The neatest two year old eater in the world

So Jada spends a lot of time with daddy, and daddy has a bit of an OCD issue with messy eating.

Hence, my video, I hadn't realized how much of an influence he had on her....




Thanks to the Charlotte Purls, EZ Video and our CP KAL - I made my first Baby Surprise Jacket. I WILL be making more of these, I'm on my 2nd and I'm spinning for one for Jada.



Turns into this:



Before I could put buttons on it - Zuri and her mommy whisked it away. It was too cute on her and I'm so mad all my pictures went poof due to no memory card in my camera!!!!

I've been spinning. Much more exiting stuff than this - but this was the first I spun, plyed, washed and knitted:



Yeah - I know - not enough twist in my ply and in places too much twist in my yarn. It was my 1st one on the wheel, and I'm proud of it! :) Makes a nice water bottle cover too!

Photo day

Today was just a pretty day for photos - I wanted to capture a few of my caplet - but we got a few more. So - this blog is just an update of photos we took after church.



Oh - I had to come back and edit this blog entry to draw attention to my Romi shawl pin. The perfect fit for this caplet.





Spring is finally here. For good.

Me-o-mi-yo Tiayo

Noro has struck gold with it's new cotton blend - Tiayo. What a totally yummy yarn - with surprisingly generous yardage. It's a cotton/silk blend that I would say is almost a chunky to heavy worsted. It feels like cotton, but has a sheen to it so you can see the silk. It is a great spring/summer yarn for someone in the South like me. When I saw Stacey's, I really liked the yarn. When I saw the color way #1 in Cottage yarns - I could not resist. Lovely browns, Greys and Pinks. It will go with so many colors and outfits - dressy or casual.



And using the Anthropologie Inspired Caplet pattern it was a fast knit. I did make it larger - casting on 74 and knitting it a bit longer. I used size 10 needles too.



I used about 1 and 3/4 balls perhaps? I bought 3 and am not sure about the last ball. Perhaps a hat? Or, I can take it back and get another colorway. I'd love a caplet with blue in it for jeans. I'm not sure if I would repeat this pattern or find another one, perhaps a bit more boxy?



I like the reverse side too - so I won't put on a button. I need a smaller "shawl" pin though as I will stick myself or someone else with the long one!

All in all - a satisfying project. I've enjoyed this KAL - I'll have Pi, Hemlock and Caplet out of it! Stacy picked great projects!

BTW - this is the first time I've used Ebony on my blog. I picked her up when Rave Knits closed. I had wanted a "model" for my projects. She is a bit small. Her shoulders a bit narrow. I have to clean her up and polish her up a bit. She is destined for my office/crafting room when we get our bonus room done and I get the furniture and couch out of my "Office".

A Jada update - her leg was worse than I thought. She has a little square of pink flesh that really grosses me out. But the brave little girl - who was tearless during the event - turns positively hysterical when you try to remove her band-aid. The mere mention or sight of a band-aid has Jada running and screaming in the opposite direction. Her hands very fast to hit you if you get any where near her leg.

Go figure - scraping her skin off - no tears.

Band aid removal - freak out.

sigh.....

Not a girly girl.....

We have noticed that Jada is tough. But she has rarely gotten hurt because her reflexes are so good. But recently she has had a few falls.

And she never cries. Or if she does- it's a tear or two and then she just stares at where it's sore.

This was her latest and worse fall.



Colin scared me half to death when he saw her. He ran across the room and I thought she had broke her leg the way he was carrying on.



Jada didn't say a word, or shed a tear. Even Janeen cried, just looking at her.

What I am I going to do with my tough girl. I thought I had escaped broken collar bones, and noses - Jada is going to be a challenge.

In my knitting life - let's pause for a KAL caplet.



I was inspired by CrimsonPurl's caplet and fell in love with colorway #1. I'm hopeing to wear it Sunday.

All other projects on hold for an urgent fashion emergency.

