Druid Mittens

I participated in Ravelry's Ravelympics. The point of Ravelympics was to choose something to knit that would challenge the knitter. With that in mind, I decided on these mittens...for me! These are truly my most favorite knit. The detail in these mittens are so amazing! I was actually a little nervous knitting them - I just wasn't sure I could do the pattern justice (that still up to one's own interpretation). Someone once said to me (after showing her something I had knit), "Oh, Amy, you are so prolific!" Hmph! :-) Anyway, my response was, "It's not original, I did use a pattern." So as amazing as I think that these mittens turned out, I am exponentially more amazed that one could design such a pattern. So, without further ado, I proudly present my Ravelympics entry, Druid Mittens (Green Autumn) by Jared Flood (brooklyntweed).

Cheese!

Say 'cheeeeze'!

Accomplished?

The Anisette Shawl is done! Having finished this shawl, I have come to realize that I have never before experienced such a sense of accomplishment as a project came off the needles. It was really neat to see it all come together as I was blocking it.

And I whipped up two Barn Bags for belated birthday gifts for twin girls. After finishing the bags I thought they needed a little something to spruce it up (they were so plain). So I thought, first things first, I'll line 'em. While I was looking for fabric I found the little flowers. The bags turned out cute.

Lastly, a picture of my WIP - Aurora Bag. I'm almost done with the second side.

Just because...

Just because I have nothing else to post about - I will show off a lovely picture of little Emily in the hat I knit. I decided to knit her brother, Josh, a hat also (twins - must match). The pattern for Emily's hat is Butterfly Hat. I had a hard time finding a pattern for Josh's hat and finally decided on the Nottingham Hat. Josh's hat, however, still needs to be knit since (so no pictures to post yet).

I ended up giving the bunny I knit to someone I used to work with. She loved it.

I'm still plugging away on the Anisette shawl. I'm almost 70% done - just finished my 13th pattern repeat. On Saturday, Lynn and I went down to the LambShoppe in Denver for their monthly Pajama Jam. We bought yarn for the Aurora Bag. I've already finished one side! The bag will only be for knitting when I can't concentrate on the Anisette shawl as I would like to have it done by the end of July.

Stuff...

Here's a picture of the Rusted Root top I knit for Julie's birthday. She looks great it in. I was thinking about knitting one for myself but who am I kidding. :-)

I've been working on a lace shawl for my friend, Bridgett. Her birthday is today and I thought I would have it done for her birthday, but...alas, once again - another belated birthday gift. The pattern is Anisette. I don't have very good pictures but I'll throw one in just to give you an idea of what it looks like.

Last but not least, I'm knitting a little bunny for a birthday gift for a 3 year old boy. I hope this turns out ok. My last attempt at knitting a toy did not go well at all. For his sister, I have a Butterfly Hat that I had knit last fall and didn't fit the recipient so I had to reknit a bigger version. This is a picture of the (first) small version.

Good things come in three

Well - the last week has churned out THREE finished knitting projects!

Rusted Root

I think this is my first real wearable garment for an adult. This is a gift for my friend Julie. She was elated when she opened the package. It felt good knowing it's going to a very appreciative non-knitter.

Le Petit Trianon

This baby sweater turned out really cute compared to my first one. I found this pretty silk, velvet ribbon at The Berry Patch in old town Niwot.

Magic Slippers

Now these little gems were such a treat to knit. They are so tiny. They aren't even three inches long. These are definitely preemie to newborn size. This pattern and the baby sweater above are both free downloads from Sock Pixie. I have also knit her Mother's Day Slippers. These slippers and Le Petit Trianon went to baby Nola.

Pattern for my sock yarn

I finally found a pattern for that yummy Neapolitan yarn. It's got texture but doesn't look too tedious. Hedgerow Socks.

Baby gifts gone bad

So, on Friday, I remembered that I had a baby shower to go to on Sunday. So I scrounged thru my stash and Ravelry to see if I could find a quick easy knit. My problem was that I stuck on this yarn that I wanted to use but couldn't find a pattern. After paging thru my favorites I found Le Petit Trianon - baby kimono. The yarn I used SUCKED! I love the results but knitting with it was awful. If you dropped a stitch or had to pick a stitch up? Impossible! Once it was all knitted up, I loved it - so soft, cushy, cozy, fuzzy, fluffy! Perfect for a baby. I had a really hard time with the pattern, too. I don't know if it was the way it was written or if it was my ineptness with it. I've never seen sleeves knitted onto a sweater in this fashion and who am I to modify it with out ever having knitted the pattern before? Ugh! So anyway, I stayed up super late on Friday and Saturday night to get it done and it turned out really bad (the sleeves mostly). I will knit a new one (due to the nature of the yarn - it wouldn't be easy to frog and I can't undo the sweater because it would be impossible to pick up the stitches at the join. Ugh!

