Knit While He Naps

Spring brings the String! - Lea's Strawberry Bib Pattern

2013-04-24T22:50:00.002-05:00

I recently posted on Knit While He Naps's facebook page that I was seeking inspiration/suggestions for

new patterns to post to the blog. KWHN's facebook fans are a wonderful group of crafters that constantly fuel my motivation to get more patterns up here. I like to be sure that the patterns I take time to write up are projects that are actually needed or wanted, especially when it comes to patterns for beginners. I remember starting out and trolling the internet for cute free patterns because most of my projects were still wonky messes and no one wants to pay for supplies AND instructions when you're a newbie. And trust me, when it comes to enabling newbie knitters/hookers there's absolutely nothing I won't do! I want the whole world to discover the sense of accomplishment, creativity, and joy that I feel everytime a new FO comes flying off my needles. And if my patterns get them knitting for babies and family than my little crafters cup is just overflowing with pride because that's really the only reason I knit. Chances are that if you know me, and you aren't already absolutely addicted to string, I've already tried to get you stitching or spinning.
With that being said, I am happy to report that my sister-in-law Lea was finally bitten by the knitting bug this spring! I have been laying yarn traps for her ever since we met, so I'm overjoyed to welcome her to the world of handknits. She replied to my FB request for pattern ideas with a suggestion for a bib shaped like a strawberry, and I just thought that was such a brilliant spring inspired knitting project! I dropped all the other patterns I was working on and got to clicking those sticks.
So here it is, an adorable infant (0-12 months) sized drool bib, knit in wool and lanolized to help keep them dry through teethin' and talkin'. Written in row by row instructions with the advanced beginner in mind, all knit stitch with one purl row. This is a good pattern for practising/learning basic increases and decreases. It's knit flat and all in one piece for minimal assembly. Shaped like a strawberry with a vine tie, green leaves, and a cute strawberry blossom.
And now spring can officially begin because I've got my strawberry plants in the garden and this bib cast off the sticks. Thanks for the suggestion Lea and keep on stitching!

Lea's Strawberry Bib

Difficulty Level: Easy- Beginner

Size: Infants (0-12 months)
Yarn: Cascade 220
- Bright Red and Spring Green for bib
-small amount white and yellow for flower
-Approx. 50 yards or less of red and 25 yards or less of green
Needles: pair of US 6 or 7 straight needles, 12"length should be fine.
(I used a US 5 but I knit VERY loosely, if you knit tightly use the US 7)
Gauge: about 5 sts per inch but gauge really doesn't matter here..it's a drool bib.
Notions: yarn needle and stitch marker. Crochet hook 3.5mm if you want to make the flower, or a small store bought felt or fake flower with thread and needle to stitch it on. Lanolin and wool wash if you want to lanolize* bib. 12-15 bright yellow seed beads if you want to make the strawberry seeds like the example in the picture.
Pattern Notes: Pattern feature basic increases and decreases- KFB and K2tog. Basic cast on and cast off. Knit in one piece. Basic crochet skills needed for flower. Very basic sewing skills for embellishments.

Strawberry:
-Cast on 5 sts in Red.
-Knit row

Increases:
- k1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1
-knit
-k1, kfb, k3, kfb, k1
-knit
-k1, kfb, k5, kfb, k1
-knit
-k1, kfb, k7, kfb, k1
-knit
-k1, kfb, k9, kfb, k1
-knit
-k1, kfb, k11, kfb, k1
-knit
-k1, kfb, k13, kfb, k1
-knit 2 rows
-k1, kfb, k15, kfb, k1
-knit 2 rows
-k1, kfb, k17, kfb, k1
-knit 2 rows
-k1, kfb, k19, kfb, k1
-knit 3 rows
-k1, kfb, k21, kfb, k1
-knit 20 rows

Decreases:
-k1, k2tog, k19, k2tog, k1
-knit
-k1, k2tog, k17, k2tog, k1
-knit
-k1, k2tog, k15, k2tog, k1
-knit
-k1, k2tog, k13, k2tog, k1
-k1, k2tog, k11, k2tog, k1
-knit 2 rows

Leaves:
15 sts should now remain. Switch to green color and cut red yarn.

-knit 1 row
-Purl 1 row (this makes a nice flat turning ridge to flip your leaves over the strawberry when you are done. That way the bib can be knit in one piece with minimal assembly!)
-knit 5 rows

Now we will be working only 5 sts at a time. You have 15 sts on your needles so we will be working a group of 5 sts for each leaf. You can either place each set of 5 sts on a spare needle or stitch holder or you can leave them on your needles and just remember to work only 5 at a time. It's up to you. The second option would have stressed me as a beginner knitter but everyone is different.

So starting with the first 5 sts on your right hand needle, here we go...

