New Post?

I know, I haven't written in a while... I think the dashboard said November 2009. Quite honestly, the only times I really think of things to write are when I'm really tired, and it either seems like a lot of work to put together a post with pictures and crap, or I'm already in bed -- and I'm certainly not hauling my ass out of bed and downstairs to write a post. Ok, so my last post was November 18, three days after Margaret turned two.
I'm not even going to go into all the new things she does because you don't want to read it all; suffice it to say, I think she's wonderful and funny and smart. She started a toddler Montessori program this March and loves it. She is still going to a Children's Day Out program once a week through May. Also loves that. She's a pretty independent sprite. I love that she's interested in what's around her; the picture on the right is of her lying on the driveway (yes, in her dress and tights after Easter brunch) checking out a bug. She was rather upset when said bug decided to fly away. She also loves to wear sunglasses, has three pairs. If it is sunny outside, when she goes out she says, "Oh, is sunny. I need sunglasses." Cracks me up.
Ok, so, this is supposed to be a knitting blog, right? And, the last time I wrote, I was knee deep in my dad's Aran sweater (based on Na Craga) and hoping to finish it by Christmas. Well, shockingly, that didn't happen. It did get done before the end of February, though. And even though I had to knit the sleeves more times than I can count (that's what I get for changing a drop sleeve pattern in one gauge into a set-in sleeve pattern in a different gauge with a different fit), I really enjoyed it. And IT FITS HIM PERFECTLY!!!!! Yes, sorry for the yelling, but when he tried it on and showed me over Skype, well, proud just doesn't quite cut it. I don't yet have pictures of him wearing it, but here are a couple of the sweater before I sent it off:
After finishing this sweater, I immediately made two hats for myself; a response to the self-imposed 4 month project monogamy of the sweater.

After that, I fell into a bit of a knitting slump. Didn't know what to work on next... should I cast on something new, work on something old? Blah. However, what has mostly worked (the blahs aren't all gone, but I'm working through them) was following the path of Stephanie. I have a rather large stash of yarn, and in recent years have change my purchase habits. When I started, I would buy one or two skeins of a yarn instead of enough for a sweater because I didn't like making big projects. Now, I'm more likely to make fewer purchases, but containing a sweater quantity of a particular yarn. Some of these yarns had a sweater already designated, some didn't. Jen came over a couple Mondays ago and helped me kit up my sweaters-to-be. We made copies of patterns from books and magazines I own and put them with the required yarn into bags. We picked patterns for yarns that had no sweaters and did the same. She organized my Ravelry queue and made a designation for the Sweater Club of Awesomeness (I didn't even know you could organize your queue like that). So, anyway, I'm actually working on a couple of the smaller sweaters (a vest and a tank). I'm mixing the process and project goals for myself.

And, in November, and again this spring I took jewelry classes at the Fine Line Creative Arts Center. I'm taking the class again starting Thursday. LOVE IT. I did some goldsmithing back in NJ, but hadn't really gotten a chance to do much out here, what with Homeowner's Insurance not looking fondly upon tanks of acetylene gas in the house. The classes are great because the instructor is great and helpful, but I can do what I want. Like make a star for the top of our Christmas tree, or a ring for a friend. Or earrings for my mom and friends. The only thing I've photographed so far is the ring. It's not perfect, but I think it's pretty cool.

And now, I've run out of stuff to say. I know, it's a lot, but here's a deal, I'll try to write less next time, but make it sooner than 4.5 months, if you still are actually reading this post, let alone the blog. Danke.

Long time coming

That's my laughing birthday girl.

So, I realize it's been a while since I wrote; things have actually been going on, but I got behind and then intimidated by the catching up and, well, you can see where that's gotten me... nowhere. To rectify, we'll have bullets and pictures of Margaret.

