Happy Turkey Day!, originally uploaded by Craftydiddl.

Happy Thanksgiving to those that celebrate. Have a wonderful day!

November has flown by. I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week already.  Besides Halloween stuff i have posted nothing this month.  It’s not like i am lacking in things to write about just slacking.

I finished my Mystery Socks a couple weeks ago as some of you may have noticed on Ravelry.

Pattern: Mystery Socks ‘09 by Kristen Kapur from Through the Loops

Dates: October 2-November 4, 2009

Yarn: Patons Stretch Socks in Kelp

Needles: Size 2 (2.75 mm) double points

Notes: Since it was a Mystery pattern and I was trying to make sure I finished each clue on time so I made no changes.  When I make these again I think I will make the leg longer and use a solid colored yarn.  I am very happy with how these came out and I finally have another pair of socks for my happy feet.

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A couple week ago Little Man and I had the pleasure of getting to take care of my mom’s neighbor’s cats. My mom usually cares for the cats but happened to be out-of-town at the same time as the neighbors.  But that’s okay because we had great fun with the cats and Little Man fell in love with them.  He was so bummed when it was our last day because he knew we probably won’t see the cats again or not for a very long time.

This is Bunky. He is very playful and likes a good petting after eating.  He also likes to show off his talents on the kitty tower.

Then we have the stoic cutie pie with his socks

This is Waymore. He is a bit jumpy but if you leave him be and then let him sniff your hand, after he has relaxed, he will allow you a quick pat on his back and chin scratch.

Maybe we will see them again some time.

How was everyone’s Halloween?

We had a really great day. It started off at the orchestra hall seeing a program for kids where they played spooky songs.  It was really neat and brought me back to my violin playing days.  That was followed by some lunch  and then home to relax a bit before the big night.

Then it was time!

Little Man had a good time and brought home quite a bit of candy!

Hubby wants it all for himself. 

Time for some FO’s!

First up-Cute!

Pattern: Stella Pixie Hat by Kristen Regren

Dates: Sept. 14-Oct 15, 2009

Made for: Peyton

Yarn: Patons Stretch Socks in Sugar

Needles: US 3

Notes: I made a couple small changes.  As i have mentioned before seaming is not my friend.  The pattern has you knit the strap separately and then sew it on.  I knew of i did that i would ruin how nice the hat was looking.  Trust me I would have. So i picked up the stitches along the bottom of the hat and knit about 8 rows. Then on the side of those 8 rows of garter stitch i picked up stitches again to knit the strap piece that would go under the chin.  I could have cast on the extra stitches and then picked up the stitches along the bottom of the hat so the strap was done in one step instead of two.   I felt doing it the way I did gave me more control over how long I was making the piece that would be going under the chin.  I also went with velcro instead of the buttons. It’s adorable! I can’t wait to see it on Peyton.

Next: Manly

Pattern: Gusset Heel Basic Sock in Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson

Date: June 12-Sept 18, 2009

Made for: Lane

Size: Shoe Size 11. Cast on 72 sts

Yarn: Patons Stretch Socks in Licorice

Needles: US 2

Notes: I love the heel on these socks.  No picking up stitches!! The stockinette dragged on at times but i them done and hubby is very happy with them.

Whew! Next up should be my mystery socks. I am very close to being done.

Then I want to start some socks I saw in the new Interweave Holiday Knits for my Omi.  The price went up quite a bit on the magazine, i didn’t even notice until she was ringing it up, makes me thankful for 40% off Joann coupons.

Have a good start to the week!

Grrrrrrr!!!!!

Little Man’s Pumpkin Creations

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Wow, i am sorry.  I never meant to disappear for so long.  So I thought that with Little Man at school i would have plenty of time to write a few posts during the week. Wrong.  I applied for a job to be a lunch lady and was hired!  I am actually a substitute lunch lady but  I have been lucky enough to be called in everyday. I sub for all the schools in my city and I have even been at Little Man’s school for a few days.  That was fun for us both

It’s getting quite chilly here and I have been getting cozy in the evening and knitting.

After the shawl i made for myself, Little Man asked me to make him one. Of course I said Yes.

Pattern: Little Man’s Shawl

Needles: US 10

Yarn: Red and Blue are Vanna’s Choice.  Black is Caron Simply Soft

Notes: I improvised this myself. It’s just plain garter stitch.

I used the cast on from the Kiri Shawl, yarn over increases on the left and right and I used the same center increases that my turquoise shawl used.  So it’s kind of a modge podge of different patterns I have done.

I added the button since I knew that the shawl would just keep falling off, little boys are not the best at sitting still

He was really excited when it was done and has worn it a few times. It’s nice and cozy and soft and has already been through a washing after chocolate ice cream got on it.

I have been working on hubby’s socks.  I have no more excuses not to work on them now that cooler weather is upon us.

I also started some new socks for Socktober.  It a Mystery Sock from the Through the Loops blog.

I have a baby hat in the works and so close to being done!   So you can expect to see that SOON!  No more disappearances from me.

Hope you all are doing well!

Pattern: Textured Shawl Recipe by Orlane, found on Ravelry

Dates: July 5-Sept. 3, 2009

Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool, color 8906

Needles: US 10/6.0 mm

Notes:  I wanted a nice comfy, pretty and happy shawl that could be thrown around just a teeny bit. Lace shawls just seem so delicate i wanted something tougher.  Well i got that and Love it!  I am very happy with how the shawl came out and it is super cozy.

