Hedgie v.2 (and a donkey)

The second hedgie is on the needles. The front knits up so fast! But then I let the poor little gal languish as I dread picking up the stitches to start the back (I am HORRIBLE at and DETEST picking up stitches, but it is a necessary evil in knitting). This one has to be done (and felted and dried) by March 24th in order to meet it's owner -- 1 year old Alison! I am in love with the color (even though DH has pointed out that REAL hedgehogs aren't purple and multi-colored -- no imagination, that one!), but then I love multi-colored and rainbowed anything!




Pulled out the SnB book last night to actually "learn" how to pick up stitches. Huh. Who knew it could be THAT easy! No more dreading for me!

Notice the hedgie's photo shoot background... our (DH and I, not the hedgie and I) anniversary was on Tuesday. Pretty flowers and lots o' cards!

Also on the needles... the donkey for the nativity. Let's see... I'm supposed to have 3 sheep and Mary completed. HA! Now it wasn't all my fault. Our group didn't like the "flesh" colored yarn for Mary's face and appendages so we needed some time to find a good color (ended up using cream and adding blush). And after the hedgehog I need to do a bunny for one sweet girl in Philly and then another hedgehog for a birthday at the end of April. Poor, poor, little donkey...

Do you like my donkey "model"?? Move over Vanna... Felix is in the wings!

Book Review: The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood

I thought I would do something a bit new and review a knitting novel I just finished. I say "review" but really, it's just my opinion and you can take it or leave it. Let me say also that prior to learning to knit, I was an avid reader. I'd read a book a day, easily. But once I learned to knit -- I didn't want to waste precious knitting time reading. Now I just read occasionally and mostly non-fiction works.

"The Knitting Circle" revolves around the story of Mary and a recent loss in her immediate family (I'll try not to give too much away). Mary joins a knitting circle in order to not deal with life and try to find something to fill the void she now feels in her life. As the book evolves, we meet the other members of the knitting circle (there are about 8) and learn about their lives.

I had several issues with this book. First, the book deals entirely with tragedy. Every single character had a significant tragedy -- the book is laden with death -- and the one character whose story ends with life is highly underplayed. Second, there was a bit (not a lot, but a bit) of sex in the book that I felt was misplaced and misused. It was like the obligatory sex scene movie makers throw in whether or not it's necessary. The book was written well, but it's not brilliant and it's certainly not the best writing available on the market.

Is the book worth reading? Maybe, but I'd choose Debbie Macombers Blossom Street books over this one in a heartbeat. The knitting theme is there, but it's certainly not cheerful. I'm sure people out there use knitting as therapy (I learned to knit while in the bouts of a serious depression), but isn't there some joy in life and in knitting??

Give it a try and let me know what you think! I'm awaiting "Friday Night Knit Club" and will let you know what I think of that as well!

In the queue(ueueue)

I'm a good speller. Really. I just can't figure out "that" word in the title.

I felt the need to blog, but I don't feel like sorting through the 500 pictures (really, we have 500) on the camera right now to go to the end to get to the recent knitting pictures. So I'll dig something up to post with this. So for today -- a list of items I plan to knit between know and Christmas:

1) Hedgehogs for Friend, Cousin1 and Cousin2 DD1 and DD2

2) Pants for DD

3) Log-Cabin blanket for... me!

4) Finish the clogs for DH

5) SOCKS FOR EVERYONE!!

6) Christmas stocking for Middle Sis

7) Booga Bag

8) Finish the Sushi Wallet

What I need to buy: yarn for almost all of it (except the clogs and stocking)!!

I took the camera to Wal-Mart and the pictures are now on 2 CDs -- I just want to make sure that they are actually on there before I delete the memories to free up room for new ones!

Off to find a picture to put up....

Henry the Hedgie

Here he is! The first hedgie is finished and I have named him Henry. Ok, he's not exactly completed because I can't find the eyes I bought to put on him, but ALMOST! And I got him done in time to be sent off to a new home for a birthday gift. I had to take a picture of him in his real environment -- he just didn't look right sitting on the table. He was a lot of fun to make, but man all that COUNTING!

