tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286860192024-03-07T00:23:50.019-06:00Kids with FiberA blog about children, fiber, and life in general.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-42262740101516522912008-11-07T09:18:00.002-06:002008-11-07T10:17:28.903-06:00Actual Knitting ContentBut first, a small diversion. This is what I saw when I woke up this morning.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/E05ifzzksQBT2rqQfI5CaQ"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SRRnDBUT4PI/AAAAAAAACLU/8a6FnXt4Rs8/s400/DSCF2296.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pRVlrwZ_QVmSY3IhaQtd5g"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SRRnIVdeZaI/AAAAAAAACLc/wrPAZWp3yOA/s400/DSCF2294.JPG" /></a><br /><br />It is after 9am now and the snow is still coming down in large flakes. Nothing is accumulating though. I could even appreciate the snow a bit since Andrew doesn't have school and I don't need to go outside if I don't want too.<br /><br />I mentioned I was working on a Lace Ribbon Scarf with some handspun merino/angora yarn. I finished it pretty quickly. I was hoping that by making a scarf I could keep knitting until the yarn was gone. About halfway through the yarn I decided that wasn't going to happen. So, I still have about 40 grams left to find something to do with it. Maybe I'll make a lacy hat or some wrist warmers, or keep it for lining the wrists of mittens or the brim of a hat.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WkbehiJBSAqGIB_vw-hzgA"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SRRn0Bzw-vI/AAAAAAAACMg/4EzfKTeraNw/s400/DSCF2282.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I cast on 35 stitches for the scarf instead of what was written since I was using thicker yarn and bigger needles.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-DdSFbMkLHQHODzJG46E0Q"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SRRnyGvlvmI/AAAAAAAACMY/8ICwNmippe4/s288/DSCF2283.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w3B9VxcbeYlKmUWU2L4xdw"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SRRnu2dXcAI/AAAAAAAACMQ/z5BG0L_Ctp8/s288/DSCF2286.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I also finished a pair of socks.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Wlphw4NZ7jmajMQE2OPhTg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SRRnbnAKZSI/AAAAAAAACL4/xi3V7oNV4j0/s288/DSCF2301.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Gyo9cHaEgpNEBabK-6xXhQ"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SRRneP639dI/AAAAAAAACMA/WEqgXUf2Ch0/s288/DSCF2303.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Yep, they are Monkeys. I wanted to see if they were really as fun amazing as everyone says. The pattern was pretty easy and I like how the socks look. The yarn is Mississippi 3 print. It is a cotton/acrylic blend. My hands were starting to hurt during the first cuff, but they must have adjusted because there weren't anymore problems after that.<br /><br />There is spinning too. This is 6 of the 8 ounces of BFL in Rise of the Pheonix from Crown Mountain Farm. The yarn is dk to worsted weight and very soft.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5n4rvyTCJGI24pAt-2qwOg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SRRnO_hSGAI/AAAAAAAACLk/qutIZWDimX0/s400/DSCF2297.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VJ_UKxqxjoh2ZWES4UCJIw"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SRRnXovs3vI/AAAAAAAACLw/mnIKH_N35k8/s400/DSCF2299.JPG" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-51845374598124726452008-11-06T17:35:00.002-06:002008-11-06T17:36:18.974-06:00Andrew's BlogAndrew has a blog now. I am going to try to use it to keep track of his reading. Check it out <a href="http://andrew.pearsonmn.net/">here</a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-5525771507675680212008-11-03T08:57:00.002-06:002008-11-03T09:38:09.341-06:00Taking Advantage of the WeatherThe weather this weekend was wonderful. Starting Thursday, Andrew had a wonderful sunny day for his field trip to the apple orchard. Afterward, I took the kids to a park near Andrew's school. Nick didn't want to leave.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7sNXVgoKgMZIms9JBv7XlQ"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8R8r_4jYI/AAAAAAAAB-U/bDBKdlPsanM/s288/014.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CxtMECt8co1EhA8jntZ2uQ"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8SBbDlzbI/AAAAAAAAB-c/Zq2UU2L8PsM/s288/019.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Friday was another beautiful day with weather in the 50s for trick or treating. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kwztSq2_sLK670ka54RqUQ"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8SE770feI/AAAAAAAAB-k/a2Z9KuP32Ac/s288/021.JPG" /></a><br />Tim's Jeep Pumpkin<br /><br />Saturday was nice, but the kids were crazy so we didn't do much. On Sunday we decided to do something fun outside since we aren't likely to have another weekend with weather in the 70s.<br /><br />We loaded up the kids and the dog and went to <a href="http://mn-stpaul.civicplus.com/facilities.asp?pagenum=14&RID=26&Page=detail">Crosby Farm Park</a>. There are wooded trails by the Mississippi River and Crosby Lake with bluffs along the trail in places. We walked to the river and let the kids play at the edge for a bit and then explored the trails a bit more.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MhaAS9T7e02wGBom5pqC-w"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8SNIJjxdI/AAAAAAAAB-s/pI5O3wOx_O4/s288/031.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XQGRpX-ZUjv3rl92lelgqg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8SWN-26OI/AAAAAAAAB_I/jtZ94l6XA_Y/s288/037.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tJvrfg2ojddXmcbc2lAt0A"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8Sab2yVEI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/zkbHvmoS2aA/s288/043.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mkuZ9tt82kjwTs1d9SPXpQ"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8SdULi3rI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/HDUkr06f4aY/s288/050.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1J-8xzK-3zdhzYgFC-Gqgg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8SkE_EQzI/AAAAAAAAB_o/RQIBn0lw0SI/s288/060.JPG" /></a><br />Andrew in a tree<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0qlveLmIJhQ4dQLbbGdzFA"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8Sm1gCEkI/AAAAAAAAB_w/kk4yzgD1GpY/s288/064.JPG" /></a><br />Nick in a tree<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k0dseS9AUDwegPEQL5r_YA"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8SpwehvAI/AAAAAAAAB_4/ksxO5sHbFWo/s400/068.JPG" /></a><br />Andrew and Nicholas sitting under a tree amongst the roots<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RM2xqxFukSPpgpBxsiohFA"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8SuTk15II/AAAAAAAACAA/2czl0S13PfQ/s400/075.JPG" /></a><br />We found a fun boardwalk too.<br /><br />Tim didn't grab the gentle leader when we left, and I was tired of Kapik trying to pull my arm off so I made him a halter.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kePFs9iaMgG0DbhZ9nkY_w"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQ8afLW-ItI/AAAAAAAACAk/RXpNJfu5zLo/s288/057-1.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The weather is beautiful again today (we didn't even wear coats when taking Andrew to school this morning!). I know I will be trying to spend as much time outside as I can.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-13364897659659528602008-11-01T13:38:00.002-05:002008-11-01T15:35:14.244-05:00Happy Halloween...just watch out for the morning afterWe had a great Halloween. Andrew had a party at school and everyone dressed up. There were three knights watching over AM Kindergarten yesterday so everyone could feel very safe. Nicholas talked about his cos-room the whole way home from bringing Andrew to school and I told him he could wear his costume after sleepies. Once we were home Nick helped me make cupcakes for a post-trick or treating snack. He put the cupcake liners in and helped stir the eggs and sugar. He may have also had a taste of cake batter.<br /><br />In the afternoon, while the little ones were sleeping, Andrew painted his pumpkin from his Thursday field trip to the apple orchard while I hemmed his cloak. I also made the boot/spats Thursday night and they really helped complete his costume.<br /><br />We went trick or treating with a friend from church and her two kids. We have gone to a near by mall the last few years, stopping at our Pastor's house (within walking distance from the mall) afterward. Because the weather was so nice (and our kids are a little older), we decided to just go to houses this year. We stayed out for almost two hours and the kids bags were loaded with candy. We dumped Nick's in the car once because it was getting too heavy for him.<br /><br />Once everyone was getting tired, we came home for cupcakes. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of them and they are pretty much gone. There were six regular cupcakes and six from a molded cake pan in the shapes of ghosts and pumpkins. After our guests went home we were all ready to crash into bed.<br /><br />The kids are definitely feeling the effects of the late night. Thankfully, Nick is napping for now and Tim took Andrew to Menards so I have a few minutes of quiet, probably the first all day.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-6236645801946566422008-10-30T12:59:00.003-05:002008-10-30T13:26:43.397-05:00Pumpkin Time<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JzXLsrY3PAGG0TkOkasP8g"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQn6yd6LjSI/AAAAAAAAB9o/r1m68EawPA0/s400/015.