5 Years of Sweaters

My firstborn Corbin is FIVE. I can hardly believe it and have been staring at him lately as he plays and pretends. I cannot believe how big he is and how much he has changed. I am so proud of him and the boy he is growing into. He has tons of energy and it can be hard for others to see past that initial craziness. However he has the biggest heart and is constantly thinking of the others in his family. The day before his birthday he "surprised" us all with breakfast. He got us each the cereals we liked to eat and had the milk poured. It was on the table and ready to eat. Another family tradition is going out for breakfast on their birthday. When we asked Corbin where he wanted to go he turned to Noah and asked if he would like to choose. I just love him so much and can't wait to experience the fast approaching school years. Christmas has already been so fun and I love getting to talk to him about the Christmas story.

It may be obvious from previous blog posts, but I make sweaters every year for each of my boys' birthday. As I was updating my ravelry projects page I realized that I had the history of sweaters and growth right there.

One Year Old, Not much of the sweater to see but it was the Wonderful Wallaby. It was also the first sweater that I ever knit :)

This is Corbin at 2, This was actually knit for Easter, I hadn't established my "tradition" yet. It is the Cobblestone Vest. It was knit from my handspun.

This is three! I loved this sweater and he wore it quite a bit! Only two skeins of Cascade 220 for this Twisted Tree Pullover.

Corbin's a fan of showing off his muscle's lol. This is four years old and I knit this out of Highlander a super yummy Alpaca and Merino blend. The Pattern is Langstroth it was a very fun knit.

And here he is a five this past Sunday. Sheesh!! So much bigger yet still a fan of showing off his guns lol.

His sweater for this year is Elizabeth Zimmerman's Tomten. I am in LOVE with this sweater and can't wait to make one for Noah. It was super fast and makes a great jacket with lots of ease for movement; as well as having a functional and fun hood! I knit it out of good ol' Cascade 220 and couldn't be happier with it!

Catch up

So I won't even try to play catch up but here are a few pictures of what I have been doing craft wise (well and the fair!) the past 2 months or so :)

Board walk, knitting, and boys

This morning Corbin had his second riding lesson (which went great!). But we had an hour to kill before heading to his lesson and decided to spend it at Potter's Marsh. I have great memories of exploring there as a child and love that my children get that same experience. My Dad had taken them earlier in week, which had made me realize how long it had been since I had gone. The boys enjoyed showing us everything and the day was so beautiful and the air so fresh. I needed that hour of respite in God's creation more than I knew.

There was also knitting (Skype socks)

While I was attending (another) baby shower the boys enjoyed more time outside! I came home and promptly gave them baths (although I am not sure how wise that was as they are camping out with their daddy in the yard tonight). This was Noah's feet just before bathing. I used to cringe at the thought of the kids getting this dirty. I feel joy in it now, a boys feet should look like that in the summer. As Corbin told me this morning "TV is boring" I must be doing something right!

Go Dog Go

I have a baby shower to attend tonight for a little boy that will be here soon. I got the dog fabrics from a friend and then had coordinating fabrics in the stash! So that made me happy and I think it turned out pretty cute. I am still working on my free motion quilting skills, but overall I am very happy with the finished project.

I have been knitting away like mad during my spare moments preparing for my fall classes. All the projects are going well, I just wish I had more time (Like everyone).

In other news, my husband is currently in the middle of testing with the Anchorage Fire Department and that has added a little stress to the mix. A family member also has some serious health issues going on right now and that has had me struggling to hand over the worry to God. I know He can handle it and knows the big picture, I just need to let go.

In happier tones our church just called an associate pastor. I am so excited for this man (and his family) to now be on full time!! The Lord has worked so amazingly in his life and he has done a lot for the church already!! I know it can only get better!!

New Zealand Pullover

So my pattern for the New Zealand Pullover (rav link) arrived in the mail and so the shawl has to take second seat at least until I can determine how long this pullover will take. I am SO excited to be working on this though as I am making it for my husband. He has wanted me to make him a sweater for a long time. When I saw this pattern I knew it would be for him. I did the swatch as prescribed by Elizabeth and washed and blocked it. I am getting 5.75 stitches to the inch and this will be the smallest gauge that I have ever knit an adult sweater. This will also be the largest sweater I have ever knit. So....I am a little nervous at how long it will take me. It is mostly stockinette so it will be fast on that account, but with probably 4-5 hours knitting yesterday at least, I have 3.5-4" on the body. I'm knitting it in Elsbeth Lavold's Silky Wool, their Burnt Orange color. It is one of my favorite yarns. I LOVE the resulting fabric. Below is a picture of the yarn, I will try to get some WIP pics when there is more to show :)

Also this will be one of the classes I am teaching in the fall at The Yarn Branch. We're doing "A Study in Elizabeth Zimmerman", with a choice in projects of either the Baby Surprise Jacket or the New Zealand Pullover. Both are unisex and can be knit in any weight yarn. I think this will make for a great class!