Left Leaf:
-knit 5 sts
-turn, k5 sts
-repeat last 2 steps (k5 sts, turn k5sts)
-k2tog, k1, k2tog
-k3 sts
-k2tog, k1
-k2 sts
-k2tog
Break yarn, fasten off

Middle Leaf:
-pick up next 5 sts on spare needle (the middle set of 5 sts)
-with the WS facing you, rejoin green yarn
-k5 sts
-k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1
-k7 sts
-k1, kfb, k3, kfb, k1
-k9 sts
-k1, kfb, k5, kfb, k1
-knit 5 rows (11 sts should be on the needle)
-k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k1
-k9 sts
- k1, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k1
-k7 sts
-k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1
-k5 sts
-k2tog, k1, k2tog
-k3 sts
-k2tog, k1
-k2tog
-Break yarn leaving a long tail (6-8"), fasten off.

Right Leaf:
-Pick up last 5 sts and rejoin yarn
-k5 sts
-k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1
-knit 3 rows
-k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1
-k5 sts
-k2tog, k1, k2tog
-k3 sts
-k2tog, k1
-k2 sts
-k2tog
-Break yarn, fasten off

Leaves are finished! Flip them over the strawberry.

If you are looking at the front of the bib you should see no red stitches at the top of the strawberry. That's how you know you flipped it over the right way. See picture below for back of bib. You need these green stitch bumps to be in the back so that you can pick them up later.

Ties/Vine/Cord:

Now this must be said here just to make sure everyone understands...please do not ever use this bib on a baby unless they are under direct adult supervision. The ties could pose a strangulation hazard as could the cords or ties on any bib, hat, or article of clothing. If you are concerned about this, keep cords to under 6" and continue to only use bib under adult supervision. Thanks for bearing with me through this safety announcement. Let's continue...

With GREEN yarn, Cast on 50 sts (40sts for short ties, 60 sts for longer ones), I used backwards loop cast on but anything basic should be ok.

Then pick up the 15 green loops on the back part of the bib (where the green and red yarn met- see picture here----> if you are confused)

Then cast on 50 sts more. So on your needle you will have 50 new cast on sts, followed by the 15 green loops you picked up, followed by the 50 sts you just cast on in the step above...all in a row. 115 sts total.

-Knit 115 sts

-Cast off, break yarn.

Assembly/Finishing:

- Fold green leaves down over strawberry. If you notice, that one purl row made a smooth stockinette/knit line to fold the leaves down over. You can use the loose end tail from the middle leaf to stitch these neatly down.

-Using yarn needle weave in all your loose ends. There are great videos online that show you the best way to do this.

-Attach white flower to corner of bib using picture as a guide. If you do not know how to knit or crochet a flower (are aren't inclined at this point to learn) then you can buy a small white flower at a craft store, buy a small knit or felted one on Etsy.com (no bigger than an inch across), or make one out of felt and stitch it tightly on with thread and needle.
Instructions to crochet the flower are as follows....

White Flower:
You will need a small hook (3.5-4mm) and worsted weight yarn in small amounts of yellow and white.

Using yellow yarn and the magic ring technique, work 5 sc into loop and tighten.
-Switch to white yarn and slip stitch into first sc of previous round. Place stitch marker if you'd like to.
Rnd 1: sc, 2dc, hdc, and slip stich into ea sc

Slip stich to beginning sc of last round. You should have 5 small petals and a yellow center. Break yarn, fasten off, leave long tail to stitch flower to bib.

More ideas:

-Stitch tiny white or yellow beads on the bib or use duplicate stitch to scatter "seeds" across the strawberry giving it a more realistic look. See picture above. I used about 12 yellow seed beads and stitched them firmly with red thread. The first picture doesn't have seeds and it still looks great. So it's your choice.

-Once you progress in your knitting a stitch with more texture would give the strawberry more depth. Something along the lines of a bobble or moss stitch would give it that bumpy texture.

-Knit short little i-cord or crochet chains, stitch to bib, and twist them around your finger to look like vines

-Add another flower of a small bee to give the bib even more layers and creativity.

-Stitch a handmade label on the back

* Lanolize bib. Lanolization is a baby safe way to make wool knit items more water resistant. If done properly, water will bead on surface before absorbing giving you time to wipe off and avoid a damp soggy bib. Lanolization instructions abound on the web. All you need is a nickel sized amount of lanolin, the type sold and recommended for breastfeeding moms, and a no-rinse wool wash. If you need more help with this step feel free to message me on FB or email me at vania@knitwhilehenaps.com.

Abbreviations/Further Help:

FO: ravelry lingo for finished object
sts: stitches
knit or knit row: knit every stitch in the row, no purling.
KFB- knit into the front and back of the next stitch on your needle. This increases the number of stitches in the row by one by creating a new stitch. Videos and pictorials are all over the internet if you need a step by step demonstration.
K2tog- Knit the next two stitches on your left hand needle at the same time, or together. Insert right hand needle through the bottom of one stitch and then the one above it. Knit.
K_ (example: k3 or k5): knit the many number of stitches. So k3 means knit the nest 3 stitches.
Break yarn: cut yarn with scissors. Back in the day when scissors were scarce and expensive people would literally just break yarn off with their fingers...or teeth...or whatever was handy and sharp.
Fasten off: pull tight on the cut end of yarn and the stitch will knot itself

Crochet abbreviations:
sc- single crochet
hdc- half double crochet
dc- double crochet
ea- each

---> Please keep in mind that this is a FREE pattern and I am not an infallible knitter. If you notice any errors I do apologize and hope that you will understand. Please email me with any questions or suggestions.
Also, not that you need it, but you have my permission to make and sell items using this pattern- for small personal use only. We're talking craft fairs, fundraisers, and little etsy stores here, nothing mass marketed or mass produced please. Again, message me if you have questions. I only have *one request*, that you credit me as designer and note that somewhere on your display, description, or listing. You could also link back to this blog post, our facebook page (facebook.com/knitwhilehenaps) and/or my etsy store VMacJen-Knit While He Naps. And hey if you want to like us on Facebook or Etsy to just because you think we're awesome....that's cool too!
Please do not use or reprint parts of this pattern. But do feel free to make copies for friends and knitting groups. <------ b="">

THANKS SO MUCH!