• Margaret had her second birthday on Sunday! Can you believe my little Lima Bean is 2? I can't.
• Margaret 2 y.o. stats: 60th percentile weight, 92nd percentile height at 35.75" Loves her bears, music, trains, cars, dinosaurs, books, Nemo, climbing, jumping and pushing things. Doesn't really care about dolls. Really, actually loves most things, just doesn't care about dolls.
• I'm taking a jewelry/silversmithing class at Fine Line Creative Arts Center. I haven't done this for years and I am loving every minute. Pictures of projects will come.
• I've gotten my neighbor/friend Sally sucked into knitting. She knit in the past, but now she is becoming A Knitter. Fun stuff.
• So close to being done with my dad's birthday sweater. Working on the sleeves. Past my elbow now. Granted, his arms are longer, but not much. I WILL get this done and mailed by Christmas.

I'm just going to end this with some Margaret pictures.

What can I say, she likes her animals.









Birthday girl in a dress my mom made for her. She really liked wearing it, too.










The artist at work. She told me she was painting snakes.








She was a monkey for Halloween. An adorable monkey.








Oh, and the socks have been put on the back burner while I'm working on my dad's sweater... and another something that is a surprise. But they'll be back.

Socks?!?

If you can believe it (and if you've talked to me about this, you might not be able to believe it) I think I might not hate knitting socks.

...

...

...

I thought I'd give you a bit to let that sink in, because, well, it's a doozy, I know. I have owed a good friend of mine something knitted for quite a while. First it was going to be mittens, but then, because she has foot issues, we decided socks would be good. When I last saw her, I even had her pick yarn out of my stash from which to make said socks. And I started them. And, I did not enjoy them, because ... socks. When I finish one, I just have to make another. Phooey, I say. So, the socks went into the netherworld of my stash.

Let me just pause here to say that if any of this doesn't make much sense it's only because I've gotten two really bad nights of little sleep and I am so tired I can hardly see straight.

A few night ago, though, I decided I wanted to get the socks off my conscience and give my friend something to keep her tootsies warm. Since I was using sport weight yarn, I took out what I had made on size 1 needles and went to size 2.5 (3mm). It went so much quicker. And not only did the knitting go quicker, but it was more fun, too. I have finished the foot of one sock, put it on hold, and have started the second sock. I'm making them toe-up using one of Cat Bordhi's master constructions and it's fun! No one could be more surprised than I am that I am making socks, enjoying them, and even planning a pair for myself! I'm torn between using another Bordhi "pattern" or using the Knit One Below technique. No matter which, I'm using Little Freak Yarn! After that, who knows!

Went shopping last Thursday to get a few fall wardrobe staples, like pants that aren't highwaters. Got her these frog boots because she loves puddles. Here she is on the right testing them out.

Nothing to do with knitting

As I have mentioned on Facebook, Margaret and I are both sick, she with a minor sinus infection, me with bronchitis bordering on pneumonia. Needless to say, we aren't doing much this week (don't worry, we're both on antibiotics), although I am actually working on a pair of socks. A note: if you don't want to read about potty training, stop now.

Anyway, she wanted to go outside today, so we walked around a bit (slowly) then, I had to run an errand, so we took off. At one point during the ride I got a whiff of something and asked her if she had pooed and she just laughed. So, when we got home, I changed her diaper... just pee. Anyway, after I changed it, she started saying, "Pobby, pobby, I wan' pobby." Took me a second to realize what she was asking for, but when she went to the bathroom door and said it again, I realized she wanted to go potty. I said no, I had just changed her diaper, and she flipped out. Then, I thought, "Well, that's silly, if she wants to go, why am I stopping her, it's not like we're busy," so, we went into the bathroom, took off her diaper and pants and she sat down on her potty. SHE PEED!!!!!

Ok, so that's really all, I was just really impressed that she new she needed to go, asked, and then, even held it when I stupidly said no. I guess I need to maybe try that whole potty training thing again. Did I mention I was proud? :)

Margaret tells me a joke

This story requires a little set up. First, and most important, Margaret knows where hair grows and if you ask her will point to her head (or even lift up some hair) and say, "Hair," or her approximation of the word. Second:


So, the other day, Margaret and I were sitting on the couch in the evening (rather, I was sitting, she was running, jumping and climbing on it) and she came over to me, pulled up a few pieces of my hair on each side of my head and said (rather clearly), "Paghetti." I about had a coronary laughing.

