Off My Rocker

Keep Your Paws Off My Malabrigo

2009-03-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Knit-iversary to me!!!

2009-03-20T16:52:00.000-07:00

Today is my four year knit-iversary. Hooray!

Waterlily Mitts- blocking

2009-01-03T08:11:00.001-08:00

Waterlily Mitts- blocking, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Here is my spout

2009-01-03T08:10:00.001-08:00

Here is my spout, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Kureyon Tea Cozy

2009-01-03T08:09:00.001-08:00

Kureyon Tea Cozy, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I made this sweater!

2009-01-03T08:08:00.001-08:00

I made this sweater! , originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Waterbottle Koozie

2008-12-26T07:09:00.001-08:00

Waterbottle Koozie, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Made for Aunt Jessie- my sister-in-law- who is pregnant and needs to drink a lot of water.

Lizzy's Space Heater Companions

2008-12-26T07:08:00.001-08:00

Lizzy's Space Heater Companions, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

What I gave my sister for Christmas. They look great.

Gray Mouse Dress

2008-12-26T07:07:00.001-08:00

Gray Mouse Dress, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I sewed this felt mouse onto a Target holiday dress for my own Gray Mouse.

Korknisse with Holiday Pagoda

2008-11-18T07:17:00.001-08:00

Korknisse with Holiday Pagoda, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

What I did this weekend while I was avoiding the sleeves of my February Lady Sweater.

Ridiculously Easy Mary Janes

2008-11-18T07:14:00.001-08:00

Ridiculously Easy Mary Janes, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Ridiculously Easy Mary Janes

2008-11-11T17:34:00.001-08:00

R.E. MJs 2, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Love 'em. This is the best pattern ever for a beginning knitter.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=12662.msg99925

Oswald and Weenie

2008-11-07T12:19:00.001-08:00

Oswald and Weenie, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I'm working on Christmas stuff now, so I can't post photos of a lot of things I'm knitting. But I made this for Ivy several weeks ago.

Super Quick Baby Bonnet

2008-10-13T15:20:00.001-07:00

Super Quick Baby Bonnet, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Because every newborn needs a handknit, and even when I say I'm not knitting for someone's baby, I just can't let it go. This bonnet is the most gorgeous green ever, but you can't tell because I'm a shitty photographer and have an even shittier camera (i.e., lens cover doesn't even open all the way in one corner).

February Lady Sweater- 10/13

2008-10-13T15:19:00.001-07:00

February Lady Sweater- 10/13, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Using berroco ultra alpaca.

Something Good Just Got Even Better

2008-09-29T13:27:00.001-07:00

Even Better, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I scrapped the squirrel idea, as the longer I waited, the more I wanted a knit applique. I whipped these up out of some shiny cotton on my Sunday afternoon at Gauge yesterday and sewed them on last night.

Little Sister's Dress

2008-09-24T13:06:00.001-07:00

Little Sister's Dress, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Waiting for embroidered detail- likely a gray squirrel. It is for Ivy. There are no little sisters on the way.

Cabeled Coffee Koozie

2008-09-20T08:23:00.003-07:00

Cabeled Coffee Koozie, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Gonna use that kool aid yarn to make more of these as Christmas gifts. Sorry to spoil the surprise.

Done at last!

2008-09-20T08:23:00.001-07:00

Done at last!, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

After trying a few different white borders at the sock & not liking them, I got the expert opinion from Gauge owner Allison that they look great the way they are. I finally weaved in the ends, and pronounce these finished. One of them is still too wide, though.

Jo Mama's Socks- completed

2008-09-20T08:21:00.003-07:00

Jo Mama's Socks- completed, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Kool Aid Dyeing

2008-09-20T08:21:00.001-07:00

Ice Blue Raspberry Yarn, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Ivy K. loved helping me dye yarn. She keeps asking to do it again.