How about some yarn love....thanks to my new best online friend the Loopy Ewe...




Oooooh




Ahhhhhhhh



The last hank a gift for becoming a Loopy Groupie. Yipee!!!!! Along with a few other goodies. What a nice surprise and treat!

Thanks Heather for introducing me to the Loopy Ewe!

PI-ck me up

I've been blue all day. First of all - trying to go back to work caught up with me and I was so tired. I basically slept most of the day - I just couldn't wake up. And I was *supposed* to be working a half-day. I barely made meetings but that was it and slipped by most of what I needed to do. My body is so tired of viruses and being sick. I need spring and outdoor air!

Then the little "M"s I found last night bugged me (pardon the pun) to no end. But I had no energy to check my stash today. I'll have to check it this weekend.

I was dragging around Pi to work on when I had a chance and had it down stairs while watching a bit of "Alvin and the Chipmunks" with the kids. Jada walked up to me and just won me over. She stroked Pi - then she leaned her little head over, grabbed in her arms, leaned her head into it and just snuggled and loved on it like she does her teddy bears. Her little face read "Mommy it's soooooo soft and yummy". She made me smile. Sometimes I feel a bit selfish sneaking in knitting time. But her pure enjoyment made me smile.



I'm past the lace on Pi and just adding in some plain rows before binding off with a lace edging I need to pick out!!!!!! I have a sleep study tomorrow night - maybe I'll get a a ton of it done then while waiting to be observed sleeping. Well, that's something to look forward to.

Go Giants!

What a stunner - I left my parent's house with the Patriots ahead and came home to SHOCK! The Giants win.

Score 1 for the good guys.

During the low scoring (but exciting) Superbowl - I finished a little vest I started yesterday for Jada. I actually picked up the pattern to use some Baby Grande Alpaca in my stash for me. But when I read the pattern - I thought it would be easy to convert to a baby or kid's vest. And it was.

I CO 60 instad of 120 and use Size 10s instead of Size 11s. I also didn't use Alpaca because I didn't want to mess up nice yarn on a big mistake. It took two evenings to knit, really quick.

Here she is:



She actually won't be able to wear this very long. I need to make a bigger version now that I know how it works and better how to gauge the size. I think it may also need a button or toggle since I can't put on a pin.

I tried to take a picture of the back, but she wouldn't stay still!



I made it with a huge ball (100g) of Bernat Softee Chunky I picked up at A.C. Moore for kids sweaters and things. Basically yarn to experiment with.

That was a nice instant gratification project, now back to completing some of my scarves.

Death of Family blogger - Birth of Family Space

Our family Blogger site died a slow, painful death. I haven't blogged on it in over a year. And blogging isn't Colin's thing. So - I've started one on Live Spaces because it does a bit more of what I need in a family blog - basically combline my family blog and photo album.

Here's the link: Family Blog to check out what are the latest antics that our family is up to. The latest excitement is that Jada turned 1!!! I didn't get as many birthday pictures as I would have liked but I snapped a few. I can't believe it's been a year, yet it seems like we have had 3 kids forever.

I felt bad b/c I had to send out our family pictures recently to some college friends and it was all very old. Now I have a new site to send them too. And I will do better about keeping it up.

Jada's Silky Socks

I found this yarn at AC Moore. I know - and me being the yarn snob that I am couldn't believe I found something I like at a non-LYS. It's Moda Dea Silk N' Wool - 85% Wool and 15% Silk. Worsted weight, has a tweedy look and great colors - especially the Green and Dark Pink (Sangria).

So - I got some balls to make Jada some socks. I wanted to use them to make the great new style of socks in Cat Bordhi's book - New Pathways for Sock Knitters ().

But I couldn't wait and decided to make up a sock using a standard knitting formula.


They knitted so fast and are so soft and so cute on her. I started last night while Colin was playing at the Grape - yes, I knit in a wine bar while my husband's band plays!!! That makes me a die hard knitting freak, I know. I have brochitis, so I was sitting by myself - so that's my excuse. If I was sitting with others - I would have not knit...........as much.

