New Swaps

Hi all!

Check out the swaps that Crochetoholic is hosting. They're all fun, create-a-package ideas. I'm particularly excited about the Hat/Scarf swap.

Hope to see some of you there!

FFBE Weekly Topic

As of this weekend, the season has officially changed on the calendar - but what makes Autumn feel like Autumn to you, and why?

My husband is a teacher, and I was too before kids, so autumn starts the first day of school, regardless of the weather. But, it REALLY feels like fall when there's that crisp in the air, especially in the mornings. The kind that makes you want to bake bread or an apple pie. The best mornings are the ones when you need a light jacket to take a walk (and it's still a little chilly, but you know it will warm up soon), and you crunch leaves as you walk.

I can't wait to read everyone else's responses!

Secret Current Project

I know the picture is kind of blurry, but I've tried to give a hint of the pretty pattern without giving away the project. I wasn't going to post it, but I feel like I haven't shown any knitting off lately.

I actually haven't been knitting all that much. The kids have been kind of stressing me out lately, and I'm lacking energy to knit. Which isn't good, because Christmas is coming!

I am excited about the above blurry project, although I'm a little concerned that it will be too small. Also, it's contributing to the lack of knitting. The lace pattern isn't difficult, but it does require attention, and it's hard to work on unless everyone is asleep.

What's going on in your knitting life?

I am Mohair

You are Mohair.
You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with others, doing your share without being too weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely refuse to change your position once it is set, but that's okay since you are good at covering up your mistakes.


What kind of yarn are you? Take this quiz to find out.

Football Swap

Look at all the great stuff I got in the mail today from Kristina!



Merino superwash from Lavender Sheep in Buffalo Bills colors - which I'm going to use to make Little Boy a winter hat. I'm sure there will be extra - maybe even enough for a hat for me! A Buffalo Bills antennae topper which I am so very excited about! Stitch markers and point protectors, all handmade by Kristina, and perfect for all football related knitting. And finally, some very nice hot chocolate.

I LOVE IT ALL! Thank you so much, Kristina, for your thoughtful package!

Random Questionnaire

This seems to be floating around a bunch of blogs involved in the same swaps I am.

1. Were you named after anyone? Two great aunts.
2. Birth place? Denville, NJ
3. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead? Read
4. What are your nicknames? Does Mommy count?
5. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Rarely
6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate
7. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why? Italy or France - I love to cook!
8. A Person you look up to most? My parents
9. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? Lack of patience with adults
10. One word that describes you? Capable
11. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple
12. What is the weather like right now? Raining
13. Last person you talked to on the phone? My husband
14. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it? A Mom - and yes, I am!
15. Favorite Drinks? Diet Coke
16. Favorite sport? Baseball
17. Favorite Food? Chocolate, ravioli
18. Last Movie You Watched? Movie on cinema? Um...I don't know
19. Most money spent on 1 pair of shoes? I once paid $80 for a pair of sneakers - they were so worth it too! My feet were very happy in them.
20. What Book Are You Reading? I just finished The Bell Jar for Knit the Classics. I try to read from my Bible every night.
21. Computer Screen Wallpaper? My kids
22. What Did You Watch Last night on TV? Burn Notice on USA
23. Favorite Smells? Lilacs, baking bread, warm chocolate
24. What's the farthest you've been from home? Arizona, from the East Coast
25. Where is your favorite knitting spot? Club chair with feet on ottoman

I worked on Big Boy's scarf last night - straight garter stitch gets boring, so I've decided to do one block for every project I finish. I have to decide if I'm going to cast on for my knit the classics project or a pay it forward project. (Or, maybe I'll combine the two - or is that cheating?)

FFBE Bag is FINISHED!

Hooray! I knit up the handle this afternoon (with the "help" of little boy who kept grabbing the yarn and running off) and felted it after the little ones went to bed. I am TICKLED with the way it turned out - I might even make one for myself!

No pictures yet though - I want my Pal to be completely surprised! Once she gets her package though, I'll publish the bag's diary.

I just ruined a cable purse that I had made. Literally, ruined it. We won't discuss it, except to say, I am a moron. And the thing is, I really wasn't sure I liked it until today. But then, I was loving it. And then, I killed it. Poor bag. I'm going to tell myself it's a learning experience, and then let it go.

You know, that's something new about me since I've had kids. Things just don't bother me the way they used to. For example, I'm playing softball this season, and the first game, I made an error. Not a game costing error or anything, but something that would have bugged me the rest of the game. At the end of the inning, my coach offered me some encouraging words, and I seriously had to think about why he was telling me everything was okay. I had forgotten that I made the error three minutes after it happened!

Don't get me wrong. I think I have a healthy level of competitiveness, and I always want to do my best. But, I just can't spend a lot of energy beating myself up for mistakes that aren't all that important. And I mean important in a really, deep, eternal kind of way. My family is healthy, and I believe they are in good places regarding their relationship with God (because to me, that's the most important thing EVER. Curious? Ask me - I'll tell you all about it!) And so, I don't think it's right to worry about the small things. Really, it's not right to worry about anything. I SHOULD be trusting God to take care of it all. He promises that He will!

