There have been only a few times in my life when I have felt completely helpless and today was one of them. Usually there is an out, a life line if you will. Someone you can call for help. A friends shoulder to cry on. Retail therapy. Something. But not today. Today Karolyn was sick.
I knew she was coming down with something on Friday when she started coughing. Saturday she still wasn't her normal self and she was up all night coughing. Then this morning she had a full blown fever. Very warm to the touch, but I didn't measure it. Being in the scientific field you would think that this would be the first thing I do, but no, the mom in me said she had a slight fever and she would be OK. The Chiropractor says to let kids have their fevers because this is the body's natural defence against foreign invaders. And just several months ago when the girls were sick I let them have their fever and did not interfere even though it killed me. And sure enough they got better within the day. It was completely amazing. Usually it would be at least 3 days. But he also said that 102F is normal so again I'm not getting too alarmed.
When she had 2 bites of the mac and cheese she asked for and then went straight to bed without being told, I got concerned. Every 15 minutes I would check on her to make sure she was OK and every time I checked she was fine. A bit warm but fine. Then the last time I checked she was burning up. I checked her temp ... 102....103....103.5.... STOP GOD DAMMIT... 103.8 is where if finally stopped. I almost started to cry. Dear GOD please let her be OK. She has been sick before but not in a really really long time. 103.8 and she hadn't even broken a sweat. If she was sweating that would be a different story but there was not even a hint of sweat. Just a lethargic kid. My kid. And not a damn thing I could do about it. I know that the Chiropractor said to let her have her fever but this is ridiculous. I gave her some Motrin and I'm eternally grateful for whom ever it was that came up with this great medicine. I held her for a good half hour. Rocking her under back and forth on her bed under the blankets. Her limp little body whispering to me telling me not to go. It was only after she started to sweat that I thanked the baby Jesus.
She joined us for dinner, didn't eat a thing but drank 3 glasses of milk! My baby is on the mend and getting back to normal!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Fall?
Remember those leaves from a couple of days ago?
This is what I found on them this morning.
Snow. That's right Snow. Snow with a Capital S. It's not even December yet people. For the love of God and everything that is good and holy, I just got the memo that we are smack dab in the middle of Fall. And now you're trying to tell me we are pushing our way into winter? NO WAY. There is absolutely no way I'm gonna let winter get here this fast.
It sure is a good thing that that stuff with the Capital S had the good sense to remove itself from my Fall Leaves when the Sun came up! Besides, doesn't it know that I still have to make my wreath with the leaves the kids and I collected from our walks?
This is what I found on them this morning.
Snow. That's right Snow. Snow with a Capital S. It's not even December yet people. For the love of God and everything that is good and holy, I just got the memo that we are smack dab in the middle of Fall. And now you're trying to tell me we are pushing our way into winter? NO WAY. There is absolutely no way I'm gonna let winter get here this fast.
It sure is a good thing that that stuff with the Capital S had the good sense to remove itself from my Fall Leaves when the Sun came up! Besides, doesn't it know that I still have to make my wreath with the leaves the kids and I collected from our walks?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Fall Fun!
This last weekend we had a GREAT time picking up leaves. Now I realize that not everyone views cleaning up the leaves as fun but we are not everyone. We have two little girls that make a game out of everything.
I told them that we were going outside to pick up the leaves and I'm sure they hear we were going outside to play in the leaves. Cuz that is exactly what happened. And I don't think that I have had more fun picking up leaves than last weekend.
We are blessed with 2 silver maple trees in our back yard and the amount of leaves those two treas produce is outstanding. Crazy ton amount actually.
I go to the garage and find the rake, which was an undertaking in and of itself, then I found the package of yard waste bags DH bought. I figured I would start with the driveway and set to work raking up the leaves. Within a couple of strokes of the rake I had amassed quite the pile of leaves. I get the yard waste bag turning my back to the little rascals for a minuscule of a second. When I return my beautiful pile of leaves is re-scattered all over the place with Karolyn exclaiming we are having a party and throwing the leaves up in the air. Of course Sydney couldn't be out done by her sister so she joined in the fun!
The first thought that popped in my head was "I JUST raked that up" and then I thought "well fuck it, they aren't screaming or fighting or hurt, they are just having fun." That's when I joined in! Good God I forgot how much fun it was to just play in the leaves!
I did manage to get some of the leaves in the bags. Sydney figured she would help out a bit while Karolyn was off still having her party.
