Mr. Rogers talks to the US senate

I found this video on Ann and Kay's website. It made me want to cry. I grew up watching Mr. Rogers, I was so fascinated with the trolley going into the land of make believe. As a child I never saw the significance of his words, but looking back on it, I can see how his message is so refreshing from what you normally see on TV, and how important it is for children to grow up hearing that they are valued. Today would have been Mr. Roger's 79th birthday.

Jaywalkin'

I've made some progress on the Jaywalker's I'm knitting for my grandma-in-law, or Maw Maw. I love knitting with Lorna's Laces and I love this Jaywalker pattern, I can see why it's so popular, it's easy to knit, but it's interesting enough, especially with a striping yarn, to hold your attention.Judging from Robby's activities that he likes to do, I'm thinking this is a very plausible career choice.What do you guys think? I think he's got the guns, do you?His favorite thing to do is stand, albeit on very wobbly legs!

The big blue booger sucker of death...

Something I've been having to do about every other day is clear Robby's nose in the morning. Babies aren't really good at breathing out of their mouth if their nose is stuffed up so as bad as I hate to do it, I have to break this out.This is Robby's face as he sees the big blue booger sucker of death coming closer and closer.In other news, I finished my Anemoi Mittens! I still need to block and sew in the ends, but I'll wait on that. Here is a picture of the left one, the right one is resting in her vacation home at the LYS for the spring and summer.And to end this post here is a little baby chin for breakfast!

My kingdom for a yarn needle...

I'm so close to finishing these socks for my aunt, but I can't find a yarn needle to finish the toe. Check out this yummy yarn I got from Jessie.It's a blend of 70% Romney/Corriedale and 30% mohair. It's so soft and squishy, I don't know if it's the mohair or the wool, but it has a very silky feel to it. I got the yarn with this pattern in mind, but now I'm thinking maybe a lacy rectangular stole, maybe something like this? Help! I can't make up my mind!

Why my allowance should be higher..

Alternative titles to this post:

1. Mooooo.
2. Why I wish I didn't have to walk through the breakroom at work to get to the bathroom.

Robby aka the Michelin Man

Robby didn't want to disappoint some fans, so here are some pictures!

This weekend

I watched thisthisand did this.Needless to say, my house is a mess. Babel was a good movie, but dang it was depressing! And I liked The Departed, but I don't think they said the f*&! word enough in the movie...

I finished

one Anemoi Mitten, I'll block and weave in the ends when I finish the second one. I'm hoping blocking will even out some of the inconsistencies in the knitting, especially when I'm carrying colors from one DPN to another, my tension was a little funky, so you can see a ridge where the yarn didn't have enough slack.This was a really fun project, and the knitting moved pretty quickly (quick being a relative term since Robby's arrival).And to cap off my yarn spree, I ordered some yarn from one of my favorite bloggers, I'll keep you guys in suspense until it gets here! And because this blog entry wouldn't be complete without a Robby story, Friday night, he got really fussy and everything I did just didn't work, so finally I just laid him down on his bouncy chair and daddy came over and started playing with him, and he actually got Robby to laugh! That was the first laugh I've heard, and I've never been able to make him laugh! That was the first time he actually fussed because he wanted daddy to play with him! I was worried because it didn't seem like Robby was bonding to dad at all, but it looks like my fears were unfounded. People always say this time goes by fast, it wasn't feeling that way, but it seems like overnight Robby has become this little person that interacts with the world around him. Check out the forehead wrinkles, hee hee.

