too many photos of a silly hat

blurry wolf babeI finished knitting this, today. I left my yarn needle in Jason’s car (remember, I attached the bear’s limbs in the car on Sunday?), so I just left the ends hanging. I just HAD to take some photos, though.

I used this pattern, but I modified it a bit.

1.) I didn’t use seed stitch for the center portion or ribbing for the edges.
2.) I changed the cast-off number for the back-shaping.
3.) When knitting the back, I worked the last stitch of each row WITH the corresponding stitch from each of the sides. Does that make sense? It eliminated the back seams, but also left the ears open.

Next time, I’ll decrease at the center back edge, because it seems kinda…poofy, as is. pretty neat, though! I searched for a while for a hat pattern with pointy ears incorporated into the shaping. I’m going to figure out a way to make them taller next time. If I can accomplish that, it would resemble Max, from Where the Wild Things Are. See?



wolf baby [3]
wolf baby [4]

365.253: wolf babywolf baby [2]

365.251: i finally finished!


the stitch-monster-ruffley-scallop-edge-blanket of doom is finally finished!! I bound off 700 stitches. SEVEN HUDNRED! ah!

blanket [2]

blanket [3]

Pattern: Round/Pinwheel Baby Blanket
Yarn: Bernat Satin in sea shell, taupe, and white
Needles: 60″ US 8 circular
Border: scallop edge worked after increasing to 450 stitches.

amigurumi & a resurrected project

I realized I hadn’t crocheted any amigurumi in a while, so I decided to go back to an old favorite–‘Bedfellows’ from The Happy Hooker. I finished up the head, today. If I get bored, at least it looks cute by itself! Project is now complete! See details HERE!

365.241: out of hibernation

This is the current stitch-monster I’m working on. It’s a pinwheel blanket and over 450 stitches around. It’s rather boring to work on, not to mention the baby starts crying when he sees me reach for it. I would say he can feel my pain, but really, he’s just been a little clingy lately. I think it’s his teeth; the other day he had drool fangs! I can actually see the new teeth and I am SO glad that’s not my mouth. Anyway, I’ve decided to start the border on the blanket, so I only have like 6 more round of torture. I haven’t yet calculated how many stitches I’ll end up binding off. Really, though, I’d rather not know.

when I’m too lazy to knit…

I do something else. I can’t NOT do anything with my hands. I’ll try to make anything you show me the directions to. I’m not all that creative, I just kinda have to make things. Show me how to do something and I will do it.

365.239: woven fabric & yarn


I knew the basics of weaving, but I didn’t want to make huge pieces of cloth, nor did I really have the tools for traditional weaving (like a loom). So, when I found some directions for making a woven scrap journal, I started right away! You should make one, too! I already have a second one started. I am doing all the fun stuff right now and will add some paper to them later, maybe this weekend.

My current WIPs include an adult-sized sweater and a baby blanket. The large amount of stitches make them monotonous to work on. SO monotonous that I bought some lace yarn (mad props to Ravelry for the trade/sell option on the stash page) to make another Swallowtail Shawl. I need something a little more challenging! Plus, I remember being really happy after I knit my first. Remember that one? TWO YEARS AGO?! *sigh* Nathan was a baby, not a menacing pre-kindergartener with a Mickey Mouse tattoo, sporting terrifying baby guns.

Andy hates my knitting.

andy cries moreSince my last post, I started knitting a sweater for Andrew. All the while, I’m hoping it fits because the last 3 were outgrown very quickly and/or never fit (just 1; it was sad when I realized it). Today, I’m moving some stuff around and I happen upon the Noro BSJ (Baby Surprise Jacket, an Elizabeth Zimmermann pattern) I made almost a year ago. I made it in the summer and thought it would be perfect for Andrew’s first winter. Little did I know, my child would continue his monstrous growth spurts well into his first year. By the time winter came along, he was practically outgrowing his 18 month clothes (at 7 months!!). I put the sweater on him a maximum of 3 times and could barely get the buttons closed. When I picked it up, this afternoon, I immediately wanted to try it on him. He wasn’t in the best mood (tired as a result of waking up early from his nap), but I really wanted to see it in action one last time. And what do ya know, the sucker fit!

bsj closeupLike, perfectly fit. The sleeves are supposed to be short (I chose not to pick up the sleeve stitches to lengthen them). The buttons don’t look too stressed and only the bottom one pops open when he sits. Fabulous, huh? The only problem is he pretty much cried the entire time he wore it. Apparently, he HATES long sleeves! He kept tugging at them. He was also tired, so the tears were my fault. Next time I’ll be sure to have some treat for him while he has to endure wearing my hideous sweaters. I hope that since he’s walking (and climbing, and trying his darndest to run), he’ll slim down even further by the time cold weather approaches and will still fit into this. It’s so cute! I love this Noro Kureyon colorway. I made a top-down bonnet from it for my cousin’s first baby “back in the day.” I think it’ll always be my favorite.

365.216: cablesMoving on, let’s talk about the NEW sweater I’m working on. I decided to go with the Offset Wraplan (ravelery link). Instead of applique-ing something to the front, I decided to insert a cable pattern. I really loved the one on Knitty’s Trellis, so I used that. It looks pretty neat, so far. I took this photo yesterday, and today I’ve already reached a bit past the sleeve split. The reason so much work has been getting done on this is that I’ve been knitting past my bedtime. Instead of going to sleep when a normal (i.e. sane) mother-of-two would, I’ve been going to bed around 2am. I feel like a zombie most mornings, but the sluggishness is nothing my b-complex can’t take care of.