Tag: family

Posted in Completed Projects, Current Projects, Gardening, Sewing

Christmas FO’s and a Trojan

Posted on by mslindz

Wow, how have I not posted since the beginning of December and it’s now the end of December? Where did all the time go? I suppose the holidays get to you like that. We’ve been pretty busy with various get togethers over the entire month, but I think things have finally slowed down. I kept coming to a block when I wanted to blog since most of the things I’d recently finished or was working on, weren’t things I could blog about yet. Now the gifts have been given and I can finally post about them!

The first gift I finished was a beret for my sister Kaylee.

Kaylee with her beret!
Kaylee’s Beret


Kaylee’s Beret

Pattern: Moss Stitch Beret (PDF) (My Ravelry project page.)
Started: November 8, 2009
Completed: November 10, 2009
Yarn: Shelridge Farm Soft Touch W4 in teal, 1 skein
Needles: US 3 and US 7 bamboo circulars and US 7 DPNs
Notes: I knit to 6 inches before the decreases instead of 5.5 inches like the pattern called for. That was an accident, but it worked out fine. Otherwise, I followed the pattern exactly and it was a pretty quick knit.

The second gift I finished was a bucket hat for my sister Caitlin.

Caitlin is stylin' with her hat
Caitlin’s Bucket Hat


Caitlin’s Bucket Hat

Pattern: A Better Bucket (Ravelry Link) (My Ravelry project page.)
Started: November 10, 2009
Completed: November 11, 2009
Yarn: Shelridge Farm Soft Touch W4 in pink, 1 skein
Needles: US 7 bamboo circulars and DPNs
Notes: I knit this as written except the cast on. I didn’t really understand the cast on that was talked about in the pattern, so I just did a provisional cast on and it worked out fine.

The third (and final) gift I finished was a pair of socks for my mom.

348/365: Socks
Mom’s Sunday Swing Socks


Better photo of the yarn color.

Pattern: Sunday Swing Socks (My Ravelry project page.)
Started: November 14, 2009
Completed: December 14, 2009
Yarn: Three Irish Girls Finley Fingering in Seacoast, 1 skein
Needles: US 7 bamboo circulars and DPNs
Notes: Only change I made was to knit to a smaller stitch count on the foot. I decreased down to 14 stitches on the sole (16 on the top) for a bit more snug fit. I kept working on other things while working on these, otherwise I think they would have been done a lot sooner!

I finished my Long Sleeve Leisl, too, but it doesn’t have buttons yet and I haven’t taken any finished pictures of it (or Multnomah), so I’ll post about that later on.

I finished up a little Trojan this weekend for Matt. He’s now on Matt’s desk, but I took a few pictures before I sent him off.

Trojan!
Trojan!

Trojan!
Trojan – side view

Pattern: Trojan from Creepy Cute Crochet (My Ravelry project page.)
Started: Not sure
Completed: December 26, 2009
Yarn: Various Bernat acrylics
Needles: F, G, and H crochet hooks
Notes: I don’t remember when I started this, but I put it aside for a long time because the first head I crocheted didn’t come out the proper size for the helmet. Body and helmet are done in a G hook, head in an H hook, and the red part on top of the helmet was done with an F hook because it would have been too long otherwise. I think he turned out great!

Right now I have a total of three projects on the needles: a shawl for my grandma’s birthday, the scarf for Matt, and the Porom hat. I just finished the first half of the shawl for my grandma’s birthday.

362/365: Half of a Shawl
Hardenburgia Shawl

I made some changes to the border to make it flow better. I’ll go more into detail on that when I finish it. Matt’s scarf doesn’t really look any different and I haven’t taken pictures of the Porom hat yet.

The holidays kept us pretty busy visiting family, but it was good overall. Hope your holiday was a good one!

Posted in Current Projects

Stripey Goodness and Marlene Progress

Posted on by mslindz

After almost a week of resisting casting on a pair of socks with the Vesper self-striping sock yarn I have, I caved yesterday and cast on another pair of toe-up stripey socks with the “Sweet Water” colorway that was calling me from my stash.

Mmmm... stripes!

They’re knitting up a lot faster than I thought they would, but I suppose it’s just because I’ve had a lot of time to sit around and knit. I’m a little over half way to the heel already!

Marlene is moving right along, too. I was a little surprised when I picked it up yesterday to find that I was ready to start the heel.

Marlene Heel Flap

For two projects I started this week, it feels like they’re moving along at lightning speed.