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Last night we carved the kids' pumpkins. Andrew took the sharpie and drew a face on the pumpkin and then directed me to make something bigger or smaller or a little different while I carved. Andrew's pumpkin is the one with the really big mouth. Tim carved Nick's pumpkin. Tim drew three choices for noses, mouths, and eyes and let Nicholas pick one of each to make the face. It worked out really well for letting a 2 year old help in some way. Andrew thought scraping the pumpkins out was really fun and was squishing his hands through the bowl of pumpkin guts any chance he had. Nick didn't like getting his hands messy at first, but when he saw how much fun Andrew was having he decided it wasn't so bad. I have some eyeball votive candles I picked up on clearance last year at Target that look pretty cool in the pumpkins, especially Andrew's.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Umc_fOYZJsXYoyJVW3cFJg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQn6poEoXrI/AAAAAAAAB8o/uPoKxpnFQjQ/s288/005.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2IOoE98IMMqlPNpOm98iEg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQn6sLTh68I/AAAAAAAAB84/ZZXm-JDetV8/s288/007.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bl9MrVVYpC7yRp1VKmkmnA"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQn6vzhVIjI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/oam2429GOe0/s288/010.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ygkw1-o-G6PLpVZp5AzjEA"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQn6uUg_SdI/AAAAAAAAB9I/JZ_AQUAsL4o/s288/009.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vurswXKznUNYMv4bTyocjQ"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQn6zT7tqnI/AAAAAAAAB9w/s8j3_7m-3aI/s400/017.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AC3VNE5ruYz6LyQJ5ZNPug"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zFU5DTziJKk/SQn6wzKfQQI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/afRD3wsaYZw/s400/012.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My week has been more normal, thankfully. We now have new tires on the Subaru, which we needed anyway. While we were waiting to get the new tires on the Subaru, I noticed some cracking in one of the Jeep tires. Tim has located a tire for that too and will pick it up this weekend. Hopefully, that should be the end of our tire issues for a while.<br /><br />I did do a bit of spinning this week. I have five very pretty skeins of yarn I have spun this spring and summer, besides the yarn I spun before, and I have only knit one thing with handspun. I decided that I needed to change that and cast on for a <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTlaceribbon.html">Lace Ribbon Scarf</a> with some white Merino/Angora blend yarn. Spinning this yarn was slow because I could only spin it while Tim wasn't around. Turns out he must be allergic to Angora. There goes my plan for getting bunnies some day.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-2058907283501551452008-10-27T09:00:00.002-05:002008-10-27T09:48:39.526-05:00October LuckI was planning to blog some happier weekend events, but I was about 5 blocks away from our house this morning, taking Andrew to school when I heard strange noises coming from the car. I pulled over to find a large hole in the side of a very flat tire. Thankfully I was able to park it safely, find a neighbor to get Andrew to school only a little late (thank you Sarah!), and another Kindergarten parent to bring him home (thank you to other helpful stay-at-home parents!). I am hoping this is the end of our bad luck for a while, but it seems bad luck comes in threes, especially in October for us. Cross your fingers!<br /><br />We did have a good time Saturday on Grand Ave's Boo Bash. The weather was warm (right around 60 degrees) and the kids loved wearing their costumes and visiting the stores handing out treats. Nick work the lion costume I made when Andrew was two. He was very excited to be a Ly-lee (his version of lion) and even liked wearing the hood. Andrew is a knight this year, inspired by our visit to the Renaissance Festival at the beginning of September. I still have a couple things to do to his costume, but I did get most of it made in time for Saturday. I really was planning to have an extra week to finish his costume, but I'm glad I could get it together for the Boo Bash.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wdCpbyFklw4x-uMB5Hc7UQ"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SQXQRr-0qtI/AAAAAAAAB7U/Rqs_kB26tdg/s400/013.JPG" /></a> <br />My knight and lion<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pjtup6K12_YtEIK_DbV3dw"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SQXQuSp2LSI/AAAAAAAAB7o/luDt2TFBZTs/s400/030.JPG" /></a> <br />I love the chain mail hood!<br /><br />We visited many stores, including the new <a href="http://wondermentshop.com">Wonderment store </a>(which I had been meaning to visit in Mpls, but just hadn't gotten over there), and participated in the costume contest. Nicholas even won a prize for his costume, which happened to be a small collection of things from Wonderment (thank you Wonderment). It was a nice prize because, although Andrew didn't win a prize for his costume, there were things in Nick's prize they could share.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KPjGCgl212eQZ75pto46Jg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SQXQtqFpTtI/AAAAAAAAB7g/2UpAJBMTJEo/s400/022.JPG" /></a> <br />The lion and the lamb (sheep?)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uMA0OhuCjTJpCQS7AYzNwQ"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SQXRhoBGKlI/AAAAAAAAB7w/a7GfvaBN9Pk/s400/035.JPG" /></a> <br />Nick with his prize<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6gREBC4PcleQ7IMekbaP3g"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SQXRih226nI/AAAAAAAAB8M/7Zj8Tr-6Gio/s400/037.JPG" /></a> <br />Andrew in the bouncy fire truck/slide thing<br /><br /><br />Now I think I will take some time to spin and try to settle down a little after the rush around this morning. Hopefully, the rest of the day will be a bit calmer.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UgU0I_titADjS91WIi6OjQ"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SQXRizjdsII/AAAAAAAAB8A/B0M2HvHt_68/s400/043.JPG" /></a> <br />The clown fish I made for Andrew using instructions from my new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wool-Pets-Making-Figures-Roving/dp/1589233859">Wool Pets</a> book purchased at Wonderment.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-43719919731714944552008-10-26T19:22:00.002-05:002008-10-26T19:34:06.596-05:00The main reason we need to move...Last night our garage was broken into, again. We are vigilant about keeping our service door locked, keeping the garage door closed (even unplugging it on the weekends when the Jeep usually stays in the garage). Yet, someone knew that there were tools there and managed to open our service door and take our table saw, miter saw and reciprocating saw sometime between 6pm and 9am last night. We have tried to keep tools out of the garage, but we truly don't have space for them in our partial basement and need them for the work we have been doing on our house. Tim called the police to report the break in and was told that he needed to call back Monday because they only handle break-ins to out-buildings Monday through Saturday. This afternoon was spend installing a deadbolt on our service door for the garage. Next, we will be installing motion sensitive lights above both doors. I know we don't live in a very nice neighborhood, but I am truly tired of having things go missing constantly.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-54820404862861961102008-09-01T21:14:00.004-05:002008-09-01T22:23:30.190-05:00Labor DayToday there was yard work to do, some window trim to be painted, and a general clean-up needed around the house. Well, we did most of the clean-up, but it was warm today. So....we left things, hopped in the Jeep and headed to Hudson to play in the river. We had been there once, last Father's day, and enjoyed the lack of life guards (and therefore lack of dumb rules). The kids loved being able to use their inflatable toys and Andrew made a friend. The water was a bit on the cool side, but the sun and air were warm enough to make it the perfect summer activity. Too bad there was the feeling of impending fall in the air. Andrew starts kindergarten tomorrow and is feeling "unprepared" although up until this weekend he was nothing but excited. I think he will be fine and will love going to school. We have already been to the school library a few times and had a few pre-school activities which have all been great. If I think of it (and have the energy) I will try to post a picture of Andrew on his first day of school some time this week.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2008/photo#5241248715996705762"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SLyn8Bh0s-I/AAAAAAAAB4I/U_2QvWuX2qE/s400/collage2.jpg" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-65751427539314411162008-04-22T22:43:00.003-05:002008-04-23T21:53:38.757-05:00Cook-um - A Mealtime SagaOn day I was carrying Nick as I was putting some fish sticks in the toaster oven. Nicholas loves fish sticks and I was trying to explain that they were too cold to eat and that I needed to cook them first.<br /><br />A couple days later I was making dinner and Tim was holding Nick up so Nick could see what I was doing. He looks at me and asks "Cook-um?". I told him that yes I needed to cook the food (I don't remember exactly what I was making).<br /><br />Monday, Nick and I were snuggling on the couch near dinnertime. He snuggles with me for a minute, gives me a kiss, and says "Cook-um?". As in "Hey, I'm hungry. Are you going to make some supper?"Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-58848189217245348722008-04-22T22:15:00.002-05:002008-04-22T22:42:52.898-05:00It must be SpringI am pretty sure this is my favorite time of the year. It is finally warm out and I spent pretty much all afternoon and evening out in the yard. Andrew was a great helper this year and pulled out old plants, picked leaves out of a flower bed, identified and pulled some weeds and helped bag up leaves and grass that I raked up so we can take it to the compost center. He also had a chance to do some of his annual worm digging. I cabled Kapik (our dog) to a fence in front so he could hang out with us safely (he is a husky and loves to run and probably wouldn't think twice about running out in front of a car to check it out). I wish I had my camera outside because I looked up once to find Kapik standing on his back legs examining the bird feeder and another time to see him drinking out of the bird bath. Nicholas and I had a talk about staying out of the street and staying on the grass. I mentioned that if he was in the street the cars could go boom and Nick could get ouchies. Amazingly it seemed to work (for today anyway) and I only had to tell him to stay off the stairs instead. He is getting pretty good at going up, it is going down that is still pretty tricky since he insists on walking down. He had a blast zooming around on the boulevard. He is getting very close to running.<br /><br />I went back outside after the kids went to bed and continued cleaning up the front yard. I was out until almost 10pm, but most of the front is cleaned up and weeded now. I have a single light out front, but it is enough to rake by and pick dead leaves out of the flower beds. It was so nice to get thing cleaned up and to not be freezing or being eaten alive by the bugs. It feels like I am very behind with yard clean up this year. I know I'm not really because there isn't much growing yet. Winter lasted much too long this year. The iris leaves are only a couple inches tall and the hostas haven't even sprouted their leaves yet. I have mostly perennials in the front beds and I love seeing the plants come back to life in the spring. There is always more work to do when winter is over with all the yard and outside maintenance, but somehow life in general just seems more manageable when it isn't cold.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-73704280645156998472008-04-17T22:21:00.003-05:002008-04-18T09:43:17.848-05:00I love ThursdaysBecause on Thursday, I spend the evening with other knitters.<br /><br />Last Thursday evening was spent here<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/April2008/photo#5190039460304553858"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SAa5ZCG2h4I/AAAAAAAABNI/CxirL2eaRck/s400/005.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Stephanie is so funny and so nice. I made scones that morning so I brought her one in case she had yet another early flight and no time for breakfast. They had chocolate chips in them, good ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips. Mmmmm<br /><br />with pizza afterward <a href="http://pizzaluce.com/">here</a><br /><br />Most other Thursday are spent with Jessica and Kathy at Black Sheep Coffee Shop. We even had a new knitter join us tonight. Knitting with others is very good. Especially since it means time out of the house, without the kids. It is amazing how much difference it makes to have a scheduled time every week to spend doing something fun and talking with other adults. Come join us if you are near South St. Paul on Thursday evenings. We meet from 6:30 pm until they close at 9pm.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-35372987872451195732008-04-16T21:33:00.002-05:002008-04-16T21:57:48.945-05:00LaceweightI bought some merino roving from Amy at Spunky Eclectic last fall and have been spinning the same four ounces off and on all winter. I made lace weight yarn for the first time. It is maybe a little over plyed, but since it will be lace and will be blocked it should all be ok. The yarn is beautiful shades of blue and purple blending from one shade and color into the next. I can't wait to see what it looks like knit up. Although, I'm pretty happy just admiring it right now.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/April2008/photo#5190039090937366322"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SAa5DiG2hzI/AAAAAAAABMg/5BvtFlAdDCY/s400/008.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/April2008/photo#5190039138182006610"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SAa5GSG2h1I/AAAAAAAABMw/PuoHGOFT094/s400/011.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/April2008/photo#5190039309980698466"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SAa5QSG2h2I/AAAAAAAABM4/_g3H6xekgH0/s400/014.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/April2008/photo#5190040937773303714"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SAa6vCG2h6I/AAAAAAAABNw/KFB6bEcU__U/s400/366.JPG" /></a>Singles on the bobbin<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/April2008/photo#5190040954953172914"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/Idontknitenough/SAa6wCG2h7I/AAAAAAAABN8/gDHbRXvzyfE/s400/367.JPG" /></a>Singles on the ball winder<br /><br />Her Majesty Merino Roving from Spunky Eclectic<br />over 900 yards / 4 ouncesAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-55552714018171069412008-04-15T23:08:00.002-05:002008-04-15T23:14:42.212-05:00The MoonNick discovered the moon today. He has been interested in vehicles (cars, trains -choo choos, and airplanes) and making noises and telling me when he sees them. This afternoon we were in the backyard and he looks up and tells me there is an airplane. Then he sees the moon and points and says "ball". After a couple tries he says the word moon and turns my head in the right direction when I talk to him about it. We were sitting on the ground and he literally takes his hands and puts them on my head and turns my head so I am looking at the moon instead of him. He has to make sure I know where it is, of course.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-12410890079914648182007-11-07T11:02:00.000-06:002007-11-07T11:12:26.254-06:00Public Service AnnouncementI know it has been quiet around here for a while. There has been much knitting and many house projects going on. The blog will likely be quiet for a while since we hope to move in the spring or early summer and if that is going to happen many more projects need to get done. The upstairs bedroom that I had drywall pictures of earlier is being painted now with floor sanding to commence this weekend. Then all that is left for that room is some trim and painting the closet. Next up, our room since we had some plaster fall off the ceiling earlier this year and have plastic wrap taped around the hole to prevent more plaster from falling on our bed. After that we will have to see if the bathroom, hall, or back bedroom get done next. Plus there is still the ceiling in the living room. I think you get the picture. Speaking of pictures, our camera died earlier this month but we should be getting a new one in the next few days. Hopefully I can post a few pictures of the house progress, but I'm not promising anything. There has also been knitting after working on the house and taking care of the kids. I have been trying to keep ravelry mostly updated if you are there. One last bit of news before I wake Nick up and go pick Andrew up from preschool. Andrew should be done with speech preschool at the end of this month!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-43660568617401566152007-09-25T21:51:00.000-05:002007-09-25T22:29:58.053-05:00Happy Birthday NicholasHappy Birthday Nicholas<br /><br />This year went so fast. Before you were born I was expecting your first year to be something I just needed to get through. I have truly enjoyed the past year. It helped that you slept when you needed to and that Andrew was here to keep us company during the day. Now that you are crawling and thinking about walking, we don't snuggle as much, but you still fall asleep in my arms sometimes and I think about how lucky I am to be your mother. You are such as sweet little one, freely giving your smiles and hugs to me. I am looking forward to your next year.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114344700550330258"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnNaH80N5I/AAAAAAAABDI/sRIMWsd0iE8/s288/Yarn%20007.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114344919593662370"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnNm380N6I/AAAAAAAABDQ/Ya8F_QSgRS4/s288/004%20%285%29.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114345078507452338"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnNwH80N7I/AAAAAAAABDY/q_6yvM6cPrM/s288/116%20%282%29.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114345203061503938"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnN3X80N8I/AAAAAAAABDg/HBD5WShnweM/s288/006%20%282%29.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114345323320588242"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnN-X80N9I/AAAAAAAABDo/7MAJx4oPFHc/s288/045.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114345404924966882"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnODH80N-I/AAAAAAAABDw/fY2geIdIC88/s288/may%202007%20068.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114345404924966882"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnODH80N-I/AAAAAAAABDw/fY2geIdIC88/s288/may%202007%20068.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114345576723658770"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnONH80OBI/AAAAAAAABEI/0PyVvrfFM8o/s288/06-16-07_1301.jpg" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114345658328037410"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnOR380OCI/AAAAAAAABEQ/c1Mc_Ue8Y0s/s288/06-13-07_1952.jpg" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114345958975748178"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnOjX80OFI/AAAAAAAABEo/TvXU8lHJjB8/s288/may%202007%20021.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114346238148622450"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnOzn80OHI/AAAAAAAABE4/qRdWlJeNfTc/s288/DSCF1912.