Irish Hiking Scarf

The other project is done! So I'm on to an Irish Hiking Scarf for Mitch. And I think my Ireland travel buddy needs one too. My first cable project -- much easier than I anticipated. Looking forward to adding cables to hats and mittens!

This yarn is Lamb's Pride worsted weight in Charcoal Heather. It's an 85/15 blend of wool and mohair and it is sooo soft! Doesn't show off the cables as much as I'd like, but it'll be a dream to wear.

Just bought a book dedicated to all things knit from Harry Potter. I'm looking forward to letting Sarah pick out a few projects from it!

Mittens!

I've been searching for a mitten pattern I like and I think I found one. Gifted by Kate Gilbert. This is Lamb's Pride Bulky, knit on 10.5 needles, size Child Small. Took me about an hour.

Baby Boy Kimono

Little Ricardo is due in March and his mama's baby shower is in January. I added button holes to this one! Needs blocking and buttons.

Rockstar Hedgie

For Lissy's 8th Birthday on November 27th. He needs eyes... then he's off.

Scarf

KARIN! YOU MAY NOT LOOK!!

























Multi-directional Scarf using Noro Kureyon 102, 159 and 154. Loving it!

Potato Chip Scarf

I am not much of a scarf knitter. Mostly because knitting six feet of garter stitch seems like a slow death to me. Last year for Christmas, however, the call came in for a scarf for my younger, not youngest, sister. She had generously given away the one I made for her when I was learning to knit to a friend who fell in love with it.

When I made the potato chip scarf, I had a short amount of time and no super bulky in the stash so I used a Lion Brand super bulky yarn. She asked for colorful, the yarn was definitely that! I'm still not sure how I feel about the scarf. I needed longer circs, that was for sure! And the look on her face when she opened the gift... yeah.

After Christmas the younger but not youngest sister received a knitted hat or something from another friend and she told me "it looks like she bought it!" (meaning it was really good knitting). OUCH!

So this year I've regrouped. I'm using Noro Kureyon (and she has no idea what that means)in the multidirectional pattern. I had two 102s, but need 3. LYS doesn't have so instead I opted to use three different colors. I hope it turns out! Pictures after the gift is given, I promise! Might even look like she bought it in a store!

Baby Girl Layette

This layette is for little Zowie Carvalho due to arrive on or about December 19th. Her shower was this weekend -- we did a tea party and it was a good time!

Benjamin's Stocking

And it's done! In only about 2 weeks time. I think it's my favorite one yet. It is definitely my hubby's favorite one!

Knit in KnitPicks Wool of the Andes (carbon twist; grass; evergreen; white; cranberry).

Merry Christmas, Little Guy!

Two Kids, Three Stockings

That math is just not right. But that's what you get when you knit a stocking for a kid that has yet to be born and you don't know the gender and you still choose to use pink in the stocking. Yup. Baby Campbell 2 is Benjamin and he needs a stocking without the pink. After putting it off ALL YEAR -- I'm fair isling my little heart away. Because I'm in a hurry -- I making WAY too many mistakes. It drives me nuts! I'd really prefer to frog the whole thing, but then poor Benjamin wouldn't have a stocking come Christmas and I just can't do it to the kid. He won't notice the mistakes and that's all that matters, right? Right!

The top picture is Benjamin's new stocking (I'm actually quite a bit further now). The middle picture shows Noah's blue stocking on the left and the girly stocking on the right. The last one is the little girl stocking that is just waiting to belong to a little girl... someday, we hope!

One change this time -- I'm blocking the stocking. I think I'll be happier with the end result. And since my fair isle is such a mess, it's the least I can do!

Baby Boy Layette

This is for a baby shower this weekend: Kimono, hat, and booties! Loving the booties as they are so quick and easy. It all goes in to the sports themed basket behind it with a blanket underneath for filler. Hope she likes it because I really do. Turned out much cuter than I had anticipated.

Pink Kimono & Bib

I am knitting for a baby shower in November. This is the Mason Dixon bib o' love. It is SO BORING to knit! I wanted to make a few, but I'm not sure I can handle the mind numbing boredom....

Another kimono. It still needs ribbon for ties. Knit in Sugar N Creme. These things are addicting. I'm fighting the urge to start another one.

First Sweater

It took me almost three years of knitting to get to it, but finally -- my first sweater! Kind of. I'm not really sure it counts since it was knit all in one piece. This is the Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimon from Mason-Dixon Knitting. It is knit in Peaches N Creme. I added a crochet edge for a little bit of contrast. Instead of putting on ribbons to hold it closed, I sewed on some Velcro and added a button for decoration. I'm working on a hat to go with it for a baby shower at the end of the month.

