Knit stricken!

New Patterns

2012-01-23T12:50:00.006-05:00

If you still follow my blog you know by now that I also blog over here every Monday. Today there are two new patterns available for you, if you feel so inclined.

I seem to feel quite Susie Homemaker at the moment. Here one of my latest baking attempts: Marzipan Muffins.

Still knitting, kind of

2012-01-09T12:13:00.011-05:00

Indeed. I am. Not even secretly since all my projects are dutifully entered on the project page on Ravelry.

I finished something on Saturday and, oh my, it is NOT knitting but crochet. A 'Granny Stripe Blanket' for Egg, who had picked the colours and keeps telling me "I just loooove the colours!".

I am also blogging. Here. Every week on Monday about some or other knitting related stuff. This time I did a 'how to' on casting on with beads.

On a totally unrelated note: I had some cabbage leftover and am improvising the veggie part of our dinner tonight. Cabbage with Caraway - a dish we usually only get at Christmas Dinner at a friend's house. I have really no idea how it is actually cooked, but so far it looks and tastes pretty good...

Picking Strawberries

2011-06-27T19:51:00.000-04:00

Whoever thought getting four of the 4 litre baskets was a good idea? Oh. Yeah. That would be me. The weather was fantastic and so we filled them, with small, very red and ripe fruit.

Egg had a lot of fun but of course more Strawberries ended up in her mouth than in her basket...

The Quebec Strawberries of this year were ready late and even the reddest ones are still a bit tart. I don't think we mind.

Shopgirl

2011-06-13T09:00:00.006-04:00

Well, yes, that would be me. The girl (ahem, rather: woman) working in a yarn store. Making money by selling lovely yarn, advising people with their knitting...and, most of it: Having time for selfish knitting! Over the last six months I have been knitting for myself more than in six years time. It's fantastic. I'd forgotten how that goes.

This year alone I have knit EIGHT sweaters etc. for myself (not all of them a success, but that's another story) and several other smaller things. Then there are some gifts and store samples...I can't believe I've been that productive and didn't have to give most of it away. Also, I've been choosing fun projects, meaning they were quite a digression from what I would have knit three years ago. FUN!

That's why my designing life got put on hold - more or less. I haven't given up designing, but I think I needed a real break. I won't deny it's hard to go back, but there are some ideas that need attending to!

Egg has been going to daycare since last August, she's loving it and I'm loving that. It's easier to have a life on your own when you know your kid is happy, too.

Life is good. (Apart from the trouble with my teeth. But, honestly, WHO wants to know about that?)

Two of my favourite knits:

Drops Design No 108-33 "Jacket in Lin"

Carol Feller's "Adrift" (Ravelry link) in Noro Sekku

October!

2010-10-14T10:14:00.006-04:00

So, this is what happens when you don't pay attention. Time just trickles away, one day at a time, and whoosh! it's the middle of October. In the meantime, Egg turned two, I'm working away at Espace Tricot, and I crocheted a sweater (ravelry link) or rather, a shrug thingie that I finished yesterday and yet have to photograph.

We had some glorious fall weather, and my Mom was visiting for two weeks. During that time we went apple picking. Egg just loves it. She would go again any day.

Egg is still not happy when I drop her off at daycare, but I know that she's fine about three minutes after I leave. The payback time of my getting opportunity to work and some hours off mothering is night time. Going to bed usually was an easy thing. Since Egg started daycare it is a nightmare. She screams almost every night in protest. And three days ago she climbed out of her crib for the first time and hasn't stopped. She's also gotten quite good at it - after only five or six tries. I think I'm off to IKEA to get a bed rail to convert her crib into a bed. Somehow this leaves me uneasy, but she's getting out anyways, so I guess it doesn't really make a difference.

September!!

2010-09-01T10:07:00.006-04:00

I know. The blog suffered once again. But a lot has happened chez Knit Stricken, and I had to prioritize.

August was very eventful. A new daycare opened at the corner of our street, and at the same time there was talk of me working part time in a yarn store (Espace Tricot) - so off I went and asked if there was a part time spot available, and it was. Egg is going to daycare three days a week now, and what can I say, I'm still not used to it. Today was especially bad, since she anticipated what was coming and was crying all the way there. Apparently she was not alone in being miserable, half of the kids there were crying, too. (I blame this effing heat. Usually they are all quite content.) I definitely have to get over the 'feeling guilty' part, I am well aware that it is futile. We're always told that she had a great time when either of us picks her up and she usually is happily playing when we arrive. And, while I am working, I don't get the time to think about it too much, so that helps!

I am also going to teach a lot of knitting classes - most of which I haven't taught before and that means a lot of preparation. I'm not saying I can't pull it off, but it is a bit scary. Then again, it's knitting, there's hardly anything else I'd rather talk about. So on to new adventures!

Last but not least, I have a design in the upcoming Twistcollective. Yes, I know it is early to talk about a new issue, but I am so excited about it! I mean, sitting here in this heat it is hard to imagine we will be wearing sweaters again soon.

Nooo, I'm not ready for ~~my close up~~ DAYCARE!!

Ricotta, Lemon and a scoop

2010-07-30T20:58:00.011-04:00

Ever since I tried these some weeks ago, I wanted to make them myself. But it was too hot to even think about turning on the oven. Not so today. I finally got to make the Lemon Ricotta Cookies and I think they turned out quite well.

Here they are right out of the oven:

Apparently some people had a problem with the dough spreading too much, as you can see, I did not. They are quite big, because I used an ice cream scoop for portioning. Instead of 44 I got 25 cookies.

The finished product with the awesome and very easy to make lemon glaze:

I love that these cookies are very cake-like, they are not crunchy but soft and really melt in your mouth.

Cooking

2010-06-26T18:52:00.002-04:00

Lately I don't really feel like cooking. One gets stuck in a rut - it feels like the same over and over again.

I looked through some cook books, and clicked around on the internet. Found this (don't remember how). That sounds easy enough, eh?

I might have overcooked it a smidgen. It doesn't look exactly the same as on the other blog. (I hate when that happens. It makes me feel I did something wrong. No, I don't mean the cheese. I know that's grated finer.)

It was good, though, and I might make it again.

More love

2010-06-24T20:21:00.005-04:00

I don't do this very often, actually it's very rare that I do this, but today I have to.

Because we had an earthquake yesterday and Germany advanced to the next round in the Soccer World Cup, it's St Jean Baptiste and because, well, my ego is pleased:

Turns out I love them even more when you follow the pattern. (Who knew?)

Anyways. I just thought you should know and if you want to knit the Embossed Leaves Socks, too - the pattern is available in my sidebar or in my Ravelry shop.

Back to old crap*

2010-06-08T18:11:00.004-04:00

*crap: lovingly used for old WIPs

So, last year in October I decided to cast on for the Featherweight Cardigan (rav link) because it would be so nifty to have a light weight cardi when it was getting colder and it would be the perfect layering piece and...well. Not so much. The cardi was begun in some vintage 2ply yarn, that said 'fingering' on the label, but is definitely lace weight at nowadays standards. I had no idea how much yardage there was, but since it was about 280 grams, I guessed I was safe. (I am, BTW.) Winding it into balls from the skeins it came in was a bitch. The single strands clung to each other as if there was no tomorrow and more than once I had to cut and begin anew. Thanks to a patient husband we made it through all of that was there and I was left with about 260 grams.

As always, the first bout of knitting on a new piece went swimmingly. I don't really know what made me stop, I just did once I reached the underarms and had knit the body more than halfway through. Wait a minute, now writing this I remember: I couldn't decide what kind of rib I wanted to use. Definitely not the 1x1, I don't like that much. 2x2, or any other? See, I couldn't decide. So the "Grünes Fliegengewicht" (rav link) lingered.

Two nights ago I was so pissed off with the design I'm working on that I decided to take a break from it. It's not that the design is bad, I just have to figure out some numbers and need to think about that for a while. So back to the green flyweight I went.

