I’m sorry if you just died from the cute. I wanted to blog about the newest member of our family/newest reason I take an allergy pill everyday. This is Luna. Her mom, who we named Pearl, started showing up on our patio last year. At first, we just kind of kept an eye on [Read More...]]]>

I’m sorry if you just died from the cute. I wanted to blog about the newest member of our family/newest reason I take an allergy pill everyday. This is Luna. Her mom, who we named Pearl, started showing up on our patio last year. At first, we just kind of kept an eye on her and when she didn’t leave, we started feeding her. She was (is!) the sweetest cat we know. She would hang out under our patio table/chairs and would come out whenever we did. She’d plop down and demand belly rubs by laying on our feet.

Fast forward a few months and she’s STILL there. We notice she’s getting bigger around her midsection and that’s when we realize she’s preggers. D’oh. We feed her throughout her pregnancy and decide we’ll let nature take its course with her. She really enjoys being outdoors and we didn’t want to try and bring her in and scare her.

The week before Easter, she looked BAD. Her swollen belly made her frame look so frail and tiny and then she stopped eating altogether! We were pretty worried, but it was Easter weekend, so we did our business. On Sunday, we step out to feed her and she bounces on to the patio looking like her old self. KITTENS! She had her kittens Easter Sunday (or maybe Saturday night?). She disappears after eating, but before we leave for our Easter zoo trip, we scope out of the backyard and find her nestled in a big patch of grass with 5 little kittens fighting for their time to nurse. She looks like a natural, so we let her be.

That evening, we notice two things. ONE: She has an abscess on her face. It looks horrible! TWO: one of the kittens is off to the side. We inspect it and it isn’t breathing or moving. Sigh. We help her move her nest to a plastic box we lined with a towel. It was out of the tall grass and we hoped it would help her protect her babies more easily. We saw a few other strays come in to the yard and she would stand her ground. So much for letting nature take its course, huh? That first week, we check on her daily and every other day another kitten would be off to the side. Fearing she’d lose all her kittens, we make the decision to take her to the veterinarian.

After draining the abscess, he tells us we should keep her inside and apply some peroxide on her face daily. He tells us it was probably a build up of white blood cells (to fight the infection) in her milk that caused her babies to die. We bring her in and keep an eye on her and the ONE remaining kitten.

It only took about 2 days for her to adjust to being inside. She got WAY more belly rubs and petting and brushing, so she was perfectly fine hanging around the house. The vet tested her for FeLV (negative) and she also didn’t have any fleas, so we felt comfortable with her around.

About 4.5 weeks later, we’re a household with 3 cats. My allergies SUCK, but I deal. I take a tiny non-drowsy OTC pill everyday to help.

Luna at 3 weeks…


…at exactly 4 weeks.


…at exactly 1 month.

TODAY! (5.5weeks)

She is the cutest thing I’ve ever held. To be completely honest, any living thing you can carry in your hand has always freaked me out. ANY bugs, worms, snakes, rats, hamsters, birds, etc….just no. I felt a little panicky picking this thing up the first few times I did, but then…then, I just melted I guess. Who wouldn’t?! She’s frick-frackin’ adorable. I lovelovelove the random stray white hairs on her black coat. It’s like she’s a little old lady cat.

Did you know that last Friday was Tumbleweeds’ birthday? Well, it was! I didn’t get a chance to get online to wish them a happy birthday, but I’m here now to share a few shots I got of my boys on Mother’s Day. It was a beautifully sunny day. Nathan wore Jason’s glasses for [Read More...]]]>

Did you know that last Friday was Tumbleweeds’ birthday? Well, it was! I didn’t get a chance to get online to wish them a happy birthday, but I’m here now to share a few shots I got of my boys on Mother’s Day. It was a beautifully sunny day. Nathan wore Jason’s glasses for most of it. He’s getting his own pair for his birthday. I had to hide them after they came in the mail, because if I stared at them everyday I would FOR SURE not be able to resist giving handing them over. Less than 3 weeks til he turns 7! The little one turns FOUR (4!) this Sunday. Let’s not talk about it.