DC STATE FAIR, and the winner of the Knitting Competition is.....

2012-09-25T15:25:00.005-05:00

This weekend I found out that I won the DC State Fair's Knitting Competition! Oh yes, I was excited. I did a victory dance, gave a few cheers....ok...so maybe I just smiled really big. Afterwards, I had a few people ask me where they could buy their own knit DC t-shirt or if I had a pattern available for them to make their own. I promised to write up my pattern notes and make the pattern available here on my blog, so here it is. If you interested in buying an already completed t-shirt knit by me. You can message me at vania@knitwhilehenaps.com or keep an eye out on our Etsy store where I will have a listing available for it soon. And just in case you missed my prize winning performance at the state fair here are is a picture....

Ooooh! A gift certificate to Looped Yarn Works...and a first place ribbon?

Why yes please, thank you very much!

The entries on display at Looped Yarn Works, my favorite LYS in the city.
As you can see the competition was limited but fierce. :) Many many thanks to Looped Yarn Works for sponsoring the knit/crochet competition and the prize.

And since they did not let me make a winner's acceptance speech (darn!) Here it is....

I would like to thank the little shop on the corner of Florida Ave and Connecticut Ave for always displaying their souvenir shirts on the sidewalk and thus inspiring my design for the competition. I thought...cotton souvenir shirts? It's getting cold. Why don't they have their sweatshirts out..or even better....why don't they have wool knit souvenir shirts? That'd be awesome....OMG....best idea EVER!

Looped Yarn Works for sponsoring the knit/crochet competition at the fair and providing the fabulous prize AND for selling so many colorways of the Malabrigo Worsted and thus providing me with materials needed on a last minute notice.

I'd like to thank the crafty people of the District for keeping handmade work alive and beautiful in a very urban setting. We make the craft revolution possible! And all the small business that brave the high city rent to make supplies available to us.

But most importantly I'd like to thank my Grandmother and Mom for teaching me to knit and sew, my sister for teaching me crochet, and all of them for teaching me that the love and time that goes into a handmade item makes it infinitely superior and lovelier than store bought.

And of course all this could not be possible without the support (financial and spiritual) of my encouraging and patient husband.

Let's also not forget as well that without my son (and all the other babies in my life) none of this fiber inspiration would even take place. Also, he makes an adorable model and it's just so easy taking measurements from him that I need to write my patterns! :)

And without further blah, blah, blah....here it is.

MADE IN THE DISTRICT- Toddler T-Shirt

Size: 2T

(More sizes coming soon….Message me if you need a specific size and I’ll see what I can do)

Guage:

5-5.5 inches per inch, stockinette in the round

Materials:

-400 yards of a Lightweight Worsted Weight yarn in a main color (MC). I used Malabrigo Worsted in Natural.

-approx. 20 yards of Worsted Weight yarn in a contrasting color (CC). I used Malabrigo Worsted in Ravelry Red.

-Thread, embroider floss, or light weight yarn in a color matching CC yarn.

- 18“ or 24” circular needle in a US size 6 (or whatever you need to knit to the guage. I knit very loosely so I actually used a US size 4)

- 10-12” circular needle of DPNs in a US size 6 for sleeves.

- 2 lengths of stitch holder cords or waste lengths of yarn (to hold sleeve stitches while working body)

- yarn needle (bent tip ones work best)

- 4 stitch markers (one in a different color or size to mark beginning of round)

Pattern Notes/Techniques Used:

Recommended for Advanced Beginners, Intrepid Newbies, and Advanced Knitters with small children and in need of easy projects.

- Knit from top down, increases, knitting in the round, duplicate stitch/swiss darning, tubular cast off (optional), basic sewing stitch

Let’s begin….Remember we are working from the neck down.

- Using the longer circular needles cast on 76 stitches in a stretchy cast on. I like Twisted German cast on but others abound on the internet.

Join for working in the round, placing the different stitch marker to mark the end of the round.

-Knit 8 rounds of 1x1 ribbing.

This is so your neck will match the tubular cast off edge which is usually done in a 1x1 rib. If you will be doing a regular cast off on the hem, you could work a 2x2 or other stretchy stitch pattern here.

Set up for raglan shaping:

-Knit 12, PM, knit 26, PM, k12, PM, knit 26

Now you will alternate an increase row with a knit row to begin shaping the raglan shoulders/sleeves.

Rnd 1: M1, knit to marker, m1, slip marker, m1, knit to next marker, m1, slip marker, m1, knit to next marker, m1, slip marker, m1, knit to next marker, m1.
So basically sandwiching each marker with an increase.