The body is done and one of the sleeves almost. I did a broken garter 2x2 rib, to make it lie almost flat and not pull in as 2x2 rib. The photo was taken before I got to the sleeve, but you get the picture.

Expect a FO soon. Maybe.

Currently 26 degrees C, feels like 32

2010-05-24T12:40:00.004-04:00

If you know me a little, then you'll know this is almost too hot for me. Though the sun is really nice. Just a bit too hot.

I'm in a pickle. I promised not to haggle my wares here, but all I do at the moment is working on the "Lili & Leo" designs.

So, happy Victoria Day everyone!

This might be too much.

2010-05-10T22:15:00.000-04:00

I finished a pair of knee highs for Egg on Sunday. I always try create outfits to show them off, since I think her chubby legs look übercute in them.

Newsboy cap, Allison cardi and Kickers. Darn, I don't have knickerbockers. Well, let's roll up the legs of her jeans, they are a smidgen too short anyways.

She was quite disobliging when I wanted to take pictures. But maybe you get the picture. (And, I do realize that you can't see the knee highs, but I do know they're there!)

Is this too much?

(I'm acutely aware of the fact that I won't ever win a photographer's contest. I suck.)

Long week

2010-05-07T17:15:00.006-04:00

I'm sure this week only has 7 days as any other week - but due to some strange time warp thingies (or, maybe, my imagination) it felt and feels a lot longer.

Egg has seemingly a health problem, her temperature was elevated for the last couple of days but she didn't seem to mind at all. No other symptons, just a higher temperature than is normal. Which makes me wonder what's going on, but according to the internet doctors her temperature is well in the limit of 'oh, that's nothing'. As her mother I don't exactly feel that way, but try to stay calm and get her through it.

Now it's Friday evening, I have ordered pizza and am thankful that I don't have to cook dinner.

I do hope that the two remaining days of the week feel exactly as long as the others did - but in a good way. (However, that maybe asked too much.)

But wait, there's more!

2010-05-01T14:13:00.003-04:00

The "Lili & Leo" blog with information about the designs for the first booklet can be found here!

A touch of class

2010-04-29T22:22:00.000-04:00

Wouldn't you believe it, I'm going to teach a class! About Finishing!

See here. Am I excited? You betcha!

If there's anything you wanted to know about how to professionally finish your project, then you are at the correct address. I'll try my very best and teach it to you. Hurry though, since there are only 6 spaces available...

(I might be convinced to do it again. If there's cake. Just kidding. About the cake, of course.)

A little admin

2010-04-28T11:05:00.001-04:00

I had to switch my prices from USD to CAD - has to do with Paypal and bank issues...

Well, just to let you know.

The first Kill of the season

2010-04-27T12:02:00.002-04:00

Rather, the first Kill ever!

Before my zealous attempt to get all the laundry done in one day (ha, who was I kidding?)

After (be assured, it won't fit her anymore)

Never ever in my long knitting life have I felted a knit in the washing machine accidentally! On purpose, yes, but never did I miss a sneaky knit amidst all the other laundry and effed it up. There goes a hat...(and it just was perfect with all the coats Egg owns *sigh*).

Oh, and I don't know how I ever thought there's nothing to blog about - I manage to procure enough material, interesting or not.

One Step forward, two back - but this is finished

2010-04-26T12:29:00.001-04:00

I think I have come to the conclusion that trying to finish everything before starting a new project is just not the way it works for me. When one project is almost done, I usually feel the urge to start another, or twonother, for that matter. The almost done project gets either done quickly or, sadly, lingers for a long while before it is completely done.

I get excited about new ideas and want to start them right away - which in return keeps me from finishing 'other crap', as I like to call it myself. (Not in a derogatory way, just because I don't feel like dealing with it.) Also, Egg often needs a certain item right away - or so I tell myself - and she has been a priority in my life ever since she has been born, hence the bestest excuse ever to start more crap.

Having said that, Egg didn't really need this hat, but I wanted to make it anyways. An adventure from beginning to end, and I'm not sure how it ended. You tell me!

ETA: I used Reynolds "Cool Cotton" (90% Cotton, 10% Steel - yes, really!) and the hat weighs 76 grams.

Knitting!!

2010-04-25T11:10:00.008-04:00

That's how I found Egg after coming back to the living room, I'd left my knitting on the couch. (Oh, and please excuse the MESS.)

Outside!

2010-04-24T12:35:00.008-04:00

The weather has been fabulous for Montreal in April. Whenever there is sun I get the request "outside!" and thankfully we have the outside right off our kitchen. (No sandbox yet, though. They were labeled as 'in stock' online and when we went to the shop to pick one up, they were of course not.)

This is how 'outside' might look:

Grapes taste soo much better in fresh air!

Even though it doesn't look like it, I have been working/designing. There is one piece in particular I am sort of proud of, but of course I can't show you a picture just yet. Here's a peek:

I have lots of plans - publishing some kids patterns, for example. One is being test knit as you read this, repeatedly, which means it will be hopefully ready soon.

In the meantime I have finished some knitting for myself and Egg: Hex is done, and so is a skirt and knee highs for Egg, amongst other things. I should get back to write more about what I am knitting, that might encourage finishing faster. BTW, I need to take photos of the finished Hex, once I've done that you'll get to see it, of course!

This is the Twirly skirt (ravelry link)

and these are the new knee highs:

For now Egg is still excited when I finish something for her, and accordingly very willing to try/put it on. The perfect knitter's child!

Embossed Leaves Redux

2010-04-23T14:43:00.007-04:00

I have had a couple of inquiries why the pattern of the Embossed Leaves socks is not available online. That would be because I had not made it available - until now!

If you feel so inclined you can buy the pattern via the ravelry link on the sidebar (even when you're not a member) and get knittin'. For 5 ~~USD~~ CAD you receive a brand new version of the pattern with a couple of updates.

I added links to the tutorial of the tubular cast-on on my blog (since I did not use the twisted cast-on described in the other versions of the pattern) as well as a link to the sizing information.

Cutting the yarn after knitting the heel has been questioned numerous times, I eliminated that also.

Yes, I will be back to blogging without peddling my wares, I promise!

I can't even think of anything appropriate

2010-04-09T09:45:00.005-04:00

I fell off the earth, again. I will know forever when I was very busy working (knitting, writing patterns) because that's when there are NO BLOG posts whatsoever.

Now that that is done and over with, I suddenly have the urge to blog again. It does take time and when that is sparse, one (or rather, I) just can't afford spending it on frivolities. Ha, as if.

I have started to tweet, though. Random things thrown at my readers (yes, there are a few, I myself am surprised) at least give the impression I'm still there and it's much faster. And most probably not really informative but maybe entertaining. Or the other way 'round, who knows.

I'll be back, I promise.

Done

2010-02-03T19:52:00.001-05:00

Just to let you know: the beret is fixed and done and I wore it today. Love it.

One of these days

2010-02-01T20:58:00.003-05:00

That would be today. Nothing goes right, child is cranky, makes me cranky.

Knitting a simple beret. Had to rip twice already. It's done now. Or so I think. It's too big. Rrrrrip.

Not to mention the countless scream fests we had today, and I had no clue why or what to do about it. Somehow the day went by only to end with another bang.

Child usually goes to bed without any drama. Not so tonight. Am close to nervous breakdown, but manage to stay calm. Child still doesn't sleep. Her dad is on sleep duty now while I hide in the office.

Please keep your fingers crossed that tomorrow will be better! Thanks, that would be all.

Yarny Yumminess

2010-01-25T13:59:00.006-05:00

This arrived today. I want to start knitting right away. The Great American Yarns Merino is so soft and wonderful to knit with. Also, this is going to be not one but two samples for one of my new patterns soon to come!

Hex

2010-01-24T12:00:00.006-05:00

Last year in June I got me some Kauni Lace yarn in the coveted colourway EQ from Tausendschoen. Once I received it I marveled at the size of the skein (280 g of lace yarn) and stashed it away. I had no idea what to do with it.

Then came Hex. For the last year or so I haven't been spending a lot of attention to knitty but some day I scanned the patterns of the Fall 2009 issue.

