Knitting with Monkey

Where has the time gone?

2008-07-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

Oops! Has it really been two months since I've blogged!? I guess I just spend all my "blogging time" updating Kaylen's blog, so I never get around to posting anything here.
I have been busy the last two months. I've finished over half of a simple lace shawl (the Invisibility Shawl from Charmed Knits) Unfortunately, I don't have any recent photos.
I do have a photo of my latest creation though! It's a sewing project! Gasp! I hardly ever bust out the sewing machine, but I saw this cute pattern and had to make it.

I actually bought the pattern months ago, then remembered I had it, and had to admit to myself that summer is quickly zooming by, so I whipped it up in two evenings. I think it turned out really cute.

Next Knitter?

2008-05-13T13:05:00.001-07:00

Could this be the next knitter in the family?

Gryffindor Socks

2008-04-18T09:10:00.001-07:00

I did it! I finished my Gryffindor socks!

This was my first time knitting two socks at the same time using the magic loop method. I think I'll definately be knitting my toe-up socks that way from now on. It really cures that "second-sock-syndrome" problem.

Anybody else find it difficult to be creative with your foot/sock modeling poses?

Well, I tried.

Sirius Black!

2008-04-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

My Sirius Black socks are finished! Can you tell that they're more than just plain black socks?

I had this wonderful idea that my Sirius Black socks should be, well, black.
Unfortunately it has effectively hidden all my pattern work. I was able to get the prison numbers that run down the side of the cuff to sort of show up a tiny bit in this photo...

There's also dog toes on the top of the foot (because Sirius Black turns into a black dog in the Harry Potter books)

And dog toe pads on the bottom of the toes! I think they're cute.

This pattern came as part of my Harry Potter Covers sock club from Dharmafey's Cosmic Fibers (she's on Etsy). They were supposed to be knit up in a variegated yarn that came with the pattern, but I'll probably knit that skein up into plain socks to show the colours. We'll see. In the meantime, I'm obsessivelly knitting up my Gryffindor yarn that I received from my HSKS4 swap. Those socks are coming along nicely and might even be finished by next weekend! Look for pictures next week!

She Likes It!

2008-03-13T10:41:00.001-07:00

It was Kaylen's first birthday yesterday! And, she likes her care bear! Yay!

I can Crochet!

2008-03-03T21:29:00.000-08:00

Yay! I finished Kaylen's Care Bear in time for her birthday next week! I hope she likes him (her?).

This was my very first Crochet project and I'm happy with the way it turned out. The clover on the tummy was supposed to be crocheted, but after my third frustrating and unsuccessful attempt, I just cut one out of felt and sewed it on! I know, I know, that's cheating, but I'm sure Kaylen won't mind.

Done, almost

2008-02-27T08:28:00.001-08:00

The ladybug sweater (and hat!) is finished! Except for the buttons. I'm still hunting for the perfect set of buttons.

I know that pockets are pretty useless on a baby sweater, but they're just so cute!!!

Yes, I'm still here

2008-02-21T13:17:00.001-08:00

Okay, so it's been a while since I've posted. Sorry.
Yes, I'm alive.
What have I been working on lately? Well, I've been working like mad on a ladybug sweater for my cousin's baby due in March. It's nearly finished now. I just have to put it all together and add the buttonband and pockets. I'm also thinking of making a little hat to go with it (depending on how much yarn I have left over)

It really looks a lot better in person than in this picture. My camera has a problem with colours.

My Little Weasley

2008-01-08T18:45:00.000-08:00

My latest finished project:
The Weasley Sweater from Charmed Knits by Alison Hansel.
I'm very pleased with how it turned out. It was really hard to get Kaylen to hold still long enough to get a good photo though.

As you can see, I had some major troubles with this yarn for the duplicate stitch letter on the front. Luckily for me the Weasley sweaters are famous for being "homely" so I'm sure Molly Weasley would be proud!

Baby Santa Hat Pattern

2008-01-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

I've received a few pattern requests for the Santa Hat I made for my baby this year.

Well, the thing is, I couldn't find a pattern, so I just made one up as I went along. I did write it down as I went though, just in case it actually turned out okay, so here it is........ please note, I've never written a pattern before so forgive me if it doesn't make sense.