Mackinac Bridge Walking Hats

The Campbell Family is heading to Northern Michigan to walk the Mackinac Bridge over Labor Day weekend and requested hats to keep the boys warm at 5 AM. Because I'm on a tight time crunch, I opted for a quick pattern. I used the Simple Baby Cap 2 from Itty Bitty Hats by Susan Anderson. I used some Caron yarn I have on hand (acrylic so mom can wash them!). They still looked plain after adding the fleece toppers so I sewed on some baseball themed buttons! Unfortunately, no one makes bridge buttons! I'm still finishing up the 2nd hat and am planning to make it an exact replica of this one.

Ruby Red Booties

I whipped these up for a baby shower this weekend. I'm trying them in different colors and yarns to see if I can get a set done for ANOTHER baby shower NEXT weekend! :-)

I attached the card to the booties just in case there was any question as to what kind of booties they are!

I don't remember the booties being so big, but it's been a while. They are too small for Ella, but not by much. The pattern says 6-12 months, I think....!

Secret Pal: Revealed!

I received my final SP10 package in the mail yesterday and oh my goodness!! I am completely spoiled rotten! My secret pal was Debbie Hartley. The pictures don't even get all of the stuff she sent me b/c little hand started to pull things out of the pictures so I had to stop taking them. The three balls of Noro are about to become a Booga Bag (woo hoo!!)on our vacation next week. If 2 kids will let me knit, that is. I also received 2 books to read on the beach (we're going to San Diego). And some gorgeous Lantern Moon dpns and a very cute sheep measuring tape. I love, love, love the gorgeous knitting tote that conveniently matches the 2 smaller bags sent earlier!

Thank you so much, Debbie! I look forward to reading your blog more in depth!

Mini-Band Camp

Last Friday and Saturday Mitch had a mini-band camp up at school. We went to help out and eat dinner. One of the parents had a Centennial High School teddy bear and another one brought balloons. The balloon won Ella over. It's funny how she LOVES balloons -- no one told her they were fun or anything.

Shame on me & another hedgie

I have been a knitting SLACKER lately! And I am SO SICK of hedgehogs! :-) I need to do at least 3 more, but thankfully not until the fall! Here is the latest one -- for Dani.

I am really lacking in creative juices here. I need to do something baby for a baby shower on July 14. After two baby blankets, I don't do those anymore! So I'm searching for a sweater pattern. But I have the Itty Bitty Hats book and I'd like to do something fun out of there as well. But a toy would certainly last longer.... I am stuck! :-) I better decide soon....

I finished the latest book on Blossom street.... review forthcoming.

He's catching on....

I have a fully knitted Hedgie waiting to be tossed in to the washing machine. I just made the switch to cloth diapers so I'm a bit tired of the daily interaction with said machine so the poor hedgie just sits...patiently waiting... (not to mention the young lass whose brithday was April 29th is still waiting).

When my husband walked in to the house yesterday, the hedgie was sitting forelornly on the table and my husband asked: "When your going to felt that?" I asked him to repeat it and then just grinned and giggled.

I don't think in his wildest dreams he'd ever imagined he'd know what felting is....!

N.B. I asked for a pair of size 3 Addi Turbos for Mother's Day. I didn't get them (or any other knitting items despite numerous emails with blatant hints). Apparently there is a steep learning curve from knowing terminology to actual purchasing.

Thanks, Secret Pal!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I received the most beautiful package today from my SP10 pal. I got a book by Debbie Macomber (the one I have yet to read); a case for my circulars; a case for all those little things you always need with you as a knitter that matches the circular case; the COOLEST pair of knitting socks; size 1 DPNS; stitch holders; stitch markers; needle point covers; some lovely soap and a hank of Knit Picks Shadow in Grape Jelly that is just gorgeous! My favorite part is the pattern book: Soulful Knitting: Gifts for the Soul, from the Soul. I've been looking for a shawl pattern and there is one in there that instantly struck a chord with me!

Sorry for the bad picture -- I can't find my camera anywhere and I have about 10 minutes before I am invaded by my husband and 2 teenagers.

I get the impression that my SP10 pal is a MUCH more advanced knitter than I am and I'm really excited to finally "meet" her next month.

Now I don't know whether to do the socks or try to make a shawl with the Shadow yarn and the DPNs.... hmmmm.....

Yes, I am still knitting!

