baby finds a kazoo

2009-01-24T08:30:00.003-07:00

Food

Lately I've been thinking a lot about food. This came about just following the generally disgusting feeling I had over the holidays as I consumed everything in sight without regard for reasonable portions or the long-term health of my body. Like millions of others (and just like a sheep), I headed out to the bookstore on New Years Day to explore books about diet and to search for an optimistic new beginning.

I have a good friend who is braving a 6-week vegan detox diet. I admire her sense of adventure, and I love it that, when we come over, she still makes my husband ice cream sundaes dripping with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. What a generous hostess she is!

I considered the diet my friend has embarked upon, but decided instead to modify my diet by replacing 50% or more of my meat and dairy calories with vegetable calories. Mark Bittman wrote about his own modified approach to healthy eating here, and I was inspired. He also wrote a book recently, that I'm tempted to buy.

I'm exploring yummy vegetarian Indian recipes, like Aloo Gobi and rice and split pea pancakes.
If you have inspiring recipes to share, please do!

The boys have been cooking too. On the menu: Marshmallow with sea salt and honey, on a bed of green play dough and Grapefruit Honey Soup (see recipe below).

2009-01-22T22:55:00.004-07:00

A Dream for the Cat People

Yesterday, in my son's first grade classroom, the kids had a Freedom Tea. They sat and sipped tea out of styrofoam cups while they listened to Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech. After the speech, they were all invited to the front of the room to share their own I Have a Dream speech. My favorite moment, naturally, was when my own sweet boy stood and told everyone that he dreamed of a world where we could all be friends and everyone would be kind to animals (this part was somewhat odd, since he usually seems indifferent toward our animals, and has otherwise been known to chase them while hollering loudly - just to see them terrified), but whatever. Aside from that touching moment, I loved the little boy who said that his dream was that the dogs would not bark quite so loudly anymore.

Hallelujah, brother!!

I will be celebrating new baby Pearl this week, by presenting her with a Pixie Hat. I love the pixie hat and I will knit others, but for now it's Pearl's Pixie (isn't that sweet?!). Pictures are imminent.

Thanks again to all you lovely babes for tuning in and sending encouragement. It feels good.

2009-01-18T20:50:00.007-07:00

New Year. New Part of Brain Engaged.

Thanks to all of you for the nice hellos. It surprised me that you were still watching.

My return to the scene was inspired by a great night of talk with a friend who makes me think. I've been exploring lately how refreshing it is to use my brain to really think about things (as opposed using it solely to think up good uses for frozen chicken or for strategizing ways to clean up the cat barf).

I don't mean to whine about the drudgery. I also spend a good deal of my time doing things I love, like having ridiculous conversations with my children, and knitting whenever I'm sitting down.

What I lack right now is balance. I need to read a book. One that makes me think. I need to engage in grown-up conversation. Grown-up conversation that is not all about my children. I need to look outside my little world more.

So, with this new year and this renewed interest in Baby Finds a Kazoo, I hope to step a little outside the crafty world occasionally and try to remember how interesting life can be.

In that spirit, I'm reminded of a movie I saw with the same above-mentioned friend. Before our evening of engaging conversation (and Marble beer drinking), we saw Milk. We talked about what an amazing thing it must have been to live in San Francisco in the early 1970's. It's interesting to note that I actually did live in San Francisco in the early 1970's, but I was a very small toddler, not a gay-rights activist. My parents were young at the time and, somewhat given to peace marches, but I don't know what their take was on the difficulties faced by their neighbors in the Castro. It must have been a crazy time to live in San Francisco. I think I'll ask them to walk down memory lane.

On a where did all the time go note, I was amazed when the movie recalled events that occurred in the later 70's, and I began to have actual flashbacks from my childhood of watching news stories about gay-rights issues and I suddenly remembered my dad and uncles standing around and discussing it. When did I get old enough to remember the history of 30+ years ago?

2009-01-17T00:59:00.004-07:00

Hello out there!

After a long hiatus, I feel an urge to connect with my blog. It has been too long. I wonder if any of my old friends are still watching...

During this long time away from Baby Finds a Kazoo, I've been knitting plenty and mommying a whole lot and trying to find balance in my everyday. Tonight I had a long, satisfying heart-to-heart with a good friend with whom I share a special connection and understanding. My time reflecting with her, on life and all it's good and dark parts, inspired me to come here and post a hello.
Here is a picture to share a tiny fraction of my view over these past months.

send a hello if you can! Happy new year to all.

2008-07-13T23:16:00.009-06:00

My heavens, he's six.

We spent the birthday at Petroglyph National Monument counting millipedes, chasing jackrabbits and attempting to keep our eyes and mouths shut for 5 whole minutes while paying careful attention to the sounds around us. The suggestion of five minutes of silence was offered in the Junior Ranger Guide Book given to us at the park Information Center. Our silence lasted exactly 6 seconds. The guide book was evidently not written by a person who has ever spent time in nature with any real junior rangers.

At the end of the adventure, both my boys were awarded a very official Junior Ranger Badge and a Certificate. It was thrilling. A fabulous way to spend a day that I cherish with two of the people I cherish most.

Last weekend we drove up to Castlerock and Denver for family celebrations and to deliver a knitted hound to our new 5 month old cousin, Orion.

If you've never driven between Albuquerque and Denver during spectacular thunderstorms, you really must. In particular, the stunning area between Las Vegas and Raton, where we saw rain streaming down across hundreds of miles and drove through rain so loud that we could no longer hear the kids asking us how much longer till we get there.

Pattern: The Handsome Hound
By: Lucinda Guy from Handknits for Kids
Yarn: Araucania Nature Wool Chunky, pea green 109,
Malabrigo Merino Worsted, Azul Profundo
needles: size 7

Aside from the ridiculous amount of time I spent finishing this baby up at the absolute last minute (in the car on the way to the shower, 45 minutes late), it was adorable and I was happy to see that it strongly resembles the baby's real live dog. The baby's parents naturally assumed that I had very thoughtfully and intentionally made the handsome hound in the likeness of their adorable little dog. I said nothing to dissuade them.

As for baby Orion, he immediately began sucking on the hound's protruding nose. Approval indeed.

2008-06-24T10:42:00.005-06:00

Itchy Wool in June

It's a true sign of an overboard knitter that she is willing to pile stacks of wool on her sweaty lap in the middle of June. Even more proof of her devotion: wearing the itchy wool shrug on a 95 degree day.

Pattern: Top Down Shrug
By: Anne Lecrivain-Cozzoli of Moonlight Stitches
size: 40-42
Yarn: New Zealand Wool Pak (formerly known as Baabajoes Wool Pak), blue
needles: size 13

The needles were too big for this yarn. The fabric is loose and lacks backbone. I think I'll reknit it with size 11 and knit the next size up. As it is, I just needed to finish knitting this quickly so I could wear it as a sample and offer it as a pattern choice for my first intermediate knitting class. The students chose between this shrug, a baby cardigan and a simple, but lovely shawl. All choices feature top-down construction. This shrug pattern is perfect for the class because it is offered in several sizes, and it gives instructions for three sleeve lengths.

Father's Day was an inspiring event around here. The big boy loves sewing pillows (thank you very much Montessori school), and he decided that his dad needed a new pillow with a pocket for keeping his guitar picks. The pocket came from the rear of an adorable pair of corduroys worn by both he and his brother. I was so attached to these trousers that I patched the knees twice for each boy and I was clinging to them for a memory quilt project that I'll probably never get around to making. Seriously, picture low-rise corduroy Levi's on a 2 year old!

2008-06-15T10:28:00.004-06:00

lumpy beauty

Allow me to introduce my first-ever handspun yarn. I don't think I can sufficiently describe the pleasure I am deriving from this tiny skein of yarn. I feel very proud.

My teachers Consuela and Mary were very patient with me. I learned on my friend Tina's gorgeous patio . We sat there spinning, sipping wine, and nibbling on canoli and natillas for dessert with the Sandia Mountains glowing pink in the distance. My goodness.

Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-06T14:53:00.011-06:00

Snow Globes in June

Should the Man of Steel be encased in a plastic vitamin bottle and then showered with glitter? He seems so helpless.

After a very long quiet spell, I'm resurfacing to share a few irresistible things. The first, of course are the snow globes we made today. This was entirely the inspiration of my nearly six-year old. The Indian warrior and Superman figurines look really dazzling inside their new homes.

Another recent creative surge led me to a thrilling shopping visit to Purl Soho for fabric and the results are making me very happy. Check out the before and after:

The happiness is mingled with anxiety, as these chairs often snuggle up to the naked butt of a potty-training two year old. They are coated with three layers of scotch gard. Also, when the little guy is eating at the table, he gets to sit on this oilcloth-covered chair (as in: Guess what?! You are the luckiest member of the WHOLE family! You get to sit on the shiny, flowered chair!):

The knitting is constant lately. I can't mention all of it here, but here's a little something I've been adoring between big projects:

Bombyx Silk from La Lana. Dyed with lavender flowers.

More soon. I promise!

2008-03-09T20:43:00.010-06:00

Three Simple Things to Knit

Very Simple Pouch
Manos del Uruguay - Rose

Very Simple Headband
The Fibre Company Terra -Ash and Araucania Nature Wool Chunky - Orange

Very Simple Eyeglass Case
Plain and Fancy Merino Wool - Magenta

I presented these patterns to my beginning knitting class today.

I wanted to design something for brand new knitters who have had some practice knitting and purling and are ready for the challenge of a first project . Each pattern is simply a rectangle and includes only Knit and Purl stitches with no shaping at all and only a small amount of simple finishing.

I think brand new knitters need to have a sweet little project to look forward to at the early stages of learning. A small sense of accomplishment goes a long way.

These are quick projects for any knitter, beginner or otherwise, and would make beautiful gifts. In the near future, I'll be putting a link to this pattern's free PDF in my sidebar. If you'd like to see it now, here it is. It can also be found on my Ravelry page. Does that link work if you aren't a Ravelry user? I wonder.

My cousin's baby is still waiting patiently for his new log cabin pillow. Babies are so patient, aren't they? The baby's grandparents came for a visit this weekend and I was compelled to send them off with a little placeholder gift.

A cute-thing-until-I-can-finish-the-REALLY-cute-thing gift. Picture it much smaller and on an actual toddler (with a head). Sweet. I bought it at my favorite store ever.

And in the not-so-simple column, I present this:

Pattern: The Inga Hat by Sheila Macdonald
Source: Ewenique Fiber - The Blog
Yarn: The Fibre Company Terra in Ash and The Fibre Company Road to China in Riverstone
needles: size 5

Made for my dear, beautiful friend Celeste to give her love and strength as she fights a lousy illness. I hope she feels the love every time she wears it.

2008-03-03T09:34:00.007-07:00

The Crazies

This has been one of those weeks wherein everything big has changed and now I feel like I don't even recognize my coffee cup . At least our house is still the same, but jobs are changing, schools are being researched intensively, big money decisions are looming and big risky adventures are being embarked upon.

I'm longing for the days when I would walk my one little kiddo to the park every sunny afternoon to play leisurely for hours.

I'm teaching a beginning knitting class at the art center down the road so most of my knitting is related to that class. I'm thinking a lot about how to make the class really fun and satisfying for the students (and for myself) and I'm knitting little samples like mad.

One of my dearest friends had a birthday this weekend and I didn't even call her...oh cruel time, how you escape me! I have almost finished her gift and I'll give a little hint of it here, even though I suspect she may see this.

Here's wishing for boring days.

2008-02-19T22:18:00.004-07:00

Lucky me.

My trip was much better than I ever imagined it would be.

It was like I was moving in slow motion. I couldn't believe the luxury of not feeling responsible for anyone but myself for a few short days. It was like getting a cold drink of water after being very thirsty.

Then there was the sheer euphoria of seeing my boys run toward me at the airport. The little one was in his footie pajamas and a pair of cowboy boot puddle jumpers. They hugged me tight and for a long time and I sobbed. Sweet.

Both boys and their daddy drew me dozens of pictures and cut construction-paper hearts and taped them over the dining room threshold to welcome me back. They made me wait in the entryway so they could position themselves under it and yell SURPRISE, when I walked in. I sobbed more.

What a good husband I have. Someday, we'll travel to Philadelphia together and eat Indian food and Dim Sum and walk a lot.

Things that made me smile in Philadelphia:

Almond-stuffed dates, wrapped in bacon and topped with cabrales blue cheese at Alma de Cuba.
Alma de Cuba
Reading Terminal Market. Fabulous in every single way.
Beautiful Historic buildings with placards dated 1750.
Spending time with my dad. I love my dad.
The Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft. An overwhelming concentration of talent and inspiration.
Men in ties
Espresso at La Colombe
People calling me honey.

2008-02-12T17:27:00.004-07:00

Orion's Log Cabin

My much younger cousin (whose not really all that young), just had her first baby.
Congratulations to all in her sweet family!

The new little boy has been on my mind in the past few weeks, as I've completely relished knitting a happy little log cabin square for him. It was originally intended to be a blanket (a la mason dixon), but the short rows I used to make the pieces non-square (i.e. charming) have had the added effect of causing the little square to pop out convexly and rather, well, pillow-like.

This happy little accident, combined with the fact that baby Orion came 3 weeks early have sealed the fate of this little square, as a 20" pillow, instead of a much larger blanket.

I will sew a pillowcase from some fun fabric, tack the log cabin square to it, and then embroider his name somewhere.

Thanks for talking me through all this, Heather. As always, you give my knitting crises your full, therapist-quality attention. I hope to always do the same for you!

Tomorrow I'm off to Philly. gulp.

In my fantasies, I'm relaxed (peaceful even) and savoring every moment. In my nightmares, I'm worrying about my children and aimless without their constant company.
I feel excited tonight, and that is a good sign.

Happy Valentines day!

2008-01-31T09:06:00.001-07:00

For Celeste

Let me tell you about my friend Celeste. She is my oldest friend and no matter how far we live from each other or how different our lives have become, I find my love for her undiminished.

Celeste is funny. She laughs all the time. She never plays it safe. She always takes the road that leads to the greatest challenge and is truest to her heart. And she takes it with confidence. She is beautiful.

My dear beautiful friend is feeling sick these days and I'm knitting something special for her. As I knit, I find myself reflecting on all our years of friendship and I am appreciating her more than ever.

A little music dedication to Celeste on this lousy week:

My kids are addicted to watching this video on youtube (and so am I) and since Celeste is always on my mind these days, she and Feist have become fused in my thoughts.

They are both bold, sexy, and fabulous.

Feel better soon, friend.

2008-01-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

cozy neck = fun in a cold city all. by. my. self.

Way back after the Christmas crazies, while I was still sitting in a sea of crumpled wrapping paper, and while the snow fell outside, I began knitting a little something for myself.

pattern: Cherry Garcia Neck Warmer
source: Adrian Bazilia of Hello Yarn
yarn: Mirasol Yarn Sulka colorway 206 and Tahki Bunny in a yellow/green
needles: US 10.5

The sulka yarn is luxurious and soft. My budget allowed for only one skein, and so the Bunny stripe was necessary to make it complete. It's big for my little neck and it hangs sort of (unappealingly) like a cowl, but it's warm and cozy so it shall remain just as is.

I'm happy to say that I will be having an excuse to wear said neck warmer in the very near future in a place much colder than here. My dad heads every year to the fabulous Philidelphia Buyers Market of American Craft and every year he comes back saying how much he thinks I would love it. This year he invited me to join him.

oh golly.

The show itself is sure to be gorgeous and inspiring. I picture myself floating from booth to booth cooing and giggling. On top of that, I'll find myself alone in a new city and free to explore in a way which is very unlike my typical life.

If lurkers from Philadelphia find themselves reading this, I would be so thrilled (and grateful) to hear from you about good, good things in your fine town. Please tell me which neighborhoods a crafty girl would enjoy most. Tell me about: delightful yarn shops, terrific restaurants (sushi, Vietnamese, Italian...), charming coffee shops to sit in leisurely, and good places to buy treasures for my kiddos.

Thank you, thank you in advance for anything you can share.

Cold weather travel planning and our very own high desert cold weather, has me wishing for a new hat. The best hat I've ever knit for myself got accidentally felted years ago. I went searching for something quick on Ravelry and I found An Unoriginal Hat by the Yarn Harlot.

The big boy lingered near me the whole time I knitted it and showed visible disappointment when I told him it was not for him.

