Wow it's been a while...

Just wanted to say Hello and Happy Holidays to everyone. I also wanted to say Hello to the lovely knitters of Knitty Bloggy Baby Bumpers. My Husband came and surprised us in California from Baghdad. And while he was home we uhh.....well you know and after he left to go back to Baghdad we found out that I was pregnant with # 3. Due in August. We are soooooo excited! I have 2 wonderful and crazy little boys and I hope that the new baby is a happy and healthy addition to our family and I also hope that is is a girl. :) But we will be happy either way. I just joined a blog that focus' on growing baby bellies and baby knits. Seeing as I have only been knitting for a year now I didn't knit stuff for my first 2 kids when they were little. So I am really excited to start knitting things for this one. Its also a web page for people who love knitting for babies in their lives. Even if you are not pregnant and love to knit baby things see if you can join. It should be fun.
Things in California are good. We had so much fun while my husband was here. We took the boys to Disneyland and went shopping, lots of shopping. Now that he's gone back to work we are just kind of hanging around the house and enjoying time with our family. In knitting news I have started a couple of projects. I received my sock yarn from Yarntini and I love love love it. Can't wait to start knitting beautiful socks with it. I still have one hank to wind but want to buy a ball winder...or maybe I'll get one for Christmas. Ha ha. While Travis was here he and I wound one ball up with a hand mixer. That sucked!! I ended up winding it by hand. I Don't want to have to do that again!!! Its a yarn experience that we can both look back on in the future and laugh at. Here are a couple of pictures. Talk to all you later and keep you all informed on the knitting and baby news in the future. Happy Holidays to everyone. May it be filled with love and all things knitty.

5 Days, 4 FO and a day at the Pool cont'd AGAIN!!!!

*** Sorry for so many posts I wish I could've had them all in one!!!!!!!***

Pre-Blocked

Blue Blob Bath

All in a row

blocking

Amongst the leaves.

Hope that you enjoyed the pictures. The specs are...I knit this with Wolle Rodel Mohair in lt. blue. I use a little more then 4 balls in total. I started this project about 4 times til I got it right. Needless to say it went into the naughty pile a couple of times. But all in all I loved this project and can't wait to wear it home.

Have a great day and once again sorry for all the posts today!

5 Days, 4 FO and a day at the Pool cont'd

***I don't know what happened during my last entry when I was downloading pictures so here in the continuation from the last post....
Here is the picture of the scarf.

Also on Sunday the boys and I got tired of staying in the house. I didn't really feel like going out to play in the gloomy weather so I took them to the pool. In case you were wondering it's and indoors pool. Here are a few pictures of them playing in the water.

Monday was a normal day, I hung out with the kids and also tried to finish my Kiri shawl. I didn't finish it that day but I did finish it Tuesday night and blocked it this morning. Here she is in all her glory.*****This is going to go on another post blogger wont let me upload them again....Damn thing!!!!!!!!!!!****

5 Days, 4 FO and a day at the Pool

I started my weekend with a new project. On Friday I realized that I was going to be away from my "hairy children" while it was snowy in Germany. I thought "I Can't leave my babies here to freeze" so I knit Gizmo a sweater. Started and finished in one day. My own design using some yarn from my stash. The blue is Caron Yarn and the Black is Red Heart Yarn. This yarn was purchased as practicing yarn only 11 Months ago, that is when I first picked up needles and taught myself through books and wonderful World Wide Web. Here is a picture of him.

Now I need to make one for Rockie...It's a good thing I have small dogs I only have 5 more days til I am in California. Also on Friday at 11pm I decided that I needed a knitting tote for the plane ride. I knew that I didn't have any spare wool on hand nor did I really have the luxury of time so....I went to my closet and discovered that I have 3 wool sweaters that I can no longer wear...wash and dry wool...Oops. I know its a sin but that happened before my knitting days. I picked up one that was my least favorite of the three and cut and pinned and sewed and this is what I came up with 2 hours later.

I want to make the other 2 tonight so that I can decide which one to use on the plane. I will find material for it when I get home for the lining. So I guess you could say they it's not a completely done projects but it is usable.

On Saturday I knit a little here and there but no FO to count on that day.

On Sunday I finished a scarf for my friends daughter. My friends mom is a knitter but has problems with her wrists...I feel her pain...and she brought me a bag she found in her basement with some pink "homespun type" yarn. I don't know what the content of the yarn is but it knit up really well and fast. Here is a picture of the scarf. My own design a simple one alternating Knit and Purl rows.

Aprons and Hot Pads....DONE!

Hi all just wanted to make a quick post and so you that I am making great progress on my X-mas projects. The aprons and the Hot pads are officially DONE!!!