Just not that much right now. Thankfully there are only 20 days or so left of school and then I'm hoping to have more downtime! But I am almost finished with another hedgie (it was due April 29) and then I'm going to cast on those wonderful socks from my SP10 Secret Pal. I'm feeling the need to knit with small needles. But the pattern is written for ladies Medium, which I am most definitely not. I went from Large pre-baby to XL post-baby. So I need to figure out how to make an 8, an 11! :-)

Book Review: The Friday Night Knitting Club

Wow. I just finished the book and Wow. This book was everything that Ann Hood's book was not. It is wonderfully written in a unique style.

The story focuses on Georgia Walker, owner of a yarn store in NYC, and her regular customers who make up a Friday Night knitting group. Kate Jacobs, the author, manages to weave together a story that realistically intertwines the lives the members of the club. Like the Hood book, there is tragedy, but it is realistic and it is combined with so many moments of pure joy in the lives of the characters. While Hood's book centers around the knitting group and branches out awkwardly in to other areas of the character's lives, Jacob's book is fluid and moves from one scene to another, but always comes back to the yarn store. Knitting is a part of life and it means different things to different people, but it isn't the circle from which all things eminate.

This is a great story with a few surprises that I refuse to let on. My only regret is that I missed a book signing by Jacobs when she was in Vegas a few weeks ago. I've heard that Hollywood is planning to make this in to a movie and I hope so!

Go get it from the library or bookstore and enjoy it!

Casting on and Reading

I am busily finishing up all my "homework". I can't wait until May 1!! This has left very little time for anything much less knitting (you should see the laundry). But I have managed to sneak in (a few pages at a time) "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs. Book review forthcoming.

I also managed to cast on and finish the front of a hedgehog for a niece whose birthday is April 29. So I MUST finish that soon in order to send it off to NYC in time! Thankfully, I can probably give myself a few hours this weekend and do the back.

That's it for now. Sorry about the lack of anything lately... I will NEVER put off all this work until the end again. From now, I do little bites throughout the entire term.

(Please someone hold me to that!)

Look what I got...

My postal "person" doesn't like to bring packages to my door so I headed to the post office today to get my package. Thankfully, it has cooled down so I took DD for a little stroll over to the post office. As the mail worker dude was handing me the envelope he says, "Here's your yarn." It struck me as very funny (maybe because I hadn't ordered it and yet he knew what it was?).... :-)

Anyway... I got a hank of Chewy Spaghetti (that is the coolest name!) yarn to make a pair of cabled socks! Two things I want to knit and have yet to do -- cables and socks. I've made stockings... and a wee baby sock to learn, but never anything for anyone to actuall wear! I'm very excited! And the color of the yarn is perfect! It reminds me of Easter eggs.







Now if I could just find time to cast on....

It all came is some very pretty tissue paper, which was destroyed by this innocent looking chap. He's cute when he's sleeping.

And a bunny cake....

Here is my creative outlet for the weekend!

My LYS

My LYS is actually a quilt shop with yarn on the side. I love going there. I'm not really a "regular" so to speak, but the people are still friendly (some LYS's -- not so much). They have a frequent shopper program that is totally reachable (you don't have to purchase $1,000 to get $5 back!) and every single month you get a coupon for 20% off of your total yarn/book purchase! Plus all patterns are always 30% off. And the prices are reasonable. I love the teacher there and the yarn portion of the store is really taking off.

So I headed there yesterday with my monthly coupon to get some goodies for my SP10 pal and suddenly realized how boring this LYS really is. For me, for normal knitting they have what I need -- Cascade 220; Debbie Bliss; Noro, etc. But if you want something nice or really pretty... or a cute little doo-dad... not so much. I was kind of disappointed because I really want to support my LYS, but I think the rest of the pacakges for SP10 will be purchased on-line so I can get her something beautiful. I may also venture out the to 2 other LYS's in town....

Which leads me to another point... my city is currently 1.4 million people and growing daily. How is it that we have only 2 full-time, yarn only stores and 1 quilt store with a side of yarn?? We had 3 full-time stores, but one had to shut down. I read the Harlot's page and am following the represent thingy. If there really are so many of us... how does a city this large only support 1-2 yarn shops? Hmmmm... one is kinda snooty and I think LYS owners need to be aware of that -- you never know who the new person in the shop is! And coffee -- why oh why don't any of them sell or offer tea/coffee?? And somewhere to sit down and look at the pattern books? I'm thinking yarn shops need to be more like bookstores -- beverages, comfy seating, and good light! :-)

Happy Easter! I'm baking today instead of knitting. I found a shawl on Elann that I fell in love with. Sadly, I can't come up with $30 to get the yarn... it's a rainbow shawl in Adara (I think). I love color! :-) But I digress... happy easter and I'll throw up a picture the bird's nests; bunny cake; and basket cupcakes I'm baking today!