"Hmmm, do you think you'll have any extra yarn leftover?" and then: "No? Well, I really like that color. Red is my favorite." and then a sigh.

Boy did he luck out when I finished it and realized it was too small.

pattern: An Unoriginal Hat by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
source: The Yarn Harlot
yarn: Yarn Botanika, colorway: red chilies - handspun, hand-dyed
needles: size 10.5 ( I should have used 11)

2008-01-19T20:35:00.001-07:00

gifts for little girls we love

Sydney

My little friend Sydney turned five years old today. Sydney is bold, beautiful, full of ideas and enthusiasm and she loves to offer my (very shy and unwilling) son ample hugs and kisses.

Sydney LOVES the color red (which illustrates her very good taste). To help her celebrate I made her this little handbag. The fabric for the body and lining came from the beautiful little fabric store in Taos. Someday, I'll use more of it to make napkins. The straps were made from some gorgeous golden yellow fabric that I bought in Paris years ago.

Edie

My big boy is in love with a little girl named Edie. Today he drew a picture of himself with a thought bubble above the drawing of his head and inside the thought bubble was Edie.

"See mommy, I'm thinking about Edie."

For Christmas, he wanted to make her gift himself. We began a friendship bracelet, but it quickly became clear that I would be driven insane by all the mind-numbing knots and hopelessly tangled embroidery floss. I didn't want his memory of the project to be of me losing my mind and destroying the tangled, beloved friendship bracelet in a fit of rage.

Instead we turned to the trusty potholder loom, for which he showed a particular affinity when he was four. He wanted to make potholders for everyone he knew. I remembered seeing a great feature in a Martha Stewart magazine years ago, in which she used her potholder loom with yarn to make sweet little squarish objects. We watched a great tutorial video by Noreen Crone-Findlay, here to learn how to warp our loom and weave. Don't you love the internet?

And the boy was off! It does my heart so much good to see him finding satisfaction in things he can do with his hands. I helped with some of the stitching around the little purse, but it was entirely woven by him and he was very proud. The lovely yarn he chose from my stash, was some of Scout's superwash worsted in the color Orchids.

Wonderful things can happen when a boy loves a girl.

2008-01-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

Monsters and Good Guys

I had a conversation with my 2 year old today. It went like this:

him: Mommy, I see a monster!
me: where?
him: (eyes wide) Over there! I seeeee it!
me: I don't think we have any monsters here. I think we are safe in our house.

(Long pause, Then a tentative search around the living room drapes.)

him: Do you know what, mommy?
me: what?
him: I looked around and there are no monsters, and no parakeets, and no Tigers.
me: That's a relief.
him: yes. I think that a good guy got them.

The Lightning Bolt Sweater (with racing stripes)

Pattern: Knitting Pure & Simple Children's Tunic
Size: Age 6-8
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Cranberry, Avocado, and Blue Ink
Also, wool felt from various sources for appliquéd stripes and lightning bolt.
Needles: US size 7 and 9
Modifications: I added a kangaroo pocket because I love kangaroo pockets (and so does the big boy). I edged it in seed stitch instead of garter and made the hood entirely seed stitch to give it more body. I love the way the hood turned out.

This sweater was SO quick to knit. It languished for almost 2 months in a knitting bag while I avoided adding the lightning bolt. I fretted over the perfect shape, color and placement and engaged all my knitting friends in endless analysis on the subject.

Finally, one night, I (rather frantically) grabbed the scissors and hacked out the perfect bolt and sewed it on. I couldn't let myself think about it anymore.

I sewed the stripes and lightning bolt onto the sweater with a very small, sharp needle and teeny, tiny stitches. Ooooh, I love the details! I was so calm and happy as I made those little stitches.

One thing I don't care for: The Wool of the Andes yarn is super pilly. After only two wearings, the sleeves and sides are not looking so hot and I had envisioned a really solid, wears-like-iron sweater. Ah well, I guess that's what you get for 1.99/ball. Also, it probably doesn't help that I knit it on size 9 needles. Next time I'll knit it with Peace Fleece or some really nice, scratchy tweed.

The other sweater is nearly finished. Stay tuned.

2008-01-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

some cute

As I mentioned in my last post, this Christmas season was filled with gift-making at my house. I cannot really express how much I enjoyed this. It was satisfying in a way that shopping just isn't.

I liked doing it so much that I fear I'm losing sight of the fact that the people in my life might not actually want handmade gifts. Perhaps there are people who secretly roll their eyes and think, "Oh lord, Molly is making things again, what is it this time? A hand-felted oven mitt?. Perfect. Just what I was hoping for."

I myself, would love to get a hand-felted oven mitt, but for some people handmade gifts of this nature have too much in common with macramé plant hangers or Christmas wreaths made entirely of wine corks.

In any case, I figure nobody is ever going to tell me that they hate getting handcrafted gifts (unless they get really drunk before opening gifts), so I'm free to please myself and continue making them.

This post is devoted to three crazy-adorable things I made this year.
Beware, the cute is strong.

These slippers were a Christmas surprise for my little boy, who refuses to wear socks and is always complaining that his feet are cold. I made them with gorgeous, super-thick handmade wool felt that I bought from A Child's Dream Come True.

They are lined with charcoal gray cashmere that I felted from an old sweater. I figured the shape out, and created the pattern. The ears and eyes were a last-minute inspiration and were sewn in place at 4:30 am on Christmas morning. Ouch.

Now that they are done, I wish I had just googled felt slippers and found a pattern online. Had I done that, I might have some slippers that were cute AND actually stayed on the boy's feet.
Aw well, at least they are cute.

I plan to improve their functionality by sewing the wrists from the same gray sweater into them, thus turning them into little boots. I hope it works.

I made this little bunny for my sweet friend Skyler. It was outfitted with a little loop at the top and meant to hang from her Christmas tree, as this was Skyler's first Christmas. I also sewed alphabet beads in Skyler's name on the bunny's rear.

Skyler's bunny was inspired by a pattern of a little bear by Lynn at Molly Chicken (You want to talk about cute. Holy freaking cow. You will find so much cute on her blog, your heart swell many times its size inside your chest. seriously.)

She is incidentally, also the genius behind the mousies and their beds which we made a few months back and have been enjoyed so much around here.

And finally, meet Gillian Bear. She is also a Christmas tree ornament and (surprise) was made for little Gillian. I used the wonderful book The Knitted Teddy Bear by Sandra Polley and the pattern for Molly, Toby, and Jake. Parts of this little bear were a bit tedious to make, especially because she is so little (about 3.5" sitting), but the results were adorable and I love that the arms and legs are movable and the sweater can be taken off.

Had it been a bear for me, I would have chosen different colors, but this particular 4 year old girl is very fond of pink and purple. My big boy chose the buttons. I think they are perfect.

Too much cute can overwhelm a person, so I'll stop there. Until next time.

2008-01-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

Santa Likes Me

Did any of you get a chocolate bar in your stocking with a message like this from Santa? Apparently, the big guy has noticed me.

Christmas was made far more gratifying this year than in years past because I made a larger proportion of my gifts than ever before. If I had my way, we would all give handcrafted gifts exclusively and the only things we'd purchase would be other handcrafted treasures.
I say that, but the truth is that Christmas wouldn't really be as good without things like fancy crystal wineglasses (not handcrafted) and colorful argyle socks (also not handcrafted, though they could be).

Josh's Christmas Scarf
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky in cream & grey heather and
doubled Tahki Donegal Tweed homespun color 890.
Needles: Size 11
Inspiration: I found a version of the Men's Rustic Scarf by Joelle Hoverson on Ravelry. It was made by Morgiane (who I think is without a blog). Mine turned out very much like her's, but the colors are slightly different. It was just so darn pretty, I had to replicate it. Thanks for the inspiration Morgiane!

My dad has been wondering when my blog will get the attention he thinks it deserves. He hasn't been complaining about my absence exactly, just grumbling politely: "So, I visited your blog today but there was nothing new...Just wondering...".

Well, nothing make me feel more appreciated than polite, grumbling inquiries. I love to log my crafty adventures here and it's nice to hear that my dear dad enjoys reading them.

There are so many things to cram into only one post so, I'll spread the goodness over the next several weeks.

Until next time - Happy New Year!

2007-12-12T15:54:00.001-07:00

Does your butter look like this?

I'm guessing it doesn't. Unless, of course, your two year old (or your husband) likes butter as much as my two year old does.

We are buzzing around here with holiday projects and I'm very pleased to say that much of my shopping is done. I've been knitting like crazy and it's been more fun than stressful. Hallelujah!
Somehow it seems like a miracle to me when things go smoothly this time of year. I'm jaded from years past, and I'm accustomed to a certain level of stress and doom at the holidays. I don't wish to give the impression that we dread Christmas around here. Quite the contrary. It's just a delirious, bipolar time of year for us.

I have some little surprises for a few special people and plans to make more. My list is long.

I did finally finish the little boy's stocking (0n this, his 3rd Christmas). I've forgiven myself for the delay since the results are so sweet.

You can see my (much smaller) stocking at the other end of the mantle. Equally small and missing entirely from the cheerful group is (naturally) my husband's stocking. Poor guy. I knit baby sweater after baby sweater and never a sweater for him... It's sad. His complaints about this lack of knitting love are increasing in frequency. He's begun to make big sad eyes whenever I show him another finished object for one of the boys. I am vowing here and now to at the very least complete his little stocking and then fill it with good things. I love you, honey.

Another happy, crafty thing which brings us delight (and chocolate) daily is our new advent calendar.

It was inspired by Ellaberry who made similar origami cups and hung them from a broom handle. They are so cheerful and the kids are incredibly excited to get their prize each day.

Lastly, on a sad note, I dedicate this post to Gus.

My old cat Gus died this weekend. I had him for 17 years and I loved him. We were very sorry to see him go and we're still a little shocked that he isn't here driving us crazy by peeing all over the bedroom floor and being sweet by letting us bury our faces in his fluffy fur. He was gentle and good and he always smelled good. Also, he liked to eat rubber bands - but, don't worry, we didn't let him.

Go give your pet a snuggle.

2007-11-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

Mittens are for Babies

Today my 5 year-old told me that he has decided that he's really too big to be wearing mittens.

He told me that he really thought he needed gloves and not the kind I knit, but instead a pair that you buy, because he thinks they will keep his hands drier in the snow.

I began to launch into a persuasive (and somewhat desperate) lecture on all the amazing virtues of wool when he interrupted me,

"Mom, I wouldn't mind if you made them (gee thanks), but I really want them to be black and with Spiderman on them, and webs and maybe with the web shooters down here, by my wrist. I want the Spiderman to be red, but you can just do his face, not his whole body in a spidey-pose, so it won't be that hard for you".

What a relief. Just his face. And webs. And web shooters. Well, I made my bed. Now I have to lie in it (and knit).

I am thrilled that he is allowing me to make my own version of something mass-produced that he has certainly seen on the hands of his friends at school. Indeed, my crafty substituitions will not always fly.

If I boogie on these, they could be that one handknitted thing I wanted to put in his stocking. So here's my plan: I'll double knit them (as in double layer, both knitted simultaneous), and they will hence be super warm, dense and reversible. Black on one side, red on the other. I chose Berrocco Ultra Alpaca Light. Spidey will be needle felted on the backs of the gloves and I'll embroider the webs.

This discussion came just after playing in the first snow of the season. It was such a treat to wake up the day after Thanksgiving to snow.

I'm off to cast-on, but I leave you with tiny window into our post-feasting day. a Thanksgiving hangover shot.

2007-11-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

The Paper Christmas Hat and Mr. Robot

We had a chaotic little trip to Hobby Lobby this morning. We were there to find Christmas hat essentials (feathery garland, sparkling baubles, tacky glue). This (as you can imagine) was entirely the big boy's idea. The inspiration was found in The Outrageously BIG Activity, Play and Project Book, but I must say that my little friend had far more spectacular results than those featured in the book.

We are feeling very Christmassy around here and I'm also recently inspired by adorable advent calendar ideas over at Kid's Craft Weekly. I subscribe to their lovely newsletter and I'm inspired by it on a regular basis.

Meet Mr. Robot. You may remember when we were inspired to bring him to life many eons ago. Finally, he is able to sit and relax on the sofa. He was entirely designed and cut by the big boy, who also sewed on many of the buttons. I was just the grunt.

When we began making Mr. Robot, the little boy was just a baby and did not require one of his own. Now, it seems a glaring oversight that only one robot lives in our house. Luckily Mr. Robot is BIG and could conceivably be enjoyed by both boys at the same instant...(Yeah, right!).

2007-11-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

Hello Camera!

Thanks to sweet birthday pampering from my husband and my dear dad, I am no longer without a camera. My new camera is the prettiest and best camera I've ever owned and it does all sorts of mysterious things I'm not even beginning to understand yet.

I had an exceptional birthday all around. My husband prepared a giant falafel feast, and a big batch of carrot, orange and ginger soup. Then he set the table with pretty dishes and wine, invited some of my very favorite girlfriends over, packed up the kiddos and....he left!
Seriously. He left and he was gone for hours.

It was so civilized and wonderful to sit around the table with my beautiful friends, laugh, drink wine and all the while there were no jarring interruptions from our (adorable, but) crazy little offspring.

I got more sweet handmade gifts this year than ever before.

The lavender soft drawstring pouch was made for me by my dear friend Alison. It's knit with Blue Sky Alpaca Silk and it has a gorgeous bar of French soap inside. Divine!

Marcie (who I miss so much), surprised me with this beautifully crocheted scarf with fluffy white edging. It reminds me so much of her. And THEN, as if I deserved more, lovely Heather made me the prettiest Fetching gloves in my favorite cranberry red. So much sweetness. Thank you. Thank you.

Also, my wonderful in laws got me this book as a gift. I'm dying to make the the crepe paper crown for every adult and child I know.

All these gifts have put me in the mood to make some gifts of my own.

When this bear is finished she will be about 4 inches high and she will hang from the Christmas tree of a very good 4 year-old friend of mine. I've already named her, but I won't give it away now. The pattern comes from my new favorite book, The Knitted Teddy Bear. Cuteness beyond description. I have other great handmade gifts planned for the holidays, but I can't reveal them here and now.

I've been knitting the Racing Stripe, Lightning-Bolt sweaters madly and they are nearly finished. Just one sleeve left, and get this: I've run out of yarn! I'm avoiding the inevitable: $2 ball of yarn + $6 shipping.

While I stew over the yarn shortage, I'm working on the perfect designs for lightning bolts and sleeve stripes. My big boy has many opinions on this subject, so I've begun pulling the sweaters out only after bedtime to avoid lengthy debates about precisely where and how the lightning bolts should be placed.

During my long absence from the blog, I got my much anticipated Ravelry invitation and I've been having so much fun browsing around and adding dozens of projects to my queue. If you're on Ravelry, you can find me under the name mollykazoo.

I'm so glad to be back.

2007-10-22T10:02:00.000-06:00

Feet.

My friend Miss J, took these adorable pictures of her girl wearing the baby knee-highs I made her. They don't quite reach her little knees and they will probably only fit her for about 5 minutes, but such is the nature of baby socks. An ephemeral indulgence.

I am touched that she took these shots during the brief period when they actually fit.

As for my feet: HOLY FRICKIN' OUCH! They took a beating during the half marathon challange I ran yesterday. I'm limping around pathetically and wimpering a lot, but my lovely and beautiful husband has been rubbing them (and my sore legs) often. I think I have never loved him more.

As for my girlfriends and running partners Jeanette and Joanne....well there really aren't words for the bond I feel with those two superbabes for joining me (hand in hand in hand) as we crossed the finish line after 13 miles (the last 5 of which was pretty dreadful for me). I'll share a post-race picture with my blog friends soon, despite the lack of knitting/sewing content therein. (You are kind to indulge me).

I have made much progress on the big boy's racing stripe sweater, but sadly I'm once again camera-less and unable to post shots just now. My ever-generous dad loaned me his camera for (an excessive) 6 months and it was finally time to give it back. Thank you, dad!!

more soon...

2007-10-08T14:16:00.000-06:00

Check out the cute!

I wish I could take credit for knitting the striking and beautiful cape above.

I can't.

You can see why I had to feature baby Skyler in her deliriously cute cape. Not once but twice. It took all my restraint not to create a mosaic of 25 pictures of only baby Skyler wearing her cape. I was so focused on the little girly that I totally neglected to take a picture of her mama. A tremendous oversight, since Kelena is my consistent and delightful Wool Festival companion. Don't you agree that Kelena deserves serious kudos for that fantastic cape?

Above, you can also see a shot of me with my lovely and hilarious knitting girlfriends Mari, Mona & Carmela. It was so nice to see them there. All of us were giddy and exuding a glow that comes only from being without our children and shopping for yarn.

Yes, I went to the festival without my kiddos. Which made me alternately weepy and exhilarated. I bought many skeins of yarn from Plain & Fancy Sheep & Wool (I LOVE that stuff) and Brooks Farm Yarn. I also bought a beautiful drop spindle and some little balls of roving. This fills me with delight. We'll see where it leads me. For now, I'm just enjoying looking at it and wondering how the hell it works. It's so beautiful and simple, I can hardly believe it makes yarn.

During the trip, I began the big boy's racing stripe sweater exactly 6 times. I had gauge difficulties. And pattern difficulties. And giant gaping hole difficulties. It's not really fun anymore, but I'm praying that effort number seven will lead to success and it will become fun soon. I've settled on the Knitting Pure & Simple Children's Tunic pattern. I will add a kangaroo pocket, racy vertical stripes down the sleeves and one big lightening bolt front and center. The little boy gets a big red star on his.

They are sure to be fabulous. I'll be posting progress shots soon.

Sadly, for my knitting, I have an increasingly demanding running schedule in the early mornings that's forcing me to bed earlier than I would like. My prime knitting time has always been the late hours of night. I love to knit after everyone is asleep and the house is finally quiet.

But, what began as an excuse to get a little exercise has gotten completely out of hand. Now, without my understanding how it happened, two of my girlfriends and I have decided to run the half marathon (!?!) It's totally crazy, but it's true.

After the 21st, you can picture me propped up and knitting wearily with ice packs surrounding my ass and swollen limbs.

Pray for me.

2007-09-18T23:01:00.000-06:00

Small Things

Pattern: Mittens on Strings
Source: Simple Knits for Little Cherubs by Erika Knight
size:age 2-3

Yarn: Holly Spring Homespun, Merino Twist Hand-dyed, color- seaworld
Edging and string: Zara from Filatura Di Crosa, color - 1466 red
Needles: US size 6

It's still way too hot here in New Mexico and I'm so anxious for fall to begin. I made these mittens for my little boy and it was such pure satisfaction. I've knit many pairs of mittens in the past, but never like this. The pattern was quite unconventional and I kept thinking that I'd gone terribly wrong. Then the mittens suddenly appeared before my eyes. So much fun.

They were knit straight, but the seam is cleverly placed so it's inconspicuous.

The yarn was a gift from Emmy, my KMKS partner last year and I adored it from the moment I first saw it. It's plumpy and luxurious and the colors are delicious. There's enough yarn left to make myself a matching pair with little button-down flaps. Maybe next year.

I'm still working on the red string. It will be a thick double knitted tube that will never let those mittens go.

Headwrap for Paloma

Pattern: Adapted from the Dream Swatch Head Wrap By Wendy Bernard
dimensions: 44" x 1.75"
yarn: Regia Stretch Sock Yarn color- 82

My 12 year old cousin stayed with me recently and while she was over she saw me knitting a headband much like the one you see here for my son's best friend's birthday. She was dazzled by it so I started one for her during her visit. It's much narrower than the original version, but still long so that it can be worn with the ends peeking out from under her hair. She is a very fashionable child and I can't wait to see it on her.

A little preview of one more almost-finished small thing:

2007-09-16T01:30:00.000-06:00

Oh Pretty Cardigan, How I Covet Thee.

I Love it.
Love everything about it. Except maybe the yarn, which isn't really my color. Otherwise, classic loveliness personified. Simple and flattering. The perfect pattern to show off some really special yarn.

The perfect pattern to have in mind as I wander blissfully around the Taos Wool festival.
The sweater was designed by the fabulous Amy Swenson. Find it here.

Meanwhile, I'm planning two sweaters for the boys using the Incredible Custom-Fit Raglan Sweater Pattern. The sweaters will be top-down with hoods, kangaroo pockets and vertical racing stripes on the sleeves. Each will be a combination of 4 bright colors. I just spent exactly $31.56 on yarn for BOTH sweaters at Knitpicks.

Knitting is really for EVERYONE over at knitpicks. You gotta love those prices.

Also, thanks to a recommendation from Kelena, I've been completely seduced by the Knitpicks podcasts lately. After listening breathlessly to the first one, I began to mentally rearrange my livingroom to make space for a spinning wheel.

I don't know the first thing about spinning, but I feel sure it will change my life for the better someday. sigh.

I have recently completed a few small things: A pretty headband for a 12-year old.
A pair of adorable mittens with a string for my little kiddo. A knitted bracelet with a flower for a teenage cousin.

I will take pictures someday soon and post. These days life offers little time.

For now I'm focused on beginning the boys' sweaters so that I have ample mindless knitting on the drive up to Taos. It's essential to be productive during this (unprecedented) kiddo-free weekend. All of my creative energy must be available for the yarn shopping.

Good lord I'm excited.

2007-08-30T10:37:00.000-06:00

Mousies at our House

My big boy was looking over my shoulder yesterday as I drank my coffee and gazed at the computer. He spotted the adorable mice over at Pink Chalk Studio and an expression of wonderment filled his face.

"Can we make one of those for me and one for my brother?"

Well, in this house, you don't have to ask twice to make irresistible projects with the sewing machine. I had laundry to fold (A LOT of laundry), dishes to put away and litter boxes to clean, but I went immediately instead and pulled out the sewing machine.

There may be a day not too far in the future when they would both rather ride their bikes or play hockey than sit with mom and sew diminutive mousies.

The mousies were created using the original pattern and tutorial by Lynn over at Molly Chicken. I had admired them there before, but the Pink Chalk Studio version really put us over the edge.
The tiny pillow pictured above was the big boy's idea and was sewn entirely by him.

As I write this, both kids are playing elaborate, make-believe games with their mousies. These are definately on the list of great gifts for other kiddos too.

I've been in a toy-making mood ever since I came across this wonderful knitted toys blog.
Some toys I love:

The Sleepy Snake and Mischevious Mouse over at Mochimochi Land. Another great toy that inspires imaginative play. It's also an adorable little introduction to the harsh realities of wild animal behavior. It's like a soft, cuddly version of a Nature Channel special.

I've also been drawn to sweet, traditional toys. I recently bought The Knitted Teddy Bear and I would love to find time to knit my little boy an alpaca or cashmere bear for christmastime.

The list grows...

2007-08-28T10:40:00.000-06:00

Knee Highs for a Baby

Pattern: Adapted from Better-Than-Booties Baby Socks

Source: Interweave Knits, Summer 2005

Yarn: main color-Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, color: envy;

Heels, toes and ruffles: sKNITches Syncopation Sock Yarn, color: red baron

Needles: US size 0 dp

These were knit for baby Hannah Simone. I am sending them off tomorrow and I'm hoping that her mommy is too busy with new parenting business to bother with my blog before she actually gets them.

Baby Hannah's mommy is an old friend from my college days. She is terrific and, incidentally, VERY long-legged. I thought of my friend's fantastically long legs (seriously, they are at least as long as my husband's - and he is 6'2") as I knit and knit these little socks and I hoped that they might actually fit as knee highs and not anklets. I also hope that they'll be big enough to last her through the chilly Seattle fall and winter.

My socks are obviously longer than those in the Ann Budd pattern. Also, I used a simple 4/1 rib instead of the stitch patterns suggested, to better appreciate the lovely Lorna's Laces yarn.

The yarn used for the heels, toes and ruffle was part of a prize that I was thrilled to win last winter on the blog of the ever-generous Mona. Thanks Mona! I bet you never expected me to actually use the sock yarn for socks!

I don't get to talk with Hannah and her lovely family often but my heart is full as they welcome her into the world. Welcome, sweet dumpling!

2007-08-13T20:57:00.000-06:00

cutting the grass with scissors

This evening I watched my 5-year old son carefully cut the grass in our backyard with scissors, then gather it up and lay it, in little piles, on the sprawled cat. This is one of those moments recently when I wished that I had been ready with the camera.

This past weekend we went to Taos. Just the four of us, on a perfect family getaway. We stayed in a little casita with clean white linens, luminous plaster walls and a patio complete with kiva fireplace. We drank Spanish wine and gazed at millions of stars in the clear Taos sky. The best part: we saw no less than 6 shooting stars as we lay there in our loungers.

Vacation moments that filled me with regret over not having my camera:

I bought both boys really cool sunglasses in Taos. The big boy wore his a lot and during a walk along a dirt road, my husband said that he looked exactly like the guitarist for Cheap Trick. This reference was meaningless to me (I have no idea what the guitarist for Cheap Trick looks like) but his comment made me stop and enjoy the odd details of my son's outfit. He wore a cap, cowboy boots, red shorts with racing stripes, his hand-drawn rocket ship t-shirt, and his new blue fish sunglasses.

I knit a lot on the trip up--indeed, whenever we were in the car. I finished the last few stiches of my lacy malabrigo scarf just as we drove in and parked at the Rio Grande Gorge. It was windy, and I held my little boy close as we walked across the bridge that spans the 800-foot-deep crevasse. The view sneaks up on you--the ground suddenly and dramatically falling away from the plateau as you approach the bridge. My children were silent and wide-eyed. The effects of vertigo and whipping wind made it necessary to hold onto the railing. For warmth my little boy wore my just-finished scarf, and it made him look like a savvy, handsome, European traveler as the scarf billowed about his beautiful face. I wish I had a picture.

In Taos we discovered Twirl. I was dazzled. Even better than the indulgent selection of perfectly chosen toys, is the fantastic setting. It was like the backyard garden of my childhood fantasies. The ones where I discover that I'm actually a magical princess with my own jewel-encrusted trunk full of elaborate gowns, secret glittery treehouses with real kid-sized pots and pans and morrocan-looking bathrooms decorated with murals of exotic pink and orange flowers. If you have children and you are in Taos, go there.

I also bought several yards of fabric to use on kitchen projects and christmas gifts at A Common Thread, a stunning fabric store. I was inspired by Molly's Handmade Napkins on the purl bee, and I plan to make some of my own with these delicious fabrics. I'm mostly doing the project because I can't wait to get my hands on the bias tape maker! Have you ever heard of anything more wonderful?

My absence lately is turning this into the longest post ever. If you're still reading, here is your reward:

stay tuned for itty bitty sock news...coming soon.

2007-07-30T08:38:00.000-06:00

clicking pretty

I am happy to announce to you all that I type this post on our super-fancy, brand-new laptop computer. I'm feeling that fresh, giddy whirl that only comes from buying something new that I never indulge in.

We are not technologically hip people and I only completed the purchase today after calling my brother-in-law 4 times from the giant warehouse store and consulting with him at length (and very slowly) about gigs, processors and wireless cards.

After looking at the dizzying array of computers for sale at the store, I know that my computer is not fancy. It wasn't the very cheapest one, but almost.

At the store, my eyes wandered to the really shiny black laptops with the super-big screens and I wished a little bit that I could choose something sexier. But, then I got it home and, as if by a miracle, I found it transformed from homely to downright racy!

Great Scott! When did it become possible to browse the internet and listen to cheesy talk radio at the same time?!? I may have to begin exploring these podcasts I've heard so much about. Any recommendations?

Take my advice, and keep your current computer for 10 to 12 years, then go buy a new one.
It will blow your freaking mind.

If you've been checking in with me regularly, I thank you and I'm sorry for my absence.
There is so much to blog about. I'll save knitting news for another day soon.

cheers!

2007-07-10T21:44:00.000-06:00

Monica (the first)

Pattern: Monica designed by Christine Schwender
Source: Knitty Spring 2007
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Pima Tencel
Needles: US 6 bamboo straights
Size: 2 yrs

As I was knitting the Anouk for little Skyler, my thoughts wandered occasionally to sweet Frances who is happily toddling around Tacoma.

Frances is the daughter of a dear friend who I don't get to see often enough. She is adorable. Her hair is striking auburn red and she has brown eyes that twinkle when she smiles.

Frances has been due a special little something from me since her birth and the deep eggplant and grassy green seemed like the perfect colors for her, so I ordered more Pima Tencel with Frances and the Monica pattern in mind.

Modifications: I'm not sure why the pattern calls for knitting two short straps from the front and back pieces and seaming them at the top of the shoulder. Instead, I attached the straps under the top of the ruffle at the back and front. I chose to knit them sideways (by getting my gauge and measuring) with a garter stitch ridge at each edge and smooth Stockinette in the center and I knit them 6 stitches wide instead of 3.

Happy 15 month birthday, sweet Frances!

2007-06-29T16:40:00.000-06:00

The little Surplice Lace Top knit- ~~along~~ behind

It was my husband's idea that I rename the knit-along, a knit-behind. He thinks it's very amusing that I enthusiastically proposed the knit-along and then proceeded to make 6 other things.

My biggest mistake was that I got excited and announced the idea way too soon. I tell myself that in the process of it's very slow start, my Surplice Lace Top has evolved into something far better than it would have been had I jumped right into it. I also tell myself that my scattered focus would really have been annoying if hundreds of people were taking part in the KAL. As it stands, the three participants have remained cheerful in the face of my confusion.

I have to hand it to blogless Amy, who has practically completed her Surplice Lace Top in a lovely red Soysilk yarn. She, my friends, has focus.

She sent me photos of her progress along with a message of encouragement (thank you Amy!).
Here's a peek at her hard work:

As for me, I am proud to announce that I have finally cast on. Two hundred forty eight loops on my circular 4's are poised to become the lace section of the top. No small task, since I also had to unravel my peek-a-boob which was knit with a double strand of Euroflax. Unraveling and then unwinding two strands from one another. A mess, indeed.

And for a wonderful distraction from your next big project, can I recommend that, like me, you bake up a batch of Quinoa Muffins? I was inspired to take the picture above partly because these muffins (which can be found in Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison) are so delicious.

I also wanted to share with everyone how sweet it is when a four-year old shares his muffin with Mickey Mouse.

2007-06-26T23:58:00.001-06:00

Knee Highs for a Baby

I bought a skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd sock yarn that looks like this:

It was meant, at first, to become a little fine-gauge baby hat. Then I got a mental flash of hand-knitted knee high socks on a baby. That, I thought, would surely be the cutest thing I have ever seen. They would remind me a little of the Baby Legs I adore, except with so much more old-fashioned charm.

Haven't I seen hand-knitted baby knee highs on a rerun of my beloved Little House on the Prairie?

I have a baby in mind to knit them for, but my busy schedule may prohibit the knitting of little socks just now. We shall see.

A little detail of current knitting sweetness:

I love Berocco Touche. It's soft and plump and drapes nicely. The colors are pretty and it's affordable. I will have to withhold details for now, as the little gem you see here has not quite been gifted.

Thinking about Seattle

I've been savoring summer in Albuquerque, but as I approach the anniversary of last summer's vacation, I find myself longing for Seattle.

Here's what I'm thinking about:

Walking along Ballard Avenue eating a hot deli sandwich from the Other Coast Cafe.
Strolling through Discovery Park and feeling like I'm deep in the woods, right in the middle of the city.
Eating breakfast at Le Pichet.
Going to Port Townsend and drinking beer on a deck by the water.
Spending long, leisurely hours wandering through the best yarn shop in any city anywhere.

It's easy to miss Seattle in the summer. Yesterday, as I drove my two sweaty, lethargic kids across town in our small, oven-like car, I passed a thermometer that read 104 degrees. It's days like this that make me remember lying on the velvety lawn of my Seattle backyard, staring at the pale blue sky through a canopy of flowering Magnolia trees.

My longing has been intensified recently by the discovery of Orangette. Molly, the site's proprietress, writes so beautifully about Seattle that she makes me wish I was there.

There are plenty of things that I love about our city. Really. But I'm not thinking about those this week.

Alas, this summer, we won't be taking any big trips.

Instead. Our limited time and money is going toward improving things around the house. Over the past 3 months we have constructed the slowest fence in the history of fence construction. It's almost done, however, and we are so gratified to have done it ourselves. (With considerable help from dad. Thanks dad!).

Now we're shifting our energy to laying flagstone in the backyard, crafting a functional sandbox cover, and hanging strings of globe lights for late night get-togethers under the arbor.

Stay cool.

2007-06-20T08:04:00.000-06:00

Puppets are Magic

My oldest son is thoughtful and contemplative and he can be reticent when it comes to responding to questions like, "What did you do today?" or "How are you feeling?"

That is, unless he's talking to Guissepe the puppet (who is a sausage-maker from Naples).

When Guiseppe, in classic stereotypical Italian accent, asks my son, "What-a you do-a today-a my friend?" my son's eyes light up and he becomes animated and chatty. He can hardly wait to tell the puppet about his favorite toys and the details of his day-to-day life, like what his Batman toothpaste tastes like, how much he loves "puffy" pancakes, and how hard it can be to have a baby brother. He'll even open up about fears and disappointments we'd have to pry out of him if it weren't for our Neapolitan friend.

For nosy, chatty parents like me, a reserved child presents a special challenge: I will do almost anything to hear what's on his mind. Thank God for Guiseppe and his puppet friends.

You may remember that the puppet theater has been on the list since late last year. I finally made the time to do it.

I ask you, is there anything funnier than a puppet show by a 4-year-old?

The Surplice Lace Top has been s..l..o..w to start. The hunt for the perfect yarn has been a bit silly. I ordered what I thought was the perfect yarn from Elann, but alas, I wasn't paying attention and it was aran instead of DK weight. My latest brainstorm: I am making a huge mess unraveling peek-a-boob so I can attempt to get gauge with the eggplant Euroflax linen. I'm hopeful. I do love that yarn and I long to see it in a sweater that is not a miserable failure. When I finish unraveling the massive knots, I'll let you know how it works.

Meanwhile, I was hunting around online yesterday and I happened upon this loveliness:

The Cable and Lace Kimono-Sleeve Wrap @ Sweaterbabe.

Don't worry, I remain devoted to the Surplice Lace Top, but it's hard to stay focused in the face of such a convoluted start...

2007-06-11T18:27:00.000-06:00

Anouk for Baby Skyler

Pattern: Anouk by Kate Gilbert

Source: Knitty - spring 2004
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Pima Tencel
Needles: US 6 bamboo straights
Size: 12 months

This is for my newest friend, the perfect little baby Skyler.

I was honored to be present when Skyler was born and I've been trying to finish this little treasure for such a long while. Luckily the wee girl is only 3 months old and her pinafore will not fit for a few months yet.

This is the only time ever that I have used the exact yarn called for by the pattern--including the colors. That clever Kate Gilbert just got it right the first time.

2007-06-07T08:36:00.000-06:00

A little, tiny Knit-Along

Excitement for the Surplice Lace top KAL peaked sometime around 2 weeks ago, then I got distracted with facecloths and a few baby things. There is consensus around here that if we don't officially begin this thing, the moment may be lost forever.

Who is participating?
Well, so far the list looks like this:

Me
Heather
Chris
Marianne
Amy
k-ron

Amanda, have you decided to join us?

Amy has already begun and I'm so excited to see her progress, but Amy, I can't reach you! If you have a blog, leave it in the comments or email me at yarnisgood@yahoo.com. I'd love to link to it here.

I love the idea of an official Surplice Lace Top blog, but I must confess that it's taking all my energy to keep Baby Finds a Kazoo afloat, finish all the laundry and occasionally get a row or two of knitting done.

So here's the plan:
Reply in the comments here if you are officially planning to take part in our little, tiny KAL. I will compile the official list and add a Surplice Lace Top side bar to Baby Finds a Kazoo. That way, people can easily link to you and watch your progress as you document it.

If, however, someone has the time and motivation to set up a blog so we can all post pictures (even the blogless) I would be thrilled to help administrate said blog.

When does the knitting begin?

Let's start Monday, June 11.

Have a lacy day.

2007-06-06T17:26:00.000-06:00

I love to knit in the car

Almost nothing makes me happier than knowing that the family is going on a road trip. It's so sweet to have both kids strapped (that is, restrained) in their seats, my husband driving, and me with nothing to do but knit. It's lovely. Now that so little of my time is my own, these moments of peace are rare and delicious.

Here's an example of how my standards have changed. A friend of mine was telling me about her honeymoon. She and her new husband took a trip to Hawaii, but on day one, after several hours of sunbathing, my friend was bitten by a spider. This alone sounds like a terrible way to begin one's honeymoon, but what followed was much worse. She developed giant hives over her whole body. She was rushed to a doctor, who instructed her to get daily adrenaline shots until the symptoms subsided. She was also told to stay out of the sun. The adrenaline caused her to tremble visibly and talk continuously and rapidly, much to the horror of her somewhat frightened new husband.

So while her husband enjoyed the beautiful beaches of Hawaii, she spent each day stripped naked on the hotel bed with the fan on full blast, trembling and murmuring to herself. To pass the time, she read book after book after book.

When I heard her story, all I could think of was how nice it sounded to be in a hotel room, alone, reading books.

Speaking of small pleasures, I got a pretty new barrette.

It was crafted by Chris and sadly since this picture was taken it has fallen prey to dismantling little hands and sits on my kitchen windowsill in two pieces...nothing a little hot glue won't fix. Isn't it cool?

My sad inattention to the lovely Surplice Lace Top KAL is no doubt frustrating to a small handful of you. I have not forgotten and I do plan to begin soon. Part of the delay has been due to diligent gauge swatching being done by Heather in an attempt to find the perfect substitute yarn to replace the gorgeous (but ouch!) Nashua Ecologie Cotton. I have several balls of Tahki Cotton Classic in ivory that I'm seriously considering. Mostly because it's free. Does anyone have yarn suggestions? I'd love to hear your ideas.

We are thinking of officially beginning the sweater next week. I promise something more official soon.

Are you tempted Mona?

2007-05-26T11:44:00.000-06:00

Weird

Cari, who is a terrific writer and is documenting her adventure in Japan, recently tagged me to share 7 weird facts about myself. Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog those 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

My husband loves an opportunity to dwell on my weirdness and immediately offered a list of things I might share. I had difficulty narrowing it down.

1. Despite the fact that I'm a pretty together person who can keep track of multiple little things simultaneously (i.e. 2 small, wily children, snacks for said children, lipstick, knitting projects), I manage to misplace my keys every single day. About once a year I lose them permanently.

2. I have no aptitude for numbers, and math was always my worst subject in school. Despite this, I have an idiot-savant-like ability to memorize numbers. When I was a small child, my mom and dad used me as a walking phone book; I could rattle off the numbers of all my aunts & uncles and several family friends.

3. Once, when I was about 23, I was eating dinner on my couch, using a large chef's knife to cut my food (the butter knives were all dirty). With no table to rest the knife on, I wedged the handle of the knife between the sofa cushions when I wasn't using it, with the tip pointing toward the ceiling. (After all, I didn't want to soil the cushions with chicken grease--that would be stupid!) Later, I got up to wash the dishes. When I finished, I did a running jump onto the couch and--you could see this one coming--the knife sunk into my right ass cheek. The hospital staff who stitched me up had a grand time making me repeat the sequence of events to each and every doctor, nurse, lab tech, and ambulance driver on duty that night.

4. I eat orange peels and lemon peels. (An anticlimax after #3, but odd nonetheless.)

5. When I was in labor with my first son, I couldn't get the word haberdashery out of my head. At the time, I did not know what it meant.

6. I fall down. I don't do it so much anymore now that I'm carrying children around, but I used to need very little reason to simply fall down. On one occasion, my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I were standing at the corner of a busy intersection. Note the word "standing." Then I found myself on the ground. My husband was very confused, as he had been looking at me, then turned away for an instant--an instant!--then turned back to find me gone.

7. I can catch anything. My husband likes to keep me sharp by tossing the keys to me when I'm not expecting it, and I catch them every time. I suspect this may be why he married me.

I tag Miss J, Aspen, Philip, Dave, Crystal, Marianne and Morgen.
I would love to tag my friend John from long ago Santa Fe days. He is one of the funniest people I know but I think he's blogless.

In knitting news I happily completed 9 hand knitted washcloths, collected another 18 from other knitting moms and wrapped them up with handcrafted soap for delivery to the most exceptional teachers I've had the pleasure to know. The best unexpected surprise was that my dear friend Heather knit 3 cloths even though her children don't go to my son's school! She just loves to knit and she saw the desperation in my eyes as I fretted about the project. What a gem!

It seems we have some interest in our little Surplice Lace Top KAL. There are at least three of us here in the American Southwest, my dear longtime, sassy friend Amanda in Seattle says she's tempted to join us, Marianne in England plans to join and her photos are so delicious that it should be lovely to follow her progress from anywhere. Also, k-ron who knits and snowshoes with her dog (I love that!) somewhere in the world (I don't know where) is thinking of joining in. Anybody else? Aspen? Julia? Kelena?

I think we'll begin soon...stay tuned.

until then...

2007-05-18T19:12:00.000-06:00

Art in the Backyard

2007-05-09T14:54:00.000-06:00

Talented Friends, a Summer Top and Mother's Day Tea

During my printmaking days at the University of Washington, I had a friend, whom I shall refer to as Miss J, who made me laugh out loud every day.

Miss J was known throughout the department for her drawings of odd characters (see above) that hinted strongly at a very rich--and slightly disturbing--inner landscape. These characters didn't always stay on paper. On one memorable occasion, I arrived at the studio to find an elderly gentleman ranting at the other printmakers in a thick German accent. It was, of course, Miss J in full costume, including wig, cane, and osteoporosic posture. Miss J had a full array of material--improvised and rehearsed--that kept the rest of us peeing our pants with hysteria as we worked into the night on project deadlines.

Miss J is a wonderful friend and you really should go NOW and see her brand new blog: The Flying Pencil. There you will find a sampling of her amazing drawings. Those of you who may be less interested in drawing should know that she also knits, sews, and bakes chocolate banana bread like a pro.

Surplice Lace Top by Nashua Handknits

I showed this picture to my friend Heather and we immediately agreed that this sweater would look stunning on both of us. This is remarkable since there is a 7 inch difference in our heights and we look nothing alike. And yet, it's true.

Our friend Chris is also charmed by this lovely pattern and the three of us are gathering our collective enthusiasm and planning a little KAL. This will be my first KAL and I'm quite excited. I'm really in no position to begin something new for myself, what with the 5 or 6 other projects I have on needles, but... why the hell not?

Wouldn't it be nifty if other folks reading this right now feel as charmed by the Surplice Lace Top as we are and collectively we mobilize a real live, online KAL?

This little pattern is no Simple Knitted Bodice (the Titanic of all KALs), so I don't expect that THE WHOLE WORLD will want to knit it with us. If, however, you feel moved to knit it too, drop me a comment! I really love comments from people I've never met.

Tomorrow I'm off to Mother's Day tea at the big boy's school and I can hardly wait. Rumor has it that the children will greet us at the door, show us to our seats, pull our chairs out and serve us tea and goodies. He plans to wear his tie and has requested that I wear my butterfly skirt and purple shoes.

Happy Mother's Day

2007-04-30T21:53:00.000-06:00

Appreciating teachers and stinkbugs

I've been knitting cotton facecloths for the teachers at my son's school. This was my bright idea and goes under the category of things I committed to months ago when it sounded like a terrific and reasonable idea. Now a few short weeks remain in the school year and I have only completed 2 of 7 facecloths. Thankfully, I wrangled help from two other (very generous) knitting mothers. Also, I feel much better now that I finally started them, because they're so quick. I even began to crochet one today. I am not a crocheter - but luckily my standards are very low for this project. I joke. These teachers are too special for low standards...I just know that accustomed as they are to the accomplishments of preschoolers, they will appreciate my feeble efforts.

In the end there will be 21 cloths all wrapped up with locally crafted soap and tied with pretty twine. I'll photograph the group when they're finished.

Instead of knitting facecloths this weekend, we had a family outing and climbed a volcano. My favorite kind of hiking is the kind where you can see for miles in every direction. I prefer it to feeling hemmed in by trees and surrounded by GREEN. Sure there are snakes in a landscape like this but there are also lizards (excellent for chasing) and stinkbugs (excellent for aggravating into a stinky frenzy).

2007-04-15T20:42:00.000-06:00

3 things I want

I want Babydews! Babydews are one-of-a-kind vintage fabric head scarves for infants and toddlers. Have you ever seen anything so cute?! They are the brilliant idea of my friend Chris, who is super-stylish and talented, and makes each one herself. The beautiful vintage fabrics make them so special and many are embellished with little embroidered details that make me swoon. If only I had a little girl in my house...

I want this gorgeous book by Lotta Jansdotter. I can't stop thinking about it.

I want aluminum tumblers. Can't you just see them all frosty cold and filled with fresh-squeezed lemonade (who am I kidding? Margaritas.) on a hot summer day? They sell these beauties at the Vermont Country Store (purveyors of the practical and hard to find - a favorite site of mine). Unfortunately, they are a bit pricey, but I've spotted some on ebay. I predict I'll be sipping from them soon.

My big kiddo has been outgrowing his undies, and I fear the invasion of Lightning McQueen underpants. This will make me sound like a snob, but I have aesthetic issues with Disney-branded clothing. I adored the Wonder Woman Underoos I had as a child, so I understand the appeal, but I'm hoping to preserve an innocent state of brand-free undergarments just a little bit longer.

We made little patches with permanent fabric markers and I attached them to his plain old Hanes boxer briefs. The tiger and big black bird were drawn by him. In addition to those pictured here, we made shark, monster truck, caterpiller & whale undies.

We had so much fun and he loves his undies.

Speaking of mommy/kiddo collaborations, yesterday we began a very ambitious and important robot project (watch for details) and in our search for ideas, we came across Lizette Greco and her kids who create all kinds of inspired and ADORABLE things based on their drawings. They reminded me of our underpants and they make me want to decorate my own wardrobe and everything in my house with drawings by my kids! If you haven't seen her site, you must go.

Another thing I want:
A nap, all alone on my couch in the middle of the afternoon.

2007-04-08T21:47:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Frances!

My sweet little friend Frances turned one year old this week. Many happy returns little one. May you someday own a pair of shoes as perfect as these.

Project Spectrum has me looking around and noticing tiny signs of spring.

I knit a Calorimetry for my small, stylish friend Sydney for her recent birthday. I used doubled Koigu, and cast on fewer stitches to fit her little head. I also did fewer short rows to decrease the overall width. The best part (and the part most-loved by miss Sydney is the glittery lavender Unicorn button which attaches at the underside. According to her mommy (an excellent friend, and also the photographer) Sydney frequently wears it button-side-up, so that the unicorn can by enjoyed by all.

See more pics here.

Sydney is no shrinking violet - she makes a splash wherever she goes and she makes my 4-year old son blush. I love that.

More soon.

2007-04-01T21:40:00.000-06:00

Gratitude

My sincere thanks to everyone for your generous comments about my Sahara. There's nothing like kindness from people who appreciate knitting as much I do. It is gratifying to know that my efforts were not only for me and my family, who have seen me in the sweater now about 150 times. I got lucky with the weather. Things have been chilly and it's a good thing, because I would have worn my Sahara 150 times regardless of the temperature. This way I didn't look like a crazy person.

I also owe a big thanks to Panther, a perfect stranger who found my plea on Blogger help forums and took the time to get my Flickr Badge into the right gutter of my page, where it belongs. Lookie! There it is! Can you believe that people just browse through the help forums offering up advice to boneheads like me whose eyes cross at the site of HTML code?

Do you like to cook, Panther? Maybe I can knit you a nifty potholder as a gesture of thanks...
Having issues with Blogger yourself? You can always find the link to Panther's helpful blog, Beta Blogger for Dummies, in my list of links to the right.

We took a road trip this weekend and I sat in the back seat and knit while the baby slept.
A little peek at a new secret project...

I also bought the new Interweave Knits and browsed at it during knitting breaks. Have you seen the Ruffled Surplice that's pictured on the cover?? Holy cow. Love it! I am very tempted. I also LOVE the Indigo Ripples Skirt.

Other things I'm tempted by these days: Well, I'm dying to knit another Wendy Bernard sweater since I enjoyed my last one so very much. I am thinking seriously of making Something Red, except not red at all and with long sleeves. Maybe blue and brown.

I am also seriously smitten with Lelah by Christine at Knitting for Boozehags. It makes me want to show off my shoulders. I have some beautiful Euroflax Linen in eggplant that I used on a tragic disappointment that I like to call Peek-a-Boob.

It's looks stunning on me as long as I don't lift my arms above my waist. It hurts me to open my closet and see it there, and I finally feel ready to rip it out completely and make something sweet with it. Maybe Lelah. What do you think? Has anyone heard any horror stories about a Lelah elastic-band failing it's wearer? My wedding gown was strapless and I had a dream pre-wedding that I was dancing at my reception with an elderly uncle when, suddenly, out flops a breast. Thankfully, I was spared this humiliation at my actual wedding.

Maybe I'm a candidate for straps.

I've been coveting beautiful needle cases at sites like The Organized Knitter for over a year and wishing I could justify spending $75 on one. I knew that if I just spent an afternoon making a huge mess at my dining room table, I could sew one that would make me proud, but time is precious and I just wanted someone else to do it for me.

My disinterest turned to inspiration when I saw the handmade needle case made by my friend Heather. She used old flour sack fabric that belonged to some ancestor of hers, generations ago.
(Am I over-romanticizing it Heather?)

Well, anyway it's adorable.

Here's mine.

Green Project Spectrum goodness.

My favorite new book: So Few of Me by Peter Reynolds. It's about a boy named Leo who is a busy lad. No matter how hard he works, there is always more to do (sound familiar?). Crazy things happen in the book that are meant to help him complete all the tasks on his endless to-do list, but poor Leo is overwhelmed by it all and he slips away to take a nap. When he wakes up, he is still savoring his dream and he says, What if I did less—but did my best?

Can you beat a message like that?
Have a good nap this week, and do less.

2007-03-27T21:35:00.000-06:00

Sahara

Pattern: Sahara by Wendy Bernard
Size: Large (bust 41")
Source: Stitch Diva Studios
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino, Oceanos (main color) Azul Profundo (trim)
Needles: US 6 birch circulars & metal circulars, US 5 for all trim
Knitting Time:2 months
Modifications: I shortened it by maybe 3 inches. I skipped the shirt-tail hem shaping. I used a vastly different yarn than recommended. My sweater is not drapey or slinky. It's thick, cushiony and mind-blowingly soft. I also lengthened the sleeves a bit, as the pattern designed them short to allow for the 'growing' factor of silk.

What a pleasure this was. I have never enjoyed knitting a sweater more and my experience was due in large part to the fact that I knew it would fit when I was done. There was none of the desperate praying that so often accompanies sweater knitting. Oh god, please don't let me waste $90 (or more) and 3 months of my precious time (or much longer) and invest tremendous hope in this only to have it look like hell. pleeeeease!

I tried it on at all the crucial times and was reassured that it would be fabulous. The only part that gave me some concern was the gaping hole in the middle. I was a bit unconvinced that my ample bosom would be sufficiently restrained. Some of that concern was well-founded. As it turns out, the boobies are really a focal point when I wear my Sahara. Check this out. The camisole helps keep it decent but detracts from the lovely feeling of Malabrigo right next to my skin and that hardly seems fair.

I decided to wear it sans cami to the home of some good friends for dinner the other night and they were good enough not to stare, unblinking (they did, however, rave about the sweater itself). I thank them for their kindness and discretion.

My husband is in full support (no pun intended) of my cleavage and never discourages an appearance so it's impossible to get reasonable advice from him regarding the acceptable degree of exposure my sweater allows.

I've decided to wear it both ways. Most people will see me in the camisole version, but if I'm feeling a little sassy, or I'm having a party in my backyard with my closest friends, off comes the underlayer and HELLO!

More photos because I'm just so pleased with myself.

There you have it!

2007-03-25T23:41:00.000-06:00

Life every 5 years

Ramona tagged me to do a "five year meme". Descriptive memories of your life in five year jumps working back from 2007. So every year that ends with a 2 and 7.

1972 - I was two. We lived in San Fransisco near golden gate park. I remember being terrified of a big stuffed beaver that loomed over my bed at night. I remember taking the bus with my mom and the bakery on the corner was warm and lovely. They fussed over me. Our backyard was big and green and I found a little bunny there once (or did I dream that?).

1977 - seven years old. Silent sustained reading in second grade was just an opportunity to hide behind my book and whisper with my friend Pamela. I spent my summer at La Casa Country Dayschool. We played make-believe princess all summer. There were two old ponies there named Cinderella and Snow White. My room was always a mess. Pamela had baby chicks and I held and snuggled one for the whole afternoon. It died from being held too much. I thought that if I just wished hard enough it would come back. I was an adult before I could forgive myself enough to tell that story.

1982 - Twelve years old. I felt lost. My best friend of 4 years suddenly found a new friend and stopped speaking to me. My dad found a girlfriend who I loved but simultaneously resented. I didn't know where I fit anymore. My school was tough. I spent most of my time with my cousin Crystal who was one year older and outrageous. She dressed in fishnet stockings and ripped-up shirts that exposed too much of her very curvy 13 year-old body. She cussed and got me drunk. But she loved me and she was fiercely loyal. She treated me like a sister.

1987- Seventeen. Like Ramona, my first car was a VW bug. I earned the money to buy it myself and my dad painted it candy-apple red, including the wheels. Also like Ramona, I was not a good driver. I wrecked that car 3 times. I fell in love for the first time with a boy who was pathologically shy and made my whole body tingle. I crept out of the house late at night with my best friend and went to parties featuring hot tubs and beer. The same friend and I stayed up all night on a regular basis talking and drinking pots of coffee at the Village Inn. We watched the Godfather movies dozens of times that year. I was loving life.

1992 - Twenty-two. I was still working on my bachelor's degree (VERY slowly) and waiting tables at a 50's-theme diner. My name tag read "twinkles'. I had a long off-and-on relationship with a wonderful guy who was definately not my match but who I could not seem to stop dating. We played a lot of poker together and we drank a lot of beer and we camped all summer long. I knew that I needed an adventure. I began to fantasize about a sophisticated life in a much bigger city.

1997 - twenty seven. The year I found my first grey hair. I had been living in Seattle for 3 years. This was the year that I moved in with my now husband. Our apartment was tiny. He made me laugh everyday. This was the year that I FINALLY graduated with 2 degrees and a minor (that's what happens when you go to school for 8 years). We lived on Queen Anne Hill and we walked to coffee shops every chance we got. I spent a good deal of time at a divine fabric store down the street.

2002 - thirty two. The year my first baby was born. We lived in an apartment with a huge magnolia tree outside. When it bloomed our whole living room glowed with warm pink light. My darling boy was born at home. Every day was a honeymoon and a glorious gift. I watched him stare at the world with giant brown eyes and I couldn't believe life could be this good.

2007 - thirty six. The boys play now. They yell and scream and pull everything out and leave it in my path. I think they are stunning and beautiful. I had a date with my husband last night and he was extraordinarily insightful, as usual. He sees me clearly. He loves my flaws. He makes me laugh and when I do my heart is full. He's very cute too.

Thanks Ramona!

Now I tag whoever feels moved to remember their lives in this way. I'd love to read more of these.

2007-03-22T16:38:00.000-06:00

Pot Roast and little knitters

OH BROTHER!

Where the heck have I been?

I have so missed my beloved blog. Things aren't quite as much fun when I'm not plotting to share them. There have been so many changes in our lives and they all seem to have directly impacted baby finds a kazoo. My tiny desk in the back of the kitchen has been replaced with a fabulous (and desperately necessary) new food pantry. Until we figure out how to enable our wireless network, the computer remains perched beside the rolled oats on the top of the new pantry. I am writing this as I stand on my tippy-toes.

Don't pity me. I am also drinking a glass of zinfandel as I write this. It's 3:45 pm. Not a typical time of day for me to dip into the stash, but I just put Red Wine Pot Roast with Porcini in the oven and the remainder of the wine begged not to be wasted.

I have completed many projects in recent weeks; most small, a few doozies. I've been sewing, decoupaging, knitting and doing a LOT of laundry. But disaster has struck. My camera appears to be broken. Very sad news for me. Luckily a loaner has been secured and I can begin sharing photos soon.

What else have I been up to? Sharing the knitting love for one.

Meet Ciera and Paloma. Both terrific kids and both gifted with considerable skill in artistic endeavors of all sorts. I was amazed by the ease with which they picked up knitting. Is it their crafty genes (they also happen to be my little cousins)? Or is it their age (what with brain cells generating every minute)? Seriously, it was spooky how little I had to explain and how quickly they picked it up. I'm fond of these girls. Can you tell?
They have fabulous, super-colorful projects planned. Stay tuned for pictures of them modeling their results.

I have three other equally adorable and fantastic cousins -one of whom is a boy (boy knitters rock!) who I plan to bring into the fold as soon as I can bribe them to come over by offering sugary treats or some other really cool incentive.

Happy Spring!

2007-03-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

Progress...

The left sleeve of my Sahara sweater is finished. You may have noticed that progress is slow.

I keep thinking that spring is here, which is silly since it's only the first day of March. I'm really ready for the sunshine and the heat and I miss my backyard. I even got a pedicure in the spirit of willing the weather to warm up. It's not working. The very cold wind this week has quickened my knitting pace and gives me hope that I might actually wear my pretty blue sweater soon.

The right sleeve is coming along quickly. I've knit both sleeves with two circular needles instead of DPs. My first time trying this method and why didn't I do it years ago?? If you haven't had this experience, you really must. I found a nice tutorial here, but hardly necessary since it's a breeze. Far less cumbersome than dp needles, and with my healthy collection of needles, I could probably pull it off with any project.

I've been fantasizing about my sewing machine ever since it went to the shop for repairs. I want the instant gratification.

A few things I dream of making as soon as it comes home:

Puppet theater for boys (yes. it was supposed to be a Christmas surprise. Now it will be a springtime surprise)
Amy Butler's weekender bag.
a curvy, casual flared skirt for myself, something like this.
tote bags made from old felted sweaters.
bitty booties
wide-legged corduroy pants for big boy. Inspired by these, from Kiwi Industries.
gussied-up little boy's underpants. More on this later.

Also, I've had a request for a Spiderman necktie, but I'm dragging my feet on that one.

Another thing I'd LOVE to make is a king-sized quilt for our bed... (hysterical laughter)...maybe someday.

My mom bought my big boy and I matching buffalo socks.
This is the kind of treasure you can find when you live in the old west. Imagine the kiddo's excitement! He has insisted that we wear them everyday this week. It was his idea that I put this picture on the blog. He wants everyone to see them.

A bonus: the socks celebrate some of the Project Spectrum colors.
Also, here is a sweet spot in my house. blue and white.

More soon.
xoxo

2007-02-15T22:38:00.000-07:00

Breathless

My beloved and beautiful friend Marcie sent me this picture the other day.

My goodness. Are you breathless like me? Her precious new baby Julian just celebrated his 1 month birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY! This is the first time I've seen him in the hat I made and I am so touched.

His big sister Jasper is wearing a lavender cardigan sweater that I made for her on her last birthday. Marcie sent the picture so I could see my creations on her adorable children and she very generously gave me permission to share it here.

Sigh...

I'm yearning to live closer to them right now. I want to pick up that baby and smell his little head and gaze at his tiny, little fingers. I also wish that Marcie and I could share a perfect cup of coffee and laugh together about all the ridiculous parts of our day. We've been good friends since long before we were mommies, and we've always shared a keen appreciation for the absurd parts of life.

Now that we have children, the absurdities are more plentiful than ever.

Thank you Marcie.

Project spectrum has been on my mind a lot. It's making me notice all kinds of wonderful things. Here is my first official entry. Grey cashmere heart pillow. A Valentine made for my big boy. Lavender silk embroidery stitching 100% by him.

And for the little one, a white heart with orange flowers that also flips to grey cashmere.
The pillows now have a special home in the backseat of the car where they can be comforting nap companions.

Another white thing around these parts: the #*@!!%* snow. No photos, because I'm not celebrating that. I yearn for springtime and when it comes, so will many photos of blue skies filled with puffy white clouds.

2007-02-12T21:02:00.000-07:00

At last!

One of my Dad's finest qualities is his patience. When I was 11, he bought me my first sewing machine. I was overjoyed and as a thank you, I devised a plan to tailor him a fine men's shirt (a project far outreaching my skill level).

I spent the better part of a day designing a questionnaire with my colored markers that allowed him to design his ideal shirt. It was a multiple-choice format and asked him questions like: Should your shirt be pinstriped, flowered, or solid? Should it be for a fancy dinner out or for a movie on the weekend? Should the buttons be blue, yellow, or black? Check a box to indicate your choice.

I think the reason that I remember that questionnaire so many years later is because for years it filled me with shame that, after making such a big production out of the questionnaire, I never even began my Dad's shirt. I never even went shopping for the fabric.

In the 9 months since I presented my Dad with an unfinished Birthday scarf and a lame promise to finish it soon , I have remembered the shirt questionnaire often and with pain.

This glacial process is made so much more humiliating by the fact that I now knit exposed! I invite my Dad and others to watch me putting the scarf aside month after month to knit other things. I even had the balls to begin a sweater for MYSELF (twice)! I would feel far less shame for all this if only everyone didn't know--particularly my Dad.

Lucky for me, my Dad is patient. He keeps a sense of humor. If he was irked by my conspicuous lack of attention to his scarf, he never showed it. Whatta guy!

Pattern: Quilted Lattice Scarf
Finished Dimensions: 70" long, 11" wide
Source: Naive Knitter made one similar and kindly included the pattern instructions
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, 65% wool 35% silk, shade 18 (chocolate) 3.5 hanks
Needles: US 6 birch circulars
Knitting Time: 10 long months

You too can make a quilted Lattice scarf (in considerably less time than it took me).

Here's the pattern:

Using Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool, I cast on 63 stitches to get a scarf 11" wide. You could cast on a similar number if your yarn is also DK weight. If you're using worsted weight cast on fewer stitches. If you are really nuts, knit it with sport weight or finer and cast on more than 63 stitches.

Cast on multiple 6 + 3
Row 1 and all odd rows (WS): p
Row 2: k2, *sl5 with yarn in front (wyif), k1; rep from *, end k1
Row 4: k4, *insert right needle under strand from Row 2 and k next st bringing st under strand and out toward you, k5; rep from * ending last rep k4
Row 6: k1, sl3 wyif; rep from *, end k1, sl3 wyif, k1
Row 8: k1, *insert right needle under strand from Row 6 and k next st bringing st under strand and out toward you, k5; rep from * ending last rep k1

are you proud of me?

2007-02-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

Oh, happy day!

Our WANTED poster worked and Rufus and Bargy were recovered the same day it went up. I crocheted a string that very day and now they dangle from the coat.

How did the big kid feel about the reunion? He could hardly believe it. I had already prepared him to never see them again. I had even gone so far as to lay plans for their awesome successors, which, though they would never be the same as Rufus and Bargy, would have their own names and flip-back tips and, of course, button eyes. When I told the big boy about my plans, this was his reply: "I don't want other friends, Mommy. I need my Rufus and Bargy."

Oh, my aching heart.

(On the other hand, is there any more gratifying feeling for a knitting mommy than to have your handknits treasured so? How long will this last? I picture myself, when he's 14, desperately knitting an electric-guitar sweater that is inherently uncool and gets "lost" on the way to junior high.)

Thank you for all your sympathetic words. I realize it was a silly little crisis in the grand scheme, but it was our little crisis.

Last week I knitted the cutest little Calorimetry out of salmon-pink Manos for a precious little girl we know. So cute on a toddler! I was inspired by Scout's versions and took her advice about casting on fewer stitches than the pattern calls for. (Unfortunately, I haven't yet taken a picture of it to post here.)

All my other knitting projects are top secret and cannot be revealed here, as their recipients are regular readers. Stay tuned for pictures of a certain someone with a very warm neck. . . .

Until then, ciao!

2007-01-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

Damn! Damn! Damn!

I'm kicking myself for not crocheting the damn string between them. I kept saying I would do that, and I never got around to it. Grrrr!
The worst part is that it was me who lost them. It happened in the midst of my chaotic effort to wrangle two big coats, a scarf, my keys, two newly-created drawings from the school day, a screeching toddler and the mittens to the car.

If they come back to us, I swear I will attach them permanently to my son's coat.

They were good, irreplaceable friends and everyone around here is feeling low.

2007-01-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

BRAVO Wendy Bernard!

Two things make Sahara the most gratifying sweater I've ever knit. One is that nothing, truly nothing, is more delicious to touch than Malabrigo yarn (except maybe cashmere itself). I read on someone's blog recently (it was late, and I was in a daze so forgive me for not remembering whose) that it's impossible not to enjoy knitting a sweater when you want to have sex with the yarn. She was referring to Malabrigo.