Obviously, we had a pretty fun game of hide-and-seeks going on. Jason wins best hiding spot…every time. The boys win least creative, as they kept going back to the same place!

I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend! Mine was pretty darn nice.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday! I’m going to plant a rose bush (or 3) for my mom, but every year I also get the grandmas a photo book (standard 8″x11″ from Snapfish) filled with photos of their grandsons. Because who do moms love more than their own kids? Their GRANDKIDS. It’s true.

Anyway, I’ve [Read More...]]]>

Mother’s Day is this Sunday! I’m going to plant a rose bush (or 3) for my mom, but every year I also get the grandmas a photo book (standard 8″x11″ from Snapfish) filled with photos of their grandsons. Because who do moms love more than their own kids? Their GRANDKIDS. It’s true.

Anyway, I’ve had the books for a few days and I’ve been trying to think of how to wrap them. I’ve done wrapping paper, decorated kraft paper, and even scrap fabric in the past. This year, I went with vintage silk scarves. I had two sizes. One was a big 36″x36″ square and the other (this one!) was a bit smaller, at 21″x21″. Here’s how I wrapped it:

1. Place the book face down on the scarf with the edges of the book facing the corners of the scarf. Tie a knot with the 2 corners on the short side of the book.
2. Flip the whole thing over and a tie a knot with the adjacent corners. This is the “front.” Optionally, you can tuck in the little flaps on the back knot. If your scarf is little, like mine, you’ll be able to see some of the book poking through, like this. I rather like the texturing coming through from the linen book cover.

Finish it off with a pretty tag. I wrote out the word mom on a piece of cardstock, poked holes with my embroidery needle, then used two strands of floss to trace my letters. It took 10 minutes tops!

Are you doing anything special for your mom or mom-like figure in your life this weekend?

Cordi was always an after-thought pattern of Lace Love. It was more like a bonus. Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, I thought it would be a nice to time to share the pattern with everyone. They’re lovely little brooches that you can make to adorn gifts or cards.

There are two mistakes [Read More...]]]>

Cordi was always an after-thought pattern of Lace Love. It was more like a bonus. Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, I thought it would be a nice to time to share the pattern with everyone. They’re lovely little brooches that you can make to adorn gifts or cards.

There are two mistakes in the original pattern, but I’ve changed them, so this should be smooth sailing!

You need: approximately 8 yards of crochet thread (I use DMC Perle Cotton 8), 1.75mm crochet hook, and a needle to weave in your ends.

Finished size is approximately 2” in diameter. The piece should be about 0.75” after round 2.

Special Stitches:
Beg-POP (beginning popcorn): Ch 3, work 3 DC into the same stitch. Drop the loop from your hook and insert it from front to back into the top
of the beg Ch-3. Grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through the stitch to complete.

POP (popcorn): Work 4 DC into the same stitch. Drop the loop from your hook and insert it from front to back into the first DC of the group. Grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through the stitch to complete.

PATTERN (US terminology)
Ch 5, slst to first ch to make ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, 8 SC into ring, slst to first sc. (8 SC)

Round 2: Beg-POP into first SC, Ch 3, *POP into next st, Ch 3; Rep from * around. Slst into top of Beg-POP. (8 POP + 8 ch-3 sp)

Round 3: Ch 1, SC into first ch-3 sp, Ch 3, SC into same sp, *SC into next ch-3 sp, Ch 3, SC into same sp; rep from * around, slst into first SC.

Round 4: Slst into first ch-3 sp, ch 4, DC in same sp, [Ch 1, DC, in same sp] 3 times, *DC in next sp, [Ch 1, DC in same sp] 4 times; Repeat from * around, slst into third ch of beg ch-4.

