Pink Baby Hat

I love that I can now create gifts for family. This pink baby hat (from the pretty pink kool-aid yarn) is for one of my cousins who just had a little girl a few months ago! I would like to crochet a flower for the side but my flowers turn into a big circle knot...I think I need to find a teacher. I've tried videos, pictorials, & pattern directions and I just can't seem to create a flower, and I really think it needs one.

Help a fellow man, all it takes is a keychain!

I foresee me knitting a keychain in my near future...

I wish for keychains for my Guinness Record Goal...

Organizing

Well since a big box of yarn sitting on my kitchen table doesn't get my table any closer to being usable (which I've been trying to do for at least a year) I had to find some way to 

1. Hide it from a curious & troublesome toddler
2. Keep it accessible while said toddler is sleeping in the 1 bedroom
3. Display it (who doesn't want to see beautiful colors of yarn?)

Well being on a budget I am unable to go out and buy any shelving. Our living room just got rearranged the other day and I love how it looks so I also didn't want any big bulky dressers that not only would hide the yarn in drawers but ruin what little feng shui my living room has to offer. Luckily I'm resourceful and had some plastic drawer containers from when we first started cloth diapering. We stored our diapers & covers in it but have since moved those to a dresser for her and a diaper stand. It's been sitting in our closet with prefolds that I rarely use and extra sheets (which can just be thrown on a shelf in the closet.) So I whip it out, empty it and tada!!!

Wonderful! I can see my pretty yarns, my daughter can't get into it and doesn't even seem to care about it, and it fits right under our desk so it's out of the way but I can pull it out when I need to get into it. 

I love it! There is only a little bit of room for more yarn though so I'll have to start knitting some of it up pretty quick. I wanted to keep my wool separate for now so I have that in my knitting bag, it is what I use most often after all. 

Freecycle!!!

I love freecycle! I've received a lot of toddler toys and other items but this time I got something for Mommy! Yarn, yarn and more yarn!!!

I'm soooo excited! It's not the yarn I would normally use but I will have fun with it and make some awesome things! Mostly acrylic fingering and some fun fur, a lot of unlabeled mystery yarns! When the lady said a box of yarn I was thinking shoe box...boy was I wrong, and glad I was! I'm still thrilled with this wonderful find! Now I must get my butt knitting!

yarn lovin

Had ordered new yarn and it came! I love getting mail. 

Just gorgeous colors. I didn't realize the mint chocolate would knit up like camouflage but it's my husbands hat and he doesn't think it looks bad. I love the colors of the yarn, but I don't care for the camo look. I did break it up with some solid brown...it's not bad. 

I was supposed to get a box of yarn today from a lady on freecycle (love that place) but she had a family emergency and had to post-pone. I can't wait to see what kind of  "grab bag" and odds & ends I get! I love pretty yarn!

button search

Well finished my Black Deck Case  . It turned out well, and a quick simple knit so I liked that. Hubby loves it & can't wait to show it off at his next game night. I can't wait to make some for our other decks. I'm making one case for each of our Magic the Gathering decks. We have a black, white and multi deck so only 2 more to go! I just need the yarn & the buttons. I'm still in search of a skull button for this case, found a few I liked but not THE ONE.

Cotton Candy Baby Hat

My cousin just had her second little baby boy! So thrilled for her. Perfect opportunity to bust out the cotton candy blue yarn. I whipped up a little hat, and I love how it turned out. The yarn was a lot softer than I had thought, the pattern was cute & simple, and I love love love (did I say LOVE) the coloring of the yarn. Pictures don't quite capture all the subtle changes, but just take my word for it the colors are gorgeous!

Mmm

Cotton Candy...

Bubblegum...

Watermelon Cherry & Berry Blue

Just a few delicious sounding things that come to mind when I look at my newest yarn. 

Yummy!

My first dye project, it was super fun. I wanted the colors to turn out bold and for the yarn to be completely saturated. The berry blue took the color really well, no white spots just light and dark areas, I'm knitting it up into a baby hat for my cousins newest addition and I love it so much. The yarn is softer than I had expected so that is a bonus, and the way the color turned out, I just can't say I love it enough. The pink has white spotting which initially I didn't want, but after I saw how it turned out it just screams baby girl, and I adore it. So for once I'm glad something didn't turn out how I wanted!

How I Did It

First I picked my base yarn. I didn't want to go with anything too spendy with it being my first dye job, I figured it could turn out hideous and who wants to waste beautiful expensive yarn? Not me! So I just went down to Jo-Ann Fabrics and bought some Patons Classic Wool they had on sale. You will want to use a natural fiber or else the dye won't take. My yarn of preference is wool anyways. 

While you are out you might also want to pick up your kool-aid, there are tons of flavors/colors to choose from. I wanted a blue and a pink because I'll be using this yarn to create baby items for friends and family. I used Berry Blue for my blue and Watermelon Cherry for my pink.  

