Kat-chup...

Wow....over 2 months have past, where does time go? 

Yes, we are still missing Mr Ace...there's not a day that goes my that I don't expect him to be underfoot or visiting me while I'm having "private time" in the bathroom!

I know my posts haven't included much in knitting content but not to worry, I have been very busy.  Since March I've been in "Baby Knitting Mode"!  I have so many ideas and Ravelry queues for patterns that I want to make. Last Sunday we had the baby shower so I can finally reveal all the knitting that I've been doing.

The first item was a knitting kit I bought in Va Beach after my 1/2 marathon this past March...in fact, I knit a good portion of it on the ride home.

I didn't get a picture of it with the little pink buttons on it before I wrapped it....I guess I was too excited!

Such a sweet cardigan, not to mention it was a quick and easy knit!




Then there was THE ONE that I've held WAITED to knit for one of my kids when they announced they would become parents.  It was back in 2005 I volunteered with a natural dyeing program where we used indigo, osage orange and cochineal...then I "over -dyed" to get the additional colors of orange, purple and teal.

When I first saw Yarn Harlot knit this pattern I KNEW it was the one MUST knit for my grandbaby!!


....and I had the PERFECT yarn for it!



Tulips Cardigan

Then came the baby blanket...OH MY GOODNESS....what a slow knit!  The yarn kinda pooled a bit, which at first I wasn't happy with but it turned out well.

I did have to take a break halfway through for some "instant gratification knitting"

 

One of my co-workers was expecting a little girl (yes, I am speaking in past tense--Katherine Elaine was born just a over a week ago!  So I knit her these adorable Saartje's booties~~

Don't you just love the little "sunshine buttons"??

 

Then of course there was still MORE "Granddaughter Knitting" to be completed!  I made another pair of Saartje booties for her....           



....as well as a bonnet.

Oh....this isn't the end by any means.  I have so many more project ideas that I don't think I'll ever knit for myself again! We are on the countdown till we finally get to meet her...and learn her name! 4 weeks to go!

There is this one special little girl that comes to the Y with her mom who has wrapped her little fingers around my heartstrings....she's been "grooming" me for Grandparent-hood!  I've knit for her too.

I used some of my handspun to knit these little soakers~~

Little Strawberry Soaker

I've been spinning too...I'll get some pics to post up soon. In the meantime....

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Hoppin' Down The Bunny Trail.....

As always I prefer to make my gifts and with two new "granddaughters" and a VERY special niece I needed to find something to make for Easter that they would appreciate. 

I made my niece, Maggie, one of the bunnies some years ago and she's treasured it - so I had to make her the Sheepie!

Cocoa

Their names?

Caramel

 

Buttercup

Now, I can't wait till Sunday when I can give them to their new "people"!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

FO Friday

Another FO Friday is upon us! ....oh, and it's PAYDAY....sorry to get so excited....

Well, I've had lots of baby knitting here lately--and still yet more to come, great for stash knitting!

Rudy's groomer is due this weekend and having a little girl. I made her a BSJ with some very special buttons.




Doggie buttons!!



Then there's the most difficult socks in the world...




Late last year you know about my uncle and his fight for life. Well, I started a pair of "prayer socks" for him...I had one complete when he suddenly passed away at the first of the year. So, I frogged them and began a pair of socks to give to my aunt. They were difficult not because of the pattern but because of the fact that I had a hard time wrapping myself around finishing them...all the while knowing they were intended for him.

Next on the needles? Another baby girl gift, pair of socks and I want to make Effortless Cardigan in linen for summer.
What do you think? Have any other suggestions for me?

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Friday Flowers & FO's

"We plant seeds that will flower as results in our lives, so best to remove the weeds of anger, avarice, envy and doubt..." ~Dorothy Day




Winter Jasmine~~

a bit late blooming this year (should have started blooming late Jan) but I have to say it's MAGNIFICENT!!



...and...





my first crocus' are up!!!!

The purple ones are on their way!!!!!!!

Since I've been working 2 jobs--during this training period I'm working a total of 60 hours a week at the moment--I've had very little time for much of anything...especially knitting. But since Sunday was the Daytona 500 I started and finished a project while watching.



I think you'll remember the last FO I posted, the umbilical cord hat, for the gal at the coffee shop who's having a baby boy in a few weeks...well, I should have known to knit up 2 of those hats. Big Brother to be wanted so badly to try that hat on...so I knitted him his very own--in the exact colors he requested, which I happened to have in my "leftover" basket. He was so excited.



Besides the usual on the needles, Celtic Vest (which I haven't picked up at all) and 2 pairs of socks, I have cast on yet another baby sweater (Rudy's groomer is expecting in May) all the while still keeping up my "stash busting"--oh, I have seen so many new yarn colorways I WANT...I just need more hours in a day to get through my stash---so I can buy more!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Treasures...

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." ~ Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book





This is a wonderful surprise...a patron at the library commented on one of my handmade sweaters the other day, saying she wished she could knit. I told her if she wanted to learn I'd bring her a pair of needles...which I did. To my surprise, she brought me this! She makes them...isn't it cool? She remembered me saying one day that if I won the lottery I'd buy a tropical island...she had NO clue I had a "beach room"--this is the coolest nightlite for that room.



Well....I start job #2 today! I had 3 job interviews in 3 weeks...after 3 months of waiting. Is there a pattern here?

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

See....I've been knitting!

Babies are bits of stardust, blown from the hand of God.-- Barretto







My hair stylist is having a baby in March, and for a change someone's going to have a little girl!!! Needless to say I'm very excited, this pattern has been one that had to be for the right baby. Knitting from my stash...yep, still on the "yarn diet"...I had this nice fingering yarn that would make the perfect heirloom bonnet. At what little girl goes without a nice pair of booties? If you haven't knit this pattern yet, it's a must for instant gratification!!!

(wow...I still need to post up the pics of my Christmas knitting...I'm so behind)

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

FO Friday

These are just too cute not to share! BABY CHUCKS

One of the girls at the coffee shop where I get my morning java had her little boy 2 weeks early...luckily these little things are SO easy and quick--I see me making more of these....for girls & boys! Though the pattern does knit up a little larger than newborn I think he will get to wear them...or Mom can use them as decoration!

I used to have Chuck Taylor myself...not knitted of course!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Ahhhhhh, Friday!

WIP REPORT--
I have gotten a little knitting done between 5K training and Spring cleaning...


I REALLY love this yarn -- it's wonderful to knit with, the colors are so vivid and it feels wonderful...these are going to be comfortable socks! (the picture does not do it justice)

MIL REPORT--

Okay, so I took your advice and sent the package to my MIL via UPS...it arrived safely yesterday and...

SHE LOVED IT!!! Man, I was so worried...

She can't wait to show the wrap off to all her friends, and as often as she goes out to dinner and entertains with all her other retired friends I think it's going to find lots of use.

Busy-busy day today, I'll try to catch up later.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Complete~

I've added the finishing touch and the package is being shipped off today...keep your fingers crossed it gets there safe!



Hubby ordered a fish pin from Romi, MIL collects fish...I think she'll like it...do you?

and



Happy Birthday Chase!!! My "baby" boy turns 26 today...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Mother's Day is coming

...and I'm going to be ready!

I had the Fir Cone Wrap soaking last week.







It's still on the blocking wires...




Love the detail & the colors, though JoJoland Harmony is beautiful ~ I still don't like knitting with it...



...and SO glad this project is nearly complete (still have to weave in the ends) and in the mail. How long does it take for the USPS to get a package to Florida? Oh geez, what if it gets hung in one of those machines and is ripped to shreds???!!!!! I'll have a panic attack till it gets there for sure.


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Off The Needles......

...FINALLY!!



Now on to blocking...lets hope nothing happens to it during that process!

More pictures later...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!