scratching the itch

I don't know what it is, but as I approach the end of a project I am filled with a mix of anticipation and dread- anticipation for the big FO and the dread of empty needles. I tend to put off the last bits of finishing and instead surf the 'net for that next must knit project. The last bit is so much easier thanks to Ravelry (I know, I know, I am 'preaching to the choir'). There are just a few more days until the first clue to Secret of the Stole comes out and I want to knit Ivy for NaKniSweMo, so I really don't need a big project. Looking through my limited stash, I decided to go ahead and cast on for the Tyrolean Stockings. I can't help but think this pattern would translate so well into a cardigan.
It has only taken two days to finish the first pattern repeat, and I learned a new cast on (Old Norwegian Cast On) as well! My row gauge is a bit off, so I may be in trouble once I get to the heel, but so far I love these socks. The knitting is very satisfying (mmmm cables!) and the charts are easy to memorize. Just what I need for a good, in between project!

Weakness

Just a week ago, I proclaimed my weakness for some some 'cinnamon bun' spinning action. Over the weekend I proved how weak I am and spun and plied 75 yds. In my defense, it only took one evening, and my parents went back on the road (they are cross country truck drivers) buying my three more weeks to finish dad's socks.
Knowing I had a little more time on my hands, I decided to go ahead and knit myself every spinners wardrobe staple- the handspun hat. After all, I have a little head and I knew it would not take long. I did not use a pattern, I just made a little gauge swatch, measured my head, did a little math and cast on. I tried it on as I went along to figure when I had to start the decreases, then decreased evenly around every other row until I had 8 stitches left. I used the leftover yarn to pick up the earflaps. I used every single inch of the yarn.

It's warm, squishy and just in time for fall!
Pattern-made up as I went along
Needles- US8 dpn's
Yarn-75 yds of my handspun wool- roving courtesy of Snowberry and Lime

Monster twins

The wee monsters are finished, now we are just waiting on the boys!

Pattern: Middle-sized Monster

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Superwash, less than a skein each of Capri and Deep Ocean
Needles: US4 dpn

Mods: I left off the last row of decreases on the head, no legs or deedlybobs and added felt wings.

I finished these in just a couple of days spread out over the course of a few weeks. The pattern was very straight-forward and easy to knit.

WIP Wednesday

Dad's Gentleman's Socks are coming along nicely. I figured I only need to knit 8 rows a day to finish the second one by his birthday.

Since the socks are coming along so nicely I decided that I needed another project on the needles. I am sure this startitis is going to come back and bite me on the ass. It usually does, but I will never learn. This is the cotton yarn I spun before realizing that I wanted the cotton roving out of my house. The plan is to knit two Garterlac dishcloths, put some batting between them, stitch the edges shut and have a lovely new potholder for my kitchen. The cotton is no easier to knit than it was to spin. A fellow Craftster offered to trade me some lovely hand dyed roving for that horrible icky cotton and a few patterns from an old Interweave Knits. I really feel like I got the better end of the deal. Go check out her Etsy shop Snowberry and Lime, she has some lovely handspun! She named this roving 'Cinnamon Bun'.
I am trying to resist spinning it until I get dad's socks finished. But I am weak, weak I tell you! I am thinking it will make a great hat for chilly fall walks. My ears get unbearably cold and hurty if it is the least bit breezy and below 60 degrees and a warm woolly hat is just what I need!The Super Twin's monsters are knitting up very quickly. I have decided that they will not have legs. Instead I am going to make them little wings. This pattern is super quick and easy, though I am having a hard time getting the mouth stitched on just right. These little guys are only 5.5" tall and will be finished by the Twins birthday. Their birthday was going to be Friday, but after their mama's checkup on Tuesday, the doctor says they are doing well and should stay in the cozy womb a bit longer! This is, of course, excellent news, however their mama is really ready to have them on the outside...34 weeks down- I can't believe how the time has flown by!

Happy Birthday Quilt

Today is The Gaming One's birthday and every year I struggle with what to get him as a present, as he usually just buys what he wants, when he wants. This year I decided to make him a quilt with love in the stitches. I know it seems an odd thing to make for one's husband, but this man is sentimental and I knew he would love it. You see, he has a quilt that he has had since he was a child that his now deceased grandmother made for him. His mom has redone the binding time and again for him, but he has loved the batting out of it. If he is sick or simply chilly at night this is the first thing he reaches for. He has given it to our son, who traded his Star Wars comforter for this tattered blanket, after explaining how special it is. One night my son told me, as we were snuggling before bedtime, that he would not trade this quilt for all the money in the world and reminded me how very special it is.