Lemon Lime Kool Aid Yarn

2008-09-20T08:20:00.001-07:00

Lemon Lime Kool Aid Yarn, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

The Curse of the JoJoland Socks

2008-08-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

Did I have to rip out the first foot because I made the heel-flap too big, creating a sock wide enough for Hagrid? Yes. Did I re-knit that foot and get it right? Yes. Did I do the exact same thing as I knit the other sock? Yes. ("Did you use the same needles?" my husband asked. No. But they were the same size!) Did the second sock also come out wide enough for both of my feet? Almost. Did I fail to notice this until I was two rows away from sewing the seam at the toe? Yes. So, my friends, did I have to rip out the foot of the second sock and begin to re-knit it? Yes. After Karli's help determining that my husband was correct- using a different set of double-pointed needles from the first sock resulted in my knitting slightly more loosely, which added up to a wider sock. Arrrrrrrrghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Did I cry? No. Did I throw the sock in the trash can on top of eggshells and coffee grounds? No. I sucked it up. I chose to embrace knitting as a discipline. I chose to humbly learn my lesson and resume my daily work. Did I lose one of my needles last night while I was humbly doing this work? Yes. Do I have a replacement? No. See what I mean about the curse?

So this is what I made this week, when I was not so inspired to finish that f-ing sock.

Ruby's Chocolate Cookies

2008-08-15T14:09:00.001-07:00

Ruby's Chocolate Cookies, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Ivy asked me to knit her some chocolate cookies, so I whipped up this batch last night and this afternoon. So easy and fun!!!!

While I wasn't knitting my socks

2008-08-15T14:08:00.001-07:00

Noro shrug, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I made this last week. LOVE it! I have never worn a shrug in my life, and this is really like a short top, but it's so nice.

Here's something else new

2008-08-07T14:28:00.001-07:00

I am very excited that this arrived in my mailbox a couple of days ago. It's a beautiful needle felting kit I bought on Etsy from Green Mountain Wee Woolies (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=11818). I can't wait to figure out how to make cute little embellishments for my knits!

Riiiiip

2008-08-07T14:24:00.000-07:00

Um, you know that picture of the sock with the foot part well on it's way? That had to go. It was enormous. I learned the hard way that there's a reason that you only knit a heel flap until it's square. I did this ripping at the end of my afternoon at Gauge on Sunday, with the support and encouragement of all my knitting ladies. It hurt. So much that I had to hide the socks from my sight and cast on some quick therapy in the form of Noro Silk Garden. It's going to be a shrug.

JoMama's socks

2008-08-02T08:57:00.001-07:00

JoMama's socks, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I've become more focused on knitting these JoJoland Melody socks that I started months ago. I finally finished the leg parts, so I got more interested. I plan to knit a cream border for the top of the socks as well.

Foot close-up

2008-08-02T08:56:00.001-07:00

Foot close-up, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Heel flap

2008-08-02T08:55:00.001-07:00

Heel flap, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Pizza

2008-07-31T19:32:00.001-07:00

Pizza, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

These represent just a couple of hours of knitting. Super duper easy. Ivy loves it.

What's New in My Knitting World (aka, my regular world)

2008-07-31T19:30:00.001-07:00

Monster Pants, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I'm starting to notice that the knitting is really taking over. My hand-knits are overrunning the house. There's at least one something visible in every room. They are also being gifted like a mo'.

Here are some Faux Crankypants. I would have happily paid for the pattern, but it's not available, forcing me to rip off others' fantastic ideas. These are for my friend Erin's little newcomer, set to arrive in the next few weeks. They can be wool longies or just pants.

From This to This

2008-07-14T12:43:00.001-07:00

Posh Deluxe-cakes

2008-07-13T12:07:00.001-07:00

Posh Deluxe-cakes, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

A custom creation for Sara, who loves cupcakes.
poshdeluxe.com/

More cupcakes

2008-07-01T18:20:00.001-07:00

More cupcakes, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Just realized I never blogged these.

Rusted Root continues

2008-06-28T19:54:00.001-07:00

Coming along, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I'm making good progress on this and decided to try it on this afternoon to make sure it fit over my largest parts. Seems fine in that area, but the arms are too small. I think I'll have to do some finagling there at the end before I do the ribbed border.

For any random person who reads this blog and isn't on ravelry, the finished product should look like this:
http://www.zephyrstyle.com/catalog/item.cfm/2367447/3289215#image_1

Another cupcake

2008-06-26T18:47:00.001-07:00

World's Best Cupcake, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Seriously, I've gotta stop with the cupcakes. But kids just keep having birthdays.

Rusted Root

2008-06-16T13:50:00.001-07:00

Rusted Root, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

My first sweater/shirt that is not for a baby. I'm only knitting for myself these days, except for the cupcakes. This is from zephyr. It's a really popular pattern, and I think it will turn out really well.