Anyway - I started last night and wrapped up the last one today.

Isn't she the cutest in them?

Here's my attempt at a pithy pattern if you are interested:

Yarn: 1 Ball (you will only use 1/2 half) Moda Dea Silk N' Wool - Sangria
Needle: Size 5, 32" (if you use the magic loop method as I did)

CO 25, Join in a circle and knit the first and last stitch together.
K2P2 for 16 rows.
Heel Stitch on 12 stitches for 14 rows.
Heel Stich is:
R1: *S1, K1*, repeat stitches in * * to end of row.
R2. S1, P all remaining stitches to end of row.
Repeat R1 and R2.

Turn heel:
S1, K 6, SSK, K1, Turn.
S1, P4, P2tog, P1, Turn.
S1, K5, SSK, K1, Turn.
S1, P6, P2tog, P1, Turn.

Hmmm - I hope I got that right. I'm going by memory!!

Anyway - I had 8 stitches on the heel not 9 so something is off......note to self to edit blog later!

K 8, Pick up 8 stitches on the side of the heel for the gusset.
K 12, Pick up 8 stitches on the other side of the heel for the gusset.
Decrease 2 every other row until there are 14 (not 12 b/c babies feet are fat!!) on the sole.
Knit another inch or so depending on the babies foot.
Then make your favorite toe. I made a wide wedge toe. But the star would be nice too. I decreased to 8 stitches and just drew them together b/c I didn't want to graft it. These are quick remember!! Total - maybe 2 hours knitting time. I did them on a magic loop with my Harmonies since I don't have Harmonies DPs in 5s.

If you haven't made worsted baby socks, they are quick & satisfying, and with lovely, silky yarn - so cute!! Next - I will make the Green sock the Cat Bordhi way - I can't wait!

Dead batteries, Rain, First walking moments and USPS Brings Joy

I got back from my trip to Seattle, tired, cranky, but happy to be home. I had hired a driver because I didn't want to leave my car at the airport (hubby needs it) and I really didn't want to drive. But upon arriving at the airport - the drivers car wouldn't start!! The battery was dead. He was embarassed, it wasn't his fault. But the last thing I wanted to do was sit for 45 mins in the airport. And then when we got going thei Humberto rain caused accidents on 85. And since Charlotte drivers find it impossible to drive in the rain without either crashing or causing back ups to watch other people crash - it tooks us another 45 mins to an hour to get home.

Grrrrrrrrrr.

But - upon arrival, my Knitpicks Harmony Needles had arrived.

A lot of other good things happened, of course - but this is a craft blog.

I'm in love with them. They are smooth and hard, but warm as wood is. The sharp points are heaven. I like them better than the nickel plated and the Addis. The KP lady hit gold with these, every knitter will have to have a pair I suspect.

Both the DPNs and the interchangable are both great. Wonderful joins, and the tips, the tips!!!

I took off 2 sets of DPNs I had on socks immediately. One I knew I was not enjoying b/c of the rounded tips on the pony pearls. I like pony pears feel, but the round tips are not working out on the jaywalker socks. I dread the row with increases and decreases b/c to knit tightly but try to scoop out the inc or dec with blunt needles wears on you after a while.

But my new Harmonies are great!! I love you get an extra DPN for breakage - that has happened to me with my Brittney 0s before - grrrr-. But I now have a cure for that. ON my Seattle trip, I found out about the Nancy KnitNacks DP WIP tubes (check them out at: http://www.nancysknitknacks.com/). No more broken wood needles for me!!

So as a knitter I'm now happy.

Now for the non-knitting grumbles. Jada started walking - as I knew she would. Just like Janeen did 8 years ago. She isn't consistant yet, but she can walk. She's smart enough to know that walking may not be the best thing right now - ie. less carrying - so she holds out for special occasions or when we aren't looking and she is playing in her play area. But once again - I missed this special event in one of my children's lives. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Harmony - nice!!!

