Saturday, December 22, 2007

For Baby




I just had to sit down and create something for my little one on the way. He's due any day now. I knit the sweater in the round from the top down. Its my pattern...so if you want it please feel free to request it. The hat was just knit in one piece decreasing as I went up to the crown. I love how it spirals. The yarn is worsted Berocco washable (non shrinkable) merino.

Happy Holidays!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Early Present



My wonderfully thoughtful husband bought this for me for Christmas. It is so cute that I had to hang it right away. Isn't it nice when you get gifts that really speak to who you are or what you do? I don't mean to sound like a grump, but I really hate getting gifts of convenience. I think sometimes "its the thought that counts" can mean you just send a personal note or card. Sending the wrong gift is worse than sending none at all. Some may disagree. I personally put alot of thought into anything I give someone else whether its big or small. I want to convey to the receiver that they are valid...valuable...I "know" them. I think being known is important. If not...then why the heck do so many people blog these days. They want to be KNOWN.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Yulecaka and Heartburn!




Although the two are really unrelated I can't help but mention the heartburn as this is my fifth child and really the worst heartburn I've had yet. I can hardly wait to hold my new little boy and be rid of the foul heartburn/acid reflux yuckies.

I have mentioned before that my grandmother is half Norweigan. (other half German) so making Yulecaka is a family tradition. Now she has moved into an assisted living home and cannot bake anymore. The tradition is left to me since neither of her daughters bakes from scratch. I taught my three oldest how to bake Yulecaka today. However, I forgot how looooooooooong it takes, so I'm blogging at 12:49am waiting for the second batch to come out.

The smell of cardamom takes me back though. I keep thinking of my grandparents and how much I miss them both...together. I makes me think of snow and horses and the occasional country Christmas of my childhood. It gets me excited about the frazier fir my boys and husband will go pick out on Sunday while my daughter and I enjoy a baby shower my sister is throwing for me. It makes me think of how grateful I am for my family, my kids and my wonderful husband.

But, alas, the heartburn is getting the better of me. I need to get out of this chair. Happy family time to everyone who ventures to read this blog. I hope its the birth of Christ you celebrate, but if not...know He's thinking of you. I feel it.

Blessings!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Holiday Party and big big big



I was really debating whether to go or not. My husband started a new job. I just really wasn't sure if I wanted these people meeting me for the first time 60 lbs over my usual weight. I know...VAIN! Still, I went. That must show some depth of personality on my part. Almost all our Christmas presents are purchased, wrapped and hiding under the bed...AND in about two weeks we'll have a new little baby boy! Fun fun fun! My husband has a goofy look on his face...when questioned he said he was trying to suck in his double chin. Smile.





Friday, November 30, 2007

Little Things





I think these little knits are cute. I have been knitting them up in between projects. It gives me a greater sense of accomplishment somehow. Then of course there is Phoebe in her new sweater. I cut her hair a little too short. This is so she doesn't catch cold. I am NOT an advocate of animals wearing clothes! Anway, her sweater is my design in Lion Brand multi color wool.


Oh, by the way, if you haven't seen any cute recycled crafts lately cruise on over to http://nannybird.blogspot.com/ and vote on the one you think is the most creative!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Christmas Knitting

In order these are a ladder lace scarf in alpaca with "fetching" fingerless gloves from Knitty. The mini skull tote is from Hello Yarn. The bag and fingerless mitts on bottom are my design. The sore spot on my ring finger shows how long its been since I knitted this much.


So...I am back to making Christmas gifts. I have enjoyed these items, but I still have many more to go. I am thirty five weeks pregnant this week and looking forward to holding my little guy. I am so tired all the time I have little strength to get on here an type, but I wanted to add a few pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Sweater Coat...My Design

First of all...Happy Birthday to ME!!!

So here is the sweater coat. I designed the entire thing from bottom to top. Heh. The yarn...as I said is cheap and started pilling the first day I wore it, but the design is really fetching I think. I don't think I'll write it all out here but I'll gladly share the pattern if you want to request it. The color is nutmeg in DK weight merino. It is long. It hits me a several inches below the waist. I did the sleeves extra long so they could be folded upward quite a bit. I loved how the cabling on the back turned out.

Also, I just started these socks in Trekking XXL.


Everyone is giving my husband and I a hard time about naming our new boy Ezekiel "Zeke" for short. I tried to explain to the family that their lack of approval in this matter really only eggs us on. He he.

Monday, November 12, 2007

I'm Back!!!