Jojoland sock

2008-06-16T13:49:00.001-07:00

Jojoland sock, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

This yarn is gorgeous but splitty. The first pair of socks I knit were with sportweight. This is real sock yarn, and is so slow going!

Worldwide Knit in Public Day 2008

2008-06-14T12:07:00.001-07:00

WWKIP Day more, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I think a lot of people were smart enough to stay out of the heat. I'm sad to be missing the after party at Gauge, but Ivy needs me for nap.

Tada!!!!

2008-05-29T11:46:00.001-07:00

Tada!!!!, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

All done. I may not be able to construct an Iron Man suit, but I can make a pair of socks out of a ball of wool and four tiny sticks. And that feels really, really good. Maybe that's because I live in Texas, where no one really needs scarves and hats and mittens. But everyone needs socks.

One sock Done

2008-05-18T20:53:00.001-07:00

One sock, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Finished Saturday morning. Next time I'm going to knit both of my socks at the same time using a separate set of needles. I already have my eye on some sock yarn for my next pair...

Instep gusset done

2008-05-14T22:03:00.001-07:00

Instep gusset done, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

5-15. Instep gusset done. Just need to finish knitting the foot and do the toe. I already know how to graft, and my feet are small, so I think this should be done in the next day or so.

Heel flap done!

2008-05-14T21:43:00.001-07:00

Heel flap done!, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I started this sock last week. Before I got very far, Bun and I almost got killed by an 18 wheeler, and I didn't knit much for a few days. The first sock photo is from Sat. 5-10. The heel flap took awhile because I got all fancy with the stitch pattern and had to rip back a few times. This photo is from Monday 5-12.

Making my first sock

2008-05-14T21:39:00.001-07:00

Ready to turn the heel, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I'm using some self-striping yarn I bought on sale for $3 about a year ago. Making socks is so fun!

Little Bunny TuTu Dance Troupe

2008-03-27T14:26:00.001-07:00

Dance Troupe, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I knit four of these as favors for Ivy's birthday party. They are insanely cute and real angora.

Pattern from: http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2008/02/bunny-egg-cozy.html

Each bunny was about 30 minutes of knitting. It's a pain to embroider on angora. I glued them to plastic Easter eggs, then added the tutus and ribbon. Voila! Dolls.

Bunny Tutu #1

2008-03-17T08:06:00.001-07:00

Bunny Tutu #1, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Here's my first tutu. It's cute in the back but I couldn't get a good photo. It ties with a pink carrot ribbon.

Woodins unfinished

2008-03-17T08:05:00.001-07:00

Woodins unfinished, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

This is a work in progress that I was trying to get done for Ivy for Easter. The log that goes with it is big and knit worsted, which means I'm probably not going to get finished by the weekend. I'm trying to get all the Little Bunny Tutu crafts for Ivy's birthday party done this week so next week I can just clean my house. Anyways, this is going to be this:

http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTwoodins.html

Cupcakes

2008-03-17T08:01:00.001-07:00

Cupcakes, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I knit these several weeks ago and just got around to photographing them. In true me fashion, I knit another one and gave it away before I got a picture of it. I want to make lots more of the vanilla confetti one, but I used up all that yarn. It was stashed back from one of my first projects, a scarf for Lizzy.

Set for Jenna's Son

2008-02-28T07:12:00.001-08:00

Set for Jenna's Son, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Shirt was left over from my fall crafting for Attached at the Hip. I started knitting a different hat for her using stash yarn from Lara's baby pants, but it didn't look good, so I snatched some Caron Simply Soft at JoAnn's on Friday afternoon and had this ready by the shower on Sat. at 2. Thanks, Leanna, for driving so I could finish it in the car!

Lizzy's Earwarmer

2008-02-28T07:10:00.001-08:00

Lizzy's Earwarmer, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Whipped this puppy up for her birthday one afternoon last week using some stashed Lamb's Pride Bulky and a photo of something she liked on Urban Outfitters.

5 Hour Baby Sweater

2008-02-11T19:35:00.001-08:00

5 Hour Baby Sweater, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

More like 10 hours. I swear, this has to be the worst written free pattern ever.

Baby Doll

2008-01-29T08:00:00.001-08:00

Baby Doll, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Baby Doll models my latest creation. I hope Baby Sydney's head is bigger than hers.

