Knitting, knitting and more knitting

With the boys in bed at 7 and more dishes done throughout the day, my world has opened up and my me time has been very relaxing.  I need to get this post done quickly so that I can get back to it a few finishing touches need to be made for this weeks birthday gifts.
 I started out with a wallaby for each boys and for uncle zak- so three sweaters completed by the end of october and then my obsession really began.  I finished two cowls for myself.

Then after realizing that my boys were still wearing hats that I knit prior to Asher's birth, I was on a huge hat kick.  I lasted for three months.  I cast on this double knit hat, the hardest knit had I have ever attempted and realized quickly after starting it for a third time that I couldn't do it while having to interact with human beings, so I worked slowly and then gift knitting kicked in and I will soon be picking it back up and hopefully finishing this for my mom before winter passes us by.  The yarn is a fabulous wool, silk blend and the perfect colors for her.

 a skein of green turned into a couple of hats for my boys.

 and a skein of Chroma and 2 skeins of Cascade 220 in gray turned into 5 hats all that look somewhat like this one below.

 A noro hat for me is at the bottom of the stack.

 From hats, I moved onto what I believe is a love affair with peace fleece starting with 5 mittens knit from one skein, green of course for these boys.  I'll share the super easy mitten for any hand pattern next week.

 The biggest sets of projects came below as my nieces model  Reese in her green Bulle.  Oh my, I love this pattern.  It is fun to knit and so cute.  Six have been made so far, though two still need their pockets.  I changed it up a bit by my forth.

They have pockets!  I love pockets, kids love pockets, everyone needs more pockets.

And then there was Audra's birthday coat.  Which may be the niece gift of the next year... we'll see, it has a lot of stockinette, and while I adore the pattern and fit of the garment, I am not sure if I will knit four more.

 This is the Phoebe sweater.  If you have a daughter and can knit, make one.

 And last but not least, River's unfinished birthday sweater.  Although to my credit is was completed for his birthday, but I didn't like the collar, so I tore it out and am re-doing it with a new knitting idea.

Next onto the needles after a few more mittens, a first sweater for the mama around here.

River's New Vest

I found my needles and works in progress and was able to finish a knitting project before the temperatures went down. River outgrew his first vest and let me know that he wanted his next mama hugs in orange. I had originally planned on making a front pocket on his vest as he loves his wallaby pocket, but realized I wouldn't have enough yarn and wanted to do something, so I tried some cabled owls, which I love, and he loves which is more important.

Here he is as the wonderful toddler model sticking out his belly to show you his owl pals.

He gave the vest a true workout today heading downhill on his bike.

There are too many things on my knitting list right now. i know I have lived in Wisconsin for many many winters, but I have never mothered in Wi and want to know that the boys are warm when we adventure out. I know the biggest adventure spoiling for Asher is cold hands, yet the boy really does not like mittens as they interfere with climbing and most glove just suck at retaining warmth...

Obsessing

As a maker of things I am often drawn to the repetition part. As much as I love love starting a project over finishing a lobor of love, I think I more adore the quick project that I can repeat, memorize and improve in my own mind- which is typically just understanding it better therefore improving the end product b/c I actually was able to follow the instructions.

Oh I love this wee balaclava. Asher was pretty quick to lose his blue one and so I just had to knit him another. The yarn is one I dyed and I love the results. A olive dye with essentially no stirring as I was too afraid that I would end up with something impossible to ball up. The varigation is something I hope that I can repeat.

And I had almost enought for River's with his wallaby left overs and am quite pleased with the yellow edgeing that came to my rescue when I realized there was just quite not enough.

Number five is currently on my needles and hopefully number four will be in the mail soon.

Off in Time

I think as soon as I finished Asher's wallaby I was dreaming of River's, alright as a lover of starting projects I am sure I thought of it before hand, but I waited patiently to order the yarn until I could cast it on. I absolutely love this sweater. Easy to knit and so easy for kids to wear.

I used washable merino wool again as these boys of mine can't seem to keep anything too clean. We have used these sweaters all winter as their outer layer when running out. River just got the next size up.