Booty-licious

No, not THAT kind of booty, I'm talking about my LYS's Clearance Sale booty. For the red and orange Blue Sky Alpaca, I'm thinking of some kind of dainty cardigan, or a short sleeved sweater, or maybe a striped v-neck??For, the Classic AL, I have a trusty crochet hat that looks kind of like a 20's flapper hat that has been very popular with my family for Christmas gifts. I think I'll make one or two, and post the pattern. Maybe a long, cabled, belted cardigan? This was a Vivian Hoxbro kit, I'm going to use the yarn for some kind of yoke cardigan or sweater, I would like to try out the steeking thing, the yarn is 100% shetland wool, so it would be perfect for it.More GOA just in case I don't have enough to finish my Rebecca sweater.This is the only thing I've bought besides the GOA that I had a specific pattern in mind. I think this will knit up quick and be nice for the spring and summer. It was 3.75 a ball, you can't beat that with a stick!Paradoxically, these additions to my stash have reinspired me to get my existing projects out the door to make room for the new projects. I've always wanted to design my own knitwear, so this is a good opportunity to continue what I started with Rob's Banana Republic Sweater. So, I'm determined to finish my Rebecca sweater and all the other stuff I've got laying around the house. So, maybe I went a little (ok a LOT) overboard, but I've been good and saved my allowance! Plus, I figure all the money I'm saving breastfeeding and cloth diapering, why the heck not?

Slowly but surely...

Well, I frogged the entrelac blanket and started over on size 5 needles, and I'm much happier with the results. I also learned how to knit backwards from this tutorial! It is helping things go faster because I don't have to keep turning my work, and my stockinette is much more consistent, I tend to purl loosely, so knitting backwards helps my work look much more even.I love taking pictures of entrelac, it's so multi-dimensional... In other knitting news, my most favorite LYS is having it's spring clearance sale, yippeee! I went this morning and scoped everything out but will be coming back tonight with a game plan. Plus they are having a party for all their loyal customers to celebrate the first ever shipment of Koigu! I love that stuff, I volunteered my one almost finished Anemoi Mitten as a sample knit. I'm also going to start teaching crochet classes again in March. Yay! More yarn money :D If anyone in the area is interested in learning, it's 30 dollars + materials for two 2-hour sessions on March 10 and 14. We do a very cute beanie made out of Rowan Big Wool. If you read this blog and live in Northwest Arkansas get your tushies over to Handheld Knitting and take advantage of the sale! See how well he holds his head up! He loves the blanket that all the wonderful ladies at my knitting group made for him. He likes to touch all the different textures of the blanket and look at the patterns. My new goal is to blog more consistently, it's one of the things I love, talking about knitting and motherhood and it really makes my day to hear from all of you!

Ladykiller

This weekend, we visited some friends of ours, who gave birth to their daughter Violet, an hour before us, down the hall, in the same hospital. Last night was the first time Robby and Violet met. Notice my commentary, and Robby's bewildered expression. I imagine, someday when Robby has his own relationships, he will experience the same thing, a girl crying and him just being befuddled.

Robby and Violet

Progress...but not much

I'm almost done with one of the Anemoi Mittens. I just need to do the three needle bind off at the top and finish the thumb! Part of me wants spring to come, but part of me also wants winter to last a little longer so I can have a chance to wear my mittens! I've decided to save my allowance to buy a spinning wheel. Depending on which wheel I get, I could either have one by April or June. These are my top three picks:
1. The Schacht Matchless DT
2. Lendrum DT
3. The Majacraft Rose
4. The Kromski Sonata
I've heard the double treadle action is better, and I like folding wheels. I haven't actually tried any wheels, but I'm hoping I can try some out in Atlanta, when we visit my family for Robby's 100 day celebration. Alas, I have added another project to the roster, some really good friends of ours are having a baby, so there is a definite timeline to this project. It is Pariha's Snug as a Bug baby blanket. I'm using Louet Opal. I love the colors, but the pattern called for a size 7 needle to use with sportweight/DK yarn and I'm not too happy with the density of the fabric. And I don't like the way my picked up stitches look, it just doesn't look pretty, too loose. Especially after it's blocked and gets stretched out more, it's going to look really hole-y. I'm contemplating ripping it out and working it on a size 5 or size 6 needle. What do you guys think? I'm still early enough in the project where it doesn't kill me to do that. Here are a couple pictures with the fabric stretched out, I'm curious to see what other people's entrelac looks like. I think if I work it on smaller needles, the fabric won't look quite so hole-y on the edges where I pick up stitches.