Hearts Hat

2008-01-29T07:59:00.001-08:00

Hearts Hat, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Blurry no flash photo of Hearts Hat for Baby Sydney. I knit an embossed heart border around the base of the hat using a pattern from Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge, but this yarn was so chunky and irregular that you couldn't see the hearts. Therefore I had to break out the trusty old felt. I also knit an i-cord, shaped it into a heart, and sewed it on the top. It turned out cute, and ended up being a completely original creation. Pretty neat!

Sydney Set

2008-01-29T07:57:00.001-08:00

Sydney Set, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Too bad this baby won't be born by Valentine's Day! Baby legwarmers and impromptu matching hat knit on 9s and 10s using Crystal Palace Puffin, which is fleece. I really prefer natural fibers and didn't think I would like this yarn, but I ended up loving it! It's so soft!!!

Fingerless Mitts

2008-01-25T11:49:00.001-08:00

Fingerless Mitts, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Finally finished these last week. I used Classic Elite Wool Bamboo on size 5s, and the pattern is from an issue of Interweave from last winter. They're too big, and despite my best efforts I couldn't figure out how to narrow them without totally messing up the slip stitch pattern. I also felt like a true amateur when I ended up with 28 tails to weave in. Yes, that's 14 per glove. No, I did not join new yarn at every round.

28 Ends

2008-01-25T11:47:00.001-08:00

28 Ends, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Grant's Pants

2007-12-07T07:36:00.001-08:00

Grant's Pants, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

An unfinished object is finally complete. I've been working on these suckers since October! Knit with Wool of the Andes on sixes.

Back of Bolero

2007-12-07T07:31:00.001-08:00

Hugh 2, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Has a little eyelet motif. I forgot to tell Lanell that the design, "according to Eastern folklore, brings luck and protection to the wearer."

The Gift & the Recipient

2007-12-07T07:29:00.001-08:00

Hugh's Bolero, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Here is Hugh Wallace in his Baby Bolero (from One Skein). I'm so glad it fits!

Bountiful Harvest

2007-11-10T07:52:00.001-08:00

Bountiful Harvest, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

This is Blue Sky Alpaca's Organic Cotton. It is unbelievably soft and luscious. I can't put my knitting down.

Fall Knitting

2007-11-10T07:51:00.001-08:00

Fall Knitting, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

What is ladymama knitting now? Here's a hint: it's for the baby of the person who made me that needle case.

Brown Shorties

2007-09-29T08:11:00.001-07:00

Brown Shorties, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I finished these on Friday. They took twice as long as they needed to because I was working on them at the beach and missing some of my notes, and then I got mysteriously sore and couldn't knit for a week.

Anyways, they are my first experiment with Patons Merino, which was fine to knit with. We'll see how they wear- not sure what to expect with felting and pilling. It only took one skein on size sevens.

For this pair, I included five short rows. The crotch gusset has about 20 stitches.

Uno y Dos Al Fin

2007-09-29T07:59:00.001-07:00

Uno y Dos Al Fin, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I did end up fixing the brown pair so they would be the same size before I mailed these off to Lara. I'm pleased with the results.

Lookie!

2007-09-05T12:32:00.001-07:00

I sent my photo to Sara, the pattern designer of the baby pants at Bella Knitting. They put me on the blog!!! How cool is that? They even linked my blog to theirs in the post!

http://bellaknitting.typepad.com/bella_knitting/

I did end up frogging the brown striped pair and lengthening them so they would be the same size. No problem, and now they're perfect. Off to Hawaii as we speak, and none too soon, as those babies are coming out via c-section in the morning. The pants are for later anyway, but still. Oh, and good thing one pair has a blue stripe, because according to Lara, one of the ways they will distinguish between their identical twins is that one baby will always wear blue, and the other one never will. Good idea.

Uno y Dos

2007-09-01T07:53:00.001-07:00

Uno y Dos, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Ta-daaaa

Dos

2007-09-01T07:52:00.001-07:00

Dos, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

This pair turned out half an inch shorter because I was more careful with my rows. I may or may not go back and try to fix that.

Uno

2007-08-06T11:29:00.001-07:00

This is part one of a baby gift for a pregnant friend. I doubt she'll see this, but just in case, I can't tell you who for now! Pants knitted using Plymouth Jean nee on sevens. I actually learned to do a crochet cast on and whip stitch cuffs. The pattern is from Bella Knitting. The only thing I didn't like was the way the crotch is done. There's basically a huge hole that has to be seamed. Oh, well.