Hello. I'm back. I have been busy. We bought our first house, and I had to make it through 6 months of nausea. You can see WHY I was so sick. I am due at Christmas time. The knitting has kinda taken a back seat. I did design a sweater coat. I hate the yarn as it pills very easily. It was cheap yarn. (eh hem...knit picks) You get what you pay for. Also, at the same time we bought our house we added another addition to the family. Phoebe is my darling little poodle. I had to put up a picture of her as a puppy and now that she is eight months old. Its knitting season again!


Sunday, April 29, 2007

Stockings Cont.


Okay, okay the worsted just wasn't very pretty for the Norweigan Stockings. I can admit that now. Don't they look better in fingering weight? and the colors? I feel so much better about this. I think this is the first time I have followed a pattern letter for letter. (okay, I did use dark gray instead of light gray)

Thursday, April 26, 2007

New socks, Possibly New House and New Baby!



I just found out I am pregnant! Yippee! I was beginning to think I couldn't anymore. The kids are soooooooooo excited!

Also, we just put an offer on a house that could end up being my first purchase!


Lastly, and yes, least importantly I designed these cute little shorty socks. Atleast I think they are cute.


Happy Knitting all!

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Yorkshire Pudding Recipe As Promised


Yorkshire Pudding


Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

In a large bowl, beat two eggs lightly with 1 cup of milk. Whisk in 1cup of flour and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg (about a pinch). Stir in 1/4 cup of melted beef drippings, butter or bacon grease.(sometimes I use all three) Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. (sometimes 15 will suffice)

In a small ovenproof skillet (I use my cast iron skillet), place another 1/4 cup of melted beef drippings, butter or bacon grease. (or combination of two or three) Place the skillet in the oven. When the skillet is SIZZLING hot, pour in the batter. (it will look like a pancake...sorta) Bake until puffed and lightly browned, about 30 min.. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake until well browned and crisp on top, 10-15 min. Cut into squares, triangles...whatever and serve!


As most of you know already it is best served with a beef roast.


Ew Ew...and I've made progress on my Norweigan stockings! But my husband came in and said he really liked em...so I shortened them for his liking and now they will be his. It is so seldom he is enthusiastic I felt I haaad to give in. Smile.


Happy Knitting!

Friday, April 20, 2007

Norweigan Stockings and Pot Roast

This post is clearly not for die hard vegetarians or those who hate anything Norweigan.


Does anything go better with pot roast and Yorkshire pudding than Norweigan stockings? Tell me...I challenge thee! No...the stockings are not for eating smarty pants.


Okay, you will notice here that the stockings are in worsted weight (I had the yarn and the colors okay?) as opposed to Nancy Bush's awesome pattern found here http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/folk_socks.asp. The book is full of fun. I plan on doing the original pattern also. You can get a good look here http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2005/10/. Eunny used slightly different colors and they turned out beautiful! I am part Norweigan and part Welsh...so that should explain the pot roast, the only one green vegetable we had last night and the knitting.


Happy Knitting!

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Switching my blog over HERE




I haven't written much here. I have most of my posting at http://knitability.spaces.live.com/. But I get very few visitors and thought this might improve things.


Most of my blogging is about knitting. I am currently working on "Clessidra" in the current Spring issue of Knittyhttp://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/PATTclessidra.html


I am also trying to finish a sweater vest (my design) for my daughter. I have yet to tackle the steeking for the arm holes. Any tips? The front steeks were done on my sewing maching though not highly recommended. This was the last of my acrylic stash and the yarn didn't mesh well with the machine stitching. The zipper turned out nicely. It was also stitched on machine. If you do this make sure you don't allow your machine foot to stretch your knitting otherwise your zippered front will be MUCH longer than the rest of your sweater. Start at the bottom placing the front opening side edge in the middle of your zipper (it may slide). Then stitch to about the middle of your zipper. Cut and start other half of stitching from top of sweater down to where you stopped. It is important to stitch as close to the zipper teeth as possible without limiting your ability to open and close your zipper. It may take a couple of tries.
I plan on using several patterns in Nancy Bush's FOLK SOCKS for some sock yarn and also up and coming is a cardi/wrap (my design) for myself. If anyone has any patterns to suggest I am open. The yarn I have to use is Knit Picks DK Nutmeg and I have tons of it.
Happy Knitting!

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Friday, January 19, 2007

Tribute To Montana


I lived in Montana for three years. It is truly one of the most beautiful places I've seen. This is Glacier National Park in Summer '05. Enjoy!
If you wanna see my knitting and painting go to http://knitability.spaces.live.com/