Baby Santa Hat

Yarn: I used Bernat Satin Sport : less than 1-85g. (3oz) ball each of

MC: Red

CC: White

Guage: 22s = 4" in st st.

With CC cast on 88 stitches

Join in the round and work in K1, P1 rib for 12 rounds

Knit for 12 rounds in st st. (Note: if I was to make this hat again, I would just do these 12 rounds in ribbing too)

Switch to MC and knit for 26 rounds

[K9, K2tog] to end of round

Knit 6 rounds even

[K8, K2tog] to end of round

Knit 6 rounds even

[K7, K2tog] to end of round

Knit 6 rounds even

[K6, K2tog] to end of round

Knit 6 rounds even

Continue in this pattern until you get down to [K1, K2tog]

Knit 6 rounds even

[K2tog] to end of round

Break Yarn and pull through remaining stitches, secure.

Make a pom-pom with CC and secure to top of hat.

(Note: My baby tried to eat her pompom constantly, so please supervise small babies when wearing this hat!)

Sally Update

2007-12-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

Sally Scarecrow is coming along nicely. I had to take a break from her while I was sewing Kaylen's Christmas Pajamas, but I'm back at it now.
She's stuffed, and has a few bits added (panty frills and shoe straps). Her skirt is finished but the bottom edge is rolling up so badly that I'm going to have to add some sort of fold-over hem to the bottom. Now she just needs arms, a face, hair, hat, accessories and, well, the rest of her scarecrow family!

Fun "Little" Knit

2007-11-29T16:42:00.000-08:00

I've got enough done now of Sally the Scarecrow to take a picture.
This pattern is from Jean Greenhowe's Scarecrow Family Booklet.

I'm planning on making the whole Scarecrow family for Kaylen. I was thinking I would have them all done for her 2nd birthday. (she's only 8 months old) These little dolls are a LOT of work!!!

I have the main body finished and now I just need to make arms, clothes, accessories, hair, stuff the body, sew on all the little extra bits and make a face. Oh geez, what have I gotten myself into???

Oh yeah, and one more thing.... Here's a picture of Kaylen's recently finished "Harry Potter" Hogwarts Vest!

In Gryffindor colours of course!

Kaylen's Vest (on Kaylen)

2007-11-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay, as requested, a picture of Kaylen in her vest.

(she does look cute in it.... of course I have a slightly biased opinion, being her mom and everything)

Vest for Kaylen

2007-11-22T10:41:00.000-08:00

I just finished knitting a little pullover vest for Kaylen.
Monkey is modelling it until Kaylen wakes up from her nap to try it on.

I'm a little concerned about the neck hole.... it might be too small. I'm planning on making several more of these so maybe I'll make the next one with just a rolled neck edge.

I'll post pictures on Kaylen's blog when she tries it on. (well, IF she can get it on over her head!!!)

Update: It fits over Kaylen's head... but just barely. Picture on her blog.

A simple ball?

2007-11-18T08:40:00.001-08:00

Okay, here's a bit of a non-knitting rant.....
My daughter, Kaylen, is crawling now, and she likes to crawl after the dog's ball at Grandma's house. Very cute, but we can't let her have it because, well, ew. So... we decided to go out and buy her a new ball just for her. We went to two department stores that have very big toy sections.... Did we find a ball? NO!!! What the!?!?!?!? We found plenty of toys with lights and sounds, and dolls that talk and pee, and baby keyboards to attach to your computer, and little kid treadmills (are you freakin' serious!?!?) but no balls. What happened to regular TOYS!?!? Why does everything have to DO something? Do kids have no imagination anymore? I mean, come on, I can't even buy a simple ball!?!? This is just ridiculous! Is anybody else disturbed by the over-designed, sit-on-you-but-and-never-go-outside toys out there? (seriously, a little kid treadmill???)
Okay, that's enough of a rant. My husband and I are going to try Toys-R-Us.... hopefully they will have something.

Hedwig Socks Completed!

2007-11-03T10:09:00.001-07:00

I stayed up late last night and finished my Hedwig socks!!!

They turned out great! I had a lot of fun knitting these... I even finished both socks! (that's pretty good for me as I tend to suffer from single-sock-syndrome) I think it's cool how well they match the book cover... I can't wait to start the next ones!!!

Heeeeere's Froggy!

