A Year in Yarn, Part 2

And for the Crochet goodies!

There are too many! So I decided to just do highlights.

The months of March and April were big afghan months here.

In the middle of the year, I began making stuffies. Soon this was also a passion (read: obsession) and then I had a plethora of stuffies, large and tiny.


And then there were all the baby hats I made!


And a sole bookmark I designed and made for a friend.


There were so many other things that passed over my hooks this year, but these were truly my favorites.

As of right now I've got a few crochet projects in mind for 2007: I would eventually like to do another Prairie Star, I'd like to make another tiny bear (what for, I haven't got a clue - they're just fun to make), and hubby has requested an afghan.

Sounds like between my knitting and crocheting, 2007 will be another great year for yarnage!

A Year in Yarn, Part 1

While perusing around Blogland, I've seen many posts in the last few days that showcase the aggregate collection of objects made. Fantastic idea.

I'll focus on the knitted goodness in this post... it will take me a while longer to organize the mass quantities of photos from my crocheted goodies from earlier this year.

My first finished object that really counted was a felted purse. That started a fascination (read: slight obsession) and soon there were more of them to carry!

Then came the socks. Socks were new, fun, and oh so heavenly to wear. Although, Second Sock Syndrome really sucks.


There are more that are on the needles, but they're not done yet.

Moving on to scarves, I did two similar but different scarves. Danica and Lady Eleanor. Love love both of them.


And what's a scarf without a hat? Plus one for my niece.


Finally, to close out my year of completed knitted projects, we've got my first knitted stuffie: Santa.


As for projects planned for 2007 knitting, too many to list! I want to continue on with new and challenging projects and maybe sometime I'll cast on for the requisite sweater!

Stay tuned!

Gift Exchange

Doesn't this look like fun? I saw it on Brandy's blog earlier and had to make one, too!

Get Your Own! | More Flash Toys

Hey Santa

He's finished! Yay!

Oops, let me back up. I just realized I hadn't formally mentioned working on him in a blog post other than worrying about whether I'd have enough yarn in this one.

I started this little guy on Sunday during the afternoon football game. I had no idea at the time that it would be a passion that would keep me occupied like nothing else for the next two days.

I started out with this pattern: Knit Father Christmas. I had to change and rework SO much of the pattern because I was working with a teeny amount of the red wool, so mine doesn't really look the same at all.

Oh well... I like my Santa the way he is.

He went by pretty quickly when you consider all the tiny bits and pieces of him. Oh and you know, regular boring old housework getting in the way.


Details:

Pattern: Knit Father Christmas, Ann Budd
Yarn: Classic Elite Montera (Blackberry red), Sugar & Cream Cotton (Cream), Red Heart Kiss (Cream), Classic Elite Princess (Brown)
Needles: Clover Bamboo US5 (3.75mm), dpns
Started: December 17, 2006
Finished: December 19, 2006
Dimensions: 10"

I love Christmas stuffed animals and it occurred to me the other day that we didn't have a Santa.

So the logical solution was to make one. ;) Hey, why not?

He is my first knitted stuffie. I've done many crocheted ones and have been wanting to try a knitted one. Not nearly as hard as I thought it might be, which was nice.


Now my only problem is finding somewhere to put him!

Oh, and after the season is done, actually having to put him away. *Sniff.*

The Further Adventures of Wisconsin Johnson

Remember, kittens, the weekend before and during the move? You heard my side of that dreadful story. Now it's the hubby's turn to tell his tale. A tale of misfortune, exhaustion, anger, and ... coughing fits?

If you think that's bad, wait till part III, when he completes his trilogy and discards his self-acclaimed title of Wisconisn Johnson and becomes none other than....

Minne-snow-ta Meister.

Planes, Trains, and yes Automobiles...

cue : Learn to Fly by the Foo Fighters

Sunday 4:15pm

Our intrepid adventurer leaves the cozy confines of home, heading forth into the great unknown. Actually, most people in Wisconsin call it I-94. Nevertheless our hero makes his way to The People's Republic of Madison. Land of pot smoking, tree hugging, socialists. Dodging tree huggers and taxes, he finds the bus station. After showing Mrs. Wisconsin Johnson the secret route out of the communist block, they proceed to the bus station. After a fond farewell, he boards the bus for uncharted territory.

