Monthly Archives January 2008

My knitty history

When I went to the yarn store the other day the woman was shocked to hear that I had been knitting for over 20 years. It is true, just not on a regular basis (thus the reason I had to relearn some things). I originally learned how to knit when I was in elementary school. Most summers when I was in school, my friend across the street and I would knit together to pass time at night when it was too warm or buggy to sit outside.

She would always do small projects or more complicated items since her mother knew how to knit and could assist her. Her mother used to make gorgeous sweaters and other amazing things. Anyway, one year I decided I wanted to knit an afghan. I believe I started this either at the end of high school or when I was in college. I figured I would do it like the blankets that my grandmother and aunt make. This would mean knitting three super long strips and connecting them at the end.

Last night while at my parent’s house I went to my old room and opened up my craft bin. Inside I found that old project. 

The reason I NEVER finished projects in the past

Those are the two finished strips. In addition to this, I found more. Still on the needles was another strip that is probably half done. 

The 3rd almost complete panel

Eventually I want to finish this since I put a lot of hard work into it. I am going to talk to my Aunt T to see if she can help me to piece it together once I finish the last strip (between other projects – while relearning how to purl).

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Earlier Saturday, Laura told me to get some cotton yarn at the store. She thought it would be a good idea to make some wash cloths to practice casting on, purling, and binding-off. Ya know, make smaller projects that one can finish once the scarf  for JSL is done (which it practically is). The reason is I do not want to use the nice new yarn for my scarf to practice on.

Since the yarn was really inexpensive (and I can use the practice), I thought it would be fun for all of us to pick a color for me to make. JL and NHL were both game too.

I selected a yarn that was colorful, not too bold and made me know that I am the Estrogen queen in this house! It is called Potpourri.

My pick - lots of purty colors

JL selected a masculine mix of blues. It is called Faded Denim.

JL wanted this one

Then it was NHL’s turn to pick. Well, it speaks for itself.     *sigh*     *shudders*     This is called Lemon-Lime, but I believe I will have more colorful names for this soon.

NHL's "lovely" selection

Right after his own selection, NHL picked one for his little brother (thank goodness there were none with orange). This one is called Sea Mist.

NHL selected this for JSL

So to recap these are the yarns that were purchased for me to relearn how to do all things knitty. 

Practice project yarn

A special thanks to Laura for agreeing to help me with this and suggesting the cool new mini-projects. Now can someone please buy me some shades for when I tackle the one for NHL. . . ugh!

 

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He’s on his feet – ACK!

So much for taking things slow. JSL seems to be in a hurry to grow up. He is just eight month old and already giving us a run for our money. When he and I are home during the day he does not want to sit and play. He often will baby bitch complain until I give him my hands to use to stand up. Then he is happy and dances. He has also learned that he can move his feet underneath to get places. This is very intriguing to him. The other night he and JL were playing. JSL wanted to let go of Daddy’s hands, so JL did it. The little monkey stayed up for a while. They kept doing this for quite some time. JSL thinks it is hilarious to stand and then crash onto his bottom or fly into Daddy’s arms.

This morning he wanted to do it again. This time I grabbed my camera to get photos. Below are pictures of JSL, the next generation of Chipendale,strutting his stuff.

First Daddy must help the little guy to get steady on his feet. This gets more difficult later on when he is laughing and wiggling too much. Please note the cute, chubby baby thighs (sad how it is acceptable and adored at this age).

The kid wants to be on his feet

Now JSL gets very serious and even a little annoyed with the peanut gallery making too much noise. He really was trying to concentrate at this point. 

Major concentration going on

He is now in the zone and ready to go! 

OK Dad . . . ready . . . set. . .

Look Ma . . . no hands!!!!! 

No Hands!

No, he was not standing long, but he was up. We knew we were in trouble before, but this solidifies that is is coming soon – ACK! 

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Night out with our big boy

Last night I went out on a date with my two oldest boys . . . you know my hubby and 4 year old. The little guys stayed with Nana and Papa so we could do something special with the big boy.

We let NHL decide where he wanted to go for dinner. I told him about a new place that we had never been to that had a place to play games near it. He liked the sound of that since there were no costumes.  Once JL was home we dropped JSL off and went to Old Chicago for dinner.

We had a nice relaxing dinner that involved trying to keep NHL from falling asleep. We managed by taking him to the game room to see what we would do after he ate his dinner. This helped since he saw there was a bowling game that he was anxious to try out. Our meal was good, but not something I would likely go back to soon (although I do want to try their lunch special one day).

After our meal was done NHL quickly pulled us to the game room. We bought a card with points on it to play. As you will see NHL really liked the bowling. It was sort of like candlestick bowling (small balls), but regular scoring, and only 5 frames. Here are some photos of the little guy testing out the game. 

Night out with our big guy

It was so cute to watch NHL grab JL’s hand the first few times he was playing (by the third game later on he was a pro). 

Checking out the bowling alley

At first he wanted to roll the ball down by putting it between his legs this way (front view): 

Don't you love his technique?!?!

It worked nicely this way (front view below), but later he realized that with the balls being small he could toss them other ways. 

And the ball begins it's journey

Too bad he never really liked it. 

One excited little boy!

The suspense was just too much while waiting for the ball to head down the alley and knock over pins. 

Watching to see the results

He even tried to yell persuade the ball to move in another direction. 

No, go that way!

Oh well, maybe next time it will work! 

Hmmm. . . what did you say?

Each time he would check and count to see how many were knocked over.

Making sure how many were knocked over.

And this pose just made me laugh. Cute, n’est pas?!?!

He really started to get into this

We had a great time and went to pick up JSL afterward. He was very happy to see his milk jugs mommy. . . daddy and big brother too. Thanks again to Nana and Papa for making this fun evening possible. Love you guys! 

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The Knitting Bug Got me!

Today JSL and I had a busy day. It started off at NHL’s school for a meeting with his teachers (going over goals and things for next year). Then we went to meet up with the Squishy Yarn Guru that is Laura. She wanted to take me to a "real" yarn store to see what they had (ya know – not Walmart, Michaels . . . or anything like that). 

Anyway, she is EVIL I tell you. I want to start knitting with the really pretty new yarn that I bought. See here it is with the new needles that I bought.

Funky isn't it? New yarn with more needles

Problem is I can not start just yet. I must be patient (WAHHHHH). I must wait until Madame Squishy Yarn Guru shows me how to purl again (plus she needs to help me finish off JSL’s scarf.). She said she will show me something neat to do for this scarf to make it a little more interesting. Until we are able to meet up for the lesson I will have to sit and pet my new yarn. Here are two more close ups of the pretty fun stuff. 

Extreme close up anyone?

and another to show another section: 

So neat and different.

On that note I am off. JL and I are taking NHL out for a Big Boys night. My parents are watching JSL – thanks Mom and Dad! 

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