Camilla Baby Sweater and Pants

Yay! Nothing like the instant (pretty much) gratification of knitting for small babies. I finished the knitting on this two days ago but just sat down this morning to graft the underarms and weave in the ends. I am so happy with how this turned out! I think it's much cuter in person. I don't think the camera picked up the details so well. Of course it's a grey day and I have no baby to model it on....

The corduroy pants I whipped up in no time using a free template online. I think they turned out great! They cost about $5 to make and were so fast. I have materials to make two more pairs and hope to get them done sooner than later.

I made the 6mo size in both so it should be a great little fall/winter outfit for this spring baby.

Botanical Medallion Cardigan

Thanks to my sister Whitney, I was FINALLY able to get pics taken in my Botanical Medallion Cardigan. I knit it out of Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece, in their limelight colorway. It is one of my favorite finished projects! The knitting was fun, and I loved the different construction (being that it's just a giant circle with armholes), though I don't think I could bring myself to knit another one. The outer band is just a four row repeat and it got pretty tedious.

*Please excuse my wet dog look....it has been raining steadily this morning and my hair shows the results.

Counterpane Tunic

Finally got some pics of my sister in the Counterpane Tunic. I knit it out of Knit Picks Shine Sport in their green apple colorway. I thought it would be a great choice for her to take down to college. I think it's super cute on her and should be easy to wear summer and winter, and hard to ruin ;P. It was a fun knit and the only changes I made were to knit the lower body several inches longer. I got a little bored with that part, but I think it was worth it!

Skew

Woo! These socks were a FUN and FAST knit! I got the first one done in under 48 hours (not straight knitting time, but I cast on the evening of my birthday and cast off two evenings later). I took a few days off to spin and then picked the second one back up this morning. Seriously satisfying and exciting. The pattern is so unique and the fit is really great, they totally hug my feet and are so comfortable to wear (and they are the same length for some reason the left looks longer above, but it really isn't).

If you can't already tell I am totally in love with these! I used some precious Wollmeise yarn that had been gifted to me and was waiting for the perfect pattern. I think it worked out perfectly! I still have enough yarn left for a pair of ankle socks, so that is pretty exciting too. This was my first time knitting with Wollmeise and I can see why everyone loves it so much. The colors are so saturated and the construction of the yarn seems very durable and I think the socks will hold up very well.

Now I have to cast on the second flip flop sock that I am making for John. I am being a big baby about it, but I really don't feel like knitting it. It's worsted weight and should theoretically take between 4-6 hours, so it shouldn't be a big deal and he really wants them....but I am still not feeling it. I think when we sit down to watch a movie tonight I am just going to do it! Especially since I have some Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece winging it's way to me to become a Que Sera...I know I will want to cast on the second it's in the door and I don't want anything in my way!

A Trio

Wahoo! I must say my boys looked pretty handsome on Easter :)

Jared Flood's Alberta vest, one made as directed and two downsized for my little chublets. John had been begging for a set of vests/sweaters so that he could match his boys. I must say I should knit for him more often!! He was full of praise and loved wearing the vest...I see more in his future!

2010 Iditarod

So John and I have always loved to go to the Iditarod start in Anchorage. We usually start downtown at the official start and enjoy the barking dogs, the crowds of people with their Fur Rondy dress, and the energy of the event! Then we go on to Goose Lake Park and get an up close and personal view of the mushers and their dogs running down the trail!

Unfortunately John was working today, but I took the boys anyways. My mother joined me for the downtown portion (though I have no pics from downtown, it was pretty busy!). But here are the pics I took from Goose Lake. The boys had a blast and I love getting to watch the sleds run so close! It was a great day for it :)

Oh! And we even came away with souvenirs! The mushers were throwing their worn out dog booties for people to take home...Corbin thought it was pretty cool that the dogs had their own shoes.

oh and P.S. The Alaska Fiber Festival is this week and I will be vending there next weekend. So come see me!! I will be sharing a booth with Sally, from Moose in Socks. I am knitting up some sample stuff to have for show, including some darling booties I cast on last night!

Second Go around

whoa! This week seemed to fly by!

John's vest is finished!! Took me about 5 days of knitting, definitely fast and satisfying! The steeking was scary, but as I have read, it was completely easy :) I haven't blocked it yet, so no finished pics, but this is after I have done one armhole and the neck :)

It's only been three weeks since my last cooking adventure, but meat was on sale and I had the time this weekend to cook, so I went ahead and cooked the meals for March! I went bigger this month and prepared 13 different recipes and now have a nicely stocked freezer with even more variety! I will admit that this past month some of the meals were a little too familiar :) So this way I should only be eating the same meal once every two weeks (the 13th meal is moose roast and the 14th, spaghetti, but they were already prepped and frozen, so I didn't count them). I just love looking the freezer to see such variety and availability!!

