And these too!
The Gaudete knitalong has been very fun for me and also amusing as most of the forum posts were in German. Google translator was a very handy tool and the transliterations made for some humorous reading!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Gaudete!
Some Christmas Socks!
And these too!
The Gaudete knitalong has been very fun for me and also amusing as most of the forum posts were in German. Google translator was a very handy tool and the transliterations made for some humorous reading!
And these too!
The Gaudete knitalong has been very fun for me and also amusing as most of the forum posts were in German. Google translator was a very handy tool and the transliterations made for some humorous reading!
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Advent Socks
A kind designer on Ravelry is providing this fun Advent activity. Each weekend of Advent she releases a portion of a free sock pattern that will yield a complete pair of socks by Christmas. Each day beginning Dec.1st she is also posting a little "goody"- various songs, art, videos - for us to enjoy. I think it's a brilliant idea and am grateful for her willingness to share so much.
Here is my progress so far!
Here is my progress so far!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Christmas is a-comin' ...
Made 25 little socks for a Christmas countdown Advent tree. (Hubby made the tree.)We'll give it to the kids after the annual wreath-making tomorrow so we can start plucking socks on December 1st! Hope they like it.
Plan is to put a little paper with a Christmas activity to do or Scripture verse to read in each sock and pick one off the tree each day.
Then 1 family member gets the sock and has the assignment of writing a little Christmas greeting and putting it in the sock and giving it to someone else sometime that day.
Friend, co-worker, random stranger - hopefully just a little bright spot in someone’s day this Christmas season!
Plan is to put a little paper with a Christmas activity to do or Scripture verse to read in each sock and pick one off the tree each day.
Then 1 family member gets the sock and has the assignment of writing a little Christmas greeting and putting it in the sock and giving it to someone else sometime that day.
Friend, co-worker, random stranger - hopefully just a little bright spot in someone’s day this Christmas season!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Spoke Too Soon
2nd post in one day - that's how happy snow makes me!
After the afternoon reprieve, the snow is back to delight us
with it's presence - exquisitely magical at night.
After the afternoon reprieve, the snow is back to delight us
with it's presence - exquisitely magical at night.
Staying Warm
A cold, cold Sunday found me at home with a sick boy - it was a peaceful morning with said boy snoozing on the couch, younger boy reading and playing legos, and daughter off to church with Daddy. And as feather-light snow began to drift about, I sat warm and content knitting by the fireplace. Enforced home time is so pleasant on occasion and on this particular occasion gave me the space to finish up 2 little Christmas gifties for my niece and nephew.
These look so perfect for a day like today - our snow finally came! Kids were sent home early and have spent the afternoon frolicking in the wintry backyard. The sun is peeking through on the sugar frosted scene now - our foretaste of winter short but sweet.
These look so perfect for a day like today - our snow finally came! Kids were sent home early and have spent the afternoon frolicking in the wintry backyard. The sun is peeking through on the sugar frosted scene now - our foretaste of winter short but sweet.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
First Finished Object
I've tried a few times to teach my daughter to knit - she seems to enjoy it but as she is a rather physically active youngster, the amount of sitting still time required to finish a knitted object is a little excessive for her.
So we put the needles aside and picked up one of these round knitting loom things.
Much quicker and easier to maneuver than needles and she has finished her first little hat in about a day of off and on knitting.
She was very proud and excited to be able to carry the job through to completion all by herself (for the most part).
Yay for simple confidence building activities!
So we put the needles aside and picked up one of these round knitting loom things.
Much quicker and easier to maneuver than needles and she has finished her first little hat in about a day of off and on knitting.
She was very proud and excited to be able to carry the job through to completion all by herself (for the most part).
Yay for simple confidence building activities!
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
I Love Fall
And this is a perfect fall project - simple, zen, round and round stockinette bliss that allows you to stare out the window at the leaves changing color while enjoying the silence of the new school year.
I've used Cascade Eco Wool before and loved it and this was no different - it's "sheepy" but not so rustic that it isn't pleasant for the hands while knitting - and when blocked it's just warm and cozy and perfect for fall.
Now why I didn't lengthen the arms a bit, I don't know - fall can be chilly - I guess I'll have to dive into the stash and whip up some arm warmers!
I've used Cascade Eco Wool before and loved it and this was no different - it's "sheepy" but not so rustic that it isn't pleasant for the hands while knitting - and when blocked it's just warm and cozy and perfect for fall.
