{Yarn Along}

Joining in with the yarn along fun today! The picture might not look like much, but now that I'm finished with the first round of baby projects, I have started on....my first sweater!! Oh how exciting this pile of grey yarn is. I'm in absolute love so far, despite having to start it twice because of silly mistakes. I'm going with a simple top down raglan, with some customized fitting. I'm hoping this will be the perfect snugly sweater, just right for layering this winter. Ravelry details are {here} This sweater high is empowering...I have been meaning to knit myself one for some time now, and even have the yarn sitting around for two more...but the size of the project was so intimidating! Babies and kids are small...there's really very little pressure, but me? Eeek! The  siren call of the pretty yarn was just too tempting to resist however, and I figured this would be the perfect summer knitting project. A promise of cooler days ahead. We are in a heat wave right now {with no a/c} and frankly the thought of wearing wool is almost dizzying, but there is something comforting about seeing it there and knowing that before I know it I will be so glad for it's warmth. And then I start day dreaming about steaming mugs of vanilla chai, and crispy leaves, and thick socks, and I'm reminded to enjoy the hot sun while it lasts.

 Now honestly this last week has been insane and I haven't read a single word of my book. Ahem. I'm still hoping to read it before the end of June...I need to get to it! 

{Crafting On:: Baby Girl Edition}

I recently had the chance to do some crafting for a friend's sweet new baby girl. Oh goodness, so.much.fun. I knew right away that I wanted to knit a little milo vest, and there was more than enough yarn left for a matching bonnet (because obviously I am a firm believer in babies wearing hats, no matter what the season), in fact I still have nearly half of the skein left! The yarn is some lovely Luna Grey "Zeta", in the Cherry Ice colorway...so lovely to knit with, I'll be looking at this yarn again for sure. {Raveled here}

This dress turned out exactly the way I had envisioned it, which is always so gratifying...and not always the way it goes!! I've had this fabric in my stash for a little while now, I think I still have enough left to edge some pillow cases or something lovely like that. I used this tutorial for it and it went really well. I was worried that they would be too small for the little miss, who is now six weeks old, but to my delight she is still beautifully tiny and should be able to wear everything for a little while! I got in some major baby snuggles at her shower on Sunday...don't you just love showers when the baby is there to hold and love? I leave you with just a few more pictures of girly frills... For more crafty goodness go check out the link up at Frontier Dreams!

{Finished Knitting}

Oh these sweaters. We had a baby shower last weekend for not one, but two mamas, both expecting boys and due within just a few days of each other. The blue one is the Five hour baby sweater {notes here} and knit up quickly, but definitely took more than 5 hours...but that's not really an issue, because it is such simple knitting you can work on it in front of movies and while cooking and reading and hours aside, it's finished before you know it! The striped sweater is the Little Coffee Bean Sweater {notes here} and I really, really loved this pattern. I want to find (or figure out) a pattern exactly like it for myself! The gauge is perfect and it looks so nice and tidy when it's all finished. As for reading, right now I'm mostly just busy with my new washing machine. We were without for nearly two weeks and I'm just SO excited with this new one! It's our first new one ever and it's just sooooo shiny. In moments where I can find to read a line or two, I have "The Artful Parent", and "Unconditional Parenting" on my side table...I have soooo many terrific books to read, I really need to make a set time for reading every evening or I will never make it! Joining up with Ginny for Yarn Along fun!

{Rainbows}

I suppose I should narrow down those pictures, but well...it turns out I can't. I'm obsessed. I'm working on several other projects, but since they are gifts I can't really share them yet. This rainbow though...isn't it something special? I started it with plans to pick up stitches along the edges and create a felted basket. I still might...or I might use it as a little table mat as-is...or felt it and use it as a table mat that way. Or maybe I'll hang it on the wall so I can look at it all of the time... I can't decide. (Feel free to offer your opinion in the comments!)

I'm currently attempting to read my way through these three books...although if you've ever read them you will know this is a silly plan. I need to pick one of them, grab a highlighter (or really anything except a crayon) and settle in like I'm taking a class. They are just so fabulously full of brilliant information. Information I wish I had when I started parenting, and feel like I need to learn quickly so I can do a better job with some of the issues we are working through right now. It's just that I haven't really figured out a good way to read AND parent. My brain tends to become totally consumed by one thing at a time and it's hard for me to break off one thought just because it's time for something else. You can tell this in my housework really...either the bathroom is consistently clean OR the laundry stays caught up OR dinner is promptly cooked and served every evening. It's something I'm working on... I think the key for me (or at least the first step) is in really (REALLY) reducing the amount of stuff in our home. That is my big project right now, and I have to say it's going pretty well! I'm trying to focus on filling giveaway bags instead of finding homes for things because we really do just have too much stuff in this house. I'm already feeling calmer and seeing improvements and I am excited to share the results in another week or so (it's a slow process)! 