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114346482961758370"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnPB380OKI/AAAAAAAABFU/6dQM7-4q3rs/s288/DSCF1804.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114346590335940786"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnPIH80OLI/AAAAAAAABFc/0N-yAxhfMOU/s288/DSCF1707.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114346633285613762"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnPKn80OMI/AAAAAAAABFk/UIzP92Pv9bY/s288/DSCF1720.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114346787904436434"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnPTn80ONI/AAAAAAAABFs/R55shELomFs/s288/DSCF1566.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114346972588030194"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnPeX80OPI/AAAAAAAABF8/045Hqf1UfQU/s288/10-07-06_1239.jpg" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114347024127637762"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnPhX80OQI/AAAAAAAABGE/XOXJbr40cTc/s288/011_14.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114347054192408850"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnPjH80ORI/AAAAAAAABGM/igaj--QoOas/s288/12-18-06_1923.jpg" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114347114321951010"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnPmn80OSI/AAAAAAAABGU/AGeUpx6dUTo/s288/003_22.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114347380609923394"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnP2H80OUI/AAAAAAAABGk/DfQA0n-cnT8/s288/070607%20047.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114347543818680690"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnP_n80OXI/AAAAAAAABG8/ZoFPhhMQGVI/s288/Halloween2006%20022.jpg" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114347638307961234"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnQFH80OZI/AAAAAAAABHM/WHftolnBZNY/s288/070607%20095.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5114347689847568802"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RvnQIH80OaI/AAAAAAAABHU/M4rG3KxujWI/s288/070607%20102.JPG" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-48046525117992107692007-09-17T20:46:00.000-05:002007-09-17T21:27:05.025-05:00Busy = Bullet Point PostThere has been a lot going on this weekend. I have more to do tonight, so here is a quick bullet point post so I don't get behind on the blogging.<br /><br />- We still haven't found out if the Jeep is totaled or not.<br />- We did buy a new vehicle<br />- It is a '80 Jeep CJ7<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5111360655011669458"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/Ru8zb0Dg5dI/AAAAAAAABBM/zt3ZX_S2IKE/s400/002.JPG" /></a><br /><br />- It is kind of like a Wrangler (it has a hard top that can be removed)<br />- Tim plans to drive the car to work for 6-12 months if possible<br />- The CJ7 was purchased using insurance funds from the front end collision last July. - This means we can put away some of the money from the rear end collision (when we get it) and start saving for a future car.<br />- We hope to keep the "new" Jeep and fix it up and be able to pull it out on nice days to ride around with the top off.<br />- Worst case, we have to sell it - the guy we bought it from was getting tons of calls so it probably won't be too tough.<br />- Both children will be in car seats (not a car seat and a booster) when riding with the top off. Tim is also thinking about installing 5-point harnesses in the back seat.<br />- I spend most of the weekend working on drywall in Nick's bedroom.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5111361131753039330"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Ru8z3kDg5eI/AAAAAAAABBU/612ZxZI-isk/s288/DSCF1041.JPG" /></a>The room after plaster was removed. We have had drywall and a single coat of joint compound up for awhile.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5111363708733416946"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Ru82NkDg5fI/AAAAAAAABCQ/dxZcf9i2IqM/s288/006.JPG" /></a>This is what it looks like now.<br /><br />- Yes, Tim installed the pocket door.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5111363910596879906"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/Ru82ZUDg5iI/AAAAAAAABCo/F_hId7OhwwI/s288/009.JPG" /></a><br /><br />- My arms are really sore (I think most of it is from mudding the ceiling).<br />- I need to sand and touch up a few places, but most of the mudding is done.<br />- Andrew spent Saturday night and much of Sunday at Grandma Kathy's.<br />- That greatly increased the amount of work accomplished.<br />- Andrew now has a mattress for the top bunk. (We didn't buy one before because he doesn't need one - it is mostly to make the room look nicer - the bunk beds were cheaper than the single we liked and Andrew thought bunk beds would be fun and maybe he can share with Nicholas some day.)<br />- Andrew's room is looking really nice.<br />- I still need to make pillow shams and curtains for the french doors and we need to sand the floor.<br />- Then Andrew's room is done.<br />- I think he has the nicest room in the house right now.<br />- I will post pictures when I finish sewing stuff for the room.<br />- Nicholas figured out when to wave and is waving good bye to anything, especially cute was when he waved to Tim this morning when Tim left for work.<br />- I found a great deal on Plan toys so we will be set for Christmas and birthday gifts with nice wooden toys.<br />- I love finding good deals on stuff.<br />- I keep messing up the Mystery Socks cause I keep trying to knit a few stitches and then set it down again and I forget which row I'm on.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5111363790337795586"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/Ru82SUDg5gI/AAAAAAAABCY/3TSOGA3g0No/s288/001.JPG" /></a><br /><br />- I started some Thujas to work on instead.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5111363846172370450"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Ru82VkDg5hI/AAAAAAAABCg/hQxuZMOBiMU/s288/005.JPG" /></a><br /><br />- I don't like fickr - I have had a free account for almost a month and already have my limit of pictures.<br />- I love my Picasa account. I have had their free account for a year and still have lots of room and can organize pictures into more than just 2 folders and upload lots of pictures.<br />- Unfortunately, Ravelry is linked to flickr.<br />- I want to add more pictures, but I don't want give flickr money when I like my Picasa account and Ravelry will be allowing photos from other sources eventually.<br />- My projects and stash on Ravelry might be pretty boring for a while.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-15376642451232687762007-09-12T21:18:00.000-05:002007-09-12T21:44:30.030-05:00All DoneI have good news and bad news today.<br /><br />First the bad news - I think the Jeep might be all done. Tim was rear-ended in the Jeep on his way to work this morning. It isn't too bad since he wasn't hurt, it wasn't his fault, he has a loaner Mustang to drive for 10 days courtesy of the other driver's insurance. Tim said the Jeep didn't look too bad, but it wouldn't start again. I'm glad we didn't bother to get the front end fixed. I don't know if it will be totaled or not (the adjuster will look at it tomorrow) but we were really thinking of replacing the Jeep with something smaller for Tim to drive to work now that we have the wagon. We just didn't really want to try to sell the Jeep. So, I spent pretty all of preschool driving and then picked Tim up in Minnetonka this evening. Also, this weekend was supposed to be spent working on Nick's room and will probably be spent looking at cars again. Uck.<br /><br />Good news - Andrew's Tiger hat is all done. He thinks it is pretty cool. The hat is very soft and should be pretty warm since it is stranded. I used <a href="http://mlegan.wordpress.com/2006/12/04/tiger-hat-pattern/">this pattern</a> and a size six needle for a 20 inch diameter. I do still need to wash it before the weather gets too cold.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5109512294360999218"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuiiXEDg5TI/AAAAAAAAA-8/UwNbPCzQlRk/s400/008.JPG" /></a>Grrrrr<br /><br />I finally got around to taking pictures of the Nick Socks. Today was a good day for wool socks (I wore a pair of mine too).<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5109512569238906178"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuiinEDg5UI/AAAAAAAAA_E/6EYz1BEChp4/s288/003.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5109512625073481042"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuiiqUDg5VI/AAAAAAAAA_M/b78RLSs-yus/s288/002.JPG" /></a><br />They look kind of funny when they aren't being worn, but they stay on.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-50736410070898252912007-09-11T22:32:00.000-05:002007-09-11T22:56:40.005-05:00I don't think Nicholas is a baby anymore<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5109159711905735954"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RudhsEDg5RI/AAAAAAAAA98/JjS4NYuio5A/s400/004.