Round 5: Ch 1, SC in first ch-1 sp, [Ch 3, SC in next ch-3 sp] 3 times, *SC in next ch-3 sp, [Ch 3, SC in next ch-3 sp] 3 times; Rep from * around, slst into first sc.

Fasten off. Weave in ends and attach pin in center back.

Enjoy!

If you make any, be sure to add them to the Ravelry page!

If you can’t crochet, but would still like a doily brooch, see my shop!

I spent a few days just hanging out with this hat and this morning I realized I just wasn’t in love with the crown. It didn’t really stay flat and it just looked…off. So, I frogged it. I thought I would feel sad or anxious doing so, but I wasn’t. I guess I’ve matured [Read More...]]]>

I spent a few days just hanging out with this hat and this morning I realized I just wasn’t in love with the crown. It didn’t really stay flat and it just looked…off. So, I frogged it. I thought I would feel sad or anxious doing so, but I wasn’t. I guess I’ve matured on my knitting path. You gotta do what you gotta do. I re-worked a crown, this afternoon, that I am happy with. I wrote down some notes about it and will try to compose a pattern tomorrow or later this weekend.

You can find me on instagram under the username goodknits. Surprise, surprise! I’m cell-phone-less, but I do have an android tablet that is now getting used for more than procrastination games of Free Cell.

It’s been a while since my last DIY, so I thought I would remedy that with a quick cork coaster idea. It’s pretty simple and you can have a set made in under an hour, I bet. Below you will find instructions for both crochet or embroidered coasters.

Supplies: 4″ x 4″ [Read More...]]]>

It’s been a while since my last DIY, so I thought I would remedy that with a quick cork coaster idea. It’s pretty simple and you can have a set made in under an hour, I bet. Below you will find instructions for both crochet or embroidered coasters.

Supplies:
4″ x 4″ cork squares (I buy 12″ cork tiles and cut them with a rotary cutter)
standard hole punch
DK weight yarn– I used needlepoint wool, but any thin yarn will do
2.75mm (C) hook (increase the hook size if you use a thicker yarn, but make sure it fits through the holes)
yarn needle

template

If you crochet, attach the yarn at the center of one of the sides. Single crochet (US) around the coaster, making 5 single crochet stitches in the corners. Slip-stitch to the first SC to end. Optionally, you can slip-stitch through all holes, if you want to fill them (see yellow coaster in title image).

If you haven’t yet picked up the craft of crochet, below is a simple embroidery stitch called the blanket stitch.

Using the beginning & end yarn, tie a knot and weave in the ends through the loops on the back.

And that’s it! If hearts are more your thing, check out my last cork coaster: Embroidered Heart Coaster. These would make mighty cute Mother’s Day gift sets. ♥ ♥

I found this stitch in a vintage knitting leaflet. It’s mainly PURL. The pattern was a whole sweater made of it! Gah! To be fair, though, the sweater was flat, so some rows were knit. I did some tweaking to make it work in the round and after a few days (hand cramps slowed [Read More...]]]>

I found this stitch in a vintage knitting leaflet. It’s mainly PURL. The pattern was a whole sweater made of it! Gah! To be fair, though, the sweater was flat, so some rows were knit. I did some tweaking to make it work in the round and after a few days (hand cramps slowed me down, down, down), I have a hat!

Does anyone know of any modern name for this stitch? It looks similar to smocking, but there isn’t any wrapping. You basically slip stitches for 3 rows, then after working 3 additional rows, you make a knit at the center of the slipped stitches and then pass the loose loops over. It’s super easy!

yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh DK in ‘candlewick’

Loved by: My husband and children Loathed by: ME!

My kids beg for more olives. They can’t just have 1, 2, or 5. They want a truckload. I have to severely limit them, or they’d eat an entire can. I, on the other hand, cannot stand them. I tried. I really, really, really tried [Read More...]]]>

Loved by: My husband and children
Loathed by: ME!