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25,26,33,34

I'm not so great at not worrying at all, but being responsible for children really helps to put some things in perspective for me, and I think I worry less about small things.

So, I'm bummed about the bag. But, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.

Christmas Around the World Questionnaire

I bumped this up so people wouldn't have to search for it.

1. Are you religious? Yes. I'm a Christian, so Christmas is a religious holiday to me.
   
2. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced? I've been knitting for almost a year. I'm definitely a beginner, edging my way toward intermediate.
   
3. Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting? I like to cross-stitch, but it's hard to focus on large projects with the kids around. I love to cook, and I enjoy playing tennis and softball.
   
4. Favorite color(s)? Hmmm. I wear a lot of red, blue, purples, and pinks. I don't have an actual favorite color.
   
5. Do you collect anything? Frogs
   
6. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? I'm allergic to cats
   
7. Do you have any pets? No. Big boy has a fish - I ignore it.
   
8. Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate!
   
9. Cookies or Sweets? Either. Primarily sweets I think.
   
10. Do you knit socks? No, but it's on my list of things to learn!
    
11. If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits) I've been knitting a lot of hats lately. I don't know what my favorite knits would be quite yet - I'm still learning so much!
    
12. Do you put up a Christmas tree? If not then what do you do? We do! It's such the Charlie Brown tree - it's older than I am! We also put up lights, and wreaths, and all of that.
    
13. Favorite holiday treats? I make Chocolate Crinkles. They're just a chocolate macaroon, but they are SO GOOD!
    
14. Favorite holiday smells? Cinnamon, holiday spice, and hot chocolate melting on the stove.
    
15. Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate. I think a pretty traditional way. DH's family is Italian, so Christmas Eve is a big seafood feast (that's new to me). Christmas Eve we go to church, and Christmas morning is spent with the kids around the tree.
    
16. What are your favorite holiday traditions? Making krumkake and chocolate crinkles with my mom. Decorating the tree with my dad. Christmas caroling, and walking around looking at people's outdoor lights. Baking up a storm. Singing along to classic songs, especially "O Holy Night" - I just love that song!
    
17. Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about....” Celebrating the greatest gift ever given - love personified
    
18. If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….? A shepherd - so undeserving of all I've been given
    
19. What was your favorite gift you've ever received? Or given? I have received so MANY wonderful gifts. One of the best one's I've ever given - I gave the grandmother of an ex-boyfriend metallic mugs with gold swirls all over them, along with some really great hot chocolate and high quality chocolates. I painted the tissue paper in the box to match the mugs, and found a box to match.
    
20. When do you start your Christmas? Well, I've already started my shopping and knitting. but I think it really starts the day after Thanksgiving.
    
21. Do you send Christmas cards? Do you make them or buy them? Yes, I buy them.
    
22. What is your favorite Christmas dish? Chocolate crinkles. Hmm, that might not be a dish. Chocolate pudding pie? If that's not a dish, than just Mom's turkey dinner.
    
23. Carolers are at your door. What do you do? Give them hot chocolate and/or candy canes. And ask if I can join them.
    
24. When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning
    
25. Do you celebrate with family or friends or both? Well, when I lived with my parents, I would eat Christmas dinner with my family in the afternoon, and then again with my best friend's family later. But, now I live too far away. I think I celebrate with family and friends, but spend the actual day with family.

FFBE Contest #2

1. Here's the yarn for my bag. I'm inspired by one of the bags on my pal's blog, but I had to modify it to fit my level of knitting skills.



2. I've tried to visit everyone's blog once a week. But, Alana and I seem to be taking turns visiting each other's blogs and getting to know each other.

3. Done!

4. Done!

Hooray for Grandma!

My Mom left this morning - very sad. :( However, we had a great visit! She arrived Sunday night, and she bought presents:

The red is leftover yarn from a sweater she made me.

We had a great time, hanging out, playing tea with little girl, shopping, and knitting. With Grandma's help, I have finished the Wonderful Wallaby for little boy. It fits him perfectly! Which means, of course, he's getting it now, and not for Christmas.



I made the sleeves and the body 1" longer than the pattern. I probably should have added 2" for the body, but it will do. I really enjoyed knitting the Wallaby and plan on doing another one soon. I just have decide for whom!

Tonight is another Knit, Craft, Snack and Chat night at my house, so I have decide if I'm going to FINALLY cast on my felted bag or work on Big Boy's Scarf (all garter stitch - not difficult to work on while chatting.) We'll see what I'm in the mood for tonight.

It's always a bummer saying goodbye to my parents. I really, genuinely, LOVE hanging out with them. I'm really blessed though - the little kids and I will be there for a week next month, we'll all be there for Thanksgiving, and we'll leave the day after Christmas for another week with them. Not bad for living 400 miles apart.

Happy knitting, everyone!

Yarn

I'm involved in a few swaps, and there seem to be questions about what kind of yarn I would like to receive. I've given it some thought, and here's what I've come up with:

1. I would like something variegated in blues or a complementary color, worsted weight, to make the mittens in One Skein Wonders. (My jacket is blue!)