Now why I didn't lengthen the arms a bit, I don't know - fall can be chilly - I guess I'll have to dive into the stash and whip up some arm warmers!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Happiest Sock On Earth
We got back Monday night from a quick SoCal trip. Enjoyed Disneyland for 3 days then down to La Jolla for my cousin's wedding. It was a pretty relaxed trip considering it involved an amusement park. The kids loved it and it was a nice end of summer treat.
Had knitting on hand of course, and this sock got to meet several of the Disney characters.
I feel like this week is the official beginning of the school year and it's time to get my game head on. It's a whole new world for me this year with all 3 kids in full time school. I have no more excuses for not getting things done. So I'd better go now before my 6 hours are sucked away by the computer!
Had knitting on hand of course, and this sock got to meet several of the Disney characters.
I feel like this week is the official beginning of the school year and it's time to get my game head on. It's a whole new world for me this year with all 3 kids in full time school. I have no more excuses for not getting things done. So I'd better go now before my 6 hours are sucked away by the computer!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Close - knit.
Grandpa left us in May at the age of 97. His wish was to go back to the small mining town where he lived as a child, so we spent last Saturday with family remembering Dad/Grandpa/Great-Grandpa at a beautiful lake near his hometown.
Also spent some time in the museum getting a glimpse of what life was like way back when.
We found a few pictures of Grandpa's older brother - one in a band playing the xylophone and a couple others of him leading marching band - fascinating.
I am especially glad that my kids could see this piece of their family history and share it with their grandparents and cousins.
I couldn't help sneakily snapping these shots in the museum as well - history knitted into these pieces - history tangled and unclear.
The mysterious past - we unravel and try to understand what it may have been like. We find our own meaning and connection as we knit that past into our own story.
Also spent some time in the museum getting a glimpse of what life was like way back when.
We found a few pictures of Grandpa's older brother - one in a band playing the xylophone and a couple others of him leading marching band - fascinating.
I am especially glad that my kids could see this piece of their family history and share it with their grandparents and cousins.
I couldn't help sneakily snapping these shots in the museum as well - history knitted into these pieces - history tangled and unclear.
The mysterious past - we unravel and try to understand what it may have been like. We find our own meaning and connection as we knit that past into our own story.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Something Worked!
Not a knitted creation but I just had to share!
It's been a bit of an ordeal trying to figure out how to make things for my youngest son to eat. For about the last 8 months we've been trying to adhere to a diet that eliminates (for the most part) everything he enjoys due to food intolerance issues.
Dairy, wheat, gluten, eggs, citrus - the poor kid!
In any case, I have done lots more cooking from scratch than I have ever done before in my life being the lazy, take-out kind of girl that I am. There have been a few successful creations that are "Drew-safe" and acceptable to the rest of the family. There have been far more unsuccessful creations - mushy pancakes, dense like a paper weight scones, adzuki bean ice-cream, mustard green smoothies...Needless to say I have ended up eating lots of interesting things that everyone else (not so) politely declined.
But this is my greatest gluten, egg, dairy free creation to date. A trip to the local farmer's market scored us lots of yummy, fresh, green goodness including these substantial fellows
And though I am happy to eat zucchini raw or grilled or lightly sauteed with onions, there are others in the household who would rather eat a plastic bag than deal with this mild-mannered squash in it's most natural preparations. So of course we move on to the zucchini bread.
So out came the food processor, in went the zucchini and out came oodles of grated goodness. (3 cups for the bread, 2 large tupperwarefuls in the fridge, and a bag in the freezer).
The bread looks and tastes wonderful, and I'm just happy that my youngest can enjoy this along with the other kids instead of having to eat his "special" treats while they dig in to their own yummies.
Here's the recipe - mainly for me to be able to look back and see what I did, because that is another problem I've had - not writing down the recipes for the few successful experiments in the kitchen! Feel free to try it out, but remember this is a KNITTING blog - I am no culinary expert and will take credit for only my own FAILS in the kitchen!
Gluten, Egg, Dairy free Zucchini Bread
2 cups rice flour
1 cup tapioca flour
1 tsp. each - salt, baking soda, baking powder
3/4 tsp. xanthan gum
2 tsps. ground cinnamon
1 cup vegetable oil (you could probably do 3/4 cup and be fine)
2 cups white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. ground flax mixed with 6 Tbsp. of water (acts like eggs)
1/4 cup apple butter (because I had it in the house - applesauce would be fine)
2-3 cups grated zucchini
Directions:
1. Grease 1 Bundt pan (or 2 loaf pans) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Mix flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat flax mixture, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini until well combined. Pour batter into bundt pan.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and cool completely.