When it was all said and done I managed to clear off the driveway and some of the back yard (but not much). I also used all of the yard waste bags we had.
After it was all said and done we went inside and warmed up with tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.
I told them that we were going outside to pick up the leaves and I'm sure they hear we were going outside to play in the leaves. Cuz that is exactly what happened. And I don't think that I have had more fun picking up leaves than last weekend.
We are blessed with 2 silver maple trees in our back yard and the amount of leaves those two treas produce is outstanding. Crazy ton amount actually.
I go to the garage and find the rake, which was an undertaking in and of itself, then I found the package of yard waste bags DH bought. I figured I would start with the driveway and set to work raking up the leaves. Within a couple of strokes of the rake I had amassed quite the pile of leaves. I get the yard waste bag turning my back to the little rascals for a minuscule of a second. When I return my beautiful pile of leaves is re-scattered all over the place with Karolyn exclaiming we are having a party and throwing the leaves up in the air. Of course Sydney couldn't be out done by her sister so she joined in the fun!
The first thought that popped in my head was "I JUST raked that up" and then I thought "well fuck it, they aren't screaming or fighting or hurt, they are just having fun." That's when I joined in! Good God I forgot how much fun it was to just play in the leaves!
I did manage to get some of the leaves in the bags. Sydney figured she would help out a bit while Karolyn was off still having her party.
When it was all said and done I managed to clear off the driveway and some of the back yard (but not much). I also used all of the yard waste bags we had.
After it was all said and done we went inside and warmed up with tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Mom's Gloves
Holy God I finished something. Can you even believe it? I know, its hard for me to fathom as well considering I haven't finished something in quite some time now. I finished the Christmas present for my mom.
A couple of years ago, I made her a neck wrap/ head scarf. It was a moebius strip by Cat Bordhi from her "First Treasury of Magical Knitting" book. I made it out of Elann.com's Pure Alpaca in the natural colorway and my mom just LOVES alpaca. Notice the capitals, I'll say it again, she LOVES alpaca. Anyway, I always wondered if she ever wore it. All knitters do I imagine, wonder if the people they knit for actually make use of the item that was knitted. Turns out, she wears it all the time.
When I asked what she wanted for Christmas this year, she first said that she has everything. And its true, she does. Then in a quiet voice, almost shy like, she asks if I remember that scarf that I made for her a couple of Christmas's ago. Of course I do! I'm on edge here wondering where she is going with this. Then she says, "I really could use some mittens".
"Mittens or gloves?"
"Well gloves would be better if its not too much trouble"
"OK gloves it is"
Then the disbelief sets in, "You know how to do gloves?"
"Yep, I sure do"
"Well that is what I would like, gloves, and if you have that same stuff you made the my scarf from so they match, I would appreciate it."
Naturally I know exactly the "stuff" is she is referring to. In fact I know exactly where its located in the stash. The very instant I was off of the phone with her I dove into the stash and located the desired yarn.
These are finished gloves. I made the fingers a bit smaller than what was called for but she has small hands so I know they will fit her!
A couple of years ago, I made her a neck wrap/ head scarf. It was a moebius strip by Cat Bordhi from her "First Treasury of Magical Knitting" book. I made it out of Elann.com's Pure Alpaca in the natural colorway and my mom just LOVES alpaca. Notice the capitals, I'll say it again, she LOVES alpaca. Anyway, I always wondered if she ever wore it. All knitters do I imagine, wonder if the people they knit for actually make use of the item that was knitted. Turns out, she wears it all the time.
When I asked what she wanted for Christmas this year, she first said that she has everything. And its true, she does. Then in a quiet voice, almost shy like, she asks if I remember that scarf that I made for her a couple of Christmas's ago. Of course I do! I'm on edge here wondering where she is going with this. Then she says, "I really could use some mittens".
"Mittens or gloves?"
"Well gloves would be better if its not too much trouble"
"OK gloves it is"
Then the disbelief sets in, "You know how to do gloves?"
"Yep, I sure do"
"Well that is what I would like, gloves, and if you have that same stuff you made the my scarf from so they match, I would appreciate it."
Naturally I know exactly the "stuff" is she is referring to. In fact I know exactly where its located in the stash. The very instant I was off of the phone with her I dove into the stash and located the desired yarn.
