Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Blocking issues

I have finished my first 10 in 2010 shawls (Ravelry) and to recap it is Simple Things shawl. I used 24" Hiya Hiya needles, bamboo in a size 4 and BMFA Socks that Rock in a mill end. No idea of the color name. The photo of it is washed out but it is a gorgeous deep velvety purple.

I soaked this little shawl in warm water and then got out my brand new "blocking mats" . I used about 1,000 pins (that is for drama) and blocked it on my large quilting table. Ummm, in looking at the photo of it here, it looks a little catty-wonked. Oh well, when it is dry, I will steam it with my magic steamer.All in all, I was pleased how it came out.
I need to read up on blocking because surely there is a trick to it. I'll have to ask my group tonight at Noble Knitters.

I had a wonderful time in the Rocket City celebrating mini Orange Boy's first birthday. Here he is modeling his cupcake hat. Quick, take a photo (which I had to do several times) because as soon as we put it on his head, off it came! He thought it was funny when his daddy (Orange Boy) put it on.
Little Mommy made him his own special "1" birthday shirt. It was so adorable. She continues to amaze me with all her craftyness!
Also Orange Boy, on FB, put up random photos for 31 days straight along with a blurb about each one, representing mini Orange Boy's first 365 days. He then uploaded to one of those photo places and had a book made. I ordered my own and it came yesterday! He did an amazing job and all I can say is: EVERYONE, get your photos off the computer and into digital books, scrapbooks or somewhere! On Saturday, I will be spending all day at a local hotel for a scrapbook convention. Cannot wait...
Now, I am on to yet another shawl, this one is called Saroyan. I am using yarn from Karabella, Aurora 8 and actually I believe this is only one of a handful of times I have ever used black yarn. I think I am really going to like this pattern. Again, all the cobwebs and windows that need cleaning are the fault of Woofgangpug . Diana made me drink the frappacino that night at NK....

Friday, February 12, 2010

Sweetness for my sweetie...

Yes, I have been knitting. I get inspired by all the knitters around me at my Wednesday night Noble Knitters group. So last week, Debra was knitting on a cupcake hat she had to finish in 2 days for a baby shower. So I asked myself the next day, why am I not knitting my Stephen a cupcake hat for his first birthday?

And so it began. First to find the pattern on the internet. Then go to my stash and I found some acrylic/cotton blend yarns that I thought would do the trick. And of course, I had to add "sprinkles" to mini Orange Boy's hat. He got lots of sprinkles. While at first it looked a little girlish, the white nubbies on there are part of the icing. Hey, he probably won't even have it on for a minute. Just need a photo, that's all!

And so I continue to be inspired by my Noble Knitters group, this time by the Woofgangpug , otherwise known as Diana. She, Ellen, Debra, Pat and possibly others from our Noble Knitters, have joined this group on Ravelry namely 10 shawls in 2010. When I saw that a lot of the patterns people were knitting only consisted of one skein of yarn, I knew I was in. My first one is Simple Shawls which can be purchased on Ravelry. I already have 4 or 5 other ones lined up, along with their chosen yarns, and can't wait to start another one! I'll keep ya'll posted on my progress. Here is a picture of the shawl in progress in Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Mill Ends that Debra taunted me with at NK. I also think that I can blame Diana for the unfinished baby quilt I have in progress too. All because of this 10 in 10.



In the meantime, Baby Owl sweater is resting. I also finished the border on a baby blanket my mother knit and will post a photo of that later.

I'm off to the Rocket City tomorrow (weather permitting) to celebrate mini Orange Boy's (11th) and Orange Boy's (14th) birthdays. I cannot wait to see Cheryl as well but hey, once you have a baby who do Gammaw's really want to get their hands on?