Not Quite There

The raglan seams are sewn and the neck has been started, but we didn't make it for a November finish. I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of December, but for now, gift knitting is taking center stage. The best thing about the National Sweater Knitting Month KAL was focusing on one of my sweaters because that doesn't happen very often.
Family health still isn't great. Charlotte and I are well; Josh and Mike are still sick. Unless he makes a miraculous overnight recovery, Josh is going to the doctor tomorrow. At least they can prescribe some stronger medicine to help with his cough. I'm hoping everyone can be somewhat healthy for December; I'd hate for the kids to miss their special holiday events at school and church.

I thought we were back to normal this week.

This was a sight for sore eyes- Charlotte was finally well enough to go back to school. Of course, since Charlotte is healthy, it's Joshua's turn to get sick. He's congested and hoarse, so no Gymboree today. I'll be glad when everyone is better, so they won't be so crabby. Neither of the kids has really been completely knocked out sick. They've been just ill enough to be whiney, so the two of them are bored and picking at each other most of the day.
You guys have more faith than me in my ability to finish the Scooby sweater on time. I did manage to finish the secret blue bead project tonight, so I'm 3 of 12 in the Christmas gift department. There's a lot of stuff I need to finish by Thursday, so I'm hoping for a very productive day tomorrow. We might be watching a lot of Maisy and Pinky Dinky Doo.

We have a back!

Finishing this sweater before Friday won't be easy. I have a 2 hour church meeting tomorrow evening and Mission Friends on Wednesday. At least Thursday night is still open.

ARGH!

Lost again for the sixth straight year. Well, all we can do is watch tonight to see who we play in the championship game next week.

And then there were two

We're getting in the Christmas Spirit around here. The outside of the house is decorated, and we've been to see the light show. I'm still knitting away at the WIP list. Rabbitch's hat went out today, and I have a few things to mail for the preemie project. I won't have time to make mittens, but I do have a pair of store bought gloves for Lynne's mitten collection. There are so many groups that need hats, scarves, and blankets; I wish I had time to knit for all of them.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

from our house to yours

First Sleeve Finally Finished

I ran out of beads on the secret knitting tonight, so that's on hold until Friday. The big contenders for Turkey Day are Scooby and the heart and stars blanket. As long as the food is under control, maybe there will be some knitting during the Macy's parade.
Charlotte managed to shake her fever for Saturday and Sunday, but it found her again Monday. It's not strep, so currently we're still "treating the symptoms". The Motrin/ Tylenol cycle is keeping her from feeling lousy, but I'd like to see her get over this.
We did manage to get our Christmas pictures done today. Charlotte was great, but Josh was just wild. If we got him posed, he wouldn't smile. For the most part he just wanted to run around. The best picture he had was when we tried to have one with just Charlotte and he ran in wanting to sit on the chair with her. We put him up, they smiled, she took the picture, and he took off again all within less than ten seconds. We're going to have a long session in January when he gets his two year pictures.

Good Knitting Time

This is the best time of the year for TV knitting; we've got GA Tech basketball and football games. Even better than that is the fact that both teams are doing well. I got spoiled my first 3 years at Tech with us beating UGA. It'd be so sweet to finally see it happen again this weekend.
Most of my knitting from tonight's game will be undone unfortunately due to a pattern mistake. I finished the first sleeve only to find that it's 3 inches too long. I have the errata for Hollywood Knits; I just didn't look at it closely enough before knitting. I'll rip and reknit during tomorrow's basketball game.
Luckily I had an easy secret knit to soften the blow.

What do you get by combining beads and a ball of Crystal Palace Kid Merino?

Thank you everyone for your well wishes. I'm feeling better and slowly getting back into the routine of things, so let's see the knitting. Saturday kicked off Knit Unto Others 2006, and with that in mind, here's the finished hat for Rabbitch's hat challenge.

Beth, I caught the big hat vibe. I hope there is someone in Vancouver with a large head who can use it.

No Knitting to Report

I'm having a hard time adjusting to the latest antidepressant. I've become progressively more nauseous as this week went on, until I was pretty much useless for most of today. I've only been taking it for a week and a half, so ideally the adverse side-effects should cease. If I can get through tonight without getting sick, then I think tomorrow will be better.

Just add the wrapping paper

Joshua's CBS teachers are covered.
Details: Homespun scarf same as yesterday's

One Scarf Down

I finished the first of 12 knitted gifts, and surprisingly, it was relatively painless. The scarf used Homespun yarn and size 11 needles. These scarves go MUCH faster when knit sideways.

Knitting Deadlines

November is half over, and I have a hat for Rabbitch due by the 22nd, two scarves for Joshua's CBS teachers due by the 29th, and a Scooby sweater to finish by the 30th, so Sizzle is being sidelined. Here's the first scarf.

easy, Homespun garter stitch
One more inch, and it'll be done. Next up, the hat.