Well maybe...I haven't decided if I am going to make one for my Grandma or not. I still have a few more days to decide. Speaking of a few more days, I have 12 days til I am back in sunny California. Two months of California weather, even if it's rainy, is better then the cold weather that we are experiencing now in Germany. The weather changed so fast this year. I am freezing right now. I guess I'd better go and make me a cup of tea. Happy crafting all.

I won I won!!!

Just a quick note to say thanks to yarntini....I won some beautiful yarn for guessing her Halloween costume. Thank you soooooo much. I am so looking forward to using that yarn. I already have a project in mind. I will keep everybody updated. As for Socktoberfest, well lets just say not so good. I finished a total of 0 count them 0 socks...haha but I did cast on two different types. Here is my progress. Hedera from Knitty using Regia Sock Yarn in "Splendid Color" Light blue and tan. And Alison's ankle socks using Bernat Sox Yarn in "Hot Tamale"
I will finish these. I need to they are going to be x-mas presents. They will be a good in-flight project. I leave for California in exactly 14 days and I can't wait!!! Can't talk anymore gotta get the boys ready to trick or treat.
Happy Halloween and Thanks again Yarntini!!!

Update....Had so much fun with the kids tonight here is apicture of them in their costumes. Hope that everyone and a fun and safe night~

I'm cranking away...

I just wanted to give a quick update on my Christmas projects. I have finished 1 of 3 of the aprons and hot pads. Take a look.
I have all the material cut for the aprons and one hot pad almost done. just needs to be sewn together and tassel put on. They should be done by the end of this week. I am also doing pretty good with the Hedera sock. I will have a picture update of those on the next post. Gotta go now and get some rest. Happy crafting all. Oh yeah and in Honor of Halloween take a look at what my 3 year old painted.

Ta Da...It's finally done!!!

Yay...Sadie's quilt is done. I am so very proud of myself! Even though I had some issues with the binding I figured out how to make it work. I think its so pretty. I just hope that my sister thinks so too. So that is one project off my list. I started to aprons but now I'm having issues with those. I followed the directions to the T but I didn't think that they were going to be as long as they are. The ladies in my family aren't the tallest in the world. I am only 5'1'' and my sister, mom and aunt are only right around if not an inch taller then me. So I have to make modifications to the length. Other then that they are coming along really well. They shouldn't take me too long to whip up. Gotta go...have lots to do while the boys are down for a nap. Have a great day!

Sock # 2 for Socktoberfest

Here she is...Hedera.
Cuff done, and 2nd repeat of the patterns. 12 more repeats to go for the leg. I am hoping to be able to knit the heel in the short row method. Any hints on how to do that? I know how to do the short row heel but only when the pattern is written in that way. I don't know how to change the pattern so that I will get the right amount of stitches in the end. Help is greatly appreciated.
I also got my material in the mail today so that I can make aprons and hot pads for all the lovely ladies in my family. I will keep you posted on that progress as time goes on. Only 4 more weeks til I need to have all my sewing done and most of my knitting done. Knitting is not quit as crusial. I can do that while I am in the States I'm not planning on taking my sewing machine with me :) but I guess you never know.
Well I guess I should be going and get some of these projects done.
Happy Crafting!

Hello Socktoberfest...Sorry I'm so late to join!

Socktoberfest 2006 questionnaire.

*When did you start making socks? February 2006
*Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?I kind of taught myself using the wonderful invention called the "World Wide Web" Thanks to these sites for all your help. Here and Here
*What was your first pair? Just a basic sock using chenille type yarn. Here is a picture. They were a little loose but hey they worked for around the house.

*How have they "held up" over time? So far so good, they wash up well.
*What would you have done differently? I would have used a smaller needle to do the cuff.
*What yarns have you particularly enjoyed? Well I only have a few options around here in Germany. But my favorite here is Wolle Rodel. I am really looking forward to get some Lorna's Lace though.
*Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method? I love to use DPNs. When my non-knitting friends see me knitting with them they are so impressed.
*Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?) I really like sort row.
*How many pairs have you made? uh...4 pairs so far. Not including the one on the needles now.