And there it was. The project ideal for my Kauni Lace in the coveted colourway EQ. Hex.

I felt attracted to the Stockinette heavy lace with the hexagon pattern - though I knew the size and form of the shawl wouldn't work for me. Not a problem, I have lots of yarn and can make it longer. So I wound my yarn into the biggest cake of lace yarn I have ever seen.

I started with a small swatch for the foam pattern, and didn't like how it came out. (Hm, even to me it seems now I'm a bit hard to please...) The Kauni is way different from the soft Malabrigo Lace and the drop stitches just didn't seem right. No foam then, I decided. I cast on and added one repeat, to make my shawl as big as I dared. I think my Hex sans Foam (Ravelry link) is going to be about 75" long and I haven't even figured out how wide it is. Huge, that's for sure.

I was worried that the pattern would become tedious over time, but the colour changes in the yarn kept it from getting there. I am still enchanted by the gradual changes from one colour to the next, and knowing the pattern by heart helps to enjoy the knitting process as I go.

The Kauni lace works up beautifully, and I do love the crunchiness (is that a word?) of the yarn. I'm sure it'll soften up some and so I'm not worried about any itch factor. My yarn cake has shrunk considerably over the last two months, and I'll just go on until there's nothing left.

By now I have only 67 grams to go, there will be seven colour repeats once I'm done.

Music on a Friday

2010-01-22T08:36:00.004-05:00

Today Egg and I are off to a friend's house where we are going to meet lots of other babies and will play music and sing. Egg loves it, and I enjoy it as well.

Having said that, when no babies are around, playing Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" does the trick also. I wonder what Lady Gaga would have to say about that.

Hanging over my head

2010-01-19T09:07:00.007-05:00

Old. All of a sudden this word threatens my existence as I know it. Well, not really suddenly, it's been creeping up for some time now. There have been some days in the last 2 years when I felt old. I have had back pain ever since Egg was born, but mostly right after I got up and when I was sitting for too long (more than half an hour that is) and then it went away.

A couple of weeks before Christmas I woke up to excruciating back pain. So bad that I wasn't able to pick up my toddler and even getting dressed was a painful ordeal. A trip to the emergency room revealed a kidney infection and, wait, a bit of Osteo-Arthritis in my back. Even now I wonder, is that like "a little bit" pregnant? (Which, to quash all expectations, I am not.) The kidney infection was dealt with, Antibiotics do the trick. But the other pain, the daily one that won't go away, is the reminder of said word at the beginning of my post. Thankfully the days when my husband had to lift me out of bed are over, but some days just sitting on the couch with a hot water bottle pressed against my back is the only thing that makes it bearable.

Having said all this, I totally know it could be worse. It could be my hands.

P.S. After trying three times to get her to nap, Egg slept for almost 45 minutes yesterday.

Monday

2010-01-18T11:02:00.003-05:00

Random.

- Left over pizza for (second) breakfast for a toddler? (Hey, she insisted. At least it's home made.)
- Is she going to nap for more than 20 minutes today that I am alone with her? (She did so over the weekend, just to prove my complaints to my husband wrong.)
- Egg started saying her name on Saturday. It sounds a little bit as if her nose is stuffed up, but it's definitely recognizable.
- Big plans are in the make. Slowly. It involves Knitting and writing patterns.

I leave you with this:

Sleep or no sleep - Haiti doesn't care

2010-01-14T19:44:00.002-05:00

In light of what has happened in Haiti I really shouldn't whine about disturbed night sleep and about a toddler not wanting to nap and being whiny all day long - but that's what's happening in my life, so it's important to me.

It was also important to me to make a donation for the relief effort in Haiti. Though it feels like darn little one can do to help out. Still, it's better than doing nothing. Right? Right!

First FO of 2010 - and lots of irritation

2010-01-09T14:54:00.006-05:00

Gaaah. I'm having a bad day because Egg is having a bad day. She just does not want to nap. And I can tell she's tired, very tired. She's cranky, needy, pick-me-uppy, whiny...It's just - I have no words.

She's also wearing my first FO of 2010 - a dress made from Noro Iro which was a Christmas present.

I don't know how, but she must be aware that I am irritated beyond anything, because after our second try to get her to nap, she came to me and smiled, said 'hello' and tried to give me kisses, all the while not wanting to nap...Gaaah.

ETA at 3.35 p.m.: I might have overreacted. A little bit.

2009 Statistics

2010-01-05T18:13:00.004-05:00

Blog statistics

6 unmoderated comments, discovered today. Yes, dear readers, I'm terribly sorry I didn't check better if someone had left one. Please excuse my sloppiness, I do very much appreciate comments, always! I got some unwanted crap, so I decided to moderate and look what happens...

To answer the questions:

@quinn: yes, it's her first - but most probably not her last.
@KnitandPurlMama: I picked the name Erna, 'cause that's what I secretly called Egg when I was pregnant before I knew she was a girl. Now we have another Erna around.
@lori: Erna didn't come with the sweater, I made it. And Egg was very excited about that. Just as excited as when I made the hat. She does appreciate hand knits.

Knitting statistics

Now to the other statistics, the knitting. Ravelry makes me look prolific, as my friend Melanie assures me. But then she clearly didn't have a closer look at how many childrens' hats I made to pump up the volume...no, not really, that just happened. I do admit though that there were a lot of smaller things I made in 2009, but also a baby blanket, two shawls and some scarves.

Projects begun before but finished in 2009:
- one baby raglan
- a pair of socks
- fingerless mitts for Rolf

That's 3 projects I won't include in the final tally.

Projects begun and finished in 2009:
- 8 baby/toddler tees, vests or shrugs
- 15 baby/toddler/kids sweaters or cardigans
- 11 scarves, cowls etc. (some lace)
- 2 lace shawls
- 7 pairs of baby/kids shoes or socks
- 1 pair of socks (OMG, just one pair?)
- 1 baby blanket
- 12 kids hats
- 2 hats
- 1 doll hat
- 1 doll sweater
- 1 kids tie
- 1 kids scarf
- 1 kids skirt

That's 64 projects, 1.23 projects a week. I was a bit stumped by the amount, I don't think I ever knit that much in one year.
Now I'm under pressure to make at least one more this year (which is, I can safely assume, not going to happen).

Happy 2010!

2010-01-01T12:31:00.004-05:00

Egg and I wish you all a Happy New Year, may it be a good one for all of us!

(That's Egg last night having indulged in Orange Crush. She enjoyed it.)

St. Nikolaus

2009-12-06T18:22:00.004-05:00

December 6th is "Nikolaus" day in Germany. You put your boots out and if you were a good kid during the year, Nikolaus will leave some goodies in them. (Yes, I know it sounds a lot like Santa Claus, this is confusing. But Germans don't have Santa for Christmas, we have the "Christkind" who leaves the presents.)

So Egg got a little gift, too. She loves it. She's been pushing around Erna for the whole afternoon.

Ever once in a while she leans over or squats and talks to her doll, only to get up and going again. It's too cute.

On growing but not outgrowing

2009-11-27T11:19:00.008-05:00

Egg has been growing like a weed - at least in my opinion. I mean, in one year she managed to add 30 cm to her height and put on about 8.5 kg of weight. So one would expect that she outgrows her clothes in no time, right?

Well, most she does, some she didn't. I wanted to put some knits away I had made at the beginning of the year and just for fun put them on her once more. And, don't you know it, they still fit without looking outgrown. I know they had been too big when I made them, but I never expected them to kinda grow with her. So if you want to knit for a baby and make sure to get ~~some~~ a lot of use out of what you worked hard on, try one of these (pattern to come soon):

The Tapestry Tee:

January 2009

November 2009

The Velvet Yoke:

February 2009

November 2009

I been busy

2009-11-22T16:56:00.005-05:00

With life. You know how it goes.

With knitting. Small things for small people.

~~With working.~~ Now, that's a lie. Though, it depends on what one calls 'work'. So maybe not.