Bunny -- Finished!

Here is the bunny -- all finished! It is the first time I've put nose and a mouth on a toy. Turned out well. I tied a bow around his/her neck and sent him/her off to Philly. I forgot the cotton-tail though... oh well!

It's been busy around here today with a seder for 15 adults and 4 kids tonight. But now we're done. DH is home all week on Spring Break. It's nice to have him around, but distracting. I can't get my "normal" routine to work. That's OK -- I love having him around!

I took this picture of Ella this morning outside. Wow, huh?!?!

Sleepless

That's me tonight and it has been happening way too often lately. Not sure if it is cabin fever (I've been home ALL WEEK with no outside adult interaction due to a sick baby) or this cold that makes lying down not pleasant. Usually when this happens I go out to the living room and knit. But at the moment there is a snoring male in every room of the house! So here I sit on DH's laptop in complete darkness except the light of the computer screen...sniffling... wanting to be tired. HOPING that DD sleeps in tomorrow! Tomorrow night is "Girl's Night" out -- California Pizza Kitchen and Ethel's Chocolate lounge at the Fashion Show Mall! YAY! Hopefully I won't be too tired and cranky to want to NOT go. I organized it so I really need to be able to be there. Plus I obviously need to GET OUT!

I did manage to work on the donkey from the nativity tonight and I finished the body. We finally got rid of the old couch. So now I'm down to a reasonable amount of furniture. We've been living with 2 adults, 2 teenagers, 2 cats, 1 baby with 2 couches, a rocker/glider, and an overstuffed chair with an ottoman in a 900 square foot apartment. TOO MUCH!

I took a tiny bit of NyQuil... it's going to kick at any minute, I just know it!

What is that thing?

This litte one (who just turned 1!)....



Got this for her birthday from me....



Her grandma thinks I should make these porcupines and sell them. I have yet to include an "this a hedgehog" with the gift because I'm curious if the receiver will know what it is!

The Bunny, the bunny, oh I ate the bunny!

That title is for all you Veggie Tales fans....

Here is the Fiber Trends bunny in Cascade 220 pre-felting. Thanks to March Madness, I was able to finish it quite quickly. Thanks to a teething baby, I have yet been able to felt it. But I hope to accomplish that today.

So now I'm debating what to cast on next. Cousin Dani will be 6 at the end of April so she will need a hedgehog, but all I have is blue yarn to cast on with. She may have to deal. I also am WAY behind on the nativity so I may finish Mary before anything else. I spent an entire HOUR in front of the TV with nothing to knit...debating what to pick up next.

It has finally cooled off in Vegas -- low 70s instead of the high 80s. Much nicer for March! And only 1 week left until Spring Break! Woo Hoo! Next Tuesday is state proficiency testing so the boys both have the day off and DH is taking the day off and we head UP UP UP to the snow for the day (the boys are from Hawaii and have never seen it).

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Our littlest leprechaun (and the only one at home today!).

We will be ensconced in front of the March Madness today (with a run to McDonald's for Shamrock Shakes), which means I will be knitting! I'm working on a Fiber Trends bunny pattern in purple Cascade 220 for Sarah for Easter. Hoping to get it done this weekend (riigghhtt!!).

Knitting for Teenagers

We added two new members to our family this week -- both teenage boys. They needed a place to stay and we happen to love them so here they are. I want to make them something... but what do you knit for teenage boys? The older one likes Harry Potter, but I'm not sure it's "cool" for a boy to wear an HP scarf (now a teen girl could totally get away with it)plus it's getting to be warm here (88 degrees yesterday). They did like the purple hedgehog and mentioned making a blue one so it'd look like Sonic the Hedgehog (it's a drive-in, fast food place in parts of the U.S.). A new group of people to knit for.... hmmmm.....

Laying the Hedgehogs to rest.....

The second hedgehog is done. I've named her "Henrietta". Love the way the colors turned out. This was also my first time felting Cascade 220 and all I can say is "WOW!!!". I will be felting lots of Cascade 220 in the future. Speaking of which, the next project is another Fiber Trends pattern -- a rabbit for Sarah for Easter using that same purple Cascade yarn as the hedgehog.

Off to cast-on the rabbit~

P.S. I saw on a blog that you can knit the hedgehog pattern in to a LADYBUG!! HELLO!?!? Why didn't someone tell me and can anyone tell me HOW to do that?? I assume you just use black yarn for the body and then red for the short rows