Mama Loves Knitting

My wee-est boy turns 4 on March 14th, which is pretty hard for this Mama to wrap her head around, since he’s still supposed to be just a baby. Not much of a baby these days. Getting himself dressed, helping me with tasks, keeping up with his big brother (without much trouble) and saying the most amazingly hilarious things. He told us for his birthday he wants a huckleberry and blueberry ice cream cake in the shape of a dolphin or a whale. Just now when I asked him again he told me he actually wanted a buffalo cake. I said, “Really?” He matter-of-factly said “Yep, that’s my choice.” We still have a little over a month to get the true desire all panned out.

Birthday Garland is on my list of things to accomplish before that big day arrives. And this is the pattern that I’d like to share with you all this week. I’ll get a photo up as soon as I have this made, seems to me it will be a fairly simple project. I sell raw wool at my toy store so I have a plethora of it for my needle felting projects that don’t seem to pan out as beautifully as I envision them to. I bet I can make some pretty birthday garland though, to go with this birthday banner! I’ll share soon!

Ahh one of my favorite places to sit these days, under my new blanket from Jan next to my brand spankin’ new laptop from my sweet husband, knitting of course.

In keeping with my promise of a new shared pattern each week…

Everyone wants to cozy up their apple right? Well now you can! I know this pattern has been floating about the internet for a while now and there are many versions of it, here is a fun favorite of mine! Here is another one that came from Vegan Lunchbox. Keep your apple bruise free, crisp and delicious. I plan to knit one of these up myself sometime in the near future, and just as soon as I do, I’ll share. Again I’ll invite each of you to share your completed Apple Cozy with us – send a photo over!

Happy Knitting!

Everyone loves a sock monkey right? Well I’ve been working on one, since about a week before Christmas. This is a kit that I actually sell at my toy store that is for children ages 8-12. I’m 33. To be completely frank, it wasn’t the most simple project I’ve ever conquered, but with some help and some previous knitting experience I definitely think a 12 year old could knit this sweet monkey. I am happy to just “own” the pattern now. Usually in kits you get a whole mess of acrylic yarn and boy did I ever. I’m anxious to sub my wool delights to create a new and improved sock monkey, maybe striped? I’m a sucker for stripes. I’m no master knitter, in fact I still consider myself a beginner, but I’ve been knitting over a year now, in fact today is the 1st birthday of this blog, I’ve come a long way! Thanks for hanging in there with me.

I think I’ve decided this will be for one of my little Valentines. The monkey comes with a heart that can be stitched somewhere…and I think I’ll put it right on the chest. I love knitting toys for my kids.

One thing that did happen while my monkey was under construction is I ran out of the main color yarn. You’d think in a kit like this they’d give you ample yarn to complete your project. Don’t skimp people, it is acrylic and costs next to nothing. The place where I had to make some compromises will be obvious soon.

The construction of the body was simple and fairly quick. I was pleased the opportunity finally arose for me to use my counter. Knitting row upon row of ‘monkey leg’ takes some counting.

So it was the ears – I ran out of yarn to complete the ears and had to use leftover scarf yarn. Colored ears on a sock monkey is nothing to turn your nose up at. A mass of acrylic yarn it might be, but that is one cute sock monkey (patting self on back).

Just chillin’ on the couch.

Signing off so I can get some sleep on my blog birthday! Happy Knitting!

First thing’s first – here is my happy ‘rainbowed’ sister. They match! I had my concerns, but mash an incredible amount of color together how would you not get a match? A rainbow is a rainbow is a rainbow.

Now onto the newest addition to Mama Loves Knitting! I’ve decided to find and share a free pattern each week. The patterns will be fairly simple projects to start – to accommodate my skill level. I try to include a pattern for each of the completed projects I share with you, but often they are creations that happen when I start knitting (in the moment). I thought this new weekly event would be a good way to share more patterns that are intriguing to others, maybe a few less hats, heh. I encourage each of you to send me photos of your completed projects if you end up using one of the patterns. I’d love to feature your talents!

Drum roll please….this weeks’ pattern can be found on one of my favorite blogs, The Purl Bee. The pattern I’ve decided to share is a project that I’m intending to complete sometime this winter, long striped hand warmers. Don’t they look so cozy? And the possibilities for color combos are endless.

