Sheepie Knits

Flower Washcloth, originally uploaded by Craftydiddl.

i made one more washcloth for my Grandma before we head off-hey Grumperina makes socks for her grandma and i make washclothes for mine LOL.
it is the Flower Washcloth from Weekend Knitting that I mentioned in my last post. I used Lily’s Sugar n’ Cream cottone again and Size 7 circ needles. so not much different besides the pattern on this washcloth.
I love these Flower Washclothes-they are super cute and another quick knit!

Well this is it-Tomorrow we are off to visit my Grandma!  I won’t have any internet for the next 2 weeks so it’s going to be quiet around here for awhile! Here’s to a fun trip and I hope you guys all have a great next 2 weeks too! Stay Healthy and Safe and Have Fun being Creative and Knitting! I’ll miss you guys  

ETA: I am taking yarn to make my Bainbridge scarf (small project) and some socks (i consider socks a big project, mainly because i can’t whip them up like some other people). Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Thanx for all the nice comments on my dragon puppets! i can’t wait to give them to Little Man on the plane. 

How was everybody’s Thanksgiving? Ours was nice, i slept in a little and then we headed over to my In-laws and had a nice relaxing, yummy and fun day. She even pulled out my sister-in-law’s old tote of barbies and we played with Little Man and i brushed out their knotty hair and changed the clothes they had been in for who knows how long. Little man liked having the barbies (played by Grandma and I) dance with Mickey Mouse. It was really cute.

DoubleKnit Washcloth, originally uploaded by Craftydiddl.

Yesterday i also started a washcloth for my Grandma, She likes it to be Stockinette for the most part because the bumps on garter stitch bother her. In the past i have made her the flower washcloth from Weekend Knitting (links to amazon and if you check out the customer images they have some flower washclothes pictured). But i wanted to maker her something different so after alot of thinking i decided to make a washcloth using Double Knitting (scroll about 3/4 the way down), that way it’s all Stockinette (besides the border) and like a mitt. I am so happy with how it turned out! It is perfect for her!
I used Lily’s Sugar’n Cream Cotton, size 7 circular needles (you could use straight too) and i had it finished this afternoon so it’s a quick knit.
I think i might still make her a flower since she does like them and that could be my last knit before we fly off. I am still debating if i should take a knitting project wit me? And if i do What should i take? Any ideas? i am also worried i will end up with the one security person that says “Nope you can’t have those needles”. So any ideas?
I still can’t believe in just a few days i will be back home, well my summer home. My hubby didn’t like when i called Germany my home the other day. He said where we are now is my home, i was never trying to imply that it wasn’t. But to me where you were born (which i was born there) or where you have family and have spent a lot of time(also describes me) can also be your Home. But he didn’t agree or understand that. Oh well we all have our different views. Either way we are all excited.

Have a nice Friday night!

2 friends, originally uploaded by Craftydiddl.

Little Man’s dragon friends are all done. i like them. Yes, there is a but coming. i am not happy with the contruction of the mouth. I have a picture on Ravelry or my Flickr if your interested in how they look on my hands. The blue ones mouth is worse than the yellow-i tried to make a fix but it didn’t help much.
I really like how they feel-the garter stitch and the soft Caron yarn feel really nice. I think Little Man will like them!
Pattern: Elliott the Dragon by Jil Eaton
Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007
Yarn: Leftovers of Caron Simply Soft and a teeny bit of the yarn i got from Joanna for the flames called Wild Spice. It had the perfect red and orange mix for the flames.
Needles: size 8 ,16 inch circs.
Dates: Nov 14-Nov 21, 2007

Tommorow we are going to the In-laws for Thanksgiving so i probably won’t be on. So for those of you that celebrate
Happy Thanksgiving!
Anyone going out for the crazy sales on Friday? Not me i avoid stores that day i will be cuddling in bed.
Have a great night!

clothespin dolls, originally uploaded by Craftydiddl.

I went outside to do garbage-Brrr it’s cold outside!!!!! Makes me glad i stayed in all day.

