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.