knitting

Perhaps one reason I have been so absent from this space. :)
There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't knit a few stitches.
It's borderline obsessive.
And I love it!
See what I've been knitting on Ravelry.
Friend me if you'd like. ;)

And you must check out this book!

Just darling!

Although I have been quiet here, I still post quite regularly to Instagram.
You can view my feed HERE :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 10 - { Something I Made }

:: Today's Photo Challenge :: { Something I Made } I originally made these arm warmers for myself.
But after shrinking them in the wash (doh!) I sadly handed them over to My Girl, and she happily received them.
(I'll make myself a pair one day.)
I followed instructions from an amazing fellow knitter/blogger.
(Her blog is nearly a daily visit...check it out HERE)
If you are on Ravelry you can find my knitting notes HERE
:: Today's Gratitudes :: just enough to get by, facial tissues...soft, soft tissues, My Love grocery shopping with the kids so I can rest, playing cars with Baby Boy, books resting in random spots - waiting for My Girl to pick them back up and read again

in my basket

Currently in my knitting basket:
Shalom Cardigan, (on my Ravelry page) nearly complete besides needing ends woven in, vintage buttons sewn on, and blocking.
I always procrastinate when it comes to these steps. ;)
I started this cardigan back in J A N U A R Y ! During our cold months.
Then the heat came and it was put into hibernation.
I would take it with me on any car ride that was longer than 30 minutes and still never managed to make much progress on it. The yoke was fun to knit, but when I got to the body I got a little bored, and intimidated by the amount of stitches! (over 100)

Also in my basket is a sweet gift I can't reveal yet. ;)

grey monday

It's rainy and grey outside, but bright and colorful inside...
Made this soup for dinner...

I was brave and started a fire...with David on the phone walking me through it... ;)

We lazed about on the floor in front of the fire eating cookies, sipping coffee (only Mama of course) knitting, weaving a pot holder and coloring. Baby boy spent his time chattering to us and rolling over like a big boy!



There may be dishes in the sink and floors to be swept, but I will go to sleep tonight with a full heart, and happy memories...

a mess...

From this week's pregnancy newsletter - Week 26 :
"Pregnancy has a way of amplifying feelings. You may feel exceedingly happy many days ... and then feel overwhelmingly tired and stressed on others."
NO KIDDING!
Just ask my lovies...

I am a mess these days! So irritable one day, and just giddy the next! Last night I had a mini breakdown over something not so big, but hurtful just the same. No details because it has all resolved itself. It felt good to have a good cry! A relief somehow.
I have been busy though...Here is a peek at a few knitting projects...

A market bag for my friend's birthday.

A wool soaker to go over baby boy's cloth diapers. Isn't it the cutest!? It's my first, and full of mistakes...but I like it just the same and can't wait to knit a dozen more! :)
I hope to post again soon...I have a few photos to share and would like to share the fruits of my "mini nesting" session from yesterday. ;)

Baby Booties I

First knitting project for baby...
If we do not have a baby boy, there are plenty of couples we know that are expecting...I'm sure there will be at least one boy in the mix to gift them to!
We won't know if we're having a girl or a boy for a while still...if even then, you never know if baby will cooperate. But I think David and I agree we'd like to know what we're having before the birth. There are so many uncertainties in our life right now, it would be nice to know something.

Day 25 - Photo-A-Day 2009

From 2009 Photo-A-Day

A typical Friday night for us...
after pizza and a movie...
G. is quiet in bed...
David plays WOW and I knit.

Day 21 - Photo-A-Day 2009

From 2009 Photo-A-Day

I ordered this book from Amazon.com the end of December, and FINALLY after one lost package received it today! I am off for the night to peruse it, and pick out all the little hat patterns I want to knit! :)

Day 9 - Photo-A-Day 2009

From 2009 Photo-A-Day

I spent part of my morning ripping back a hat I made for David. It was too big and I was just going to frog it, but he really liked it...so I ripped it back and re-knit it and now it fits! I'll have to take a picture of him wearing it soon.
(are you bored with my blog yet? ha! It's o.k....I can tell you that it should get more interesting once winter is over...stick with me! :)

Day 8 - Photo-A-Day 2009

From 2009 Photo-A-Day

My way of winding down after AWANA and 20 energetic SPARKIES . :)
Knit . 1, Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time Tea, and a REALLY bad-for-you piece of carrot cake from the grocery store.
(It's to-die-for...literally, I can't even imagine how many grams of fat is in it...granted I only ate half of it this night.)

Day 6 - Photo-A-Day 2009

From 2009 Photo-A-Day

I recently finished knitting this cowl. All for me! After a few months filled with Christmas gift knitting I finally was able to make something for me! I haven't been sharing many of my handknit items on here, I am on Ravelry (think MySpace for knitter/crocheters) and tend to load up all my projects there! Plus for the last few months I've had to keep my projects a secret! :) I'm sure I'll be sharing more handknits through this photo-a-day project.

Day 3 - Photo-A-Day 2009

From 2009 Photo-A-Day

I've been working on this scarf for David since the end of September. Christmas came and it was put aside for other projects. Now I am happily knitting on it again...