His first mishap is accepting a young college student for a traveling partner. As soon as the bus leaves the depot, she is consumed by a coughing fit. Realizing there's literally no place to go, W.J. girds his loins and faces the window. Determined not to breathe the same air, he tries to catch some sleep. It's not possible, though as his jammed packed companion is coughing and sneezing every five minutes...

The bus ride takes forever. Five hours of coughing, cramping, and sleeplessness, surely our hero will get sick!

12:15 (am or pm, whichever midnight is) St Paul, MN

The bus was late and now the terminal is closed. Leaping from the back of the bus our hero dodges people and runs to the only cab outside the terminal. With luck he secures the cab to transport him to the airport. The cabbie deposits W.J. at the airport by 12:45. He's made it...

Made it in plenty of time, tons of time in fact. His flight won't leave until 7:30am...

The waiting game.

Wisconsin Johnson has been blessed. He possesses a rare ability. Two abilities actually. The first is the ability to occupy himself in moments of boredom. The second is his uncanny ability to sleep anywhere, anytime. Both powers are pushed to the limit as the minutes tick slowly by. If only there was an early morning bus, this wouldn't have happened.

2:40 am

He drifts off.

3:15 am

He wakes to people. Lots of people. A deserted terminal is starting to fill. By 4:30 the line is huge. He shakes his head in disbelief. Apparently he's not the only crazy person.

9:45 am

Dallas Baby!

The Wisconsin Cowboy fan exits the plane in a flourish. He's excited beyond belief. The first business trip with the new company, the first time in Dallas. After a quick train ride to the other part of the terminal, He and "the man" check into the proper gate. A couple of hours and the last plane will leave for Amarillo and journey's end. He can see the promised land (food and bed). The helpful attendant has reminded us to come back to the gate early as some gates might change.

1:30 pm

Change of plans...

Wisconsin Johnson and "the man" bumped for luggage? What, What, What, What? Tired to the bone, W.J. stares with disbelief at the attendant. Apparently luggage is more important than passengers. blah, blah, weight restrictions, blah, blah, safety. We're going to fly your luggage to Amarillo but you are getting bumped. He and "the man" are faced with a choice. Flight tomorrow or rental car. The airline is not going to spring for a hotel or car. It's six hours to Amarillo by car. If we would have been told when we checked in, we'd be halfway there by now. W.J. feels a rock bottom coming on. If you smell what he's cooking...

Well, in our hero's many travels, he's never seen rural Texas. Well, he has now. It's a lot like central IL. Flat, treeless agriculture. Just cotton instead of corn.

The narrator hopes you can see where he's going with this. Pushed to the edge of exhaustion, W.J. arrives in the hotel room and sweet, blissful sleep. He has traveled for roughly 28 hours, by SUV, bus, cab, plane, train, and rental car. Wait till he completes the trilogy: the trip home...

Thank you, God, for I-Pods and books.

A Letter

To the Yarn Gods,

If you could please, somehow, help me stretch the amount of yarn I have to finish this project, I would be most grateful.

Thank you.

Me

PS: I was told to tell you, dear readers, that "Wisconsin Johnson" is planning on posting another guest entry...

Eleanor, Finally!

As promised, here's Eleanor. I blatantly paid homage to the photograph on Fig & Plum's blog simply because it's such an elegant way to photograph her.

Details:

Pattern: Lady Eleanor, Scarf Style
Yarn: Patons SWS (color Natural Earth) 11 Skeins
Needles: Clover Bamboo US9 (5.5mm), 29" circs
Started: October 19, 2006
Finished: November 28, 2006
Dimensions: Big (yet to be measured)
Unblocked


I have actually worn her - once. It's unseasonably warm in Minnesota right now and the night we set up our Christmas Tree, hubby and I walked out into the front yard to see it from the window. (Weird, I know, but we do this every year.) Anyway, being that it was 50 degrees or so outside I didn't really need a proper coat, but Lady E was perfect.

Look at all that color! She's the largest and most exquisite thing I've knitted so far. I'm immensely proud of her.

Prettee Clapotee

Clapotis is coming along nicely! I'm about 18" into it and really enjoying the pattern. It's so much fun dropping those stitches - it's like revenge on everything I've ever had to frog. Who knew carefully dropped stitches could be so therapeutic?

I had to pin it down to the floor to take these shots. Unfettered it has a tendency to lay all squashed together, as if shy to show its true beauty. Blocking will definitely be in order.