Here are some of my favourite FO's:

The "Lili Kimono" - I think Egg just looks übercute in it. Two balls of Diakeito Diamusee Fine I had in my stash did the trick. I'm working on the pattern. The sample knitter is already waiting for it. And there will be a vest version, also.

This is the "Shishiza Cardigan" - it was a gift for my nephew's first birthday. It's worked from yarn from my stash.

This scarf is inspired by the "Baktus Scarf" - I modified it and as you can see it looks great as a head scarf also! This one is Malabrigo Worsted. What can I say, it's just the perfect pink.

The "Purpleneck" - Egg can totally grow into this sweater. Lorna's Laces DK Swirl Blackberry. Love it.

And, last but not least and only finished yesterday (sewing on the darn flowers!): "Flower Power". It's also large so Egg can wear it for a long while. (First thing she did was try to pick off the flowers...) It's made from Noro Kureyon Sock yarn. Who else could get away with colour combinations like that??

A very happy 1st!!

2009-09-30T09:07:00.005-04:00

Egg turns one today. Seriously. Where does the time go? We've had a wonderful year, she's a delight and the best kid ever as her Daddy likes to point out.

Happy Birthday, my lovely, beautiful daughter!!

Good Bye, Johnny Castle

2009-09-15T08:24:00.003-04:00

Patrick Swayze passed away.

"Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

And that's all I have to say to this.

Whirligig Shrug

2009-09-14T06:48:00.005-04:00

Saturday Egg and I spent the day at the Roxham Woolgathering with some friends. More about that tomorrow. Today it's about the Whirligig Shrug from Interweave Knits Weekend that I finished after we came home from said Woolgathering. I had started it Friday afternoon.

It's a sweet little knit and I didn't think I would like it that much, but I do! And Egg looks really cute in it. I used Reynolds Odyssey, a 100% merino yarn in variegated reds. It took only 86 grams (about 200 yds) for the 12-18 months size, so it is the perfect project for leftovers I dare say. Come to think of it, why not hand spun??

Are you fed up yet with Egg pictures?

Thanks for your good wishes - the toe is on the mend. Today it's already much better!

Toe Woe

2009-09-13T16:52:00.005-04:00

It looks like I'm on house arrest. Today I stepped on one of Egg's toys and one of my toes on my right foot got tangled in it, gave way and broke.

OUCH.

It stuck out in an awkward angle and hurt - after the initial adrenaline shock wore off. Once Rolf was home from his soccer game we went to an emergency clinic, where we spent the afternoon (I didn't bring any knitting, big idiot that I am!) waiting for x-rays and a doctor who said about my toe that "it is broken and crooked. I can yank on it to make it more straight but otherwise there's not much I can do." I let him yank.

OUCH! No, seriously, OUCH!!

Now the broken toe and the one next to it are taped together and I took some pain killers and won't be able to go out much for the next, say two or three weeks for sure.

OUCH.

Egg Vogue

2009-09-07T17:58:00.016-04:00

Egg likes to be informed about what goes on in the fashion world.

That's a beautiful coat! That colour would look fabulous on me!

Those gap boys are fer sure goodlookin'.

Ellen's doin' a commercial!

Oh, Manolo, I wish they came in my size!

When she was bored with perusing, she ripped out what she really, really liked:

Yes, it's the Manolo Blahniks.

And the Ugg ad. I'm sure it was the knitted item on every single page (as our friend Todd pointed out, I hadn't realized it before) and not the boots that caught her attention.

More than one year later

2009-09-05T12:30:00.005-04:00

Remember last Summer when I was put on bed rest when pregnant? Some of that time was spent in the Hospital, which was no fun at all. While being there Mary and Molly Ann brought me two skeins of Schaefer Anne, which is one of my all time favourite sock yarns. They even brought me a set of dpns to get knitting. Problem was, I didn't feel like knitting socks.

So after looking through some pattern books which Rolf brought me I cast on for what I thought a small cardigan. I had to think of that baby in my belly a lot, after all. It turned out a bit large, I thought Egg might be able to wear it in Spring, but it is only now that it fits. I didn't use the whole skein, and it's quite loosely knit on a 3.5 mm needle. The body is a lace pattern and the sleeves have garter ridges, that can be found in the raglan decreases also.

Here, have look again:

Calling Oma?

2009-09-02T10:57:00.006-04:00

Egg never ceases to amaze me. She's not keen on 'talking' on the phone, she'll listen politely for about 5 seconds and then she wants to play with the phone and push buttons. I did not think she grasps the concept, yet.

Imagine my surprise when I found her on her own phone, babbling away and having fun? That was last week.

Every day there's something new she can do, sometimes we have a whole day of discoveries: Friday she stood for about 10 seconds on her own, she climbed stairs (I never showed her how!) and she phoned people all afternoon.

The night from Monday to Tuesday was rough. She woke up at 10 p.m. and just wouldn't go back to sleep, just sit in her bed and talk to herself, play and undress (yes, another thing she can do now!). I could tell she was tired, but she was up and about until 1.30 a.m. Then she fell asleep and stayed that way. I had no idea why until last night when I by chance spotted something white on her gum - she's sprouted a molar!! I never would have known, since except for not wanting to sleep she showed no sign of distress or pain. Haven't I the bestest kid ever??

We're off now to Mommy and Baby knitting - maybe I'll get to knit a couple of stitches, maybe not.

That's my girl!!

2009-09-01T14:56:00.005-04:00

Egg 'found' some 3.5 mm circs this morning and I caught her clicking the needles together. Here she is with a bit more kid friendly (well, I'm trying) 8 mm:

Please excuse the bad quality, I'm still figuring out this youtube thing - and the heavy breathing, that would be me...(yikes!)

We're still knitting

2009-08-31T08:56:00.003-04:00

This is "Evangeline", a cardi knit in bulky yarn with a leaf pattern edge. It knits up real quick, I did it in two days.

Egg likes it, too.

Find the download link for the free pattern in the sidebar. Or click here.

Kid in a Box*

2009-08-30T10:51:00.005-04:00

*Some assembly required. Batteries not included.

There's a new book in town

2009-08-27T15:08:00.000-04:00

The Joy of Sox. I have a pattern in it. It's called Royal Flush and there are twisted stitches involved. Hope you like!

The youngest Kaffe Fassett Fan ever?

2009-08-26T08:49:00.000-04:00

Let's see, what do we have here?

Boy, what a nice quilt!

I wish I was big so I could make this!

I gotta have a closer look!

Brotherly socks

2009-08-25T17:26:00.002-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I met a pair of brothers at a party. I don't really know how old these kids are, but when the older one saw me knitting on a sock he asked what I was doing. "I'm knitting a sock." I said. Now, I would have expected anything as a second remark but "can you make me some, too?". Apparently he liked what he saw and thought it appropriate to order a pair for himself (pink and blue, who'da thunk?) and for his brother (green and red). He kinda expected me to start right away, I think, 'cause he kept asking if I had more yarn in my bag. Talk about enthusiasm!

Armed with the necessary information (shoe size?) and after digging through my stash (I actually considered for a teensy weensy moment buying that perfect shade of pink) I cast on and knit away. Blue socks with pink stripes- as seen in picture - and green socks with red stripes, yet to be started. I hope they'll please the recipients once they are done.

In which I realize that...

2009-08-23T19:10:00.005-04:00

...my daughter is wearing a gross and really dirty bib. Ah, well.

But she knows how to handle her spoon!

Stok(k)ed!

2009-08-21T20:00:00.006-04:00

About a Tripp Trapp chair from "Stokke". Egg loves it too. Ours was bought in Germany, though, by Egg's Opa. That means I have the European version of the baby set. Otherwise it's of course the same.

May 2009:

July 8, 2009:

Egg kept ripping off the orange cover for the back, so it went.

Today:

Yes, she insists on feeding herself. And, apart from the mess, she's not half bad at it.

Hey you!

2009-08-20T08:45:00.003-04:00

Stop taking pictures! Yes, I mean you, Mommy!!

Egg has learned to point with her finger. She does it all the time now. She also waves bye bye - when she feels like it.

