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!

Snow, snow, go away!

When the weather went to 11 degrees the other day, and a lot of the snow melted, I seriously believed that the snow was behind us.

I was wrong:

That's our neighbour needing a boost. We didn't make it to church this morning. Hubby couldn't dig us out in time!

More baby knitting...

A few weeks ago, I was at Walmart browsing around the baby section. I spotted some simple flannel burp cloths, and thought to myself that I'll be needing lots of those. Then I looked at the price...$9 for 2, tiny rectangles of fabric! Ha! Forget it! I immediately went over to the craft isle and grabbed an armful of Handicrafter cotton.

That was a few weeks ago...this is now:



Pattern: Baby Genius Burp Cloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting

Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter, 2 balls per cloth.

Needles: 5mm

I'm very pleased I have such pretty cloths for baby to spit up on, but I'm so sick of Handicrafter now!

Also on the needles are some vests from Debbie Bliss' Essential Baby:

What's the fastest way to finish a project?

Frog it!!

I frogged three projects this week. I ran out of yarn for the baby socks in my last post, so I frogged my sock scrap blanket to finish them. I don't know what I was thinking, starting that blanket. It would have taken me a decade to collect enough scraps to complete it.

I also scrapped the Graduated Rib sweater that's been in my closet for more than 2 years.



I actually really liked this one, and was hoping I could finish it to fit over my big belly. But my knitting has improved a lot in just 2 years. The stitches were all wonky and the ribs were loose and messy. It was beyond saving.

Finally, I frogged the Brea bag. I liked this one too, but it was quite small, and such an odd shape, that I don't think I would really have any use for it. I used the yarn and started the Knitting Needle Bag from Bag Style. I really like the berry stitch; very cute!



A few days ago it was -11 degrees...yesterday it was +11 degrees. I really hope that's it for the really cold weather. My winter coat barely fits anymore!