Here it is in all it's {small} glory so far. I altered the pattern to make it much thinner. I would have liked it wider, but was afraid that I would run out of yarn. This fiber came in a huge 560 yard hank (with a price tag to match), but without knowing exactly how much I would need to achieve the length of a scarf, I played it safe and went a little thinner. After blocking it should be about 6" wide.

The yarn is very soft and will feel heavenly as a scarf.

We've got a Holiday Party to go to on Saturday... I would LOVE to have this finished in time to wear to that, but I don't think there's any way, what with taking blocking time into account. Poo. It would really be stunning.

Oh, and because Brandy has been doing much teasing of the palette lately, I'll throw in a little too. I spent the better part of Tuesday in my kitchen baking Ginger Cookies and Crispix Mix. My most favorite holiday snacks!

Speaking of that... I'm off to have a cookie!

Or, um... three.

Christmas Meme

Attach a photo of one of your current holiday displays: Here’s a little Santa that my mother in law gave me sitting next to a small Christmas tree my mother made years ago.

1. Egg Nog, Mulled Cider, or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate, Baby! That’s yummy stuff. Especially with a dash of vanilla extract, lots of whipped cream, and topped with just the tiniest sprinkle of cinnamon.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Oh, Santa wraps them.

3. Do you decorate the outside of your home with lights? Any other displays? We’re probably not going to do outside lights this year. If we had more time we definitely would!

4. Poinsettias, Holly or Mistletoe? All of them!

5. When do you put up your decorations? The day after Thanksgiving, normally.

6. Do you prefer to give or receive? Give.

7. Cut tree, live tree, artificial tree, or Festivus pole? Cut, live tree! It’s our tradition. Mmmmm that fresh pine smell!

8. Have you ever made a gingerbread house? Yes, when I was in 1^st grade I remember all the moms came in and we made them together. What a miserable experience that was! My mom and I both hated it and it came out pretty revoltingly. I’ll never do another one! And this year I don’t have to – the World’s Biggest Gingerbread House is over at the Mall of America right now!

9.Do you display a nativity scene? Nope.

10.When did you learn the truth about Santa? Hey, that magic never left. I still believe.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Um, it’s pretty and all, as long as it stays off the streets. I do like a White Christmas, though.

12. Can you ice skate? Yup! Well, not all fancy-like, but I can stay upright. ;)

13. Do you open your gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? Hubby and I always get so excited buying gifts for one another that we normally open them early. We have a tradition though that all of us open one gift on Christmas Eve and then the rest of them on Christmas Morning.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? Family.

15. What is your favorite holiday cookie? My family’s old Ginger Cookie recipe.

16. What tops your tree? Sadly, our poor tree hath no topper.

17. What is your favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night.

18. What is your favorite Christmas movie or story? National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!

19. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? If Yum, how do you eat them? I’m not really big on candy canes. I’ll maybe eat one quarter of one the entire season.

20. Do you send Christmas cards? If yes, do you enclose a letter or picture? I normally do, but this year with the move we just couldn’t.

21. What kind of lights do you decorate your Christmas tree with? White lights, or another solid color, multi colored, candles, or a novelty light such as bubble lights? Small white and red lights.

22. Favorite Christmas memory as a child? I can’t narrow it specifically down to one. I know what I loved most about Christmas every year as a child was the love and closeness of my family. It was something that my mother and I looked forward to and she and I went crazy over decorating. Our tiny house looked like Santa’s Village and we loved every minute of it.

23. Best present that you have received? The continuing love of my husband and children.

24. Turkey, Ham, Seafood, or Soup for your holiday dinner? Ham! Uggh, No. More. Turkey.

25. Describe your favorite Christmas ornament. Hmmm… It’s not really an ornament. It’s a votive candle holder that my older son made for me two years ago when he was in Kindergarten. Here’s a picture of it:

Happy Holidays!

About Last Night

Whew!

Hello, kittens! So much to tell!

As you know, I moved to MinneSNOWta. And lived for over a week in the hollow depths of a house without internet. What TORTURE!

But I can say that cable was installed yesterday, I got our phone all hooked up today (we use Vonage), and we're now good to go on outward communications sans use of horrible cell phones.

But I digress. I mean, there IS a photo of yarn right there. Of course that means I'm going to talk about fiber something.

A few weeks ago when we leased this house I looked on the internet to see if there were any local yarn shops nearby. Well, I struck the jackpot, kittens, because there's a beauty of a yarn shop three minutes from my house. I'm in heaven.

