New Stuff

For the last 2 weeks I have been so sick. Sicker then I've been in years. I even had a fever, and I never get fevers. I feel like I'm only working on 80% health right now. I wish I would hurry up and get better! I need to do my christmas shopping. All I've gotten done is 1 present! I know I've got some time before the holidays, but I am already feeling the crunch. This year I am only making one christmas present, a stocking for my niece. Myself and my siblings all have the same type of stocking, a felt and sequin appliqué stocking. I've been "nominated" to make a matching stocking for my niece.



There are 100 pieces to be cut out, sequined, embroidered and appliquéd. I'm on piece 22. I will get this done before christmas!

I've finished my stocking swap, so I can finally post some pictures of the things I sent out.



Pattern: Lengthwise Garter Stitch Scarf
Yarn: Random bits and pieces from the stash in blacks and greys
Needles: US 10
Modifications: I just cast on 300 and knit while randomly changing rows. It came out really long, so next time I think I could do like 250 and it would be alright.


Pattern: Raisin Beret
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in black
Needles: US 3 and US 10
Modifications: I made some mistakes in the top decreases. I think it still looked ok. No pictures of me in it because I made it for a swap.




Pattern: Molly's Headband from Interweave knits
Yarn: Knitpicks Totem
Needles: US 6
Modifications: No modifications, it was easy to do and an easy chart to follow. No pictures of it on, because again it was for a swap.

Pattern: Sugi
Yarn: Knitpicks Shine Sport in Coral
Needles: US 4
Modifications: I changed the legs and just did them as I-cords. I also used a thinner yarn and smaller needles.

I'm still working on my tree jacket, but I'm almost done. I am about 1/2 done with the second sleeve and then it is done baby! I cannot wait to wear it. I think it fits really nicely. It feels like I have not made something for myself in so so so long. Maybe I'm selfish, but I've had enough for awhile of knitting for baby showers and swaps. I think I need to focus a little bit more on me me me!

One last bonus picture, Bud in the first snow of the year. He loves the snow. He likes to sit outside with his head up in the air just letting the snow land on him, until he's covered in white.



I wanted to get a picture of his face, but he was more interested in watching the snow fall then in getting his picture taken!

Ain't got a thing to say...

There has not been much to report on the knitting front. I went to my first stitch n' bitch with a new friend Sarah (whom I met on ravelry), last week (it was actually the first time Sarah and I met in person). Unfortunately I spent most of my time unknitting my treejacket because I realized I had somehow messed up the pattern of the yarnovers. So I didn't accomplish much knitting, but it was still fun going. It was my first time ever meeting with a group to knit. It wasn't really a huge group (only three other women besides Sarah and myself), but they were all very friendly. It was at Have Ewe Any Wool in Elmhurst. I think I shall definitely be going back again.

The other knitting I am doing is going to have to stay secret for the moment. I joined a Craftster swap, it's the Christmas Stocking Swap. Basically you craft a stocking (either decorate a store bought or make from scratch) and fill it up with stuff. Half of the items need to be crafted, the other half can be store bought. I have a few little items crafted already. And of course I am going to include some knitting, but it'll be a secret until after the stocking had been sent and received (end of November). I still need to buy some supplies to actually craft the stocking itself. I've got 2 ideas for ways to make the stocking, but I need to see which idea will actually work first. So far I'm having fun thinking of things to fill the stocking.

After I finish the swap stocking I need to get working on a stocking for my niece. All my siblings and myself have those stockings that are felt appliqué with the beads and sequins on them (do you know what I mean? I don't think I'm describing them well), and I've been nominated to make one in the same style for my niece. We'd leave it for my mom to do, but it did take 20 years for my youngest brother's stocking to get finished. My mom already purchased the kit and I've got to get working on putting it all together.

Speaking of my niece, she's incredibly cute. I've been lucky enough to get to see her almost every single day since she was born. I just cannot get enough of her.

Bud update: he will be going in for an updated blood test this week. Cross your fingers!