Positive and Negative Knitting

Between a lot of time in the car and sacrificing some sleep, I had managed to do a good bit of knitting. I really want to make something for Carter for her first birthday, and I already had the yarn for a Bloom top, so I thought it would be perfect. Until mommy brain intervened and I knit the whole ribbed portion on the wrong size needle.

It was a sad moment when I realized all that knitting time was wasted. I feel like its so precious these days- it's hard to allow myself to just relax and knit. It feels indulgent and selfish, even though I know its healthy to have some "me" time. Anyway, all this to say, normally I'm always in favor of ripping something out and reknitting if its not quite right, but it was especially painful Saturday to rip out all that work.

I have started over (on the right size needles. I checked. Twice) and the plus side is, I already know what to do. Other than the occasional check to make sure I'm on the right track it seems to be going quicker. At least that's what I'm telling myself. Here's my progress now:

I'm also still working on the vivid blanket squares, though now it's going to be a Christmas present rather than a wedding gift. But that's ok, that gives me time to make it bigger than I'd originally planned and perfect!

As far as reading, the only things I've been reading lately are books for my library's Battle of the Books competition. As the coach I try to read all the books before, if not along with, the kids, and I'm on the last one. I'm looking forward to some reading material not geared toward middle school aged kids, not that there's anything wrong with that!


I'm linking up with Ginny's Yarn Along today.

Blanket Changes

I've been knitting away this week, and made a change on the Vivid blanket. After talking it over with my brother, I've decided to make the blanket bigger even though it means it wont be done for the wedding. He was totally fine with this, and I was too because ultimately I want it to be something they get a lot of use out of. If that means it takes a few more months, so be it! That said, here's my progress:

I have 18 squares done, and the ball on top is the next and last color. I laid out the squares over the weekend so I know what colors need more squares, so now to keep knitting! I really do love this pattern, and I can almost knit it entirely from memory. 

I also put a few rows on Carter's bloom. This is a hard color to photograph- it keeps getting washed out. You can also really see the crack on my lens (that I really need to go get fixed!) because I was trying to get it in the sun as much as possible.

No problems with this so far, just ribbing and increases!

This crazy girl is babbling all the time now, and is this close to crawling. I'm not sure I'm ready for that!

Linking up with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Travel Knitting

I don't get as much time to knit this days, with an almost mobile 8 month old, work, cooking, cleaning, dog, cat, and husband. But I usually try to sneak in a few minutes every day, during nap times, at night before bed, or in the case of last weekend, while in the car! I went to my to-be-sister-in-law's bachelorette party and shower this weekend, and since my parents were going too I rode with them. Not only did this save me gas money (always nice) but it also meant I got to knit while I rode! I got more knitting done over 2 days that I have in weeks.

Above you can see the new project I started. Given how little time I have to knit these days, I started thinking ahead to projects I want to finish this year. I knew that I wanted to give Carter a hand knit gift for her first birthday, and that was prioritized over everything but the blanket. So I brought the yarn along (lovingly wound by my husband!) and cast on a Bloom by Georgie Hallam. I only got a few rows in, but it was so nice working with Sunshine Yarns again :)

I devoted most of my time to the squares for the wedding blanket though, and I'm making good progress! Here's my stack:

Here are 16 of the 17 squares I have finished. I originally was only going to make 25, and do a gradient from the middle out where half the colors would go from light to dark (the middle) and back out to light with the other half of the colors on the other side. But I really love how all the colors look together, and even though I would be almost double the amount of squares I'm considering doing it as a full gradient from light to dark and back to light again (does that make any sense?)

I think it would be a more usable size, and I really want them to LOVE this blanket. I think I have enough yarn, so I might start to try to really crank out squares and see how many I can get done.

Linking up with Ginny's Yarn Along today!

Knitting, 2015 Version

Since Carter was born the amount of knitting I have done has plummeted. There just isn't enough free time in the day! She is a good sleeper and takes 3-4 naps a day (and sleeps through the night!) but with working I'm already not home a ton, and I hate spending my time with her while she is awake doing other things. Therefore, while she sleeps I'm usually eating, pumping, showering, or cleaning the house.

However, I am starting to try and make time for knitting, even if its only 15 minutes a day. I thought I would try something new this year and pick 12 project to work on for 2015. I considered any gift knitting I would want to do, and then made up a "schedule" for my knitting. A project a month set up so that any knitting with a deadline should theoretically be done in advance. I don't plan to finish every project within the month that I start (one is a blanket!) The idea is to work mainly on that project for the month, and if I finish early I can either work on a WIP, start next month's project, or cast on something new.

Here's my plan for 2015:

January: a Vivid blanket for my brother and soon to be sister-in-law for their wedding in June
February: Exeter hat for the hubs
March: Spring Garden Tee for Carter
April: Finish mom's sweater
May: Bloom for Carter
June: Socks for Dad
July: Socks for Carter
August: Sheep sweater for Carter
September: Red Riding coat for Carter
October: Wolf Pack hat for my cousin
November: plain socks for me
December: finish Sockhead hat

I know the blanket will take several months so that's why I'm starting that in January. I also know that November and December will be busy, so I thought having easy projects to work on would make it easier to stick to my schedule. We shall see how well it works! I hope to revisit this every so often to give updates :)

Stampin Up Cards

I mentioned yesterday that I made some cards at a workshop hosted by my friend Carrie. Carrie is just one of those crafty people who can crochet a baby blanket, refinish her own floors, make a few cards, and take care of her 1 year old son all at the same time. (Ok, maybe not the exact same time, but it sure seems like it!) 

Anyway, Carrie is such a great teacher with inventive ideas that even someone paper crafting challenged, like myself, can make pretty cool cards. I'm one of those people that some things come naturally to, and I always do those things. Like knitting, or reading, or playing tennis. Anything I'm not good at right away I usually give up on because who wants to work hard at something you aren't good at? However, I just love the idea of making my own cards so much that I have tried to stick with this card making thing, and Carrie is patient and puts up with my always-crooked stamps and million questions :)

Here are the cards I made at Saturday's workshop:

This one is a bit hard to read, but it is a birthday card. Fun splatters!

This one I can see being perfect for my mom, aunt, or grandmother. So feminine!

I think this is a great "anyone" card. Maybe I will give it to my dad for his birthday next week :)

Again, another cool feminine card. I love the layering of the different colored flowers!

This one was probably the coolest one we made. The hubs likes maps, so I think he will get one of them! Perfect manly card.

While I don't think stamping or other paper crafts will become my hobby of choice, I really enjoy sitting down for an hour or two and coming away with something I can give to others easily. Who doesn't love a handmade card?