Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Things They Learn When You're Not Looking
The boys and I went to JoAnn's this week to get some crafty supplies. As we parked the car, J noticed the big JOANNs sign outside the store. He excitedly said, "Look, a J for J___ [his name] and two N's for N___ [his brother's name]." I then asked him if he knew any of the other letters and he said, "Yes, A for Avery and O for Owen [two friends from school]." Since I've never tried to teach him his letters (we just talk about them in books) I was really excited! I'm so proud of my little learner.
Now if we can only get counting to 10 down. He still likes to say "3, 4, 9, 10!"
J is his new Wallaby. I decided this version of the collar/neck was a bit too wide, so I'm redoing that part. Will post more details and pics when the revision is done.
The title of this post, just reminded me of something another mom shared with me. I'm not a cheesy poem kind of gal, but I thought this one was nice. Here it is:
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my
First painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
Wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a
Stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
To animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my
Favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
Things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a
Prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
Talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a
Meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
Learned that we all have to help take care of each
Other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
Your time and money to help people who had nothing,
And I learned that those who have something should
Give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care
Of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
To take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you
Handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
Feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
Responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come
From your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
Hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you
Cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
Productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and
Wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
You thought I wasn't looking.'
Now if we can only get counting to 10 down. He still likes to say "3, 4, 9, 10!"
J is his new Wallaby. I decided this version of the collar/neck was a bit too wide, so I'm redoing that part. Will post more details and pics when the revision is done.The title of this post, just reminded me of something another mom shared with me. I'm not a cheesy poem kind of gal, but I thought this one was nice. Here it is:
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my
First painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
Wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a
Stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
To animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my
Favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
Things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a
Prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
Talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a
Meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
Learned that we all have to help take care of each
Other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
Your time and money to help people who had nothing,
And I learned that those who have something should
Give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care
Of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
To take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you
Handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
Feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
Responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come
From your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
Hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you
Cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
Productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and
Wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
You thought I wasn't looking.'
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Top Ten Tuesday: Why Pepper Will Never Know Her Name Edition
I'm a nickname kind of person. I call everyone by multiple names (although I'm not nearly as bad as my brother who never calls anyone by their real name). Well, Pepper has become victim to my ways. At this rate, she may never know her name. Anyway, this week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic is...
Top Ten Reasons Pepper Will Never Know Her Name (or the Many Names of Pepper)
10. Bella (Her original name--I liked it, but B did not.)
9. Pepper Jo (B's nickname for Pepper.)
8. Pepperoni (My original nickname for her.)
7. Pepperita (Which was soon joined by this one.)
6. Roni (Then they morphed into this...)
5. Rita (and this.)
4. Peanut (Also one of N's nicknames.)
3. Pinochle (Which has morphed into this one.)
2. Baby Girl (Self explanatory.)
1. Boog (A term of endearment in our family--also use this one for both children. I think it was originally Sugar Booger. Kind of gross, but true.)
Top Ten Reasons Pepper Will Never Know Her Name (or the Many Names of Pepper)
10. Bella (Her original name--I liked it, but B did not.)
9. Pepper Jo (B's nickname for Pepper.)
8. Pepperoni (My original nickname for her.)
7. Pepperita (Which was soon joined by this one.)
6. Roni (Then they morphed into this...)
5. Rita (and this.)
4. Peanut (Also one of N's nicknames.)
3. Pinochle (Which has morphed into this one.)
2. Baby Girl (Self explanatory.)
1. Boog (A term of endearment in our family--also use this one for both children. I think it was originally Sugar Booger. Kind of gross, but true.)
Monday, February 2, 2009
I Hope Harvard Will Be the Right Fit
Months ago my sister-in-law mentioned that she would love for me to knit a hat for her son Oscar (my 19 month old nephew). As she had no specific requests in terms of style and color, I have thinking about the hat off and on with no actual work on it--until I finally slowed down long enough to look at the Winter 2008 Interweave Knits and saw the Harvard Square Cap.
I thought it looked like a fun pattern and decided to adapt it to (hopefully) fit my nephew. I was told his head measures 19". I looked through my stash and found some fun worsted weight yarn, decided it looked comparable to the yarn used for the "Aran" version of the hat, realized that if I cast on 96 stitches instead of 108 I should get a 19" hat and went for it. I wasn't sure when to start the crown shaping and ended up starting them around 5".
I really enjoyed making this hat although it was somewhat slow going at first as I figured out the right rhythm for the stitch pattern. The pattern says to "strand very loosely--so loosely that it seems excessive." So this is what I tried to do. At first, I think I was being excessive because the contrast color stitches looked a little wonky, but I then found a good tension that turned out perfectly.
