Beach Baby

"Beach Baby" is finally out published in the Summer 2010 Issue of Petite Purls . I am so excited about this pattern. It is relatively easy to knit and comes out so cute. I have knit it three times so far myself. I love multi-color stranded knitting. As many little people as I have in my life it makes sense I'd have to come up with something like this eventually. I hope you enjoy the pattern if you decide to knit it. Feel free to pm me on Ravelry if you have any questions. I am GertrudePerkins.



Ballet is going great. I am finally doing my developpes correctly and not raising my stubborn ole hips. Hoorah!


Happy Summer!

No Swan

I'm still taking classes and just loving it. My wonderful hubby took me to Swan Lake last weekend. It was fabulous. I'd never seen Swan Lake. I've been to see the Nutcracker a few times, and I saw Cinderella at the Bolshoi. This was the best. If that wasn't enough he also made a studio for me in the garage. Mind you, the floor is concrete so I won't be able to do any big jumping, but there is a large mirror on the wall with my own barre and even a video monitor overhead for me to practice with videos. He's such a sweetie! I'm no swan...but I want to learn this so badly. I have really come to love ballet. I'm addicted for sure. When I started ballet in December I could barely lift my leg 4 inches off the ground while standing in first. I feel so strong now.


I will have a new pattern published soon in Petite Purls if you're interested.

Fulfilling Childhood Dreams

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

When I was a child I wanted to be a ballerina. I don't think its too uncommon a dream for a young girl. When I was about 6-7 years old I used to put on the Nutcracker and make any guests my parents ever had sit down and watch me "perform". Now I am older and long past the years at which point a ballerina retires. But I'm outta shape. I'm looking for a a personal challenge, and the silly girlhood dream and the necessity to get fit have converged.

I took my first real class last Saturday. I was so nervous that my tight covered knees were literally knocking. Slightly late for class I took my place at the back of the line up at the barre. I worked hard, tried to utilize the proper technique that I have been learning through ballet dvd classes and found that I had really learned alot from viewing them. The instructor was great, and class was a blast. I had so much fun that I left with a spring in my step and a smile in my heart. I can hardly wait for the next class. My personal goal is to get en pointe. I know it takes long, real, hard training, but that is my goal.

Here's to not acting like a child in that we put away childish thoughts and reasoning and to a God who loves us all as His own children and gives us the desires of our hearts. Cheers with chocolate cookies and a latte'!

Demi Knitting

I've wanted to knit Demi since I ordered this Rowan book a couple of years ago. I started to knit Salina and just got too bored of it and frogged it. I decided that the Reynolds Whiskey I've had FOREVER and the Demi pattern must be destined for each other, and so it begins. I've already made a couple of mistakes on the back section. They aren't noticeable enough to rip. I can hardly believe I'm saying that since I am a true perfectionist, but I really just don't feel like it. The snow is still piled in my yard. Its dreary and cold outside, and I hate to complain or wish it away, but I really am a little anxious for spring. I guess I'll just knit to pass the time. Nice excuse to knit, huh?


I also decided I'd knit little squares in garter stitch to used up odds and ends that won't amount to much of any kind of garment. I hate waste, so I'm thinking it will all turn to be a nice afghan some day.....slowly, but surely.

Finished!

Maybe everyone knits this fast and easy, and I'm just not aware of it. I can't say it enough. This is truly a great knit. I've enjoyed every hour of it. I cannot say that about most patterns I knit. There is always some boring bit with yards and yards of stockinette or garter stitch or worse, there are the ones that I just can't seem to translate the right handed writer of the pattern for my left handed brain. Those buggers make me wanna give up knitting all together. My kids know that when mom says "shit" it means she's got some frogging to do.

Try this pattern. You won't be disappointed. I only used three skeins of Knit Picks Palette in Tumeric for this project. That makes the yarn a little more than 12 dollars, and it took me 6 days to knit.

Blocking (last night)

Its Growing!

This shawl is probably the easiest thing I've knit in a long time. It is beautiful and intricate looking, but looks can be deceiving. The repeats are easy peasy to memorize. I find I can easily answer math questions, break up sibling arguements, keep an eye on dinner and even watch the news while knitting this baby. I highly recommend this for beginners in lace. I'm at the edging now. I've only been knitting this shawl for about four-five days. Yes, I'm a fast knitter (as you see in the video of me knitting), and I've been knitting for a long time. You try it. You'll see what I mean. This is a great pattern. Its easy to modify the size by reducing the repeats which is what I had to do to incorporate the larger gauge yarn. It takes no math at all to alter for size and gauge. I give it two thumbs way up!

Birthdays Coming Up

I have a couple of birthdays on the horizon. My niece and my mother have birthdays in February. I just started the Fountain Pen Shawl by Susan Lawrence. It is printed in the Spring 2009 Issue of Interweave Knits. I actually ordered this to do Eunny's vest in this issue and still haven't knit it. I'm so tired (for now) of fretting over writing patterns I wanted to take a break and knit someone else's pattern. I really like this one. Its fast and easy. Don't be intimidated by the fact that its lace. If you can do deacreases and and yarn over you're good! It woud be a great first lace project for someone. I'm loving it. I'm knitting it in a golden colored fingering weight yarn. Its Palette by Knit Picks in case anyone is interested. Its not the gauge yarn called for, but I love this color and I like a slightly heavier shawl personally. I wear very few things only because of the way they look. I absolutely demand that they be comfortable. This will be more of a winter shawl for sure. She may even decide to leave it draped across her couch. We'll see. I'll keep ya posted on any modifications I need to make while changing the gauge.

Love Ewe

I designed these little sheep last summer. My children love to play with them. I have always preferred my children to play with Waldorf-esque toys to plastic, battery powered junk. Somehow it just seems like they are using their own imagination more without all the fanfare.

These really are a quick and easy knit. It is also a great opportunity to use up bits and pieces from your stash. I used Cascade worsted 10ply, but any ole worsted weight would do.

Working the body.


The inside before stuffing.

This pattern is available on Ravelry for free. Just click on the link to the right.

Enjoy!