House Arrest

Healthy and Happy...

Here's wishing everyone a healthy, happy, prosperous and amazing New Year.

The Return of Bass Boy

8:45. The babies were finally asleep. And then, I heard it.

The not so faint sounds of a guitar being played very close by.

No, it couldn't be, could it? Had bass boy gone back to his sleep-depriving ways? Didn't that guy know we had kids? Actually, how could he NOT know. The nursery was above his living room. I had absolutely no doubt in my mind that the guy knew we had babies -- and a 110 lb rottweiler.

So what was up with the musical stylings? Was he looking for trouble?

Was it revenge?

I sat silently cursing him while wishing for him to stop with the racket-making.

9:07. The music was still hummin on steadily and I was thankful that it wasn't loud, although it kept insinuating itself into my consciousness. I tried not to let it interfere with my updating of projects on Ravelry. Meanwhile, I could see Aden stirring restlessly.

I prayed silently, hoping that the music would just fade into his thoughts and got up to change the channel from "Deadliest Catch" to "Soundscapes" (aka, New Wave lullabye music). My hope was that the music and guitar would blend somehow but he woke before I got the numbers cued into the remote.

His fussing was insistent so I dropped the remote and got him a bottle. My little man was only partially awake but he was FULLY hungry.

Just then, Mark opened the door to the nursery... with a guitar in hand, asking if he could help.

I bit my tongue as I shooed him out of the room.

I then wondered how much bad karma I had incurred for my evil thoughts towards my innocent neighbor.

[Edited to add] 10:40. Bass boy, the one downstairs, decided to start practicing. The floor in the nursery is vibrating and I'm glad I sent evil thoughts his way earlier.

The Year in Knitting

It's the end of another year and time for reflection on the good, the bad, the habits I wish I hadn't picked up and the things that have made me grow. Since knitting is the one thing that keeps me sane, I thought I'd devote a post to my past year in knitting.

I obviously got a lot of baby knits (times two!) completed this year, but I'm pleased to say that I managed to get at least one piece of major adult knitting done as well. My knitting-completed-but-still-unseamed Charming! Cape was my return to the land of adult knits, despite the pressing desire to make hundreds of cute baby things.

With the completed items, came finishing and I have to say that I did a lot of it this year. I'm proud of the fact that I'm getting much better at seaming and making things look fairly polished. I mean, nothing sucks more than perfectly executing some knitting, getting beautiful fabric and having the  piece look like shit cause of a botched seaming job. I've also finally finally finally realized how wonderful and necessary blocking is.

I have fallen entirely in love with Ravelry, discovered Etsy (especially the Piddleloop and HideandSheep shops), bought enough stitch dictionaries thankyouverymuch, and discovered that I prefer online yarn stores to my local ones. Yeah, I have to wait for my goods to be mailed, but I find the customer service online to be far superior to my local bricks and mortar stores. (Maybe it's an NYC thang?) Online, I get no "snooty nose in the air" comments when I ask for a utilitarian yarn or requests for a special order. Also, I can find any yarn in the exact color I want at a good / competitive price if I try hard enough and nothing beats that. I don't even need to feel yarn anymore to know what it's going to be like. Honest. I can usually tell by the picture and description... And, if I feel uncertain, I can google the yarn and see what other people thought of it before I buy it. The internet is truly grand.

And speaking of yarn purchases, I've got way toooooo many things in my queue and in hibernation. And they're all scrumptious and delectable and stuff that I absolutely must make.

Soooo...

I've decided that next year I'm going on a yarn diet.* I have more than enough new yarn and projects waiting in the wings. I will alternate a new "from the queue" project with an old hibernating one and keep two projects in rotation at any given time. And... if I find that I just can't deal with the hibernating one, then I will frog it and move on. Life's too short to knit stuff you don't like.

So, without further ado, the lists...

