Holy Crap

Somehow the impossible has happened. Peapod is complete. That's right, the slog of all slogs is done. And only a week and a half later than I wanted. I can't even wrap my mind around it. I don't think I'll miss it. I can finally move onto new stuff without feeling too guilty (mild feelings of guilt due to the fact that Mason's blanket isn't finished - once again due to lack of yarn). But I plan on starting Flore, and finishing Elliott's BSJ, and the second Jaywalker within the next week to week and a half. I'll remain hopeful on those fronts. Even more hopeful that Mason's yarn will arrive at Knitting on the Square this week and I can make some head way with that.

Once again Maddie's gotta get in on the action

Pea Pod detail

Elliott's BSJ

Not too much to report on in my non-knitting world (big surprise). Mason is doing well. And Elliott loves being a big brother - don't try to walk out of the room with Mason while Elliott is stuck in his high chair - trust me. Still awaiting the arrival of Sarah. Tried to talk to C4 on the phone tonight- he wasn't interested because I wasn't grandma and he'd been rehearsing saying "Happy Anniversary grandma!" No love for Aunt Annie (Happy 35th anniversary to my parents by the way). Sarah's christening has been scheduled for 11/11/07. Of course, that is the day of Steelers v. Browns in Pittsburgh. The game that Elizabeth requested tickets for. On the 50 yard line. So of course, because this is my life after all, she'll get them, and I won't be able to go. Now, if my life were to be different, she wouldn't get them because the christening would be on a different day, but because it's that day, she'll get them.

Kisses for Mason

On a happy note, going to the Indians playoff game on Thursday!! Charlie got the parentals tix for the big anniversary. Can't wait. It's been too long since the Tribe has been playing in October. And I need them to do well to make up for the abominable season ND is having - and for the loss my Steelers suffered today - darn you Ken Whisenhunt!

I miss knitting

Seriously. I miss knitting. No knitting is bad. I haven't gotten to knit since last Thursday - very not happy. It's been finishing only. And ripping out finishing. And finishing again. And repeat. I HATE trying to sew in sleeves. Seriously can't do it. Looks amazingly terrible. And even more terrible when you've got a piece that is reverse stockinette. Does anyone know how to make stockinette to reverse stockinette in a sleeve invisible? Nope, I think it's impossible. So I improvised and resorted to the crochet method. May never do anything but the crochet method again. So tonight - after getting home late from the volleyball game - I'm going to sit and knit. No Pea Pod finishing tonight. Knitting only. Here's the progress, and the finished BSJ as promised. Sorry it wasn't sooner Libby!



P.S. I got onto Ravelry!!! Trainergirl15. Yay! Yay! Yay!

Friday is for Finishing

Yay! Finished project! I feel like it's been forever since I finished anything- but I finished Sarah's blanket a couple of weeks ago. Oh well. Kaylee's Baby Surprise is done. I'll put up some pics later. I'm currently waiting for the football guys to be done up at the shrine so that I can finish taping and go out to wait for the game. I'm forcing myself to finish the Peapod this weekend. Bridget's birthday was Wednesday, definitely want to get it to her as soon as I can. I'm hoping that the Steelers game is televised tomorrow - it'll give me a reason to sit and work on it.

In other exciting knitting news: (knitting muggles can disregard the next bit)

You signed up on July 14, 2007
You are #16340 on the list.
258 people are ahead of you in line.
18283 people are behind you in line.
46% of the list has been invited so far

That's what Ravelry told me when I looked myself up!!!! Which means that I will get on in the next day or two - I'm hoping that they're not working so hard on a Sunday, which would mean I'd get my invite on Monday. Yay!

Welcome to the World

Welcome to the world Mason Paul.

Born 9/19/07. Weight: 5 lbs. 14 oz. Height: 18.5 inches. Hair: LOTS.

The new big brother is very excited.

Why I may NEVER knit lace

This. Is. Why.

It was a rough start. The knots began about 10 feet into the 1200+ yard hank(that's right, it came in a single strand of yarn that was almost 4000 feet long). Yikes. So, I calmly decided to cut those 10 feet after 5 minutes of struggling. And then it was all hunky dory, until about here.

Do you see the problem? Do you see why I'm not liking lace? And I haven't even knit any yet!! This does not bode well for the Secret of the Stole. Very bad lace yarn! I was all excited to wind this and then do my swatch, and even attempt to add beads (I got my beads in the mail today, just don't know which ones will look best with evil yarn). But no, it took an hour to get it all wound. And not even into one ball like it's supposed to be. Nope. It ripped. While I was attempting to untangle knot in middle of the hank. Very bad tangle. Very bad that I trimmed my nails today. Am usually much better with knots, but not with short short nails. Boo.

Need to add adorable picture of nephew to feel better.

Friday

It's Friday once again. Unlike most of the world, I do not look forward to Fridays. For me they do not mean the end of a long work week, no, to me they are the calm before the storm. Most Fridays are very quiet at the school, with relatively few events and typically light practices, which means an easy, early-ish day for me. But then comes Saturday. The most chaotic and stressful day of the week. And long, did I mention that Saturdays are long? But, that's what happens when you're football field is not permitted to have lights on it due to some nonsense about being in a bird sanctuary. (I'm sure that I've just offended all bird lovers, but really, do we have to have another sanctuary for Canada geese? They're a menace to society and they need to go back to Canada with they hissing and biting and pooping selves.)

Alright, that should end the rant for the week. Sorry, I'm not feeling well at all today and I'm sure that that is having an effect on my blogging and general attitude. On to nice stuff.

Had the second BSJ class yesterday. Continued on, only made while mistake while gabbing, which is decent. It in no way resembles what the finished product will look like, and yes it is supposed to look like it does.

Some more yummy yarn came in the mail this week, I have a problem and I know it, but I couldn't help myself, and with all of the finishing that was going on, the excitement of new projects got to me and I put a whole bunch of stuff into my cart and bought it. Oh well, it'll get used. From left to right: Lorna's Laces Black Purl (can't tell how much I've been drooling over this yarn), Cherry Tree Hill Monet (gorgeous, and anyone who knows me knows I love Monet), Louet Gems Black and Canary (for some Steelers inspired anklets), Claudia Hand Painted Steelers (I mean, do see the color name? How could I possibly not buy this yarn?), and some Merino Lace that I got from KotS yesterday for my Secret of the Stole, the color is only a number, it's a lovely emeraldy green. And there on the bottom of the photo is the cutest keychain, it's a mini sock blocker. Not that I block my socks, but this was so cute, and it comes with a pattern for a mini sock that fits it. (PS - Madeleine feels it necessary to find out what's going on whenever I decide to photograph yarniness, makes her feel important and included I guess)

And, yesterday I started a new project. The long awaited Lucy bag. This also does not look like much and will in no way resemble this when it's finished, it gets felted to the point that you no longer recognize the lovely knit stitches. It's in Cascade 220, don't know what yarn color number.And I almost forgot, Baby Sarah's blanket was completed on Tuesday night - just in time to be packed to go to NJ with Ellie. Here's the finished product: It's from the Encore 8 Hour Baby Blanket pamphlet. Definitely took me more than 8 hours, but it was really quick and I liked it a lot. All future baby blankets may come from this little booklet.

This is the lovely crocheted picot edge. And dang if while doing this I didn't remember how fast crocheting can be.

Nearing the Finish Line

So it's been a while since I checked in. Still here. Still training and knitting. I'm getting down to the wire with all three projects on the needles, and have started something new. I know it's bad - but it's for a class.

So first up, the Peapod. Two minutes ago, I finished the sleeves. So I promptly photographed all the pieces together. Yay. The major knitting bits are done. Now I have to sew in the ends so that I can block and then sew it together and add the button band. Which means that I have to go out and find buttons. Like this week. Note to self. Here it is, in it's almost completed state:

Haven't worked on either of the blankets since last weekend. I have 23 inches of Mason's blanket done and am waiting on more of the grey yarn to arrive at Knitting on the Square, so hopefully it'll be there when I go in on Thursday. And I've got 19 inches of Sarah's blanket done. Sadly I don't think that I'll be done with it by Wednesday when my sister is leaving for a mini-break to NJ. If only I didn't need to sleep...

And for the new project... it the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman, subject of my knitting class. It's a relatively easy project, and yet I've had to rip out sections twice already. Just a lack of concentration, and a mix up with the marker that denotes where to decrease. So all is well again with it. I'm doing it in Plymouth's Galway in a deep eggplanty purple and a light rosy pink. LOVE it so far.

I also signed up for the Secret of the Stole. It doesn't start until October (so my blankets and Peapod will have already been given to their owners). I've never done any lace, so I'm really excited, and super excited because I missed out on the Mystery Stole when I was on vacation. I also signed up the the Football-Along swap. First swap, and it should be fun.

Well, that's it from Mentor. Can't wait to go to work tomorrow - I've heard nothing but crap for the last month about how my beloved Steelers were going to get worked over by the hometown Browns. Hehehehehe. It's the end of the 3rd quarter and the score is 31-7 Steelers. Nothing but smiles. Now if only ND could beat up on Michigan on Saturday......