Saturday i slept in and got some extra rest. That felt good. Took back the movies back that we had from our movie date last weekend and then some more rest and board games in bed with Little Man. He is so good to me
i was way behind on laundry from a past cold so i cought up on that.
I also worked on Elliot the Dragon and just as i was fitting his red mouth in-i realized it turned out smaller than my mouth opening. Ugh! and i was hoping i would have my first one done. No Biggie! New mouth pieces tonight and i already started the second puppet.

Today i got some more stuff around the house done, getting the house ready before we leave, i don’t like to leave stuff for the last minute and i stil have a lot to do and it just seems like my To Do List is growing and not shrinking.
But there was some fun too. Little Man and I made some friends today His are on top, he asked that i do the happy faces for him) . We just used washable paints. i have two naked ones because after he was done i fooled around with some permanent markers just to compare how they worked. They bled in the wood a little-so the man has fuzzy eyes. haha. i think the naked ones are going to get fabric clothes. So cute and fun. I still have tons more clothespins left so we will make more again
I have a Dragon that needs a mouth, off to go knit
Have a Good Night and Day!

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you guys.  Thank you for your great ideas on what to do with my Cardigan.  I haven’t decided yet which one i am going to do.  I like Joanna’s idea to just finish my sleeve off in stripping, it will give it a interesting look and it is also the least about of extra work-no frogging or anything i can just keep going and be done

Stacey and my Mom want me to just get over it(my mom’s words not stacey’s lol)  and do 3/4 sleeves, before i could decide if i would want that-i need to try it on again.  I think 3/4 sleeves would look better on a tighter cardigan and i think mine is a bit loose BUT i still have to try it on and see what kind of fit i have. My mom also thought small ruffles would look cute on the sleeves and i like that idea  

So much to think about, so i started a new project.  How is that for avoidance?  I am making Elliot the Dragon(scroll down until a little before the middle of page) as a surprise for Little Man.  i am going to give it to him on the plane.  I thought it would be a fun surprise.  It is the same colors as in the picture but i am using leftover Caron Simply Soft.  If there is time i might make a second one in orange and yellow.  They can be friends and i know i will have to play too so then we both have a puppet

In case your wondering about the Sorry- I have been sick again!!!!! So today i went to the Doctor.  She said by just looking at me there is nothing wrong aside from this being my sixth cold. So they took some blood to check if i am missing any vitamins or low blood count or immunity issue. She also told me to make sure i keep taking my vitamins and the extra Vit C, good sleep, maybe some exercise could help.  She should have results by begin of next week.  It sounds bad but i kinda hope something comes up in the blood work because then i can do something to fix it.  I just want to feel like myself again for longer than a few days. 

Anyway thanx again for your input, you guys are the best and had some good ideas

, originally uploaded by Craftydiddl.

So, the carigan i have been avoiding…here it is. I cranked out the rest of the right sleeve yesterday and today started the left. I would have been done tonight. i woudl have conquered my avoidance and had an FO.
But do you see that tail of yarn by my needles…that’s all i have left.
I don’t know what to do now.
The yarn was passed on to me a year ago by hubby’s grandma and i don’t know how long before that she had it-so i can’t just go to the store and get more.
of course this would happen, after all the avoiding and wondering if i really like it that much. Now i want to be done and i have no yarn, and i don’t want this as a 3/4 sleeve cardigan-yeah i know-i am a pain in my own butt lol
i do have some of the yarn left over from the stripes but i wasn’t sure how it would look to put that on the cuffs.
What should i do?

Saturday:
Little Man spent Friday night at his grandparents so i had the morning to spend with hubby and we went out to lunch at a really nice restaurant with delish food.
After Little Man’s nap, he and i started our chocolate cookies. I am a pro at those, so i didn’t forget anything he helps put everything in the bowl and mixes, i take care of the measuring. Then he spoons the batter and i put it on the cookie sheet-we have a good system. While the cookies were baking, Little Man decorated our pizza.

