Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Newfie Mittens

I'm working on a pair of red and white mittens. I've finished the first and I think... I may just finish the second today (day off, yahoo!).



After that I'll be back to the hat that never ends...

Oh, and decorating and wrapping! And packaging and sending!

What are you up to lately?

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Swimming lessons for Mr. Man

Last weekend the littlest person in our house started swimming lessons at a pool in the city. He fit right in with all the other tiny little people there.

Except...
He's very skinny...
and he shivered...
a lot...
And I took too many pictures because I am that mum at every event I go to with my kids...



Poor kid...


Thursday, November 24, 2011

Knitting Class

Oh, I wish I was taking one but no, I'm teaching one instead. Alice and I are helping the Grade 9 Art teacher at our local high school teach the kids how to knit preemie hats. It's surprisingly fun.



We have a good mix of guys and gals and they all seem to be having fun with the knitting. I'm shocked frankly. I thought for sure someone would pull the "I'm too cool for this" card, but no one has. In fact, there are some fantastic budding knitters in this class!



I'm showing them how to knit flat and decrease for the top. We'll seam the hats after they're done. I'd like to have taught them to knit in the round but buying 18 sets of circs would get too expensive. We're also using bargain brand acrylic which is cheap and can survive the hospital laundry system.



They've done 3 classes and most have an inch or so of garter stitch on their needles. I'm pretty impressed! I've heard rumors that kids are knitting in math class and some have even taken their knitting home to work on!

I can't wait for the next class!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Something New

I started a new project yesterday. The Plain and Simple Sweater has been in my queue for ages and this year I picked up some lovely Knit Picks Palette yarn in Verdant Green.



Andrea from the NWTs gave me some caribou antler buttons in the cupcake swap that I think will work beautifully. I'm pretty stoked.



I got about half an inch of 3x3 ribbing done last night. I'm hoping to get a few more inches finished today.


On the kid front, the Superstar is finished volleyball for the season. Her team played on Wednesday against Wolseley and Grenfell. They kicked Wolseley in the buttocks but just lost to Grenfell. It was a close game and fun to watch.


Basketball starts next month and next week Mr. Man starts swimming lessons in the city. I'll be sure to post some skinny shivering little kid pictures.

Two more notes...

Happy Birthday Mom, even though it was a few days ago. Miss you!

And it's Remembrance Day here today. I'm grateful to all the people who have made it possible for me to blog (rather badly lately). I'll be spending today thinking about the people who are fighting to keep my family safe and free. To those who died to make it so...

thank you.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Samhain Swap

I participated in a Samhain Swap on Ravelry last month. I just realized that I forgot to post about it. I got a great swap partner (check her out here) and she was fun to stalk.

Ursa also had me as a swap partner and here is a picture of the great yarn and super cute stitch markers she sent me...


She also sent me a pattern for mittens that I'm dying to share but I can't until after giftmas. I've already knit them and they are fabulous! I can't wait to gift them!

So thanks Ursa! I'm loving the fall colours of the the yarn you sent. Now to find the perfect projects!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Snowflakes

They're coming this weekend. Maybe as much as 10cms. In the meantime while I'm waiting...


I'm making handfuls of these cute crochet snowflakes. You can find a wonderful tutorial here. I'm using whatever white yarn I have in stash, these pictures are aran weight acrylic. I'm also using a much thinner alpaca and a smaller hook.

I have lots of plans for these, from present toppers, to candy cane holders, to a lovely garland for my staircase. I know I'm crazy and feel free to remind me when I'm complaining about the cold next week...

but...

Bring on Winter!


Friday, November 4, 2011

Family Update

Well this one is mostly to keep the grandparents happy!

Here are some pictures of the Superstar playing volleyball (the season's not done yet, we have some more games to go) and some pictures of Mr. Man at a Halloween party (and after). He got to be Spiderman again this year because the costume fit and I'm cheap. Besides, he still thinks Spidey is cool :)







Thursday, November 3, 2011

Snowbird Mitten Update




I wish I could say I was way further along, but I'm not. I haven't been knitting much this week. Instead I've been reading these books. They're great! Quick, witty and a bit raunchy. My kind of light reading!




I promise I'll get to these mittens this weekend. Maybe even get them finished and blocking because my queue isn't getting any smaller these days!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Snowbird Mittens



I started these mittens earlier this week. They are fun and pretty and knitting up very slowly! I think I need to find more hours in the day so I can knit (or sleep less?).

Anyway, I'll keep you posted.


Little Sheep Virtues

Happy Friday! I'm pretty excited to be sharing this cross stitch project with you all. Pattern: Little Sheep Virtues 1-12 by Litt...