My kids beg for more olives. They can’t just have 1, 2, or 5. They want a truckload. I have to severely limit them, or they’d eat an entire can. I, on the other hand, cannot stand them. I tried. I really, really, really tried to love them. I’ve had many meals made with olives being the main flavoring component and…ugh. Just ugh. My kids get to split any olives I pull off my pizza. Good riddance!

But I’ll continue to buy cans of them just for my boys.

What about you? Do you love them or loathe them?

Someone ordered a mustard doily blanket and I thought it would be a nice time to show you the packaging for Glory. It may vary from order to order, but you get the idea. :)

(bow-tie style!)

Doily blanket folded up (as best as I can–it’s hard to fold a circle!), tied with a [Read More...]]]>

Someone ordered a mustard doily blanket and I thought it would be a nice time to show you the packaging for Glory. It may vary from order to order, but you get the idea. :)

(bow-tie style!)

Doily blanket folded up (as best as I can–it’s hard to fold a circle!), tied with a piece of my favorite vintage fabric, placed in a tissue-lined kraft box you can re-purpose for photos & whathaveyou. A postcard and my business card are taped to the back of the top. I decorate the outside a bit, put it in a poly-bag for waterproof-ness, wrap it with postal paper, and send it off to you. I personally love getting pretty packages in the mail. I hope you do, too. ♥ ♥ ♥

I have a few ready-to-ship doily blankets in the shop. If you would like a custom order, please send me an email (lisa@goodknits.com).

I recently did a little DIY for the Spring 2012 issue of Stroller Magazine. It’s a free publication primarily geared toward moms.

The step-by-step photo DIY is easy to follow and you should have a pretty bracelet in no time at all. This is a fun twist (oh, a pun!) on the traditional [Read More...]]]>

I recently did a little DIY for the Spring 2012 issue of Stroller Magazine. It’s a free publication primarily geared toward moms.

The step-by-step photo DIY is easy to follow and you should have a pretty bracelet in no time at all. This is a fun twist (oh, a pun!) on the traditional macrame bracelet. Gold and bright colors > droppy brown macrame. Go and check it out!

I got a custom request for a teal Glory. This is actually the same color I used for the Willow I made for my husband’s grandmother. She’s a crocheter so I knew she would appreciate the work it takes to make a doily. She loved it and I [Read More...]]]> (see what I did there? :))

I got a custom request for a teal Glory. This is actually the same color I used for the Willow I made for my husband’s grandmother. She’s a crocheter so I knew she would appreciate the work it takes to make a doily. She loved it and I hope the person who receives this teal Glory loves this one just as well.

I have a few Glory blankets available in the shop, right now. If you would like to request a custom color, send me an email (lisa@goodknits.com) and I will do my darndest to find the perfect color for you. If you crochet and want to make your own, see the pattern details HERE.

Those are the last photos of that beautiful long hair. After almost two years of no haircuts, the little one finally got one. He was bribed with a bubble mower (oh he loves it) and talked about the cut for a few days before we took him on Friday. Honestly, I was a little [Read More...]]]>

Those are the last photos of that beautiful long hair. After almost two years of no haircuts, the little one finally got one. He was bribed with a bubble mower (oh he loves it) and talked about the cut for a few days before we took him on Friday. Honestly, I was a little sad about it. I kept finding myself staring at him through Friday evening. I’m warming up to it, though. He’s still pretty darn cute. It will grow back.

Here’s what he looks like now:

Saturday was a busy day and it ended with us grilling for dinner. Except not. That wasn’t really the end. See, as I was preparing to serve and my husband was bringing in food, my other son spent a few minutes trying to do some tricks on a soccer ball. ON. THE. BALL. He tried to balance on it and fell. We thought it was sprained, so he got a cold rice pack to hold on it while he ate dinner. He looked pretty pale, so I knew it was really hurting. I gave him some acetaminophen and he said he wanted to go to bed around 8:15.