Not only is said yarn shop sinfully close, but it also hosts many many get-togethers throughout the month. One of them is what they call the "Second Monday Starbucks Knitting" (or S.M.S.K.) where a bunch of knitters from the area meet at the local Starbucks and knit. Together.

Awesome. Take a minute to realize what this means for me. In Wisconsin where we were, there were no local yarn shops anywhere near me. Not one. So no chance to meet other knitters/crocheters that way. And I didn't know any other knitters or crocheters to even start one myself. So sad for AJ.

But now here, wow. Anyway, if you haven't guessed, last night was the Second Monday of the month and I went to the S.M.S.K. It was SO much fun! There were only a few of us there which they said was probably due to the holiday craziness and the rainy cold weather we were having. Still though, there were five of us there plus the yarn store owner, Steven. He's awesome!

The second I got there, I introduced myself and he asked if I'd ever knit before. I told him yes, and then he asked me what I brought to knit. He then dove (and I really mean dove) into my knitting bag to see what goodies I'd brought along. Fun!

So to commence on with the knitting and chatting. What a blast! We all sat around two tables FILLED with baskets of beautiful, scrumptious yarn that Steven had brought from the store. He'd also brought along projects he's worked on with some of the newer stock and new patterns. It was an absolute fiber field day. I saw and felt yarns I'd never even heard of before and now deeply covet.

As we knit, he gave advice if anyone had questions or helped them with a difficult part of the pattern they were working with. We talked a little about everyone's experience and how they got started. They were also very welcoming to me about just having moved here and were delighted that I joined in with their knitting group right away.

Now for details about the above photo of yarn. I bought that on Sunday at the yarn shop. It's Schaefer's Yarn called "Anne" - a very soft dreamy fiber. It's a hand painted blend of 60% Merino Wool Superwash, 25% Mohair, and 15% Nylon. I'm using it to make a smaller gauged version of Clapotis from Knitty.

I started it yesterday and actually had a pretty good start going when I got to Starbucks last night. But while I was there and chatting I made a mistake I couldn't trace back so I frogged it all this morning and will start again in a little while. Oh well.

One bad thing about the evening? I didn't bring Eleanor. Why? Well because it was raining, mostly. But also because I guess I'm a little shy. It's one thing to show something that I'm in the middle of making. It's another to bring something along that's already finished... I didn't want to seem pretentious or boastful. But oh was I ever kicking myself halfway through the night and I was telling them about her. I will bring her next time.

Hell, I didn't bring anything with me that I've finished. Not even one of my felted purses nor did I wear one of my pairs of knitted socks! *sigh*

But I sure did have a good time!

Brace Yourselves...

I'M BAAAAAAAACK!!

The Move is On

(sung to the 80's rock hit The Heat is On.)

Ok. I've calmed down.

Things are better. It finally stopped snowing but the 40 mph wind gusts are blowing around the snow that's sitting on the ground causing near white-out situations in some areas.

Hubby is 3 hours away from here by car and is nearing the area that was in the huge snow storm. I hope he makes it ok.

We're still pressing on with the move. I've called in every favor with every family member I've got to make this happen. (I actually wanted to postpone it till next week, but everyone said they'd help.)

This will officially be the last time you hear from me as a Wisconsinite. I'm disconnecting my computer tomorrow morning.

I hope that since we've been through the worst that could have happen, things will start to run more smoothly from here.

Wish me luck, please.

And I do apologize about my language in the previous post. But I was angry and this is a blog about my life, as nasty or wonderful as those parts may be.

I'll see you on the other side.

-AJ

Major Expletives Below. Skip If Offended.

H O L Y . S H I T .

This is the view out of my front door. We can barely see the outline of the house across the cul de sac. Can we say blizzard, people? Let's try: B L I Z Z A R D.

Zero visibility. Sub-zero temperatures. No husband and I don't know when he's coming home. Flights are canceled everywhere.

The walls are caving in on me. Wisconsin is angry that we're moving apparently and it's trying to keep us here. Well here's a big F U C K . Y O U . to Wisconsin.

I'M STILL MOVING.

Come hell or highwater I'm getting the fuck out of here this weekend.

** I apologize for my language if it offends you. **

A Letter

Dear Higher Power, Mother Nature, & well, Anyone Who Can Help,

If at all possible, could you maybe hold off the huge snow storm that's supposed to hit Northern Illinois and Southeastern Wisconsin until, say, maybe Wednesday?