DUCK!

We went out and played in the snow yesterday...I have more to share, but it will have to wait till tomorrow!

(P.S. I knit the hat I'm wearing! I love it!)

...

And a little eye candy for knitters:

If you knit (or crochet) and aren't' on Ravelry yet...what are you waiting for??? It's an awesome online community of knitters/crocheters who share patterns, pictures, and tips! If you join, add me to your friends...my name is Kale80.
Let me know if you would like the link to download the pattern for the mug cozies!

Feeling a little better today...just a bit lazy...but I must get a move on because I have to go grocery shopping! yuck! But I don't want to because of this:

That is definitely coat, hat, scarf, and gloves temperatures!

But it should be a good day because of this:

(A pretty little heart in my coffee this morning...Yes, I can gauge how a day will be by my coffee! ha! Not...I'm just kidding.)

And this final photo is a perfect picture of my days recently...it's happened more than once:That is a stray piece of yarn stuck on my sweater from my morning knitting. :) I had to chuckle when I saw it in the mirror!
Just please, someone tell me if there is any hanging from my bum! ha!
Have a great day!

still sick

I am still sick.
Sneezy, snuffly, snotty, and sleepy.Nursing myself back to health with hot soup (Ecuadorian Quinoa Vegetable Soup, to be exact), lots of water, hot tea (Mighty Leaf Rainforest Mate is pictured), rest, and knitting. :)

hello there!

It's been a while! I'm taking a little break from our lazy Saturday to enjoy the above cup of coffee...mmm...home made mocha...complete with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Simple joys...

Thank you all for your comments on my last post. I am doing much better. I have much to be thankful for! I think the combination of the weather change, falling back an hour, and the sun rising late and setting at 3pm here, I just got a little down. It will be a little challenging keeping our spirits up this winter. We're staying busy though. We just don't go outside much. I think I miss that the most. We had such an amazing summer! We were outside every chance we got. I love the snow, from afar, or through my windows. I don't care too much to be out in it! :o)

I hope to post a few pictures from the last couple of weeks soon. Maybe I'll just do a random picture post.

I had a request to share the pattern for the little felted purse I knitted for Gwyneth. Since my friend Amy is picking up knitting, and I know a couple of you like to knit as well, I thought I would just share it right here on my blog. The purse I made Gwyneth measured 8"H x 6.5"W after it was felted. It is just the right size for her Sparks handbook, and my old Precious Moments Bible, as pictured in the photo to the right... This is a quick and simple project, perfect for a beginner. It's also great for the more experienced knitter who wants a project that does not require a lot of attention (you know the ones you sit with and work on during a movie, or your favorite TV show.)
So here it is:

Little Felted Bag
You will need:

1 skein of chunky wool (I used Patons Classic Wool) (140 yds)
Size 11 16” or 24” circular needles
4 markers (I just tied yarn, in a contrasting color, to my needles.)
yarn needle

Guage: in stockinette, roughly 12 inches and 18 rounds, four inches

Finished measurements: after felting, purse is roughly 6.5 to 8.5 wide by 6.5 to 7.5 tall, depending on how long you felt.

To make bottom of purse: loosely cast on 13 stitches and work back and forth in garter stitch (knit every row) for 38 rows (19 ridges). Do not turn.

Begin main part of bag: Without turning, knit 13 stitches on needle, place marker and pick up 19 stitches along the long edge (1 stitch for each ridge), place a marker and pick up 13 stitches along cast on edge, place marker, and pick up 19 stitches along second long edge, place a fourth marker to mark the beginning of the round; 64 stitches total.

Note: you will be working in rounds from now on. Be sure to keep moving markers as your work.

Begin knitting every round (stockinette stitch) until purse measures 10.5 inches, measuring from pick-p round, ending at beginning of round marker.

Begin handles: On next round, k13, slip marker off, k3, bind off next 13 stitches, k3, slip marker off, repeat to once more, leaving only beginning round marker.

On next round, k16, cast on 25 stitches, k19, cast on 25 stitches, knit to end of round.

Work 4 more rounds, bind off all stitches. Work in ends.

Wash is hot soapy water in your washing machine. Check often through cycle to check felting progress. I did not wash my bag for a full cycle. Rinse in cold water. Let air dry stretched over a shoebox inside a plastic grocery bag, to shape. Embellish with buttons, ribbons, felted flowers, etc.

Ta-Da!

I made this!

It's adorable, and Gwyneth really likes it. I had a lot of fun making it! I started another one that is going to be about three times this size.

Misc...

On a walk last week. Love all the trees!