As you may be able to discern from my in-progress pictures, I have acquired one hank of a somewhat darker and more solid blue (shade Azul Profundo) for the lace bits. I wanted a more solid color right next to my face and I thought it would be a better choice (less busy) when knitted into lace than the many-valued Oceanos shade that I'm using for the majority of the sweater.

The second thing that makes this sweater a dream to knit is the pattern. It's filled with customization tips that allow the knitter to make the waist more or less fitted, the hips fuller or narrower, the sleeves any length desired etc. It's clearly and thoughtfully written and the top down design is so great. I am loving the way it fits so far and I'm thrilled because this is the first time I've been successful making something for myself that fits so well.

I made a few changes which you may have already noticed. I shortened it by about 3.5 inches. Without the drapey yarn, I thought this length would be more flattering, plus I'm fond of showing off my belt. I also skipped the shirttail shaping, as I thought it would be goofy on my now shortened sweater.

My only complaint is with the graphic design of the pattern itself. Is it really necessary to cram information, instructions, tips and diagrams onto every available centimeter of the page?
It's crowded and cumbersome to find information easily. I wish they had gone ahead and spread it onto the 8 pages it needs. That aside, I am extra pleased.

Next, I begin the sleeves. I'm making them long. Then the lace panel up front to cover the boobies and voila. fini.

Thank you Wendy Bernard, for designing a beautiful sweater and writing a terrific pattern that can suit almost anyone. If you ever find yourself in my neighborhood, I'd love to invite you in for a super good cup of coffee and some knitting.

2007-01-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

Sweet Talk

I wanted to take several pictures of this little sweetheart to get just the right shot. I kept trying to capture the pure chalky whiteness but I couldn't stand it anymore and I ate it. This little white heart represents my first Project Spectrum effort. You can read about project spectrum here. In February and March I'll be celebrating and capturing the colors blue, white and grey.

Yes. I know it's not February yet. I just couldn't resist a teeny beginning. I will show more restraint hereafter and begin my official color celebration in February.

Where did I get that delicious sweetheart, you ask? Why, it was sent by Emmy, my lovely KMKS partner and it came along with all kinds of things that filled me with delight.

In addition to the classic Necco Sweethearts, she sent:

a beautiful handspun & handpainted hank of wool from Yarn Botanika, colorway Hot Chilies. Emmy was concerned that this yarn was not quite soft enough but I love the way it feels. It's dense with lots of texture and will wear like iron.
a skein of Lamb's Pride worsted, shade Deep Pine. lovely!
my favorite: A delicious hank of super-soft and lofty Merino from Holly Spring Homespun. The colors are like an underwater snorkeling view. Like seaglass. Clear and bright and vivid, but so soothing.
Brittany birch dp needles. Size US 9.
a cute little yarn-cutter with handy clip to attach to my project.
two patterns, both from Emmy's LYS in Virginia.
udder cream
two sweet little star buttons to go with the flip-top mitten pattern.
A beautiful bag sewn of very pretty blue batik fabric
sweet little knitting-girl notecards

It was fun, fun, fun to open and I can hardly wait to make myself some flip-top mittens with the blue yarn.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Emmy! I'm giddy.

My Sahara Sweater is coming along FAST. I'm just finishing the lace edging at the bottom of the main sweater. Then, all I have to do is sleeves and the lace panel up front. The freakishly cold winter we're having is serving as great inspiration to knit constantly. This is going to be one warm sweater.

Sewing has been consuming my thoughts ever since I finished the KMKS bag. My yearnings sent me to the bookstore last week, where I indulged in Amy Butler's In Stitches and Sew U by Wendy Mullin.

The next thing I'd like to sew is Amy Butler's Weekender Travel Bag.

I saw this FANTASTIC example made by the very impressive Elliphantom Knits, and I knew I HAD to have one too.

I am filled with creative ideas these days and I can't seem to stop making stuff. The unfortunate downside to that is that I am not sleeping much.

Extremely ironic, since the baby is finally sleeping like a superstar.

Here's to short, deep sleep. cheers!

2007-01-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome Baby Julian!

Pattern: Adapted from Hats that Fit by Nancy Lindberg
Source: Hats that Fit pattern leaflet
Yarn: Araucania Atacama, 100% Alpaca shade 502 (aqua/turquoise) part of 1 ball
Needles: US 6 straights

Modifications: I used the formula in the Hats that Fit pattern to determine an approximate number of cast on stitches and I followed it's suggestions for the depth of the hat. Thereafter, I departed from the pattern. I used a simple 3/2 rib so that it would be really stretchy and I decreased gradually and carefully to maintain the ribs. I knit it flat and seamed it because I couldn't find appropriate circulars. I added a cute little tassel.

Unstretched, the hat is teeny, tiny. Without the cuff, it was a perfect fit for the almost one and a half year old, with plenty of stretch leftover. The four and a half year old could wear it comfortably, except it wasn't deep enough to cover his ears.

I sent my KMKS package out on Tuesday the 16th - right on schedule. It's heading all the way to Cambridge, England so I hope it gets there in a reasonable period of time. I am hoping that my pal still doesn't know who I am and it is therefore safe to share these pics of the package I sent.

The bag was inspired by this one. I used interfacing to give it lots of body and I lined it with fabric from a super-soft felted lambswool sweater. I was mostly happy with the result. My only complaint are the smallish openings at the top. They make it impossible to pass anything larger than a tennis ball into the bag. The overall size of the bag is small, so I'm hoping that small openings will not cause her much heartache. I think I'll make a much larger one for myself.

Here's a peek at the whole package. This was especially fun because my giftee lives overseas and was hoping to get some American loot. I sent lots of regional goodies.

On the other end of the swap, I've had the nicest correspondence with my gifter. She has been extra gracious and sweet in all her messages and I'm looking so forward to my package! Thanks in advance for your thoughtfulness "Knittingsurprise"!

So far, a really rewarding first swap experience.

2007-01-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

Great news: the baby sleeps!

We are exhilarated (and a little surprised) to find that the baby can sleep for several hours without interruption. One might expect that with all these newfound nighttime hours, I would be getting to bed at a reasonable hour to enjoy long stretches of blissful sleep. Instead, last night I stayed up knitting until past 1am. It was so enjoyable and I was so surprised at not hearing a peep from the other room, that I just kept on knitting feverishly until my eyes were crossing and I was drooling from delirium.

The best part: following that, I curled up and enjoyed 5 straight hours of sleep. That may sound lame to someone who is accustomed to 8 or 9 hours of sleep, but for me it was delicious.

Part of my frenzied knitting was owed to my excitement over this:

The Sahara Sweater by Wendy Bernard. Ignore, if you can, the extremely thin model and imagine it on someone a little curvier. Nice huh?

I spent last week repeatedly trying on my Malabrigo Mama and feeling big doubts. It was just looking like a shapeless tube and it drew a visual line right through the middle of my bust. Not a good look for me. After a little agonizing, i decided that it would never be flattering and it would break my heart to use such luscious yarn for something I would never want to wear. So I happily ripped out all my progress and felt no regret.

The Sahara sweater is designed for a beautiful drapey silk yarn. I am using Malabrigo knit on US 6 needles (to get gauge), so my Sahara will be dense and not at all drapey. I know it's not what Wendy Bernard had in mind for her sexy, swingy Sahara, but I'm taking a chance and I think it will be perfect *fingers crossed, breath shallow*.

This picture was taken yesterday before my thrilling 5 hour knitting marathon. It now almost reaches my belly button.

I love that it is knit from the neck down and in one piece! I've tried it on many times as I make progress which is giving me big thrills.
Right now I'm asking myself why anyone would ever knit a sweater any other way.

After waiting almost three months for my LYS to get me more yarn for the infamous dad scarf, I finally gave up and decided to order it online. Two skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, color chocolate, were delivered this weekend. I'm happy to see it, especially since this is the coldest winter on record, the scarf is a birthday present and dad's birthday was May 7.

I'm filled with shame.

Yesterday, I finished a nifty little knitting project bag for my KMKS pal.

I was so deliriously happy to be sewing again, I almost didn't mind that my glorious new Bernina is mysteriously not working. I struggled with it for awhile but finally gave up and dusted off my old Montgomery Ward sewing machine. I've had the Montgomery Ward since I was eleven and it has many annoying quirks. I was reminded what a fine machine my new one is (thanks dad!)

I had fun, nonetheless, and I remembered how very much I love sewing.

My KMKS package was so much fun to compile, especially since my pal lives overseas and covets American chocolate and yarn.

It ships out tomorrow and I will post pictures of the whole pile as soon as it's well on it's way.

This just in:
Exuberant congratulations to my dear friends Marcie, Dave and Jasper who welcomed baby Julian into the world yesterday morning (January 14th). I know they are way too occupied by more important things to ever read this, but I send the message with love anyway!

I will surprise them with a BSJ soon. (If you are Marcie, Dave or Jasper don't click that link).

xoxoxoxoxo

2007-01-07T20:53:00.000-07:00

Two baby things

Pattern: One Piece Baby Kimono by Christina Shiffman
Source: Mason-Dixon Knitting
Yarns: Araucania Nature Wool, shade 26 (orange) part of 1 ball
Rowanspun DK, shade 734 (blue) part of 1 ball
Needles: US 7 Addi Turbo
Knitting Time: 4 very late nights. Far longer than
anticipated for such a wee sweater.

Modifications: This sweater was a gift for my cousin's baby daughter who is due in early February. I wanted it to be woolly warm for the season, so I opted against the Peaches & Creme cotton called for by the pattern. Also, I added six-stitch cables to fancy it up a bit. I regret a little that it will only fit her for about 5 minutes, but I just didn't have time to knit something practical and fabulous.

And for when she grows bigger:

Pattern: adapted from the Dougie Dog Hat by Lucinda Guy
Source: Handknits for Kids by Lucinda Guy
Yarns: Araucania Nature Wool, shade 26 (orange) part of 1 ball
Rowanspun DK, shade 734 (blue) part of 1 ball
Needles: US 6 straight
Knitting Time: One weekend at the in-laws, and a couple after-bedtime hours.

Modifications: I must begin with a confession. This hat was originally intended for a baby boy. But, my yarn substitution gave me a vastly different gauge from Pattern's and I didn't compensate for the difference as well as hoped. I wound up with an excellent little hat that fit my own head. This was a bit tragic and I was filled with loss for about five minutes, then it hit me! I'll FELT it!
As many of you know from experience, felting is a rarely a clean, simple solution to a knitting gauge disaster. The hat felted very little in width, and too much in length. The two yarns felted at different rates, turning the previously snug little cabled brim into a ruffle. A lot of the sweet faux-cable stitch detail was lost. I pulled on it like hell to bring the length back, and then I made a nice little i-cord, cut little slits right in the felt to thread it through and VOILA! A swingy, girly little thing.

My cousin was thrilled with the gift, and I was disturbed by my feelings of yearning each time I saw another adorable baby sleeper.

Now I'm off to knit something boyish for my still-pregnant (?) Seattle friend.

2007-01-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

Have you heard?

Record breaking snow has filled everyone in these parts with glee. There is nothing like falling snowflakes to fill you with hope and comfort.

We built snowmen to greet the cars driving by. We skated down the middle of the road on our boots. I blathered on and on about the many virtues of wool. Rufus and Bargy were positively covered with snow and still did a damn fine job keeping little fingers warm and dry.

On a productive note, I have been madly knitting a little hat for a soon-to-be-born baby boy in Seattle. His mommy is an excellent friend who came all the way to New Mexico after my second kiddo was born and who pretends (for our benefit) that her guest quarters is actually named for my family. I have big knitting plans for this special little guy, but his birth has snuck up on me (and is landing too damn near Christmas). I will send a hat now and something more worthy of his cuteness soon, soon, soon.

And speaking of excellent knitted gifts, I must show you one of my very favorite Christmas gifts. A pair of sweet fingerless mittens knitted just for me by my gracious and wonderful mother-in-law. She knit them with Goddess Yarns Julia and they. are. yummy. Not to mention, cute. I love them.

Happy New Year!

2006-12-23T21:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Everything!

I'm back.

Today I return from a family Hanukkah/Christmas party where we lit the Menorah - one day late for the last day of Hanukkah- but God will forgive us. We sang Christmas carols and gave the kids insane piles of gifts and naturally we ate Tapas. There was also dancing and dreidel games.

My family embraces it's own strange amalgam of celebrations that we hope honors the traditions of our various ethnicities while still keeping it light and mostly secular.

It was great. The hosting Aunt and Uncle live on a snow-covered mountain and the views were so gorgeous. There were snowy mountain vistas for miles and clear cold air.

I have been so busy that I've had no time to look at my many favorite blogs, much less post a hello to y'all. Most of my time has been occupied spending lots of money and making miles and miles of wrapping paper with my kiddo.

Much as I wanted to, I didn't get around to making a stocking for the little one. I will resort to borrowing one for him from my stash of family acquired stockings. This makes me feel a little sad, but I'm telling myself that he'll never notice. Next year I will make him a kick-ass stocking that will fill his little heart with joy at being loved so well by his mama.

And while we're talking about things I had on my list, but never got around to making, this is the advent calendar that now graces a 9x12 inch spot on the living room wall. Not exactly what I dreamed of, but it's making us all very happy just the same.

It was picked by the big kid, from among many at a local bookstore and he loves imagining that Santa will sit on our armchair, just as you see him here, napping and digesting his cookies. He's been regularly squirting water into the fireplace to make it more sanitary and comfortable for Santa.

A wonderful thing happened to us. We went to one of those huge home center stores yesterday to buy some paint and the clerk, all dressed in a flannel shirt and work pants, otherwise looked exactly like Santa himself. When I asked him if anyone ever points out the resemblance, he leaned over to my big boy, winked and said, "Oh yes! Ho Ho Ho!"

As we left the store, even I was convinced that we had just had a close encounter with the big man, incognito. There is really nothing better than a dazzled/absolutely-anything-is-possible expression on your beautiful child's face.

My closest and favorite friend for the past 20 years is named Celeste. She is fabulous in so many ways but most recently, she is fabulous because she spent part of her recent trip to France in a yarn store (even though she is not a knitter) and she bought me all this:

Aren't those colors just delicious?? Oh, how well she knows me! Wouldn't it be lovely to make it into something sweet for the gifter herself? There is only one problem. The precious (and it is indescribably adorable) pattern book is written entirely in French.

Despite 3 years of French instruction in high school and a refresher course years later, I read not a lick.

HELP! Can anyone out there tell me how to find English translations for Plassard pattern books? I would be grateful to hear from anyone who offer a tip.

Perhaps I'll email Becky at skinny rabbit and ask her advice. Hers was the first knitting blog I ever saw and I've been an admiring lurker for years.

I knitted 3 gifts this week. Two teeny sweater ornaments for the Christmas tree of my fabulous friend Jeanette, and a seed stitch hat for a cutie named Heath. The hat was my own pattern and was knit with a zany-looking bright orange, bulky yarn that I got in Taos at the yarn festival.

I am now required at the wrapping station (formerly known as my dining room table) to adorn 50 more gifts then it's off to sleep for two blissful hours before the baby wakes me up.

Merry Christmas and Happy Everything!

2006-12-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

A Word about Etsy

As some of you have surely noticed, I've let my pledge to 5.4.3.2. . .etsy! slip. I feel sheepish about this. But, in my defense, I must tell you about the number of frustrations I have encountered while attempting to honor my pledge.

Etsy is one of those maddening sites that forces you to create a username when you sign up, instead of just having you login using your damn email address. Why do they do that!? As is always the case when they do that, the first six usernames chosen have been claimed by other people, so in the end you pick a username that is forgetten 15 minutes after your transaction is complete.

I created my username and forgot it 15 minutes later.

My archived email noting said username is lost forever and the desperate plea I sent to support@ etsy got no response.

My spare time is very spare, so resolution is slow.

I do enjoy browsing on Etsy, and many times I have found things I want to buy as part of my pledge, including a set of adorable buttons for the baby surprise jacket I'm making for a very special little friend in Seattle. Alas, the pledge remains on hold. I will keep the button on my page and I will find a way to support the dedicated craftspeople of Etsy someday.

The pretty hair scarf blocks as I write this, and it makes it's way into Scout's travel bag this evening.

What fun that was to make! And quickety quick too. The pattern is the Dream Swatch Head Wrap from Wendy Bernard at Knit and Tonic.

It will make a fine gift for someone extra-lovely and someday I will knit myself one in a Fiesta Yarns La Luz silk.

The house is really beginning to pile up around me. Ornament boxes overflowing with tissue paper and bubble wrap litter the living room floor, the unfolded laundry is out of control, we all have coughs and runny noses, and our old cat has begun to pee on the fireplace hearth.

The holiday spirit is not proving sufficient to make me cheerful in the midst of all this.

The good news is that we had a fine time picking a tree this past weekend and I even knit myself a big pink hat from Handknit Holidays for the occasion. I used quadrupled Manos for the hat and Lamb's Pride Bulky for the pompom and tassles. See it here modeled by St. Francis.

Our tree is enormous and very pretty and we lose about 3 ornaments each hour to the irrepressible urges of the toddler. With tremendous effort, and only very occasionally, he can manage to touch each ornament with just one finger (as we all constantly remind him to do) and then he applauds himself loudly. As I write this I see the tree shaking in the distance and I hear squeals of delight.

The advent calendar has been overshadowed by the more pressing need for a handmade stocking for the little one. The stocking must be as special as the one I labored over for his brother so many years ago when I had nothing but free time and an abundance of awe for my new baby. As is always the case with the second kiddo, I'm motivated by a combination of love and guilt.

Good wishes to everyone!

2006-11-29T23:12:00.000-07:00

Ah, the risks of blogging / Ah, the rewards

Sadly, some people took offense to my recent commentary about visiting restaurants with my children.

Looking at them again, I can understand why my flippant comments regarding self-absorption and children in restaurants might elicit some negative responses. Unattended kids can be a real pain and a real hazard. For those of you who took the time to make your feelings on this topic known, I would encourage you to take a less literal-minded approach to future posts and be on the lookout for sarcasm and irony.

Deep breath.

In happy blog news, I was the fortunate winner of Ramona's One Year Blogiversary contest. I was very touched when she presented me with a beautiful package of goodies, including my favorite hand cream (how in the world did she know?), beautiful sKNITches syncopation sock yarn in warm fall colors, divine-smelling soap and a very pretty piece of paper that I might use to make a lampshade one day. What a nice way for her to celebrate. Shouldn't someone be giving her a gift? Thank you again lovely Ramona.

Work on the hair scarf is almost complete, and I'm missing my sweater, which I'd hoped to actually wear for the holidays. This seems very unlikely right now, but I cling to hope.

My big gift to the kids for Christmas will be a puppet theater that hangs from their bedroom doorway with simple tension curtain rods. I've already bought this fabric for the project and I plan to line it with something stripy.

I have been the grateful audience of many brilliant puppet shows from the back of the sofa. I am amazed by the things kids will tell to a puppet. Also, few things make my kids laugh as hard as their dad making the chicken talk like a Russian peasant girl or the grasshopper like Jimmy Stewart.

This weekend we head about 3 hours from home to the wilderness to enjoy an outdoor picnic in the snow. We'll eat Posole and drink cocoa by the fire, build snowmen and go sledding and then hike around looking for the perfect Christmas tree to cut down.

Enjoy the cold and goodbye for now!

2006-11-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

Giving Thanks for Fiber

We had a bit of a flu on Thanksgiving. I will share no unpleasant details, but the saddest part was that my delicious Thanksgiving meal sat, untouched on my plate and I almost laid my head down in it to rest. It was still lovely to be at my Granny's house and to sip Matzo Ball soup (a much-loved tradition), and to see the teens who look far older than their years. (I was never that sophisticated).
Even with the illness, we were able to enjoy the weekend. We walked to the Twinkle Light Parade and saw all sorts of parade shenanigans. I love parades. Cheerleaders, beauty queens, clowns, lowriders, shriners and Santa with elves. My kiddo sat with his pals on the curb, wearing mittens, sipping hot cocoa and looking dazzled. It was great.

Now, suddenly the holidays are here.

Oh, the mind is a flurry of gift fantasies. Every year, the holidays get more fun with these amazing kiddos. I thought it was magic when I was a kid, but being a parent at Christmastime is hands-down more fun. It will break my heart when they become jaded about it.

Naturally, I would like to make about 50% of their gifts myself and naturally, I have not even begun.

My first wish is to make an advent calendar out of all the scrap fabric and thrifted wool felt I have in my basement. I was thinking of something fairly conventional, turned funky and fabulous with terrific fabric, but then I came across this and, for God sakes, THIS. Oh, the inspiration is almost too much. After finding these divine examples, my advent wish became an advent imperative. I have 4 days. oh boy.

I have put my sweater down yet again for a very fun little project I'm making from this beautiful yarn from Scout.

It will be a fetching and funky little hair scarf in a few days, at which point I'll show it off to you all, then it goes on a trip to TV-land with miss Scout. You can read all about her adventure on her blog.

Thank you my dear for the lovely hank and for the pattern tip! It's been fun to knit and it looks terrific. I'm planning to give it to someone very special for Christmas.

Despite our illness and holiday mayhem , we managed to finally get fancy magnetic child locks installed on the kitchen cabinets this weekend.

Amazing how happy this makes me.

It's a battle each day keeping that crazy toddler out of the plastic bags and dishwasher soap. Here, a picture of him, blissfully unaware that this would be his last opportunity to sit in the cabinet, squeezing soap on his shoes and the floor.

2006-11-19T21:25:00.000-07:00

Tree Spring Trail

We went for a hike today on a little trail that leads to the peak of Sandia Mountain. It has been a very long time since we did something purely recreational as a family and even longer since we left our neighborhood to do it. I was almost more excited for the long stretches of knitting time on the car ride to the trail head, than I was for the hike itself.

Two kiddos in car seats = peace for everyone.

It was more wonderful than I can say, to be out with the dirt and the trees and watching the kids bravely tackle the climbing. Even the little one, new to being upright, insisted on walking much of the way by himself. He lost his balance and fell on rocks twice his size many times, but he rarely complained. We took a big thermos of hot cocoa as a surprise for the kids and we were rewarded by enthusiastic appreciation, followed by grave disappointment that it tasted unlike the thick, milky stuff we make at home. Oh well, I guzzled it.

We forgot to bring the baby carrier, so the hike was short but sweet. We're already planning to go again soon, this time to a spot with waterfalls. We desert dwellers so crave a small spot of abundant water in the mountains.

I brought my first Malabrigo Mama Sleeve along for the hike. It was tricky getting a good picture, while preventing my children from stepping over the edge of a steep cliff. But I'm happy to say that I managed.

After our hike we were in such a good mood that we decided to drive to Madrid for lunch in a restaurant. Restaurant visits are a bit complicated. The toddler is not fond of restraints and he wants nothing more than to explore the kitchens and other dangerous parts of every restaurant we visit. My husband and I both spent a great many years working in restaurants in our younger years and were routinely appalled by the self-absorbed parents who allowed their children to wander about the restaurant under the feet of servers carrying hot pots of coffee. We occasionally cringe that we have become those people now. But more often, we are amazed by how little we care. Such is the luxury of self-absorption.

Lunch was a great success. We sat on the patio and allowed the little one to toddle about while we ate Cuban sandwiches and baked brie. We only had to jump up every 30 seconds or so to prevent him from wandering into the parking lot. It was very like every other meal we share at home.

I found a little gallery in Madrid called Tapestry, that carried gorgeous hand-dyed yarn by Robin Pascal. It was really divine but I restrained myself.

After a long, lovely drive home, the sleeve covers my elbow.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, American and otherwise.

I love Thanksgiving. It's a great secular holiday that reminds us all to feel humbled and warmed by our many blessings.

-m

2006-11-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Scout’s Meme:

1. How and when did you learn how to knit/crochet?
I learned to knit from my granny when I was about 9 years old. I half-completed an ugly acrylic scarf and didn't pick it up again until I was about 26 and just moving in with my now hubby. His wonderful mother is a long-time knitter and when I showed interest in knitting again, she bought me the Vogue Knitting book and helped me begin.
I've been knitting pretty much constantly ever since (10 years!). It's amazing that it never gets old. It just keeps reinventing itself. Each project renews my passion. I get such so much satisfaction from attempting and understanding new skills.

2. How has this craft impacted your life? (besides financially!)
Knitting is more than a hobby for me. It's a passion. I knit whenever I can: in the car, outside, inside, at meetings, in parking lots, in bed (often, in bed), whilst nursing a baby. It's impact is felt everyday. It's a blessing that I share my love for knitting with my mother-in-law. We've gotten to know one another well as we sit and knit together and that has enriched my life so much. She shares my love of knitting, surrounded by pillows while watching the BBC Pride and Prejudice Miniseries. Bliss.

Also, my appreciation for wool and other beautiful natural fibers is owed to knitting and enriches my life all day long.

3. Pick at least one person to talk about who you have met through the knit-world and why you are thankful to have met them. Feel free to get all mushy.
My beautiful, funny friend Kelena and I believe that the magic of knitting is responsible for our friendship. Knitting destiny. Kelena and I have shared many terrific knitting nights, laughing hard, eating well and feeling cozy with our other good friends Janine and Delia.
Also, the local S&B has brought countless lovelies into my life! It's a gift to go every week and sit among such talented people, laugh and talk endlessly about what we all love most.

2006-11-12T21:46:00.000-07:00

Oh, the sweet birthday bounty

I have a very dear friend named Christine who I met many years ago in college. We were both printmaking majors and we spent many long hours together in the studio where we routinely talked and became delirious until dawn. Everything she makes is beautiful. She laughs often. She has an unbelievable eye for color and she is unfailingly generous with the unusual ability to give exactly the perfect gift.

Christine also makes divine and luscious quilts. The kind that deserve to be in a hip, urban shop, with a gigantic price tag.

She knew I was sad when I missed the What's Cookin'? Apron Swap deadline.
My birthday came and she sent me this perfect apron (click the pic for a closer look - it's really perfect).

It's the best gift in the world. I spent an hour dancing around the house like a little girl in a brand-new twirly skirt. Who needs a swap when you have friends like mine?

Even lovelier, the flowery fabric on the scalloped edge and the pocket was purchased by Christine while we were together many years ago at a vintage fabric show in Seattle. Every time I wear my glorious apron, I'll be reminded of happy times shopping for fabric with my dear friend.

Oh, how I love people who appreciate the details. You are a treasure Christine. Thank you!

Now that my mitten obsession has been satisfied I've returned to the sweater. I don't think I've ever enjoyed knitting a sweater more. The wonder of Malabrigo never ceases. It's just so beautiful to touch.

Lately I've been knitting on my front steps as the baby sleeps near me in the car. I enjoy knitting outdoors on these cold, sunny days and it occurs to me that this is one such instance when fingerless mitts would serve me well.

There's always something to see in front of my house. As I sit there, various carpenters and house framers march back and forth down my sidewalk, speaking in Spanish and nodding politely at me or asking if I'm almost done knitting their sweater.
Usually a kid on a skateboard passes, rowdy school buses rumble by, and frequently a neighbor passes in a lowrider with a very suped-up stereo that miraculously does not wake the baby.

My blogging odyssey has lately led me to the enormous undertaking of archiving my completed projects of the past several years. I'm gaining familiarity with flickr and I do like it, but I can't seem to get their damn badge to appear on my sidebar. Just another bump in the html road. I'll conquer it.

In the meantime, I leave you with one such archive photo of my big boy in a purple donegal tweed sweater I designed and knit for him 2 years back. It is now in it's final winter of fitting him (thank God for little brothers). I just took this photo the other day.

xo -m

2006-11-08T17:44:00.000-07:00

Speaking of Mittens...

My recent preoccupation with mittens began simply.
Now, it's become something much more.

Thanks entirely to a collaboration with the mitten giftee, the humble mittens have evolved into a strange (but charming) pair of new friends.

May I introduce Rufus & Bargy. (Rufus is taller).

These boys began as a pair of mittens adapted from the children's mitten pattern in the Elizabeth Zimmermann book, The Opinionated Knitter. I fiddled with the pattern a bit to make them the proper size for a small child and I gave them extra inches at the wrist for more warmth. The yarn is a hand-dyed, worsted-weight that I got at the Wool Festival in Taos. It reminds me of fall and crayons. Sadly, I was too dazed by beautiful yarn to note the vendor's name.

They fit perfectly and there's a little space to grow.

The best part of knitting them? Creating the adorable curled-tip. This feature is uniquely Zimmermann's and it lends a quirky elfin personality to the mitts. For a more technical explanation of my pattern modifications please visit my post on Zimmermania, post title: Rufus & Bargy - of course.

I recognized their charm right away. What I did not see was the obvious need for eyes. My four-year-old pointed out that their eyes were missing. "How can they talk with me if they can't see me?"

Good question.

The curled tip.

The backs of Zimmermann's mitts are embroidered with handsome chevrons. I decided that little x's were more little boyish.

And finally, Rufus and Bargy have a kiss:

Until next time. xo

2006-11-01T20:11:00.000-07:00

Knit Mitt Kit Swap

I have signed up to paricipate in my very first swap. The fabulous Knit Mitt Kit Swap, could not have come at a more serendiptous time. I was just looking for some message from the universe that I should knit mittens right this minute. As you know, I'm easily distracted during long projects and I can't resist knitting small, sweet things.

The existence of the KMKS validates my decision to set my Malabrigo Mama aside for just a few days in the name of warm hands. I know. I'm weak, but I will finish the sweater, if for no other reason than that I have an audience (of about six readers, at last count) to keep me accountable.

I've already received a very gracious (and tantalizingly mysterious) message from my secret kit granter. Hello there. Below find the answers to my KMKS questionnaire and thanks again!

Thanks also to Scout and Bev!

The Questionnaire:

What are your favorite colors?
I love deep indigo blue, burgundy, deep red (and just about any red ), vivid, rich orange, chartreuse green, celadon green, warm chocolate brown.

Are you a new mitt knitter? How long have you been knitting mittens?
I knit my first mittens for my 2 year old a couple years back. They were striped green and purple and featured different stripe patterns on each mitt. It was so much fun and quick ( i did them in one night). Then I knit myself a pair of gloves from one skein of red Manos that I'd been coveting for sometime.

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn?
I like both, but I love the semi-solid effect found in some hand-dyed yarns. I love the luminosity of so many shades of the same color. I would say that generally, I prefer solids over multicolored.

What fibers do you prefer in mitten yarn?
Anything soft and luxurious. Merino, Alpaca, cashmere (ahem), silk. Or a blend of any of these is lovely.

Where do you usually knit mittens?
I usually knit in bed, late at night while I watch Seinfeld re-runs, or on the couch, midday, as my kiddos swirl around the room trying to distract me. I also can often be seen in my car under a shady tree, knitting as the kids sleep in the back.

How do you usually carry/store small projects?
I have a few little project baskets that I always plan to use, but they keep getting filled with things that aren't complete. I love little bags that are sewn of pretty fabric. Also, little square felted bags are nifty.

What are your favorite mitten patterns?
I am dying to make some Zimmermann Norwegian Mittens something like Jessica made herself. All traditional folk mittens are cool. I also love the big thick Morehouse Merino mittens in the Weekend Knitting book. I love fingerless mitts too, because my four-year-old will think I look like a fast bike racer if I wear those. I especially like them if they have really long wrist-coverage.

What are your favorite mitten knitting techniques?
In the round. I recently made mittens with the patented (?) Zimmermann curled-tips. Extremely cute and elfish.

What new techniques would you like to try?
I would love to try double knitting some mittens someday.

What are your favorite needles for knitting mittens?
Really that depends on the yarn. I use whatever I have on hand. I've never knit with pretty hardwood needles and I'd love to try it someday.

What are some of your favorite yarns?
What a question!
Malabrigo Merino, Blue sky Alpaca, Koigu, Fiesta yarns, Mountain Colors, Karabella, Jo Sharp Tweed, Rowan Kidsilk Haze, Cashmerino....

What yarn do you totally covet?
Tilli Tomas, A.L. de Sauveterre hand-painted Pippen in Briar Rose colorway (aran weight cashmere) gulp.

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object?
A big bedspread in some alpaca/wool blend inspired by this book.

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)?
It depends on the yarn, but I tend to prefer addi turbos for their speed. I usually knit with circulars whenever possible. I do love wood though...

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be?
I'd be something plump, decadent and many plied like Karabella Aurora 8.

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack?
I like milk chocolate. I like licorice and love dots.

What’s your favorite animal?
giraffes and mountain lions

Would you prefer super warm mittens or something more like fingerless mitts?
Either one. I plan to make both at some point.

If you were a color what color would you be?
Deep, ruby red.

