February Stash Enhancements
Big C is not the only one who got presents this month.

It's my birthday too so I deserve a little yarny love. It all started with some sock yarn from Taming of the Ewe. I've got to support the local yarn shop. And besides, sock yarn doesn't count right?






Then I found a few bargains on Ebay...














Then Daddy-O took me for a birthday shopping spree to Knit Nouveau. (Is he not the best?) I actually excercised some restraint. No really I did...
The Patagonia Nature Cotton is so lovely and soft. I'm finally going to make the Rustic Ribs Cardi. It is going to be a super spring time jacket.

When I saw the Panda Wool I just had to have it. No, it isn't made of Pandas... it's a bamboo wool blend. The subtile shades will be perfect for a pair of Rosa's Socks.

I'm starting my yarn diet on Monday.

Happy Birthday, Happy New Year!


Our little Valentine turned 2 this week. We had the big party at the house Saturday and attended a Chinese New year party that evening.
It was so much fun to meet everyone in our adoption group. They are such a sweet welcoming group of parents and a bright happy group of kids. Looking around last night not only made me thankful for the miracle of adoption, but thankful for the miracle of family and friendship.


Happy New Year everyone!
 

Girls Love Hats!


Not long after we decided to start the adoption process I got the urge to knit hats, lots and lots of girly hats. A month and several balls of Cotton Tots later I had more than a dozen little roll brim hats. Chinese New Year seemed like the perfect time to share the girly hat love.

At top: Sunni and Jillian.
Bottom: Lisa and Reagan


















Pattern: Children's Cotton Hats from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Yarn: Bernat Cotton Tots
Needle: Size 7 Circular and DPN's 

Pebbles looked so pretty when we picked her up from the groomers that I just had to post some pictures.
















Look Kim, she even came home with hairbows! 

Cho Socks Complete!












Before anyone thinks I have dropped off of the face of the earth, here's a finished object.

Cho Socks

Yarn: Sunshine Yarns "Ravenclaw"
Needles: Size 1 Circulars
Pattern: Basic Stockinette Heel Flap over 60 stitches 

And the Bama nation rejoices! I guess I can finally do away with Daddy-O's "Got Shula?" shirt.

Something for my little bear...




















Camo Ski Hat

Pattern: Camo Ski Hat From Knitty Gritty

Yarn: Bernat Camo

Needles: Size 8 bamboo circular and DPN's

Modifications: The original pattern calls for bulky weight wool and size 10 needles. I modified the yarn and gauge to fit
my little guy's head.


I made the last hand-knit of 2006 after Big C asked me to make a hat. Ok, he didn't exactly ask for a camo ski hat. He did toddle up yesterday morning and ask, "C's hat?" while I was in the middle of one of the many cotton baby hats I've been making. Faster than you can say "mommy guilt" I had this little number on the needles. The pompom and braided ties were installed in time for C to wear it to my mom's house for New Year's Eve.

What did I do for New Year's? Totally kicked Daddy-o's butt at Wii Boxing!

Post Op Knitting

















I am now 48 hours narcotic free. The surgery went extremely well. Daddy-O had me home and in bed before I actually realized that it was all over. My boys were excellent care givers. Daddy-O kept ice packs on my face and Big C entertained me with his toys. (At one point I vaguely remember having a Drop and Roar Dinosaur on my chest.)

I didn't expect to get much knitting done, but I finished a pair of Fetching gloves for my MIL, got through the better part of a Ravenclaw sock, and started the Rustic Ribs Cardi. Anyone out there who is intimidated by knitting a sweater, turning a heel, or making cables should take heart. If I can do it on somewhat powerful drugs, you can handle it clear headed.

Things I asked/told Daddy-O a few times too many in the first 48 hours:
(Seriously, I kept saying the same things over and over.)

"Is my face swollen?"
"Tell me what happened on Lost."
"Did Meridith and McDreamy really kiss or did I just dream that?"
"McSteamy is such a bastard!"
"Hey, look at my sock."
"Feel this, it's Cashmerino. Ooooh Cashmerino..."

Off to bed now...work tomorrow. I can't wait to show my first graders the teeth that I lost this weekend. 

Soctober is Over, Sigh...
















Finally, a pair of socks that aren't too loud to wear with my favorite grey sneakers. Cascade Fixation is my new best friend. Sproingy, cuddly, and NO ITCH. I'm going to start a pair of Fixation ancle socks for my MIL soon. But first I'm going in this afternoon to have my wisdom teeth removed. Experience tells me that knitting under the influence is BAD. 