Hedgie Pictures

Ok, here's the hog... all ripped back and ready to try the short rows again!

Hedgehogs

So I'm knitting the Fiber Trends Hedgehogs for 2 little ones birthdays in March (thanks to my sister who sent me a shoebox FULL of Fun Fur!). I whipped through the front... and agonized over picking up the stitches to start the back. Got to the 3rd set of short rows... and his back wasn't centered. His left side was all knit up, but the right side had nothing on it. So I've ripped it back to the knit 39 to start the first set again and noticed that 39 stitches in from 75 total... would put me a little off center, but I think that makes sense with short rows??? I'm frustrated because I want to get one done already!! And no pictures because I'm tired and the camera STILL has about 500 pictures on it and I'd have to go throuh all of those to get to my pitiful little hedgehog...

SP10 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I am just getting in to the "better" yarns and love it! Noro is on my list to buy (Oh the COLOR!). I'm thinking of trying out cotton b/c I live in the desert and it would seem the cotton blends would be better for socks/sweaters. The only thing I hate is novelty yarn (despite the plethora of fun fur for the hedgehog frenzy)!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

You are supposed to store them in something?!?! (ha ha) Right now they are just thrown in to one of the many bags I use! Really, it's a mess. I really want the KnitPicks options or the pink Denise Interchangeables.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting since the fall of 2004, but took a break during my pregnancy from Nov 05-August 06. I am self-taught, mostly, with a few lessons from my LYS. I consider myself an intermediate knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I do! Amazon is on the sidebar.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Depends on what it's for -- candles are pumpkin/peach/melon; lotions cherry/melons; love to smell fresh roses and lilacs! Oh and eucalyptus!

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Chocolate!! I love cupcakes, anything with cupcakes on it!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

My other creative outlet is cooking, but I REALLY want to learn to spin!! I am also planning to start dyeing.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Hmmm... my husband is a professional musician, and yet I rarely listen to music! But I am open to anything -- I detest rap, though! When I listen to music it's mostly songs from my church, Lincoln Brewster or Matt Redman. I do have my beloved Pink iPod, but I mostly listen to podcasts on it.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I LOVE ALL HUES OF PURPLE! I am also a pink person. Can't think of anything I can't stand. I just love bright (not neon) colors!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am married and have 2 daughters -- one 7 months and the other is 7 years. We share custody across the U.S. of the oldest and we miss her a lot! I have 2 gray kitties, Felix and Violet. We just took in 2 of my husband's students to live with us (it's a really long story but they were basically homeless) so we are now a "family" of 6!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I live in the desert so rarely, but we do use them for a few weeks a year! I like to knit them for our friends and family in New York and Michigan, though! I think about doing a lace shawl as that may be a bit more appropriate for my climate.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I love knitting toys at the moment! I am working on the FiberTrends Hedgehogs right now and am involved in a Nativity Knit Along (using Sirdar/Alan Dart's pattern). I want to get in to socks and I need to do a sweater!! I'm just scared to knit anything that has to fit someone!! I'd also like to Log Cabin and do the Noro "Lizard" blanket on Knitty.

13. What are you knitting right now?

The hedgehogs (above)... the Nativity (above) and that's it, really. I just finished the Sushi Wallet -- my first felting! I love anything to do with sushi!!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

They are the best kind of gifts to get!!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I am an Addi Turbo girl to boot. I'd love to try the KnitPicks aluminum circulars, though. I usually do everything on circular just b/c it makes more sense (to me) to just buy the circulars (as you can straight knit on them as well). But I'm trying to convince myself to get the KnitPicks Options or Denise Interchangeables.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

My husband! Ha ha Other than that, no.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

FiberTrend clogs that I started in November 2005 (and then I got pregnant and sick) and now I can't figure out where I am in the pattern (with the 2nd clog 99.9% done!!). Trying not to have to frog it!