Gryffindor Koozie

2007-08-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

This was a birthday present for my dear friend and Harry Potter fanatic, Carissa. It is my first felted koozie. I used Lion Brand wool and added a patch I got on ebay.

Knitted knitting needles

2007-07-07T11:41:00.001-07:00

Knitted knitting needles, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I think this was a completely original idea. I thought of it on my own and executed it. Someone else probably thought of it first, but I didn't know about it. I made these for Ivy and her own knitting bag, which contains discarded yarns from my stash that I hated (red chenille- ick!). So I used some Sugar-n-Cream yarn, and started an i-cord, decreased by half after a few rows, and then continued in i-cord until I thought they looked long enough. I stuffed them with pipe cleaners (or whatever the ones are called that are just for crafts), folded down the tops, and closed them up. Of course, they're bendable, but totally baby-safe!

Scout's Gift

2007-07-07T11:37:00.001-07:00

Scout's Gift, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I am so, so proud of how this turned out. I knit it for Allie's baby Scout, due in a few weeks. The pattern is from Erika Knight's Simple Knits for Cherished Babies, garter stitch wrap top. I adapted the pattern to use Mondial Cotton Soft yarn and size 3 needles instead of the recommended yarn on size 2s. (Thank you Lucy for teaching me ratios and maths). I ended up needing a second skein of yarn, but I think it's because I experimented with some lace before I started. Using a Nikki Epstein book, I knit the flower and added it with the brown ribbon. I found the pants at Old Navy, and the night before the shower I used the same yarn to embroider a monogrammed onesie. There is another picture of this on flickr.

More new yarn

2007-06-23T10:12:00.001-07:00

Here's my new soaker yarn. None of them arrived looking remotely like the colors on the website, so I was a little peeved. You aren't seeing the nasty baby caca brown skeins that are being returned. Don't buy "maple syrup" Wool of the Andes of Knitpicks! Ick. These will become shorties to sell on Woollybugs.com.

New Yarn

2007-06-23T10:10:00.001-07:00

Super soft machine washable cotton blend from Plymouth. A steal from Hill Country Weavers. These will become baby gifts. Stay tuned.

Cheeto Shorties

2007-06-23T10:08:00.001-07:00

Cheeto Shorties, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Here's why the cheeto wool soaker shorts don't work. See all that diaper? They're worthless unless I frog them and try to do something. As you know, it won't be the first modification! Oh, well. Part of the learning curve and the road to pattern design.

Cheeto Shorties

2007-06-23T10:07:00.001-07:00

Cheeto Shorties 2, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

What kind of knitting needles am I?

2007-06-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

What kind of knitting needles are you?

You are bamboo.Warm, cozy, and thoughtful, you take your time and enjoy how things feel, smell, and taste. You love the craft and beauty of traditional things, and you value the comfort and experience of knitting as much as the results. But while you are reveling in your warm cozies, don't get stuck. Warm is wonderful, but so is the whole wide world!
Take this quiz!

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Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Ask me what I think

2007-06-17T18:27:00.001-07:00

Last week I had the privilege of being part of a market research group lead by celebrity crafters and Austinites Jennifer Perkins and Vickie Howell. Not sure why they picked me, as I'm certain they had loads of volunteers and only ended up doing 2 groups of eight. Having DVR-ed Vickie's show Knitty Gritty religiously last spring, I was pretty psyched to get to sit around gabbing with her. I hadn't seen Jen's show, but she was actually really cool, someone I'd like to go out for drinks with. So we got to eat Thundercloud and M&Ms and talk about where we like to shop for craft supplies, what we don't like about the stores, what we buy, what we think is cool, etc. So fun! The focus group ended up being for Michael's Craft Store, and I got a $50 gift card, which I plan to use for knitting books and maybe needles. If Michael's were to ask me what I think again, I'd tell them that I think they should enable web shopping from their site instead of just telling you about their merchandise. Come on, now.

2nd Pair of Wool Soaker Shorties- Wasabi!

2007-06-17T18:24:00.001-07:00

Wool soaker shorties, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

This picture is kinda blurry, so I'll be sure to get some of the Bun wearing them up here soon. I improved this pattern by shortening the ribbed waistband, changing the position of the drawstring, and most importantly adding a gusset for the crotch. I definitely feel that I changed the pattern enough to call it my own. Yay!