2. I would like to make a simple lace shawl. So, something that could be used for that would be nice. I'm thinking red, or pink, or maybe even silver. There's a pattern in the current magknits I was considering, but I'm also open to suggestions here.

3. I'd like to make the spa set in One Skein Wonders with Bamboo. It's for a gift to go along with rose soaps, so pinkish colors would work really well. (I know, I'm addicted to One Skein Wonders. It's perfect for a beginner on a budget!)

4. I'm looking for a wool/cashmere blend (or other soft, slightly fuzzy yarn) to make a cowl (you know, a circular scarf you slip over your head.) I need 164 yards. (Yes, it's in OSW).

I hope this helpful for my swap partners. Obviously, I'm so psyched to get yarn in the mail, that it just doesn't matter all that much what it is. But, I personally hate that feeling of "I have NO IDEA what to get".

There has been progress on the Wallaby. I'm up to attaching the sleeves. As an added bonus, my Mom is coming TODAY! She is doing a wallaby too, and is ahead of me, so she'll be able to help! I'm so stinkin' excited!

Everyone psyched for the Men's U.S. Open final tonight?

Happy knitting!

U.S. Open

Venus Williams just played a great match! Sadly, it went kind of late, and I don't think I'm going to be able to stay awake for much of the Roddick/Federer match. Man, I'm old.

I LOVE to play tennis, and hardly ever get the opportunity. I don't really have anyone to play with but my husband, and it's hard to find time for both of us to play, and plan for childcare, etc. I miss it. I also miss feeling like I've had a great workout!

Anyone in the Boston area who wants to play, let me know!

In knitting news - I frogged the dishcloth - it was too big to be a dishcloth, and I just didn't like it. I've attached the pouch to the Wallaby - and I'm so proud of myself too! I didn't even have to call my mom to get help! Fused the pouch to the rest of the sweater, and now I'm really confused about how to deal with the armholes. So, I started a sleeve, but I'm not getting very much done, because of tennis. Also, check out Grace's blog and enter her anniversary contest. She's giving away some beautiful shawls. And don't forget, tell her I sent you!

Go Americans!

Tender is the Night

WARNING : DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS TO "TENDER IS THE NIGHT"

Here is my project for Knit the Classics.

According to One Skein Wonders: "Sartorial historians believe that the cloche was popular with 1920s flappers because of the proud gaze it required of its wearer - chin titled skyward and eyes peering down the nose."

Although the Warren girls aren't flappers, I thought they would appreciate this hat. It's the color of money, and they can wear it while looking down on Dick for not being one of them. This hat is specifically for Nicole - the black ribbon is for all the sadness in her life. I also like that it's slightly felted - it needed a little bit of roughing up to become what it is.




This is my first month participating in Knit the Classics, and I had a lot of fun!

Dishcloth Contest

Hey - pop over here and enter a contest to win 12 handmade dishcloths!

Pink and Fluffy

Yesterday we went to a birthday party for DH's niece and nephew. His nephew turned 18, and got a Tony Hawk shirt, because what else do you get an 18 year-old boy. But his niece turned 10, and she got this:


Now I know, some of you knitters out there feel that there is no place in the world for fun fur. But, I know better! Little girls like things that are pink, fluffy, and glittery. She loved the flip flops, and was particularly excited because they matched the outfit she had on. I was so excited, because I got a huge hug as a thank you! DH is still trying to understand - he always thinks the b. day gifts for niece won't go over very well. I'm sticking to the formula though - pink and fluffy.

I finished my first Pay it Forward project, and with any luck, it will go in the mail tomorrow! Then, I plan on focusing on the wallaby for a few days.

Happy knitting!

Knittiversary Contest

Go say happy knittiversary to Peggy, and enter her contest. You have to explain how you became a Knitter (as opposed to a knitter.)

My transformation was gradual - there's no one project to point to. Knitting just became a consuming activity, instead of something to do after the kids went to bed.

Project Updates

I feel like I haven't accomplished much lately, but I think it's because I have several projects going at once, and I haven't been knitting much in the evenings. I knit a few rows here and there in between activities. It's the last few days of summer, so I'm trying to get the kids out to our local pond as much as possible - it's one of my favorite ways to spend the day!

But, here's what I've been doing:

A basic dishcloth for rides in the car (or yesterday, on the T. DH and I went out to dinner!) I find they come in handy when you need a quick gift, so I usually have one going somewhere. And I love all the colors that Sugar 'n Creme comes in.


Little boy's wallaby. I marked the stitches where the pouch will go as I was knitting, instead of figuring it out later.



Secret Project - I'm doing a project for the Pay It Forward Exchange, and I want it to be a surprise. But, go check out Jen's blog, especially her post about back to school, and tell me - aren't the colors perfect?


And now, I'd like to give a quick shout-out to Deb - Hi Deb! Congratulations on the new grandbaby! I'm so tickled that you found my blog!

Happy Knitting everyone!