These are finished gloves. I made the fingers a bit smaller than what was called for but she has small hands so I know they will fit her!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween
For awhile now I have been asking Karolyn what she wanted to be for Halloween. First it was Lightning McQueen then Cinderella then Lightning McQueen again. I was at a loss. So I decided to go with Lightning McQueen.
I started my quest for the Lightning McQueen costume on the internet. Surely someone must have made this before. And sure enough they did. And for $30 it too can be yours. WHAT!?!?!?! 30 bucks for a costume that the kid is gonna wear once for 3 hours? Are they crazy? Have they not heard of the economical situation this country is currently in?
So I dug deeper and found a blog about a guy that made the costume out of a card board box and some paint. I can do that. I'm crafty with an ever expanding imagination. I can do this.
I started saving the supplies. A cardboard box I acquired from work. Some paint that was on sale at Michaels. Pictures of the famous race car. Then I went to work.
I cut up the box and taped it to the shape I wanted. Refered to the pictures and started drawing. Then painted it. I did take pictures of the various steps of transforming an ordinary cardboard box into a racecar but the camera farted and I dont have the pics.
When it was all said and done, this is what I came up with.
I give you LIGHTNING MCQUEEN!
And a side shot.
She loved it. She was so excited when I first showed her the costume that she didn't want to take it off.
I asker her this morning before school if she knew what today was and sure enough she did! Then she told me that we get to go trick-or-treating tonight and get more candy!
I started my quest for the Lightning McQueen costume on the internet. Surely someone must have made this before. And sure enough they did. And for $30 it too can be yours. WHAT!?!?!?! 30 bucks for a costume that the kid is gonna wear once for 3 hours? Are they crazy? Have they not heard of the economical situation this country is currently in?
So I dug deeper and found a blog about a guy that made the costume out of a card board box and some paint. I can do that. I'm crafty with an ever expanding imagination. I can do this.
I started saving the supplies. A cardboard box I acquired from work. Some paint that was on sale at Michaels. Pictures of the famous race car. Then I went to work.
I cut up the box and taped it to the shape I wanted. Refered to the pictures and started drawing. Then painted it. I did take pictures of the various steps of transforming an ordinary cardboard box into a racecar but the camera farted and I dont have the pics.
When it was all said and done, this is what I came up with.
I give you LIGHTNING MCQUEEN!
And a side shot.
She loved it. She was so excited when I first showed her the costume that she didn't want to take it off.
I asker her this morning before school if she knew what today was and sure enough she did! Then she told me that we get to go trick-or-treating tonight and get more candy!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Well Hello Hello!
Goodness gracious it sure has been awhile since I have been here. Time sure does fly when you are having fun!
So what has been going on with me.... Well, lets see here. The leaves are turning all sorts of gorgeous colors. Reds and purples and yellow and red/yellow, all around us. Our neighborhood is what one would call "established" and has maple trees lined up and down the streets. Every year I get a front seat showing to what us Michiganders refer to as "the greatest color show on Earth". I just love this time of year.
Karolyn has started the school year and is doing great. She is in a new school this year and I just love the teacher so much better than last year. The communication is GREAT not to mention that I think K likes it there more. We just got her school pictures back so I'll have to scan them in to show you!
Sydney is 15 months old now and is into everything. Just yesterday she decided it would be great fun to climb up the couch, lift her little chubby leg over the arm, then slide down the side while getting her foot caught in my knitting basket. Yes, the knitting basket lives just to the side of the couch exactly where my little acrobat decided to slide off. She stumbled a bit and then got up off the ground and giggled. All the while Karolyn is like "MOM, MOM, MOM, Sydney trouble, Sydney trouble, Mom" After I assessed the situation and realized that everything is fine as there was no blood, I shook my head and exclaimed "Every body needs a Sydney"! That seems to be the new saying at my house "Every body needs a Sydney"
Knitting. Yes there has been some knitting but not very much. I lost my mojo somewhere in the middle of summer and recently got it back. Good God it sure does feel good to have that yarn woven in and out of my fingers and then forming the familiar loops on the needles. Very relaxing after a long day of working and taking care of my family. The simple repetitiveness of it was such a familiar friend its hard to believe I almost lost her. Then I came to my senses!
I'm currently working on a pair of gloves for my mom's Christmas present. Its made out of the same yarn that I made her moebius scarf out of a couple of years back. And to be completely honest with you, she asked for it! So of course its a given that I'm gonna knit it for her. I'll post some pics when I'm done.