Yesterday my knitterly friend Jessy came by and hung out for part of the afternoon. She brought a delicious blackberry tart that I would probably eat all in one sitting if I didn’t know what was best for me! We had pizza, watched Matt play some video games (Matt and I were playing Little Big Planet when she arrived) while we knit, and watched Dollhouse. My mom, sisters, and grandpa came by for a while a bit after Jessy left. I do love having visitors and it’s been nice to since I can’t really go anywhere still. It feels like I’ve been home for a few weeks, but I know it’s only been a week. Almost like time is just standing still!

Today is Easter and if I were allowed to get in a car and go anywhere, we’d probably be going to a get together with Matt’s dad (and that side of the family). I’m a little sad about not going, but it’s also kind of nice not to have any obligations today.

Here’s a cool Easter-related treat for you: Peeps Show III. Peeps are one of my favorite Easter treats even though I know they have them pretty much year round now. I loved these as a kid and I still love them as an adult. I think when Matt goes to the store today, I’ll make sure he picks some up for me!

Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

Posted in Completed Projects, Current Projects

A year goes by so quickly…

Posted on by mslindz

Yesterday, Matt and I celebrated our one year anniversary! A year ago yesterday, we decided that we didn’t want to see other people and we decided on the official “couple” status. It feels like it’s been longer and shorter at the same time. I feel like I’ve known him much, much longer than a year, but it seems like it’s not possible a year has passed so quickly. A year ago, I wouldn’t have though my life could be as good as it is, but life IS good! It’s been a great year and I’m looking forward to another great one!