In other news, I won a contest!!! Noolie had a contest on her blog to come up with a funny caption for a picture of Mr. Mugatoo, her big, beautamous cat, and guess his weight. Through the magic of the random number generator, a copy of Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles is making its way to meeee!!! Yayyy, thanks to Noolie for her generosity and her encouraging comments on me blog!

Cloth Diapers Part II

First of all, I wanted to thank everyone for their encouraging comments and compliments on Robby and being a mom. They really encourage me and help me feel good about what I am doing! Also, Robby is just so blown away by everyone thinking he is so cute, he is starting to get a big head (oh wait he already has a big head like his mommy and daddy :D).

I'm embarking on sewing the next size up cloth diapers for Robby. I put in a big order for fabric AND an industrial snap press! I'm pretty excited. My plan is to make a better diaper so I can start using cloth diapers exclusively. For those of you who are interested, I'm going to be making two types of diapers, the first type is a pocket diaper with a PUL outer and a microfleece inner, which I will stuff with hemp soakers. I'm hoping the microfleece will help wick moisture away from Robby's skin into the soaker part of the diaper, and the PUL will prevent wetness from soaking through. I'm also going to make a regular fitted diaper out of hemp jersey and fleece with the same microfleece layer inside to help Robby feel dry, and I'm thinking about trying to make wool covers out of old wool sweaters that I will felt, and I might also knit a cover or two and felt them for special occasions. Robby is almost too big for the newborn diapers I made him, so I'm hoping I can get the new batch finished in the next couple weeks!

Calling all moms!!!!

This post isn't about knitting, but about motherhood. I'm a little worried because the only place Robby can take good long naps is on my lap after breastfeeding, or in my baby sling. We are co-sleeping and he does great at that, but sometimes I have moments of self doubt where I think "Is he too attached?" But then I think, he is only going to be this age for a little while and I think that knowing his mommy will always be there will help him later in life to become independent and secure. My mom died when I was really young, and I've always dealt with issues of security even at the age of 27, so I hope that I can circumvent a lot of that angst by being so bonded with him in his early years. I'm sure that there will be phases where he will think he's too cool for ol' mother, so I'll enjoy this while I can. I am very flattered, I don't think there is anyone else who cries if I'm not within viewing distance :) I'll end this post with a shot of Robby in his daddy's sling, he's already too big for it!

She's my mommy not my nanny....

It looks like I'm going to have to get one of these shirts for Robby. Yesterday I was setting up a gift registry for a baby shower my mother in law is having for me, and the lady at Dillard's thought I was the nanny.

In knitting news, I have a TON of current projects. The purple socks for my aunt, Grumperina's Jaywalker socks in Lorna's Laces, the little denim jeans, Rob's banana republic sweater, Rob's handspun sweater (on hold till I get a wheel), Eunny's Anemoi Mittens in Koigu Premium Merino, Rebecca's black cabled sweater, I think that's it. Insane isn't it?

Here is a picture of one of Robby's first real smiles.He had a bit of baby acne but it's getting better, that's a great smile isn't it? It reminds me of one time back in college I was getting my yearbook pictures taken, and being of Asian descent, when I smile, my eyes turn into upside down U's and they look almost closed, so I'm sitting there smiling, and the photographer (in thick Southern accent), says, "Now hon, can you just open yer eyes wider?" I said through gritted teeth, "I can't." What do you all think? Is he getting enough to eat?

I still knit!!

Ok, I don't have much time to knit, but I was able to finish the fair isle mittens for my mother in law, and I have also started another project, a pair of thick socks for my aunt. Technically these are all Christmas gifts, but I don't think people will mind if they are a little bit late. I used the pattern for Eunny's Endpaper Mitts and modified them slightly to be mittens. I used Louet Gems Pearl fingering weight yarn. I also started a new project, some thick socks for my aunt, made with Mission Falls Wool on size 5 dpns. I'm using a pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. And in case you guys were dying for more Robby pictures, here is a good one of his eyes open!

Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone, I wanted to say thanks to everybody for all the encouraging comments, as you all know, it's been kind of crazy around here. I actually got 4 hours of sleep last night straight through and I feel great! I have been able to do a little knitting, I'm almost finished with one fair isle mitten and have been working on Robby's little jeans. Thanks to my sister for being at our house everyday after work to help me with laundry and cleaning the house, and cooking dinner. Also, thanks to my friends who brought me food, and to my mother in law who helped during the labor. Rob is a great dad, very involved and can swaddle Robby and change a cloth diaper like a pro. He is also teaching Robby the fine art of shaking your groove thang.

Cloth diapers are working out well, I never believed people when they said your own baby's poo wouldn't bother you, but I think it's true. For those of you who are interested in the cloth diaper thing, some things I would change for the next batch I sew. I think I will have to use a different type of fabric for the inner soaker pad. The woven cotton terry doesn't absorb very well, so even the diapers with the three layer soaker pad, Robby still soaks through. Another thing is for the layer that touches his skin, I need to use a fabric that will wick the moisture away from his skin. He doesn't always cry when he wets his diaper and with the flannel, the wetness just kind of sits on his skin. So, maybe with the next batch, I will try a fleece type fabric that will pull the wetness away from his skin. Another thing is, I need to find a fabric that has greater absorbency so I don't need to use so many layers for the soaker pad. While the cloth diapers are cute, those things can get bulky really quick. I can't dry them completely in the dryer, so I have to hang them up to dry overnight to get them completely dry. I also would like to try an AIO because it does get to be a pain with the cover and the inner part of the diaper. And I would also like to try other options for waterproofing the covers besides PUL, maybe felted wool, or fleece, I'm not sure. I have a tiny washing machine so I'm doing laundry everyday, and I have an emergency stash of disposables for those times where I'm going to go crazy and the thought of dealing with a cloth diaper is just too much, usually around 3am in the morning, when I've been up for 2 hours feeding.

That's what I'm learning about being a mom, I have all these grand schemes for cloth diapering, breastfeeding, etc., but sometimes, to keep yourself sane you have to compromise and take it easy on yourself for the good of the baby and for the mom. I don't have any knitty pictures to show, but I will leave you guys with a picture I took of Robby when we were still in the hospital.

Robby's First Bath and his thoughts....

While Mommy and Auntie Kathy were sponging me off, I wasn't too happy, although I did like the feel of her hemp washcloths. Mommy washed my hair too, who knew it had so much body? I thought it would always just stick to my head. Now I'm all snuggly in my socks and cloth diaper! Much better feeling against me bum than those disposables. I like to be swaddled up real tight.I sneezed all over Auntie Kathy!

Helloooo Nurse

Hey everyone, this is Rob. Bea wanted me to put the official announcement up about Robby. Bea is doing great and so is the baby.

He was born on December 4th at 10:02 PM. He was 8 lbs 14 oz and 21 ¾ inches. This is him a few hours later.





The birth was difficult and there were some concerns, but after a while we heard from the staff that he was doing just fine. He appears generally happy and he likes to open his eyes when he hears a new voice. However, when he does this the light makes him sneeze. It’s pretty funny.

Here is another picture with "robear". We are going to post more pictures on Bea’s family website, but that might be a few days.

Strategerie...

Fair isle in the round on dpns....it's hard! Normally with knitting, I can be doing multiple things at once, not so in this case. This is the first of my Christmas knitting, Rob was really impressed. He actually said, "I would like some socks like that, but in different colors." Oy vey, for those size 12 feet?! But, how can I deny the man socks when he compliments my knitting! The pattern is from See Eunny Knit's blog. This girl is amazing. I'm modifying the pattern for actual mittens. The yarn is Louet Gems Pearl, a very lovely fingering weight merino yarn. Here is a shot of the inside.I'm about halfway through the first mitten. This project has been a challenge to say the least, learning tubular cast on for 1x1 rib, doing fair isle in the round and learning how to hold the yarns, just so, but it is really fun, and a good counterpoint to the endless rows of stockinette for Rob's BR sweater. Only 6 days till Robby's due date! Rob, the doctor, and I all think he is going to be a little late, but that's ok, Rob will be done with school in a week or so, thank the Lord.