Goodness gracious its good to be back!!!
So what has been going on with me.... Well, lets see here. The leaves are turning all sorts of gorgeous colors. Reds and purples and yellow and red/yellow, all around us. Our neighborhood is what one would call "established" and has maple trees lined up and down the streets. Every year I get a front seat showing to what us Michiganders refer to as "the greatest color show on Earth". I just love this time of year.
Karolyn has started the school year and is doing great. She is in a new school this year and I just love the teacher so much better than last year. The communication is GREAT not to mention that I think K likes it there more. We just got her school pictures back so I'll have to scan them in to show you!
Sydney is 15 months old now and is into everything. Just yesterday she decided it would be great fun to climb up the couch, lift her little chubby leg over the arm, then slide down the side while getting her foot caught in my knitting basket. Yes, the knitting basket lives just to the side of the couch exactly where my little acrobat decided to slide off. She stumbled a bit and then got up off the ground and giggled. All the while Karolyn is like "MOM, MOM, MOM, Sydney trouble, Sydney trouble, Mom" After I assessed the situation and realized that everything is fine as there was no blood, I shook my head and exclaimed "Every body needs a Sydney"! That seems to be the new saying at my house "Every body needs a Sydney"
Knitting. Yes there has been some knitting but not very much. I lost my mojo somewhere in the middle of summer and recently got it back. Good God it sure does feel good to have that yarn woven in and out of my fingers and then forming the familiar loops on the needles. Very relaxing after a long day of working and taking care of my family. The simple repetitiveness of it was such a familiar friend its hard to believe I almost lost her. Then I came to my senses!
I'm currently working on a pair of gloves for my mom's Christmas present. Its made out of the same yarn that I made her moebius scarf out of a couple of years back. And to be completely honest with you, she asked for it! So of course its a given that I'm gonna knit it for her. I'll post some pics when I'm done.
Goodness gracious its good to be back!!!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Lookit Lookit!!!
Remember when I was a brat and showed you some knitting pics and didn't really say what it was or where they came from? Well all can be revealed now!
I was knitting a wonderful summer top out of Elann.com Adara. A great cotton/ linen blend that was fun to knit with. And it also happens to be machine washable!
I enjoyed knitting this top as it went fast and was easy. However the pattern does not mention to sew together the shoulder seams. I took the liberty and sewed them together. I figured it would be a bit easier for Margaux to model it! LOL
In other news, my sister posted a comment on my blog! Can you even stand it? A flesh and blood family member left me a comment! And you know how I like my comments (ok lets face it we all like comments).
AND she has a pic of the Garmisch when she was in Garmish!!!! OK Mary, I'm gonna need a picture of that as well as my neice and nephew.
I was knitting a wonderful summer top out of Elann.com Adara. A great cotton/ linen blend that was fun to knit with. And it also happens to be machine washable!
I enjoyed knitting this top as it went fast and was easy. However the pattern does not mention to sew together the shoulder seams. I took the liberty and sewed them together. I figured it would be a bit easier for Margaux to model it! LOL
In other news, my sister posted a comment on my blog! Can you even stand it? A flesh and blood family member left me a comment! And you know how I like my comments (ok lets face it we all like comments).
Libby, You look great!!! The girls look great! Now I know where to look for updated pictures!
o and your Garmisch hat...i actually wore in Garmisch. I need to find a pic and send it to you.
Love you!
Mary
AND she has a pic of the Garmisch when she was in Garmish!!!! OK Mary, I'm gonna need a picture of that as well as my neice and nephew.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Friday, May 02, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Spinning!
I go to knit night at a local coffee shop on Thursdays. And every Thursday there is usually someone spinning. Naturally I've been eyeing everyone spin with that look in my eye. Toni knew that look and asked me if I wanted to borrow her wheel. HELL YEA I DO!!! She gave me a quick lesson and told me to take it home to practice.
She did say to keep the wheel in a place where the kids couldn't get to it. OK Toni, I'll try but please remember that these are the same kids that play with garbage and use the eyeliner to draw dragons.
Every night after the darlings went to bed, I took out the wheel. I would spin and spin and then spin some more. Ray even got into it and had to check it out to see if he could figure out how it worked. He told me about it but quite frankly I was to busy trying to not let too much roving be spun at once to listen to a word he said.
