Immediate ungratification

I said I wanted something quick so here is what I came up with.

A Virginia Dishcloth. I've been wanting to make dishcloths for each state Mr. Gnome and I have lived in together. Here's the first. The state where we met and were married. Awww. ahem... The dishcloth itself was rather tedious to knit, unlike our two years in VA he was working a lot and I was still in college and working. But the pattern and it's tediousness, no real reason; it was me not the pattern.

Then because I was so unsatisfied with the dishcloth and wanting a shawl. I have no idea why I wanted a shawl. I'm not really a shawl wearer. I spend my days chasing a three year old; not particularly conducive with shawl wearing. Not to mention what I wanted was a BIG shawl, maybe even rectangular. So what did I make? This little not at all rectangular thing. Mr. Gnome thinks it looks like a fishing net and the balls are pieces of trash that were picked up. He's so supportive. I think it's like the solar system; in a galaxy far far away on my shoulders. I made up the pattern as I went, just a series of yarn overs and knit 2 togethers on size 35 needles. The yarn is from Insubordiknit, which is why it is so very fun.

A Cardigan for ME!

It is finished and it fits. Woo!

The info. if I haven't said already ... Cardigan for Arwen with Cascade 220 the Heather Series and size 7, 6 and 5 needles. This knitting on these actually gave me a slightly larger gauge resulting in a sweater somewhere between the two smaller sizes when knit using the smallest size instructions. I liked this pattern it is so creatively designed. In some ways it was easy in other ways it tested my knitting skills. I feel more comfortable with reading a cable pattern and with grafting after knitting this sweater. It is quite warm, I had to change into a t-shirt today to be able to wear it.

The husband enjoyed taking this picture. sigh....

Now what... hmmmmm... I've started a shirt but I've also decided I need something with a little more immediate gratification. But what? I have yarn to make the Bug some mittens for next winter. But after she flooded the bathroom today I'm not very inclined to knit for her at this moment. What to knit oh what to knit....

Hands of Purple

The egg die kit we got had two sets of paint. One for your traditional dip the egg and another for sponge painting. We did the sponge painting today. That's her fingers after much scrubbing. And here are the eggs.
She had a lot of fun. Can't you tell?

I am sewing up the Cardigan and will have picture next time.

Another cup

I made another tea cup and saucer to add to the set. The one on the right is the new one. This time I made the handle and crochet edging green, reversed the stripes, and for the saucer changed the color order for the crocheted edging. Just to change it up a bit. The fourth and final tea cup will be the same. Then on to the creamer and the sugar bowl. I am very excited to knit sugar cubes.

Is that strange?

"I only wish

to catch a fish

so juicy sweet."

-Gollum

LOTR The Two Towers

Only about four more inches of the back. So exciting! Then the sewing up and the grafting of the hood. And I shall have a sweater. This is always the stressful time for me. The time when I start worrying about whether it will fit.

Po-ta-toes

"Boil 'em

Mash 'em

Put 'em in a stew."

-Sam

LOTR The Two Towers

Left and Right finished sides. Including the very scary grafting of the sleeves. See what I mean, they don't look like sweater pieces. But they shall, oh they shall!

Now for the back. Ugh the back, 18 3/4 in. of pure stockinette. When I get bored I work on the third teacup for the Bugs tea set. You see it is a sanity saver to have more than one project going.

Who's got the crafty?

When I don't have crafties to show I show the kid's crafties. She comes in handy like that.

We died some eggs the other day. Not for any relation to Easter, just because I always liked it as a kid. Little Bug really enjoyed dipping the eggs and writing on them with the "magic" crayon.

I got her some finger paints which as you can see also became arm paints. Yes, that is paint on the wall from a previous painting experience. *sigh* She painted some posters. The middle one is actually water colors.

So you can see some creating is still happening here. Actually The Cardigan for Arwen is coming along I'm almost done with the right side. However the thing just doesn't photograph well. It's so big and weird looking. My parents were in town this week and I showed them the finished left side. Now my mom knits and my dad's mother used to knit and they are both creative minded people. But they looked at it with the look of someone looking at a child's picture. Not wanting to ask what it was but clearly having no idea what it could possibly be. Soon my pretties soon it will look like a cardigan and all will be good. I just hope I finish it before it gets too warm.

3

Tuesday was the Bug's birthday. We had a lot of friends over for a birthday play date. She was so excited she hardly slept the night before. Here she is in her birthday fancies given to her by her grandmother. She was the most excited about her earrings. Too funny. I can't believe she is three. Three seems so much older than two.

We made brownie wands and decorated with green icing and orange sprinkles.

For her party favor I made 16 low fat cupcakes from the cupcake tea party in Itty Bitty Nursery. They probably taste like low fat cupcakes too.

Scaley legs

I finally finished the socks I've been knitting since October. Really. They did get put on the very far back burner during the entire Christmas Dishcloth Extravaganza. And I do only knit on them when I'm out or when I get a minute to knit upstairs. Perfecting my ability to read to the Bug and knit at the same time sped things up a bit. It also should be noted that it takes a long time to grow a dragon, they are big after all.

See the dragon scales??!! No? Well then you have to come to my house and stare at my feet. Still can't see them? Then I pity you for not living in my head where socks can look like dragon scales.

I had wanted my next venture into sock world to be making the Kaylee socks (Ravelry link). But alas the pattern is currently unavailable. I thought for a few seconds about just waiting. But then thought better and cast on for some plain socks. No picture like I said they are plain. More later, perhaps.

Yes, that Kaylee, you see my need, my obsession? sigh.

Stressed?

Then knit something!

Between the whole TJ thing and then the Bug's trip to the hospital I've been enjoying some easy knitting. The Maine Morning Mitts are done. And oh so comfy. The yarn is SO warm, the pattern is SO easy. The only modification I made was to pick up more stitches on the thumb the decrease to the right number of stitches. I felt that picking up only four stitches would have resulted in holes. I don't like holes. Also note that they are the same size I was holding the camera funny when I took the pictures.

Birthday Traditions

A lot of people have nice birthday traditions. Going out to eat, doing something fun with friends, and you can't forget the cake.
Unfortunately Little Bug has developed a less enjoyable Birthday Tradition that involves some sort of medical intervention.

1st birthday: Develops RSV: lots of trips to the doctor.

2nd birthday: Breaks leg: X-rays, cast, all that fun stuff

3rd birthday: Cuts cheek open with scissors: Trip to the emergency room where they glue her cheek back together.

This last was our fun morning. Her birthday is next week.

Medicinal Knitting and Yarn

After the ordeal at the vet Little Bug and I went to Mr. Gnome's work for some hugs. We decided to walk home so Mr. Gnome could have the car. I was sad and in need of comfort yarn. There is a LYS on our walk home, well on if you take a two block detour.

I got some yummy wool mohair yarn in bright hand dyed red knowing exactly what I was going to use it for. I got home and cast on.

I'd been wanting to make the Maine Morning Mitts from the Book of Yarn. I'll admit it I'm a lover of the fingerless gloves.

Little Bug still asks how TJ is doing. We got a sympathy card from the vet today. It was nice but it re-opened the healing wound. Thanks to all for your messages of sympathy. You guys are great.