Today we celebrated C Boy's birthday. What? You didn't? C Boy's birthday was today, B Boy's birthday was last week, and D Boy's birthday is next week. This is according to my youngest, who tells us all about the letter boys. They are Super Heros, and they each have different talents and abilities. There are also Evil Letter Boys (to oppose the Super Heros) and smaller, usually lower-case Letter Girls. Lost yet?
So today we had a little party for C Boy. We had Mexican Chicken tortilla soup, Cornbread, Carrots, Cheese sandwiches, Chips, Cran-Grape juice, double Chocolate Chunk Cookies. The kids made Crowns. We Created (ok--we knit). My sister sent an unexpected birthday card to C Boy that arrived TODAY! (She's good.) The card had glitter and kid art. It was fabulous! My nephew didn't "get it" but he wished C Boy a happy birthday anyway.
C Boy, for those who are interested, wears a Cape, Chases Cats, and rides in a Car.
D Boy is up next week. What to do... Donuts? Drums?
Well, I've (nearly) finished my Lizard Ridge. I love it! It is fully knit, blocked, and sewn together. It needs an edging, but that shouldn't take too long. I finished the Santa Scarf--it turned out pretty cute! Now I'm working on a Mrs. Weasley's Bag from Charmed Knits. Fun project.
ttyl...
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Knitters are great!
I love knitters! I've been to two great things lately that have just made me happy. Yesterday I took a road trip with two friends and a Very Little Boy to Greenville, SC. The Greenville Knitting Guild had a Knit Inn. Registration was (get this) FIVE DOLLARS. I could actually afford it. Had I registered in time, I might have been able to take one of many classes they had going on, again for only FIVE DOLLARS. Since I didn't decide to go until Monday, I didn't get into any classes. I still had a fabulous time. We drove for 2 1/2 hours or so and then basically parked ourselves in the Drury Inn dining area along with a bunch of other knitters. There was a room with cookies and pop, a few vendors, a silent auction, and door prizes. People shifted in and out, but mostly we just WERE. We knit. (knitted?)
We got to meet a wonderful knitter from (who currently lives in) Greenville. (Hi, Heather!) We walked over to Whole Foods for lunch and we found beer samples--I even liked a couple of them. After a cruise through AC Moore, we had dinner at a cool coffee shop called Underground Coffee. We were definitely old fogies, though--everyone else there was 25 or younger, and Cool. We were Uncool, but that's one of the benefits of being old(er). We didn't care, and we had a great time anyway! What a great, great day.
Last weekend I was invited to another knitter's house for a Pride and Prejudice marathon knit-in. From 2:30 to 9:30 we watched all five hours of the BBC version of PaP, drank tea, and knit. There was talking, sharing, crying--I'm sorry I had to leave. I had left DH home with one sick boy and one bouncing-off-the-wall-recently-healthy boy (101.5 to 103.3 fever for a week, but finally over it), and I thought I should see how they all were. I hope the girls decide to gather again.
I love knitters!
We got to meet a wonderful knitter from (who currently lives in) Greenville. (Hi, Heather!) We walked over to Whole Foods for lunch and we found beer samples--I even liked a couple of them. After a cruise through AC Moore, we had dinner at a cool coffee shop called Underground Coffee. We were definitely old fogies, though--everyone else there was 25 or younger, and Cool. We were Uncool, but that's one of the benefits of being old(er). We didn't care, and we had a great time anyway! What a great, great day.
Last weekend I was invited to another knitter's house for a Pride and Prejudice marathon knit-in. From 2:30 to 9:30 we watched all five hours of the BBC version of PaP, drank tea, and knit. There was talking, sharing, crying--I'm sorry I had to leave. I had left DH home with one sick boy and one bouncing-off-the-wall-recently-healthy boy (101.5 to 103.3 fever for a week, but finally over it), and I thought I should see how they all were. I hope the girls decide to gather again.
I love knitters!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The *!@#*#@ Vest is Done
Yesterday I finished the vest I started knitting for my dad several years ago. It has been three or four years--I'm not sure. I think I've blocked it out. There is nothing wrong with the pattern (from Knitter's, years ago), the yarn was wonderful. If this were a computer I would say it is a PEBCAK issue. You know...the Problem Exists Between the Chair and the Keyboard. In this case, I guess it was PEBNAY. Between the Needles and the Yarn. Me. Me. Me. The problem was all me. Luckily, I seem to have put all of my knitting issues in this one project. May they all stay there.
