Finished the socks!

Ta-da! I haven't gotten much more done as the girls have had me hopping!

Shame shame shame!

Okay, as the creator of the Thrifty Knits webring, you'd think I'd be able to behave myself. Thanks to Melanie, I decided to try a pair of socks. You see, my 3 year old is always wearing mismatched socks on purpose. So, I thought if I knit her a pair of not-quite-matching socks, she'd wear them more than the other hodpodge selection she's been choosing. I can hope, right? I was shopping around to find some good cotton yarn, because my daughter has horrible eczema and we have to be very careful with anything that will touch her skin. Okay, with that knowledge, imagine having a horribly stressful week (dh was gone for 2 days, parents were out of town, daughter was out of school, and other issues) and then picture running off to the LYS. Oh, not good! I came out with Skacel dpns, Cascade Fixations yarn, an unknown yarn (my 8 month old got to the skein and wrapper), and a pattern from Knitting Pure & Simple. Eeeek! I LOVE LOVE LOVE both the dpns and the mercerized cotton. I swear I could hold the project by the ball and spin it around without worry of a needle launching from the project and putting an eye out!

So.....the weather was too beautiful this weekend (even though it's all cold and wet again) for me to get much done. So, here's what I've accomplished so far:



I had to go and get back the one completed sock back from Adelaide. She loves it and had run off with it. I found it in her purse. LOL


My free magazine from Creative Knitting arrived today. I've only glanced through it, but here are the projects from this issue. I've checked the ones I'm eyeballing:



I'm sure there's more to say, but I'm so worn out. Dh is putting Adelaide to bed and Emma is already there. Hopefully I'll get a few rows in!

Thrifty KAL

Okay, thanks to Heather, I've decided to kick off a Thrifty KAL. We'll start it on April 15th. For those of us in the US, that will provide something more fun to look forward to instead of tax day! The guidelines are such:

• The knit-a-long will start on April 15th and run as long as there are people interested. However, for those that start on time, we'll have a vote starting on May 15th and ending May 20th for the most creative, most resourceful, and best overall project. Winners will receive special buttons for their blogs and maybe a small prize. (Please contact me if you want to donate a prize.)


• Projects may be whatever you like, but for materials, you must recycle a thrift store find, a project to be frogged, or an awesome sale find from eBay or such.


• Maximum spent on yarn, buttons, or the like must be $10 US. Needles do not count towards the total.


• Email me if you would like to participate so I can give you the password for the forum. An EZBoard membership is required to post (but not to view), and is free.


• Keep us updated with your progress and questions.


• Be creative and have fun!!!

For reference, please refer to the Knitty Gritty episode on Refashioning Knits.

Here is a button for you button-blog-o-philes! Don't forget to mind your manners and host it on your own site!

Is it the weekend yet?

Argh! These kids really got to me today! I spent the day cleaning, vacuuming, steam cleaning, poop patrol, etc. But....enough of the whining....and back to the knitting....

Here is the progress on the sampler afghan. I twisted a cable the wrong way on the other square and got frustrated and just frogged the whole thing. Here's where I've progressed on the new one:


Here's where I've progressed on the shawl:



The rings are growing! We're up to 12 members on TK and 3 on KPofYC. The TK forum is slowly getting started and I need to set aside some time to get the KPofYC forum up.

I've joined two Yahoo groups, YarnCoop and YarnYoga. I haven't really gotten into either, yet.

Anyway, I'd better get some knitting in before I fall asleep or the littlest wakes up for another feeding.

Look what Adelaide brought me

Adelaide brought these to me today. They're my favorite. Isn't she a sweetie?

Birth of the Knitting Parents of Young Children Ring!

Okay, once again I'm trying to fill a niche. I know there are other parents of young children out there who are trying to count rows and stitches, all the while trying to raise the best little human beings. It's quite a challenge. Heck, even as I type this, I'm trying to feed/wrestle/cuddle my seven month old while placating the 3 year old who wants dinner at 4 in the afternoon! So, join me! Here are the rules:

1. You must be the parent or main caregiver of a child under 6.
2. You must have a knitting blog. This can be hosted on a variety of sites, but the main subject must be knitting.
2. You must post about challenges, resources, problem-solving, etc pertaining to knitting with a small child in the house.
3. Your blog must be active for a minimum of one month, with at least one post per week.
4. Keep it clean! Be friendly and courteous. This means no major attacks or profanity. No adult humor or pictures will be accepted.
5. The ring's "Next," "Join," and "Previous" links must be present, working, on your main page and easily visible.
6. Use of our community forum is suggested, but not required.
7. Please have the links in place before applying. KPofYC's button image must be hosted on your own server space.

These rules may be amended/appended at any time, upon my discretion. Those who fail to follow the rules will receive notice that they are temporarily suspended. If they fail to rectify the offense within 72 hours, their blog will be permanantly removed from the ring.