I succeeded in spinning that gorgeous yarn you see there. And quite frankly it wasn't as relaxing and peaceful as everyone makes spinning out to be. There were a lot of swears involved. My thumb and forefinger got the spinners ache (my own personal made up term). And I had to concentrate on this bit of spinning a lot. I had entire conversations in my head about how much roving I needed to pull out and how thin I needed to make it so the resulting yarn would not be too thick or too thin.
Eventually I did get the hang of it. The spinners ache went away and the conversations stopped. A pleasant surprise was how soft my hands were. Lanolin from the wool worked its way onto my hands and made them buttery soft.
I did return the wheel back to Toni and as much fun as I had with spinning I decided not to pursue it. I'm sure that I'll want pick it up when the kids are a bit older and not prone to get into my stuff.
She did say to keep the wheel in a place where the kids couldn't get to it. OK Toni, I'll try but please remember that these are the same kids that play with garbage and use the eyeliner to draw dragons.
Every night after the darlings went to bed, I took out the wheel. I would spin and spin and then spin some more. Ray even got into it and had to check it out to see if he could figure out how it worked. He told me about it but quite frankly I was to busy trying to not let too much roving be spun at once to listen to a word he said.
I succeeded in spinning that gorgeous yarn you see there. And quite frankly it wasn't as relaxing and peaceful as everyone makes spinning out to be. There were a lot of swears involved. My thumb and forefinger got the spinners ache (my own personal made up term). And I had to concentrate on this bit of spinning a lot. I had entire conversations in my head about how much roving I needed to pull out and how thin I needed to make it so the resulting yarn would not be too thick or too thin.
Eventually I did get the hang of it. The spinners ache went away and the conversations stopped. A pleasant surprise was how soft my hands were. Lanolin from the wool worked its way onto my hands and made them buttery soft.
I did return the wheel back to Toni and as much fun as I had with spinning I decided not to pursue it. I'm sure that I'll want pick it up when the kids are a bit older and not prone to get into my stuff.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Angels
I always know when the angels I live with are up to something when its a bit too quiet. If you know what I mean.
So I start calling names and asking whats going on. No answer. That's when I started looking. I started with their room first, found nothing and then moved onto my room. I happened upon this.
Yes, that is my angel playing with the garbage. We do have toys. Tons of toys. Fun toys that make all kinds of sounds when you touch them. No, we have to play in the garbage.
Then I look up and see big sister drawing dragons with my eyeliner. MY EYELINER!@!@##$
We do have crayons. ALL kinds of crayons in different shapes and sizes, a whole bucket of them. And if they made crayons that made noise and lit up when you used them, we would have them.
Now I realize why I work. So I can escape these crazy people that I gave birth to and have an adult conversation that doesn't involve dragons or garbage.
Thank you Dear God for letting it be Monday tomorrow!
So I start calling names and asking whats going on. No answer. That's when I started looking. I started with their room first, found nothing and then moved onto my room. I happened upon this.
Yes, that is my angel playing with the garbage. We do have toys. Tons of toys. Fun toys that make all kinds of sounds when you touch them. No, we have to play in the garbage.
Then I look up and see big sister drawing dragons with my eyeliner. MY EYELINER!@!@##$
We do have crayons. ALL kinds of crayons in different shapes and sizes, a whole bucket of them. And if they made crayons that made noise and lit up when you used them, we would have them.
Now I realize why I work. So I can escape these crazy people that I gave birth to and have an adult conversation that doesn't involve dragons or garbage.
Thank you Dear God for letting it be Monday tomorrow!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Summer T-Shirt
I love my new t-shirt!
I ended up using all 10 balls of Schachenmayr Toy to make my brand spanking new summer t-shirt.
Someone commented on what a great top it was and I told them it was a Libby Grant!
I ended up using all 10 balls of Schachenmayr Toy to make my brand spanking new summer t-shirt.
Someone commented on what a great top it was and I told them it was a Libby Grant!
I STILL Have Left Overs!
This is how much yarn I had left over after both sleeves were put in.
Can you even stand it? I did it!!! I added 2 short sleeves and STILL had some yarn left over.
Now I have to crochet the neckline and we will be good to go!
Can you even stand it? I did it!!! I added 2 short sleeves and STILL had some yarn left over.
Now I have to crochet the neckline and we will be good to go!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Sayings
I'm starting to sound like my mom. A thought that completely scares me because I always said that I wasn't going to be like her when I grew up and here I am JUST like her.