Rnd 2: Knit

Repeat these two rows 17 more times, until you have a total of 220 stitches.

-Knit one round

-As you work this round, remove all markers except the one marking the beginning of the round.

- Place the first 48 stitches onto a holder (you’ll be working on this sleeve later).

- M1, knit to marker, M1, slip marker, M1, place the next 48 stitches on a holder (this will become the second sleeve), M1, knit to end of round, M1, slip marker.

Knitting the body:

- Working the remaining 128 stitches in stockinette (knit every stitch, every row) until your t-shirt measures 13-15” from cast on edge. Mine was about 14” in length, my son is about 32” tall.

Hem & Casting off:

I am a HUGE fan of TechKnitting’s blog. HUGE. I especially admired their series on “Knitting better bands and cuffs”. This inspired me to do a Cast off hem for my DC State Fair entry. I highly recommend it. If you are interested in learning a useful new knitting skill then knit 8-10 rows of 1x1 ribbing (I love a nice deep ribbing on the hem) and then proceed here

http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2008/01/tubular-cast-off-its-pretty.html

If you, like me at times, find yourself with way to much on your plate (kids, school, activities, work, LIFE!) I completely understand. Give yourself a break and

-Knit 8-10 rows of 2x2 or 1x1 ribbing (whatever you used on the neck ) and bind off using a stretchy bind off. I like Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off, Russian or Lace Bind off, or a sewn bind off for the patient knitters.

Sleeves:

Detail on inside sleeve and words

- Pick up the first 48 stitches on a holder, and pick up about 5 or so extra stitches where the body stitches used to be, underarm area, and place a marker if you would like to mark the end of the round.

- Knit 15 rows in stockinette.

-Knit one purl round (this will be the turning edge to do the facing hem for the sleeve)

-Knit 1 round, and then switch to your contrasting color for a nice hidden pop of color, knit about 5 more rows and bind off loosely and not with a bulky cast off edge.

- Fold sleeve edge inward (color should be on the inside). Using thread, laceweight yarn, or embroidery floss in a color matching contrasting color, sew bind off edge to inside of sleeve. Make sure you don’t pull sewing thread too tightly and that it doesn’t show through to outside. You can do this by just barely catching the edge of the cast off and a little of the yarn on the inside of the sleeve.

-Pick up the stitches for the other sleeve and repeat.

Design:

Detail on DC flag on front

Words on back:

Using the letter chart shown below carefully embroider the words onto the back of the t-shirt. I used duplicate stitch (sometimes called swiss darning). It is like cross stitch but using the V’s (instead of little 'x's) made by the knit stitches. Tutorials abound on the internet. If you do a google search I’m sure you would get better instructions than I could compose here. Make sure you center the words to the center of the back of your t-shirt. Using the picture above as a guideline.

Flag on front:

Now turn the t-shirt over and over the right breast of the t-shirt (where a polo shirt’s logo would be) duplicate stitch a row of 10 “v” stitches in the CC.

-Directly underneath it duplicate stitch another row of red “v”s.

-Skip 2-3 rows (this makes the white row between the DC flag's red stripes)

-Duplicate stitch another 2 rows of 10 “v” stitches below this. You should now have the two wide red stripes of the DC flag.

- Above these two stripes embroider 3 red stars. I did this making a V then an upside now V, the a little stick I in the middle of the top V. If you try to embroider an actual star shape it doesn’t seem to look right when it’s as small as this.

AND TA DA! You are all finished. Admire your beautiful handmade t-shirt and show off that DC pride.

I know some of these instructions can seem a bit complicated so please, please, please do not hesitate to email me with questions. I also have not had time yet to remake this t-shirt and check my notes with errata (for which I apologize in advance) so if you notice anything amiss please feel free to message me and I will check it out.

THANKS!

Not that you especially need it, but permission is given to make and sell items made with pattern. All I ask is that you please credit me as designer and link back to my blog (www.downtownvania.com), Facebook page (facebook.com/KnitWhileHeNaps), and/or Etsy store (vmacjen.etsy.com, store name Knit While He Naps) in your listing or in the displaying of your finished items to sell. Please feel free to print and share copies of this pattern with your knitter friends and groups! And if you feel so inclined, you can always "Like" us on Facebook.... because...well, just because you like us. :)

PM- palce marker

RND- round

M1- make one, use backwards loop or knit front and back-KFB, or any other preferred method.

MC-main color

CC-contrasting color

Halloween Knit and Run in the Capital

2012-08-27T20:30:00.000-05:00

Team USA yarn bomb in front of
Looped Yarn Works during the Olympics.

It has finally happened, two of my favorite things have come together to make this October the best ever...Yarn bombing and Halloween! My LYS, Looped Yarn Works, in Washington DC is hosting a Halloween themed yarn bomb event to yarnify the capital. What could be better than giving the District a nice healthy dose of festive fiber?...only doing it in a costume while eating candy. Perfect!

I have volunteered to make some little ghoulish items to contribute and to reach out to all my fellow crafters to get some extra submissions to make this knit & run truly memorable.

