Feb 15, 2017 | DIY, Family, Knitting, Yarn Along |
Joining Ginny and Nicole.
Tuesday marked Sam’s very first Valentine’s Day party, which also meant it was his first time making valentines. I was delighted to receive a note the previous week from his pre-school teacher stating that “store bought cards are perfectly fine and handmade cards are not necessary.” I tend to put pressure on myself to be The Pinterest Mom when it comes to these types of things and so having someone give me a way out was a relief. On Monday my mom and I took the kids out to run errands and we stopped off at Michael’s to pick up some pre-made cards. Much to my dismay, they were almost completely sold out of their card sets, save a few Disney Princess themed boxes, which Sam was not particularly fond of, as you would imagine. We ended up purchasing foam hearts and about $20 worth of stickers, heart-printed washi tape, and new markers for Sam to make his own valentines. I put my foot down when he requested glitter pens. I drove home thinking that the afternoon was going to be terrible because I was sure Sam would tire after making three or four cards and I would be begging him to finish all fifteen of them. Surprisingly, not only did he manage to finish the cards in less than an hour, but he completed them all without stopping or any nagging from me. He carefully selected each sticker and mulled over the placement of every singe piece of tape. He was so intensely focused during the entire process that he barely spoke.
It. Was. So. Cute.
On Tuesday he woke up early and dressed himself, he was so excited. When the classroom attendant walked him to his room, he was practically skipping, swinging his bag of handmade cards by his side. Later that night he told me that he had “the best day ever.” Must have been quite the rager.
I finished my Petty Harbour socks! The texture is so squishy and I love how the color works so well with the pattern. This was my first time trying an afterthought heel. I really liked the entire concept, even though I made a few mistakes along the way. I hate picking up stitches for the gusset after knitting the heel. I always have holes that I have to go back and fix, and the afterthought heel completely eliminates that problem. Plus, it’s nice to not have to stop and knit a heel just when you’re getting the hang of some complicated pattern and you finally feel yourself knitting “on a roll,” so to speak.
The afterthought heel was my January skill, so now I need to learn a second skill for the month of February, per my New Year’s Resolution. I have a pattern that calls for a provincial cast on, which I have never done before. I also discovered My Cup of Tea Socks have giant holes in the heels! Perhaps I should learn to darn? Do any of you have any experience in darning or recommend a tutorial online? I hate to throw the socks away!
Happy Wednesday, friends.
Dec 20, 2016 | DIY, Family, Farm, Knitting, Yarn Along |
Joining Ginny and Nicole.
I have very little to write about regarding these past two weeks. These photos were taken two weeks ago after our first snowfall of the year. It was only a few inches, but it was more than enough for the occasional snowball fight and a few little snowmen. The next day, the plague hit our house. Everyone has been taken ill with some sort of chest cold, sinus cold, fever or cough. As soon as they recover, another cold hits two or three days later. My ears have been clogged for the last week, which I suppose one could argue is not necessarily a bad thing as it helps me drown out the crying, whining and sobbing of the three sick littles. As I sit here and write this, Caleb is asleep upstairs but I can hear him coughing, Sam is sniffing on the couch, and Eddie is laying her feverish head in my lap, only lifting it periodically to sip some orange juice and lick her tiny parched lips. We are a pathetic bunch.
I did finish my Hollows shawl. It’s too big to block here so I brought it over to my parents house to block it in my mother’s knitting studio. I hope to have one of those one day. As you can see from my kitchen table, my creative endeavors have added to the mess and chaos in our house.
I did receive a delightful package from Quince and Co! Phoebe in the colorway Mars for a pair of welted fingerless gloves for a girlfriend and Owl Tweet in the colorways Jay and Russet for a Roar hat for Sam. I’m almost done with the ribbing for Sam’s hat. I don’t know if I will have it done in time for the first night of Chanukah but I should have it done before the last.
I hope everyone is having a good pre-Christmas/Chanukah week.
Merry Christmas. Happy Chanukah. May your holiday be blessed with good health, family, friends, and lots of holiday cookies.
And maybe some new yarn.
Dec 8, 2016 | DIY, Family, Knitting |
Thank you so much for your kind words regarding last week’s post. It was truly a horrible day and waking up the next morning and reading all your encouragements and funny antidotes of similar experiences really cheered me up. The week improved a bit, but not by much. I had a fever and developed a horrible chest cold within the next 24 hours. Sam’s tantrums were just terrible that week, which resulted in many FaceTime lectures from Daddy and me making a late night, very expensive purchase of parenting books from Amazon because obviously I have clue what I am doing.
Sam was my biggest challenge last week. His temper was volatile and I just couldn’t control him. It seemed like he spent half the day in time out, screaming and kicking walls. He’s never been one for huge displays, but since he turned four this summer, I feel like his emotions and lack of self control are just too much. I’m sure Gabe being out of town contributed, as he never throws these fits when Gabe is around. He argues with me constantly and purposely waits until I enter a room before doing something he knows he is not supposed to do, then waits for my reaction. When he is punished (which he knows will happen) he acts as though it is the greatest injustice that has over occurred in his life and screams that he had no idea he was doing something wrong, which I know isn’t true. I get the impression that he is really testing me and only me. I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s just a phase? I’ve been trying to give him more positive attention and praise when appropriate but it’s hard with two other littles running/crawling around. Any advice, friends?
On to bigger and better things. I’m almost done with my Hollows shawl (my illness delayed me finishing it last week) and I need to start on my Christmas/Chanukah gifts ASAP.
Smooth Operator Socks by Susan B. Anderson
Gabe, Sam and Eddie have all requested knitted socks, which should be easy enough. (Except for Gabe. He has the biggest feet and knitting socks for him takes forever.) I’m thinking of trying the afterthought heel, like this pattern by Susan B. Anderson calls for.
Beau Slouchy Hat by The Velvet Acorn
Color Dipped Hat by Purl Soho
Classic Cuffed Hat by Purl Soho
A slouchy hat for a teenage girl is on my list of gifts this year, and I am undecided as to which pattern to use, Teenagers are so picky, aren’t they? She said she wanted slouchy, so I immediately thought of the Beau Slouchy hat by The Velvet Acorn, but perhaps it’s a bit too slouchy? I’m just not sure. I also like the Classic Cuffed Hat and the Color Dipped Hat both by Purl Soho.
Welted Fingerless Gloves by Churchmouse Yarn and Teas
Last year I knit the Welted Cowl for a friend and this year I plan on knitting the matching fingerless mitts.
East Lake Lamb Hat by sam lamb
Sam really liked the East Lake Lamb Hat, and so I plan on using the leftover yarn that I have from knitting the adult version and making one for him.
It’s a lofty goal and I don’t know if I will have time to finish even half these gifts in time but nevertheless they are on my list and I am going to try. There’s something so satisfying about making someone a gift, isn’t there?
What about everyone else? Any knitted gifts on the agenda this year?