Currently being actively worked on:

• 2 "Milan, darling. Milan" Jackets (Milan Jacket from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms)
• Rosy Legwarmers (matching legwarmers for Tudora; my own pattern)
• Genius Bib (Baby Genius Burp Cloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting)
• Classic Baby Cardigan - Hunter's (Classic Baby Cardigans (#13) from Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 2007)

Just needs to be freaking seamed already!:

• Charming (Charming! Cape from Vogue Knitting, Fall 2007)
• Portland Pullover (Portland Pullover from Interweave Knits, Fall 2006)
• We Call Them Pirates Hat (We Call Them Pirates from Hello Yarn)

Finished in 2007:

• Rosy Tudora (Tudora from Knitty, Winter 2007)
• Dog Walking Gauntlets (Dashing from Knitty, Spring 2007)
• Rose Petal Bib (Petal Bib from One Skein)
• Bainbridge Scarf (Bainbridge Scarf from pepperknit.com)
• 2 pairs of Slip On Booties (Slip-Ons from 50 Baby Bootees to Knit)
• 2 Vine Lace Baby Hats (Vine Lace Baby Hat from Knitting Daily)
• Classic Baby Cardigans - Aden's (Classic Baby Cardigans (#13) from Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 2007)
• Petal Bib (Petal Bib from One Skein)
• Shaded Pastels Bib (Baby Bib O' Love from Mason-Dixon Knitting)
• 2 Harvey Kimonos (Harvey Kimono from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms)
• 2 Hooded Jackets (Hooded Jacket from Simply Baby)
• Matching Booties for BSJ (Saartje's Bootees from Saartje Knits)
• Fairytale Bib (Baby Bib O' Love from Mason-Dixon Knitting)
• Baby Surprise Jacket (Baby Surprise Jacket from The Opinionated Knitter)
• 2 Oz Vests (Oz Vest from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms)
• 4 Beanie Hats (Beanie Hat from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms)
• 4 pairs of Classic Cashmere Booties (Classic Cashmere Bootees from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies)
• 2 Classic Cashmere Sweaters (Classic Cashmere Sweater from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies)
• Shedir (Shedir from Knitty, Fall 2004)
• Cabled Pocket Shawl (Cabled Pocket Shawl from Knit Picks)
• 4 pairs of Mittens (Mittens from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms)
• One Skein Wonder (One Skein Wonder from Glampyre Knits)

Hibernating:

• Double Vision (Double Vision from Wooly Thoughts)
• Lace and Cable Capelet (Lace and Cable Capelet (#4) from Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2006)
• Cabled Rib Vest (Cabled Rib Vest - Adult from Men in Knits)
• Garden Shawl (Garden Shawl from Fiddlesticks Knitting)
• Morpheus Scarf (Morpheus Scarf from Morehouse Farm Merino)
• Candle Flame Shawl (Candle Flame Shawl from Knit Picks)
• Leaf Cascade Stole (my own design)
• Black Magic (Black Magic from Knitter's Magazine 74, Spring 2004)
• Alphabet Blanket (Alphabet Blanket from The Baby Knits Book)
• Elegant Gauntlets (Elegant Gauntlets from The Knitting Experience: Book 2: The Purl Stitch)
• Argosy (Argosy from Knitty, Winter 2006)
• Curved Shawl with Diamond Edging (A Curved Shawl with Diamond Edging from Victorian Lace Today)
• Obi  (Obi from Simply Knit)
• Balsam (Balsam from Ilga Leja)
• Gorgonian Shawl (Gorgonian Shawl from Morehouse Farm Merino)
• Square Up the Circle Afghan (Square Up the Circle Afghan from Knit Picks)
• Simple Knitted Bodice (Simple Knitted Bodice from Stitch Diva Studios)
• Over-the-Knee Socks (Over-the-Knee Socks from Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice)
• Voodoo Wristwarmers (Voodoo Wrist Warmers from Knitty, Winter 2002)
• Lace Cropped Cardigan (Aran Weight Lace Cropped Cardigan from Elann.com)
• Beaded Smoke Ring (Beaded Smoke Ring from HeartStrings FiberArts)
• Pacific Northwest Shawl (Pacific Northwest Shawl from Fiber Trends)
• Green Moss Shawl (The Green Moss Shawl from Heirloom Knitting, Simply Stunning! Collection)
• Bad Penny (Bad Penny from Knitty, Spring 2004)
• Classic Cables (Classic Cables Pullover from Monkeysuits.com)
• Lucy Lu (Lucy Lu from Berroco.com)

Frogged:

• His/Hers Reversible Scarf (His/Hers Reversible Scarf from Cables Untangled) - Yarn was repurposed for my Rosy Tudora and matching legwarmers

In the queue:
(Yarn already purchased where indicated)

1. Bunny Blanket Buddy - Knit (Lion Brand Velvetspun)
2. Ribbed Jacket (Estelle 100% Silk)
3. Warm and Chic Hat (Knit Picks Palette)
4. Warm and Chic Dress (Knit Picks Palette)
5. Warm and Chic Sweater (Knit Picks Palette)
6. Baby Chuck's Hi-Top All Star Style Booties)
7. Earflap Hat (Manos del Uruguay 100% Wool)
8. Thumbless Mittens (Manos del Uruguay 100% Wool)
9. Pinwheel Sweater: Child (Elann Peruvian Highland Wool)
10. Ice Queen (Elann Silken Kydd)
11. Endpaper Mitts 
12. Transition Gloves (Shibui Sock)
13. Jeanie 
14. Storm Water Scarf (Handmaiden Fine Yarn Sea Silk)
15. Baby Blues Cardigan (Arena)
16. Man's Tweed Pullover (Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed)
17. Men's Fair Isle Vest (Knit Picks Merino Style)
18. Tapestry Garden (Jamieson's Double Knitting)
19. Hanami Stole (Handpainted Yarn Lace)
20. Kimono Shawl 
21. River Scarf and Stole (Elann Peruvian Baby Cashmere)
22. Flower Basket Shawl (Knit Picks Shadow)
23. Dragonflies & Water Lilies Stole (Harris Tweed Shetland 4 Ply)
24. Magickal Earth Shawl 
25. Rhiannon Socks 
26. Curve of Pursuit 
27. Rogue (Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed)
28. Gyrid (Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed)
29. Fair Isle Skirt (Dale of Norway/Dalegarn Heilo)
30. Elizabeth I 
31. Charlotte's Web Shawl (Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino [KPPPM])
32. Kyoto (Elann Sonata solid)
33. Chickami (Zitron Samoa)
34. Chickami (Elann Sonata solid)
35. Tank of Many Colors (Filatura Di Crosa Brilla)
36. Tank of Many Colors (Zitron Samoa)
37. Hemlock Ring Blanket 
38. Corset Tank Top 
39. Smokin'

I guess I have my work cut out for me next year, hunh?

*The exception to the yarn diet is any new baby project that I do not have the yarn for. After all, the kiddos must come first.

Turkey and Mashed Potatoes

After chowing down on some leftovers in the newly decluttered "parents' room"...

Liz:  (Reading blogs at the computer) Hmmm... I'm wondering if I should get some more turkey.
Mark: (Reading Terry Pratchett on the bed) I'm wondering if I should get some more mashed potatoes.

(Mark leaps up from bed and walks to the kitchen)

Mark: Debate done.

(Liz gets up and follows)

Liz: That'll be the quickest debate we have to deal with all year.

Blessed and Lucky...

...am I.

Wishing everyone love, comfort & joy, hand-knit goodies, awesome family, fantastic friends, killer  co-workers, fabu pets, the fullest of larders and all the other things that make life so freaking sweet.

Wishing You and Yours...

A most festive holiday season!

Tooth

Mark called me at work earlier but I was in the middle of a meeting so I let it go to voice mail. About an hour later, I called him back and asked what was up. (I find it quicker to call than to listen to my messages.)

I could hear the smile in his voice when he told me that Aden had a tooth. His first bottom tooth is just poking up past the gum line, finally visible and on its way to being free.

Suddenly, I felt very sad because I was at work and was missing out on a milestone. And, because I realized that this was only the first of many that I won't get to see firsthand.

Bedside Reading

When I'm trying to unwind or relax, I read knitting patterns. Yes, I know.

Back in the day when I had a different life and we had a different apartment set-up (and vastly different priorities), knitting books would be piled up by my bedside, patterns flagged with stickies or articles of interest marked with strips of torn paper with notes.

"Use this cast off to prevent tight edges," one of them might read. Or, "Interesting technique. Try out soon!!!"