This is a picture of the inside of the hat. You can see how the blue is loose at the bottom, but lies nice and flat for most of the hat.
As I got into the hat, it actually knit up quite quickly. I enjoyed this pattern and hope that the hat will fit Oscar. It's too tall for Norm and too tight for John so I don't have any great modeled photos. I love the way the two yarns look together. The green is more woolly and the blue is more shiny so they contrast nicely. I think this yarn/stitch combination would look great on a child's pullover sweater--maybe one of these days I will make one.
Pattern: Harvard Square Caps by Sean Riley (Interweave Knits Winter 2008)
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted (75% acrylic/25%wool, green--less than one skein) and Caron Simply Soft (100% acrylic, blueberry--less than one skein)
Needles: Size 4 16" circular, Size 6 16" circular and douplepoint
Modifications: I cast on 96 inches to get a 19" hat. I started the crown shaping when I reached 5" from the cast on edge.
Even though the hat looks ridiculously tall on N, I couldn't resist sharing this picture. He just looks so happy. (And, yes, he is chewing on a dog toy!)
I thought it looked like a fun pattern and decided to adapt it to (hopefully) fit my nephew. I was told his head measures 19". I looked through my stash and found some fun worsted weight yarn, decided it looked comparable to the yarn used for the "Aran" version of the hat, realized that if I cast on 96 stitches instead of 108 I should get a 19" hat and went for it. I wasn't sure when to start the crown shaping and ended up starting them around 5".
I really enjoyed making this hat although it was somewhat slow going at first as I figured out the right rhythm for the stitch pattern. The pattern says to "strand very loosely--so loosely that it seems excessive." So this is what I tried to do. At first, I think I was being excessive because the contrast color stitches looked a little wonky, but I then found a good tension that turned out perfectly. 
This is a picture of the inside of the hat. You can see how the blue is loose at the bottom, but lies nice and flat for most of the hat.Pattern: Harvard Square Caps by Sean Riley (Interweave Knits Winter 2008)
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted (75% acrylic/25%wool, green--less than one skein) and Caron Simply Soft (100% acrylic, blueberry--less than one skein)
Needles: Size 4 16" circular, Size 6 16" circular and douplepoint
Modifications: I cast on 96 inches to get a 19" hat. I started the crown shaping when I reached 5" from the cast on edge.
Even though the hat looks ridiculously tall on N, I couldn't resist sharing this picture. He just looks so happy. (And, yes, he is chewing on a dog toy!)
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Free Pattern Friday: Heart Finger Puppet
I started this post on Friday, but got distracted by the call from the vet so it's a little late--but I'm keeping it as a "Free Pattern Friday" all the same.
Inspired by the success of the Halloween ghost finger puppets, I decided I wanted to do heart finger puppets for J and his classmates for Valentine's Day. I couldn't find a pattern so I decided to design one myself. I used this pattern for some inspiration, but made adjustments so mine was knitted in the round, from the top down, and was open at the bottom for a finger.
Knitted Heart Finger Puppet
(Finished size approximately 2 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/2 inches tall)
Yarn: Worsted Weight (I used Plymouth Encore)
Needles: Set of five SIZE 6 doublepoint needles
Abbreviation Key:
St = stitch
K = Knit
K tbl = Knit through back of loop
Kfb = Knit into the front and back of stitch
SSK = slip 2 stitches as if to knit, then knit those 2 stitches together
K2tog = Knit two together
P = Purl
Pattern:
The heart is knit on two doublepoint needles (the front of the heart on one needle and the back of the heart on another) with a third needle used for working the stitches. The heart is knit upside down from the top to the bottom. You will first knit the two tops of the hearts (right side and left side) and then join them for the body of the heart.
Right Top
Use the Figure 8 Cast On to cast on 8 stitches. (see Figure 8 Cast on Tutorial here--Thanks, Hello Yarn!). You will have four stitches on each of two needles.
K the 4 st on the top needle. Turn and tighten the stitches on the second needle.
K tbl the 4 st on the second needle. Place round marker.
K 4; K 4 (4 st per needle).
Kfb, K2, Kfb; Kfb, K2, Kfb (6 st per needle).
K5, Kfb; Kfb, K5 (7 st per needle).
Cut yarn and set aside.
Left Top
On a second set of two doublepoint needles, use the Figure 8 Cast On to cast 8 stitches. You will have four stitches on each of two needles.
K the 4 st on the top needle. Turn and tighten the stitches on the second needle.
K tbl the 4 st on the second needle. Place round marker.
K 4; K 4 (4 st per needle).
Kfb, K2, Kfb; Kfb, K2, Kfb (6 st per needle).
Kfb, K5; K5, Kfb (7 st per needle).