I'm linking up with Nicole for Keep Calm Craft On, and Ginny for the Yarn Along, check out their blogs for more crafting/knitting/book goodness! :)

{Yarn Along}

Another knit for me! (To see two more finished knits look at yesterday's post!) This one is a cowl in a yummy handspun I found in this lovely etsy shop. It's a quick knit on 10-1/2's, and I'm using it as late night knitting to wind down after our busy days. I'm still reading "On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet", and I've added this lovely homemaking book to the pile. My sister recommended it and I could be more delighted with it! Ravelry details {here} Linking up with Ginny for the {Yarn Along}, tons of lovely knitting inspiration over there!

PS} Be sure to go look at Monday's post and enter the Luna Grey giveaway!!

{Yarn Along}

I'm in a blissful state of new knitting projects right now. I think I cast on for four new projects this week! No deadlines, no secrecy, just yummy yarn and a cold (which is the perfect cover for extra knitting time!), and a nice man who keeps bringing me tea. {It's so, so, SO, good to have him home! I'm ignoring the part about being half done with this leave time...} Miss Jenny is working on knitting project number 2 ~a dolly scarf. She wanted to know what was the next thing to learn about knitting, so with a little coaching we are practicing purling! Does anyone know of a good rhyme for learning the process? I did pair down the following photos, believe it or not! Proud-mama-itis for certain...

 {photo by Jenny}

 {photo by Jenny}

 {photo by Jenny}

  {we then discussed the "zoom" abilities of my camera *wink*}

I'm joining up with Ginny for the {Yarn Along} today. I don't have a picture of it, but my dear friend sent me a copy of "On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" for Christmas and I'm a few chapters in. She has excellent taste in books so I know I'll like it! What are you making these days? 

{Yarn Along}

In between blocks for the farm mat (that I still have no pictures of) I managed to crank out these cowls. The top one is a gift my swap partner in my little homeschooling mom's group. She also happens to be one of my new neighbors so it's been fun putting together a small pile of goodies for her. The cowl was quick and easy and I will be making more for sure! I'm sad to see this one go, but I certainly have more yarn -I can always make one for myself! The yarn is some delicious Brambleberry Organic Merino Bulky, always such a joy to work with! {Details at Ravelry}

The second cowl is a family gift although I wont say who, just in case she stops by here! It is knit in Malabrigo Rasta on size *19* needles!! It took practically no time and is like a cloud. {Details on Ravelry} I have another skein of rasta waiting for a few spare minutes for myself...! I'm currently reading "The Introvert's Way" by Sophia Dembling. It's a quick read, and she has a light and engaging writing style and I would definitely recommend it. I've found myself laughing several times and I'm going to make my oh-so-not-introverted hubby read it while he's home (NEXT WEEK!!)...I think it might give him some insight...and perhaps convince him that I'm not the only one of my kind. *wink* 

I'm joining the lovely Ginny for the Yarn Along today, for lots more inspiration go check out the link up!

{weekending::wool}

{washing little boy wool}

This week is very busy...we've been in a flurry of cleaning and packing; trying to prepare for a (nearly) two week trip! I have been knitting like a mad woman every spare second I can squeeze in. My sister came over for a much needed extra pair of hands, and it was only a matter of time before I sat her down and made her knit offered her some knitting since she hadn't brought any. She was kind enough to knit the second sleeve of Bobby's sweater for me! I hate knitting sleeves. I think next time I will try knitting them separately  since the problem lies in the whole heavy sweater making everything cumbersome. I love top down sweaters, but I think that in the interest of finishing them quickly I need to explore other options. I am going to attempt to keep up the posting while I'm on my trip, lots of knitting updates and short posts I'm sure, but that is the goal. I thought I would try to do a color of the day, just so that I could focus on something...we shall see if anything comes of that! I'm off to snuggle babies into their beds so that I can finish up a bit of cleaning and then curl up with Numb3rs (on netflix) and....what else? My knitting! I have three projects actively moving right now, {side note: they are very different projects, on sizes 7, 10.5 and *19* needles!!} and several more waiting in the wings....next year I vow to divide my Christmas list between knitting, sewing, and something simple like baking!!