In the meantime I'm working on the re-release of my patterns previously published in Interweave Knits. Hooray, I get to knit all of the samples again...

I am also excited about my first knit night tonight in a loong while! Egg is staying home with her daddy and I get to go out and knit, I mean, really knit! And talk. Without the distraction of constantly having to rescue wares in the shop and other babies. Me time. Yay!

Hmmmmm....?

2009-08-18T14:49:00.001-04:00

Elle USA

Elle Canada

It's like this game you play where you have to find the 10 discrepancies in the two pictures.

Hmmmm.

Last Wednesday at Mommy and Baby Knitting...

2009-08-17T10:01:00.004-04:00

Here are the best action shots:

Adorable, aren't they?

'Told you so!

2009-08-16T14:10:00.005-04:00

My daughter and I had an argument - we often do, almost every day. The topic is: "to nap or not to nap". She apparently thinks she can do without napping, I, on the other hand, am convinced that napping is very beneficial to her.

She usually falls asleep while nursing, and it works (mostly) well. Now, it's been very hot the last couple of days and she just wouldn't. This afternoon after two failed attempts she was sitting on the floor so tired she almost keeled over. So - hard hearted Mommy that I am - put her in her bed without nursing and awake (gasp!). There was some wailing, some "mamamamamaaa" going on but after five minutes it was suspiciously quiet. Don't you know it, she was out like a light. Mind you, it doesn't work all the time, and I prefer her going to sleep happily, but I'm glad she's napping for now!

The heat is slowly but surely driving me insane (ah well, not far to go anyways) and it's not even been a hot summer so far...

I finished some knitting for Egg. For some unfathomable reason she likes my knitting and also playing with it, so here's her first knitted blankie:

The "Moderne Baby Blanket" from Mason Dixon Knitting. Lots of garter, soothing to the tortured soul. Sometimes. Other times it is torture.

Egg says "hi" - here she is today before her oh so needed nap:

Kamouraska

2009-07-19T12:02:00.010-04:00

I am very pleased to announce that I have a pattern for sale!

“Where the rushes grow on the edge of the water” - that’s how the Natives named the place in Québec, famous for the novel of the same name by Anne Hébert and even now called one of the most beautiful villages in the province.

Left and right of the small pattern rivulet in the middle of this shawl, the leafy pattern – while not exactly rushes - ‘grows’ row by row into the triangles that will envelop your shoulders and keep them warm. I deliberately did without a scalloped edge and finished with a picot bind-off since I do like to wear my shawls as scarves – they get scrunched up and worn in damp weather, and there is nothing more futile than a lovingly blocked scalloped edge that gets rained or snowed upon.

The pattern includes instructions for the lace weight version as well as the fingering weight version. I used my hand spun lace weight but any lace weight yarn with 640 yds or more is enough to knit the smaller version. For the larger version I used two balls of Silk Garden Sock yarn, about 600 yds.

Measurements, approximately:
smaller version 58” (from tip to tip)x22”
larger version 70” (from tip to tip)x26”

You can buy the pattern as direct download in my ravelry store if you feel so inclined, or click on the 'add to cart' button on the sidebar and pay by Paypal. I'll send you an email with the pfd of the pattern after payment is received.

Many thanks to Mary and Jessie for playing model and allowing me to take pictures!

Mommy look what Daddy taught me!

2009-06-12T12:09:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, Thursday June 11th:

This is how I found Egg after leaving the room to wash my hands. I'm not entirely sure if she's crying because she doesn't want to be in her crib or because she's freaked out that she actually stood up all on her own and now clings to the railing for dear life. And yes, her Daddy taught her, he told me so.

Today, Friday June 12th:

Of course her Daddy lowered the mattress right away, and today she's not freaked out anymore. This seems to become a daily occurrence in our house now.

Nadine: See what she's wearing?

Oh Boy, oh Boy

2009-06-08T14:13:00.004-04:00

I don't believe the calendar says June 8th. It's lying. It just cannot be.

Though I do have some knitting, spinning and Baby to show you. Egg is doing wonderfully, she's got four teeth, she almost crawls, and she knows how to whistle on a little toy. If it takes her too long to actually whistle, she makes the noise as if. It's too funny.

The knitting and spinning can be found on Ravelry, where I dutifully report everything I'm up to. That's probably why the blog falls short! I'm sorry about that and will try to do better.

Yes, she's Canadian, but...

2009-04-21T11:03:00.007-04:00

And that's what you get when the relatives get silly!

We have been in Germany for 10 days now and as ever, the big picture is pretty much the same, but boy, little things change.

The climate hasn't been kind to me, first I got my allergies back and then a cold with a vengeance. And a cough. I so despise coughs. (Especially when you can't take much because of nursing...) But the weather has been great.

Egg didn't take too well to the time difference, sleep at night is still a bit touch and go. Otherwise she's charmed everyone, of course. Grandma is deeply in love with her.

Prezzies!

2009-04-08T18:20:00.002-04:00

To everyone who left birthday wishes: Thanks much, they are appreciated!

I have gotten a couple of packages in the mail, one wasn't a birthday gift per se but very welcome in my 'birthday season' (as Nadine likes to call it) nonetheless.

First up a book I was drooling over at amazon and it was lingering in my shopping cart for a long while, but now Stephanie (that Stephanie!) sent me her book personally, which I am so thankful for because the patterns are just b e a u t i f u l! I want to knit almost all of them!

She even signed the book and included some sock yarn from Tausendschön - colourway "Pfingstrose". Now I just have to find the perfect pattern for it.

There were also not one

but two cardis for Egg, and socks! Samples from one of her other books - she's a very prolific designer!

Danke schön, liebe Steffi!!

Nadine sent me birthday gifts:

Yarn!

Ink! Colourway 'Avocado'. She and I have a thing about inks with 'edible names'. Apparently those are the only colours we really like.

Sweets - Torrone and Bonbons.

Cute little labels to put in my knitting - or elsewhere if I feel like it.

A notebook for my ideas. (If I ever have them again.)

And felted beads. I'm sure I'll find something to do with them.

Thank you so much, my dear!

And, last but not least, here's a gratuitous shot of Egg and I at ariadne today. We went there after her 6 month check up (she got a shot and didn't cry!) and we learned that she weighs 8.140 grams and measures 64 cm (which I don't believe, when we measure her at home we get at least 69 cm!!).

Walking on Sunshine

2009-04-02T20:35:00.009-04:00

Today was such beautiful weather so Egg and I took a walk.

She enjoyed it immensely. Sitting in the stroller she babbled along, while I pushed her down Sherbrooke Street.

I also finished 'Brown Eggs' - the sweater is yet too big, but that was intended. I hope it'll fit next fall.

She's my Supermodel - look at the pose!

And, in case you wondered: we have a new camera! Taking pictures is suddenly a breeze...

Do you think she minds?

2009-03-27T09:26:00.005-04:00

Egg is such a good sport. Look what her father did to her:

It might be because she doesn't know she's wearing pants on her head - and of course I'm only posting the picture because you can see her TEETH!

I've been spinning. In more than one way - but mostly making yarn.

Spun from Spunky Eclectic Merino roving, colourway 'Grand Opening 2007'.

Teeth and cereal

2009-03-21T10:32:00.005-04:00

Egg has two teeth now. So far they don't interfere with nursing much - though a couple of times I got to feel them already. For anyone who's interested: it's the lower incisors that have grown in.

Dear Egg has been very good during her teething hour, she was only a bit cranky and kept me up a couple of nights till 1.30 a.m. or so. She has also started to eat rice cereal. There was no learning curve at all, she opened her mouth at sight of the spoon and swallowed without a problem. Now she's very excited whenever the little bowl comes in sight - oh, more food! Yay!

Also, I have no idea how she does it, but she keeps moving around on the floor. I put her down to play and while I'm on the phone she does this:

Egg the destroyer.

Or this:

(No, I don't know what that white stuff in my picture is. I think we need a new camera.)

Oh boy, can't wait till she's crawling....

So...