Join now!
Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments.

Here is a button for you to use. Don't forget to save it and host it on your space!

Free Knitting Patterns I'd like to try

This will be an ongoing list of free knitting patterns I'm contemplating, should the girls give me time enough to knit!


Accessories:

• "Cozy"--lace shawl


• "Clapotis"--scarf/stole knit on the bias


• "Variation on a frill"--combination stole that can be dressed up or down


• Booga Bag--felted striped structured bag


• "Easy Lace Scarf"--light, soft, silky, and one skein!


• "Reversible Lace Ladders Scarf"

For Her:

• "Blaze"--zigzag inspiration cabled sweater knit entirely in the round


• "Aran Knit Cardigan Sweater"


• "Zigzag"--inspires itself from the gansey tradition with its split garter welts and horizontal patterning at the upper chest


• "Tina"--sleeveless sweater


• "Lucy Lu"--cardigan


• "Cleo"--backless halter top


• "Cotton Colori Textured Sleeveless Top"

For Him:

• "Leo"-- a sweater that he would actually wear


• Men's Pullover Irish Knit

For Kiddies:

• "Zippy"--Zippered cardigan

Which flock do you follow?

Which flock do you follow?

this quiz was made by alanna

What kind of knitter are you?

You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer. You are through those knitting growing pains and feeling more adventurous. You can follow a standard pattern if it's not too complicated and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've started to experiment with different fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a cool technique you've never tried. Perhaps you prefer to stick to other people's patterns but you are trying to challenge yourself more. Regardless of your preference, you are continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as well you should since your non-knitting friends are probably dropping some serious hints, these days.
http://marniemaclean.com


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Ouch! Now to learn adapted knitting!

So, yesterday my three year old was playing outside. I had raised the storm window so I could hear her better. I was inside, on the other side of the door with my 7 month old. My 3 year old came and pushed on the screen and pushed hard enough that the spline came out. I reached up to push it back in. The storm window latches must not have been fully engaged because -WHOOSH- it fell on my finger. I don't think it's broken, but it's black and blue and swollen pretty good. I have about 3 places where the skin is broken and the fingernail has already turned black towards the fingertip. So.....I'm still knitting, but without my pointer finger!

If you want the truth, ask a child or a drunk...

My three year old was waiting in the car with her sister and my mother while I faced the crowds all in the name of cough syrup. We've all got the funk and it's making its rounds. Blech! Anyway, My oldest daughter gets bored and starts taking off her shoes. She also succeeds in taking off her socks. My mother tells her that she really ought to put her shoes back on. My winsome daughter replies that she doesn't WANT her shoes back on! My mother told her that I was on the way. My daughter thought about it for a minute, and then replied, "Okay. I'll put my socks and shoes back on. Maybe then mommy's happy voice will come back!" :O

What happens when a 7 month old gets a skein of yarn?

This:


Oh well. I think it's salvageable. I haven't gotten much more done on the shawl. Somehow amidst the chaos that is my life, I managed to get one stitch off, so I ended up tinking the whole thing and starting over. Here's my progress:



I haven't even TOUCHED the aran afghan in a while. Oh well, it will still be waiting for me. I am glad the webring seems to be growing, and I hope the forum will do the same.

How does anyone ever get a project completed. By the time I buy all of the supplies and get a new project started, I'm already thinking of others I'd like to try. I'm very interested in trying to knit with beads. I'd love to get my hands on Knit and Crochet With Beads. I saw the author on an episode of Knitty Gritty. I have a birthday coming up soon. Maybe I'll have to strongly hint! LOL I went to a LBeadS today with my mother. The woman who greeted us was so extremely rude there today, I didn't even buy a thing! I couldn't believe it. I spent over $100 there on beads for Christmas ornaments in the month of December and even have a frequent shopper savings card. I bet it's because I had both girls with me today. She was downright snotty. I came home and wrote a curt email. We'll see if I get a reply.

Thanks to BluFELICIA, I'm very curious about TKGA. I may have to look into that more. I also need to say thank you for all the knitters you sent my way!
That's all I really know right now. Thanks for checking in!

Our Forum is UP!

Okay, all....for now our forum is on EZBoard. If we grow big enough, I might think about hosting it on another site. Woo hoo! I'm so excited. I never expected so many people to join so quickly! Thanks to bluFELICIA for all the referrals!

Birth of the Thrifty Knits Webring and Forum

As a SAHM on a limited budget, I was desperately searching for others out there who just can't fathom spending $100+/- on one sweater....just on yarn alone. I don't know about you, but my budget just can't handle it. I was disappointed to see there wasn't much out there. So, I decided to create my own. Here goes!



