Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Getting in the Knits

I promised some knitting content in my last post and I can actually deliver on that promise. It has been hectic here at Chez Bean and knitting is the thing that pulls me through. I feel as if each little project is a statement that there is a bit more to my life than poopy diapers and juggling work with naps and household chores, etc. I have truly loved each of these little projects and am proud to have them piling up, almost ready or being worn or just languishing on the bedside table because who wears Endpaper Mitts when it is 85 degrees outside?

Without further ado, here are my Endpapers. I loved this project and found it to flow and develop much quicker than I anticipated at cast on. I love the colors, skeins that I have had sitting in the stash for years because I thought I would someday be a sock knitter. It is koigu and the colorway has been lost with the label. Knitted up on 1's and had to be reminded of color dominance between the first and second mitt. Read up a bit on it here and then I recommend you experiment as you knit as I think it depends on how you hold the strands and whether you knit continental, etc. I did wear them once and loved the feel and the freedom of fingerless hand warmers.

I also have cranked out quite a few on those cotton baby washclothes, the intended recipient has yet to arrive, but I am spelling out her name. I entertained the idea of knitting up a blanket then scratched it when I thought about the seaming it would require. Instead these will be hung up clothesline style at a very special baby shower I will be attending in March (up in the Redwoods, no less.)

And speaking of being a non-sock knitter, well, that is a bit of a lie. I cast on for the Tidepool Socks in the anklet form and found myself with a wearable pair in a few days. I LOVE THESE SOCKS! And I love that I can now imagine knitting socks because I plan on converting every pattern I yearn to knit into anklet form as that is the only sock I wear. The pattern requires a skein of Koigu, it is simple and fun and quick, quick, quick. I am kinda' thinking that any sock knit anklet style will be quick, eh? I have started a pair in Camo yarn for the hubs as he really liked mine. And I am wearing them right now....who would have thought hand knit socks were this comfortable? Maybe that is why knitters make them so often.

In other news, (aka Bean news because that is always my other news), we have two babies with lots of new teeth that seem to finally have stopped cutting and lots of new skills that include walking. Yes, walking. At first it was just stepping, but it rapidly progressed to at least 6-8 steps. Mason's are very wobbly, but Owen's are very deliberate and careful, somewhat like their respective personalities, actually. I have yet to catch it truly on video, but I will keep trying. As soon as Uncle Sam sends us our tax money, we are headed to the land of digital SLR...we have chosen the rebel XTi and a spectacular lens, so we will see. Hopefully my shots will only improve.

I cannot wait to procure this one very special item as we just find that they move so quickly and we miss so much. Hope it comes soon, before our trip to the REdwoods as I feel I must document that experience as vividly as possible (well, maybe not the 12 hour car ride. I shudder to think).

add: Once we do have the camera I think I might challenge myself to the 30 days (or 31 days) of picture taking as I feel the need to spark creativity in my life and challenge myself to take a fresh look at the surroundings I sometimes think are so dull. We will see, it seems like a very tall order right now.)

13 comments:

Bea said...

HOLY CRAP! I can't believe O and M are walking already! Robby just now started walking consistently, it must help having a sibling to work things out with! I'm so proud of you getting those knits done, with TWO mobile babies that is no easy task, you rock!

Mira said...

The gloves are pretty!! and congrats on the first socks!

Anonymous said...

I miss the babes!

spajonas said...

look at all the knitting you've been doing! that's great! and wow, the beans are walking?! the peanut is just making the moves towards crawling.. oh boy.

Anonymous said...

Oooh! I love the colors of your endpapers! They are beautiful!

Katie said...

WOW! so much great stuff happening in your house! Your finished knits are beautiful, I've been thinking of doing some colorful stranded work for a while, but haven't gotten around to it. I can't wait to see your boys walking! Happy Valentine's Day*

Sarah-potterknitter said...

You will LOVE the camera, I got a Nikon this spring before my boy arrived and I'm so glad i did. No more digital delay. Good luck with the walking, our boy started pushing up on his hands today, moving in a week I predict.

Kathy in DC said...

I loved the movie clip of your baby laughing at your "sneeze" noise. Our first daughter was laughing, almost until she couldn't breathe like that, at a stuffed bunny that jumps and flips over, Everytime we turned it on, and it flipped, she "flipped". It was fun to see a baby LAUGHing so hard, again. Love your knitting, and it is amazing that you get ANY knitting done. They do grow up so fast, though. It will only seem like you blinked.

Sereknitty said...

My goodness...walking already! Time is just motoring along. Loved your mitts! Glad you're finding time in your busy life to do a little knitting.

Annie said...

Handknit socks are the bomb diggity! I love your endpaper knits. 85 degrees? Wanna switch? It's been averaging 30 - 40 here in NYC. :-)

Rae said...

Gosh Mamie, you're so prolific! And talented. Your knits are beautiful, I love the socks and gloves! And I'm excited for you to get your Rebel- life changing is the only way to describe digital SLR.

Katie said...

I know I say this every time I comment, but I cannot believe how big the beans are getting (I need to read your blog more often- just added it to my reader to fix this). I love the socks, I just finished a pair of socks but they feel too tall- even though I shortened them a bit- I also normally wear anklets. Can you get a pair from a smallish skein? To clarify, if you normally need two skeins of the particular yarn to make socks, can you get anklets from one? Keep up the good work- you help me remember I am not the only one who occasionally feels overwhelmed by this Mommy thing, but that it is worth it and we do get through it :)

Ursula said...

That is EXACTLY my issue with knitting socks! I do not own any socks taller than my ankles and can't fathom knitting them. I'll be borrowing your mod next time I get my hands on sock yarn :)

Cute pics of the beans with your awesome new camera!