Merry Christmas!

If any reader is still out there, I want to wish you all a joy-filled Christmas!

Sorry I haven't been around. Sadly, knitting has taken a back seat to life with a baby. A sign that knitting is no longer on my mind: I knit my mom a shawl for her birthday in October, and I gave it to her without taking pictures!

I had bought yarn and patterns for Christmas gifts, but ended up not knitting anything. Oh well. There's always next year!

I guess my only report is that life is good, and all is well.

My blog reader has over 700 post, so I don't know what's going on with all of you, but I hope everyone is happy and healthy. May the Lord's love fill your homes this holiday season!

Liesl

I jumped on the bandwagon, and knit the popular Liesl.

This sweater was actually supposed to be for me! The pattern calls for worsted to bulky yarn and 7mm needles. I used worsted and only had 6mm needles, so I knit a bigger size. Of course, I didn't measure gauge, which would probably have been important!

Luckily the sweater looks pretty darn cute on Grace, and she was so happy to get a new sweater.

My days are just flying by so quickly. I can't believe I have to start homeschooling again in a couple of weeks! Caleb is growing like a weed; he's already doubled his birth weight (14lbs):

I am enjoying him so much; much more than the other kids. I think with the first child, I was such a nervous parent being a newbie. With the second, the first kid was a toddler, so I was constantly frazzled. Since Josh and Grace are much older now, they are a great help, and are really good at being on their own. Now I just have to train them to do diaper duty!

Light Knitting

I've been doing lots of light knitting...light in terms of weight. I discovered that if I breastfeed in bed, with both of us lying down and my head propped up on pillows, I can knit socks quite well. My little guy wants to feed constantly, which can be quite inconvenient, but I am sure getting lots of socks done!

Basic Koigu Socks

Spring Forward Socks with Yarntini's cornflower blue semi-solid

Speedway Socks using DK Knits Technicolor Dreamtoes

This past week I started venturing out with the three kids for the first time. Just little walks to the park. I feel so bad for the kids because they've been mostly stuck inside. They've been so patient and understanding though. I have them occupied with their first Webkinz. Caleb is a little pudge-ball now. I love watching him sleep. I just wish he slept more!

I'm one month old today!!

Canada Day

Sorry this is a little belated, but I just wanted to send out a big thank you for everyone's well wishes and congratulations. Baby is doing wonderful; he's my first child who hasn't needed photo therapy for jaundice, which was a huge relief.

Yesterday was Canada Day, and our tradition since moving into our neighbourhood is to head across the street to the park where our city puts up a little celebration. I fed Caleb, put him in the stroller...



...and like an angel he fell asleep for three hours while his brother and sister had lots of fun.



Hubby took Josh and Grace back later for fireworks while I stayed home. I really didn't miss anything, because this was the view from our backyard door:



Pretty cool!

Hail in June?

I woke up from an afternoon nap yesterday to an unfamiliar sound. It turned out to be marble-sized hail hitting against all the windows of the house. It was quite bizarre, since we had been out earlier in the day and it was sunny and warm. The hail was hitting so hard, and I was scared a window would break.



Here is something started before Caleb came:



It's Athos from Berroco: Norah Gaughan vol.2. I really like her designs, and this will be my first project from her.

Baby is going for his 5th bilirubin test today. Poor guy!

Happy Father's Day

About 5 months ago, my husband left his job as a restaurant manager to work at home in his own business. At first, it was a huge adjustment. We went from never seeing him, to having him always around. But it soon became a huge blessing. He made a great effort in helping with the kids and the housework while I was pregnant, and was so supportive and patient with me. My husband is far from perfect, but he was perfectly matched to me by God.

I love watching my husband with Caleb. He turns into such a soft and tender person, which is TOTALLY unlike him.



Caleb and I are doing well. Last night he stopped cluster feeding, and slept in 2 hour blocks, which is pretty good. He is a bit jaundiced, so we're having him tested again tomorrow. Both of my other kids had to be readmitted to the hospital for light therapy, so I'm praying we won't have to do that again.

And since this is a knitting blog, here is some knitting:



Basic Koigu socks. The gusset part was knit during contractions at the hospital, but my labour progressed so quickly that I didn't get much done. I don't think I'll be knitting any time soon, but I definitely miss it. I stare longingly at my knitting bag as I breastfeed. If only I had one extra arm, I could do both at the same time!

Meet Caleb

Born Monday, June 9 at 11:22pm, 7 lbs .3 oz.
We're doing well; trying to catch up on our sleep!

Praise God for this great blessing!

Monkey Business

I had a bit of yarn left over, so I made a sock monkey baby blanket:

It's about 30" x 30", so perfect for a stroller or carseat.

