BSJ finally done!

norobsjgarden

As many of you know, southeast Texas just got hit by a hurricane. I live in Houston, so my family and I “hunkered down” at my aunt’s house. Power went out before midnight, Friday evening, and isn’t predicted to come back on until after next Monday. That’s going to be a whole 10 days and 11 nights without power. They actually said it may be later, so who knows. Fortunately, my mother-in-law got her power back on Sunday afternoon. We’ve been here since Sunday evening. The boys and I only had to spend 2 nights in hot sticky weather. We are so thankful! My heart goes out to all those who lost their homes and/or loved ones as a result of the storm. Everyone in this area–be well!

Anywho…I brought 2 projects with me for hurricane fun. I sewed the buttons on the BSJ the first night. The next day, when the power was out, I brought out my embroidery project only to discover my embroidery floss had been chopped in various places. Guess who did that. Nathan! I remember the other day, finding my scissors where I never leave them (under my chair!). He must have climbed on the desk and fished them out of their container and tried to “cut” things. the floss is a mess and not salvageable. It’s in little hanks, so one cut makes like 30 pieces of string or something.

I can’t wait for more fall-like weather, so Andrew can wear his new sweater!

norobsjbuttons

coconut buttons!

banana bootsies


Garter-stitch booties Garter-stitch booties

Pattern: A Good 2-Needle Garter Stitch Slipper, with Cuff by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Source: Knitting Without Tears
Yarn: Knit Picks Bare – Superwash Merino/Nylon Fingering Weight dyed with kool-aid, coffee, and food coloring
Needles: 3.0 mm

these are so teensy! I’m not quite sure they’ll fit my newborn (coming in May!) for more than a few days. They were a lot of fun, though. I was going to use this yarn for some baby socks, but I am just so bored with plain stockinette. The shaping in this pattern definitely kept my interest. I finished the entire set in about 2 hours!

Baby Surprise Jacket

Baby [garter-stitch] Surprise Jacket

Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket from Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Yarn: Paton’s Classic Wool in grey mix and Elsbeth Lavold Classic AL in black
Needles: US 6 circular
for the fetus! [which, by the way, we found out is a boy! another son, guys! this is too exciting.]

I used an i-cord cast-off that took way too long, but was waaay too easy! I thought I was doing it wrong, it went so well. hah! my fetus will be 6-9 months when the weather is ready for it, so I hope it fits him, then. I may have to elongate the sleeves a bit, but that’ll be easy. I’m going to save a ball of the Elsbeth Lavold AL for when the time comes. I need to decide what buttons to use.

I got this book from my mother-in-law for Christmas. best gift! I had originally planned to dye some yarn, but I got too impatient and picked up 2 coordinating wools for this project. maybe I’ll dye that yarn someday. if the jacket seems too small, the closer it gets to next winter, perhaps I’ll knit another in a bigger size.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! 2008 is going to be great!

Ganomy #2


I wrote an entry, then left for lunch and returned to publish, but I didn’t think to back it up. I hit “publish” and was prompted to login. The internet ate my entry and now I have to start over!
The jist of it is I’ve been either too sleepy or nauseated to do much of anything, the past month or so. I’ve reached 16 weeks in my pregnancy and I’m finally starting to feel human again. The week before Thanksgiving I actually decided to start knitting again! I went with an oldy but a goody–Ganomy.
I first knit it in January. I made it for Nathan out of a single ball of Noro Kureyon. It got some good use, even being worn on an unusually (for Houston!) cool Easter.

nate+daddy train

Unfortunately, I LOST this amazing hat and so my Nathan needed a new one. I didn’t have any Noro in my yarn stash, so I chose a random ball of Cascade 220.
GanomyPattern: Ganomy from The Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Yarn: Cascade 220 in Straw
Needles: 16″ US8 circular
Modifications: I changed the cast-on to 98sts and had to adjust the decreases accordingly, so I wouldn’t end up with an insanely long hat.
Of course, I love it. it’s floppy and wonderful. I don’t have any good action shots because apparently posing is just not cool for 2 and half year-olds. *sad mommy face*

Zimmermann Leggings

Shorties

Pattern: heavily modified “February Baby Leggings” (longies from The Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann)
Yarn: Paton’s Classic Wool (100% Merino) in “Denim Marl” and “Worn Denim”
Needles: Boye 16″ circular in size US 6
Mods: CO 88; only worked 20 rnds between short rows and hip increases; increased to 128; left 18 sts at crotch; no decreases on the [shorter legs], rolled cuff.

I love this pattern. It’s the second time I’ve used it; the first ones I made were for my son and they were only used sporadically. I recently gave them away to a friend. These blue ones are for a trade. I hope they get lots of wear!