January Crafts Update

There has been a lot of knitting going on the past few weeks. Much of my Christmas knitting this year was felted stuff, so an "All Felt" crafts update is in the works.

Here's what's been doing...

Snowmen

A few more of the ones that I knocked out for presents. These three went down to my relatives in Maryland.

Bauble Wrap Neck Warmer







This will one day see light as a Knitty Keen pattern, maybe even before spring if I can carve out some time. This is my prototype, made for (and modeled by too) the ever lovely K using Carron Simply Soft and size 10 needles. I cast on for it the afternoon of the inauguration after I found out K was wearing a scarf made of wool to which she is allergic to because she didn't have a scarf. I've played around with this lace/textured pattern before and I love the way it turned out with the larger needles.

Michael's Charlie Brown Socks






I dyed this yarn ages ago and really didn't like how it looked. Michael has been going through a big yellow phase so I decided to knock out a pair of socks for him. I knit them from the toe up with a gusset and rounded heel with a garter-rib pattern. I'm going to do up a quick and dirty pattern for them over on Knitty Keen, so be sure to take a look this weekend.

Slouchy Mitts


Finally - something for me. John got me some Kureyon Sock yarn last year for Christmas and knitting socks in this was a study in frustration. Doing entrelac on size 3 needles was much easier. They are a bit over sized so the cuffs will fit over my shirt-sleeves to keep the cold out and I can wear them over my cheap gloves for an extra layer of warmth.

Birthday Surprise Jacket


We still have yet to actually celebrate Alex's birthday, so in an effort to get things moving, I'm knocking out a BSJ for him. The yarn is Dashing Dachs sport-weight in the Skippy colorway knit on size 7's. The yarn was a gift from Heather way back last spring when I was going through a tough time. I'm about 2/3's done, so with a bit of luck I'll be able to get pics of the belated birthday boy in his new sweater.

I've got to go and tend to Alex now and hopefully we'll all get some sleep. 'night all!

Still Aten't Ded

Short and sweet, bulleted list...

• Alex turned one yesterday - where did the last year go?


• We are starting the long and perilous process of enrolling Michael in Kindergarten. Keeping my fingers crossed that I will have no need of the appeals process for his IEP. I also have a ton of vaccinations to catch up on for him - yet another thing I am not looking forward to.


• Back to Alex - he's taking steps! I am so not ready for this.


• I only have six more months of four left - it can't come soon enough. At least I've been able to restructure my parenting to what is developmentally appropriate for Michael. It's a hell of a lot of work, especially when your reserves are almost nil, but things are getting a bit better.


• As to emotional reserves - they are still being taxed to the breaking point, but I have a day or so out of every week where the kids sleep and I can be close to the parent I know I can be to them. This too shall pass.


• Lots of knitting going on. I'm making the commitment to get Knitty Keen off the ground and I have John's support. Like everything else, it's going to be hard as hell - but the payoff will be so worth it.


• This is going to be a year of changes - we are working on some major decluttering in both our house and our lives. I've been feeling like I'm stuck in a rut for ages and I'm going to do something about it. Look for radical hair cut and new glasses in the not too distant future. I am endevouring to become "that mom" but hey, there are worse things to be. Frankly, anything is better than the way I feel I look now and I need to do some stuff so I can get comfortable in my skin again.

Kids need feeding. We aren't doing the real celebration for Alex 'til tomorrow, so I'll be sure to get pics up. TTFN!