Just after Christmas one year, my parents were visiting. I purposely didn't give my dad a present, but gave him a Future Vest. I showed him a pattern I had picked out and asked his opinion. He didn't care for it, but did pick another pattern from the same issue. So far so good. I ordered the yarn. Still, so far, so good. Slowly but surely I knitted one side. That was with the correct needles, size 9. Later (why rush) I knitted the other side. With size 6 needles. Go, me. As it is a mistake rib pattern and I was knitting to measurements and couldn't tell the difference, I soldiered on. Finally (it must have been 1 1/2 years by now) I finished it up and sent it off to Iowa. Turns out the vest was about three inches too short for my father. Yea.
Again, go me. I said "no problem--send it back." I thought I'd be able to take off the ribbing, knit up or down--whatever--make it longer and send it back. Don't get too cocky with knitting. It will get you back. I could NOT figure out how to attach knitting to this funky mistake rib pattern without having it show, so after Much Procrastination, I finally decided I'd have to reknit it. Several times over, I hated this vest. It doesn't even have sleeves. There is no reason for this thing to take years to knit.
I reknit it. A front, a back. After I added three inches, though, I ran out of yarn. There was not enough left to do the neck and arm bands. So close and yet so far. Guess what--the yarn was discontinued. (Note to self--Knit Your Projects in a Reasonable Amount of Time!) I finally found a wonderful person on Ravelry who pointed me to another wonderful person who was willing to sell to me her one skein of Artful Yarns Jazz in colorway Dizzy. Whew and wow. Project underway again.
Around New Year's 2007, I sewed the shoulder seams and did the neckband THREE times, for various reasons. (Sewed back on backwards, sewed inside out...for the record, it was really hard to tell inside from outside when I wasn't looking carefully). Third time was charm enough--I don't love the result, but it will pass. Then when I was sewing up the SECOND side seam I noticed that the ribbing on the front is half an inch shorter than the ribbing on the back. How on Earth did I do that??? And why didn't I see it until sewing up the SECOND seam??? That mistake stays as is.
Now the ends are woven in. It is DONE. AGAIN. I hope it will be long enough for my dear old dad. I also hope that I haven't breathed too many bad thoughts into that stupid vest.
So I don 't leave you with all negative thoughts, think on this...Lizard Ridge. Again! For Christmas 2006 I made one for my sister and BIL. I LOVED the pattern, the project, the yarn, the end result. I had to give it away. It's a good thing they like it! (As a matter of fact, my knitting is famous now! They sent it out on their New Years cards this year! OK--the picture is of the dog, but he is ON my Lizard Ridge, which is draped over my BIL. Nice!) So I am now nine squares into a 30 square afghan. I am loving it again. Theirs had more brights and more contrast--mine is not turning out that way, but I've got a ways to go. It is fascinating to watch it grow.
I think my next big UFO to tackle will be my Rogue. I don't remember when I started that either, but I don't hate it yet. I just got sidetracked. I may get sidetracked again, though, because I've got two pregnant friends...
Love--Becky
Just after Christmas one year, my parents were visiting. I purposely didn't give my dad a present, but gave him a Future Vest. I showed him a pattern I had picked out and asked his opinion. He didn't care for it, but did pick another pattern from the same issue. So far so good. I ordered the yarn. Still, so far, so good. Slowly but surely I knitted one side. That was with the correct needles, size 9. Later (why rush) I knitted the other side. With size 6 needles. Go, me. As it is a mistake rib pattern and I was knitting to measurements and couldn't tell the difference, I soldiered on. Finally (it must have been 1 1/2 years by now) I finished it up and sent it off to Iowa. Turns out the vest was about three inches too short for my father. Yea.
Again, go me. I said "no problem--send it back." I thought I'd be able to take off the ribbing, knit up or down--whatever--make it longer and send it back. Don't get too cocky with knitting. It will get you back. I could NOT figure out how to attach knitting to this funky mistake rib pattern without having it show, so after Much Procrastination, I finally decided I'd have to reknit it. Several times over, I hated this vest. It doesn't even have sleeves. There is no reason for this thing to take years to knit.