Oh, and by the way...I think my labour has started!

Last night around 11pm, I started getting really light contractions. They are still light today, but regular every 5-10 minutes. I was expecting this third time around would be the quickest, but doesn't look like it so far. Please pray for me, that everything goes smoothly!!

Waving Lace Socks

When I cast on for a pair of Waving Lace Socks, my plan was to just get them on the needles, and save them to take to the hospital during labour. But it had been so long since I knit socks, and I was enjoying it so much, that next thing I knew, they were done!

The yarn is Oceanwind Knits in Ahoy, which reminds me of an oil slick.

I cast on a Clapotis next...don't know why...it's not like I need a wool scarf in fall colours any time soon. This project is also knitting up quickly. Baby better come soon, or else I'll have nothing to take to the hospital!

Monkey Love!

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool in aran and red, Sirdar Supersoft Toddler Aran in duster brown #879

Needles: 4.5mm

Pattern: my own; just basically tubes knit on DPNs, ears and mouth knit sort of like sock toes.

Sock Monkey

A while ago, we watched the movie Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. It was a very strange movie; not one of my faves. However, in it is the cutest little sock monkey. Every since we saw that movie, Josh has been asking for a monkey, and here he is:



Me being me, I gave no thought to gauge or number of stitches, and just started knitting with no pattern. Of course this means that the doll is turning out HUGE! As I was knitting this monstrosity, the thought occurred to me that if I cast on the right number of stitches for a sock, then I'd get the right amount for a sock monkey. DUH!

Last week I also ended my Science Club. I had been running a little club for about a dozen homeschooled kids at church, where we do a little Bible lesson and a science experiment that goes along with it. For our last experiment, we ended with a "bang", and made volcanoes:



Here's the science lesson learned: the more the mess = the more the fun!

Finished Projects

I have some FOs to show. I've been working hard to clear up all the projects I've been working on. I know that once baby comes, there won't be much knitting for a while.

First is the Cavern Cardigan:



I had to guess how the front would fit because of my belly. I don't know why, but it never occured to me to use my mannequin to measure. Anyways, as you can see, the fronts are way too big and overlap, but I actually like how they turned out. I still have to sew on a button, but won't put it in until I lose my tummy. I really love this Dream In Color; it is incredible soft, and I'll definitely be using it again.

Next is a log cabin blanket for baby:



Yarn is Cotton-Ease in Almond, Lake and Taupe, and it comes out to about 45" x 45". The beginning was so fun and quick, but those outer rings were torture!!

Lastly, are some newborn-sized hats, made from left-over Mandarin Petit:



Teeny-tiny, about 36cm circumference, to wear home from the hospital.

Hospital bags are packed. I'm almost ready. This Sunday is my last day of teaching Sunday school, and Grace has a birthday party to go to on June 1st. After that, baby is welcome to make his appearance! 'Til then, he better stay put!

This Week

This past week had gone by so quickly. It began with a trip to the David Dunlap Observatory. This place has the largest telescope in Canada, and is only a few minutes away from my home. We've lived here for a few years, but this was the first time we've visited.

We had a great presentation by one of the scientists, then actually got to go into the silo (don't know what this type of building is really called) to see the telescope.

It was quite dark inside, so none of my pictures came out very well.

There was a reason that finally encouraged us to visit the observatory. The facility is owned by the University of Toronto, and sits on an incredible 180 acres of undisturbed forest in the middle of the suburbs. The university recently put the land up for sale, and announced the Observatory will be closed down. Whats really sad is that the forest will likely be turned into houses, and the telescope just junked. The big-wigs downtown say the telescope is useless, but the scientist that we spoke to say that it continues to provide valuable research, just not the kind of research the downtown guys are interested in. The city of Richmond Hill is trying to buy the land, but I doubt they can compete with the developers. It's all really quite sad.

This week was also used to finish up projects. First is a stripey baby vest:

Pattern: modified from Essential Vest in Essential Baby

Yarn: Sandnesgarn Mandarin Petit

Needles: 3mm

It was quite a challenge knitting with 5 balls at the same time, but since this vest is a newborn size, it went pretty quickly.

Next is my Shetland Triangle shawl:

Such a great pattern! Went by so fast! I used Blue Sky Alpaca, Alpaca Silk and 4mm needles.

Want to see my bump?

It's quite funny looking; so low and pointy. Just looks like I have a basketball under my shirt!

I also finished my Cavern Cardi, but haven't blocked it yet. Will show you soon!