His Mom gave me a bag of quilt squares that belonged to his grandmother and from these I made his quilt. I have been working on it for a few months while he was at work, so he had no idea I was making it for him. He was very surprised and very touched, I think. I am sure I have broken many 'quilting laws' in making this quilt. I did not pin anything until I got to the backing and binding or iron each square as I went along. Some squares do not line up, but I knew my darling would not mind. It serves its purpose to keep him snuggled and remind him that I love him. It measures 52" X 72" the perfect snuggling size for my 6'6 love.

I was quite please with the binding. It was actually much easier than I thought it would be.

Happy Birthday Sweetie! I love you bunches!

A lifetime of happiness

My Sweet Darlin,

I can't believe it has been 7 years since we made our love official. I cannot begin to thank you enough for all your encouragement, adoration, support and love. You make me happier than any woman deserves to be and each day is better than the last. You are my everything.

1234! Love ya the most!

Super Twin update

I went to see my friend S in the hospital this weekend and she is doing great! She loved the blankets and snuggled them next to her cheek as soon as she opened them. Mission accomplished! After a weekend under observation and lots of bed rest Micah (baby a) has a bit more amniotic fluid and she was released to go home this afternoon. She has to stay off her feet and take it easy for the next two weeks and will have a C-section on Friday, September 21 unless the babies want to make an appearance earlier. I keep telling her she should learn to knit so she won't be bored with nothing to do, I may just put together a little learn to knit kit for her just to get her going!

It was so strange, I was dreaming of her and seeing her boys for the first time when she called this morning to update me. I remember being so surprised that the boys were as big as they were in my dream. They were so strong and healthy- I hope I had an accurate glimpse of what is to come!

Thank you all for your kind words and well wishes for my friend...she has told me time and again she is amazed how many women have gathered around her forming a cocoon of love and support throughout her pregnancy.

Having just socks on the needles, I just had to start a new project...just a little somethin'-somethin' to get me through until Secret of the Stole starts. I pondered for a bit then decided I needed to knit a little something else for the Super Twins. Enter Mombot Companion. I have been reading her blog (man I need to update my blogroll...) and she has the cutest patterns for monsters I have ever seen! Yesterday I decided that each of the Super Twins need one of these little monsters to protect them from nasty beasties! Last night I managed to knit half of the first one's body- I had to make myself put him down to work on the never ending sock. I am finally to the toe shaping and must bust it out tonight and then figure exactly how much I need to knit daily to get the second one finished by my Dad's birthday. I know I keep saying how much I hate to knit socks, but I keep hearing the siren's song of these beauties. must.resist.... who the hell am I kidding, I will probably order the yarn for these before the end of the week...I am so weak and a bit of a masochist as well...

The Super Twin's Starghans

I finished the Starghans for the Super Twins just in time for the shower today, however I received a phone call yesterday informing me there will be no shower as my friend was admitted into the hospital for observation until she delivers the babies! The larger twin is not producing enough amniotic fluid so they want to keep her under the watchful eye of the doctor so they can deliver them immediately if the baby is in danger. So far the babies are both ok, this is just a precautionary measure. Poor girl, she is only 31 weeks along so she may have a long stay indeed.

Theses pictures show the true colors of the afghans...

Here they are on my king sized bed... I think they will be big enough for cuddles for years to come!

Pattern: Beth's Little Star Afghan 27 rounds per blanket.

Hook: size H

Yarn: KnitPicks Swish Superwash 28 skeins for 2 blankets, but I have lots leftover. This yarn is much softer after washing and drying, but did seem to shrink a bit.

Size: 48" tip to tip after washing and drying

SOTS swatch

I hope I have enough handspun to knit the entire stole. I ended up with 1234 yds. and the pattern calls for 1200 yds. I knit my swatch last night, and have decided to use US5 needles. I really want a stole that is a bit more substantial than normal lace. After all, I want this to keep me warm! I used a little trick I seem to remember from an episode of Knitty Gritty to mark the needle size on my swatch. I started swatching with size 4 (the size called for in the pattern), for the bottom set of squares. Then on the next set I used size 5 needles, to remind myself of this I worked 5 yo, k2tog sts at the beginning of that set (see the 5 holes between the pattern repeats? That is my needle size!) handy dandy!
I am so excited to get started!

Weekend of spinning

I had the house to myself this past weekend and managed to spin all the roving I had for Secret of the Stole. I am letting it rest on the bobbin for a few days then I will wind it off, measure the yardage and set the twist. I hope it will be enough for my stole, but if not, I do have enough time to order more roving and spin up some more before before the first clue comes out on October 5.