitting more adorable things for my beautiful babies
  7. Answering correspondence, paying bills and other assorted admin
  8. Planning excursions
  9. Packing the diaper bag for said excursions
  10. Connecting with friends for a minute or two
What am I actually doing at nap time?

  1. Napping
  2. Staring into space wishing I was napping
  3. Dealing with whichever child isn't napping
Lately it's a lot of #3. (I'm looking at you, Boober)

So what have I been mentally blogging?
Sweet Pea knitting


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She calls them knitting noodles. And no, she can't actually knit, nor have I even tried to show her how. She just enjoys messing around with the stitches on the needle for the time being.

I found this in the garden last week:

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Messed up, right? It's too early for tulips!

Boober is a three speed model:


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Crying

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Sleeping

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And my favourite speed - giggling, smiling, being cute as hell.

Lately, he's as impressed with his sister as she is with him. He even smiles just at her. She made him cry for the first time this week. She was ever so repentant, and has been extremely careful around him since. He's been responding to her songs and stories, so she has a renewed interest in him as of late. I think the two of them are going to be really tight.

I have no photos of this, because . . . seriously. Sweet Pea has been toilet training since February 9th. I've been ready to call her fully trained a few times now - sadly, those are the days she has accidents. I have to say it was fully heart rending to hear this:
I have to pee! I have to pee! Oh . . . I'm peeing . . . (looks down mournfully) . . . sorry pants.
Awwww!
She's doing really well. Just a few accidents here and there. We put her in training pants before we go out, so we're stacking the deck at least a little. The training pants are dry more often than not though.

I'd say I'm sorry for abandoning the blog, but I'm not. I'm spending time with my babies. I'm not sorry for doing that at all.