yarn & goodies

Thanks, everyone, for the nice comments on Girly’s dress. I did get different buttons for it. Here’s an action shot:

Here’s one of the reasons I love swaps:
from my Vegan Pal 2 swap partner, pen&purl:

among the goodies are bamboo yarn, coconut soft cake and guava–from Malaysia! I also made the recipe for the Best Vegan Brownies Ever. They are really good!

from my secret pal:

I think I might make myself something with the yarn–maybe some wristlets. A knitting Pure and simple pattern in Goozle’s size, pretty stitch markers, a little pouch, a cable needle and stitch holder–and I already started using stuff!

Thank you swap pals!

Last Friday when I was at the yarn store, I stayed for Cindi’s birthday!

Check out that bling! Cindi is the one who taught me how to knit.

I also met a fellow blogger in real life! Happy (belated) birthday, Cindi!

Finished!

I finally finished Girly’s flower dress. I’m not 100% on the buttons, though. I think I also might add an organza ruffle (think Erica Knight). Overall, I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out.

N especially likes the oversized flowers.

I also started a new project with the yarn I got from my latest package from my secret pal! Unfortunately, that picture is on the camera I can’t find. Yes, I have multiple cameras. One works all the time, and two work sometimes. Weird huh. Anyway, I got some Plymouth Encore DK in a light blueish-green color. And I’m knitting this with it. She also sent me some coffee that smells so good. It’s so good, I accidentally made it in the morning even though it’s decaf. Thanks secret pal! Oh, and also thanks to my secret pal for helping me organize my dpns. I now keep all of them in the little pouch she gave me. That’s incredibly organized for me!

I can’t wait until the kids can knit for real. Right now they just like to play with the yarn. I gave Goozle a plastic crochet hook and some yarn. It kept him occupied.


There you go, K! I updated my blog just for you!

Back to “normal”

My stint on days is done. I was on time once in 2 weeks. I have to find some nice banker hours, I think. That would be ideal. Prize winners, your prizes have just left recently–sorry for the delay.  My etsy shop now has a whopping 3 listings!  I have a lot more to list, but I’m not good at taking good yarn pictures.  Non-wool knitters, I have more cotton yarn coming up!

I got another package from my secret pal:

Heilo, to-go! And one of my faves, chocolate covered espresso beans.

I think I’m going to make some Norwegian mittens with it. Speaking of Norwegian mittens, I joined the Strikke-along. I’m going to knit 2 baby patterns from Dale of Norway: the little Norwegian outfit for Girly (the one with the dress and jacket) and the ladybug sweater for Goozle (bottom, right).

If you want to support the organic farmers who lost their crops due to flooding in Wisconsin and Minnesota, check out knittymama’s contest. And hurry, it’s getting late!

Wednesday Already?

I’m working days this week and next week. I have to be done by 1pm, so in order to get 8 hours in, I should get there by 5am. I am not a morning person! So far, I’ve been 1.5 hours late and 30 minutes late. Oops.

I got my package from my KVVS treater, Katie! She lives in New Brunswick. She sent me all kinds of great Canadian stuff!


So much stuff, I had to take 2 pictures! Paton’s Wool (one of my fave yarns, which, being the ego-centric American I am, didn’t realize was Canadian), a pattern by Catherine Vardy, Jill Barber (my new work cd), an autographed copy of Knitting Rules, a book about crazy New Brunswick weather, Fleece Artist yarn (which is something I’ve read about but never seen), candy, and lots of other “souvenirs.” Thanks, Katie, it was a great vacation in a box!
Monday, N and I went with some friends to Minneapolis to a Ben Harper concert. We got there early enough to go out to eat and get a few drinks. My best friend and her husband met up with us for awhile before the show. It was really fun. The concert was at the Orpheum. I’ve never been at a concert with assigned seats where the audience sits for most of the show. It was very laid back but fun.

Girly’s new thing is pulling herself up and under the pub chair in the living room. I don’t know why the kids decide that they have to hang out in the most congested corner of the house.

Goozle is really starting to talk using real words now! In the morning, he stands on one side of the living room says, “I go” and runs across to the other side. He also says car, truck, drink, please, thank you, and toothbrush:

My mother-in-law is a dental assistant. She’ll be so proud.
I have also been knitting:
Fancy pants some friends’ baby (due last week):

And Girly’s summer dress:

The problem with making up the pattern as I go along, is that I’m not quite sure how to do the top. I still have to knit flowers to attach to the stems. Hopefully it will be done soon!