Now my life is a lot more confined and organized. There are fewer books by the bedside since I've taken to sacking out in the babies' room. I sleep on the sofa-bed with it still folded up. This prevents me from getting too comfortable so that I never fall into a crazy deep sleep. It also makes it easy for me to spring up and attend to a baby. The couch, when open, takes up a lot of floor space and I find myself tripping around it in the tight confines of this room. The books, when they aren't immediately put back on the shelves, live on the bedside table or, more often than not, migrate with me from room to room.

Now I find it rare to have the time to luxuriantly flip through a new book, to ogle over a pattern, to study a technique. I usually flip to what I'm trying to find and call it a day.

But on rare nights, like tonight, I can sit and read a pattern word for word, translating the Greek in its abbreviations, imagining the fit, knitting it in my mind.

And I find, that this is as relaxing as the real thing for me. It allows my mind to keep working, knitting, creating, when my hands / eyes / wrists are tired. When knitting another stitch would lead to disaster.

It's a sort of knitting by proxy or intellect and invite you to try it some night, curled up on the couch with a cup of cocoa.

It hits the spot just before bed.

Traditions

I've been obsessing about starting family traditions lately. Last night, I spent hours googling to find out what the proper order for opening presents was. I was trying to determine when folks traditionally opened their stockings — whether it was the night before on Chrismas Eve or first thing on Christmas Day or if it mattered at all.

While it may seem like such a petty — and mercenary — thing to obsess about, I'm focused on it because I want to start traditions that we'll fondly look forwards to. Like having a turkey dinner on Christmas Day or drinking hot chocolate while unwrapping gifts or getting new PJs to wear on Christmas Eve (all the better for holiday pictures on Christmas Day) or drinking champagne (the parents, that is) while trimming the tree.

I want the kids to have fond memories of the holidays, to grow up with hope and anticipation and to have some traditions that as grown ups they can remember fondly and pass on to their kids.

I guess this is important to me because my brother and I had very few traditions growing up. Christmas was just another day off for our dad and toys were replaced with practical items we needed early on. One year we got new beds. The next it was a bookcase for me, clothes for my brother. My dad rudely told us that he was Santa Claus when I was around 8, forever dashing my hopes that maybe I would actually get something I wished for.

And while my parents did their best to provide and I appreciated and truly understood that while growing up, they also sucked the joy out of the holiday season. We didn't have a huge extended family, so it was always the four of us for all holidays. We never did anything really special or festive as a family. Some years we put up a tree, some we didn't. It entirely depended on my mom's mood. The most we ever did was go to the movies as a family, but that's about it. To this day, I can't remember anything really special about any Christmas and that's pretty sad.

So while the embarrassment of goodies for the kids may be overcompensating a little for the poverty in my childhood, I know that the true meaning of the season isn't in the material things. It's in the memories of warmth and love an togetherness. And although I know that this year all Hunter and Aden will want to do is play with the crinky, crunchy wrapping paper, Christmas will take on a new meaning for them over time.

And I'm hoping to make it a special and dignified one full of laughter and joy.

FO: Tudora

I finished Tudora today.

I love this little thing so much I want to marry it!

Details:
It took about six hours, on and off, because of my inconsistency in knitting while commuting this week. I had a holiday party, holiday shopping and an early morning meeting that bit into my time so I did no evening knitting twice this week and no morning knitting once. As a result this took a bit longer than I expected it to. And, last night, while I was knitting the buttonband, I kept frogging and reknitting because I wasn't liking how the edging was turning out, but I finally hit on a combo that I liked.

That combo consisted of me adding 2 selvedge stitches — one at each edge — for the button band. This made a total of 17 stitches. I then worked those as follows:

(WS)  Knit all stitches
(RS) Slip 1 as to purl, knit until last stitch, slip last stitch as to purl

It was worth the fiddling because I got a very smooth and even looking edge from it that matched the rest of the pattern.

Other techniques I employed included:

• Cabling without a cable needle
• Using the suspended bind off so as to ensure that the edges would not be too tight

Here's a horrorshow pic of me modelling it:

This is me, first thing in the morning, no makeup or coffee. Be gentle.

Here it is right before I sewed the button on. I was checking the button placement and got it pretty dead on at first try.

Did I mention I love this little knit?!?!

Well, not as much as I love these two little cutie patooties: