Off the needles

I have realized that it has been quite some time since I've posted about my knitting.   Just because I haven't posted does not mean the needles have slowed down.  (In reality, they have slowed considerably, it's not so easy to knit with a new baby in the house!)  There were some Christmas knits gifted this year and a couple projects already started and finished in the new year.  Here are just a few of the knitted goods spotted around the house lately...

Little V's Christmas mitts,

baby R's Christmas sweater,

Little V's tunic (there will be another post about this, it's a long story...),

a quick winter hat,

and a headband for me.

There are a couple projects on the needles currently and there were a lot more knits handed out to friends over the holidays.  I need to work on getting things photographed! 

All of my project notes are over on ravelry for my fellow knitters.

Still waiting...

Yep, still waiting.  I know he will be worth the wait, but who has contractions for this long???

In the meantime, I have been knitting. (Shocking right?!?) Check out the goods...

Finished this up for baby R.  (It's my first sweater!)  Love how it turned out, taking it to the hospital to bring him home in (hopefully very soon!)

My sister requested a scarf, of course little V had to put her 'modeling' skills to good use!

And I whipped up a quick cowl for my first knit-a-long.. (Check out the margins, I was actually timing contractions while knitting last night! Recording them wherever I have open space actually.  This can't go on for much longer, right?!?)

The needles are on fire!

The past week was spent with lots and lots of down time, doctors orders.  (No worries, things are back to normal now.  Well, as normal as can be expected when a baby is due in just 5 weeks!)  Laying on the couch always seems like a great idea until someone tells you that you have to.  So rather than tuning in and tuning out (there's really nothing on TV) I got busy with the knitting needles.  It was an extrememly productive week.  Check it out...

First off the needles, a pair of baby pants for baby R.  Aren't they cute?!?

A sleep sack for baby R.  Can't wait to see a little newborn all snuggly inside that sack!

Took a break from the baby knitting to whip up a quick cowl for myself.  I got this cool yarn on our trip to Colorado, I'm really excited about this one!

Father & son beanies for big V and baby R.

This neckwarmer is a gift for someone. (Kinda mysterious, huh?!?)

And I have cast on my first sweater.  I'm starting small, a newborn size shouldn't take too long, I hope... 

A Poncho

It is done!  Back in August I picked out this pattern for little V.  We headed to Michael's and she picked out the yarn and the colors.  It took a while to get started, but once I got going it was such an easy project.  I love the feeling of accomplishment when a project is done and she is happy.  So happy in fact, that her new poncho was worn to school today!  Also a bonus that I got it done just in time for what is forecasted to be the first cold snap of fall. (Love that!!)

I think it turned out pretty cute, she loves the colors.

Learned a few things on that hood (at 11 pm last night!)

Now to tackle some knitting for baby...

A special friend

I have a very special friend.  She is the kind of friend who always seems to know when you need a little pick-me-up.  Out of the blue you will check your facebook and there is the nicest note you have ever received.  It can be the busiest time of your year and there she is with a little gift and a note.  Not just a note, the kind of note that ressures you that someone is noticing all your hardwork, not just noticing but appreciating. 

This friends also knows one of my favorite things to do is knit, so she surprised me last June with a gift certificate to my favorite neighborhood yarn shop. After much deliberation, I chose the perfect pattern, found the perfect yarn.  You see, I wanted this to be the kind of pattern that I would use all the time.  I needed the yarn to be soft enough for everyday, and bright enough to make me smile.  I knew that everytime I would wear this I would think of my friend and how wonderful she is.  There needed to be a little of her sunshine in this yarn and this project.

Here is what I ended up with...

It's beautiful isn't it?  I think the colors are perfect.  And soft, it's a blend of alpaca, silk, and cashmere.  (I don't really think it gets any softer!)

And here is what I made...

It's this pattern.  It's part scarf, part shawl, the weave is open enough to wear in the spring, and it can be wrapped up to keep me warm in the winter.

 



I think it's perfect (just like my friend.)  I am very lucky.