She would always say the same things to us kids:
I’m saying these lines so much that my husband is picking them up! LOL
We have a large amount of toys and one would think that its enough to entertain a 9 month old. Apparently not. Sydney decided that her toys aren’t good enough for her and wanted to play with daddy’s toys. So she crawled over to the entertainment center and get into daddy's computer CD's. Bats them off the shelf with her little paws and almost gets to eat them before I get over there to tell pull her away. Karolyn is right behind her saying "Sydney makin mess mom, Sydney makin a mess"
Then I go downstairs to do some much needed laundry. Before I know it, I hear this very loud and very scary CRASH. No one is crying which is a good thing. I drop everything and run up the stairs to see if anyone is hurt. There is Syd next to the plant stand, the plant and dirt all over my freshly washed floor. Karolyn is pointing to her sister "Sydney makin mess mom, Sydney makin a mess. OH NO Sydney trouble."
I get that cleaned up and decide to check my email when I hear another crash followed by a crying baby. I get up and find that Sydney managed to pull the very overflowing kitchen garbage can on top of her. I scoop her up and check to make sure she's OK and comfort her all at the same time when I hear. "Sydney makin mess mom, Sydney makin a mess."
You kids are gonna be the death of me.
Sydney, I'm gonna trade you in for a fifth of whisky, in fact you're so ornery I don't think I can get that much for you.
And Karolyn, put a lid on it.
She would always say the same things to us kids:
"You kids are gonna be the death of me"
"I'm gonna trade you in for a fifth of whisky" Which was always followed by "You're so ornery I don't think I can get that much for you"
"Put a lid on it"
I’m saying these lines so much that my husband is picking them up! LOL
We have a large amount of toys and one would think that its enough to entertain a 9 month old. Apparently not. Sydney decided that her toys aren’t good enough for her and wanted to play with daddy’s toys. So she crawled over to the entertainment center and get into daddy's computer CD's. Bats them off the shelf with her little paws and almost gets to eat them before I get over there to tell pull her away. Karolyn is right behind her saying "Sydney makin mess mom, Sydney makin a mess"
Then I go downstairs to do some much needed laundry. Before I know it, I hear this very loud and very scary CRASH. No one is crying which is a good thing. I drop everything and run up the stairs to see if anyone is hurt. There is Syd next to the plant stand, the plant and dirt all over my freshly washed floor. Karolyn is pointing to her sister "Sydney makin mess mom, Sydney makin a mess. OH NO Sydney trouble."
I get that cleaned up and decide to check my email when I hear another crash followed by a crying baby. I get up and find that Sydney managed to pull the very overflowing kitchen garbage can on top of her. I scoop her up and check to make sure she's OK and comfort her all at the same time when I hear. "Sydney makin mess mom, Sydney makin a mess."
You kids are gonna be the death of me.
Sydney, I'm gonna trade you in for a fifth of whisky, in fact you're so ornery I don't think I can get that much for you.
And Karolyn, put a lid on it.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tank Top?
I love the length that I added. Its just perfect and no one gets the pleasure of seeing my tummy!
BUT, I don't really like how the armholes curl inward so I decided to add some sleeves. So instead of a summer tank top, I'm gonna have a summer t-shirt. Just for the record, I'm down to a ball and a half.
With this kind of pressure, I decided to knit the sleeves from the top down. I read about this in a book and am assured that it works. Basically you pick up stitches at the top of the armhole and work your way down, picking up a stitch on either side of the armhole.
This is the first time that I have ever done this and I really like it. The advantage is that there is no sleeve to sew in once its all said and done because its already knitted in!
I gotta say, I am really liking how this top is turning out. And whats even better is that its all mine. My very own creation which started from just an idea in my head! Not from a pattern out of a magazine that you have to read every line and knit 25 rows before you do the armhole shaping. None of the knit 20 stitches, cast off the middle 15 sts and knit the rest of the 15 sts with a separate ball of yarn. NONE. Its all just free form. Now THIS is knitting. And its so very liberating. I thought I wanted a tank top and now I'm adding sleeves that I'm not sure if I have enough yarn for. How crazy is that?
BUT, I don't really like how the armholes curl inward so I decided to add some sleeves. So instead of a summer tank top, I'm gonna have a summer t-shirt. Just for the record, I'm down to a ball and a half.