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Nicholas is increasingly mobile. First it was crawling. He got good at that quickly and loved being able to get toys, bug his big brother, etc. Then it was standing. If there was something a bit off the ground, he uses it to get onto his feet. He doesn't usually know how to get back down, but that doesn't stop him from trying. Today it was the walker. We tried this once before, but it keep rolling away from him. Today he could do it. He walked back and forth along the length of our house. I helped him if he got stuck on something, but by the end of the day, he was managing that if he wasn't too stuck. I don't think it will be long until he is walking by himself. He can already walk pretty well just holding on to one of our hands. He is also getting better at communicating. He can say his version of "all done" and also sign it and "meh" for more and he has a sign for that too. He wanted a drink tonight so he pointed at me while I was drinking and complained. He smacks his lips when he wants to eat or nurse. He also understands a lot of what we say. I was cleaning out the coat closet last week and putting shoes back in. I was sitting by the closet, Nick was sitting next to me, and on the other side of him was Andrew's sandal. I said, "Nick could you give me Andrew's sandal" and pointed to it. He saw where I was pointing and went and picked up the sandal and brought it most of the way to me. I was pretty shocked by that. I didn't actually expect him to understand, mostly I was just talking to him. It is amazing how fast kids learn and change.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5109161296748668194"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/RudjIUDg5SI/AAAAAAAAA-c/L3oyKkeYCZI/s400/070607%20001.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5109159699020834050"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/RudhrUDg5QI/AAAAAAAAA-A/AtvPoWZWE_8/s400/002.JPG" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-90661432907745287262007-09-10T22:19:00.000-05:002007-09-10T22:57:23.011-05:00Time flies when you're having funThe kids got to bed a little earlier tonight so I sat down with my Malabrigo and the Tiger Hat pattern and the next thing I knew it was already 10pm. I'm about a third of the way done. Andrew is going to love this hat.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5108789767184751314"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuYROckymtI/AAAAAAAAA84/bnFivut2xGU/s288/004.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I finished seaming the last clog and felted them all this morning. I tossed all eight clogs into a zippered pillowcase and put the pillowcase in the wash on hot with a couple towels. I only had to restart the washer once (the time near the washer was spent wisely folding clothes) and once all the clothes were folded I checked the clogs to find that they were already felted.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5108789762889784002"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuYROMkymsI/AAAAAAAAA8w/uqyj0jMNpmk/s288/003.JPG" /></a>All Done!<br /><br />So, yesterday I said I would talk about talk about spinning. I purchased a fiber sampler from Hello Yarn this past spring. I finished spinning the superwash merino singles and the plan is to try navajo plying it. I purchased corridale roving in two different colorways at the last Shepherd's Harvest. I spun up the red and yellow dyed roving and plan to navajo ply it after practicing on the merino.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5108789784364620530"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuYRPckymvI/AAAAAAAAA9M/JagNag6hbQI/s288/012.JPG" /></a>Yep, the bobbin is a bit full.<br /><br />When we went to the state fair I stopped in the cabin at Heritage Square. I spoke to the woman who was spinning/knitting/doing needlework (not all at the same time). She mentioned that she had been spinning for 20 years. I went away thinking about what and where I might be spinning 18 years from now. Then I went home and tried spinning the denim cotton roving sample from the fiber sampler. At first it didn't go too well. Then I grabbed the carders I bought at the Creative Fibers sale (they are finer ones to go with the ones I got for mother's day). Spinning the cotton I carded was much easier than spinning from the roving. After that bit was spun I tried spinning the cotton from the fold. That went pretty well too. So, after I used the bit I pulled off I tried spinning from the roving again. It actually spun pretty easily. I think that spinning the fluffier preps. first helped with getting used to the short fiber. I thought it was pretty cool that I spun cotton. It was one fiber that I was very apprehensive to try. We will have to see how it goes when I start spinning the rest of the cotton up.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5108789775774685922"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuYRO8kymuI/AAAAAAAAA9A/-lB3QJVncd4/s288/005.JPG" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-60534660608928709512007-09-09T21:11:00.000-05:002007-09-09T21:53:36.866-05:00ProjectsThere are lots of projects going on around here. I'm more excited about some than others, especially some of the house projects. We have done a lot of structural and mechanical things in the last years and visually our house hasn't seemed to change much. Now we are finally getting some of the cosmetic things done and I really enjoy seeing the difference.<br /><br />Knitting Projects:<br /><br />First a warning - I am going to be doing a bunch of gift knitting in the next couple months. I will not say who anything is for though. So, if you see something that I make that is a gift, who knows. It might be for you, it might not. I'm not telling. I do however, want to have some blog fodder other than the kids and the house projects.<br /><br />Mystery Stole 3<br />-The mystery stole is kind of stalled. I wasn't sure for a while if I was going to knit the asymmetrical design or make the other half and join it in the middle. I have finally decided that I am going to just knit it as written. I like things to be symmetrical, but I'm also pretty picky, so knitting something different for once probably won't kill me.<br /><br />Mystery Socks<br />-I have knit both socks at the same time so they are both done to the final clue, the turning of the heel. I partly want to just continue on until where I would usually start the toe, but I have plenty of other projects to keep me busy so I haven't. I am knitting these out of Maisy from Crystal Palace. I found this yarn this summer at Clickety Sticks and hadn't seen it on any blog or heard about it anywhere so I wanted to try it. It is made from corn and has elastic in it. It knits up pretty nice.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5108399797039176322"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuSujMkymoI/AAAAAAAAA74/aUCdiyhxwF4/s400/008%20%284%29.JPG" /></a><br /><br />It might be a blanket<br />-I started knitting the Patons Divine that I received at the Knit Out last February. Andrew loves fluffy, fuzzy yarn and I though he might like a knit blanket that isn't a baby blanket. I thought I would knit up three strips from the three colors and seam them together. Just garter stitch since the yarn would hide any stitch pattern and the yarn is a pain to knit, hence the It <span style="font-style:italic;">might</span> be a blanket.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5108400896550804146"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuSvjMkymrI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/OZVq0uebTLA/s288/Yarn%20034.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Bauhaus Fair Isle<br />-I have one pattern repeat knit so far. I like the fabric that is forming and I like colorwork. This is not getting worked on much since I am on a gift knitting kick and this is not a gift. This pattern was shown to Tim quite a few times before actually purchasing the yarn and starting the knitting. When I was going to buy the yarn I looked at Knit Picks to see if they had colors that would be similar enough to use their less expensive yarn. They didn't at the time, but recently came out with a bunch of <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Telemark_YD5420152.html">heathered yarns</a> and now I could easily find all the colors I need for the sweater. Of course, now that I already started it in Heilo. Oh well.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5108399775564339810"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuSuh8kymmI/AAAAAAAAA7o/rSedlpP55rE/s400/006%20%284%29.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5108399784154274418"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuSuickymnI/AAAAAAAAA7w/ACyQHXWU24Y/s400/007%20%284%29.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The Mountain of Clogs<br />-A whole mess of felted clogs for Christmas gifts. I can actually make a pair in 2-3 days (which is mostly knitting after the kids go to bed at night). I have three pairs done and almost have the forth done. I might need to knit another pair, but will have to wait and see. I am very proud of myself for having them almost done and it only being the beginning of September. I love wearing my felted clogs (I'm wearing them right now).<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5108399805629110930"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuSujskympI/AAAAAAAAA8A/GgJXKAgQfxs/s288/017.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5108399814219045538"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuSukMkymqI/AAAAAAAAA8I/2vWUfWBhE8Y/s288/018.JPG" /></a>two of the four pairs<br /><br />I was going to mention my spinning and house projects too, but I think those will just have to wait for later this week. I want to get some other things done tonight and I don't have pictures of the other things anyway.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-61244942044093539892007-09-07T20:53:00.000-05:002007-09-07T22:06:06.235-05:00Last of Free Day of SummerNext week we return to five days of two different preschools and swimming lessons. Although Andrew loves school (when asked how his day was yesterday he responded, "wonderful and amazing") I don't really enjoy all the driving (especially since the formally happy to ride Nick has turned into Mr. Screech in the car) and trying to get something (naps or projects) done around pick up and drop off times. I do like the change in weather to something a bit cooler though. I'm also looking forward to the apple orchard, pumpkin carving, holiday baking, etc.