Goozle Turned 2 and other fun stuff

Warning: This is a super long post with lots of pictures!

First, the contest winners!

Kate and Surviving won llama fiber!

Carly won a mug of Tequila Sunrise:

Elaine won a Cherry Swirl Yarncream Cone:

More yarn-y treats will be uploaded to my etsy shop–Yarndulgent. There’s only one thing on there so far. It’s actually been raining for the past week, so I haven’t been able to dye any yarn. And the kids have been sick and not sleeping well, so I haven’t been able to put together any packages. I’ll also be adding non-animal yarn treats and patterns to make complete kits, so check back often.

Last Friday was Goozle’s second birthday! I can’t believe he’s 2 already. We went to the zoo in Madison for his birthday. Of course, I forgot my camera for that part. He didn’t really care about the animals, but he liked walking around, and he got to play on the playground after a 3 hour car ride. As always, I got lost on the way there. N and I were weighing out the pros and cons of possibly moving to Madison. Consistently getting lost-con.
My dad and V threw quite the little birthday bash for Goozle.


He got some books, some puzzles (which I already had to take away) and a truck that makes lots of noise. (We found the on/off switch!)
On Saturday, N and I went to the Packer game! Of course, being August, we didn’t pack warm clothes, so we had to stop and pick some up.

It rained for most of the game. We were soaked by the end, but it was a lot of fun.

I got to drink $13 worth of beer (2) from a plastic cup and ate a jumbo brat. Definitely didn’t need that.
Since the last time I blogged, I got three more postcards from my KVVS partner. They’re from Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. I’ve wanted to visit Prince Edward Island since I read the Anne of Green Gables books.
I also got this from my secret pal:

Stitch markers, yarn gauge, little containers for them both and a Yarntainer filled with pretty blue yarn! I love it! A Yarntainer, that’s genius. Now I can knit without Girly taking my yarn. Thanks secret pal!
I also got another yarn-y package in the mail, out of the blue:

A while back Michele said she’d send me some yen for the kitty. I completely forgot about it, so this was a nice surprise. Even better, she also send me more Japanese stuff: Kureyon and a little tissue pocket. What a nice package; knitters are so nice!
I think that is enough for one post!

Lots of Stuff

Yesterday was our 3rd anniversary. We did a lot in 3 years–2 kids, 2 new jobs, 3 apartments, 1 college degree and one in progress. We’re not doing anything to celebrate until this weekend. My in laws had been on the waiting list for Green Bay Packer season tickets for something like 30 years. They finally got their tickets, and they can’t go to the first game! Luckily, N and I were there to pick up the slack, and we’re going to the game this weekend. My sister agreed to watch the kids, so we’re going to have a good time! Expensive stadium beer, here we come.

I got my package from my Hand Dyed Yarn Swap pal, Janknit.

Goozle got a hold of the biscotti. I was nice and shared with him. The yarn is so pretty. It’s nice and summery, so I’m going to save it for the middle of winter. Thanks Janet!

I also scored big at a garage sale last weekend.

They’re assorted Needlework magazines from the 50s, 60s and 70s. They’re full of great patterns. After paging through these and the newest Vogue Knitting, it seems that there really isn’t anything new! In the old magazines, though, acrylic isn’t such a dirty word.
They found my blog at work. So, hi, guys, if you actually read stuff and not just look at the pictures. They didn’t really need more ammo to pick on me. They claimed they didn’t know I was part of the “knitting club.” That’s a lie anyway, because I’ve had more than one conversation about knitting with the guy who used to crochet as a kid!
Finally, here is my questionnaire for the Vegan Pal 2:

1. What is/are your craft(s), & how long have you been doing it/them? Knitting (about 2 years), dyeing yarn (couple months), spinning (couple months), sewing (about a year), quilting (1 week)
2. Are you a vegan, vegetarian, veg-curious, veg-friendly or other? veg-friendly, and we drink rice milk
3. Is this your first swap, or have you done previous swaps before? What makes a swap enjoyable for you? I’ve done previous swaps 🙂 I like seeing what other people do and try to put together a package for basically a complete stranger. I’ve made friends through swaps that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I like getting stuff in the mail, too!
4. What is/are your favorite color(s)? Do you particularly dislike any color(s)? My favorite colors are greens, purples, reds. I don’t really dislike any colors.
5. Do you have any allergies (such as pets, foods, fibers or cigarette smoke)? no
6. Do you have any companion animals? If so, name(s) and type(s)?* no
7. Do you collect anything? postcards and yarn
8. Do you have a favorite vegan food, snack or dish? If no fav that’s vegan (for those who aren’t vegan), what’s your favorite food? (Hopefully your pal can find a vegan version!) I make this stuff that’s a variety of roasted veggies served over whole wheat spaghetti. It’s a variation of an olive garden dish. I like 4 bean salad, too.
9. What are some of your favorite/least favorite tastes/flavors? (e.g. sweet, salty, chocolate, crunchy, smooth, tart, sour, spicy, thai, whatever – Help your pal get a feel for what kind of recipes you might like and/or never ever make.) All of the above! I’m very open to trying new things (like signing up for a vegan swap 🙂 ). I just really don’t like cilantro, and I think basil tastes like poison. And since I was pregnant with Goozle, I can’t really handle the texture of mushrooms.
10. What tools/supplies/accessories for your craft(s) are you wishing you had but don’t? Also, what do you have TOO many of? (basically a wish and anti-wish list) I have too many size 11 knitting needles!  I don’t have any size5 or 7 needles.  I learned how to make 2 socks at once, so I think I’m going to start adding more extra long circs to my stash.  I don’t have any real stitch markers.  
11. Are you on Ravelry? What’s your handle? yes–myhobbyisyarn
12. Is there anything else you would like your pal to know about you?  I have 2 kids under 2.  So no candles, please.  I’m excited to try new vegan stuff.
13. What scents do you like/dislike?  As far as lotion goes, I can’t do strong scents.  I like calendula and citrus scents.
14. Do you prefer fall or Halloween or some other Autumn theme? Autumn
15. Just for fun – tell your favorite Halloween or Autumn related memory.  They have trick or treating for the kids where I work.  They decorate all the offices and cubicles and people dress up and pass out candy to the kids.  I think that’s really nice.  

A Contest!

In preparation of opening my etsy shop, I’m having a contest.  To enter, leave a comment answering the following questions:

What’s your favorite drink when you’re going all out (like for your best friend’s bachelorette party not just happy hour)?

What’s your favorite coffee treat?

Why those drinks?

What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream (or ice cream equivilant)?

I’ll put everyone’s name in hat and have N draw 4 names.  2 people will win something from my etsy shop (it’s a surprise!), and 2 will win 2 big balls (app. 12 oz.) of llama roving for spinning.  Let me know if you’re not a spinner or if you don’t use animal products.  You have until August 20 to leave your comments; anticipated etsy shop opening is August 24.

These kids!

See this one?

And this one?

They’re on a joint mission to send me to the nut house! Today’s proud moment of parenting:
I took off Goozle’s diaper and went downstairs to grab him a new one and change my clothes. I hear Girly start crying–the usual, not an urgent, I’m in trouble cry–so I go upstairs. Goozle is standing there pointing at his sister and saying “gigcky ball, gigcky ball, eww!” I get to where the kids are to find that Goozle had pooped a bunch of “gigcky balls” all over the carpet and Girly had salamander crawled right through them. Girly was covered in poop; I picked her up and I was covered in poop. I plunked Goozle on the toilet, plunked Girly in the sink (which she hates) and managed to get everyone cleaned off.

We spent the next couple of hours rummage sale-ing.
Nothing a little yarn therapy can’t fix, right?

It’s Falk, a dk weight superwash wool, that I’m going to practice dye for the Hand-Dyed Yarn Swap. Check out the swap if you ever dyed yarn or want to. The first round is for sock yarn.
Speaking of sock yarn…

Yes, I’m knitting, not one, but two socks! And at the same time! It’s pretty fun. I learned how to do the magic loop method for this. The yarn is Lorna’s Laces Shepherd’s Sport that I got from Ingrid. It’s a lot of fun. And the owner of the yarn store informed us that there is a shipment of Koigu coming.  I’ve read rave reviews about it on the internet, so I’ll probably have to get some.  There’s another 2 socks at the same time class, too, so that’s another reason to get out of the house and away from the kids.