12/365: First Anniversary

~~~~~

Since getting yarn in the mail, I’ve been dying to start the Rainy Day gloves, but I told myself I would get this scarf done first. I just know if I were to start another project, it would be months before I wanted to go back to this scarf and I don’t want my sister to have to wait until summer for her scarf! So here is it’s current state:

Scarf

Okay, well, mostly it’s current state. There are actually 5 stripes of each color now and I’ve started strip number 6 of the burgundy. Just over half way. I’m thinking it might not be long enough, though. We’ll see how long it is when I’m done with the 10 burgundy and 9 gold stripes.

Yesterday, I spent time catching up on episodes of Ugly Betty and watched a few of the Knitting Daily TV show. While watching TV, I worked on the scarf while waiting for the Gable sweater to be washed and dried. Yes, I took a big leap and threw it in the washer and dryer!! Yes, I was scared! It turned out fine, though, and I added the pretty wooden buttons to it. I have to say that it’s MUCH softer after being washed. I will also say not to was it with towels. No idea what I was thinking other than having something else in the washer with it since I can’t control the water level (coin operated washer/dryer in our apartment). I had to pick off a lot of fuzz and I’m still picking off bits of towel from it. Ah well, lesson learned, right? I don’t have the best picture of it with buttons, but here’s a decent photo of what the sweater looks like with buttons:

(Just ignore the weird look on my face…)
Red Gable

Not much else going on with the knitting besides that scarf now. Maybe I can finish it this week so I have more interesting things to show you… like some Rainy Day gloves!

Posted in Completed Projects, Current Projects

On Birthdays and Yarn Things

Posted on by mslindz

Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to meeeeeeee
Happy birthday to me

Yesterday was my birthday! I’m now 27 years old, but in most ways I don’t feel like it. I got lots of birthday wishes yesterday from friends and even people I didn’t know! I had to work yesterday, but Matt came and took me to lunch. We went to the new Chipotle across the street from where I work which is actually opening today, but they had a free food day yesterday in preparation for their grand opening today. They passed out flyers to get in and I didn’t get one. We went over anyway and Matt had brought a crown and a sash that said “Birthday Girl” for me to wear. The lady that was collecting the flyers said she couldn’t turn me away on my birthday and let us in even though we didn’t have a flyer. As I went through the line, all the workers were saying “Happy Birthday!” to me as were a bunch of customers that were there! It was pretty awesome even though I was a little shy about it.

When I got home, we watched some TV, then we made dinner – baked potatoes with chili, cheese and sour cream and veggies. It was delicious! After that we watched the VP debate, which was quite interesting. Matt definitely made my birthday feel extra special and the celebrating isn’t over yet! This Saturday we’re having lunch with some people from the knitting group and in the evening we’re planning on going to Dave & Buster’s to play some arcade games. Then on Sunday we’re going out to dinner with my family. Not sure where yet, but I’ll pick something good. I’ll be sure to be wearing my crown and sash for all the festivities!

As for knitting, I recently finished the Pomatomus socks I was knitting, so here’s the run down:

Pomatomus Socks Finished

Pattern: Pomatomus by Cookie A.
Started: August 27, 2008
Completed: September 28, 2008
Yarn: Cascade Heritage Paints
Needles: US 1 bamboo DPNs (4 instead of 5 because I broke one while knitting the first sock!)
Notes: I would have had these done faster, but when it came time to knit the second sock, it became my “TV project” (the thing I knit while in front of the TV only) so it took a little bit longer than usual. Great pattern and I’m sure I’ll knit it again!

In other knitting… I started a cowl and ripped it out before I even got a picture of it. I was using Cascade Heritage red sock yarn I have, but the fabric it was making was just a bit too loose for me, so I ripped it out. Now I’m going to make socks with the yarn instead. After seeing the Twisted Flower Socks by Cookie A. on Ravelry in red, I just had to make them, so I’ll be starting those soon! Here’s the yarn I’m using:

Cascade Heathers Sock Yarn

I’m still knitting away on Juno Regina. I’m at the part where it’s just knitting the columns of the middle portion for a long stretch, so I doubt that will be very interesting to blog about anytime soon. I do love knitting with the Malabrigo lace, though. It’s so very soft and buttery. Speaking of Malabrigo lace, I ordered the yarn to make the crocheted Small Bob (if you’re on Ravelry, you may have see this). Since it doesn’t take up a lot of yarn and I’ll have a lot left over, I decided to make up Small Bob crochet kits. The last of the yarn I was waiting on arrived today. Here’s all of it:

Malabrigo Lace

Since I needed to meet an order limit for the natural colored Malabrigo lace yarn, I indulged and bought a skein of Silky Malabrigo for me for a cowl. I love it!

Malabrigo Silky

I’m still working up these little cute crocheted things. Here’s the latest one – Grim Reaper:

Grim Reaper - Front

He still needs eyes, mouth and a scythe. (I’ll get to it this weekend!) The next one I will be making is the Spartan from the same book as the Grim Reaper (Creepy Cute Crochet).

Recently, I saw the cutest Hello Kitty crochet book. I almost didn’t try to acquire it because it’s in Japanese, but it does have charts and I think I’m finally figuring out the crochet chart thing, so I went for it. I mean COME ON, it’s a Hello Kitty book! How could I not have it? So, I messaged this Etsy seller to see if she could obtain a copy of the book for me. She lives in Japan and agreed to get me a copy. I’ve been impatiently waiting for it to arrive in the mail and when I got home yesterday, there it was waiting for me!

Hello Kitty Amigurumi Book

I can’t wait to make something out of it!

Posted in Knit Ramblings

When things happen, a knitter knits.

Posted on by mslindz

This month, so far, has been a little rough. I have had friends who have recently lost loved ones and now I can be added to that list. Yesterday morning, my Grandpa Roy passed away not even a week after finding out he had liver cancer and only a day after being put on hospice care because there was nothing they could do to treat it since it was so advanced. I spoke with my Grandma Gloria last night and she said that it’s better he went now, that he didn’t have to go through more pain as the cancer worsened, and that he went peacefully in his sleep. She said that he loved us very much and I could tell over the phone that she’s really hurting.  I had cried when I first found out (I was at work and decided to leave early) and I cried again talking to her on the phone.  I wished I could come through the phone and hug her and somehow make her pain go away. She lives out in California and this makes it so much more difficult to deal with since we can’t just be there with her.

My family is a little complicated – I have four sets of grandparents on each side as both my mom’s and dad’s parents are divorced. Grandpa Roy was not a blood relative, but I have known him my whole life as they married before I was born. This is my mom’s mom and she’s an only child.  My Grandma said she didn’t want us coming out now since there won’t be a funeral and she’d rather have us come out in the summer like we’d planned so that we can spend more time with her under better circumstances.  My mom and sister are going out there for a week to be with her during this difficult time.  They’re leaving tomorrow.  I wish I could be there, too, but I can’t afford the flight.  Grandpa Roy’s daughter-in-law was kind enough to pay for the flight out there for my mom and sister because she felt that Grandma Gloria really needs her (my mom) right now. They want to do this without her knowing, sort of as their gift to her during this difficult time. I can’t even express how fantastic what they’re doing is. 

Since I can’t be there, I want to do something for her. In times like this, a knitter knit’s something. Last night I knew that I needed to knit something for her. This morning I searched patterns and decided on this shawl. I want it to be a big hug to her from me since I can’t be there to do it myself and I know she will need something to wrap herself in love during the coming weeks and months. Normally, I wouldn’t make something out of wool or a wool blend for her since she lives in Desert Hot Springs in California, but she gets cold a lot. Today I will go by the yarn store and pick out the perfect soft, warm, comforting yarn and knit up this shawl for her. It’s the very least I can do and hope that it brings her a little bit of comfort.