On Saturday we went to the Brookfield Zoo. We got there for opening, but only stayed a couple hours. It was warm, Margaret started getting tired, and the stroller was a pain (can't take it into lots of the buildings and it's too low for her to see a bunch). But, I saw a couple there who had the hiking type child carriers with built in frames that looked like a much better option. So, I found a great one on Craigslist and am ready the next time we head to the zoo. The best part of picking up the carrier was that it was on the way to Nan's! So we got to hang out with the lovely Nan and head to The Fold! Tuesday was good.

Wednesday we got to hang out with the wonderful Jen and family!

In knitting news, I left my qiviut smoke ring outside in a camp chair while Margaret and I went on a walk with our neighbors. Later that day we had a torrential downpour, during which my knitting not only was soaked, but submerged. Luckily, Dave saved it (and squeezed, but did not wring the knitting -- good man) and I've been able to make progress since then.

The good part about the rain is the puddles:

The Owl That Ate Chicago!

Rawr.

I finally finished it yesterday morning. Love it, it's so cute! And here are a couple pictures of the Hyrna Herborgar shawl I finished back at the beginning of June.

The one on the left is out of focus, but shows the color much better. I actually wore it out last night for a Stroller Fitness party, during which I stayed out too late, forgot I put my keys in the back pocket of my purse, talked too much and had a good time. The party was the end-of-the-contest party. The contest ran most of the summer; participants got points for classes attended, healthy recipes posts on the blog, trivia in class, weight and inches lost, etc. Even without taking a month and a half off due to foot surgery, I wouldn't have won, but I am proud to say I lost weight and 3 inches from my waist! Not that I'm done with any of it - as a matter of fact, even though I'd rather sleep (if Margaret would let me), I'm off to Stroller Fitness now.

This is not a post about Twittering

I was going to write about how I don't Twitter, but it was stupid, so, I'll just say I don't. Except, that I read some, like Nathan Fillion's and Felicia Day's, for example, because they are good.

Anyway... as this is a knitting blog, I will make some knitting updates, because, yes, there have been some FOs recently! I know, try not to faint or anything. Thanks to Amy I had to make the Aestlight Shawl, especially when there are two sizes, one designed specifically with the yardage of Malabrigo Sock in mind. Did I write last summer about the free "sample" skein I got at Stitches Midwest (I put sample in quotes because while it wasn't in stores yet, and therefore was a sample, it was also the full 440 yards!)? Well, if I didn't, I got one just for the asking and the colorway was Solis and it is beautiful and had been waiting around for the perfect project and then that just hopped right onto my screen and bam. It is actually done. Oh, and my best friend growing up just had a baby girl (so cute!) and I made a hat for her, too. Two finished projects in a one month span! I might have my membership to the ADD club of America revoked. Except, probably not, because instead of working on some of the other projects I have started, I started a baby hat for a yet to be named recipient and a Flared Lace Smoke Ring in Royal Blue qiviut (so so yummy).

Today, we went to JoAnn's to pick up some safety eyes for the owl for Margaret and to take a bike ride to the Post Office to mail some stuff. My lovely neighbor sold us her bikes for very little, and I got an iBert seat for Margaret and now we can go riding. I had never seen a front mount seat before looking at options for child bike seats on Consumer Reports, but I love it. The balance is great and she can see what's going on and I can talk to her and hear her without turning around and crashing us both into a tree. In fact, on the ride home, she actually fell asleep.

When putting sunblock on Margaret today I accidentally sprayed some in her hair; that stuff is worse than hairspray. So, it's off to a bath. With foam letters and numbers, bath crayons, bubbles to blow, ducks, a book, and fill and spill cups she's loving her baths now!