2009-03-17T13:59:00.001-04:00

...if you can feel it but not see it - it's still a tooth, isn't it?

Velvet Yoke

2009-02-18T15:18:00.007-05:00

Hi there, Egg here.

My Mom finished some knitting some time ago, and now she makes me show it off. It was fun for a while.

See, looking cute and all.

Then she wouldn't stop.

One picture after another. I told her I had enough.

Mom, you irk me. This is irksome. I'm leaving.

Passport

2009-01-17T13:50:00.006-05:00

We are going to apply for a passport for our future world traveller. Here's the picture that's going to be in it. (I find it hilarious that Canadian babies actually require a picture in their passports.)

No comment.

NOT a New Year's resolution

2009-01-10T09:46:00.001-05:00

I'm running a bit out of steam. After posting so many pictures of Egg and my knitting, I feel like I need to do something different. Though I have to say that I can't get enough of taking pictures of Egg and seeing her wear what I made.

I think 2009 is going to be a stash busting year. I had a good start already with all the projects for Egg using gifted yarn and I have some more planned using small amounts of stash yarn. All those two or three (or more) balls that I never knew what to do with. You might get bored with yet another sweater knit in the round. Thing is, with knitting so small I prefer having as few seams as possible, and if I wasn't so lazy I would graft the underarm seams instead of binding off and sewing them up later, as it is I cannot be bothered with putting the stitches on holders.

Having said all that, who knows, I might stumble across some absolutely fabulous yarn tomorrow and throw all my good (?) intentions over board. (Noro Cashmere Island. Want. It. Bad. Hmmm, Cashmere!!)

Time flies

2009-01-09T08:08:00.001-05:00

And, when meticulously taken care of, knitted things don't shrink. Or do they?

You tell me.

Coulda Shoulda Woulda

2009-01-08T08:07:00.005-05:00

When I started this little project I shoulda contemplated the yardage and size a bit longer - I probably woulda figured that the yarn lasts further than I imagined and then I coulda knit the sleeves long to begin with. As it is, I decided to knit kind of 3/4 sleeves - which, as it turns out, look a bit funny on a three month old. Alas, as Robbie Williams says: No regrets, they don't work.

I present to you the "Fire Tee".

Like the cat?

No puke on this one yet, but Egg wore it only for taking the pictures.

It took less than two skeins of Rabbit Ridge Designs Superwash DK wool, colorway Fire. (Ravelry link)

Tapestry Tee

2009-01-07T13:08:00.009-05:00

Two balls of Rowan Tapestry can make a cute little layering piece for Baby.

It's a bit large yet, Egg looks like a linebacker. I figure the size is more 6-9 months.

Egg likes it. She showed her appreciation by puking on the new piece about five minutes after I put it on her.

It's a fun little knit, all in one piece with little finishing work. Once I get the time I'll write down the pattern.

Look what I can do! (The many faces of Egg, part 2)

2009-01-04T09:14:00.001-05:00

Weeks ago Egg discovered her tongue - she liked sticking it out. She's pretty much stopped doing that, maybe the novelty wore off. But just because it's so much fun, here's another pic.

Now she's into toys. She can grab them and gnaw on them, her coordination gets better from day to day. She's still not into her soother, mostly I trick her into taking it when she's half asleep. Doesn't do much good, though. One time she's taken it out with her hands and stuck it back in (only to pop it out with her tongue), which is amazing since her coordination is of course not that sophisticated yet.

I kind of had forgotten how much fun it was to play dress up doll. It's even more fun with Egg! Here she's wearing her little pinafore I made before she was born. Somehow I can't believe it already fits.

BTW, still think she looks like me? She looks like her Daddy a lot, too.

Even though she wears pink (I know, pink!) a lot, I get asked often if she's a 'boy or girl'.

Girl, definitely!!

Well, sometimes it's a bit dubious, I admit.

Especially when she wears her new raglan. But the pink teether ring should be a tip off!!

Or maybe I just put it with the pinafore, as intended:

There's knitting to be had

2009-01-03T11:58:00.009-05:00

Yes, indeed I have been knitting. Yesterday I even figured out a way to nurse and knit at the same time. (No, I'm sure you don't want to know the particulars but there was a pillow and a ball of yarn involved.) It's easier now that Egg is a bit older.

I made fingerless mitts for Nadine. They are made of a fluffy, very light yarn from a company I forgot and I can't find the ball bands. One ball is 25 grams, I got two in different colours and have about 10 g left of each. The yardage of this yarn is unbelieveable.

I knit a pair of socks for her, too. (Nadine has small feet. Knitting socks for her is quick and dirty, if you know what I mean.) They are made from Mountain Colors Bearfoot, which is one of my favorites.

There's a cute little boy's sweater with cables. A Christmas gift for a cute little boy I know. It's a pattern from the Reynolds Kids booklet No 82467 for Fall 2008. This one is knit with Adrienne Vittadini "Lisa" (sadly discontinued) but the original calls for Reynolds "Hop Scotch" which is a thick'n thin superwash wool and very soft.

The next picture shows a raglan for Egg in progress, but in reality it's done - it just needs some snap buttons. I'll take a picture of Egg wearing it once they are attached. It's made of Reynolds Cottontail and uses only 3 balls for the 6 month size.

And, my latest adventure: the Tapestry Tee for Egg with the infamous Embossed Leaves pattern. I'm up to the armholes. Let's see how quickly I can finish it.

Oh, and can you see the little heart stitch marker? Isn't that the cutest thing? It's Japanese and comes in a package with three different sizes. I couldn't resist.

The many faces of Egg, part 1

2009-01-02T13:24:00.000-05:00

Happy 2009 everyone!

It's cold here in Montreal. I'm always worried when we go out and take Egg along, that she'll be freezing in no time. So far she hasn't, though!

To keep everyone amused, here are some new pictures.

When Egg does this:

I get to knit. Which doesn't happen all that often, really. But I manage to sneak in some minutes here and there. As much as I can and dare!

She usually smiles when she wakes up. Even in the morning.

Where's my tiny baby?

2008-12-04T09:30:00.006-05:00

My, would you believe it? Egg has grown to 56.5 cm (22.25") and weighs 5.160 grams (11.38 pounds) now. She's outgrown a number of her clothes and wears 3-6 mos sizes already. She also has a knack for pooping on the outfits I like best on her about 5 minutes after I put them on - while the other ones stay pristine (well, some regurgitating might occur) for a day or two.

I have caught a cold and felt like mush when it was time to go to her 2 months doctor's appointment. I was also dreading the shots she got, so Rolf took her on his own, and yes, she screamed like a banshee - Rolf said he'd never heard her that loud, and that's a feat in itself, since we know she can be noisy. In the meantime I wish I could down some Benilyn-all-in-one, but alas, nursing prevents me from feeling like a Mensch anytime soon. I have also developed a cough - I hate coughs.

All in all it is a good sign that all the whining is about a flu-like state and not the baby, who is at this moment looking angelic sleeping in her bassinet.

One more thing: Egg has started to utter noises, and there's one in particular that sounds like "uh oh" and the fun thing is that she does it all the time in several variations. It's almost like having a conversation with her when it coincidentally fits the situation.

Egg in yellow

2008-11-20T11:43:00.004-05:00

Remember what Sharon knit for Egg?

And I made the socks. They just fit. My first attempt from when she wasn't born yet was too small! Egg has huge feet (and hands, too!). I used some of the left over Schaefer Anne from this cardi.

Pretty in pink

2008-11-14T10:34:00.000-05:00

How can I not put her in pink when she looks so cutieful in it?

7 hours

2008-11-08T10:50:00.001-05:00

I suspect that as soon as I announce it to the world, my daughter will snap out of her wonderful sleep pattern and keep me up all night. Which, to be honest, she has done more than once in her short life. But the nights where she sleeps 5-7 hours in a row (anytime between 12-2 a.m. to around 7-7.30ish, after Summer Savings Time ended she woke promptly at 6-6.30ish) are in the majority, and last night she slept from 12.30 a.m. to 7.30 this morning. To be able to sleep that long she needs to nurse a lot in the evening, and that means a lot of Mommy-time and being cranky (meaning breaking out in a howling fit, as my fellow knit night attendees can confirm) when she's not feeding. But I'll take that anytime in return for a fitful sleep - wouldn't you?