I have to move this weekend and this storm could really put a damper on my plans.

Please and Thank You.

Me

Lady Eleanor Teaser

I finished her! She was off the needles last night and I just finished the knotted fringe.

She's stunning!

BUT, you'll have to wait to see a full picture of her until after we move.

Until then, here's a teaser pic of the fringe. It was a lot easier to do than I thought it would be!

Ok... and now for the not so great news. This might be my last post until after we've moved and got internet back up and running. If it is, wish me luck this weekend! I'll miss you all!

Hell & Candy Canes

Welcome to Hell.

Seriously. That which was the peaceful calm of our lives is no more. We have torn our home apart. There are boxes everywhere. There is stuff everywhere. WE are everywhere.

I feel like we're in limbo. Literally caught between two places; suspended in time. Not fully here, but not really there, either.

Hubby went up to Minnesota last Sunday and worked Monday and Tuesday, then came home late Tuesday night so he could spend Thanksgiving with us and our families. He leaves again tomorrow to go on a 5 day business trip. So this time with us around Thanksgiving feels more like he's visiting rather than coming home.

Because, let's be honest, our home isn't much of a home right now. And who would want it to be? We have already detached ourselves from here. We're in the process of getting our things out of here. All that's left is getting us out of here.

And it's that one task that's driving me crazy. You see, we're making good progress, but unfortunately I can't see past what's still left to be done and then I feel overwhelmed. It makes me sad. It makes me feel scared. It makes me want to cry.

And, um, I'm not big on crying.

So instead of dwelling on the fact that there is still so much to do, that we are running out of boxes, that hubby will be gone next week leaving the remainder of the packing to me, that I still have to run a household in the piles of drivel around me, I've decided to try to focus on something much sweeter.

Like candy canes. And what they represent this year to me.

Hope. And a new home. I will always remember moving right before Christmas, and not only decorating our new house with our everyday things but also with our Christmas decorations.

And that, my lovely readers, is why I'm focusing on candy canes. They're my salvation.

Happy Turkey Day!

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

As for me, I'll be wishing I had the NFL Network so I could watch my Broncos tomorrow night. *sigh*

Countdown To Move Date: 10 Days!

Ways To Avoid Packing

Ohh there are so many. I could write a book.

But for now, I'll just keep it simple.

I packed for a while this morning. Really. I did. But it got old. Fast. I'm sick of boxes, packing tape, tissue, newspaper, bubble wrap (yes, folks, I'm even sick of bubble wrap), and well, anything that goes along with packing.

Not to mention the high I've got from the ginormous permanent marker.

So a little while I sat down to make a new hat for Snowy McFlurry. While I like the stocking cap I originally made, I thought a top hat would be more like the idyllic Snowman.

So I grabbed some Red Heart Symphony that I had left over from when I made my nephew's Triceratops and just created. What a nice break from packing!

Brandy said she wanted to see it, so that means pictures! And being the photographer I am (well, when I'm not feeling lazy about photos like I have been lately) I just had to set up something special.

The background is our Advent Calendar. We got it a few years ago from L.L. Bean. It's a little wooden cupboard about 18" w x 13" h. When you open the two front doors, there are 24 little pull drawers that all have a holiday picture painted on them. There's enough room in each drawer for about 4-5 small pieces of candy - like Hershey's Kisses.

So um, about 35 pictures later... Here he is!

*sigh*

Now that that's done, I suppose I'd better get my tooshie back to packing. Uggh. Just the thought of it makes me want to hurl.

And the Good News Is....

We have a place to live!! WOOHOO! We just found out yesterday that our application was accepted!

Sooo.... do you want details? Yes?? RIGHT!

We leased a beautiful townhouse about 20 minutes away from where hubby's job is. It's in a quiet little neighborhood and nearby is a GREAT park with with tennis & basketball courts, hockey rink, softball field and a huge playground. How perfect for two little boys? (And one big boy for that matter - hubby loves to play outside!)

So here's the outside. (This photo taken from the broker's website, though I added the text and the shaded areas.) It's a LOT bigger than it looks in this pic.

(All photos are clickable.)














And here is the kitchen:













Sorry about the weird color cast in some of these. I wish I'd have brought my big flash with me.













And the living room area. My boys were having too much fun jumping in front of my lens when we were out looking at houses. (Please excuse the black out on my oldest son's face... privacy and all that.)