  You can make your yarn into a skein for easiest dying (wrap around a chair or free set of hands, hold your big loop of yarn at both ends and twist until it twists up on itself and just tuck one end into the other) I just left it how it comes but I can easily see how that makes it harder for the dye to penetrate all the yarn evenly. That's how I got my light & dark, and my white spots, which I wasn't going for but ended up loving the effect. Wash out your yarn, you can use a little soap just make sure you rinse completely. I didn't use soap I just rinsed it out a whole lot! Prepare you dye. I used two packets of each color (for darker colors use more), 1/4 cup vinegar (the acidity helps the dye take) and enough water to cover the yarn. Put your pot of dye & yarn on the stove and heat to just boiling, cover and let sit for 30-45 minutes stirring occasionally (be sure to get both sides of your skein unless you want white spots!). When you check on your yarn if the water is clear the yarn has absorbed all of the dye, if you water is still colored you can reheat and try again. Once your water is clear let it cool off and rinse your yarn with water the same temperature as the yarn to avoid shrinkage. Rinse until the water runs clear. Lay out to dry. Once dry ball or cake your yarn and enjoy your new fruity colors! Colors can fade over time & washes but won't rub off as long as you rinsed correctly.

The hat of horrors is finished!

My first hat, and it only took me maybe 4 times to get it right! My own fault, I should really make sure I have enough yarn before I start & read the directions all the way through a few times. The pattern worked out great as soon as I had enough yarn, I only had a little bit of trouble with the last few rows of decreases because I'm horrible on double points. I love the yarn it's beautiful, you can't see it well in the photos but it has little white, light pink, pink, & red strings all over in it. Some of the color fell out from frogging it so much but it's still lovely. It's also super soft, I really enjoyed knitting it up, felt so nice on my hands!

I do wish I could have used the brown for the entire thing but it is super cute anyways. She took it off today when we were playing, too warm out for a hat her little blonde head was getting all sweaty. 

Now on to the next project...I have tons of ideas, plenty of yarn but not nearly enough time!

Harvest Fest

Had a blast, even without the petting zoo. I love fall and it was a beautiful gorgeous warm day. Live music, huge pumpkin patch, scare crow building, a horse-drawn carriage. The kids loved dancing and playing in the leaves, we meant to only drop in but we ended up staying the whole time!

Got down to the Black Purl and bought some tasty yarns. I have projects planned out already if I can just finish this hat! I should be done tomorrow but who knows, I have to use double points and it's as if I'm using my feet or something. I'm awful with double points. 

And last, my husband hit a deer on his way home from visiting family...and now my lovely little car, the nicest car either of us have ever had, is destroyed. 

Just so glad we weren't with him, and that he wasn't hurt. Things could have been a lot worse. But it does seem that some people get all the luck, and while I may have luck it's all bad!

Miracles do happen

37 years ago a baby boy was placed up for adoption. Although always in the minds and hearts of his parents and siblings no contact was able to be established. Until now. In 2005 my grandmother wrote a letter and sent it forward in hopes of finding her baby boy. He received it a few days ago and his step-sister searched facebook for a last name match. She sent messages looking for relatives and happened across my cousin, who forwarded the information to the rest of the family. I have a new uncle, and 3 cousins. The joys of our mysterious world sometimes...I just wish it could have happened sooner so my grandparents could have been here for this. Our family is so close and loving, for being so huge we are a tight knit group. I love our family.

Learning Mistakes

So this hat has been frogged 4 times now. I'm getting frustrated and all the pretty little pink and white threads are falling out the more I mess with this project. Gorgeous yarn and I feel like I'm ruining it!! Not enough yarn for some patterns, and then just this last time the directions could have been a little clearer. A part in parentheses was a bit too important to be put after the fact in parentheses and resulted in my hat being about 10 rounds too short. 

So I'm going back to the first pattern I had tried and not had enough yarn for, but doing the ribbed folded up brim in the natural trim. Goodness I just want to try something else now, I'm tired of breaking out the double points it feels so wrong. The way it hurts my hands I must be doing something incorrect. 
my husband just keeps encouraging me and trying to quell my frustrations, it's learning mistakes, it's practice. Yes but it's still disheartening.

Frogged!

Not enough yarn, such a shame. I had gotten so far for nothing. 

I found a hat I should be able to finish with this yarn, I'll have to add a couple crochet flowers or something to jazz it up. That will be interesting, I've never made a flower before and heard they were easy but the pattern I've looked at confused me. I'll have to search around some. 

oh the waiting

Been waiting to finish my packer pants project (I don't like the packers, I don't care for football in general...they just ended up being green & yellow and being a Minnesotan in Wisconsin they began to seem like packer pants...and now I hate them.) I needed some plastic pins to seam up the side but sadly The Black Purl has been out and no other place in town carries them. I tried sewing them up without but I can't go straight and end up leaving holes behind me which is no good. I need to find a good in the round pant pattern but they all make the crotch/gusset seem so difficult! I've been using the tiny birds pattern and it's great, besides the fact I suck at sewing seams.

the ugly packer pants

I've also gotten a great start on a winter cap for my toddler, I love the way the yarn is working up and it's super super soft! Feels great on my hands while working on it and looks cute, I just dread I won't have enough of it for the pattern I picked out. I really really hope I don't have to frog it and try a different one. The seller doesn't have more of it up for sale...I wonder if she could do a request....hopefully I won't need it!