2007-11-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

Aw, Dangit! I finished the gusset decreases on the second Hedwig sock and tried it on.... it was pretty loose... much bigger than the first sock. Hmmmm... So, I held up the first sock, and held up the partially completed second sock and realized, dangit, that I had actually messed up on the first sock. I decreased every row instead of every other row. It actually worked out for the best because that sock fits perfectly. So... I had to rippit, rippit, rippit on the second sock, back to the beginning of the decreases. I'm now re-knitting WITH the mistake on purpose!

My Big Prize!

2007-10-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

My prize from Knit & Purl Mama's blog contest arrived today!!!
Check out my loot! I'm so spoiled!

Wanna know what I got? Well....
There's a copy of Interweave Knits, a Sock Pattern (I chose Thelonious... it looks soooo cool!), a Sock Blocker Keychain & Mini-Sock Pattern, Regia Sock Yarn, Knit Picks Crayon Yarn, THREE sets of Stitch-Markers, a deck of cards, some Trident cinnamon gum, a cute luggage tag, a cool green beaded necklace, and some FunDip (I loved fun dip when I was a kid.... so much sugary-goodness)
Thanks Robyn!!! You Rock!

I also received my October Sock Club Kit from Robyn's Nest.
Wow, the colourway is amazing! I love it!

The picture doesn't even do it justice... the colours are so intense and awesome. My husband saw the yarn and claimed it for himself.... he wants me to make him a pair of socks. He doesn't usually ask me to knit him anything so I'm definately going to grant this request.

One Done

2007-10-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

I finished the first Hedwig sock last night.
It turned out great.... and I cast on the second sock this morning!

Sock Progress

2007-10-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I was able to steal the computer away from my husband for two minutes.... just long enough to upload and post this sock progress photo.
Enjoy.

Socks!

2007-10-27T14:25:00.000-07:00

My Potter's Covers Sock Club Kit came yesterday!!! I got the first two shipments together (there's 7 altogether, one for each Harry Potter Book).
This is the Sorceror's Stone Colourway with the Hedwig Pattern and the Chamber of Secrets Colourway with the Heir of Slytherin Pattern.

I've wound the first skein into a ball (I got to use my new swift and ball winder, thanks Mom!!!).... and you can see it matches the book cover really well!

I'm a little more than halfway down the ankle of the first sock and will be starting the heel by tomorrow probably. (if not today)
I'm a little concerned that it might be a tad too big. Here's the situation. The pattern is written for a medium (which happens to be my sock size) and it calls for a 2.25mm needle... which I have in DPNs that I bought specifically for these socks.... Well, it turns out that I hate DPNs, or at least they hate me. So, after starting and ripping 3 times, I tossed the irritating little needles aside and went to find my circulars. Now, it just so happens that I have 2.0mm and 2.5mm... no 2.25mm. Normally I knit a little loose so I started again with the 2.0mm and it was looking too small so I ripped again and started AGAIN with the 2.5mm..... they're looking a tad big but I keep trying it on my ankle and its not too bad, but I keep second guessing myself. We'll see what it's like when I'm done I guess (I'm NOT ripping again, I'm too far along now!)
Wish me luck!!!

A couple quick little projects

2007-10-25T07:53:00.001-07:00

In the last 3 days I've completed two little projects.

The first is a little Pumkin Hat for Kaylen.

(more pictures on Kaylen's blog)

I was at a craft store and a lady saw Kaylen's Kitty Hat and asked if I knit. I told her that I did and she asked me to test-knit the pumpkin hat pattern that she wrote. This was my first time being a "test-knitter". It was fun and the hat turned out great.

The other quick knit was this cool little Snitch Pouch.

I found the pattern here and thought it looked cute.

I took the designers advice and did the snitch in duplicate stitch afterwards. I think it turned out way better than it would have if I attempted the intarsia! The bag is really tiny! Only about 5" high and so cute! I don't know what I will use it for, but I love it anyway.

(note: I wouldn't exactly call the snitch pouch a "quick knit" - it was more of an obsessive knit, which is why it was completed so fast.... if you actually look at it, you will see there are a LOT of tiny little stitches involved in this one!!!)

I Won!!!

