Finished Object

Lil'onE is still a work in progress, but her Offset Wraplan is finished.There are more details in my Ravelry projects page. The yarn is worsted weight Bamboo by Farmhouse Yarns, if I remember correctly. It is really nice to knit with, a little heavy though. I think that as time goes on I am becoming more and more the wool snob. I don't mean to be. I just am.

Either way, the yarn and accessories were a gift from my fabulous friend Mrs.H on the day that Lil'onE was born. I started the sweater in November and thought (rightly) that I better hurry up and finish knitting the size 9-12month sweater before it didn't fit! It is done. It fits. And I love it. My only gripe with the pattern is that it requires 8 buttons (the picture doesn't do them justice, they are super sparkly) and the sweater needs to be worn buttoned, otherwise it flops open weirdly. But that isn't the pattern as much as me not wanting to fiddle with 8 buttons on a wiggle-worm. l.a.z.y.

Gosh, she is cute.
Now I need to finish INBA's sweater. I may run out of UFOs! I wish!

Big Girl

9 months old.

It is going so fast!

But notice, still no teeth. Doesn't crawl... but last night was demonstrating why that one particular swim stroke is called "the crawl." With proper motivation she will swim and roll to get what she wants.

Eldest went to the eye doctor yesterday. His prescription changed 3/4 of a diopter over the last year. He is up to a -4 in each eye. We need to find him a specialist. Just to make sure that there isn't anything else going on.

So he and I went up to McKnight Road in the north hills (You don't realize what a big deal this is that we went 15 miles and through a tunnel and over 2 rivers to get somewhere in one afternoon if you aren't from Pittsburgh. We went to the moon by most accounts.) to go to Eyeglass World and get him 2 pairs of glasses for $60. And yes, you certainly get what you pay for. But I wasn't interested in paying $350 at the place that takes our vision insurance that isn't giving Eldest glasses this year. I can replace a lot of frames for that! Anyway, while we were waiting for his glasses to be made, we went to find Dyed in the Wool on Babcock Blvd. Happily, it was 3 minutes away! But tell me, isn't it a little weird that they don't put a price tag on anything? The Mister says, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it." Which is probably true, but when has that stopped stash enhancement? I did buy some crazyfoot by mountain colors. They charged me $25 which is ok, but the bag that I thought they were giving me free (cheap little canvas tote) they charged me $3. So, unimpressed is to say the least.

On a bright note, Piecing it Together is right next door!
I have been trying to do more quilting and the boys have put new quilts on my to-do list. I don't know if I mentioned that around the same time that INBA requested his red sweater (which is not done, but I am on the second sleeve and feeling Valentine's Day approaching fast. But where is the real motivation when it is 50 degrees out in January?) INBA, of course, wants trains. Eldest said he wanted cars. Well, I enticed him to follow me into the quilt shop by saying that he might find a fat quarter or 2 that he would like for his quilt.

A number of things happened when we got into that store.

• First. Wow, they have a lot of WONDERFUL fabric.
• Second. They were very nice to us.
• Third. I realized that the lady helping us had attended South Hills Knit Guild for a while and we recognized each other. (Another Pittsburgh moment- small town and people are pretty much only nice to you if they know you. I think Bobbie would be an exception, she seems like she is nice without this requirement.)
• Fourth. Eldest totally got into planning his quilt. She talked him into a 'Turning Twenty' quilt.
• Fifth. Eldest walked out happily with his 20 fat quarters. He has very eclectic taste. They run from Marines to multicolored bubbles to Indy cars to crashing waves and astronauts. It should look pretty amazing.
• Sixth. Eldest is excited about doing his quilt together. I am going to let him help cut the fabric and teach him how to sew a straight line so that he can piece. It really will be his quilt! How cool is that?

And then...

There is a game shop almost directly across the street that we stopped to visit. They helped reassure us that we were playing backgammon correctly. And they carry the game series and expansion packs for Ticket to Ride, perhaps the best game ever. I bought a dice expansion for INBA that the guys are all playing as I type.

Needless to say, I am broke after my little trip into the North Hills and I didn't even go into the Ross Park Mall!

Most important accomplishment is that Eldest can see. That we had a great afternoon together, triple double bonus.

No Pretending

I am not going to resolve to be better about blogging. I would like to be, but there are no promises to be made right now.

We had a family picture taken last week. Can you tell that Lil'onE is teething? She looks like a little ol'lady! I have been doing a little knitting. Mostly smallish stuff.

I made stockings, this one and one white with green stripes and red heel/toe. I have enough yarn left to make a green with red stripes, but I don't think that colorway will look as good. Eldest gave me permission to make him a green stocking with red heel/toe and I talked him into white snowflakes on it. It is on the list for this year.

I was super pleased with these mitten ornaments/gift card holders that I made for my niece and nephews. I felt bad just giving them $20 for Christmas, so I made these to hold it. Turns out, I could have just made the ornaments, they all loved them. But then, doesn't everyone like to see their name in print? I am making a mental note for next Christmas.
Mrs. Claus made flame hats for the boys. This is INBA's 'fire face.'

They were too happy to pull them down to show off the flame pattern.

I think Mrs. Claus used the flame on baby hat pattern in a chunky weight wool to make it big boy size. You can find it on Ravelry. They love to point out what a good knitter Mrs Claus is compared to me.

Mrs Claus II made the boys some amazingly awesome vests that I haven't taken a picture of, but I will, because MCII needs to be acknowledged for her AWESOMENESS, she really is a better knitter than I.

And in case you wondered what I have been doing the rest of the time...

I can't believe how 2009 flew by. 2010 is going to be another eventful year. Already the calendar is filling up with happy events for friends and family.

In my knitting bag is a sweater for INBA that he asked for 4 days before Christmas. He was cold and wanted a "warm, red wool, long sleeve sweater with cables... by Christmas. Ok, fine, by New Years. Well, at least by Valentine's Day, because it is red." I have created a monster!! I love it.

After that, I am going to make myself a vest. I am either burning up or freezing cold, so a little something to throw on is necessary.

I am in the midst of making Lil'onE a grocery cart cover. I will NEVER reccomend to any one to make one of their own. They are not expensive enough to bother. I bought the pattern for 99 cents and used fabric that was already in my stash, leftover from other projects, even. Otherwise, the 4 yards of fabric and 1 1/2 yards of batting would be more than buying one at the babies store. Of course, mine will be much nicer, but I wish I could justify not finishing it. UGH. But it will be nice to have and it is screaming orange fun. But seriously, don't ever get an idea to make one. Super huge and unwieldy and a HUGE pain in the tushy. I will show you when I am done. I will finish. I must. Where the heck could I stash the thing?

Eldest came home sick from school today with a fever. So he will be home tomorrow, too. Lil'onE has had a little something, but it could just be those 2 bottom teeth that refuse to break through. If Eldest is sick, she probably has both problems. Hopefully, INBA doesn't get it.

And now you know.

Swedish meatballs for dinner and a diaper to be changed.

Happy New Year to you. Health and prosperity for you and yours in 2010!