Finishing objects

In honor of Socktoberfest I finished my sisters ankle socks. Free pattern here. Really fun and fast to knit. I started them a while ago but though what a perfect month to finish them :)

As for everything else, I don't have much time left. I leave in exactly 30 days and need to have a good chunk of my xmas knitting done so that I can send it on ahead to California. Sadie's pinwheel sweater...well lets just say 2 steps forward and 1 huge step back!!! I ripped the I-cord edge back and started it over again. I was half way there when I decided I didn't like it. It was way to tight. It was warping the whole sweater. Instead of 6 sts to the I-cord I knit 12 and so far so good. Its looking more like a loopy edge then a twisted, tight one.
I have been making good progress on my Kiri shawl I will update pictures of that project next post. I am so addicted to knitting lace shawls now that I started another Kiri in white and am planning on starting a shawl with some sock yarn that I just purchased. I couldn't find anymore free designs that really appealed to me so I am taking a leap and charting my one lace shawl similar to the triangles within triangles shawl. I am trying not to spend anymore money till my trip to the States in November. Wish me luck. Ha Ha.
I also wanted to knit my mom a pair of ankle socks or boot socks I haven't decided yet. We'll see that might be my project on the plane. Seeing as it will take me almost 22 hours in travel time and lay overs. But who knows by then I might have started something completely different.
As for Sadie's blanket....I am have trouble with the binding. It is in the naughty pile for the time being. It needs to come out of time out soon, like I said I don't have much time.

I also have been waiting for some material that I ordered from eBay so that I can make my Sisters,Moms,grandma's and Aunts aprons and matching hot pads hopefully that comes soon. Tick tick tick the count down begins. Well since I have so much to finish I guess I'd better get a move on it. Have a great weekend and Happy Socktober!!

Sadie-Wadie's Blankie...#2

Quilting time. I love love love this Minky fabric on the back. I am almost done hope that she likes it, or better yet hope her Mommy loves it.
I am sure that she will. Other then that I have been neglecting my Kiri shawl. I have been totally frustrated with myself...hippity hoppity foggy frog. I feel like I have been doing this throughout the entire project. Oh well, its in the naughty pile for a while at least until I get the nerve to knit it again.
I have a million and one project to get finished before I go home for the Holidays. I started my sister other ankle last night sock so she can have a pair and not 1/2 of a pair haha...Sorry Shane. Here is my progress on that. I also ordered some material to make aprons and hot pads for all the ladies in my family. Hope it gets here soon I don't have much time. D Day is 14 November. Well instead of blogging I guess I better go and get some work done....Wish me luck!!! Have a great day and Happy crafting!

Pinwheel Progress...

Been knitting away on my pinwheel. Overall a pretty easy knit. Fun too. I have also been sewing or planning on sewing some material for another quilt. We will see how this one turns out.
Have a great day...and happy crafting!

We have and Artist in the Family...isn't he cute!!!

The other day I gave Dre and Ki some paints and white paper to try and keep them entertained longer then 5 min. Well the trick worked on Ki but not so much on Dre. Dre decided he only wanted to paint for 2 min but Ki painted 3 beautiful pieces of art work (at least I think its art) In this picture he is painting a picture of all of us...isn't it fabulous :) He is a genius at 3 years old.

Have a good day all and happy crafting!

Got Squares?

My first attempt at quilting. What do you think? Well it was originally supposed to be a lap quilt for my couch but I didn't have enough squares. Live and learn. I will order more from eBay next time. I like it and I hope that my niece will too. Have a good night and happy crafting!

Finally updating blog...Sorry it took so long.

Well I have been keeping busy the last couple of weeks. I have been trying to keep the boys entertained while daddy is gone. Otherwise they would drive me nuts! I finally got my shipment of yarn from elann.com. I guess that I didn't give them a complete address so it got shipped back to them oops...I got it on Friday, it is the Peruvian Collection Highland Wool for my nieces Pinwheel Sweater. Thanks to Annypurls for making my yarn choice super easy. I used the exact yarn that she used for hers. Here they are.
I have been cranking along on my pinwheel all weekend and here is my progress hope that you like it. Gonna go now Happy Knitting.

New Toy

I finally did it, I broke down and bought my very first sewing machine. The last time I sewed was in junior high. I made myself a needle roll and tote by just winging it. Here are some pictures hope you all like them. I am so proud of myself.

Nothing going on here...

Not much going on lately just cranking away on the Kiri shawl I am on the 6th repeat on chart 2. Its looking pretty good if I do say so myself. I am also waiting for a package to come in the mail of yarn from elann.com I guess they didn't have my complete address...Hopefully I get it soon I want to start the pinwheel sweater for my niece. Free pattern is also available at elann.com and a knit along at annypurls.blogspot.com. Well not much to talk about today maybe in a couple days. Have a great day!

A work in Progress

Here it is my very first Lace project. It only took me 5 times starting over and almost 1/2 a ball of kid mohair ...but I finally get what I was doing wrong. To top it off I ran out of ink in my printer so I had to write the pattern and chart out free hand. Its well worth it. I am having fun knitting lace. The pattern is Kiri. You can get the pattern for free from www.alltangledup.com . The yarn is kid mohair 80% mohair, 20% polyester from Wolle Rodel. So far so good. Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions that will help make this project extra special. Thanks and Happy Knitting.