2007-10-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

I won a contest! Yipee!!! A while ago Robyn (Knit&Purl Mama) held a Blogiversary Contest on her blog. The entry was simple... just be the 2121st person to leave a comment on her blog. And I won!!!! The prizes are awesome! If I remember correctly, I've won some Regia sock yarn, some DPN's for sock knitting, Custom-made stitch markers (excited to see what she's made!) a sock pattern of my choice from her Robyn's Nest store, AND a copy of Interweave Knits. Yay! :-D
Thanks Robyn, can hardly wait for it to arrive!

Wow, I'm good.... when Mom helps.

2007-10-20T18:42:00.000-07:00

Look what I made!!!

It's the Gryffindor Bag from Quietish.... free pattern, check it out.
I LOVED making this bag... I really enjoyed the fairisle work and I couldn't put it down. It only took me 3 days to knit the bag. I then had to block it and then beg and plead my Mom to do the crochet edging and strap for me. I would've done it myself except for the fact that I was so pleased with how the bag turned out that I didn't want to ruin the whole thing with my crappy crochet skills. Thanks Mom, it turned out awesome. I also chose a silky smooth satiny lining to "enhance" the quality.

I LOVE THIS BAG!!!
I think I'm going to use it as my project bag for when my Harry Potter Covers Sock Yarn arrives.

Bored Knitting

2007-10-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

What do you do when your whole family is sick and just being bums around the house?
You come up with stupid knitting patterns to use up your hideous handspun of course!!!

This was a slightly modified version of an ugly pattern I found in a magazine.
It turned out kinda cute on Kaylen.

Kaylen's New Hoodie

2007-10-05T07:32:00.000-07:00

I've been knitting Kaylen a hoodie this week.
I don't know why I became so obsessed with finishing it, (maybe because I've realized how quickly she grows out of everything?) but I've been working on it 'til midnight every night this week.
Finished product! YAY!

Kaylen graciously woke up at 6am to model for this photo.... she's now back in bed while I make this post in my pajamas. ;-)

Piggy

2007-09-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Last night I finished knitting "Pig" from Fiona McTague's Book "Knitted Toys".
I'm not sure what Kaylen thinks of him yet.... she seems to enjoy chewing in his ears though.

I'm not overly-impressed with the finished product but he was just a stash-reducing project so it doesn't really matter.

I'm In!!!

2007-09-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

WooHoo!!! I got onto Ravelry! I've only been waiting for about 3 months.
My user name is "Kristo" if you want to check it out! :-)

Spinning With Monkey

2007-09-24T10:59:00.001-07:00

I recently went to a local Spin-In with my Mom. (Monkey came too)
I first learned to spin at the same event last year. I had a lot of fun spending the day with my Mom and meeting a bunch of new people. I even got some spinning done! (and some money spent, hehehe)
Monkey had a good time too.... I taught him how to spin.... He's a very fast learner.

Last Chance

2007-09-21T09:34:00.001-07:00

Only one more day to sign up for the Mitten Swap!

Wouldn't you just love to knit a pair of mittens??? And wouldn't you just love to receive a pair in return??? Come on! It'll be fun! :-)

Pussy Cat Hat

2007-09-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help myself.... I was attacked by one of those free patterns on the label of a cheap ball of yarn. It was super cute and I couldn't resist!
This is the Pussy Cat Hat from the label of a ball of Phentex Merit.
The label says it takes 3 balls but I made it with just 1 ball..... To be honest, I did make the smallest size and I tightened up the guage to make it even smaller. The smalles size was a size 2 but I wanted to make it for my 6 month old. (she's about the size of your average one year old though)
I think it turned out really cute.

Blocking Issues

2007-09-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

I recently knit Bluebell from Knitty.
It was fun to knit and it turned out great.... except for the blocking.
Can you believe this was actually blocked!?!?!?

I think the problem stems from the "mystery yarn" I used from my Mom's stash.... We weren't sure what it was but it was about the right weight and a pretty colour (she even had the matching beads on hand!) so I went for it. This was my first time knitting a "real" lace pattern and my first time using beads so I didn't want to go out and buy the supplies in case I hated it.
Dang!
I'm thinking if I block it again and maybe starch it a bit it might help???
Any advice?

By the way, only 10 more days to sign up for the Mitten Swap... come on people!!! :-)

Mitten Swap!

