Impatiently Waiting....

So, it totally looks like my Dishrag Tag team, Chronicles of Yarnia, is going to place in the top three. In fact, it looks like the determining factor will be whose box is put in the mailbox first. I've been checking pretty regularly today to see who will emerge victorious. But can you blame me? These are the prizes! I would gladly take any of them, but I confess, I've been thinking of a sock pattern that mimics the dishrag pattern for this competition that would go just perfectly with the sock yarn!

Go Chronicles of Yarnia!!!

Viking Hat

IMG_2883
Originally uploaded by dorriejean

When I started this hat, it was meant for baby girl to wear in November (since she'll be wearing the pumpkin hat in October, and the yet to be made Christmas Tree Hat in December). Gauge and I seemed to have a little disagreement though, so instead, this hat will go to my cousin's daughter for Christmas. That side of the family is very Norwegian, so I'm sure they'll get a kick out of the hat.

The pattern is free, and can be found here. The yarn is all leftovers in my stash - both the brown and gray are Galway wool, left from my very first two knitting projects (scarves), the yellow is dishcloth cotton, and white is leftover from the Reasonably Hip hat I made my nephew.

I REALLY like the hat, even though the horns aren't perfect. Both boys have asked for a hat like it. I told them after Christmas.

I've already cast on for another hat, this one without braids, for the recipient's brother.

Yesterday

1:11 p.m. Am sitting in armchair, nursing the baby, when the mail person slides the Knitpicks catalog through the mail slot, and then leans down and leaves something between the doors. (BTW, I'm in love with the mittens on the cover, and may need to purchase the kit.)

1:14 Put baby in crib, realize I should have woken her and let her fall asleep in her crib, so that she learns to put herself to sleep. Decide I don't really care, because I HAVE to see what's behind the door.

1:15 THE DISHRAG TAG BOX HAS ARRIVED!
Open box, dump out contents, sit down and start knitting.

1:15-3:28 Knit, knit, knit, ignore kids - who totally cooperate by playing tea party, then lounge singer (they call it singing with the keyboard and microphone, but little girl totally has the banter of a lounge singer) - thank the baby for being generally happy. Nurse her again for the last 10 rows.

3:29 Print out label, pack box, find shoes for small child, remember to lock the front door, and encourage children to run to the van.

3:31 Pull out of driveway to drive to Post Office.


Snap this picture of the box while at a red light.

3:36Park two blocks from post office. Assign little girl important task of carrying box, while I carry baby. Kids run to the post office to keep up with my fast walking.

3:37 Find insane line at post office. Bribe kids with Dunkin' Donuts if they stand quietly in line with me.

3:51 The box is mailed!

3:53 Buy two donuts, one muffin, and one iced mocha latte at Dunkin' Donuts.

4:07 Arrive home to discover the husband has not picked up Big Boy from the after school program because he thought I was getting the lad.

4:09 Walk with little boy to school to pick up big boy.

4:18 - 6:49 Do a variety of house related things I should have done instead of knitting, make dinner, deal with cranky baby, cranky girl child, and give babysitter last minute instructions so I can go to Open House.

6:50 Walk to school for Open House

8:35 FINALLY, get to check out wonderful goodies in DRT box from Pam.


Besides the lovely dishrag, there are locking stitch markers (which I ALWAYS need, the coolest sheep emery board EVER, and some dessert tea (trying to figure out what kind of special dessert to make to go with the tea.) I don't know why this picture is so blurry.....

It looks like the Chronicles of Yarnia team has a great shot at winning the race, and I am SUPER excited! Go Team!

What's Going On....

Oriel Lace Scarf - 49" done


Meghan's Braids Hat for little girl (she picked out the color all by herself!). Pretty much just working on it while sitting at the park as kids play.


Viking Hat - horns need to be stuffed and attached. This is the second set of horns - the first set was too big, and I attached them to close to the top of the hat - they looked like bunny ears. Actually, this hat was supposed to be for the baby, but my gauge was horribly off, and it will be a Christmas gift instead.


What's going on with you?

Lil' Pumpkin Head

A few days ago, I finished this cute pumpkin hat for baby girl. (The pattern is here.) The yarn is leftovers that has been hanging out in my stash for quite a while. I cast on 72 stitches and used a size 8 needle. The hat is SUPER cute on the baby, but I hope it still fits her in October.

I've started Big Boy's striped hat, and HOPE to work on the Oriel Lace Scarf tonight. I think it's currently 34" inches, unblocked. I'm not exactly sure if I should knit a full 60", or less because it will stretch when it's blocked. (The person to whom it will be gifted is not exactly tall). Any thoughts?

Happy knitting!

Road Trip!

When I was a kid, my dad would stand at the back door, yell out "Road Trip!" and my brother and I would come running. A road trip usually meant stopping at three or four stores (almost always a book store was in there!) and some kind of treat. With my husband, the phrase "Road Trip" usually means driving for ice cream. Today, we drove out to Kimball's Farm - this is everything the hubs looks for in an ice cream place - lots of yummy flavors, and HUGE portions. It's a bright, sunny day, and seemed perfect for an end of summer trip. Today's trip also included a stop at yarn shop! The Woolpack has a very nice selection and friendly staff. Big Boy was excited to pick out some yarn for a winter hat.

I keep adding to my knitting list - so much to do before Christmas! Here's the current hope to do list:

- Finish the Oriel Lace Scarf (Finished!)
- Finish pumpkin hat for baby girl (cast on last night while nursing. Side note: Baby girl has her first tooth. Never nursed a baby with teeth before - we'll see how long it lasts.) Finished!
- Striped hat for Big Boy Finished!
- Viking hat for baby girl (finished.)
- Hat with braids for little girl (finished!)
- 2 Viking Hats for cousin's kids (Finished!)
- Fair isle hat for little boy (started)
- Math Geek hat for friend (finished, but it's too small. On the waiting list for now)
- Hat with braids for friend's daughter (finished)
- Something for friend's wife, so she doesn't feel left out
- Christmas Stocking for Big Boy (almost done, just need to add his name)
- Estonian Orphan Charity (Two hats finished)

ETA: Oh yeah, I forgot...
- matching sweaters for the girls

I keep telling myself this list isn't crazy, because I can knit hats while at the park. We'll see......

I did finish the Ribbed Cap I was making, so that's one Christmas gift down. I don't want to count how many there are to go.....

Happy Knitting!

February Baby Set

I finished the February Baby Sweater and matching hat yesterday. I bought the yarn from Ellen's HalfPint Farm while at the NH Sheep and Wool Festival. Although I did a gauge swatch, I think the sweater is a little smaller than Elizabeth Zimmerman intended it to be (or Baby Girl is just really big.) The sweater fits, and the fabric DOES have a lot of stretch, but it looks like she's going to outgrow it soon. Which means she wore the whole set out for a walk this morning, even though it was a little warm for a wool hat. Thankfully, Baby Girl didn't complain.


Hmmm....these pictures aren't great. Maybe I'll take one outside later....

Last night, I got three or four rows done on the Oriel Lace Scarf, and started a basic hat for a Christmas gift. Onward, Christmas kni