Missing Jada walking - not nice!!!

I have no pics of WIPs at the moment. So - just use your imagination. Lots of lace, socks, and yummy yarns of course. :) Stay tuned for pics.

Neglected

My poor neglected blog. I have been knitting, and even crocheting. And now - I've added weaving as my new fiber art. I've bought a ....errrrrrr.... few looms, and also learned how to weave on a pot-holder loom with the great tutorial on this site - http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/how-to-weave-with-yarn-on-the-potholder-loom-part-1. It's so simple. No need for those pesky, horrible loops. What a great idea!!

I've also fallen in love with linen yarn, and hemp. All types. Thick, thin. For face cloths, shawls, and I'm even experimenting with a baby blanket (perhaps) or a shawl in crochet linen.

Hemp is yummy to. I've ordered some hemp yarn from lanaknits.com and the local LYS. And I also picked up some hempton (Hemp and cotton) from knitpixie.com.

Let's see - what else have I been doing. I have 2 swallowtail shawls almost done, but I've been intimidated by the ending, so I'm pausing to get up my nerve!!! They are so pretty, I will be so sad if it doesn't end well.

I've discovered knitting groups. The Concord, NC knitting group that meets at Rave Knits has been one that my sister and I attend. It's been great getting to know more ladies (and a man) who love knitting as much as I do. And talking with them about different projects, getting inspired by what creative things they come up with, and we have 2 ladies from Universal Yarns that come by and tease us with new yarn on a regular basis. That is like a bartender visiting an AA meeting!!!

I heard from a nice lady about another knitting group that meets in the University area that I think I have to visit. It's becoming another addiction - knitting groups :) My AA meetings.

Oh - and have you seen the new Knit Picks Harmony needles - I've GOT to get me some of them! They are beautiful and I have a bit of a needle fettish.

I've discovered via blogs Japanese Lace knitting books - and I have a few on the way :)

I've fallen in love with lace, and have many many projects in the works.

So it's obvious I'm to busy to blog!! So my poor blog is suffering. But the bright side is I should have lots of cool pics soon.

The baby is getting big. She is scooting holding on to things all over the place. But she isn't walking yet. It is just a matter of time. Her little personality is so funny to us. She is very independant (not anything like her mother of course!! NOT!) and sneaky. She gets very quiet when she is sneaking out of her play area. That's our only clue that a 9 month old is on the loose. If you delay 10 seconds, there is no telling where she will be. She is very attached to Colin these days, sort of hurts my feelings some times. She isn't talking to much, but she doesn't have to - she's pretty good about letting us know what she wants. She used to have a very quiet wheezy cry, but that's gone. She has replaced it with a high-pitch, back of the throat screech. I guess we weren't reacting fast enough to the low wheeze. Being a momma of a baby again is tiring but so much fun. I guess because I know it's the last time - I'm not ready for any phase (even bottles and diapers to end. And I was super depressed when I had to stop breast feeding due to high BP. I still wish I could BF her today - she has a lot of skin problems and I wonder if BFing would have helped. But overall she is as strong and healthy as we could have hoped for. We are blessed.

Well - Jason has asked me for the 10th time for pizza so my sad little blog post will come to an end. I'm travelling next week for work. Perhaps my blog will get a few entries while I'm on the road.

Chat with ya latter.

Jada in her sling

I just had to get a picture of Jada in the sling her Auntie made her. She loves it, and it quiets her down when I have to get some things done or walk around.

Jada's Teddy

I have been wanting to make a teddy bear for Jada. Soft and cute, that she could cherish as made by her mommy. Well - I hadn't got around to it. And my sister found what I thought would be a great color for a knitted bear. But I hate working with chenille and it was a huge cone. Much larger than needed for a bear. So - after trying to get over my chenille adversion, I realized I would never use it and gave it to her. This is her suprise bear for Jada, isn't it cute?? Jada loves it!!