Rules:

1. You must have a knitting blog. This can be hosted on a variety of sites, but the main subject must be knitting.
2. You must be partial to bargain hunting, sales snooping, and being resourceful. Sometimes the only time we know about a great buy is by word of mouth or dumb luck.
3. Your blog must be active for a minimum of one month, with at least one post per week.
4. Keep it clean! Be friendly and courteous. This means no major attacks or profanity. No adult humor or pictures will be accepted.
5. The ring's "Next," "Join," and "Previous" links must be present, working, on your main page and easily visible.
6. Use of our community forum is suggested, but not required.
7. Please have the links in place before applying. TK's button image must be hosted on your own server space.

These rules may be amended/appended at any time, upon my discretion. Those who fail to follow the rules will receive notice that they are temporarily suspended. If they fail to rectify the offense within 72 hours, their blog will be permanantly removed from the ring.


Join now!
Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments.

Here is a button for you to use. Don't forget to save it and host it on your space!

Trip to the LYS was a no go....

Okay, so I chickened out. I didn't get brave enough to go buy "real" yarn. Instead I headed to my local Joann fabrics. I was excited to find a Harmony Guide that had some windowpane stiches in them. I used the 40% off coupon and only paid about $6 for it!



I picked that up, thinking of the shawl my mother would like me to make.


I also picked up some cotton yarn, and some fun fur to match the sweater I'm working on for my oldest daughter.



Can you tell I have two girls? LOL I'm hoping to create matching sweaters out of that. LOL If not, it'll fluff up my yarn stash.


I haven't made any progress on my sampler afghan. I'd post a picture, but I had to tink as much as I'd knit, so it's hard to tell I went anywhere! That's what I get for trying to do cables around a 3 year old!


Even though I bought the new stitches book, my mother decides she wants her shawl done in the seed stitch! Argh! LOL But, considering the yarn she picked out, it's probably a good thing. She chose Lion Brand Jiffy in El Paso. I'll have to steer her in a lighter weight and color next time. So, I've cast on and gotten about 4 rows done:



So, I am now in pursuit of recommendations for budget yarn. I'll let you know if I get any good recommendations or sources. Thanks for reading!

Did Pandora's Box Have Knitting Needles?

Wow. Boy, if I knew it would be this addictive, I'm not sure I would have started! Okay, yeah, I would. ;) As a SAHM of two children not yet in school, I needed something to divert my attention and give me a little bit of yoga-like therapy. I have some crafting experience, but had never picked up a pair of needles before. My sister was knitting some things for my girls, and I decided to give it a go myself. I started around late January/early Febuary. For the longest time, I thought I just wasn't cut out for knitting. I ended up tinking so much that the yarn unravelled. Finally, I got smart and went out and bought a pound of the cheapest acrylic I could find. I also tried an easier stitch. When I screwed up, I just slid it off the needles, broke yarn, and started over. Finally, my first successful project was this:


It is a two rectangle poncho in the butterfly stitch. It is knit in worsted weight acrylic.


The next project I attempted was a blanket for my expectant neighbor, who is due late this month or early next. I tried playing with color for this:


It is knit in bulky weight yarn on US 11. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the final blanket.

I also made her a hat:


And a bigger blanket:

She almost cried when I gave them to her. She was so thrilled that I took time to make something. She's such a sweetheart.


In between the blankets and hat, I started a sweater for my daughter:

It's a pattern from Rowan Junior that I adapted to make a little more funky. My daughter has a lot of spunk and I wanted the sweater to show that. I knit two rows of the ribbing in Lion Brand's fun fur before continuing in the main sweater color. I still have a sleeve and a half to go. The girls got ahold of it too many times, and I ended up tinking it so many times that I got tired of it, and decided to try something else for a while.


My oldest daughter told me she wanted "oven mitts." So, I found a free pattern for two needle mittens and found some yarn that was clearanced out for $1/skein as it was Christmas stock. Here are the results:

As you can see, she loved them!

Next, I decided on a hat for my dh. He wore his hats too big and had too much extra fabric on his head, so I adapted a rib hat to suit my tastes. I used Lion Brand's Wool-Ease, so it's not as warm as he'd like. I'm still a bit nervous to try "real" yarn.



My current project is an Aran sampler afghan. So far I've completed one square:


and am working on another:

Not too bad for my first attempt at cables, huh?

As I was taking the picture, my daughter thought I should take a picture of her: LOL

Isn't she a hoot?!?


I'm finally feeling brave enough to delve into natural fibers. I know they're a little more expensive, but I've got feelers out for some good bargains. I'm going to my LYS with my mother tomorrow, who wants me to knit her a shawl. I'm so excited! I don't dare go alone, as I know I'll spend too much money! I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you for reading. I must now crawl into bed before my husband gets too mad. He fell asleep on the floor and is now in bed with our youngest daughter, who usually wakes for her 2-3 am feeding and stays in bed with us.