Oops!

Fell asleep super early last night and didn't get to post. Finished the length and only have some detail left so I'll share my project now. It was based off of my little sisters cheerleader skirt and in the high school broncos colors or it works for the Minnesota Vikings as well....

the original

my version

Just need to add some ribbed leg cuffs and an I-cord drawstring. My little girl didn't want to show it off, she wanted to go outside and play so she has her grumpy face on. 

grumpy face

doing a kick!

showing off the tush

I would do it a little differently if I were to make another. But it is pretty darn cute just how it is anyways. I used Snapdragon Soaker for the underneath and then Lil Aries Cheer Skirty on top.

New Yarn & Another knit-worthy cause

Black Purl today & new yarn!

Plus needles but I just don't get as excited about them...it's the pretty colors, I know it. Almost done adding length on my current project & then need to do a little detail work and it will finally be finished. I get so worked up for a project and then by the end of it I'm just sick of it and want to be done. Next in line I think I'll be working on a winter hat for my little girl. Beautiful yarn saved up for that called Norwegian Wood.

 Mmmmmm yummy!

And the knit-worthy cause. Knit or crochet a cap for a newborn and they will be sent to help save babies lives in Africa, Asia, & Latin America. I'm going to make a mini copy of my daughters cap and send it out. They have plenty of details on how to make one, where to send them and other ways to help. The patterns are so easy as long as you can knit or crochet a swatch you can make a cap!

Caps For Good

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Presenting Zucchini Soup

I got this recipe from my mother-in-law (but I don't know where she got it), it is one of my husbands favorites. I refuse to cook it for him because I dislike zucchini and although he has bought and wasted many a zucchini he has never stepped foot into the kitchen to make it for himself. So today I surprised him!

Zucchini Soup

1 lb. Italian sausage (I use hot)

2 c. celery

1 c. onion

2 green peppers

2 cans diced garlic tomatoes (large cans)

1 tbs. oregano flakes

1 tbs. Italian seasoning

1 tbs. sugar

1 t. salt

1 t. garlic powder

2 lb. zucchini sliced and chunked

Cut sausage into chunks and brown well. Drain off fat. Add celery & onion and cook for 5-10 minutes until onion is getting clear. Add tomatoes, green pepper & spices. Simmer 20 minutes covered. Add zucchinis and cook another 10 minutes or until zucchini is tender. 

I do like the broth and I love hot Italian sausage but the chunky veggies isn't my thing. Nothing like a good soup on a cool fall day, and today was a beautiful fall day. I took our daughter to the park and we walked through some gorgeous woods. 

It was a lovely day. I was supposed to get to The Black Purl but didn't make it there, maybe tomorrow. I need to get some new yarn & needles!

Knitting for a cause

I just love these stockings.http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ann-marie-pink-ribbon-stockings-for-breast-cancer-awareness 
They are a bit above my skill range right now and I don't own all the needles required, but someday I will knit and wear these hott little legs! I think I'll buy the yarn tomorrow, the best part? 20% of the profits from the yarn go to breast cancer charities! They were designed special for the cause. I can't wait to own my pair!

Meanwhile I feel like my current project is going nowhere. All I'm doing is adding length and it's so boring. I just daydream of projects to come... 

Farmers Market anyone?

Today started out slow with us running late for the harvest fest. I was so excited I've been looking forward to this thing for weeks. A free pumpkin, fun food stands & games and even a petting zoo! I had been telling our little girl all about the animals we'd get to see. And then we get there.

  

Flooding everywhere. At least they rescheduled. But now I get to look forward to it for  2 more weeks. *sigh*

So we headed down to the farmers market and drooled a little looking at all the produce for awhile and found some awesome homemade salsa and jams. Hubby got some rhubarb & blueberry jam. His two favorite flavors in one, that lady is a genius. I just love homemade!

MMMM Sometime this week my aunt and I should be making some marinara sauce (about 20-30 jars!) it will be a blast and super delicious.

Then there was the mall. Now one of my pet peeves is parents who drop kids in a play area and turn their backs. It's on the rules before you walk in, DON'T CLIMB ONTO OF THE PLAY AREA. 

The tunnel in question

So I'm trying to pull my daughter out of a tunnel because some lady isn't watching her kids play jump from on top of one thing to the other and her daughter comes flying off the tunnel onto my head.  I get knocked down and almost out, a couple sitting on the bench nearby helped me get seated. My vision had dropped out and my head was in some limbo of lightheadedness and throbbing pain. The girl sobbed a little and ran to her mom, but she landed on top of me so I don't think she was hurt that bad. Neither of them said a word to me. 5 adults with their group and not one of them could tell her and her brother to get down? It's not safe, there are toddlers around? It's against the rules? I'm just glad I was in the way or my daughter would have taken the force of the blow and then I would have really been peeved. Now I could tell the girl to get down myself, then I might have a parent jumping down my throat about telling them how to parent their child...I just think these type of things are lose-lose. 

Sorry, there is my rant for today, but again on the good side...Homemade salsa & jam mmm!!!!