Sizzle Countdown

The KAL for Sizzle ends tomorrow, and I'm only 15.5 inches up the back

Let the armhole shaping begin.

For those of you with kids-
How long does it take for your child (and the rest of family) to stop being sick all the time once they start school? Last week was the first time in a month that Charlotte wasn't sick and could go to school both days. (Of course, Michael was sick instead.) We have had something different each week- fifths disease, bad cold, stomach bug- and now that it seems she'll be well again she gets a fever today. I just want to get back to our regular schedule. Will we go through all this again when Joshua starts school, or we will be immune by then?

One more thing for the Dutchicans

The totals were posted for what Kristi received from the Warm Up the Dutchicans campaign last Tuesday. While they received a lot, I noticed there was only one blanket made for the two boys to share. Now every baby should have their own handmade blanket, so I whipped up one.

The blanket is just a giant granny square with a single crochet edging. It won't get there before the boys are born Thursday, but it should be waiting for them when they come home from the NICU.

The Generosity of Children

Our church is participating in Operation Christmas Child, and I have never seen kids so passionate about making a complete stranger happy. One of my kindergarteners was sick and had to miss contributing to our gift box today. She was so upset that her mom came by my house later to drop off her donation which included a sandwich bag of quarters to go toward the shipping costs. Charlotte made her own box to send, and it's the first time that she's gone through the toy department and not pointed out a million things she wants. Once the kids realized that the children receiving these boxes only get what is in the shoe box for Christmas, their generosity was overwhelming. It's amazing to see the Lord work through these children and their families.

Tea, Anyone?

We went to a tea party themed birthday party today for one of Charlotte's friends from church.

The kids dressed up and got "makeovers"

and manicures.

Everyone was very proper, sipping their tea and eating their finger sandwiches and petit fours.

It was a very cute, girly party. Charlotte loved it.

Christmas Gift in Progress #3

Here's the foot of the second Regia Strato sock. This has been my in the car and in line knitting. We took a quick trip to Georgia yesterday to see the Barber of Seville, so it got a lot of attention.
The opera was really good; however, it could have been better if some of the audience read up on their opera ettiquete. Talking through the performance is not going to earn you any points with the rest of the audience.

Another Christmas Gift

and my first project for the 2006 Fall Cable KAL-

a scarf for one of Joshua's teachers using this pattern and DB Alpaca Silk
I'm making the skinny version.

Have you started your Christmas knits yet?

I'm working on this mitered square purse for one of Charlotte's teachers.

One skein in and I have a bottom and half a front.
As much as I would love to be part of the Norovember KAL, I'm going for a cheaper alternative with this purse. The yarn, Patons SWS, is available at Michaels so if the coupons are good, I might be up there first thing the day after Thanksgiving buying a bunch of it. Until then, it's 40% off one skein every Monday on the way to knit night. I like the purse so far and if it comes out well, I'll be making it for most of my Christmas list.

Now the Tree is Bald

Remember our pretty red tree? Now most of the leaves are on the ground, providing the kids with endless entertainment.

Happy Fall!

No New Pictures Today

because my camera software is not working properly. It should be fixed by tomorrow.
I have another project to rip. Remember the red Cable & Moss Stitch Jacket for Charlotte.

I was so sure I'd finish it before she outgrew it. Well, it didn't happen. Now I could finish it for Josh, but I don't feel a big masculine pull with this one. So I think I'll use the yarn for this sweater from Adorable Knits for Tots instead.

I'm Wiped Out

We had Charlotte's party today at a local gymnastics center.

What makes it worthwhile- Charlotte whispering to me while we are playing in the gym. "Mommy, I love my party!"

NaKniSweMo

My goal for the National Sweater Knitting Month KAL- the Scooby Sweater from the cover of Hollywood Knits.

I started this one two years ago when I was pregnant with Joshua. I knit the front, back, and arms, and then discovered I no longer fit into the size I was making. So this month, I'm ripping and reknitting.
Here are the kids making chocolate pudding for dessert.

As much fun as they had making it, it was tough getting the kids to eat the pudding. Joshua had yogurt instead, and Charlotte needed marshmallows in hers before she'd try it.

Sizzle- Progressing Once Again

At one skein in, I'm smack in the middle of the back shaping. I love the softness and sheen of the DB Pure Silk- this project had better come out well.
Here's a link to the new DB pattern book. The circular cardi looks so nice- click on the image to see the gathered back. I must learn to knit in my sleep!

Hearts and Stars x 2

2 strips down, 5 more to go. Carlie is due Dec 7th; let's hope this blanket makes it to her house before her.

And we can't have two posts in a row with no kid pictures. Here's my daytime handy-man.

Socktoberfest Wrap-up

How do you wear your handcrafted socks?

With My Sneakers

Presenting my contribution to the Warm Up the Dutchicans, Knitty Bloggy Baby Bumpers, and Socktoberfest KALs-

A blue and green pair of Angora Baby Booties from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Both are made out of Venice.