If anyone wants to send in a submission to be added to their project please email me, vania@knitwhilehenaps.com, for the address to send it too and be sure to get it to us by OCTOBER 15th. Anything Halloweeny (and not too gruesome or inappropriate) would be perfect. Message me if you have any questions. For example, I will be making a crocheted spiderweb and some spiders in sparkly black and orange yarn. Other good submissions would be little amigurumi ghosts, big candy corns, or pumpkins on a vine. Or even just black and orange squares to cover parking meters like the picture on the left.

And to make this interesting I am hosting a *CONTEST* for this. The person who submits the most pieces for the yarn bomb will receive a very cool project tote bag featuring our Ravelry group name and an amazing slogan. See picture below….
The first 10 people to contribute something get a pen, with the same design. Perfect for throwing into your knitting bag.

I will also post plenty of pictures in a special blog post and will mention each contributor by name (or Ravelry handle). It would be wonderful if we could get crafters from all different states to help give our capital city a handmade look.

FREE YARN!

2012-05-02T15:53:00.003-05:00

Over 1,400 yards of beautiful summer yarn!

A Ravelry friend has sent me 14 skeins of LOVELY Casacde Elite yarn in a Tussah Silk and Pima Cotton blend. My fiber resolutions for the year absolutely forbid me stashing yarn just for the sake of stashing pretty string...and with 8 WIP (works in progress) currently cast on and 3 Etsy orders to finish up... I am afraid that I just can't give this beautiful yarn a good home. Rather than have it tucked away in my stash for another year or so (or 5 or 10) I have decided to offer it up for adoption to the readers of this blog. All 5 of you! haha I am so grateful for the people that read/make the patterns I write up and for the fans that friend us on Facebook. If someone other than me gets to knit this yarn up than I'm glad it will be one of my fellow internet stitchers.
If you have been searching for a great summer yarn for a shawlette, top, or lightweight cover up this is the perfect giveaway for you. Seriously with 14 skeins you could even knit up a summer dress.
So what is the contest and how do you enter?

Here are the details....
- Reply to this post, or post on our Facebook page, with a picture or a link to a picture featuring a finished object you have made using one of the patterns listed here on the blog or sold in the Etsy store.
-Final day to post is May 11th, 2012.
- Patterns that can be used include the LeLe hat, the Inca Trail hat, the newborn booties, Pirate Parrot hat, or the Cardinal cap.
- Make sure your name or email is included somewhere in your post so I can contact the winner.
- My favorite entry will win the yarn! Easy peasy lemon squeezy. :)

Feel free to message me if you have any questions! I look forward to seeing everyone's
pictures.

Go REDBIRDS!

2012-03-02T15:54:00.002-06:00

Photo is courtesy of the the very lovely
and talented ladies of LeLe Photography.
Thanks Ashley and Alicea!

Baseball season is on its way (and a football fan's knitting is never done)! Our famous Cardinal bird baby cap pattern is no longer a secret. The pattern is now available in our Etsy store and our facebook friends have a special coupon code to get the pattern half off. Check it out.
This hat pattern is suitable for beginner/advanced beginner level crochet. It is worked up in simple, single crochet with basic decreases. Crocheted it 4 parts with simple instructions for assembling. Some yarns that I recommend for making this hat.
-Cascade 220 in 9422, 9522, 8895, 8414
-Stitch Nation- Bamboo Ewe in Lipstick
-Malabrigo Worsted in Vermillion or Ravelry Red

A different kind of fiber...the cheesy popcorn recipe kind

2012-01-14T13:16:00.003-06:00

Occasionally I take a break from the needle arts and dabble in some amateur baking, sewing, cheesemaking, and serious food obsession questing. My latest food obsession is cheesy popcorn, a delicious and delectable way to get your dose of fiber (the edible kind). The only problem is it is extremely high in calories and saturated fat. The absolute best cheesy popcorn in the world is found at Chicago landmark, Garrett's Popcorn. I am absolutely addicted to it. I will even find excuses to travel to Chicago just to go buy some. Of course I could buy some online, but it isn't as hot and fresh and crazy good as when it's just made at the store. I won't even begin to speculate though on the diet setbacks a small bag of this popcorn could inflict on your weight loss efforts. So I have been fiddling all month with several recipes at home to try to get a cheesy popcorn that's not too bad on the waistline, and just as delicious on the tastebuds.
My first breakthrough came when my husband gifted me a microwave air popper at Christmas.

It is only $8 and goes in the dishwasher to clean! Also you avoid all the horrible chemicals found in the lining of microwave popcorn bags. It makes a small, crisp, and oil free popcorn kernel. I found that Fireworks Popcorn was my favorite for this task.

Well, I had the popcorn... now I needed the cheesiness. I tried about a dozen different methods...microplane grated cheddar in melted butter, boxed mac cheese powder, cheese grated directly on top of popcorn....all were a major fail. It was turning out clumpy with unevenly distributed cheese. The boxed mac cheese powder was the absolute worst. Totally unedible. And then one day, like a bolt of lightning from snack heaven, I get an email form King Arthur Flour advertising their Vermont Cheddar Cheese Powder. Heavenly! Not only was in recommended for popcorn but they also listed about 6 other ways the cheese powder could rock it out in your kitchen (pizza crust enhancer to homemade kiddie mac). It tasted authentically like cheese and was very VERY finely powdered. Also a little went a long way cheese flavor wise.