The Cheetos shorties (the orange ones), are kind of worthless, as the pattern was intended for pants, and there is not enough covering in the crotch to prevent leaks. I would rip them back and fix that part, but I since I dyed the actual finished shorts and not the yarn, I don't have any left. Lessons learned.

These were knit with Cascade 220 in a color that I am referring to as Wasabi. The legs are really cute. I embellished the ribs with embroidered daisies.

Shorties revised

2007-05-26T15:02:00.001-07:00

Shorties revised, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

These are the finished product. Cristin taught me how to make the twisted drawstring, so I didn't have to do an i-cord. For my next pair, I plan to thread the drawstring higher up on the waistband so there isn't such a big amount of ribbing going up Ivy's waist. I will also make the rise 18 inches instead of 20, and a wider, gusseted crotch. The pattern only calls for 4 stitches in the crotch!?! I think I did 8 anyway, but that combined with the inseam isn't wide enough to cover the diaper when her legs are spread-eagled.

I hope to refine this pattern a bit and make a few to sell through my friend Katie's cloth diapering website http://woollybugs.com.

Soaker shorts, first draft

2007-05-26T14:58:00.001-07:00

Soaker shorts, first draft, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Knit with Lamb's Pride fisherman's wool, which I dyed afterwards with orange kool aid, yielding a cheeto effect that I wasn't going for. I used the aubrey doodlepants pattern version 3.0 and just shortened the legs. I used size 5 for the waistband (12 rows) and knit the rest on size 8.

I had pre-measured Ivy for the rise, but she won't be still. I thought she needed about 17.5 or 18 inches. Just to double check, I took the soaker off the needles when I got to that point, put it on her, and decided it needed a few more inches. I believe I knit till the rise was about 20 inches, which is definitely too much, but I guess she can grow into them. They're wearable and will work next summer too.

Another problem I had was that the legs were far too long. I ripped them out and ended up doing two rows of seed stitch. They are still long enough to fold up, but don't look bad unfolded.

Newborn curly purly soaker

2007-05-26T14:51:00.001-07:00

Newborn curly purly soaker, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

This is knit using Cascade 220 with hand dyed kool aid Fisherman's wool cuffs (strawberry lemonade flavor).
Knit on dpns size 2, 4, and 6. Cuffs in size 2 with a k2togtbl bind off. For a very special baby who is due quite soon. I can't wait to gift this!

I had some problems with the short row placement. I realized after I'd done 2 out of 3 of them that according to the pattern, I had put them on the front side of the soaker instead of the back. The advice from my fellow wool soaker knitters was that the sides were interchangeable, and certainly from the looks of the finished product, there is no clearly designated front or back. Hopefully for a newborn diaper, short rows aren't even necessary. Pre-folds aren't going to be giving her a lot of junk in the trunk.

Just for the record, that curly purly pattern is vaguely worded when it comes to short rows. I did it the way I always do it, but that was backwards for this pattern.

Another shot of the flat cat

2007-04-27T08:32:00.001-07:00

IMG_0730.JPG, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

So I have learned some new things about the finer points of gauge swatches, or as Lucy calls them, tension squares. I could improve my technique, apparently, as you can see from my anouk pinafore and the Miss Dashwood hat. Much as I try to blame the pattern designers, it is likely my very own fault. I thought I was getting gauge, but I probably wasn't. Specifically, I wasn't making my squares large enough, I wasn't measuring them in the middle, and I wasn't washing them prior to measuring.

Cats

2007-04-27T08:28:00.001-07:00

IMG_0729.JPG, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Here is Tia Louise with the flat cat I knit for Ivy. I don't understand the instructions for the ears, even though I've made one before. The pattern says to stitch in between two markers, but I don't get what they mean. When I make one big stitch and pull tight, like I did last time, the ears are shaped weird. So I'm going to get help from Cristin, who has knit countless flat cats. Hence, the long tail of yarn hanging down the side. Ivy loves it, too.

Uh, oh. Mama made my dress too big!

2007-04-16T07:11:00.001-07:00

IMG_0651.JPG, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Here is the infamous anouk pinafore. I don't think she'll be wearing it until she's walking. It's really cute, and the yarn is so soft. Click on the photo to see more shots of it at my flickr account.

Damn you, Miss Daswhood!

2007-03-18T16:57:00.001-07:00

Miss Dashwood, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

This is a hat I busted my butt working on back in October. The pattern is from knitty.com, the yarn is a soft cashmerino aran by debbie bliss, and I thought it would be so nice for sunny winter days at the park. Maybe it will be, WHEN SHE'S FIVE. This freakin' hat turned out enormous. I have no idea why. It has no structure at all- completely floppy, and if I put the brim so that you can see her eyes, it looks like Ivy has cascading purple hair. You'd think I might have noticed while I was making it that it was working up quite large, but no. I did not. I lie awake at night fantasizing about shaking the pattern designer by the lapels, asking her where I went wrong, and why the pattern I followed exactly looks so perfect on her baby and not mine! http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTmissdashwood.html

What else happens with yarn when I'm not watching the baby

2007-03-05T08:43:00.001-08:00

What else happens with yarn when I'm not watching the baby, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

She's just trying to teach herself how to make flat cat.

Front and back

2007-02-21T10:30:00.003-08:00

Front and back, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

All the pieces

2007-02-21T10:30:00.001-08:00

All the pieces, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Pinafore Progress

2007-02-21T10:29:00.001-08:00

Don't tell!, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

All of the knitting for the Anouk pinafore is done, and I'm on to my orange flat cat for Ivy. However, I had to close up some holes at the neckline, which I had a hard time with and didn't make exactly according to the directions (because it just didn't work out). Now I need to block the dress and pockets. Once they're dry, I'll sew on those pockets and little side tabs. Oh, and I have to find buttons and sew those on. Finishing is such a pain!

Look, mom!

2007-01-26T07:56:00.000-08:00

I'm so proud! Ladymama's first intarsia! This is the first pocket for the anouk pinafore I'm making for Ivy. Thanks, again, to Lucy for teaching me how to do this technique.

John's Hot Head

2007-01-23T11:34:00.001-08:00

John's Hot Head, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

This is the hat I was talking about that I made for John when I was a new knitter. My first purling project... I'm misty.

Boring Hat

2007-01-23T11:32:00.001-08:00

Greg's Beanie, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Here's a beanie I whipped up during Ice Storm '07 for Greg as a belated Christmas gift. Um, it's still in the envelope on my desk waiting to be mailed off to Salt Lake City. hee hee. I modified the Hot Head pattern in Stitch-n-Bitch and used Lambs Pride Bulky. He wanted mostly black, so, voila. I'm really not too crazy about it. I prefer the one I knit for John a long time ago.

Oh yeah, I knit this sucker in the round on size 10 double pointed needles (don't ask), and I will just say that I probably picked up about 95 dropped stitches along the way. An exercise in discipline, I suppose.

My first flat cat

2007-01-23T11:22:00.001-08:00

My first flat cat, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

Here is one of my most favoritist things I have knit. I also made this in December as part of the trade with Leah. I was quite sad to part with it, but will be making an even cuter one for Miss Ivy as soon as I get around to it.

Knit in garter stitch using cheapy Sugar-n-Cream yarn from Hobby Lobby. Those striped pants were a bitch to seam.

Faux Fair Isle Hat for Baby Maya

2007-01-23T11:21:00.001-08:00

Faux Fair Isle Hat for Baby Maya, originally uploaded by Ladymama.

I knit this in December as part of a trade with my friend Leah, who makes baby kimonos and slings. The pattern works up by itself because it's sock yarn (Norweger Ringel).

Anouk

2007-01-23T11:05:00.000-08:00

I'm currently working on the Anouk Pinafore for Ivy. I've made the front. Now I need to learn intarsia (thank you, Lucy!) to make the flower pockets and then make the identical back piece. It's been easy so far, with the exception of a few forgotten decreases, which led to ripping out a lot of work and re-doing. I also ended up with an extra stitch somewhere, so I had to cheat and get rid of it as inconspicuously as possible. I think it's fine, though. More photos of that to come.

Casting On

2007-01-15T14:54:00.000-08:00

I don't claim to be funny or interesting. In fact, I've been trying so long to come up with a witty name for this knitting blog, that I haven't started it till now. Really I'm doing this because I can no longer kid myself into thinking that someday I'm going to get old photos printed and match yarn labels and random yarn scraps and catch up on my knitting journal. I do think I can handle taking photos of my projects and uploading them to this blog. It won't be anything impressive. But I need something to show for all the time I spend in my red rocker (besides the growing baby, of course).