<br /><br />Since we had one last free day I decided we should do something special. I stalked the library for the <a href="http://www.melsa.org/museumadventurepass/">Museum Adventure Pass</a> to the <a href="http://mnzoo.com">MN Zoo</a>. We haven't been there in a couple years and I really though Andrew would like going there and I figured that with school having started last week there wouldn't be many people there. We do go to <a href="http://www.comozooconservatory.org/">Como</a> since we live so close, but the MN Zoo is so very different. Although the day started off cool and cloudy, it quickly turned into beautiful blue skies and comfortable temps. We got to the zoo about 30 minutes after it opened, looked at Discovery Bay for a few minutes and then headed to the dolphin show. Andrew loved the dolphins, Nick not so much. My usually brave and adventurous little guy didn't like it when the dolphins jumped or went to the front of the tank. Although, he didn't mind seeing the dolphins when we were just standing by the side of the tank. After the show we went back to Discovery Bay and checked out the tide pools and other places. Nicholas was getting ready to sleep at that point so (after seeing how nice the weather had gotten) I suggested we go walk outside. Nick was out by the time we were about a quarter of the way around.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107660938110212466"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIOj8kymXI/AAAAAAAAA5A/yVsF_iSHtE8/s400/044.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107660946700147074"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIOkckymYI/AAAAAAAAA5I/fofIJ9dHPZA/s400/045.JPG" /></a>Andrew looking at the camels<br /><br />I don't know if it was the change in weather from a few days of hot weather to suddenly having a cool day or if it was because we were there earlier in the day, but the animals were all active and easy to see. <br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107660916635375954"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIOiskymVI/AAAAAAAAA4s/-HweVyQlwPY/s288/034.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107660929520277858"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIOjckymWI/AAAAAAAAA44/y9MN8wZODF8/s288/040.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107660963880016290"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIOlckymaI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/f2Ot3yj0_uE/s288/061.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107661238757923266"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIO1ckymcI/AAAAAAAAA6M/BjXjxl-k5bI/s288/068.JPG" /></a><br />That was a huge change from my memories of walking around the trail in the past. There is also a playground near one end of the trail so Andrew played for a bit there while Nicholas napped. Andrew (in true Andrew fashion) decided to pretend to be a prairie dog and instead of playing on the equipment he dug holes in the sand and barked like a prairie dog.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107660903750474050"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIOh8kymUI/AAAAAAAAA4k/1WWk9a1OW9k/s288/028.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107660955290081682"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIOk8kymZI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/ffDeqPnYo6w/s288/051.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107661264527727090"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIO28kymfI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/lvDg11Zur_s/s400/079.JPG" /></a><br />We finished off the trail and headed inside to the Tropics Trail. This trail was redone about 10-15 years ago and is nice, but the highlight for the kids was the coral reef exhibit. <br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107661487866026546"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIPD8kymjI/AAAAAAAAA64/ADrAN3W1pz4/s288/095.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107661505045895762"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIPE8kymlI/AAAAAAAAA7I/cEJQ9uixoAc/s288/097.JPG" /></a><br />Andrew liked the calm and Nick loved that he could see all the fish and they would swim right in front of him. He also liked the pink flamingos since he had a really good view of them.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5107661479276091938"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RuIPDckymiI/AAAAAAAAA6w/8l2H_rX7Rv0/s400/091.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Next was lunch and then we finished up with the Minnesota Trail. I did this one last because I was remembering the damp concrete tanks of lake fish and a few outdoor exhibits that were hard to see. This trail has been completely remodeled though. It has a Northwoods theme and is set up to have natural exhibits for the animals that have viewing areas into things like the coyote den (where we saw a little one sleeping) and little things that emboss animal shapes onto paper that you can do as you come to the animal on the trail. One of the coolest things to see was the bald eagle sitting on a branch near the trail. I wish the batteries hadn't died on my camera and I could have gotten a few shots of the trail.<br /><br />Nick was obviously tired by the time we left since he fell asleep on the way home and then took a long nap once he was home in his bed. I think we all had a good time though.<br /><br />We also decided to head to a park this evening. There is a park near where Tim used to work in Roseville that is pretty much unknown. There is a parking lot behind a bunch of warehouse type businesses. This parking lot is in front of a soccer field and a softball diamond. There is a trail off the side of the lot that leads to an area with a little picnic shelter and two play areas. This is the perfect park for us where there is plenty of room to run around and it is a quiet little area great for evening play. And no, I'm not going to mention the name of the park, I want to keep it a little secret.<br /><br />Tomorrow I will try to talk a little about knitting projects and some spinning, but for tonight I just wanted to enjoy my day a bit longer.<br /><br />You can see a few more pictures in the web album if you click on any of the pictures.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-32351843942046187952007-09-05T21:25:00.000-05:002007-09-05T21:53:26.970-05:00Stripy Mitts (and other stuff)I made little stripy thumbless mittens to go with the stripy hat. The little hat was frogged since I needed a few more yards of yarn for the second mitten. Now I still have leftover yarn and was thinking about making some warm neck thingy (not necessarily a scarf), but after thinking about how easily little mittens get lost, I decided to hand on to the extra yarn for now. These knit up so quick. I made the first last night and the second today.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106917212983302450"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt9qJckymTI/AAAAAAAAA4E/k7RXk-QXW7Q/s400/016.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Nicholas is finally official. It is going to be his first birthday in a couple weeks and he just got his social security card/number. That means I could finally send in our taxes that have been sitting done and waiting for that number since March. It isn't that we waited to get his card. The paperwork hassle with the dept of health was such a pain. First, it is difficult to figure out how to get an application for a birth certificate in the first place. You have to call the MN dept. of health directly (they don't have any offices you can go to) and ask them to mail you an application for a birth certificate. After you have everything filled out and signed make copies. It gets mailed back and then it is a good idea to call and make sure they got it. The first application we sent for Nicholas in October was lost and when we call in March they didn't have any record of it. We received a birth certificate a month after sending in the application a second time. We waited a couple months and Tim went over to the social security office near his work. Guess what, they didn't have any record of a card being requested. I called the dept. of health and they said that Nick's file said they requested one. So, we needed to go to the pediatrician and get a vaccination record so we could request a social security card since you now need that as well as a birth certificate in order to request a card for a child. Anyway, we finally got it and I am looking forward to receiving our refund soon.<br /><br />We also had the last two of our butterflies emerge from their cocoons. We let them out in the front yard this morning. Three of the four took off quickly, but the last one hung around for a few minutes so I got a couple pictures. Andrew really loved having the butterflies come out of their cocoons. If you click on any of these it will take you to my picasa album where you can see them larger.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106917101314152578"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt9qC8kymII/AAAAAAAAA2o/RjLkIcaJL4w/s288/001%20-%20Copy.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106917109904087186"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt9qDckymJI/AAAAAAAAA2w/n10OIf0oPfE/s288/002%20-%20Copy.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106917122788989090"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt9qEMkymKI/AAAAAAAAA28/m48FHdpx1b8/s288/003%20-%20Copy.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106917131378923698"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt9qEskymLI/AAAAAAAAA3E/-90C0xpvIIo/s288/004%20-%20Copy.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106917139968858306"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt9qFMkymMI/AAAAAAAAA3M/HvG1zfuoonU/s288/005%20-%20Copy.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106917152853760210"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt9qF8kymNI/AAAAAAAAA3U/HFH9ZE8eTtY/s288/006%20-%20Copy.