A Trip to the City .. and my new project

Yesterday, I went to visit my co-workers in the NYC office. I took DD with me because she loves to see the city, the dinosaur at Toys R Us, likes the pizza, and loves the train. She's becoming more and more demanding, like The Brat in Willy Wonka, Violet. She even says, "I want it now!!"

Silly me, took her to NYC, took her to Toys R Us, took her to see the dinosaur and took the camera. I left The Sock on my desk at work so it didn't get to see the dinosaur! That would've been a great picture. The expression on DD's face when the dinosaur roared..holding the sock.

At first, he just examined the scenery....

I am working on a new sock! It's just a plain black one, using Charlene's Textured Rib pattern. I'm using STR, Black Onyx, 64 sts casted on, size 2 needles, magic looping, two at a time. This is my first sock on 2's. I went to the 2 because they're for hubby and I didn't want to run out of yarn going at a smaller gauge, especially with STR, which is nice but skimpy on yardarge. For some reason, the black feels thicker. I'm just about ready for the heel flap and I only started this about three days ago. Pattern = piece of cake. I'm thinking that I'm moving up to 'intermediate - experienced" sock knitter now. (Yes!! Goal in life, accomplished!!) I'm scaring myself looking at harder patterns. I looked at the chalet socks pattern, with travelling stitches, the zig zag socks from Vogue (easier by far!) and Bavarian Socks. You can see them on Grumperina's website, they're lovely. Being the expert (she's past 'experienced' knitter by far!) She notes the mistake in the pattern. I'll try it and see what happens and I'm leaning towards this as my next project....either Bavarian sock or Waving Lace. (I know...I'm out of control lately.)

Next question. This book has been out awhile. It's not that great of a book but it's more than 'ok'. The Bavarian sock, among others, are truly lovely. Why only five projects on Ravelry so far? (soon to be six)....

Then, he spotted her!! Ready to eat my baby! Poncho and all! Turn up your speakers!

Baby Cable Rib Socks

We have a Mudslide! Yay!! Yippee!! They're done!!







Pattern: Baby Cable Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch
Start Date: 2/22/2008
End Date: 3/23/2008
Yarn: Socks that Rock - Mudslide
Needle: Knitpicks Options, size 1. 2.25mm
Cast on: 56 sts

Socks for Easter!

I knitted these two at once through the leg, which could've been a tad longer. Then, I did the forethought heel. It wasn't all that bad at all and if you've never tried it, it seems that you sail through the heel very, very quickly. Once you have the provisional cast on done and you start knitting around, all it is a toe. You knit a toe only it's a heel. Isn't that cool? Then, you unzip the provisional cast on and boom, you pick up a few sts so you don't have a gap and boom, you're at the foot. The top sock was knitted first and I didn't do as well in not messing up the pattern of the yarn. I just couldn't get it through my head, "There isn't a gusset, you do-do". Then, I got it. It's pure and simple and sock #2 came out better, less interruption of the pattern.

I colored eggies with the little bunnies last night....


Ah, it's Easter, just passed the vernal equinox and the full moon. I got up early trying to catch the Easter bunny! I didn't see him but I did see the full moon peeking through the clothesline in the neighbor's yard.






Two tired kiddies...they'll sleep well tonight!







Keep an eye out for my next project! I think I'll surprise you.

Eye Candy Weasley!

Quicky Friday even post. Just want to show off my Weasley.

It's Friday and I finally got to take a picture of the unblocked Weasley Sweater which I finished a few days ago. It was a beautiful, albeit cool, evening so we went outside for its photoshoot. Here's another picture of My Life's Work wearing his Weasley.

There is a teeny gap right where the collar joins the body at the top, his right side. I have to fix that. Maybe it'll be ok after blocking, we'll see.

I am proud of this sweater. For you HP fans, it's supposed to look sloppy like that. I added a bit of ribbing on the bottom and it still rolls. Also, I used ribbing for the neck. This is my first intarsia attempt. I made this sweater a bit big so it'll fit him next winter. Now, I have to make one for the little Queen, Opus II.

Here she is teaching 'Emily' her American Girl doll how to play piano.

Let's see, what else have I been up to? Oh, baking! Last week I baked 48 muffins for Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at work. Here's half of them. AND, I'm proud of the muffins, too! I only

set off the smoke alarm once!

We have been having some really awesome sunsets! Hopefully, I will be out there taking pictures of them soon instead of working.

Messed up the second Mudslide Sock heel. I didn't center the pattern over the instep so the heel and all will hit the frog pond tonight. Maybe tomorrow. We'll see how I feel. Details to come!

I am lining up my next project to be the Leaf Ribbing from More Sensational Knitted Socks. I think that will be a cool pattern for my camouflage yarn, don't you?

Pirates, Princesses, Mudslides, Weasleys, Puppets--OH MY!

Hi, remember me?

I'm in bad need of a post! Naturally, I don't have the camera and the PC and my pencil and my knitting together so I can only tell you about the glory of the forethought heel and toe on my completed sock. One Mudslide down and one to go! It's nice. I think that I could've made the leg a wee bit longer as I had enough yarn but the baby cable pattern came out really nice with the mudslide socks that rock yarn.

The Weasley sweater for DS - finished. I have to make one for DD next and will only make a few minor changes to the pattern. For now, please imagine pictures of both.

The other thing that had me very busy for the first half of the month was arranging my son's birthday party. We had 22 children and 23 adults at a very underated place on Long Island. The Long Island Puppet Museum and Theatre. It was a very different, cultural, fun party. The place was converted from an old garage into a Victorian era theatre. Roman Valdes, a self taught artist, is a master. He's married to a lovely woman, Eliza. Together, they run the theatre. He decorated the entire place with his art, designed the stage, makes the puppets that are in the shows and puts on performances. The performances aren't like Kukla, Fran and Ollie. No siree, they have a score, a dialog and even a light show! They're great! This I have pictures of..

Awesome puppets made by Roman Valdes, above and below.

Museum pieces, collectible puppets some of which are 100 years old!

The theme for the party was "Pirates and Princesses" and DH (with hair!!) and DS looked so cute.

It doesn't take much to have DD dress up and have a good time. She is a true princess.

and...always acts like a lady.

This is the ceiling, inside the theatre. Amazing!!

Since he's married, Mr. Valdes paints his wife, over and over again. This is Eliza.

Not only is he a great artist, he's a pirate, too. Great with the kiddies! They had a great time!

Please read more about Roman Valdes and his life's work here.

For now, I leave you with a picture of a little boy that just turned six.

He's my life's work.