Recipes for March:

1. Sloppy Joes
2. Chili
3. Double Baked Potatoes
4. Sweet n Sour Chicken
5. Lasagna
6. Shepherds Pie
7. Sweet BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
8. Moose Stew
9. Ginny's Beans
10. Chicken Quesadillas
11. Bean Burritos
12. Quiche Lorraine (an improved recipe over last months!)

Also just for good measure a pic of my little mad scientist, lol!

Pictures!

December already!?!?

Whew a lot has happened since I last posted!! As I am sure for most people this time of year. I always feel busy year round, but the time just seems to be running at a constant fast-forward speed during the holidays.

So here's a photo run down!

Thanksgiving!

Corbin's 3rd Birthday!

oh and here's a photo of him and I when he was new :)

and my latest project off the needles - a birthday sweater for my big boy!

Hand Knit Love

This is my son with the blanket that he has slept under from the moment that he was born. It was part of a layette that was made by my aunt (you can see it here....[rav link]). I washed it (not for the first time lol) and it was drying over a railing. Noah did not appreciate that whatsoever. In fact it infuriated him, and he could not be distracted. Finally after some food and a nap he snatched it from the railing (albeit a tad damp in spots) and ran around the house victorious. He was so happy to have it around him and it just reminded me of the love and time my aunt had put into the blanket. This is one of the major reasons I love anything handcrafted!

Also big update in the shop....five new colorways of my Borealis DK weight yarn that my Mood Lifter Slouch was written for. Also if you purchase Borealis DK and the pattern I will refund $2. I also put up some more Cashnyro Luxury Lite and Terino Luxury. Whew that was a lot of links! :)

Mood Lifter Slouch

I feel like a proud new mama (okay not quite as intense as with my boys - but you get the idea ;P )

My first pattern is now live! Up on Ravelry and in my shop! Soon it will be available for purchase on Ravelry as well. I am just waiting to be hooked up to their system as a designer.

I also have plans for making this up into kits. Dyeing up a bunch of yarn tomorrow if all goes well!

Knitting, Knitting, and Knitting!

I am loving the cooler weather and I am just so wanting to be wrapped up in cozy hand knits all winter long! I am surprised that we haven't had snow in town yet. In fact it scares me a little. I feel like the weather is lulling me into complacency and then *BAM* it's going to come out of nowhere with a blizzard that will leave several feet on the ground! I just keep hoping that it's going to ease in gently.....

I started and finished a hat! It is one of those "slouchy" hats (Jane by Jane Richmond - ) as I thought my Sis's bangs and hair in general would work great with it! I gifted it to her last night at her birthday party we threw for her. She loved it and commented that it will be nice to have a hat that will keep her warm and not mess up her bangs! This pattern was awesome. It felt so good on the head with the doubled brim and slouchiness. I will be casting on one for myself as soon as I finish my minimalist cardi and TTL socks. Here's some pics of me in the hat.Also I have been on the look out for podcasts. I keep reading about much people love them but I had really poor luck in finding any that I liked. Especially now that we don't have a tv, I am always on the lookout for other ways to entertain myself while knitting. Thankfully I did happen across Never Not Knitting. I don't know how I had missed it before now but I LOVE it! I have now downloaded all of her podcasts and am catching up. Plus her blog itself is great. So leave a comment if you have any other podcasts. They don't have to be fiber related (though I would love any more of those), though I don't find myself enjoying political stuff. A little to heavy for knitting right now.

Another little update in the shop, my sale is still on - just mention my blog for a 15% refund!

Picking up where I left off and a SALE!

Well due to moving and getting organized I have had UFO staring me in the face! So when I was thinking how nice it would be to reduce their number, I realized that I was pretty close to finishing several of them! So with about 2.5 evenings of minimal knitting I finished my November Ruffle Wrap. I had cast this on in February so it felt pretty good to get off the needles. It is smaller than intended (which I knew it would be) but is still a pretty good "wrap" size at 16" X 52".

Now I have picked back up my Minimalist Cardigan. I already have the back and one sleeve done, and am now 2/3 through the second sleeve after casting it on yesterday afternoon. I think I am going to overdye this when it's all knitted as there are just a few "bright" spots.

I did finally finish the Jeanne shawl I was working on! This was using Funky Carolina's 2 ply Superwash Fingering Yarn in a beautiful deep wine color. I packaged it up and mailed it today. The first picture is too bright color wise, the second is more accurate.

Lastly I did a larger update in the shop! Here is a pic of the latest stuff that went up. I have more yarns and roving steaming, and a shipment due tomorrow or so. So keep watch! My latest additions included a wonderful new base that is amazing! It is a 70/20/10 Alpaca/Silk/Cashmere blend and needs to be felt to be believed!! In honor of the "knitting or crocheting season" I am offering 15% rebate! Just mention my blog and I will send your 15% off back to ya!