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106917161443694818"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt9qGckymOI/AAAAAAAAA3c/6t4V16AMbK4/s288/007%20-%20Copy.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106917174328596722"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt9qHMkymPI/AAAAAAAAA3k/aN501P941-s/s288/008%20-%20Copy.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106917200098400546"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt9qIskymSI/AAAAAAAAA38/HS-FihAW51U/s288/013.JPG" /></a>(this is actually our neighbor's light post, but he doesn't care if we were over there)<br /><br />Andrew starts speech preschool tomorrow. Hopefully Nicholas will nap and I can have a quiet house for a bit.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-39984511338066482502007-09-04T21:45:00.000-05:002007-09-04T22:56:00.739-05:00Stripy Hat<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106548086314014818"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt4abckymGI/AAAAAAAAA18/nyNw7FdS6J0/s400/008.JPG" /></a><br />It is amazing how satisfying it is to finish a project, especially when I created it from an idea in my head. Nick's Stripy Flap Hat is done. I had yarn left over from the green soaker and realized that I have made hats and mittens for myself, Tim, and other family members, but not for the kids. My first go at this hat was a bit small (more infant sized). I purposely made it smaller, knowing that Malabrigo grows when it is washed, but the first hat wasn't going to fit. The second time around I made it the right size and changed the construction around a little so I only had three ends to weave in and it was less fiddly. <br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106548039069374482"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt4aYskymBI/AAAAAAAAA1U/mIkcfQVve5k/s288/Yarn%20012.JPG" /></a><br />The hat is so cute on Nicholas. I know the tassels on the ends of the ties are going to get ratty fast, but it was a good way to deal with the ends, since I bound off the bottom, did a little finger crochet for the ties with the bind off end and then wound the end into a tassel to finish it off. Now I need to make some thumb-less mittens to match<br /> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106548043364341794"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt4aY8kymCI/AAAAAAAAA1c/KD0B55Byw64/s288/Yarn%20015.JPG" /></a><br /> and he will be set. Next is a Tiger hat for Andrew and some mittens.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106548060544210994"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt4aZ8kymDI/AAAAAAAAA1k/uTH1m0UrfBE/s288/001.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106548077724080210"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt4aa8kymFI/AAAAAAAAA10/I18zMt7EGH8/s288/006.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106548069134145602"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt4aackymEI/AAAAAAAAA1s/2AbU6mK5pQk/s288/003.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We had a good long weekend. After the fair on Friday, we took most of the rest of the weekend to work on the house. We have a bunch of stuff that just needs to be finished. The playroom is our current focus. We took down the crown molding and put it back up so it looks better this time. A work of advice, put on work gloves when using a coping saw. I have a nice pair of mostly leather work gloves I bought when we did the plumbing, but didn't actually put them on until I nicked my hand a few times. Monday we took the kids biking on the Gateway Trail. Andrew rode his trail-a-bike (which he loves) behind Tim and I pulled Nicholas in the trailer. We biked to the beginning of the trail (a little over a mile), biked for about five miles and then turned around. We stopped for a few minutes about four miles out.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106548021889505282"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt4aXskymAI/AAAAAAAAA1M/ghh1fVYRVPc/s288/Yarn%20011.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106548009004603378"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt4aW8kyl_I/AAAAAAAAA1E/X1NbmzVwpZg/s288/Yarn%20009.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Today we took advantage of the heat and not having preschool start until Thursday and went to the pool at the YMCA. Both the boys were little fish. Andrew was diving for his toys and swimming underwater. I had a mom ask me how he learned to swim so early. Nicholas wasn't sure he wanted to swim at first, but after watching for a bit I swung him through the water, which he loved, and he wanted to "swim" (laying on his tummy, holding his head up while I move him through the water) the rest of the time. I sat him on the ledge of the pool for a minute at one point only to have him try to propel himself back into the water. I also signed Andrew up for more swim lessons. Hopefully, he will be more interested in the teacher's agenda than his own this time.<br /><br />We also had preschool activities tonight. We had a conference at Andrew's speech preschool and a open house at his regular preschool. When I saw that both were scheduled for the same evening on opposite ends of St. Paul, my first thought was to reschedule the conference. Then I decided that it would be better to just run around one night than multiple nights. We are hoping that Andrew won't need to go to speech preschool for long this year. He went from most people not understanding him last winter to having almost everyone understand what he is saying now. Andrew won't be completely happy to be done with speech preschool, but it will be nice to have the extra two days a week to do things like go to museums, story hour, parks, swimming, etc. that we just don't get to do as much when there is preschool everyday. Last year Andrew was also just tired by the end of the week which told me that there was just too much going on. He is very excited about starting school again though. He loves to learn new things.<br /><br />Nicholas has changed so much this summer. Being ten months was a big turning point. In the course of a week he cut his eighth tooth, clapped, waved, and crawled for the first time. Now that he is an expert crawler he likes to crawl over to something and pull himself up to stand. He also likes to eat. With all those teeth he sometimes eats as much as Andrew. It is hard to believe how fast the last year went.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5106547991824734178"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rt4aV8kyl-I/AAAAAAAAA08/gjEXdqnXagk/s288/Yarn%20006.JPG" /></a>I seem to get climbed on a lot lately.<br /><br />Ok, Ravelry is back up now so I'm off to continue updating my stash and projects. I haven't even gotten started on my queue. ;)Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-39389718159650091872007-09-02T21:09:00.000-05:002007-09-02T22:23:00.557-05:00Finished ObjectsJust a little catch up on my finished projects, and a little more fair talk at the end.<br /><br />Most recently finished: Andrew's toe-up gusset socks.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105794826359707474"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/RtttV8kyl1I/AAAAAAAAAzY/An2gn4JSHPM/s400/004%20%284%29.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Yarn: Regia Cotton<br />Needles: size 1<br />Pattern: my own<br /><br />I bought this yarn when 3 Kittens had their outlet this summer. I bought one 50 gram ball for a dollar. I split the yarn into two even balls and Andrew told me he wanted his socks very long. I told him I would start from the toe and make them as long as I could. I intended to do a short row heel, but the sock was too tight. So, I ripped it back and looked for toe-up gusset information. I didn't find anything (although I didn't look that hard) so I decided to just make up my own. Since I had just finished the straps for the sleeves of Andrew's gansey I thought I would knit the gussets, do some short rows for the back of the heel, and then knit back and forth on the middle stitches picking up gusset stitches as I went. It worked really well and Andrew is happy to have new socks.<br /><br />Andrew's Gansey<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105794985273497442"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/RtttfMkyl2I/AAAAAAAAAzg/rQDOoO9YKEg/s400/083.JPG" /></a><br />Yarn: Bemidji Homespun in Oxford Grey<br />Needles: Size 3<br />Pattern: my own using percentages from Knitting the Old Way<br /><br />I love how this sweater turned out. It fits Andrew well and everything went together pretty easily. I started this Memorial Day weekend and it got finished up pretty quickly. I knit circularly to the armpits, used a gusset under the arms, knit the fronts and backs flat, used saddle straps to join the front and back with the arms knit the arms circularly. The sweater is a bit itchy now, but I soaked the two extra skeins I have in some deep conditioner and they are much softer, so I will do that when I get it back from the fair. This is the first sweater I have made without a pattern and I just like knowing that I can do it.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105795681058199474"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/RttuHskyl7I/AAAAAAAAA0M/O5dUTtOUW0c/s288/62907%20015.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105795693943101378"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/RttuIckyl8I/AAAAAAAAA0U/fJJJGqTtOm0/s288/62907%20027.JPG" /></a>Just a couple construction pictures<br /><br />Nick Socks:<br /><br />(I realized I didn't take a picture of these and didn't want to go upstairs and look for them - I will try to take a picture tomorrow)<br /><br />Leftover Step yarn from my toe up socks knit toe up with a short row garter stitch toe and heel and 2x2 ribbing on the cuff, 2x2 ribbing on the instep and 1x1 ribbing on the sole. Nick can't get these off and doesn't seem to want to try like he does with all his other socks. I did wear my Step socks a while back when we had some cooler weather and I have to say that they did feel really good on my feet even though I didn't think the yarn was all that exciting to knit with.