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I began making socks in the spring of 2004. I had only been knitting for a couple of months.
I mainly taught myself, but I had some help from the lady who taught my beginner's class.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
My first pair was knit in the spring of 2005. They have held up wonderfully because I never wear them! They are made from Lion Magic Stripes. They feel like barbed wire to my sensitive skin.

What would you have done differently?
Used a different yarn!

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I just discovered Cascade Fixation. Soft and cuddly, with NO ITCH!

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I started off with DPNs, but now 2 circs is my preferred method. There is no extra needle to lose and Big C can't yank a needle free from my knitting.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Flap baby!

How many pairs have you made?
5 with two more on the needles

My Very First Sock

Knit Spring 2004
Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes
Needles: Size 2 Bamboo Double Points
Pattern: Knit It Basic Sock Pattern

I was so proud of my first lumpy little sock. Sadly, I wasn't proud enough to make her a mate. I ran out of yarn and didn't bother to order anymore.

My First Complete Pair of Socks

Knit Spring 2005
Yarn: Lion Brand Magic Stripes
Pattern: Knit It Basic Sock Pattern
Needles: Size 2 Bamboo Double Points

These socks turned out to be much more attractive than the first. I knit them in about two weeks while Big C was still nursing. Too bad I didn't know much about yarn quality at this point. They feel like spun fiberglass to my sensitive feet. I'm thinking about donating them to Children in Common. Eastern European children wear socks over their tights, so perhaps they wouldn't itch so badly.

There hasn't been much blogging around here this October, but Socktoberfest is in full swing.

















Pattern: Peter's Socks by Nancy Bush

Yarn: Knitpicks Dancing

Needles: Size 1 Circulars

Pattern: Generic Stockinette Sock

Yarn: Cascade Fixation

Needles: Size 3 Circulars

Mason Dixon projects still dominate my "to-knit" list. I finished this lovely scribble lace shawl yesterday afternoon. The ribbon yarn is Lion Brand Incredible in Autumn Leaves. I used crochet cotton for the contrasting yarn.















In blankie news my grandmother finished the final blankie. We didn't have enough time to include it in the Ukraine project, so it will make its way to Project Linus this week.

The Ukraine blankies take off tomorrow morning. Pray that they reach their little owners safely. I hope to have pictures soon!

I delivered 7 beautiful blankets to the director of my church's Ukraine mission trip Sunday. 3 blankets were made entirely of MDK squares. The others were made by home town friends and family. I am continually amazed by the generosity of my fellow knitters. Richard promised pictures of the blankets with their recipiants. I pray that they will bring joy and warmth to little ones in need.
 

And the winner is...
(No, I don't have man-hands. My hubby did the honors.)




















PAULA! I will pack up your Cotton-Ease Log Cabin kit this evening. It should be in the mail Monday.



































Posing by the Rowenta are the beautiful squares sent in by Stephanie B and Lynn. Stephanie's Classic Elite squares were knit enroute to Korea. This makes them the most traveled squares of the bunch. Lynn's Baby Soft squares will hopefully be sewn up by my grandmother and given a border in time to hop on the plane to the Ukraine. 

Catching up...

The first week of school is almost always the hardest. There's tons of paperwork, a classroom to prepare, not to mention 16 new little faces to learn. Compounding the stress, Big C has been sick all week with fever and a cold. Thank goodness he has been able to stay with his grandparents while Daddy-O and I get our classrooms up and running. Needless to say we've been suffering serious bouts of mommy and daddy guilt. We are very grateful that he's on the mend and that we had the weekend to rest and relax as a family.















Big C and Daddy-O catch up on some much needed sleep.


















My mom and I catch up on the Ukraine blankie project. She crocheted a nifty little border on the acrylic blankie. She'll start on the Cotton-ease blankie soon. I sewed Cotton Classic squares until my eyes crossed. 

Quick post...
Believe it or not it's a school night, so I'll have to keep this post short.

Look at all the pretty squares that came pouring in this week. Francie sent these lovely Paton's Paradise squares along with a mitered square pen. Wow!






Take a look at Paula's lovely color combinations and tidy little stitches. My mom and I were super impressed!
As if 6 squares weren't enough, Paula also sent an adorable washcloth and coaster. Thank you so much Paula!
Stephanie sent in these cool denim squares. I adore the colors and believe she is sending even more soon. Keep em' coming!










I delivered two sewn up blankies to my mom this afternoon so she could crochet on a cute border. I have one other blanket to sew up, so I just don't have the time to knit on the border myself. Hopefully I can post finished blankie pictures soon.