With this kind of pressure, I decided to knit the sleeves from the top down. I read about this in a book and am assured that it works. Basically you pick up stitches at the top of the armhole and work your way down, picking up a stitch on either side of the armhole.
This is the first time that I have ever done this and I really like it. The advantage is that there is no sleeve to sew in once its all said and done because its already knitted in!
I gotta say, I am really liking how this top is turning out. And whats even better is that its all mine. My very own creation which started from just an idea in my head! Not from a pattern out of a magazine that you have to read every line and knit 25 rows before you do the armhole shaping. None of the knit 20 stitches, cast off the middle 15 sts and knit the rest of the 15 sts with a separate ball of yarn. NONE. Its all just free form. Now THIS is knitting. And its so very liberating. I thought I wanted a tank top and now I'm adding sleeves that I'm not sure if I have enough yarn for. How crazy is that?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Left Overs
I did it! I managed to add on about 4 more inches and still have yarn left over!
I binded off in the strechiest bind off that I know of. The Kitchener Bind Off.
I binded off in the strechiest bind off that I know of. The Kitchener Bind Off.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Disappointment
So I tried on my creation and about cried. The damn thing is too short! Can you even stand it? TOO SHORT...
Of course if the world was interrested in seeing my all stretched out to the max, post baby belly then it would be the perfect length. However, I consider it my civic duty to not reveal that to the rest of the world.
What am I gonna do? The better question is "what would Svetlana do?" I havn't got a clue!
So I decided I have 2 choices.
1) I can rip out the top of the tank top that contains my perfectly fitting arm holes and fantastic V-neck shaping. All of which, I feel the need to mention, is in my head as I didn't write down what exactly it was that I did.
2) Rip out the cast on and knit in the round in 2x2 rib until I get the length that I want.
I went with option 2.
I went to go and see how many balls I have left and I counted 3. THREE balls to add some length.
I can do it. I will not go and search to see if anyone on the planet has some of this discontinued yarn.
Of course if the world was interrested in seeing my all stretched out to the max, post baby belly then it would be the perfect length. However, I consider it my civic duty to not reveal that to the rest of the world.
What am I gonna do? The better question is "what would Svetlana do?" I havn't got a clue!
So I decided I have 2 choices.
1) I can rip out the top of the tank top that contains my perfectly fitting arm holes and fantastic V-neck shaping. All of which, I feel the need to mention, is in my head as I didn't write down what exactly it was that I did.
2) Rip out the cast on and knit in the round in 2x2 rib until I get the length that I want.
I went with option 2.
I went to go and see how many balls I have left and I counted 3. THREE balls to add some length.
I can do it. I will not go and search to see if anyone on the planet has some of this discontinued yarn.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Signs Of Spring
Spring is finally here!!! After months and months of snow and ice and more snow, we finally have a day that is in the 60's.
There is no snow on the ground, the grass is dry, and the air has a warm breeze.
The birds are chirping and the tulips are trying to poke their heads through the ground.
So to celebrate, the girls and I went outside and played a bit!
There is no snow on the ground, the grass is dry, and the air has a warm breeze.
The birds are chirping and the tulips are trying to poke their heads through the ground.
So to celebrate, the girls and I went outside and played a bit!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Making Progress
I'm making progress on the tank top which is GREAT! I casted on, joined in the round and started knitting a 2x2 rib for about 3 inches. Then I continued to knit in plain knitting to the armpits where I divided the tube into front and back stitches.
Up until now there has been no purling. One of the great advantages of knitting in the round. The other advantage? Well there are no seams to sew as you are knitting the front and the back at the same time. So on this great knitting adventure I was thinking of how I wanted to do the neckline. I decided on doing a V-neckline because I hear that is flattering on Little Miss Chubby.
Here is a pic of my progress so far.
I did a 3-needle bind off on the shoulders because that is easier and faster than having to bind off and then sew the front and back together.
Looking pretty good! I'm getting excited over here.
Up until now there has been no purling. One of the great advantages of knitting in the round. The other advantage? Well there are no seams to sew as you are knitting the front and the back at the same time. So on this great knitting adventure I was thinking of how I wanted to do the neckline. I decided on doing a V-neckline because I hear that is flattering on Little Miss Chubby.
Here is a pic of my progress so far.
I did a 3-needle bind off on the shoulders because that is easier and faster than having to bind off and then sew the front and back together.
Looking pretty good! I'm getting excited over here.
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