Quickies

Just a quick post about some quick FOs, as I'm about to head out for a doctor's check-up. I love the instant gratification of crochet. I saw this adorable hat pattern the other day from Owlishy. I ran out the the new Michaels that opened 2 minutes from my home (I love where I live!!) and picked up some Paton's Grace in taupe. I used a 3.75mm hook, increased to 80 sts, and worked even for about 3.5". Should fit newborn to 3 mo. (about 40cm circumference). I had an extra ball of yarn, so I made up a matching teddy bear rattle. I think I'll make the same hat, but knit...the crochet is too stiff for my liking.

It's A Happy Day!

...for Hubby that is! He finally got his long awaited sweater, and boy was he happy! (Men are so easily satisfied)

I'm so relieved it fit him. This was the first men's sweater I've knit, and it seemed to be huge. The sleeves just went on and on forever! The weather has cooled down a bit the last 3 days, and he's been wearing it every day. The yarn I used was Knit Picks Swish, which I don't think I'll use again. It's very soft, but it looks like it's gonna pill a lot, even on 4.25mm needles I used. The pattern is roughly followed from the Baseball sweater from Knitty.

I also started a Shetland Triangle shawl, inspired by the gorgeous one Tammy recently made.

I'm using Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk, which is so yummy!

I think I've gone into nesting mode. I find myself cleaning things I've never cleaned before! Only 7 more weeks!

Vine Lace Vest

My mom saw Grace's bolero, and asked for the exact same sweater. She liked how it was something little to warm her shoulders. I didn't think a short little bolero would look very good on her, so I chose something a little more grown-up:

Pattern: Vine Lace Vest (pdf)

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, lake, 2.5 balls

Needles: 4mm and 5mm

This pattern was so quick to finish. And the more I knit with Cotton-Ease, the more I love it! It is so soft and squishy! There is no shaping (this sweater is just one big rectangle with an opening at the front) but it still fits quite nicely. I tried modeling it, but my big belly just looked ridiculous. Maybe I can get some shots of my mom.

Hubby's extra ball of yarn came today, so his sweater will be done next!

Poor Hubby has been patiently waiting for his Transformers sweater. A few inches from the end, I ran out of yarn:

I found a single ball for sale on Ravelry, so he's gonna have to wait just a little longer! Hopefully the weather will still be cool enough for him to wear a wool sweater.

Grace got a new doll, which she named Sweet Petunia:

She's named after a character from Veggie Tales. The pattern from Owlishy is really well written. Yarn is Bernat Satin, and I used a 5mm hook. Lots of embroidery, but it was worth it.

And lastly, I forgot to show these little flip-top mitts I knit for Grace a while ago:

Yarn: Regia sock, 1 ball

Needles: 3mm

Pattern: basic mitten construction

Hello!

Hello Everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in a while! To be honest, I've been seriously thinking about ending this blog. I haven't been feeling very motivated to keep it up. My husband, of all people, doesn't want me to stop, so I'll still be popping in every once in a while.

A lot has happened since the last post. My baby girl turned 5!



Easter toys were knitted:



Pattern: Fuzzy Mitten Lamb
Yarn: mystery mohair and Bernat Satin



Pattern: Which Came First from Mochimochi Land
Yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Wool

Baby vest completed:



Pattern: Vest from Essential Baby by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Patons Grace, 2 balls
Needles: 4mm

Hubby's Transformers sweater is almost done, 2 new sweaters and a cowl have been started, and I've purchased a load of new patterns. The problem is, not much knitting is being done. My usual knitting time in the evenings has been replace with an early bedtime. Everything aches right now, and even sitting on the couch knitting is not very comfy. I've also been trying to give the kids more quality time, since I know they'll be neglected once Baby #3 arrives. I have only 10 more weeks to go...I'm so excited, but so not ready! But like Hubby says, "That's okay! It's not like we were ready for the first two!".

Two New Bags

I love my Knitting Needles bag!



It was such a quick and easy pattern. I used Patons Shetland Chunky in Dark Olive, about 2.5 balls. The wooden needles are 9mm, and the lining is Amy Butler. The thing I was looking forward the most about making this bag was trying out my new sewing machine. I have to say, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be! I hadn't touched a sewing machine since grade 8 home ec., so I had to read the manual cover to cover. I'm not going to tell you how many hours it took me to sew two pieces of fabric together, 'cause it's really embarrassing! I'm so pleased with the result. Now I have to convince Hubby I need to join a sewing class.

I also got this little cutie from Schrodinger Originals:



On a completely different topic...have you heard about homeschooling being declared illegal in California? I don't know all the details, and as far as I know you can continue to homeschool without fear the government coming after you, but still. It's very scary, the way society is now. I know there are a few homeschooling moms that read this blog from California, and I just wanted to let you guys know, you and your children are in my prayers!