And now we move on to the upstairs. (There's MUCH more to the downstairs area, but I was so excited while looking through this I didn't get pictures of everything.)

Here's C's room: (the color cast in these next two pictures is true color. The others were all way off because it was dim in there and I didn't have the proper lights with me.)













And T's room: (we let him pick which one he wanted.)













And here's the upstairs main full bath. This will be shared between the boys.



















And now moving on to the best parts! Hubby's and my room!!


























And the walk in closets!!


So anyway, the specs. It's a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom (2 full and one half bath) townhouse. It's only 3 years old and has all brand new appliances, including full size Washer and Dryer upstairs between the bedrooms. There's an attached 2 car garage (which will be SO NICE!)

Actually, the whole place will be nice. It's so much bigger than what we've got here.

Silly as it may seem, since we're moving so close to Christmas, hubby and I are already planning on where we're going to put our Christmas decorations - where the best spot for the tree will be, etc.

And oh! Central AIR! We've had a wall unit for the last 5 and a half years we've been here and we just never got cool enough, especially at night. I can't wait to have that luxury.

So anyway, those are the pics of our new house! Sorry about the weird color casts. The walls are really a creamy white and the carpet upstairs is all a soft beige (or pretty much how they look in the pics of the boys' rooms.) The downstairs carpet is a bit darker brown color and the walls are the same creamy white in there. When I asked the broker if we could paint, he asked what color I was thinking of. I said, "Well, maybe a pretty khaki?" He jubilantly replied, "I would LOVE it if you painted it khaki!!" yay!

I'll get much better shots when we're moved up there and get settled in. Until then, these are what I've got!

Snowy McFlurry (& pattern)

I joined the Snowman CAL on Crochetville this morning and finished my little guy just minutes ago.

Isn't he cute? He stands about 2 1/2 inches tall.

I designed him from start to finish and I am so happy with how he turned out. Especially since I haven't really done much crocheting at all lately... *sheepish grin*

So for the details:

Pattern: Snowy McFlurry, my own design
Yarn: Bernat Baby fingering weight in a shimmering "White", an unknown red with silver metallic thread worsted weight, white worsted weight, and orange embroidery floss, small amount of each
Hooks: Steel size 1 for head/body, steel size 2 for carrot nose, H for hat and scarf
Started: November 18, 2006
Finished: November 18, 2006
Dimensions: 2 1/2" tall

I'll post the pattern tomorrow along with some good news!

** UPDATE! **

Snowy McFlurry Pattern

What you'll need:

Yarn: Bernat Baby fingering weight in a shimmering "White", a red with silver metallic thread worsted weight, white worsted weight, and orange embroidery floss, small amount of each
Hooks: Steel size 1 for head/body, steel size 2 for carrot nose, H for hat and scarf
Eyes: 4mm ball beads
Stuffing: small amount of polyfil

You'll be working in continuous rounds: do not join. Use a stitch marker for the 1st stitch of each round.

Carrot Nose:

with embroidery floss & steel size 2 hook:

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 4 sc in 2nd ch from hk.
Rnd 2: sc in next, 2 sc in next around (6)
Rnd 3-4: sc in each around, ss to join, leave 12" tail to sew to head and set aside.

Head/Body:

Crochet from bottom up with fingering weight yarn and steel size 1 hook:

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each around. (12)
Rnd 3: repeat rnd 2 (24)
Rnd 4: sc in each of next 3, 2 sc in next around (30)
Rnd 5: sc in each of next 4, 2 sc in next around (36)
Rnd 6: sc in each of next 5, 2 sc in next around (42)
Rnd 7: sc in each of next 6, 2 sc in next around (48)
Rnd 8-15: sc in each around
Rnd 16: sc in each of next 6, sc in next 2 tog to decrease (42)
Rnd 17: sc in each of next 5, sc in next 2 tog (36)
Rnd 18: sc in each of next 4, sc in next 2 tog (30)
Rnd 19: sc in each of next 3, sc in next 2 tog (24)
Rnd 20: sc in each of next 2, sc in next 2 tog (18)
Rnd 21: sc in each around (18)

** stuff body with polyfil **

Rnd 22: sc in each of next 2, 2 sc in next (24)
Rnd 23: sc in each of next 3, 2 sc in next (30)
Rnd 24: sc in each of next 4, 2 sc in next (36)
Rnd 25-29: sc in each around
Rnd 30: sc in each of next 4, sc in next 2 tog to decrease (30)
Rnd 31: sc in each of next 3, sc in next 2 tog (24)
Rnd 32: sc in each of next 2, sc in next 2 tog (18)

** sew eyes & nose to head and embroider mouth **
** stuff head with polyfil **

Rnd 33: sc in next, sc in next 2 tog (12)
Rnd 34: sc in next 2 tog around (6)

If necessary, stuff head more with polyfil, then close.