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I LOVE ALL HOLIDAYS!! My goal is to find 1 holiday each month and decorate and celebrate it! If I had to choose one... I'd say birthdays!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

I collect nativities/creches. I currently have 12 of them and the more creative, the better! I have one that is a tea set!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I'd love to try the "good" yarn out there. Cascade 220 is the farthest I've made it. I'd also like a pair of Brittany straight needles (because they are so pretty!). Books -- Big Girl Knits and really just ANYTHING with knitting (I have very few books). I have SnB and Itty Bitty Hats. I love magazines and I'd like the spinning magazine (that I can't think of right now).

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I'd like to learn socks, cables and lace.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I want to be!! I'm just intimidated by that small yarn and I only have 1 pair of size 2 needles that are in use with the nativity knit along. I do know how to do them using the Magic Loop -- just haven't done a set yet!

My feet just got BIG after my pregnancy. I'm in a US women's 10.5 WIDE.

23. When is your birthday?

September 17 (and 17 is my family's "number"!)

Just a little random fun....

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions. You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.

What European City Do You Belong In?

Sheep and Sushi

All right the first sheep of the nativity KAL is (almost) completed. As usual, I just need some guidance on the assembly. His poor little face is a bit rough so I decided to wait and get help with the legs, ears, and tail.

I also ordered the Knit Sticks Sushi Wallet kit (from http://www.crazyyarnlady.com). She has them on sale until they are gone and the best price on the net! I just cast that on last night and only got 3 rows completed.

And my Christmas present from DH. The pink iPod. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this thing!! I hate spending large sums of money, but this was worth every cent.

Felix would NOT get off the table and leave me alone when I was having my little photo shoot. And then he took a liking to the sheep and decided to cuddle with it. So I gave up and here he is with all of the items (I finally whipped the iPod out to the other table and managed to get a shot before he realized what had happened).

A New Year and New Knitting

I am starting 2007 off with a BANG!! One completed project and two on the needles. I had some willing (and unwilling) models for the pictures. Actually it all started with Felix who decided (after kneading it first) that he'd like to snuggle up to the sheep I'm knitting. I have joinded a knit along for a nativity. We knit one figure a month and by December we'll have a completed, knitted nativity. The sheep is the first figure. I actually have to make 3 of them. They are much bigger than I'd thought. The people figures (Mary, Joseph, Wisemen, etc) stand 10" tall! You can't actually see the sheep (it's white) but no matter because you can't tell it's a sheep right now anyway!

Then there is my future knitter. I set down the mitten I am knitting for my sister... and being almost 6 months old, the yarn went straight in to the mouth. But that's OK her aunt won't mind!

And finally... I asked DH to model the scarf (just to add to the fun pics) and this was all he would agree to. The faceless man I married (and Yes, that is a Jet's jersey and yes they lost).

Just for fun... we watched our Wolverines lose last weekend. We are still in mourning. But boy were we CUTE!

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2007!! We returned from Michigan yesterday -- after a very eventful holiday! A 5 month old with an ear infection and 6 adults and 1 kid with the stomach flu led to a Christmas never to be forgotten. But I had fun and it was great to have all of us in one place for an entire week (but we missed you, Matt!).

Miss Sarah had a good time. She went roller skating, swimming, arcading and movie-ing. It's hard to get bored in a house full of adults when you are the only kid (and there's only one baby to compete with).

I only got 2 knitted gifts completed. And I forgot to take a picture of the very colorful ruffled scarf I made for my sister. My vow this year is to begin today knitting for next Christmas! After I finish a scarf and mittens as a birthday gift for the OTHER sister!

The picture is of the two different Winter Wonderland stockings for the Campbells hanging on their mantle in KC. I'll be doing another one of those as well as Baby #2 decided to be a boy (Benjamin born Dec 14) and his dad would prefer he didn't have pink in his stocking! The goal is to use the stash to create a more "manly" look. I got too busy and didn't do the dangles.... I think maybe Noah will be the only Campbell with those.

I'm joining a nativity knit-along for the year. 1 piece per month will get me a knitted Nativity next December to add to my growing collection (I currently own 11 nativity scenes/sets).

Pictures of the scarf and mittens to come....

And 11 months later.... I'm back!