Body
Take Right Top and slide it onto the Left Top needles.
This picture shows the Right Top (on the left) and the Left Top (on the right).
The working yarn is on the right side of the back needle.
K 14; K 14 (14 st per needle).
SSK, K10, K2tog; SSK, K10, K2tog (12 st per needle).
K 12; K 12.
SSK, K8, K2tog; SSK, K8, K2tog (10 st per needle).
K10; K10.
SSK, K6, K2tog; SSK, K6, K2tog (8 st per needle).
K8; K8.
SSK, K4, K2tog; SSK, K4, K2tog (6 st per needle).
K6; K6.
SSK, K2, K2tog; SSK, K2, K2tog (4 st per needle).
K4; K4.
The Finger Opening
SSK, K2tog (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this front needle.
P2 (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this front needle.
SSK (1 st). Bind off.
Now finish the bottom of the other side of the heart. With the heart still upside down:
SSK, K2tog (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this needle.
P2 (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this needle.
SSK (1 st). Bind off.
Seam the small hole at the top of the heart (between the two sides). Weave in all ends.
Make a face with scrap yarn or use buttons or googly eyes. Enjoy!
Happy Valentine's!
I'm still a newbie to pattern writing, so please let me know if you have any questions or if you find any problems with this pattern. Thanks!
For more photos of the finished finger puppet, click here.
Inspired by the success of the Halloween ghost finger puppets, I decided I wanted to do heart finger puppets for J and his classmates for Valentine's Day. I couldn't find a pattern so I decided to design one myself. I used this pattern for some inspiration, but made adjustments so mine was knitted in the round, from the top down, and was open at the bottom for a finger.
Knitted Heart Finger Puppet
(Finished size approximately 2 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/2 inches tall)
Yarn: Worsted Weight (I used Plymouth Encore)
Needles: Set of five SIZE 6 doublepoint needles
Abbreviation Key:
St = stitch
K = Knit
K tbl = Knit through back of loop
Kfb = Knit into the front and back of stitch
SSK = slip 2 stitches as if to knit, then knit those 2 stitches together
K2tog = Knit two together
P = Purl
Pattern:
The heart is knit on two doublepoint needles (the front of the heart on one needle and the back of the heart on another) with a third needle used for working the stitches. The heart is knit upside down from the top to the bottom. You will first knit the two tops of the hearts (right side and left side) and then join them for the body of the heart.
Right Top
Use the Figure 8 Cast On to cast on 8 stitches. (see Figure 8 Cast on Tutorial here--Thanks, Hello Yarn!). You will have four stitches on each of two needles.
K the 4 st on the top needle. Turn and tighten the stitches on the second needle.
K tbl the 4 st on the second needle. Place round marker.
K 4; K 4 (4 st per needle).
Kfb, K2, Kfb; Kfb, K2, Kfb (6 st per needle).
K5, Kfb; Kfb, K5 (7 st per needle).
Cut yarn and set aside.
Left Top
On a second set of two doublepoint needles, use the Figure 8 Cast On to cast 8 stitches. You will have four stitches on each of two needles.
K the 4 st on the top needle. Turn and tighten the stitches on the second needle.
K tbl the 4 st on the second needle. Place round marker.
K 4; K 4 (4 st per needle).
Kfb, K2, Kfb; Kfb, K2, Kfb (6 st per needle).
Kfb, K5; K5, Kfb (7 st per needle).
Body
Take Right Top and slide it onto the Left Top needles.
This picture shows the Right Top (on the left) and the Left Top (on the right). The working yarn is on the right side of the back needle.
K 14; K 14 (14 st per needle).
SSK, K10, K2tog; SSK, K10, K2tog (12 st per needle).
K 12; K 12.
SSK, K8, K2tog; SSK, K8, K2tog (10 st per needle).
K10; K10.
SSK, K6, K2tog; SSK, K6, K2tog (8 st per needle).
K8; K8.
SSK, K4, K2tog; SSK, K4, K2tog (6 st per needle).
K6; K6.
SSK, K2, K2tog; SSK, K2, K2tog (4 st per needle).
K4; K4.
The Finger Opening
SSK, K2tog (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this front needle.
P2 (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this front needle.
SSK (1 st). Bind off.
Now finish the bottom of the other side of the heart. With the heart still upside down:
SSK, K2tog (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this needle.
P2 (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this needle.
SSK (1 st). Bind off.
Seam the small hole at the top of the heart (between the two sides). Weave in all ends.
Make a face with scrap yarn or use buttons or googly eyes. Enjoy!
Happy Valentine's!
I'm still a newbie to pattern writing, so please let me know if you have any questions or if you find any problems with this pattern. Thanks!
For more photos of the finished finger puppet, click here.
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