Then we started the movies. Both movies were of his choice-Robots (which he ended up not really liking-his favorite part was the last scene) and a really cute movie called Little Polar Bear.
I had a great Saturday-a special date with each of my men-what more could you ask for.

Sunday:
I slept in a little and after breakfast we got bundled up and started raking leaves. We do one big rake a season and i always look forward to it. We rake, throw leaves, jump in our piles, rake some more, throw some more and jump some more and then i bag it all… by myself. haha he prefers to put himself in the bag versus the leaves. So he “mowed” and dug while i bagged. I cleaned up a few more things and now i am just relaxing.

Playing in the Leaves, originally uploaded by Craftydiddl.

A fun and productive weekend…mostly fun
I haven’t done anything crafty so far this weekend-but i probably will tonight. I have some UFO’s that need to be worked on even though i have been trying to do everything to avoid them. Do you guys ever get a project that you avoid?

 I hope you are all having a good weekend too!
Good Night.

I have another finished knit!!  I feel like i have accomplished so much when i see all the knitted things lying around, even if they were finished in a few days.

But first my attempt at a sweet bread with Little Man.  We made it yesterday and well….it was interesting.

First he mixed the dry ingredients for me and then i added the wet while he was mixing. The batter was way dry. Then i realized that i still had the milk on the counter and it wasn’t in the list of things to add to the dry so i tossed it in. Much better. We Kneaded and punched and rolled and Little Man did some by himself while i rinsed out a big bowl to put the bread dough in for rising.  I set the bowl in front of the heater vent because we keep our house comfortably cool. About 5 mins later i realized I FORGOT THE SUGAR-CRAP!!  Instead of just leaving the bread alone i decided to try to knead the sugar in because no-one would want to eat tasteless raisin bread. Oh boy, not the best idea, At All!  Obviously i was having some trouble so i thought if i added some liquid it would be easier to mix in the sugar.  It did help but then i ended up with super sticky dough and bread dough is not sticky, so i added more flour. I never got the dough totally unstuck but i was afraid to add too much flour so i quit and left it to rise.  At this point Little Man lay down for his nap.

It did rise but it took forever and looked even STICKIER.  How can that be possible??? It was stickier!  Well once it has risen you are supposed to divide the dough into 3, roll and make a big braid.  More flour came out, LOL, there would have been no way i could have rolled the dough in the condition it was in.  I managed a really ugly, blobby and sticky braid.  Again rise-at this point i was tired of waiting for my dough to rise so after an hour i stuck it in the oven.  About 30 mins later it was done.  I let it cool and sprinkled, well okay dumped and rubbed powdered sugar over it.  I took a bite…not bad…it was sweet…tasted like how i thought it should…but it’s a lot denser than i wanted and a bit chewy. I wanted lofty.  It was a learning experience.  All in all i am happy with the turnout. Here it is!

On to the the FO.  My Sunflower Tam.

Pattern: Sunflower Tam from Knitting Nature

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, took pic outside so it is a very good shot of the color of the yarn.

Needles: 8 & 9  16-inch circ. and 9 DPs

Dates: Nov 7-8, 2007

I love the top of this, which is the main reason i made it-it looks a bit goofy on but i am sucking it up and wearing it anyway!! i always think hats look goofy on me.   I followed the pattern as written.  The fit is good.  Some of the decreases were a bit tricky with my stubby Clover dps, so use some pointy dps if you ever decide to make this.

Next up-finish My So-Called Scarf and the sleeve and a half on my cardigan-I must make myself finish it.

 Little Man is at Grandma’s tonight. He doesn’t know but tomorrow we are making chocolate chip cookies, pizza (loves decorating the pizza)  and having a movie date. My mom gave me a coupon good for free movies, popcorn and pop. I can’t wait. 

Sunday, raking and jumping into leaves Even more fun.

Hope you all have a Fun weekend too!!

Bainbridge Scarf, originally uploaded by Craftydiddl.

Yay! Another FO! Quick knits make me happy. Especially right now, i just seem to have a really short attention span for projects.