Happy Knitting – stay warm!

Happy morn of 2011 – I’m still working on some of the same projects into our brand spankin’ new year. That baby blanket isn’t quite complete – but that baby isn’t either – still waiting on her arrival. Grandpa Jeff loved his new Packers Christmas hat & from the photos it looks like I could have made it a bit bigger/longer. Looks like you need to plan a trip to Lambeau.

We had/have a houseful of family and friends and all that love I keep talking about. We had a wonderful Christmas and we’ve had a pretty relaxing week…playing with our new treasures and knitting. My boys scored with Santa – man that guy is gracious, not to mention a whole mess of gifts from other family members and full stockings! Shane got me that amazing game I’d discovered about a month ago and although everyone poo pooed the idea of playing it on Christmas day we had everyone in the vicinity entertained after we powered the Wii up. The whole room full of Aunties, Uncles, Grandpas and Grandmas were passing Wii remotes between one another, sometimes arguing about whose turn it was.

Every character in the game is made from yarn (grossly adorable) and all of the scenery is made from pieces of fabric that you can go behind, between and pull buttons to gather. It is seriously RIGHT up my video game alley!

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Even though you all might be tired of my hats…I’ve got another ribbed hat I’ve been working on…and I think it might be my favorite. I started it only a few nights ago, and have made progress amongst our company. In fact the knitting seems to be contagious around here. Grandma Melinda (my mother in law) has been knitting since Christmas night, my sister in law (waiting for the newest babe) has been crocheting, and on Christmas night I had the privilege to teach my sister in law Sarah how to cast on and do the knit stitch.

Back to that hat – I also drew my little sister’s (Melissa’s) name for Christmas and she put in an order for a hat to match these mittens. (That I did not knit – but I wish I could say that I had.)

In the past I’ve used size 8 16″ circular needles to knit my famous ribbed hat. With this particular hat I cast on 88 and k2, p2 the entire way around until I reached the decreasing zone.

I decided this time I’d like to switch up the top a bit, and make it a little bit more fun. I’m definitely going to do a pom pom again (because I love rainbows more than most things on earth) and I think a rainbow pom pom will be incredible eye candy. I hope my sister doesn’t think she looks like Rainbow freakin’ Bright when this arrives in her mailbox. As the decrease began I kept my work on my circular needles and k2, p2, k2, p2tog the whole way around.

I put a place markers when the first round was complete and then I transitioned to double pointed size 8 needles while I k2tog, p2, k2tog, p1 (the second time around). The third time around I just knit the knits and purled the purls. The next round I k1, p1, k1, and p2tog (the two purls that weren’t already purled together). The next time around I k2tog, p2tog. Then I knit the knits and purled the purls over and over again until I thought the hat was looking elf-tastic.

I finished it off by just k2tog until I only had a few stitches remaining and then I pulled the remaining yarn through. I hid all of the yarn I’d tied together from changing colors so many times. I always just use a crochet hook to weave it all in. No sign of the transitions and I love the way it turned out.

I used my favorite yarn since I already had such a selection of colors. I only had to add three more colors to the mix to complete this project and now I want to make 10 more of these. The yarn is from Joseph’s Coat and it is called Shepard’s Wool. It is not superwash wool, but it is so incredibly soft and warm. * Hand wash only Mrs. gift recipient. * Since I ended up adding several inches to the top before closing it off, I got a little bit nervous about the appearance of the top of the hat. Not to be crass but it looked a bit like a striped wool condom attached to a beanie. Nobody wants to walk around with a phallic looking woolen good atop their noggin. Cindy Lou Who might be cool with it I guess, or any of the Whos for that matter. The pom pom addition really sealed the deal for me! I made the pom pom with a houseful of friends last night and a glass of wine nearby.

So we happily ring in another beautiful year, and I’m grateful for the 2 degree weather today. I can knit all day, play games in our cozy house, and watch Return of the Jedi without an ounce of guilt creeping in. Happy Peaceful New Year to all! Ooh and I can’t wait to show off my next project! I’ll give you a little hint – it has a tail!