At long last we have a winner!
It's been a bit of an ordeal trying to figure out how to make things for my youngest son to eat. For about the last 8 months we've been trying to adhere to a diet that eliminates (for the most part) everything he enjoys due to food intolerance issues.
Dairy, wheat, gluten, eggs, citrus - the poor kid!
In any case, I have done lots more cooking from scratch than I have ever done before in my life being the lazy, take-out kind of girl that I am. There have been a few successful creations that are "Drew-safe" and acceptable to the rest of the family. There have been far more unsuccessful creations - mushy pancakes, dense like a paper weight scones, adzuki bean ice-cream, mustard green smoothies...Needless to say I have ended up eating lots of interesting things that everyone else (not so) politely declined.
But this is my greatest gluten, egg, dairy free creation to date. A trip to the local farmer's market scored us lots of yummy, fresh, green goodness including these substantial fellows
And though I am happy to eat zucchini raw or grilled or lightly sauteed with onions, there are others in the household who would rather eat a plastic bag than deal with this mild-mannered squash in it's most natural preparations. So of course we move on to the zucchini bread.
So out came the food processor, in went the zucchini and out came oodles of grated goodness. (3 cups for the bread, 2 large tupperwarefuls in the fridge, and a bag in the freezer).
The bread looks and tastes wonderful, and I'm just happy that my youngest can enjoy this along with the other kids instead of having to eat his "special" treats while they dig in to their own yummies.
Here's the recipe - mainly for me to be able to look back and see what I did, because that is another problem I've had - not writing down the recipes for the few successful experiments in the kitchen! Feel free to try it out, but remember this is a KNITTING blog - I am no culinary expert and will take credit for only my own FAILS in the kitchen!
Gluten, Egg, Dairy free Zucchini Bread
2 cups rice flour
1 cup tapioca flour
1 tsp. each - salt, baking soda, baking powder
3/4 tsp. xanthan gum
2 tsps. ground cinnamon
1 cup vegetable oil (you could probably do 3/4 cup and be fine)
2 cups white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. ground flax mixed with 6 Tbsp. of water (acts like eggs)
1/4 cup apple butter (because I had it in the house - applesauce would be fine)
2-3 cups grated zucchini
Directions:
1. Grease 1 Bundt pan (or 2 loaf pans) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Mix flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat flax mixture, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini until well combined. Pour batter into bundt pan.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and cool completely.
At long last we have a winner!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Blankie
Niece in October.
She gets this bright little thing.
Yarn: Berroco Comfort (Acrylic, nylon blend = squishy soft and easy care)
My own pattern
Size 9 needles
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Another Reason to Love Knitted Socks
All those crazy colors you would never don on more highly visible areas of your body are completely acceptable when on your feet - and a sneaky little bit of fun when you slip off your shoes and admire them throughout the day!
Nice and stretchy with the Cascade Fixation yarn.
Toe up using Magic Loop. 44 sts
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Summer Stash Survey
Purchase of this
Prompted this
Which became this
And that's just the one cabinet - now to the closet!
- oy -
Prompted this
Which became this
And that's just the one cabinet - now to the closet!
- oy -
Monday, August 02, 2010
The monsters made me do it.
Those monsters taught me Judy's Magic Cast on and that was the end of it - I could no longer simply look at hand knit socks with admiration - I had to partake.
I tried out knitting a pair of toe up socks from Wendy Johnson's Socks From the Toe Up
and had success and now am completely sock smitten. This book is phenomenal for getting a handle on basic toe-up construction. Several different toe and heel options are clearly explained so the knitter can pick and choose what she likes. (And I'm all about the choices and messing about with perfectly well written patterns. I think I've followed maybe 2 patterns word for word, stitch for stitch, without amendment in my 6 year knitting life.) The whole toe - up thing, like knitting sweaters top down, is just more intuitive for me. For some reason these methods trick my brain into thinking I am going faster. Knowing that when I'm done knitting there is no seaming waiting for me helps keep me going.
I even finished a pair of Cuff-down socks that I started 3 years ago. (See this post) The monsters also taught me that grafting is not such a scary endeavor, so the small amount of Kitchener Stitch at the toe of a cuff-down sock is no longer my enemy. (Though I will still choose toe-up more often!)