<br /><br />Soakers:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105795346050750354"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rttt0Mkyl5I/AAAAAAAAAz4/EZ8nh68oMMo/s288/043.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105795358935652258"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rttt08kyl6I/AAAAAAAAA0A/vLsK8zHrkDk/s288/058.JPG" /></a><br />I knit two soakers. The green soaker has been on the blog before. I bought more yarn and finished it up since Nick really did need another one. I don't usually like cuffs on the legs since they add more bulk. I did want something that had a bit more coverage though. So, I knit a few stitches of garter stitch on the edges of the leg holes and made the crotch a bit wider. The garter stitch makes the opening more stretchy so the soaker still fits in the thighs while having a wider crotch. The other one was for a friend's baby shower before she moved to New Mexico. She has gotten most of the newborn and small cloth diapers that Nicholas has grown out of, but I wanted her to have some new stuff too. I knit the soaker out of blueberry Knitpicks Wool of the Andes (left over from Andrew's Snowflake sweater) and made a same sized diaper out of fabric that had the same color in it. I also sewed up a couple small laminate covers for her. I didn't actually get a picture of any of that though. I was just trying to get them done.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105812285401765842"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rtt9OMkyl9I/AAAAAAAAA0c/Lxk77vmN5c8/s400/041.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I finally moved my sewing machine table, sewing machine and serger downstairs into the dining room. It fits pretty nicely in the corner and while I didn't really want it in there, at least I can get some sewing done this way. I sewed a bunch of Medium Diapers for Nicholas as well as finally sewing together the comforter cover for Andrew's top bunk. I still have a bit of sewing left for Andrew's room, more diapers to make and then time to start thinking about Halloween costumes. One other quick sewing project I did was to remake a t-shirt. We had a family reunion and each got a regular t-shirt. Mine was a medium and was huge on me. Since the only time I wear t-shirts like that is to bed, and I didn't want to feel like I was in my pajamas all day, I decided to cut it down and remake it. I grabbed a t-shirt that I like and cut out the same basic shapes and sewed it back together. It didn't turn out too bad considering I started it at midnight the night before the reunion. I probably won't wear it again since it was 50% poly and was making my skin crawl (I just can't seem to be comfortable in most polyester shirts).<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105795315985979266"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rtttyckyl4I/AAAAAAAAAzw/MebOTqUtwMQ/s400/040.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Two last fair thing before I'm done. I forgot to mention the butterfly house in yesterday's post. <a href="http://shellykang.com/">Shelly</a> has mentioned the past two years that she has taken her girls to the butterfly house. I decided to try it with Andrew this year and he was just thrilled with the whole thing. He was very calm and gentle the whole time and kept getting butterflies and bring them over to the food so they could eat. He would have stayed all day if he could have. We did bring home a container with 5 cocoons. One of the butterflies emerged today and we set it free. Andrew liked watching it flying off. I have pictures of the butterfly house, but they are on my phone and I need Tim to use his work computer to get them off.<br /><br />The other fair thing... I was looking on the Ravelry groups a couple days ago and found a thread about the state fair. One person mentioned the Ramsey County fair and mention that she wouldn't have entered the county fair since it wasn't competitive, but did since she thought her nephew would like the ribbon since the sweater she entered was for him. I know the county fairs aren't as competitive as the state fair . I don't think that we shouldn't enter them if we think our knitting is good enough for the state fair though. The county fairs are a tradition, and I know the Ramsey County fair isn't very large, but if people don't participate in them through visiting the fair, entering items, etc., they will go away eventually. I would rather support the tradition of the county fairs and possibly inspire someone else to knit something even better next year (or possibly learn how to knit if they are someone just looking to see what was entered this year) than assume that because I have won some ribbons at the state fair I shouldn't enter. I admit that I felt a bit sheepish when I realized that everything I entered won blue ribbons, but I truly appreciated the gift card I won and have pretty much spent all the other prize money at the yarn store so I figure it was also good for the local knitting economy. Right? Anyway, that is just my opinion. I like tradition and would like to challenge others to enter their county fairs to - or if you live near by enter the Ramsey County Fair and wow the judges and fairgoers with the number and quality of entries next year.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28686019.post-24570055683597651542007-09-01T22:56:00.000-05:002007-09-01T23:27:25.136-05:00Fun at the FairI went to the state fair twice this year. Andrew and I started doing this last year because Tim was having problems with his allergies and couldn't really visit the barns (he would go in, be there for two minutes, and then tell us he would wait outside). It is also more enjoyable to go at a slower pace with small kids and we can still see the things we want too. The kids and I went Monday. Tracey joined us, which made things so much easier. We went to visit my knitting,<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455609842669122"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto408kylkI/AAAAAAAAAww/gDJfPfmf0_g/s400/003%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><br />The Snowflake Hat<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455618432603730"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto41ckyllI/AAAAAAAAAw4/9fAxyCGt9ZQ/s400/004%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><br />Andrew's Gansey - It is the grey sweater with the diamond pattern.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455652792342162"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto43ckylpI/AAAAAAAAAxY/al0KVYzyhlc/s400/009%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><br />Nick's Blanket (Estonian Lullaby) I feel kind of bad that he hasn't been able to use it, but he isn't too attached to it now and now he can have a prize winning blankie to drool on.<br /><br />saw the Little Hands Farm, rode a couple rides,<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455639907440258"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto42skyloI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/8q4CAzOGXcc/s400/007%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455635612472946"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto42ckylnI/AAAAAAAAAxI/7McWA4Vd3NM/s400/006%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><br />Riding in "Mr The King"<br /><br />visited the barns, and the DNR exhibit.<br /><br />We went again Friday with Tim, and his mom. We visited the knitting again (Tim wanted to see it) and then saw a bunch of other stuff. I love seeing all the landscaping on the fairgrounds.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455661382276770"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto438kylqI/AAAAAAAAAxg/vm81YkN-mZA/s288/011%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455669972211378"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto44ckylrI/AAAAAAAAAy8/avC5fq0del4/s288/012%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455691447047890"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto45skyltI/AAAAAAAAAx4/10vVisptxRs/s288/014%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455704331949794"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto46ckyluI/AAAAAAAAAyA/ggyuBxiBLeY/s288/015%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455730101753618"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto478kylxI/AAAAAAAAAyc/uIFEygsiFVw/s288/018%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455768756459298"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto4-MkylyI/AAAAAAAAAyk/DRBmm_bR2To/s288/019%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><br />By afternoon the fair was a sea of people.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idontknitenough/September2007/photo#5105455721511819010"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/Idontknitenough/Rto47ckylwI/AAAAAAAAAyU/FSdOQW23Ddg/s288/017%20%283%29.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We did take a break in the afternoon and have cider freezes. They were great - thanks for mentioning them <a href="http://yogurtandgranola.blogspot.com">Catherine</a>.<br /><br />Then high point of Friday though was dropping the kids off at home with Kathy and then going back to see A Prairie Home Companion. I love listening when I get a chance. That doesn't happen that much given that a certain 4 year old would much rather that we listen to him. We also had some ride tickets left so we went on the double ferris wheel and I convinced Tim to go on the zipper with me. I missed out on all the rides last year.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963531369669703577noreply@blogger.com2