Hat:

With red worsted weight yarn & H hook:

Rnd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each around (12)
Rnd 3: sc in next, 2 sc in next (18)
Rnd 4: sc in each of next 2, 2 sc in next (24)
Rnd 5-8: sc in each around
Rnd 9: turn and join white WW. sc in backloop only around.
Rnd 10: sc in both loops around.
Finish off and turn cuff of hat up.

Scarf:

with red worsted weight yarn & H hook:

Ch 40.
Put two ends together and wrap around neck.
Thread ends through loop and pull tight.

To finish:

Add blusher to cheeks and a pom pom to hat.

**Please note! This pattern is untested so if you find an error, please let me know! **

And don't forget to come back and tell me if you make one - I'd LOVE to see your Snowy McFlurry!!

Residence Hunt, take 2

So we're making yet another trip up to good old Minne-SNOW-ta tomorrow. This time we're going to be looking at houses to rent.

We've got five meetings set up between noon and 6. I'm really excited about these. I think one of them is a single family residence home and the others are really nice upscale townhouses. But not apartment-type townhouses. They're more like duplex townhouses.

And BIG. Which will be nice, because even though our current apartment is just under1200 square feet, we've totally grown out of it.

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In other news, my dog turned 10 today.

I was going to type some other stuff that has to do with her, but it's just sad. Soon.

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Packing is coming along. Slowly but surely.

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Lady E is getting bigger. I've just started on my 7th skein tonight out of 10. Woohoo!! She's stunning.

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I've found that I completely enjoy spackling. It's mindless, tedious, and actually kind of fun. And we had LOTS of holes to fill. There's still more, but we'll wait on those.

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Wow, this post sucks.

It sucks ROCKS.

All right, people. Move along now. Nothing to see here.

Oh Joy

Let me first just say that looking for a new place to live up in Minnesota has been OH such a joy.

Did you catch the "well-hidden" sarcasm, people?? You should have, because the sentence was laced with it. Heavy heavy sarcasm.

We woke our asses up early Saturday morning at 3 am. Why? Well, we were supposed to drive up Friday night and then wake up at a decent hour on Saturday and go to our appointments.

But Mother Nature had other plans. You see, she must have thought it would be funny to throw a huge snow, sleet, and ice storm blanket over southeastern Wisconsin Friday afternoon. Which rendered all of our area completely inoperable in a motor vehicle. So after driving for 45 minutes and only getting to a distance that's really only 15 minutes away (not to mention slipping and sliding badly, even in a four wheel drive vehicle), we turned around and went home.

And like I said, woke up before man should see the light (or dark) of day and proceeded on our way.

So we get there, and saw about 10 different places in the span of 6 hours. A few were townhouses, most were apartments. Out of those 10, we only liked 3.

I'll start with the 7 that were total jokes. Oh no, I'm not kidding. Hubby and I were biting our cheeks while looking at these to try not to laugh.

I can't tell you how many leasing agents tried to convince us that:

- small rooms were really "large"
- a very small enclosed box with a couple of poles was actually a "walk-in closet"
- a staircase that was only 16" wide really WAS wide enough to get bedroom furniture up
- a wall air conditioner will actually cool the entire apartment without the use of additional fans (No it will NOT. In our current apartment we have a wall AC unit and we ALWAYS have to use tons of additional fans to even get some semblance of a cooler room.)
- four cupboards and about two square feet of counter space was a "big" kitchen

And the worst one of ALL!

We were walking through this apartment that seemed ok: It had 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths, nice large living room and spacious kitchen. Everything was going pretty well. Until.

The woman that was showing us around opened her mouth and said the most ridiculous thing ever:

"Children under the age of 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult AT ALL TIMES on the premises."

Hubby and I almost choked.