We draw names in our family…which is the very best thing ever! Nobody really NEEDS anything, but by drawing names everyone gets a little special something on Christmas morning. Part of our family lives very far from us, so really, the best present, would just be togetherness on Christmas. Since that cannot always happen like we’d wish…we pick names and share gifts. My favorites are handmade.

My little August picked his Grandpa’s name for Christmas. Since he is three he painted a beautiful watercolor for him and Mama ‘helped’ him knit a Green Bay Packers hat. He played his role – he made the hanks of yarn into yarn cakes. He loves using that swift and ball winder. Usually, if we avoid a nasty tangle, it is helpful. Grandpa Jeff really loves the Green Bay Packers as a Wisconsin Native I suppose that is more of a responsibility.

The yarns were such vibrant colors I wasn’t sure how I would like them together, and I guess when you love the packers – you’ll love a bright green and bright yellow hat.

I made it the good old fashioned ribbed way – just the way I like hats and I used the same yarn that I love. It is Shepard’s Wool and so soft! I recently heard that it pills up when you wash it, so far I haven’t washed any of it, so I am not speaking from experience, just from the word around the yarn shop. Simon and Gus’s hats are holding up really well and I suppose they are nearly a year old now, still soft as ever and in really great shape.

I cast on 96 stitches for this hat, just to be sure it would be big enough, and it fit on Shane’s head, so it ought to be big enough, no offense love. I just k2, p2 the whole way around until it was big enough. I even used Grandpa Dave aka Santa as a model/tester.

If it makes Santa happy it ought to make anyone happy. Maybe Grandpa Jeff will send us a photo of himself in the hat? Merry Christmas Dad!

I went into Joseph’s Coat, in search of some washable wool – soft enough to be a baby blanket. I had a pattern in mind. I’m not following it exactly, just loosely. I am knitting every row, to get a beautifully simple garter stitch, and I love how the blanket is turning out. I just visited the Purl Bee and strangely enough this very pattern (in a kit) is featured right now. I wish I could afford one of these kits, but I had to write my own adventure. I bet that Alchemy yarn is completely amazing! I chose something washable (for Mama Lexie’s sake) and still soft enough for snuggles and wool for warmth and because I simply love wool. I have always been drawn to natural fibers, but after only a year of knitting I definitely prefer wool over any other fiber. There are some amazing bamboo yarns I’ve worked with and some blends that I like but if I can get wool, that’s what I’m gettin’.

The yarn I chose is just a simple 100% Superwash wool made by Cascade Yarns. In one delightful ball you get 100 grams/3.5 oz. The suggested needle size is a 7. I’ve been using my dice needles that I got on our incredible beach vacation this past summer, they are actually a size 8. The yarn is made in Peru and really easy/pleasing to work with. I am loving how the blanket is turning out. I don’t want to post too many photos of it, as I’d like to reveal the finished product when I’m completely done, with a sweet baby girl wrapped in it. Could be any day now, and that blanket is far from finished! Mama’s got her work cut out for her. Somehow I’ll squeeze it in with all of the other projects in my pot.

Happy Holidays! Happy Knitting!

We’ve had a houseful of love for the past couple of weeks and we will for nearly a month into the future. Don’t get me wrong – that is the way I like my life – full of people and making constant memories. Really everyday feels like a special day – yesterday we decorated our tree – two days before we went and chopped it down. Even a venture to the mall (a place I detest) was fun with Simon and Gus – they got to see Santa and I got a couple of gifts while we were there. Everyday brings something new and exciting and it seems to fly by. The time I get to spend knitting isn’t always guaranteed, but whenever I have idle hands I pick up my needles. I tend to have several projects going at once…so I can always just take 5 minutes and accomplish something – a row or two on a blanket I’ve been working on for my baby niece – due in a week, a row on the Birthdaymas hat for my dad, a quick scarf for a sweet friend’s birthday (I can make one of those during a movie if I really set my mind to it) and I use super chunky yarn.