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature?
Succulents, like jade plants and cacti. Magnolia flowers. Bunches of jewel-toned Dahlias. Jellyfish. My childrens' perfect little bodies.

Do you have a wishlist?
I have a list on wists.com (under knittingmolly). It mostly references things I want to make someday.

Anything else you’d like to share with the group today?
Here's to toasty digits!

2006-10-31T23:16:00.000-07:00

Not Enough Chocolate

Remember this?

Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool, shade 018 (chocolate). Apparently a popular color. I've gingerly placed dad's scarf in a protective ziplock baggie and I patiently wait for the folks at my local yarn shop to order my last skein.

In the meantime, I happily work on my Malabrigo Mama.

I'm alternately proud and deeply ashamed to say that I have not succumbed to the mitten-knitting temptation. Little hands are stuffed into coat pockets and big brown eyes look up at me, pleading.
This is not easy. But, I must stay focused on this one big thing. There will be time for little things later.

Little things: I'm thinking about truffles lately. We are considering making batches of them as Christmas gifts. My friend Carmela is a pastry chef and talks with mouth-watering eloquence about all things chocolate. She told me about Earl Grey truffles and bittersweet chocolate-dipped tangerines. Does anything sound more delicious?

A final shot: The little one has begun to climb onto the bathroom stool whenever he can (to taste the soap and try out his brother's toothbrush). I couldn't resist a picture.

Go now and steal a piece of chocolate from your child's trick-or-treat bag. You deserve it.

2006-10-27T20:28:00.000-06:00

Harvest

Last week we spent a completely perfect day at a Harvest Festival at our local CSA Farm. We wore cozy hats and roamed the pumpkin patch for the perfect jack-o-lantern. There were beautiful puppet shows in a theater filled with bushels of fresh lavender. We drank delicious, locally-brewed beer and ate brats and roasted corn. And we sat in an apple orchard in the warm sun listening to great live music while the kids danced around and did cartwheels.

No kidding. It really was that lovely.

We pick our vegetables up each week from this divine place.

I can't remember a time when I've more completely enjoyed Fall. I love the charming neighborhood festivals and fall carnivals. I love the way my kiddos are delirious over dressing up as bumble bees and super-heroes. I love the cold, thin air and the warm sun. I love my fireplace. I love sweaters and my knee-high argyle socks.

All this seasonal bliss provides most favorable conditions for knitting. Indeed. However, most of my creative energy this past week has been spent on the consuming renovation of this blog. You may be wondering if I'm familiar with the preview button. I just can't seem to stop changing things.

I'm still not done making changes, so don't get too attached.

Progress on Malabrigo Mama is steady. Half of the bottom strip is knitted and I'm adding side vents at the hem.

The bottom section will be knitted in reverse stockinette.

I spent a few happy minutes during naptime this week adding to this:

Cable lace scarf

I've had it on needles for over a year. It will be lovely one day, but it's simply not a priority so I do a row or two every few months.

The big kiddo's hands are chilly during the walk to school in the mornings and I feel an overwhelming impulse to make him little mittens. A knitting friend of mine who knows my tendency for distraction said: "You put that out of your mind and focus on your sweater! He can stick his hands in his pockets."

I shall persevere and his sweet little hands will have to wait for now, but the guilt is mounting.

Today, I leave you with this:

A peaceful corner. The spot I leer at with wanton desire, as I chase naked bottoms through the room.

2006-10-22T22:20:00.000-06:00

A Fresh Look

Last night I dreamt that it was the early 70's and Bob Dylan knit my mom a red dress. It was fabulous. I wanted to wear it. Sadly it was too small, but I still took many pictures of myself in it.

When I woke up, I decided to reinvent my blog. The connection between the dream and the decision for a change is unclear. Does anyone have analysis for me?

Many more changes are in store for Baby Finds a Kazoo. Stay tuned and if you're visiting please tell me what you think of the big changes.

The holidays are on my mind and I'm thinking of making mr. dangly monkey for the big boy's stocking. I also have my eye on this:

Does it get any cuter?

more soon. xoxo

2006-10-19T20:24:00.000-06:00

Frankenstein

This morning the cold arrived. As I drank my coffee, I took a look at my list of things to make:

Someday I'll create a spiffy on-the-needles list on this very blog. Until then I sheepishly offer this to give you an idea of my current state-of-mind. Obviously, this is only a partial list. Many boxes remain unchecked. Many more items are scribbled on the following page.

Dad's scarf was my obsession last week. I carried it with me in the car many days and when the kiddos fell asleep, I pulled the car over and knit under a tree. I was so focused on finishing skein #2 that it never occured to me that when I finally did, the scarf might be too short. It was. This picture should have been my first clue. I had my husband try it on and it actually looked good on him as a shortish, handsome little scarf. But dad needs more than a fashionable accessory. The scarf must be long enough to be warm and more traditional than funky.

Naturally, Dad's scarf yarn was the only color out-of-stock at my LYS. So I wait until I can get more of Chocolate (shade 018), and I am secretly thrilled to have an excuse to begin my beautiful blue sweater without guilt.

Have faith and bundle up, dad. It is coming.

I have spent many hours considering how to do justice to my gorgeous blue yarn. Every knitting friend I have has been cornered and forced to consider and thoughtfully discuss the merits of each idea I have. My husband has begun to look panicked every time I walk into the room with a wild-eyed expression carrying another knitting book. "I just want to talk about the sweater one more time."

Yesterday, I had finally settled on the Hourglass sweater, but it still didn't feel quite right.

Then a trip to SnB last night inspired me. I sat near my dear friend Heather. Poor soul. She was just looking for a little time to knit Mr. Bunny and enjoy idle chat with other knitters. Instead, she allowed me to monopolize all her attention as I agonized over the best way to use my precious yarn. Thank you Heather for your sincerely interested expressions. You are very kind.

I realized that what naturally needs to be created is an entirely original Frankenstein sweater. I will steal components of several sweater patterns and create the perfect, ultra-cozy, but still-curvy-enough sweater.

My Frankenstein beauty will never again be referred to by that name. I'll call her Malabrigo Mama. This name partly honors my diffcult-to-feature-in-a-flattering-light midsection which has been earned, after all, by way of becoming a mama.
It will also feature:

1. a v-neck
2. sleeves and raglan shaping from the Hourglass Sweater
3. a section knitted sideways, as inspired by the ultra-funky cover sweater in Yarnplay, the lovely new book by Lisa Shobhana Mason.
4. silk velvet ribbon edging neckline and cuffs (or maybe not).

It's begun and is moving along so quickly. This is the best of knitting. Soft and luscious and very pretty.

And lastly, another pretty picture:

Some of my fellow New Mexican blogging friends live near the foothills of Sandia Mountain and regularly feature breathtaking photos from their view in the heights.

I feel compelled to share this very different view of the Rio Grande valley, near where I happily live. We walk along this bosque nearly every week with the kiddos. I cannot take credit for this beautiful photo. It was taken by Marble Street Studio.

2006-10-12T18:30:00.000-06:00

Baby Surprise Beginnings and other Gems

There is nothing I like better than a really clean house. It gives me so much freedom. It happens so rarely that most things are in their spot and I'm gliding around feeling like a superwife. So rarely. It's sweet when it happens.

Because my house feels settled, there's more space in my mind for wooly stuff. I've looked so forward to finding time to show off my fancy new Malabrigo Merino,

of which I now own *giddy squeal* 6 hanks and I'm still searching for the perfect top-down pattern to modify and make delicious. I want it to be very simple and straightforward to make (hence, top-down). I want it to be v-neck or a broad scooping neck. I want it to be really comfy but not at all shapeless and frumpy. I love the sweater from Knit/Purl that I posted earlier this month, but something with a time consuming, all-over pattern is unlikely to get finished anytime soon. I also love the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, but I think it's a bit too body-skimming to be the super-cozy sweater I'm dreaming of...Ideas from lurkers would be most welcome. Anyone?

Dad's Scarf is truly in it's final week of production. I like it more and more and I am still enjoying knitting it - which surprises me, considering all the other things I have to look forward to. The enjoyment comes partly from loving my dad so much and visualizing him looking handsome and oh-so-cozy in it, as he wanders through galleries in Manhattan. Also, I love Silky Wool. It's a pleasure to knit with.

My early birthday present to myself has arrived! Nobody told me that The Opinionated Knitter was such a beautiful book. I knew it would be charming to read and densely packed with great knitting wisdom, but it's irresistably beautiful too.

Here is the exciting commencement of my long-awaited Baby Surprise Jacket:

Of course, now I will promptly set it down and finish dad's scarf.

One more little gem:

He's only four and he knits! I know. Exceptional. As he did it, he muttered, "in, over, through, off...in, over, through, off...".

2006-10-09T21:45:00.000-06:00

I was in Taos

How does one offer her regrets for being absent so long?

Can I offer you a delicious cupcake?

My creations in the past couple weeks have been restricted to birthday cupcakes and my continued work on the dad scarf.

My energy has been better spent thinking about new projects that I plan to begin before I finish even one of my seven (yes seven) works-in-progress. I know. It's an often heard bit of blog-whining, but it's troubling me, so I whine.
I've been finding great solace, during this drought of tangible things, in my impressive ability to daydream about all the things I wish I could make.

The good news is that this was an excellent state-of-mind to be in as I strolled through the Taos Wool Festival. I just harnassed that daydreaming energy and marched around tossing yarn into the stroller:

Yarn for big-boy mittens (largely purple, of course).

Thick, loosely handspun bright orange yarn for big-boy hat (with pompon, of course).

Holy cow-big hank of super-colorful yarn that I wound into a ball the size of a watermelon. No project in mind there. I just knew it had to be home with me.

A beautiful skein of pale lilac handspun for my mother-in-law.

The best find of all was at Taos Sunflower. The constant rain forced us inside for a time and I believe it was destiny, because that warm and lovely shop is where I found six skeins of Malabrigo Merino. Spectacular yarn. More like cashmere than merino. So lofty and light and so !#(%!%@ gorgeous.

I will use it to create the sweater I wrote about here.
I want to do a simple top-down (one piece) with a deep v-neck and with a few funky touches that will make it all mine.

To say I'm excited about this sweater is a gross understatement.

Taos was perfect. I was accompanied by my dear friend Kelena (who was sans kiddos, and consequently more giddy than usual) and my little kiddo, who is pictured here, at Embudo Station in a pair of little pants knitted by me. I think its perfect that he's wearing his denims as he leans casually against the Jeep.

Embudo was so stunning. Glowing yellow leaves, and a tranquil little river's edge, where people sat looking relaxed as only New Mexicans can. The views astonish me everytime I drive between Santa Fe and Taos. It's a drive I've taken many times and it always makes me feel grateful.

At the festival I saw many things that made swoon, but I had to capture this knitted biplane by Ellen of Ellen's Woolly Wonders. She had a whole flock of knitted critters all of which charmed me completely. She sells the patterns and I was tempted, but there is no time now for knitted biplanes.

Finally, here's a shot of our encounter with Chrissy the Alpaca.

Thank God for furry animals to make this trip worthwhile for the one year old.

2006-10-01T22:15:00.000-06:00

The Last Knit

My friend Karen sent me a message about a short film on YouTube called The Last Knit. I am compelled to share it here.

It's enchanting and weird and it might make you feel really anxious. It might also make you want to knit something important right now.

2006-09-29T16:28:00.000-06:00

5-4-3-2...etsy! Remember my Headband?

To read about my 5-4-3-2...etsy! purchase for the month of September, check out my post from earlier this month. My headband is awfully purty and gets me compliments everytime I wear it.

Next month I will be treating myself to a special $5 birthday goodie.

2006-09-27T15:52:00.000-06:00

Distractions

Check this out! It's the ShibuiKnits Kago pattern from Knit/Purl in Portland, OR. I'm all aflutter with the romance of brisk fall weather and more than anything I want a really comfortable, cozy, but also really not frumpy new sweater.

I wish I could knit this in one short evening. The reality is that making it would set all my many works-in-progress even further behind. Sigh.

As I was daydreaming about a perfect fall sweater (wouldn't it be divine if it was cashmere or Alpaca?)I had a glimmer of hope while looking at Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac. The December project is a Hurry-up Last Minute Sweater in very chunky weight wool. Maybe there will be time for something simple. Like a top-down with a deep v-neck out of thick Alpaca from Elann...

Any pattern inspirations from my knitting friends?

I finished my sweet little EZ potholder a couple of days ago and it has already been involved in the baking of 3 dozen chocolate chip cookies, and a stirfry dinner. See it posing here with my high-priced hand model.

My Zimmermania fervor has been temporarily slowed while I figure out a way to get my hands on the Baby Surprise Jacket pattern. The library has me on a list, but I may just buy myself Knitter's Workshop as an early birthday present.

And lastly, the other day I walked into the kitchen and discovered this:

The baby climbs inside the box of beer to begin his birthday celebration a few days early.

2006-09-24T12:34:00.000-06:00

Small Sweet Things

I was committed to beginning on the 23rd with everyone else. I wanted to feel a part of the collective Zimmermania energy. So after a very long day doing far too much, the kids were in bed and I happily cast on at 10pm.

I decided to start small. I have wanted to try Double Knitting for some time, and I loved EZ's suggestion (in Knitter's Almanac) that one make a Double Knitted potholder/hot pad as a swatch for the Double Knitted Baby Blanket. I don't intend to actually make the Double Knitted Baby Blanket (not now, anyway), but I wanted to start this Zimmermania with a little instant gratification.

For those who have not experienced Double Knitting, allow me to include an explanation from Elizabeth Zimmermann herself:

"It is the procedure of working back-and-forth on two needles in such a manner as to produce a circular piece of fabric. On the first row you alternately knit and slip the stitches; on the next row you knit the stiches you slipped, and slip those you knitted. Thus each stitch is handled twice, once to be slipped and once to be knitted..."

I'm knitting my potholder with doubled Manos. Almost complete. Luxuriously thick and handsome on both sides.

As soon as this is complete (sometime today), I will ignore the unfolded laundry on my bed and begin my real Zimmermania endeavor: the Baby Surprise Jacket.

Will all my pregnant friends and relations please look away now.

Chocolate-colored Classic Elite Waterspun with stripes of pale blue Arucania Nature Wool.

delicious. no?

I've been in a small, sweet things kind of mood lately. I'm enormously gratified by tiny completions. Perhaps because I can only devote an hour or two each day to knitting. Another happy little thingy:

My Ballband Dishcloth (a la Mason Dixon Knitting) It's posing with the espresso machine - a place it will not actually be spending even another moment, as that would result in ugly coffee stains.

2006-09-22T20:33:00.000-06:00

My Zimmermania Post

I too have enjoyed reading Knitting Around and Knitter's Almanac for years without ever having knit an Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern. This is a lovely opportunity to dive in.

The trouble is deciding what to make! I've been wanting to knit myself some thick, double-knitted mittens for some time, maybe they could be the gorgeous Norwegian Mittens in Knitting Around. I also have many babies to knit for right now, so I'm tempted to knit the Baby Bog Jacket or the Practically Seamless Baby Sweater.

But how about those Wearable Art Stockings as knee-highs in the winter with a shortish skirt?! (hubba. hubba.)

Cheap. Dark Eggplant.

I'm tempted to knit some bunny-soft baby knits (or the mittens) with this yarn from Elann. What a deal!

I'll be heading up to Taos for the Wool Festival in early October where I'm sure I'll find many delicious yarns worthy of my EZ endeavors.

I'm looking so forward to following all the projects. It's such a pleasure to join you all.

Postscript:
I have almost definately settled on the Baby Surprise Jacket. I have heard about the wonders of that pattern for many years but I was most recently swayed by a version of the jacket knit by Panopticon. Thank you Ramona for the suggestion! I had forgotten how nifty that little jacket is and I was all smitten with Franklin of Panopticon after reading a few of his posts. If you've never visited him, go now.

I like the shape of the Surprise Jacket better than the Bog Jacket. Since it's a jacket I don't feel like I have to use ultra-soft alpaca. Instead I think I might knit it with Merino from Beaverslide Dry Goods. It's mucho affordable and from a small Montana Farm (I love that). I first learned about Beaverslide on Knitters Review and then I knit myself a ($28) sweater. That was several years ago.

Do you like the color? I'll be knitting this for a baby whose gender is as yet undetermined so I should probably step away from the pinks...(whining) but i like pink!

I'm still thinking about those Norwegian Mittens, but I must knit for other people, must knit for other people, must knit for other people.