Fast forward two hours and he yells for us to help him out of bed. His arm hurts so bad he can’t roll out to go to the bathroom. We notice it’s a bit swollen and he can’t extend his arm. Most of the pain is in the elbow, so we make the decision to take him to the ER. A few hours later, we get the official diagnosis of a fractured humerus. Sigh. He’s got his arm in a splint and we have orders to visit an orthopedist this week. It’s a small fracture, but he still might end up in a cast. The worst part is it’s his left arm and he’s a lefty, soooo….time to practice handwriting again. He’s pretty ambidextrous when it comes to sports (throwing lefty, hitting right, etc), so I’m hoping he can pick up at least legible penmanship with his non-dominant hand.

Does anyone have a kid that’s fractured their humerus? Apparently, it’s one of the more common arm fractures for children. They tend to land on their elbows for falls during sports and whatnot. Any advice?? Thanks in advance!

When he saw the splint– “Oh boy, I’m glad I didn’t hurt my Angry Birds arm…”

I added a few “Glory” doily blankets to the shop. Let’s welcome them with a coupon, ok? Save 20% on your entire order with the coupon code SPRING20. If you are interested in a different color, send me an email (lisa@goodknits.com) and I’ll set you up with a custom listing!

I still [Read More...]]]>

I added a few “Glory” doily blankets to the shop. Let’s welcome them with a coupon, ok? Save 20% on your entire order with the coupon code SPRING20. If you are interested in a different color, send me an email (lisa@goodknits.com) and I’ll set you up with a custom listing!

I still need to take photos of the mustard and gray blankets. I will add them soon!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Mine has included: a toddler haircut (!), a trip to the ER (!!), and a lazy Sunday.

May I present to you: GLORY! Finally. The newest addition to my doily blanket patterns. This one might be my favorite yet. Hellooooo, pineapples. You can read more about it and see a few pretty photos on the pattern page, here. Go directly to the Ravelry page, here.

Many thanks to Casey from plus3 [Read More...]]]>

May I present to you: GLORY! Finally. The newest addition to my doily blanket patterns. This one might be my favorite yet. Hellooooo, pineapples. You can read more about it and see a few pretty photos on the pattern page, here. Go directly to the Ravelry page, here.

Many thanks to Casey from plus3 crochet for her help this week during my final revisions! She’s made a few Willow blankets, so go check out her blog!

by the way–
I’ve crocheted a few Glory blankets for the shop…

If you aren’t a crocheter, check back at the end of the week for info on how to purchase one!

I have had a crush on the wooden cross-stitch pendants for a long time, but seeing Danielle’s projects, two weeks ago, pushed me over the edge. I bought a pendant. ONE. Because I was unaware of how much I would love this tiny project! I racked my brain for ideas–my initial, “mom,” a bunny, [Read More...]]]>

I have had a crush on the wooden cross-stitch pendants for a long time, but seeing Danielle’s projects, two weeks ago, pushed me over the edge. I bought a pendant. ONE. Because I was unaware of how much I would love this tiny project! I racked my brain for ideas–my initial, “mom,” a bunny, etc. Finally, a lightbulb went off and I ran to my bookshelf and pulled out some vintage needlepoint books. It was tough finding something small. I had a lot of beautiful fonts but they were all too big.

I finally came across this book with nothing but floral charts. There’s a whole page with these small flowers. I chose the one I liked most and transferred it to some graph paper, then drew the template of the pendant around it. I had to sacrifice a bit of the edges, but I don’t mind. I am in loooooove!

I am kicking myself for not buying more pendants. I bought them from the same place Danielle did–The Workroom. I am going to buy some more soon. I think they’d be beautiful key chains for Mother’s Day! Psssst! I already bought the floss for my next. Shades of coral for the flower and mint for the background. I can’t wait!

What do you think? Tiny projects are awesome, no? I started this yesterday and finished it this morning. I would have finished sooner if I hadn’t accidentally cut my working thread at one point. Pfffft!