I love that there is always something new to learn in knitting. When I first started I would never have dreamed there were myriad ways to cast on, turn a heel, shape a shoulder, incorporate a multicolored flying monkey motif in the center of your sweater, and all the rest.
Call me simple-minded, but this endless looping of string never ceases to fascinate me and I am so glad for my entanglement.
I tried out knitting a pair of toe up socks from Wendy Johnson's Socks From the Toe Up
and had success and now am completely sock smitten. This book is phenomenal for getting a handle on basic toe-up construction. Several different toe and heel options are clearly explained so the knitter can pick and choose what she likes. (And I'm all about the choices and messing about with perfectly well written patterns. I think I've followed maybe 2 patterns word for word, stitch for stitch, without amendment in my 6 year knitting life.) The whole toe - up thing, like knitting sweaters top down, is just more intuitive for me. For some reason these methods trick my brain into thinking I am going faster. Knowing that when I'm done knitting there is no seaming waiting for me helps keep me going.
I even finished a pair of Cuff-down socks that I started 3 years ago. (See this post) The monsters also taught me that grafting is not such a scary endeavor, so the small amount of Kitchener Stitch at the toe of a cuff-down sock is no longer my enemy. (Though I will still choose toe-up more often!)
I love that there is always something new to learn in knitting. When I first started I would never have dreamed there were myriad ways to cast on, turn a heel, shape a shoulder, incorporate a multicolored flying monkey motif in the center of your sweater, and all the rest.
Call me simple-minded, but this endless looping of string never ceases to fascinate me and I am so glad for my entanglement.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monster Madness!
MORE!!!!
A monster family for my nephew's 2nd birthday. He's expecting a little sister in a few months - hence the teeny monster!
Daphne and Delilah pattern by dangercrafts
A monster family for my nephew's 2nd birthday. He's expecting a little sister in a few months - hence the teeny monster!
Daphne and Delilah pattern by dangercrafts
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
M O N S T A S !
"Monster Chunks"
Gifted these to my 3 monstas for Summer Solstice - they are having fun naming them and assigning super powers to each. Plans are in the works for building homes and making a "playing card" for each of them as well. Yeah for simple summer fun!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Stuff
This could be my summer of Stuffed Toys.
Baby Bobbi Bear
Yarn: Berocco Vintage
Size 5 needles
Too much cuteness - but alas, he'll be off to San Francisco soon to make a home with a good friend's new baby girl.
Need to cast on another soon to lessen the sting of his departure!
Baby Bobbi Bear
Yarn: Berocco Vintage
Size 5 needles
Too much cuteness - but alas, he'll be off to San Francisco soon to make a home with a good friend's new baby girl.
Need to cast on another soon to lessen the sting of his departure!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Welcome Summer Vacation!
This little guy accompanied me to pick up Oldest Son and Daughter from their last day of school!
Then went to the school principal as a thank you for the year!
DangerCraft's baby monster from the Daphne and Delilah set.
Then went to the school principal as a thank you for the year!
DangerCraft's baby monster from the Daphne and Delilah set.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Friday, June 04, 2010
Pink Scarf
Dropped it off at my LYS yesterday to be donated to a local hospital for their "Project Pink Scarf"
for breast cancer patients.
~For my Anta, who has been gone 11 years yet remains such a memorable presence in my heart.
~For my knitting friend who beat it and is going strong.
~For my mother and sisters and dear friends who I pray will never have to deal with it.
for breast cancer patients.
~For my Anta, who has been gone 11 years yet remains such a memorable presence in my heart.
~For my knitting friend who beat it and is going strong.
~For my mother and sisters and dear friends who I pray will never have to deal with it.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Almost There
I ran up the stairs ~
Just a slight smidgen of pain ~
Dancing legs return ~
(These have nothing to do with dancing or pulling of hamstrings but are cute and fast and a great way to use up cotton stash yarn for useful re-usable pot or face scrubbers - also great indoor mini frisbes - WHEEEE! TRIBBLES!)
Just a slight smidgen of pain ~
Dancing legs return ~
(These have nothing to do with dancing or pulling of hamstrings but are cute and fast and a great way to use up cotton stash yarn for useful re-usable pot or face scrubbers - also great indoor mini frisbes - WHEEEE! TRIBBLES!)
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