Spinning, Pricey Sweaters, Toddler Antics

I did more spinning. When I started spinning, I was kind of disappointed at the results. Yeah, I know I have to start somewhere, but I want to spin yarn that I can use. This time I started out pretty good. I spun some wool/silk blend pretty evenly:

When I ran out of that, I spun some more of the pinkish llama fiber to ply with it. That’s where I run into trouble.

I ply like a 4 year old. Everything got all tangled up. Some of it turned out really nice.

But some of it ended up like this:

Anyone have any suggestions as to how to fix this?
I’m all out of wool and wool blends, but I have tons of llama.

I’m going to put some of it on etsy. If anyone is a spinner and would like to barter for llama fiber let me know in the contact form on the llama barter page.

I have some that are balls of roving approximately the size of a basketball. There is some vegetable matter in it. It all smells kind of garagey, but I found that it goes away after a nice hot soak with some dish soap.
I also went to the yarn store today to make sure I’m doing my argyle socks right. I am. They have a trunk show there from Hanne Falkenberg. At first I was not too exited. Sweaters in the middle of summer. But then we started trying them on. If you have ever read Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, it was kind of like that. There were four of us trying them on–all different sizes, but those sweaters look good! She uses a lot of diagonal lines which are very slimming. I especially liked Plisse and Mermaid. The LYS owner explained that she only sells her patterns as kits to maintain their integrity–oh and they’re pricey. So pricey to me is $100-$150 which I could budget in and splurge a little. Pricey for Hanne Falkenberg is more like $230-$260. Um, that’s way out of my price range. So I won’t be knitting or wearing any Hanne Falkenberg designs. I will, however, check out the next 2 trunk shows. I also reserved some Panda Cotton sock yarn in the Mardi Gras colorway! Maybe I’ll knit socks after all…

And here’s what Goozle is up to.

And to the naked eye, this might just look like some toys on the entertainment center. It’s actually Goozle’s prep work. He found toys that look like they might fit into the VCR, so he could try them out all at once instead of trying one and then having to search around for another. Kid! I already had to take away 2 things the other day, because he tried to stick them in the VCR.

A week’s worth

It was one of those weeks.  I’ve been sick since last Friday, a waterfall came pouring out from under the kitchen sink, I forgot to pay the phone bill, Goozle is getting a wonderful start on his terrible twos, I got rejected from job applications, N’s vision in one eye has been going in and out, etc.  Anyway, let’s focus on the positives.  I have been knitting:

That’s the beginning of my argyle sock using intarsia. It’s kind of a crappy photo.
This is why people are afraid of intarsia:

All those strings are hanging off the back. It’s not as bad as it looks, though. When I need a new string, I just pull it out of the bunch. Of course, I am not a neat, tidy, organized person. I like to have everything out in front of me. I take up whole big tables in the library. I have my stuff spread across half the table space in the office at work. My house is cluttery. So, intarsia yarn hanging in a mess does not bother me.
I have been spinning:

Something is wrong with my camera, and sometimes lines show up across the photos. The brown is sheep wool. The pinkish color is llama. It’s ok except for one part where two big fluffs from each color ended up at the same place. Otherwise, not bad for my 3rd finished yarn.
I bought some yarn:

The top is Tango; the bottom is Cascade 220. I’m going to make some shorties for Girly with Tango ruffles. I hope it turns out as cute as it looks in my mind.
Girly can sit up and almost crawl! Slow down kid!


She can get her legs going, but not her arms, so she ends up on her side. It’s cute.
Goozle has reached the developmental stage where he tests his boundaries. (See that anger management working there 🙂 )

I’m letting him get away with this one. Standing on the register and putting things in the VCR don’t fly, though.
And N has been putting Girly on Goozle’s chair.

Goozle does not like this. That is his chair. N thinks he should share. N has no idea due to the fact that he has no siblings and never had to share! 🙂  My mother-in-law and I both took Goozle’s side.  Girly seemed oblivious to the whole matter.
And I got my invite to Ravelry. It’s for organizing. I’m not much for organizing, so I’ll see how it goes.