I reknit it. A front, a back. After I added three inches, though, I ran out of yarn. There was not enough left to do the neck and arm bands. So close and yet so far. Guess what--the yarn was discontinued. (Note to self--Knit Your Projects in a Reasonable Amount of Time!) I finally found a wonderful person on Ravelry who pointed me to another wonderful person who was willing to sell to me her one skein of Artful Yarns Jazz in colorway Dizzy. Whew and wow. Project underway again.
Around New Year's 2007, I sewed the shoulder seams and did the neckband THREE times, for various reasons. (Sewed back on backwards, sewed inside out...for the record, it was really hard to tell inside from outside when I wasn't looking carefully). Third time was charm enough--I don't love the result, but it will pass. Then when I was sewing up the SECOND side seam I noticed that the ribbing on the front is half an inch shorter than the ribbing on the back. How on Earth did I do that??? And why didn't I see it until sewing up the SECOND seam??? That mistake stays as is.
Now the ends are woven in. It is DONE. AGAIN. I hope it will be long enough for my dear old dad. I also hope that I haven't breathed too many bad thoughts into that stupid vest.
So I don 't leave you with all negative thoughts, think on this...Lizard Ridge. Again! For Christmas 2006 I made one for my sister and BIL. I LOVED the pattern, the project, the yarn, the end result. I had to give it away. It's a good thing they like it! (As a matter of fact, my knitting is famous now! They sent it out on their New Years cards this year! OK--the picture is of the dog, but he is ON my Lizard Ridge, which is draped over my BIL. Nice!) So I am now nine squares into a 30 square afghan. I am loving it again. Theirs had more brights and more contrast--mine is not turning out that way, but I've got a ways to go. It is fascinating to watch it grow.
I think my next big UFO to tackle will be my Rogue. I don't remember when I started that either, but I don't hate it yet. I just got sidetracked. I may get sidetracked again, though, because I've got two pregnant friends...
Love--Becky
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
2008. Wow. I'm short on time right now, but I do want to officially state that I will finish four UFOs this year. My dad's vest and three others--doesn't matter which ones, but I'm going to get the lead out and finish some things. I'm going to eat right and exercise--really! I'm going to get a job.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Blueberry Cake
Well, it turns out that I DO know how to make Blueberry Cake, after all. I think the two main characteristics I had to include were Blue and Blueberry. So, I started with a two-layer round white cake, turned blue with food coloring. (You know, I usually do fancy shapes and piping, and lots of work, but...this was the request of Birthday Boy. Even so, I almost felt like I was letting him down. I've got to get over that.) The frosting was from the back of the box, sort of. I made standard frosting--1 box+ powdered sugar, 1 stick margarine, 1 t vanilla, a couple T milk. Then I added 1 tub lite Cool Whip and 1 t dried lemon peel and a copious amount of blue food coloring. Frosted bottom layer, added layer of blueberries. Then added second layer, frosted again. Spelled MATT with blueberries, added a few around the bottom for good measure. I thought it was done, but it turned out that what it really needed was ABC sprinkles to make it perfect. The boys both ate every bite, which doesn't usually happen. I guess it was a success!
The SotS is finished and blocked, and turned out pretty well. I'm pleased.
My dad's vest is on hold once again. I have finished both the front and the back, but... I've run out of yarn. And it is discontinued. (Note to self: Finish projects in a timely manner!) I think I've got a way to buy one more skein, but I'll be holding my breath until it gets here. It obviously won't be from the same dye lot, but it will be the same yarn, same colorway. All I have to do is the neck band and the arm bands. At least those will all be from the same dye lot. I just hope it is going to be close. I really want to get this thing off my plate.
It's getting colder here in Georgia...time to break out the scarves!
The SotS is finished and blocked, and turned out pretty well. I'm pleased.
My dad's vest is on hold once again. I have finished both the front and the back, but... I've run out of yarn. And it is discontinued. (Note to self: Finish projects in a timely manner!) I think I've got a way to buy one more skein, but I'll be holding my breath until it gets here. It obviously won't be from the same dye lot, but it will be the same yarn, same colorway. All I have to do is the neck band and the arm bands. At least those will all be from the same dye lot. I just hope it is going to be close. I really want to get this thing off my plate.