(yes that's what the right sleeve does on its own; and no, this was not meant to be short sleeve)

Another sock brings another FO

So I finished my second pair of socks last night. Much to my dismay - the second sock was almost an inch shorter than the first sock! Ugh. I considered ripping it back and joining the ball back to the sock and knitting it longer - but after seeing Seamus so happy and thrilled with the socks, I figured - no need! He loves 'em! He was all smiles while he was running around in them. He started calling them his golf shoes (go figure). Plus, it's not like he's going to be wearing out in public (with shorts on). :-)

Now on to my Rusted Root...

Froot Loops

They're officially done! My first pair of socks finished and gifted. I didn't like the yarn much when I was knitting the socks but now that they've been washed, the yarn fluffed up really nicely and is really soft. I'm curious to see how they hold up.

Busy Weekend

My nephew graduated from high school last weekend. Saturday was the celebration. After a family dinner, we all went to the Denver Aquarium. I don't know that if it's I've matured or because I have children now or that it's just better - but that place was pretty cool! We did have a set back within the first five minutes, though. One of my nieces came running back to me from the dinosaur room to tell me that Ronan had just thrown up. I raced up to the front and not only had he just thrown up but he did it all over another one of nieces. Ugh!!! She was covered - it was so gross! Poor things (Ronan and my niece). But once we dealt with that and moved on - Ronan was good to go. He just spent the rest of the evening in his onsie, pajama bottoms, and (thank goodness for) Crocs.

So we got a new camera this past Christmas. I knew I loved it before, but I love it even more now! Take a look at some of the pictures this camera took at the Aquarium! I felt like Jacques Cousteau!

I even managed to finish up my Froot Loop socks. I don't have a final pic yet but should be able to get a pic up in the next week. I decided to move on to and try to finish up Seamus' toe-up socks. I'm just about done with those. Then I'll finish up the Rusted Root top.

Mmmm - ice cream!

Neapolitan anyone?

I picked this up at the new yarn/coffee/ice cream shop. This is shop is pure genius! Have I died and gone to heaven? Three of my most favorite things, all in one place? Yes...it's true and it's right here in Boulder - Purl Knit Cafe. This yarn is for me. I want to knit a pair of socks for me but I'm having a hard time finding a pattern that is not (a) lace (with holes in the pattern) and (b) not plain rib or stockinette. Hmmm - where might I find such a thing?

Here's a picture of another WIP - Rusted Root. This will be a birthday gift for my friend, Julie. I had a bit of a time getting it started but it finally seems to be coming together now.

I've decided to finish up my Froot Loop socks before moving on with the Rusted Root. I just don't like having so many WIPs laying around. I may just turn into a monogamous knitter.

Happy ending to a Happy Birthday

Just one last picture of the boys from their bath tonight. The goggles were birthday gifts, too! (Seamus in green and Ronan in blue)

The boys turn 3 today!

So bittersweet as the boys get older. I love the people that they are becoming and at the same time lament the loss of the babies that they used to be. The birthday party was actually yesterday. Tim and I took the day off to spend their birth day with them today.

We went to the pediatrician's today. Ronan is 39 1/4 inches tall (90%) and 30lbs (40%). This is a huge jump for Ronan - he's never been above the 10% in weight! Seamus is 38 1/8 inches tall (70%) and 31 1/2lbs (50%)! This is a big up and down. Both the boys were at 95% for height at their two year appointment so Seamus is slowing down in growth. Seamus is starting to pack on some weight - how? - I haven't a clue since is he is mister, go, go, go! They were very excited to go to the doctor's office today so that they could ask if they could have peanuts now! :-D They were cleared for nuts! I'm crossing my fingers the boys love PB&J! That would make my life so much easier!

Of course, you rack your brain trying to figure out what would be a good gift (and they're only three!) - and you think you've got it (see below)...
...and this is what they fell in love with...

...miniature trash cans and a toy garbage truck purchased on eBay for a total of $17!

Let's get this started!

Well - I'm already a bad blogger. I decided, for lack of a better place to start, to begin with posting pics of my works in progress. Details are in my projects on Ravelry.

This is my first textured sock pattern. I love it! These will be gifted a little late as they were supposed to be a Mother's Day gift for my mother-in-law. This is the Froot Loop pattern.

This Cabled Bag will be for me (eventually).


Though I love this sock - I'm finding it difficult to finish the second one. The pattern is pretty basic. This is a toe-up pattern. I learned (a) the Turkish Cast-on and (b) how to knit a sock. I have to give a shout out to my model - Seamus Patrick.