2007-09-06T18:01:00.000-07:00

Hey! Anybody wanna join the Mitten Swap?
Come on! The more people, the more fun! :-D

Here's the Link
http://mittenswap3.blogspot.com/

Noro Cap

2007-09-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Yay! I actually knit something for myself!
This is the Noro Silk Garden "Yorkshire Cap".

It took me one day to complete the whole thing.... yes, it was a long day of nothing but knitting. I'm kinda funny about knitting hats... Once I start them, I have to keep knitting until they're done. I don't know why. Maybe because they look "almost finished" as soon as the ribbing is done?

Aaaaanyway... I think it turned out pretty good.

My husband really likes it and wants me to knit him a beanie in the same Silk Garden yarn (just a more "masculine" colourway)

Yikes!!!

2007-09-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this is totally not knitting-related at all, but definately worth a picture!
We are doing some renovations around the house and one of the main projects is the front and back decks.... both are rotten and leaky. My husband had a couple of his employees come by today and do some demolition to the existing decks. The front deck had a few wasp nests along the railing where the posts were. I told the guys to go ahead and use some wasp killer before they started working... you know, so it wouldn't be scary working around those little wasp nests. (the biggest ones were about 2") As they dismantled the deck and tore up the plywood they uncovered THIS.

HOLY SH*T!!!!

Closer look at the biggest one?

It's approximately 2 feet by 3 feet. Yeah, um, can you say scary???
Luckily for them, both those nests were empty. They admitted that they had been a little freaked out when they lifted up the plywood. If it had been me, I guarantee I would've jumped off the deck and ran down the street before anyone had a chance to see if there were any wasps in there!

Kaylen Approved

2007-09-04T15:30:00.000-07:00

Kaylen has given Monkette her approval.

(and a few drooley chewed spots already!)

Another Monkey

2007-09-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

I finished the new monkey for Kaylen!

Despite my Mom's comment about the potential names (New Monkey, Other Monkey, Kaylen's Monkey, Girl Monkey) I decided to go with "Monkette".... very original, I know, hehehehe.
If Kaylen decides to rename her later, that's fine with me.
Kaylen hasn't actually seen her new Monkette yet.... she went to bed before I was finished. I wonder what she'll think of her?
Monkey seemed to like her.

New Monkey?

2007-09-02T10:58:00.001-07:00

It seems that my little girl, Kaylen, has developed a fondness for Monkey.

To save Monkey from becoming a chewed-up slobbery mess, I've started making Kaylen her own Monkey.
I've finished knitting all the pieces and I'm just sewing them up.
"Just" sewing them up? That's always the worst part for me.... I like the knitting, but I'm not too excited about piecing things together.
I should have her (new Monkey is a girl) finished in a couple days.... expect pictures.

Cosy Helmet

2007-08-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

I started and finished a cool little winter hat for Kaylen today.
It's a little too big for her still but that is a good thing.... it should fit her just right when winter arrives.
Monkey was a very willing model...

I think he liked it more than Kaylen did.

The pattern was the "cosy helmet" from the Patons booklet "Small Wonders - trendy accessories for cool kids". There's a bunch of fun hat patterns in there... I think I'll be making a few more hats from that booklet.

Note: On the website, the pattern is listed as the "Snug Cap" but in the actual booklet, it is called the "Cosy Helmet".

My History Of Spinning

2007-08-23T11:09:00.001-07:00

Today I showed Monkey all my spinning samples.

My Mom taught me to spin less than a year ago and I've already become addicted. I've learned a lot already just through practice and I'm proud of how my skills have improved.

Monkey carefully examined each skein...

and although the pink merino from Fleece Artist was his favorite...

He proclaimed my latest efforts the winner!

Monkey is BAAAAAACK

2007-08-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

So I decided to rescue Monkey from the brink of extinction.....
You may have been a reader of my old blog Buster'n'me... well, lets face it, Buster (my hamster) died two years ago... and it seems the blog has kinda died as well. Sooooo.... it's time to start fresh! And give monkey the respect he deserves! (and a place in the title too!)
So, come along on the knitting adventures of Monkey! I will try to keep this blog more updated than the last one.... lets all have a brief moment of silence for the old blog... may it rest in peace.
Now for a picture of MONKEY!!! YAY!!!!