WHAT?!?! Our oldest just turned 8. He's been going outside on his own around our neighborhood with his friends since he was 5. We send him outside with a walkie-talkie two-way radio and he checks in with us every half hour or so. He's not allowed to go in any of his friends' houses without asking me first.

Granted, we live out in the country. REALLY out in the country. So we felt safe in letting him outside by himself for short periods of time here. But still. He's 8 now. And VERY responsible. He follows our rules and the other parents all say he sets a good example for their kids.

And this woman was telling us that he couldn't go outside on the complex grounds without having either my hubby or me with him? He'd HATE that!

We almost walked out right then and there. But hubby and I aren't typically rude people, so we stayed. But we agreed that place is one we will DEFINITELY not be giving a second glance to.

Anyway, about the 3 we liked. They're really nice. But. I don't know... there's just something that I guess I'm looking for that they haven't got. And I'm not sure what it is. But I'd hate to contract a lease, move, and then find something better.

So we're now looking at renting a house instead. I've got an appointment Wednesday night at 5:30 to see one that looks FANTASTIC. I'll make a few more appointments that day - might as well make that long ass drive worth it.

Lady E and Big News

Miles and Miles of Entrelac.

Mmmmm....

Lady E is coming along nicely. I haven't worked on her in a few days because I've had so many other things going on.

Which brings me to another thing...

Remember this post?

Brace yourselves. I can finally talk about this!

Drum Roll.... dddddddddrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

We're moving!

That's right! Hubby was offered a fantastic job offer up in Minnesota that is just far too good to turn down.

I'm so excited about this. I mean, I love Wisconsin. It's beautiful and my sons' school is just amazing. BUT, it's time for a change. Hubby and I are ready to move. We are really looking forward to Minnesota life.

Well, I could do without the snow. I mean, we have snow here, but they have S-N-O-W up there.

Don'cha know? *wink*

So life for me right now is all about knitting and packing, packing and knitting.

I'll keep you posted with more updates. Wish me luck!

That is, if I don't get lost in all the boxes.

Or if I don't spend all my time popping the bubble wrap.

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday, T!

Here's a big birthday wish to my wonderful son who's turning 8 today.

Love you lots!

*Ahem*

Ooooh, Grey's was so good tonight!

Carry on.

Pink Braided Sweetness

Isn't this hat sweet? It's for my 2 and a half year old niece. My sister-in-law asked me to make her a hat as she's had trouble finding one that would fit. We went Monday to look for yarn and my SIL picked out a bright pink Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby D.K., a very soft yarn that just about matched her jacket.

I used this Braided Hat Pattern to make it, which is, by the way, a great pattern.

I know what you're all thinking.. why does it look kind of ... odd just above the ribbing? That's because the ribbing was added on after I had thought I was finished with the hat. The pattern starts at the ribbing and goes up from there. I thought I'd done enough pattern repeats before I started decreasing for the crown, but when I finished off and tried it on my younger son (whose head is about the same size as my niece's) it didn't cover his ears. Panic!

But then I thought, why can't I just pick up stitches at the cast-on at the ribbing and go down from there? Which is what I did.













Unfortunately, this left my original rounds of ribbing looking like 5 rounds of mistakes. Poo. Oh well. I think those beautiful braided cables make up for it.

And let's take a look at those!













Aren't they gorgeous? This was my first time really doing cables. I've done a few practice swatches, but nothing serious. But I figured I'd add another notch to my imaginary knitting experience belt with these. I loved doing them! Tedious, yes. Mathematical counting, yes. Ahh.... good times.

SIL brought her two kids over last night to Trick Or Treat with my boys and I showed her the hat then, which was still on the needles with about five rounds of ribbing to go. She said she loved it! I was relieved. When she asked me if I'd make a hat, she didn't tell me what she wanted it to look like, she just said for me to "go with my creative genius", to quote her. I don't know about that, but I sure was nervous about whether she'd like this pattern or not.

When we were looking at yarns, she saw a boucle she liked and said she'd like to have a little texture, but it was far more than she wanted to spend. Since she chose a smooth yarn, I decided to give her that texture with the cables.

And on a funny note... I tried it on my younger son this morning to make sure it would be long enough to cover the ears and it's perfect! Yay!

But then he asked if it was for him. I said, "No, honey. Do you want Momma to make you a hat?" He nodded and said, "Mmmhmmm." I asked him what he wanted it to look like and he replied, "Like [M]'s hat."

When I asked him what color, he said, "Bright! Yellow!"

Oh, good lord.