A few more attempts and I finally had a cheesy popcorn that was delicious and only came in at only 187 calories approx. for a 2.5 cup serving. A light calorie load for a hefty sized snack portion and it is wonderfully filling and tasty.

Here it is listed below....let me know if you have any questions, innovative suggestions, or awesome cheesy popcorn stories to share. Next stop....the perfect low cal quiche.

Vania's Easy Cheesy Popcorn Recipe

-5 cups air popped popcorn (a high quality non-gmo kernel is best!)

-2-3 tablespoons King Arthur Flour Vermont Cheddar Cheese Powder

-1 teaspoon or less of Fleur de Sel or Sea Salt Flakes (the only salt light and fine enough to stick to popcorn and better for you than popcorn salt)

-Superfine Mustard Powder

-Cayenne Powder

Popcorn popper, Firework kernels, King Arthur cheese powder,
and spices.

-2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter *

-Pop popcorn with no oil or butter according to the instructions for whatever appliance or method you are using. Set aside in a very big bowl.

- In a small bowl mix cheese powder, mustard powder, and cayenne to taste. I like mine a little spicy so I use more cayenne but anywhere from a pinch of each to a 1/2 tsp should be good.

-Melt butter in a small saucepan or carefully in a microwave safe bowl.

-Pour melted butter evenly over popcorn and toss to coat.

-Sprinkle cheese powder mixture evenly over buttered popcorn and toss to coat. I use a small powdered sugar sieve spoon and find that it really works the best.

-Sprinkle with fleur de sel to taste.

-Enjoy right away and in secret or you will be accosted by all kinds of popcorn thieves.

*For an even more low calorie version (but admittedly less flavorful) you can use Olive Oil spray then sprinkle cheese mixture. If you are using salted butter taste before using fleur de sel, it might not need finishing salt.

Huffing and Puffing

2012-01-04T21:50:00.000-06:00

Next month my son will be a year and a half and it's official....I can no longer use pregnancy as an excuse for being overweight. I have 15-20 lbs left to lose and it is time that I took responsibility. I can't even get away with calling it baby weight anymore...at this point it's just weight, baby. So as some added motivation, ok more like motivation/shame, I have decided to post a ticker on the blog with the amount of weight I have left to lose before I get back to my pre-baby number of 120lbs. It's embarrassing but it'll get me motivated because if a month from now the number hasn't gone down....I'll be twice as embarrassed as I am now. Hah. Well....not so hah. It's tough being a mom, and it tough going from a size 4 to a 12, and by tough I mean freakin' impossible and headachy. But health is the most important gift I can give myself and it's time for me to come out of my new mom shell and get back into shape. I'm absolutely petrified of showing up at my first yoga class in 2 years and barely being able to touch my toes. I hate that I'll be huffing and puffing in a cardio class I was once asked to teach. And the sight of me back on the treadmill will be laughable. But before I delve too much into desperation I'll try to keep in mind that some things have gotten better.
I have these newly buff arms, thanks to 30lb car seats and balancing diaper bags, shopping bags, and baby. I also have a new persistence to push past plateaus and block out distractions, thanks to wrangling my son through countless grocery store meltdowns while simultaneously trying to pay and smile. And most importantly I have a new found respect for the physical endurance my body is capable of...something that only pregnancy, labor, and post delivery complications could have taught me. SO I'm going to flex these awesome looking biceps, ignore the sad sight of my midsection, and get this booty doing squats all the way to the gym. I'm also probably going to have to start eating like a grown up again. Sucks.

MyFitnessPal - Free Weight Loss Tools

Red, White, & Ewe; the love of handmade woolen gifts

2011-12-05T15:51:00.009-06:00

Please note....pattern is written for a size 0-3 months. The baby in the
picture is obviously older...about 9 months old and is modeling a 6 month
size. When you aren't lucky enough have dozens of baby models on hand
you make do with what you've got. Still....he looks adorable and
it shows how the hat has plenty of stretch for a baby to grow into.
Just wanted to clear up some confusion people were having.