Amy took these photos – so I can’t take credit for their fabulousness. But, the orange scarf, I suppose I can take credit for. She and I took a photography class near the beginning of the year and you can see she’s got some talent just from these two photos. This scarf was a ‘whip it up quick’ project. I had a skein of chunky wool ease yarn that I’d picked up at Michael’s or Joann’s at some point – benefit to this yarn is that you can wash it and you don’t need to worry. To give it a bit of flare I knitted it on my size 15 metal needles and threw in some variegated sock yarn. I have a bundle of balls of sock yarn that I’m hanging on to for when I finally finish that first sock and get sock crazed. Not sure why I ever did a blog post about it, because now I have to finish it at some point, but I’m thinking about taking another class in the new year…that will motivate me to master the art of knitting socks. Some of that variegated Deborah Norville sock yarn is beautiful though so I’ve been tempted to throw it into a hat before as well. It is 50% superwash merino wool and 25% bamboo 25% nylon. It is really soft and also machine washable. I really love it and I’m sure I’d love it on my feet, but I also love it mixed into this scarf.

I decided I’d knit two rows and purl one row which gave this scarf the ribbed look it ended up with. I don’t have a pattern, I just made one up. I cast on 14 stitches to start and then just rolled with it. When I start a scarf, randomly, I just pull it apart near the beginning if I don’t care for the pattern I’ve created. So there you have it – a scarf.

So many gifts I want to make – so little time. Every 5 minutes spent knitting counts.

So my Grandma turned 85 a couple of weeks ago and although I didn’t get that gift mailed in time for her birthday, I wanted to make her something, it was simple and quick but functional and I’m pretty sure I need to make one for myself when the knitting deadlines end. I give myself these crazy deadlines and make knitting feel like a chore rather than fun.

I have several projects started and they are for special (patient) people in my life, and I’ve even stooped so low as giving my sister-in-law an unfinished gift for her birthday. I had a few other tokens to share with her, but then I put a hat that I started for her with the two yarn cakes right in the gift bag. She asked me “Are you going to teach me to knit?” Nope I just haven’t finished your gift, sorry. Tacky? Maybe a little bit. She knows I mean well though, I hope. And, she will get her cap before the snow flies, I think.

I had a skein of Lion Brand Wool Blend Super Chunky Navy Yarn in the good old yarn cubby so I grabbed that for Granny’s neck warmer. I have a small collection of buttons, so I ended up finding one that seemed to be a good size and it worked. I love it when that happens. All I did was knit on some gigantic needles size 15 actually – and I took them on the airplane – I wasn’t sure that would fly (they won’t let you bring a tube of toothpaste on the airplane but I can take metal knitting needles that are the size of my arm on) but I made it through security. It only took me a few flights to finish and I just did a simple garter stitch. Keep it simple sis. I love the way a garter stitch looks anyway, all bumpy and pretty. I don’t reckon I even counted when I did my casting on, but I kept right on going until I ran out of yarn and it was the perfect amount. I like making up my own patterns as I go, but I do wish I could read and follow a pattern without a problem. That sweater – oh that sweater.

So I’m off to bed and I’ll leave you with a couple more hilarious photos of Granny’s neck warmer, (on me – that’s not Granny) it is so awkward to take photos of yourself in a mirror, too bad my three year old can’t really use my camera. I already got a sweet thank you from my Grandma and she assured me my gift would keep her Wisconsin-chilled neck warm all winter.

Happy Knitting from the dorky Mama!

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I came across this little gem today, whilst walking about our local Best Buy, in search of a web cam, of all things. Kirby’s Epic Yarn jumped right out at me! So seriously, you cannot tell me if you are a Mama – that likes knitting – that likes yarn – that likes video games – that this will not be on your wish list this holiday season. Fer reals! I just couldn’t resist a quick little post about it. It made me smile this morning and went directly onto my wish list when I got home. Plus it is a two-player cooperative game. I don’t actually have time to play video games, but the week after Christmas I do. We pretty much lock ourselves in our house for a week, close our toy store, and play with our new treasures.

Happy Knitting and Happy Gaming!

Mama Loves Knitting

Birthday Garland

Apple Cozy

Sock Monkey Love

Pattern of the Week!

New Year Knits

Christmas Knits

New Baby Blanket

Full House – Full Life – Still 5 mins to Knit

Neck Warmer for Granny

Another Gem!