It makes me so happy to make things for them. They are at an age where they can show bits of appreciation that really pulls the heart strings. Everything that is mama made around here that they wear or cuddle with is known as "mama hugs." I love hearing River asking for his mama hugs whether it be when getting his layers out of the "warms basket" or needing his blanket to cuddle with.

I hope to continue this knitting momentum. I am already dreaming of all the things the boys will need for the next cold season and the summer knitting basket.

Wee Balaclava

Oh, we are keeping busy with a whole lot of hominess this new year. I have been making, knitting is such a joy by the fire. We are trying to get a clear vision of what our future holds, work, family and life. Time fills up so quickly.

In my obsession with enjoying our home, we have been lacking in the fresh air, but I think we are almost completely suited up for that central illinois wind. Asher in his latest super warm gear, the wee balaclava (ravelry link).

Loved the pattern, can't wait to have yarn left over from River's new sweater to make one for him.

A Finished Piece

While this yarn took awhile to finally get on the needles (see here), once I cast on for this sweater, it came together quite quickly for a mama who knits when she can. I was so happy that I followed my number two sweater rule: knit the sleeves first and best at the same time (#1 being only knit things where the sleeves are knit into the body). Once I joined the sleeves it was instantly gratifying.

This was my first pouch (such an awesome pocket) and first hood, so very simple, I can't believe I was ever daunted by it. River's size 4 should be on the needles this weekend when the yarn arrives with my sister in law.

Thank you long car rides and lots of chatting with family for this sweater's completion.

Another One Off

I am absolutely in love with how this vest came out as I had my doubts. I started it during all our road trips this summer and quickly realized that the additional 20 stitches I cast on compared to River's was using up more yarn than I thought. Running out of yarn is a major momentum killer, but I dug it out, had Asher pick out the new yarn and eagerly awaited it arrival.

Using Fibonacci numbers I blended the new color in with the old and am happy with the contrast. It's softness is wonderful and the warmth is perfect. I am always happy to feel my boys tummies on the coldest days and fell all that warmth. I really think a wooly vest is the most perfect layer for winter hikes.

Pattern is a modified pebble, you can get the pattern free. As I despise buttons (not the look, the attaching!) I needed a different alternative. I looked at the pattern and then just knit. It definitely looks home made, but still does the job as well as anything else.

Untangling

With Solstice gift preparations in full swing, I am winding us some new yarn and trying hard to untangle the old projects in my basket. Both boys have vests and casting on for Ben's (a second time, as I doubled stitches incorrectly for knitting in the round opposed to making a front and back- 3 inches of ribbing frogged!) should happen over the drive north.

This vest for Asher has been in the works for too long.

We had a cold snap that lasted for a couple of days, nights by the fire with needles clacking and progress is happening.

Into the Woods:: 11/8 + Complete Project

I think we will be hiking every moment we can this week. Such awesome weather in these parts.
We found a great new nook in the woods this week. Asher could have spent the 3 hours in the same place. It was a true natural jungle gym composed of so many fallen trees. Luckily he decided to continue on with us and we found lots of deer and scat.
River was super cuddly after our weekend apart.
He picked coral berries to throw in the ditch...
and totally rocked the sweater I finally put the finishing touches on. It has been knitted for a year (his solstice gift last year) but didn't stay on without the buttons. Now is has buttons.

I altered the sweater from last minute knitted gifts to make a cardigan as I love that pattern. I need a reminder to not sew cardigans unless someone pinky swears to put the buttons on for me.

I love the original pattern, I always knit sleeves first now, so that I don't get board. I also didn't do the most careful job adjusting the patter and while I thought I accounted for the overlap, still ended up with the buttons slightly off center... but it is done!!!

Casting On

A long awaited project for the papa. It has been a long time in the thinking stages. I was excited to wind up some of the wool we bought on our honeymoon in New Zealand- almost 5 years ago for a fisherman's watch cap that will hopefully make its way off the needles in time for some salmon fishing in WI next week.

Coming with me where ever I go.