Let me begin by saying I LOVE THIS! I am totally making one for myself too!
Pattern: Bainbridge Scarf from pepperknit.com
Yarn: Cascade 220 in a deep burgandy color-me and my grandma, who i made this for, call it Wine Red.
Needles: Size 5, 24 inch circ
Dates: Nov 4-7, 2007
Super Cozy, this will be perfect for my grandma-she has a very sensitve neck to the cold. As soon as i tied this on my neck i was so glad i chose to make this for her. Anyone who wants a cozy neck-MAKE THIS! i love it and as i mentioned i will be making one of these for myself!!

Tonight i think i am going to cast on for the Sunflower Tam that is in Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan. The yarn i picked is dark but I wanted to make it in a color I knew I would wear(!) and would go with my winter coat. AND it’s a quick knit

Tomorrow i got some baking planned-if it turns out i will post some pics. Little Man is going to help He loves baking with me. It’s a great way to spend time together. 

I found a new magazine today and Joann’s.  It’s called Living Crafts.   It has some great patterns in it. There is a babydoll sweater i want to make and some great patterns for kids, which was this issues focus!! it also focuses on using all natural items in the project which is cool too, but i am all about the craftyness of it all I love new craft mags!

Thanx again for the compliments on Little Man’s Vest! You guys are the best!

little man in his vest, originally uploaded by Craftydiddl.

What!!? and early post today

It’s done! Not done in time for his pictures though. He did wear it to a family party yesterday-so it got shown off to the people who would have gotten pictures anyway.

Pattern-My Own YAY!!
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Dk Country Blue and Grey Heather
Needles-Size 8 16in circ needles (i prefer circular over straight)
Dates: Oct. 24-Nov 3, 2007

I totally could have had this done by his pictures but i fell very ill again and as much as you guys are probably tired of hearing about me getting sick for the hundredth time i was tired about whing about it-hence my absence and not getting his vest done in time. That’s in the past and i am happy to report that i am currently feeling the best i have felt in about 4 weeks. And more importantly I love how the vest for my little guy turned out. i am so proud of it and it fits perfectly! As i was working on the front i was a little worried that i had not made it big enough but it came out the perfect size. The stitch pattern i used at the start of each new color adds a nice bit of detail so it wasn’t just color stripes.

I worked the Vest in two pieces mainly because i could carry up the color i wasn’t using on the side and would have less ends to weave in and less to weave in makes a knitter happy
It was a big hit by those that saw it and it makes him look so grown up. I will make another one for him once this one gets too small. But i think it will last until next Fall and i will plan earlier instead of spur of the moment and have it done in time for pictures.

I can’t believe it’s already November. We will be leaving for Germany in 21 days (Eeeee!!!) and so I started the Bainbridge Scarf for my grandma last night. It is supposed to be a Christmas present but i think i will give it to her when we get there so i can show her how to wear it and so i can see it on her and of course take a picture
Everything is happening so fast. Wow, i just can’t believe it 21 days. i am excited and nervous and just so many things. The last 2 times i flew i got so anxious that i made myself sick-i am one of those people that when nervous or anxious or stressed it goes straight to my stomach-like hundreds of butterflies and i have no appetite. But this year i have been really trying to prepare myself and just think as relaxed as possible becuase i have a little man that has never flown, a hubby that hasn’t flown since he was 7 and it’s an 8.5 hour flight. i have to be the strong one especially once we get there i am the one that knows german and kinda knows her way around the airport-Once we get in the air i will be fine i just hate the ups and downs and i worry about every little thing. Most Importantly i want my little guy to have a nice flight. But i am excited too. My grandpa and his wife(not my grandma just to clarify lol) and an aunt and a close friend of mine will all be meeting hubby and Little Man for the first time!!! Only my grandma comes here to visit that’s why noone else from my german family has met them yet.
Well Anyway thanx for letting me babble-it feels good to talk to someone when you have thoughts just boiling over in your head.
Have a great day!