It's getting colder here in Georgia...time to break out the scarves!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Another Birthday!
We have a FOUR year old! DS2 turned four today. He is, of course, very excited about his birthday, and has declared that we get to go to the Alligator Park this afternoon. (There is a slide that looks like an alligator. Nobody else in East Cobb would know what you were talking about if you referred to the Alligator Park, though, so don't try it.) Tonight we dine on pizza AT the restaurant, and we will come home to Blueberry Cake and presents. (I think I've figured out how I'm going to comply with the cake request, but the proof will be in the pudding...)
Knitting...
I last wrote in early October. My, that is a lot of time. I have been making slow progress on the vest, and hope to have it done by the end of November. The Swiss-cheese scarf is done. I have also been keeping up with the SOS, or the Secret of the Stole, so that should be done next week. It is black with black beads, like my MS3, because that is what I had handy. I think it will be for my sister--she actually gets to go out now and again. Maybe I will keep the next one for myself. I've signed up for a couple more lace knit-alongs which start sometime next year, so maybe I will do one of those. Although I love the enforced pacing of the KALs, and the result is beautiful, I'm itching to knit another Lizard Ridge (and about a hundred other things). I need science to extend life expectency about 150 years, because I think I've got about that many projects lined up.
I got to do something fun a couple weeks ago... I loaded up a bunch of knitting, yarn, needles, and kids books (with knitting references/themes, of course) and read to DS1s 1st grade class. The kids seemed entertained--I hope they were. I got to show the scarf that DS and I designed when he was a little 3 year old, the Goodnight Moon afghan I designed, lace-edged pillowcases that my great-great-grandmother made, a knitted lace bonnet that my mom found at an auction or estate sale, and other things I packed in the bin. I read Derek the Knitting Dinosaur, The Long Red Scarf, Mrs. McDockerty's Knitting, and The Red Wolf. The Red Wolf is a bit weird (the princess turns her father the king into a mouse with knitted pajamas), but it was the kids' favorite. You never can tell, I guess. I don't think I was too obsessed-sounding, and the kids got to be exposed to knitting as a neat topic. It was a good day.
Well, Birthday Boy is telling me that it is time to go to the park. Ta ta!
Knitting...
I last wrote in early October. My, that is a lot of time. I have been making slow progress on the vest, and hope to have it done by the end of November. The Swiss-cheese scarf is done. I have also been keeping up with the SOS, or the Secret of the Stole, so that should be done next week. It is black with black beads, like my MS3, because that is what I had handy. I think it will be for my sister--she actually gets to go out now and again. Maybe I will keep the next one for myself. I've signed up for a couple more lace knit-alongs which start sometime next year, so maybe I will do one of those. Although I love the enforced pacing of the KALs, and the result is beautiful, I'm itching to knit another Lizard Ridge (and about a hundred other things). I need science to extend life expectency about 150 years, because I think I've got about that many projects lined up.
I got to do something fun a couple weeks ago... I loaded up a bunch of knitting, yarn, needles, and kids books (with knitting references/themes, of course) and read to DS1s 1st grade class. The kids seemed entertained--I hope they were. I got to show the scarf that DS and I designed when he was a little 3 year old, the Goodnight Moon afghan I designed, lace-edged pillowcases that my great-great-grandmother made, a knitted lace bonnet that my mom found at an auction or estate sale, and other things I packed in the bin. I read Derek the Knitting Dinosaur, The Long Red Scarf, Mrs. McDockerty's Knitting, and The Red Wolf. The Red Wolf is a bit weird (the princess turns her father the king into a mouse with knitted pajamas), but it was the kids' favorite. You never can tell, I guess. I don't think I was too obsessed-sounding, and the kids got to be exposed to knitting as a neat topic. It was a good day.
Well, Birthday Boy is telling me that it is time to go to the park. Ta ta!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Happy Birthday, Hubby!
DH had a big birthday today. I wish I could have done something fabulous for him. He has been a wonderful support for me, and I'm lucky to be married to him. Almost ten years--can you believe it?
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