Wow! It's been a while. The last time I posted was almost a year ago... and just before I found out that was pregnant. :-) Turns out God is a knitter too and he was busy with a project inside me. For some reason knitting while being pregnant made me extremely nauseous so I didn't do it. So for the past 11 months God has been busy knitting together the newest Gabel. She is the best project yet.... Ella Grace Gabel. As a lady at church said when she passed by Ella and I .... God does good work, doesn't He?

But now that I'm no longer sicker than a dog on a daily basis, I'm back to knitting in between diaper changes, feedings, play time, feedings.... Remember Noah's Stocking? (See below) Well, Noah is getting a younger sibling in December so he/she needs a stocking too. I changed the colorway and I rather like it. Let's just hope this one is a girl or some little guy is getting a very PINK stocking!

For you formed my inward parts;

You knit me in my mother's womb.

Psalm 139: 13

Bobbi Bear

And here is the teddy bear from below. I'm still trying to get the nose and eyes spaced out right!

Corkscrew Hat

My project on the trip to Michigan for Thanksgiving/Wedding. I also finished a smaller pink one that still needs the corkscrews! Fun, easy to make and oh so cute!

A side thought about Noah's Stocking

I just realized that this very ROYAL blue stocking is going to the son of the Kansas City Royals BIGGEST fan... so perhaps it is fitting after all!

Noah's Stocking

Here it is! The most advanced project yet -- Noah's Stocking. Actually it's called "Winter Wonderland", but since it's for Noah Campbell I refer to it as such.

I'm not sure how I feel about the colors (neither do Noah's parents) , but we had to start somewhere! They've actually grown on me... but that tends to happen when spend a month continuously knitting something. And let me tell you it's WAY more interesting than the plain old red ones I've done. All it needs now is Noah's name in the blank royal blue part up by the snowman dangles and it's all set to go to its new home in Kansas.

I've decided that I love Fair Isle (seen here in the snowflakes)! It was so much fun to do! And I think the next little Campbell will probably get less blue in his/hers. I'm just glad that it actually turned out OK and that it was done prior to December 24th!

I also finished the Teddy Bear, but gave it away to Baby Keyser without taking a picture. Ooops. Mommy Keyser promises to let me take a picture of it, though. Someday I'll get around to it. Now I just need to finish the slippers for my hubby, knit up another bear for the littlest Gabel, and I want to make a few hand-knitted mini-sweaters for the Christmas tree. Good thing I've got 10 hours of flying over Thanksgiving! Sleep?? Who needs sleep??

Current Projects

Well, I have about 4 going right now. I am almost done with a pair of felted clog slippers for my husband for Christmas. Had him convinced they were just a pair of socks until about a week ago. I left the pattern out with the picture on it... ooops. I am also working on a Winter Wonderland stocking for one Mr. Noah Campbell. My first Fair Isle attempt. So far, so good.

And on the needles today... thanks to 10 hours of plane rides this weekend... a Bobbi Bear. Supposed to be for Miss. Sarah Gabel, but I have a baby shower this weekend and since he's pretty fast to knit up, this one might be going to the future Baby Keyser. We'll see!

Mr. Flurry

This is Mr. Flurry.... he can't see yet and he only has a scarf thanks to Ms. Mandi Godwin who took pity on him one evening before dinner. He's in progress and once I get him all gussied up, I'll show you how cute he is!

Mini-sock

Ok so it's really hard to find time to take pics and post when you are running around substitute teaching all week. But if you find the right position, it also leaves you with LOTS of time to knit!

I've had a pretty busy month. I learned to knit socks.... I haven't actually finished one that an actual person could wear, but in theory, I could do it! I am working on a regular sized pair, but I'm running out of time for Christmas present knitting so the sock knitting has been put on the back burner for now.

I have also almost completed a fun little project know as Mr. Flurry. Mine can't see yet, but thanks to Mandi Godwin (a student of my husband), he now has a scarf. I'll put up a finished pic if I ever get to it.

Felix with the Stocking

I couldn't resist posting this! Felix, our baby, loves to curl up on these stockings. I turned my back to type... and he went right to sleep.