She's also started to smile back and "talk" to us - though I haven't managed to catch a smile on camera. What I have managed is to sneak in some knitting time, a couple of stitches in a row are doable, but not much more. Just enough to finish a pair of socks for Egg I yet have to photograph.

She just hates it!

2008-10-29T11:02:00.006-04:00

Egg is not a fan of being strapped into her car seat. See for yourself. It doesn't just look like she's howling, she definitely made some noise. And she can be loud!

I can't get over this suit. It was a gift from my husbands colleague Louis and students Monica and Carolin. I have to smile every time I look at Egg wearing it.

Can you believe that she is already one month old?

This one is for Katherine

2008-10-13T18:09:00.008-04:00

It's a bit too big on her yet, but she looks cute as a button in your knitting!

I'm no better than other new Moms!

2008-10-07T11:46:00.009-04:00

Yes, this is going to be one of these blogs for a while - apart from the fact that I have no knitting to show, I find pictures of my brand new daughter so much more enticing.

Egg in the hospital. Almost time to go home!

Egg is two days home - and I'm TIRED.

We're slowly getting used to each other.

To everyone who left a comment or send an e-mail, thank you so much for your kindness!

Meet Egg!!

2008-10-03T10:45:00.001-04:00

Our days are a bit scrambled since her arrival, but it'll be sunny side up soon enough!! (She chooses to sleep during the day and be awake during the night...) She's of course beautiful and the best baby ever!!!

Here she is - freshly hatched:

She was born on September 30th at 9.35 p.m., 11 hours after getting induced. I reacted very well to the Cervidil, had contractions early (after an hour they started, which is very rare) and it took 1.5 hours of pushing to get her out.

She's 50 cm (20") tall, and weighed 3,635 grams (almost exactly 8 pounds) at birth.

That'll be the day?

2008-09-30T07:45:00.000-04:00

...and we're off to the hospital to be induced!

Where's the baby?

2008-09-29T14:25:00.003-04:00

(Even my UPS man has asked already...)

Well, after an appointment at the Hospital this morning we know that

- she's about 8 pounds 14 oz (4039 grams)
- she's about 22" tall (54 cm)
- everything looks fine
- labor can start any minute, says the doctor (ha, I've been thinking that for days now)
- I'm going to be induced, but the birthing center is back logged, so that most probably won't happen before tomorrow

And the baby of the ticker apparently had enough and went away! (Understandable. I was asked today if I liked being pregnant. Up to a certain point I did, now I'm just dragging through the day, 'enjoying' swollen feet and hands and, and, and...)

In the meantime

2008-09-28T11:12:00.002-04:00

I want to show you some more gifts Egg has received:

Jessie knit a Baby Surprise Jacket - and used a mix of her hand spun and other yarn. I think that's very special!

Melanie made a hat and mittens - look how cute!

Thanks again, ladies!

I also finished a little something:

It's the pinafore from the new fall Reynolds Kids book with 20 designs (#82467).

Up the number goes

2008-09-25T18:50:00.004-04:00

The baby-ticker is counting upwards again, I think that's funny - albeit appropriate.

What's up, Doc?

2008-09-24T09:56:00.004-04:00

We have a doctor's appointment in about an hour - and I'm wondering what he is going to tell me.

We're at ETA plus 3, and all I want is to have my Baby! (I bet every woman who has been through this can relate! Please, don't tell me otherwise!)

Edited to add: There is a note "Big Baby" in my chart. I had a quick ultrasound today and the doctor estimates her at 3.800 grams (8.4 pounds). We also had a Non-Stress-Test and apparently she's as not stressed as babies can be. Again, everything is fine, she just has to make up her mind and come out!

Due-bee doo bee doo

2008-09-21T17:42:00.003-04:00

Nope, nothing yet. With my original due date almost gone, I'm not expecting anything anymore - except for a stubborn daughter, that is.

The next doctor's appointment is Wednesday. Wanna bet if I'll make it?

(And, yes, it doesn't only seem so, I think I'm loosing it soon. I'm quite fed up.)

Ladeeda, fiddledeedee

2008-09-19T10:44:00.005-04:00

Two days left.

I have been more active in the last three days than in a long time, I walked a lot, took bus and metro rides (a metro ride when pregnant big time and having to stand because people ignore your belly is not recommendable but very uncomfortable), went clothes shopping with my Mom...and, NOTHING happened so far!

I guess my Egg is not cooked yet. (The good doctor told me on Tuesday if she was born right away she'd be about 3.500 to 3.600 grams, which is 7 pounds and 7-9 ounces, that means that if she arrives next week she'll be definitely more than 8 pounds.)

That's all the news I have for today.

Are you tired yet?

2008-09-15T11:11:00.003-04:00

Of my counting down? Guess how I feel! I'm so ready to go, but Egg seems really comfortable where she is and not in a hurry.

Six days to the original due date. Seems I'm going to make it after all...

One last hurrah

2008-09-12T11:07:00.000-04:00

We're in count down mode, 9 days to go - and I still don't think I'm going to make it to the actual due date.

Last week I wanted to attend my 'last' knit nights - one on Wednesday in NDG and one on Thursday at ariadne. I only made it to ariadne, since I had what I assume 'false labor' Wednesday evening and all through the night. While not really painful it was very distracting so I didn't go knitting. Thursday morning came and it finally stopped, so I did go to ariadne.

Egg received lovely gifts from very thoughtful friends, look:

Danica gave me this fabulous skirt and look at these shoes! Adorable. (Judging from my shoe size I figure Egg will wear the shoes way before the skirt...)

Sharon gifted Egg with the "Oolong Baby Cardi" - she actually used the pattern of the Oolong socks (how cool is that?) to fabricate this lovely little number:

Robyn had brought me also a gift on Wednesday afternoon - one can never have enough onesies, right? She adorned the white one with a bug herself, cute eh?

Thank you so much, ladies, all of the gifts are appreciated and will be treasured!

Just in case you were wondering

2008-09-02T10:48:00.004-04:00

I took a picture yesterday. Not a very good one, but it shows my belly at 37+1. I feel like I am going to explode any minute.

No contractions yet and it doesn't seem like she wants to 'drop' anytime soon. She's too busy kicking.

To my commenters a hearty thank you - you're all so considerate!

Ed. to add: "Everything looks perfect!" says the good doctor - and who doesn't like to hear that? And, contrary to my believe, Egg did come down a bit, and she lies exactly in the position you want her to be in!

Tick tock

2008-09-01T10:21:00.003-04:00

Today the ticker says "20". Less than three weeks to go. I'm in a schizophrenic state - happy on the one hand that we'll be able to welcome Egg into the world soon, stressed and anxious about giving birth on the other.

I'm trying to take it one day at a time - what else can I do?

How to spoil your firstborn (once she is born)

2008-08-28T17:41:00.000-04:00

Knit hat from 100% cashmere from Zen Yarn Garden in colourway Peaches'n Cream. Put on when bringing her home from the hospital.

(At least that's what I plan to do!)

Or: put this adorable onesie on her, courtesy of Nadine. I fear it might be a tad big for now, but not for long, I'm sure.

I know, I know. My daughter will be recognized by all Montreal knitters who know me and my colour preferences.

Heads up down

2008-08-12T18:30:00.004-04:00

I had a very satisfying doctor's appointment today - my bed rest is rescinded and I'm supposed to walk 45 minutes a day. I wonder if shopping for baby counts as walking?

A bit more than a week ago I had the feeling that something is happening in my now quite big belly - the movements felt different and two days ago I thought there was a foot sticking out right under my rib cage. Turns out I was right and Egg is now positioned with her head down. That's textbook timing, couldn't be better. She's lying with her back towards my back, that means I can feel her movements a lot and the chance of a limb sticking out is quite big.

