My Mr Greenjeans

I've loved this pattern since I first saw it. I mean it's a cardigan with cables - what's not to love?? I spent forever in my LYS looking for just the right yarn, but came up empty handed. So I cast on in a cheap acrylic. Amazingly enough, I like it!

(Sorry for the horrible picture, I used the timer on my camera.)

I tested it out on Friday night at the Archivers crop. It went well, but I decided to make a few changes. I'm currently ripping back the sleeves and adding about 2 1/2" to the length before starting the cable pattern. I'm also knitting the cuffs on a smaller needle so they have more stretch. I'll post another picture when I have all the modifications completed!

And since I liked this pattern so much - I bought some fabulous yarn to make another one with!! I finally jumped into the world of Malabrigo. (I picked #28 - Blue Surf) It is the softest wool I have ever knit with - it truly is a joy to work with it!

Thank all of you for asking about the G-man. His appointment on Thursday went very well. The doctor is very pleased with the outcome of the surgery and his alignment seems to be almost perfect. One more appointment this week, then I think we only have to visit once every 3 months. Yippee!!

Knit on!!

A few updates on the G man.....

Not much happening in the knitting world for me right now. G* had eye surgery yesterday to correct his strabismus. He came through it with flying colors and his recovery has been very quick. He was having double vision last night, but I think that was because he was still tilting his head. Once his brain rewires and learns that he doesn't need to tilt his head to see correctly, I think he'll be fine. We're going back for his 1st post-operative appointment tomorrow, so we'll see what the doctor has to say.

I did complete the French Market Bag last week. I decided that it was a bit embarrassing to carry my knitting around in a plastic Target bag.....time for a "real" knitting bag! I made a few modifications (made the bag sides 2" longer and the handles about 3" longer) and I like it. The blue yarn (100% wool, mind you) did not felt as much as expected so it's a bit poofier than I envisioned. The black (Patons Classic Merino) felted like a dream. I may have to make some more felted projects with that yarn! All in all I like it - it looks pretty and it carries lots of stuff.

I have a few projects still on the needles. My cabled sweater is off the back burner. I screwed up the cabling pattern on the front so I had to frog a few rows. I think I have it back on track, but the cable still looks a bit funky. I may need to pull back more rows or just start the front all over again - blehhhh. I also started a Mr Greenjeans sweater. I couldn't find any yarn I liked to make it with, so I picked up a cheapo acrylic from Joann's. I really like the sweater and may knit it again - this time in a wool so I can block the ribbed bottom so it lays nicer.

And last, but not least, the socks for my mom. I have the second one underway and am about 1/2 done with the leg portion. The one fit her very nicely and she was thrilled with it. Now I just need to get my butt in gear and finish the second one!

Knit on!

A trip to the LYS

I had a lovely trip to the LYS, Amazing Threads, yesterday. Of all the LYS's (and I'm blessed to have a few), this one is my favorite. They have TONS of gorgeous yarns, all sorts of price ranges, and really helpful staff. I can't say enough good things about them.

I bought this gorgeous hand-spun, hand-dyed yarn - Rio De La Pata in colorway LA 87. I know the color names leaves a lot to be desired, but it's a fabulous mix of purples, reds, and just a splash of a garyish green.It was 40% off (and still almost $9 a hank!), but I used some of my craft fair earnings so I felt like I could splurge on some fabulous new yarn. I had no idea what I was going to make, but I really wanted this yarn!


I spent some time on Ravelry looking for the perfect pattern to use it in. (BTW - If you haven't signed up for Ravelry (Heidi - this means you!), you should. It's the best knitting resource out there.) I think I'm going to try this cardigan. Yes - another cardigan. But cardi's are my favorite type of sweater! I wanted a very simple pattern that would really showcase the beautiful yarn. I think this one fits the bill. I can't wait to start it, but it might wait until after summer. It's just too hot to knit a sweater in the middle of summer. That and I have about 5 other projects on the needles right now! I think I will have enough yarn left over to make a scarf (or two!).

And now I need to get back to knitting - I have a few projects to finish! Knit on.

Socks for Mom

Nothing like waiting until the last minute, but these socks (and there will be two eventually!) are for my Mom's birthday on the 17th. Of April. In 5 days.

I made this pattern up. I wanted a simple sock with an interesting detail and this was born. It has a simple 6 stitch cable pattern on either side of the heel flap. I frogged it a few times before I got the pattern the way I wanted it, but I love the result. The fit is fantastic....they are a bit big for me, but my mom has bigger feet than I do, so they should fit her perfectly. I'm doing a little happy dance here!!

I knit them with Knit Picks Essential in Pine. It's a super soft, washable yarn, and you can't beat a $6.58 pair of socks knit with love!

I really like how it turned out. And now, off to cast on sock #2!! (I plan on writing up the pattern after the second one is done and I will share with all 5 of my blog readers!)

Knit on!!

Hola!! I'm still here......

You know, I meant to post before I left for Mexico, but time really got away from me. What with all the packing and worrying I had to do, there just wasn't enough time in the day.

Mexico was a blast....the kiddos has tons of fun playing with their cousins. We stayed at the Catalonia Riviera Maya.....very nice and fun for the whole family. Here's a few of the best photos. I can't wait for my April Scrap room kit....the papers will be fabulous with beach/vacation photos!















And last, but certainly not least.....the whole reason for the trip in the first place!! Congratulations Bob and Jennifer!!

And of course I got a little bit of knitting in!! I wasn't able to knit at the pool/beach, but that was mostly because I was paranoid my children would drown if I so much as glanced away from them. (Kinda puts a damper on the whole "fun in the sun" concept too.) But I did manage to finish the much maligned Monkey Socks. I did most of my knitting on the plane ride to and from Mexico, when the kiddos were pretty much contained. I found it to be a great way to help me cope with flying, since I really don't like to fly. I did make a few STOOOPID knitting errors, but nothing that anyone will really notice. So here are the socks, enjoying a bit of Mexico........not that you would actually wear socks in Mexico, but my balcony made a lovely backdrop!


Knit on!!