** WARNING: Several paragraphs of speechifying before the pattern. You can skip ahead. I promise I'll understand. :) **

Since posting pictures of my Red White and Ewe Elf hat on the facebook page, I have had multiple requests for ordering one through the Etsy store. As much as I would love to be able to accept those orders, and knit candy cane elf hats for all the world's children (and trust me I really would)...I can't. This year I have decided to close the Etsy shop for the month of December so I could concentrate on what truly matters to me during the holidays, my family. Believe it or not, I actually begin knitting my family's presents during the summer months when I am less busy with custom orders. This year however I was unexpectedly, and gratefully, busier than most years so there still was not enough time. Now, with Christmas/Yule only 3 weeks away, I am knitting like a fiendish old granny in my Ikea rocking chair trying desperately to finish gifts for all on time.
My first inspiration for knitting has always been the ability to knit wonderful and whimsical items for the people I love, from teeny hats for the newest members to comfy cardigans for my Grandma. I know it seems counter productive to close down shop during the busiest season for hand knits, but I decided in lieu, in the spirit of giving, to post my pattern for the hat on the blog for free. This way anyone that would like to make a gift for someone special this year can. There is something gratifying in making a gift for someone you love. From the planning, to the buying and choosing of colorful materials, to the agonizing over fit and taste, and the smiles that exclaim, "you really made this? for me?" the gratification is real.
Knitting and crocheting are really very simple skills to pick up, with a little patience, and rewarding ones. Youtube videos and yarn stores are all over, and they can teach you to make a handmade gift if you'd like too. Something specially made and gifted, invested with the time and thought taken to produce it, is always a welcome change to the mindless consumerism that plagues the holidays. Don't get me wrong, I buy as well as make gifts. Nobody wants the crazy aunt that only sends homemade socks and scarfs. I always tell myself not to be the Aunt from the Christmas Story movie that sends the handmade pink bunny suit to a 10 year old boy who wants a air rifle. But I'd like to think a warm knit beanie would be a great accompaniment to said rifle. I understand that children love toys, men love electronics, and women love shiny. :) And I'm not trying to rewind to a time before online shopping, which I am absolutely addicted to. I'm just trying to keep the gift giving in balance and I think most people do too.
I've posted a few pictures below of some of the gifts I've made so far. If anyone would care to share what gifts they're making this year in the comments feed or on our facebook page I would be honored. I draw inspiration and a warm holiday feeling from seeing all the beautiful things that others take the time to hand make and gift.

Red, White and Ewe Elf Hat
Size: 0-3 months 14" head circumference
(If you want to make a different size, message me with the head circumference measurement and I will help you adjust the pattern)

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn (5 sts per inch, stockinette worked in the round).
I used Cascade 220 for the hat (which is more 5-6 sts per inch depending on the knitter) but I love Malabrigo's Worsted yarn because it is super soft, the same price point, and because it is a nice full single ply it fills out the spots between the color changes. I have made most of these hats with that yarn so that is the gauge I gave. Please don't just take my word for it and knit a swatch to check your gauge. Honestly, I can't be trusted. :)

-Get one skein of a red or white, or red or green. Although 75-100 yards of each color for a baby size hat is more than enough.

Needles: US size 7 in DPN's or 12"-14" circulars. OR whatever size needle you need to achieve the gauge listed above. You may also want to use a smaller size needle for the ribbing, not entirely necessary though. As well as a crochet hook size H (5mm) to chain tail or 2 DPN's to work an I-Cord.

Extras: A pom pom or two, bells (for older children and adults only) or a felted ivy and holly embellishment.

Also, a yarn needle to weave ends in.

Techniques: You must know how to K1, P1, K2TOG, crochet a chain or knit an I-cord.

Let's begin....
-CO 70 stitches in a stretchy cast on.
I like the Twisted German Cast on or a tubular cast on in the round. Any stretchy cast on is fine though. Even a long tail cast on cast loosely would be just fine. I find that when it comes to babies though the more stretch in the cast on the better. They absolutely will not tolerate anything too tight on their heads, and a stretchy cast one will allow more give in the brim so they can grow into the hat.
- Place stitch marker at beg of round.
-With white yarn begin working in the round, knit a 2x2 ribbing (K2, P2 rep around) until hat measures 1-1.5 inches from cast on edge. Use needles one size down, like a US 5 or 6, to knit ribbing. If you don't have them handy don't worry. It's a baby hat. They won't mind. :)
-Switch to red yarn and bigger size needles (size needed for 4-5 sts per inch) and begin knitting stockinette (K every st, around) until hat measures 4" from cast on edge.
-Alternate using red and white yarn every 5 rows or be random in your striping to get the look of the hat pictured above.
There are many ways to avoid a jog in your knitting when switching colors. I like to slip the first stitch on the second round of after switching colors. You can also just live with the little step in your knitting when you switch colors. It's really not that big a deal, and adds to the homemade charm really. I'm just a bit of a perfectionist.

Begin Decreases, Keeping your stripes correct as you work:

Rnd 1: K5, K2tog; rep around. (60 sts rem)
Rnd 2-8: K every st, rep around.
Rnd 9: K4, K2tog; rep around (50 sts rem)
Alternate knitting 7 rows, then decreasing every 8th row until you have 10 stitches remaining. So...
Rnd 10-16: Knit
Rnd 17: K3, K2tog (40 sts rem)
Rnd 18-24: Knit
Rnd 25: K2, K2tog (30 sts rem)
Rnd 26-32: Knit
Rnd 33: K1, K2tog (20 sts rem)
Rnd 34-40: Knit
Rnd 41: K2tog (10 sts rem)
Rnd 42: When you have 10 sts rem, begin next round by K2tog 4 times, then K2. You should have 6 sts rem. If this step seems complicated don't worry just get to the point where you have 6 sts remaining.