Can I just say it again: No more bed rest!!

Time to fess up

2008-08-06T14:12:00.004-04:00

Christy V. wants to know how I came up with the name "Oolong" for the socks in the current Twist collective edition.

Well, dare I say it, I did not. At the time of name giving I was very troubled with pregnancy woes, so I couldn't care less about the name of a pair of socks. Clever Julia though found exactly what I would have wished for, so Christy and you all have to thank her for the naming of the pattern and I'll be forever thankful that she thought of such a wonderful name.

32 + 4

2008-07-31T14:22:00.004-04:00

That's how far along I am today. Literature says that Egg can get hiccups now, and she does! I can certainly feel it, and sometimes I can see it, too. It's fascinating. I'm still on bed rest, but the good doctor said once I am at full 34 weeks that can be amended, since then it's alright if I should have her early. I can't wait! I still don't have a stroller, car seat (most important at the moment), and some or other little things I wanted to buy and couldn't.

As I said, I have been knitting. This is the Lacy Cardigan from the Spring 2008 Reynolds kids book "Best Friends: 14 Designs to knit for Children and Dolls" (#82451): I didn't use the recommended yarn, but some or other alpaca mix from my stash.

This is knit from less than a skein of Schaefer Anne (a very special gift, I might add). When I started it I didn't have a measuring tape to get gauge so I guessed the size, and it turned out big. Way big. Egg will grow into it, I'm sure. Next spring it'll be just perfect. There is no pattern, since I made it up as I went along.

There's one more thing in the make, but I haven't finished sewing it up yet.

Time-out

2008-07-14T13:45:00.006-04:00

It's been a long month. Though looking at the calendar I cannot believe it's July 14th.

The good doctor put Egg and me on a time-out (i.e. bed rest) to make sure everything goes well until she's due. Please do not ask why, I have debated putting the info out there, but think it only fair to explain my absence from, well, EVERYTHING. I'll say it has been a stressful four weeks, and I'm happy to report that I feel better now. Egg is doing just fine, she's growing accordingly to what she's supposed to, my belly is also getting bigger - and I can SEE her move.

I have put in some knitting time during the past weeks, so there are things to show, but I have to take pictures first. Let's see how long that's going to take me...

To everyone who left a lovely comment on my sweaters, I thank you much!

TNNA from afar

2008-06-08T13:24:00.001-04:00

Frack, it's hot here in Montreal! I'm melting...my feet and hands are swollen, my fingers resemble sausages and feel uncomfortably stiff. Yikes.

TNNA is going on in Columbus and that's when the Fall 2008 lines are presented. I wish I could join the crowd, there's always so many interesting things to discover. New yarns, new books, designers, authors, just anything and anyone you might want to see.

Since I cannot be at TNNA myself, I'm going to show you two of my designs for Fall 08 here:

This one is knit in one of Reynolds' new yarns, called "Cricket" - it's a 48% wool/52% viscose mix in a DK weight. I enjoyed knitting with it very much! There's waist and bust shaping going on, the sleeve is set in and the little tie just finishes it off nicely, don't you think?

This sweater is of course knit in Reynolds "Whiskey" - I just love "Whiskey"! We have two new colors this fall - an emerald green and a cream white. The lower part of the A-line sweater is a knit and purl pattern, and around the bust I used a two color garter slip stitch pattern.

And now for something completely different

2008-06-07T13:24:00.003-04:00

When Ted asked me last November if I was up for a "Fiber to Scarf" exchange, I wasn't sure. When he told me there would be 6 months time to finish the project, I thought "what the heck, I can do that!". Mind you, I only had learned to spin two months earlier, and since I don't have a wheel I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

As a side note: I suck at organized knitting events. As much as I have been tempted to join "Socktober" and "Project Spectrum" (and did) I never managed to produce anything worthwhile in the set parameters. I figure I have my own rhythm and just don't want to be told what to do when.

Ted was very considerate in how to choose the fiber he would sent to the participants, and even worried it would cause problems for the not so experienced spinner. (If he knew me better, he'd be aware that there's nothing but a challenge like that to keep me on my toes!) Here's what he said in his email: "The fiber I was going to assign you is a Border Leicester / Mohair blend. I've had it out and played with it to see how it drafts (no problems) and the colours (hand-dyed) are really nice. But, Border Leicester is a "strong" wool, which means you won't be able to spin this into a fine yarn. It would make a great 2ply worsted or heavier yarn. You might get it down to a DK, but I'm doubtful."

When I got the fiber at the beginning of January, I unpacked it and just played around with it, trying to draft. Alright, I thought, this IS different from what I have worked with so far, the drafting wasn't as easy and, as Ted said, spinning finely could be a problem.

At the end of January Ted inquired about 'how the spinning was going'. Uhm, in my case not at all. I had so much work (knitting samples) that spinning was just out of the question.

In March he asked again, and again, no spinning from me. (At this point I was worried that he might think I was a bad choice for his little project.)

Early April I received the message that MY scarf was done, and please to contact my spinner/knitter for my address. I felt I better get crackin' on the spinning, eh?

I received a package with 8 oz. of 50/50 Border Leicester/Mohair blend, colorway "Priscilla Alden" from Black Bunny Fibers. There were two halves, both of them with lots of blues and pinks and fuchsia, but one had a bit of a warmer tone to it, with some peachy orange and lighter turquoise. I decided to spin each half separately and ply them together, so the whole batch would be a mix of the warmer and cooler shades.

I can't remember the actual timeline, but once I got used to the mohair in the fiber, spinning wasn't a problem. And, I am not sure, I think it was a heavy DK or light worsted weight (since I got better in the progress, the later spun single might have been a bit thinner...) after I was done plying.

Apparently I suck at documenting my work, since these are the only two pictures I took of the spinning in progress. By the end of May I was done with knitting (having ripped out half a scarf and restarted since I wasn't happy with the results...) and contacted Ted to find out who my recipient was.

In the end I settled on Jo Sharp's design "Misty Garden" from Scarf Style which contains your basic Feather and Fan pattern and brought out the variegation in the yarn as I had anticipated.

Today I got a message that the scarf arrived safe and sound at Barb's, and - as she had told me before when seeing the picture - that she loved the result. Barb is an accomplished knitter and designer herself, so a compliment from her makes my day.

I received my own scarf in May, I like it a lot. It's very soft and cuddly and I am sure that Duffy's (whom I don't know personally, but she serenaded the Yarn Harlot at a reading of hers, so I would bet she's got a great sense of humor!) work will keep me warm come next winter! She did a great job spinning and knitting up the green merino I got also from Black Bunny Fibers. Apparently Carol's work is well known and loved amongst spinners.

BTW, I didn't experience any of the angst not to do well enough as others have - it didn't even occur to me. What does that tell you about me?

Done in

2008-06-05T17:20:00.001-04:00

Monday I bought some baby clothes. Bodies and pants and something that looks like a sack but it's a long dress with an elastic bottom...Once I started, it was hard to draw the finish line. Except that there was a lot of pink, and that kept me from buying more. (Uhm, yes, I am a big fat hypocrite, I DID buy something pinkish though I said I didn't want pink. I just got sucked in.)

The very first person though to get me something for Egg is my good friend Nadine, who send me this:

It won't fit for a while, but I think it's just so cute! She's kept me in goodies ever since she moved to SanFran - thank you, Nadine!

Then Tuesday the doorbell rang and Canada Post delivered a package from K. What a surprise! I opened it and found this:

Now, I didn't cry when I found out we were pregnant. I didn't when we saw the little heart pucker for the first time, when it was just a dot on the Ultrasound. I didn't shed a tear when I saw Egg grow and now can feel her move. It was just always this feeling of being so very happy and having a silly grin on your face. All of this was just too wonderful to cry over! And believe me, those hormones make you do funny things, like cry over ads on TV, oh yes, been there done that. So you can imagine my surprise when I held this little cardi up and suddenly tears welled up in my eyes and I couldn't stop them.

Thank you, K.!

BTW, it goes very well with Egg's cap of hand spun!