I made it bigger than the pattern so it can wrap me up nicely. I ended up using a little over 3 balls of the Cascade 220. I picked the happy color to help perk me up once winter comes and i start getting the winter blues because it’s so cold. Lol

Bring on the Fall weather.

Walking to School.

Waiting to go inside.

Big Boy inside and ready for his first day to start.

While Mommy lets a tear slip no matter how hard she tried not to and then left the class as soon as possible so she could go and cry with no one watching.

What can I say I am a huge baby! I tried really hard not to but the tears won.

Little Man did great on his first day of school.  His words were “It’s not as bad as I thought.”

He has all day school tomorrow and I know he is a bit apprehensive about being there all day but I think he will do great and I will be the one moping.  Haha. I plan on making some bread and doing some cleaning to keep my mind off missing him.

I know it will get easier.

Last Summer I joined a mystery Kal for a round shawl.   I even started a bit late but was able to catch up and be on the fourth clue when everyone else was.

The fourth clue ruined everything.

I should explain that each clue had four “clues” within it so you were kinda designing the shawl yourself as you went along. Not every-ones shawl would be the same depending on whether you picked chart A,B,C or D within each clue.  Well within Clue 4 I think B and D were 98 rows and A and C were only 50 rows. Well of course I liked D and I was worried if I did one of the shorter ones my shawl wouldn’t be big enough.

So that was 98 rows times 576 stitches per row.  I got tired of the shawl pretty quick and right around the same time last Fall my grandma was visiting so i couldn’t work on. I need 100% focus!  I picked right back up after she left but those rows were taking me painfully long and i kinda gave up on it. I had lost my will and I wasn’t having fun anymore.  Christmas was coming and then all my eye troubles came and come the new year I still wanted nothing to do with the shawl.

Then spring came and I went back to it. A row here and a row there, still not much progress. Summer came and I made finishing the shawl my one goal for the summer. There were a few hiccups, like running out of yarn!!  But…

I DID IT!  She is done and I couldn’t be happier.

Pattern: Mandala by Renee Leverington

Dates: June 24, 2008-Aug. 23, 2009

Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow in Spring Green.  Just a teeny bit over 3 balls!!

Needles: Size 4 circulars-the pattern called for size 5

Notes:  Wonderful Pattern.  I love that you are part of the design process by picking which chart you will do within each clue.

I did:  Clue 1-Chart A, Clue 2-Chart A, Clue 3-Chart A and Clue 4 Chart D.  There is only one edging to chose from for the fifth clue.

I did run out of yarn when I was doing the edging, so close to the end.  Very frustrating but I kinda saw it coming when I saw my yarn dwindling down to nothing. The yarn came quickly and you can’t even tell it’s not the same dye lot.

I am so happy that it is done.  I am still not sure what I will do with it.  I was thinking about putting it on my table.

Or letting hubby wear it

Or letting it keep me cozy.

We’ll see.

A few weeks ago we were at the museum and in the shop they had hobby horses.  Hobby Horses are a horse head on a stick that you “ride” on.

Little Man asked if he could have one. Well at 25 bucks it just wasn’t worth it for me and I knew he probably wouldn’t play with it as much as he thought he would and I knew I could make him one for less than half the price.  I had actually mentally bookmarked one in the Living Crafts magazine, Winter 09.  So i asked him if he liked it and he did.  So we raided Daddy’s sock drawer and picked out a sock for the head, yarn for the reins and mane and I got to work.  I am happy with how it came out and we only spent about 10 bucks, for the broom handle, bells and buttons for his eyes.

Giddy-Up Horsey!!

Now that the cowboy or Knight has his noble steed We also did some rescuing.

This beauty was rescued from the Salvation Army for $2.99.  Little Man loves it and sleeps with every night. They actually had a few crochet blankets but this one was the best and it’s the perfect size for him.

Little Man starts kindergarten Sept. 9 so we are slowly getting ready. I can’t believe my Little Guy will be gone all day!  It will take some adjusting, especially on my part but I am excited for him as well.   But with some of that free time we should hopefully see some more blog posts around here!!

Hope everyone is doing well.

In the summer I get the urge to sew but there really wasn’t anything I wanted or needed to sew.  Plus it hasn’t been unbearably hot very often so I was able to knit on some of my bigger projects that have been neglected.

Then we did a summer reading program at our local library during July. Little Man got a cute plastic bag with the theme of the reading program on it but it wasn’t long before the book corners had stabbed the bottom of the bag full of holes.  So I decided to make him a tote bag for his books.

I had fun making it so I decided that not only did he need a bag but my grandma needed some bags.

And as i was going through my fabric I came across some that i thought would make a great bag for me

So over the past month whenever i got the urge to sew. I made a bag.

Little Man’s, Both of my grandma’s in the middle and then mine.

Little Man’s fabric was on clearance and Joann’s awhile back.  My grandma really likes Batik fabrics so I got  those at a local fabric store for her.

Little Man picked out the cat fabric for my grandma’s second bag. I was only going to make her the Batik one but he really wanted her to have a cat one too and really you can never have to many tote bags   The fabric for my bag was on clearance at the local fabric store awhile back and I had liked it instantly.

The bags are reversible if you want them to be.  So here are the insides of the bags, still in the same order as before.

I made the bags by combining two patterns. One from Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter and this tutorial.  Aside from Little Man’s bag I let the size of the cut of fabric decide how big the bags would be.  I am very happy with them.

Grandma got her bags today in the mail and was very happy with them as well.