I know it's been a while...so here's a post about what's been up...
Life is staying fairly full for us... But not too full...
Well maybe for David. He is working some long hours, due to an inspection of sorts at the hospital and is busy with school as well. He is also going to an NCO board (Non Commissioned Officer evaluation of sorts...TEST... hee hee) this coming month too! He had a physical fitness test this morning (he passed) and his whole section is moving to a new hospital in June. He's quite a busy guy.
AWANA
AWANA is on a break until the fall. Closing ceremony and awards were a couple weeks ago. Gwyneth was the only SPARK who received the review patch this year. That means that she went through the SPARKS handbook twice. She memorized 31 Bible verses (recited them all twice) and can recite all the names of the books of the New Testament. We are incredibly proud of her!
GYMNASTICS
Gymnastics is going good. (The video above is from March when Gwyneth climbed all the way to the top of the rope! One of the skills you must attain to join the team.) At the end of the season (end of March) Gwyneth was evaluated by her coach and it was determined that her and two other girls on her team would be able to advance to level 3. Level 3 is not necessarily a competition level gymnastics. Level 4 is the first official level of compulsory competition in the USA Gymnastics competitive system. She will have the chance to go to Anchorage at least once this year and do a sort of competition. She is surprisingly very excited about it. Not too nervous. She is doing incredibly well at keeping up with some of the more advanced girls. Her practice times increased. She goes 3 days a week for 2 hours at a time. (Our financial commitment increased as well...)
I'm keeping busy taking Gwyneth to and from all her activities. We go to the library and the grocery store a lot. ha! I'm cooking more often...just about every night. I've cut out most of the junk. Incorporating more vegetables (real, whole foods!) and buying organic when possible. I've learned a lot about food and organics...Also about some of the dangerous ingredients in some of the things we use daily...i.e. makeup, hair products, cleaning products...it's incredible!
KNITTING
I'm still knitting...I finished David's scarf! (will post a picture soon.) After many breaks, and what I thought were mess-ups, and many trips to the yarn store for help from the very friendly and knowledgeable store owner Janene , I can proudly say it is finished. I love it! It's SO soft!
I am currently working on a bag for me. It's going to be knit and felted, and will replace my current bag made of PVC. :o)
The weather is warming up here. It is currently 51 as I type. It's reached 60 a few times these past few weeks. We got our first rain in 6 months the other day. It was nice. It kinda cleaned the streets up a bit. Now my car is a different story! ha! All the ice and snow from winter did a job on it! We'll get it cleaned soon enough!

We are getting close to 16 hours of daylight now. The sun rises around 5AM and sets close to 11PM! It's the wildest thing!
We put Gwyneth to bed and the sun is still shining bright! I've been having a hard time going to bed with the sun still up. We are going to be wimps and make some curtains for the bedrooms. Most native Alaskans have no problem with the prolonged daylight, and sleep just fine without shades. We're not quite there yet!
I hope to get back to posting more regularly again. I've taken a lot of pictures and am thinking of just posting a couple a day...We'll see!

Firsts-In-February

February has been a month of many firsts for us here in Alaska! Some good, some not so good!

GOOD:

We got to see the Northern Lights last night! Practically in our backyard! David was home sick and I was driving home after picking Gwyneth up from AWANA. I spotted some "smoke" in the sky, but it looked kind of green. I have been anticipating seeing this magnificent beauty that I told myself not to get too excited. As I got further away from the "city" lights I could see that it was not smoke afterall! It was the Northern Lights! I was SO excited, I was loudly telling Gwyneth "Look! Look! Look!" I quickly phoned David, who I am sure thought I'd lost my mind! I told him to bundle up, we were going OUT to get some pictures of it! What an incredible sight! I would have stayed out there till they faded away, if my fingers hadn't frozen on me! It was easily -20° at the time!
NOT SO GOOD:
We experienced our first earthquake. (4.8 Magnitude) Well, I did anyway. David and Gwyneth slept through it!
GOOD:
We sighted a bit of wildlife; a fox in the dawn of morning taking David to work, and a moose! Gwyneth was at a birthday party and David and I were parked out front of the house waiting until it was time to pick her up. David said "Moose!" (Remember we're in a neighborhood here, so I think he's kidding and some guy has a moose figurine on his tow hitch or something.) I look to my left and behold the biggest animal on four legs I have ever been that close to! I was awestruck! It started to cross the street right in front of us! Only one car length away! I was so surprised I didn't happen to notice if it was a male of female! One of the girls at the party must have spotted it too, because all the little 6 year old girls came running out onto the porch squealing with delight!(They were well enough away from the moose as not to get hurt.)
NOT SO GOOD:
The camera we bought to carry everywhere with us for such a time as this was laying on the computer desk waiting for me to clear the memory card! AHHH!! So no pictures of our first moose!
GOOD: (but not really Alaska related)

I finished my very first knitted scarf! It has many flaws, and is made from cheap, itchy acrylic yarn, but it's ALL mine, and finished!
NOT SO GOOD:
David had to be away at school in Anchorage for two weeks the beginning of this month. It's the first time we have been exasperated since he was in Korea four years ago. It is nothing compared to what many men and women in the military go through, but it was lonely just the same! We missed him and were very happy when he was home again!
GOOD:
"Breakup" is closer than it was in January! Ha!
NOT SO GOOD:
We saw -42°! The coldest morning we've felt since we moved here! (And yes, we were out in it! Gwyneth had gymnastics and then we went to the library.)