-Divide the 6 sts over 2 DPNs. So 3 sts, of each color, on each needle.
-Work an I-cord on each set of sts, 6-12 inches long.
I recommend 6 inches for a newborn for safety's sake. If it's just for pictures you can make it longer but only let baby wear hat UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION. The cord could pose a strangulation hazard.
(FOR THE I-CORD CHALLENGED: If you really can't work an I-Cord then you can crochet a chain to a similar effect. Work decreases above until you have 4 sts left. Use these 4 sts as a base to chain 4 lengths of crocheted chains, 2 red and 2 white.)
- Break yarn, secure and weave ends in.
- Twist the cords around each other to achieve candy cane stripe look. Tie at end and secure/weave in ends. To keep them from untwisting take both ends and manually wrap them around each other. Don't spin hat. For adults you could also thread a piece of floral wire though and make a funny Seuss-like loop as well.
-Attach pom poms or any other embellishments at end. Bells are quite festive but only recommended for older children and adults....again choking hazard.

Ta DA! All finished, now wrap and gift.

If you see any typos or need help please feel free to message me. Remember this is a free pattern so be nice when requesting changes or asking for help. And have a happy holiday season! :)

Abbreviations:
K- knit
P-Purl
K2TOG- knit 2 stitches together
STS- stitches
REM- remaining
REP- repeat
DPN- double pointed needles
RND- round, referring to a row of knitting when working in the round

Here we are practising our gift receiving faces! Wow! For me?

A knit bag for my mom, waiting to be finished and felted down.

Ankle socks for a friend. I have about two more pairs to finish up. Why do men's feet have to be so big!?

Biltmore lace pattern from Socks A La Carte, Toe Up. Love that book. I knit all my socks, two at a time and toe up.

Scarf for Aunt knit up from one skein of Rowan Kidsilk Creation, a treasure for holiday knitters. Knit up in an hour and it looks like a gorgeous lace ruffle scarf. It comes in a skein and you knit off the end of it.
It is much easier and quicker to use than Trendsetters Flamenco, and looks very luxurious. I highly recommend it!

Ok, this is an absolutely horrible picture of me (my sister said I look like a goober) but I wanted to show the cowl I made for my Step-Grandma with Berroco Link. One skein, and one hour and you have a warm winter gift.

Close up of yarn

Sea Salt & Almond Truths

2011-11-05T22:05:00.000-05:00

My poor sadly neglected blog. Ever since we moved the across country to DC I have found little time to write. I'm still looking for a free second to go buy conditioner and a toothbrush. Please, oh please don't ask me what I've been using in the interim. I now have an even smaller apartment even more full of fur, fuss, and fiber....the ever growing mountain of yarn.

Inspiration will still find you though, even when you are hiding from the world and scrambling to keep life juggling. Like the proverbial seedling sprouting from the pavement, life reminds us of it's little truths in the most unexpected moments of our lives. For example.....

I was absolutely killing a Chocolate xoxox candy bar, Sea Salt & Almond in dark delicious over priced chocolate, when I absentmindedly began to read the wrapper. I am a "package reader". I can tell you the calories, ingredients, and random marketing bits from every packaged item of food that I frequent....Even some of the unpronounceable ingredients. This candy bar had a love poem printed on the inside. I'd read some of this brand's poems before, and they mostly sucked, reminding me of prepubescent verses written to high school heartthrobs. This one however really stuck with me. It resonated with truths that I had come across as a new mom but hadn't been able to adequately phrase. It was so...so....true. I felt a little light go on inside. I felt complete agreement and kinship with the author, and I found myself nodding my head as I read it over and over. I realized all over again why poetry can be so powerful, how with a few descriptive words it summarized whole hours of thought into a beautiful and simple verse. It was the written equivalent of a little extra effort.

I wish we still lived in a time when people spent the time to properly phrase and nicely describe the mundane. Instead, it gets muted down into tiny tweets, or streaming Facebook status updates. Don't get me wrong. I love me some social media, and the american vernacular is my native tongue. No one speaks slang as fluently as I do. But think, when was the last time someone wrote you a poem? When was the last time someone did more than just sign their name to a card? Or worse...consider a FB Happy Birthday post enough? Actually when was the last time you had a real birthday?

I decided that I wanted to take a moment to write my son and husband something special. Something that took enough effort to really show them how much I care. Something that wasn't texted or instant messaged. Maybe not a poem, it's been awhile since I've written a good one, but something beautiful and thoughtfully penned. I tend to overdo things like this though, I read a wrapper and want to write my own poetry. Life however is still happening all around me. I am still in the middle of my fourth move in about 2 months so I have to keep things short and in perspective, but I think that this weekend I will find some time because my family deserves that little extra effort.

I've posted the poem below for everyone who has loved someone and watched them sleep....in a non creepy way of course. :) Maybe you'll be likewise inspired.

from Don Juan by Lord Byron

An infant when it gazes on the light,

A child the moment when it drains a breast,

A devotee when soars the Host in sight,

An Arab with a stranger for a guest,

A sailor when the prize has struck in fight,

A miser filling his most hoarded chest,

Feel rapture; but not such true joy are reaping

As they who watch o'er what they love while sleeping.

The Duchess

2011-08-08T12:02:00.003-05:00

I just created a new newborn photography hat inspired by the brits and their Royal Wedding. I call it The Duchess because I know that only Kate Middleton's babies could rock this hat in their newborn pictures! It's made from yarn that I spun on my wheel and hand trimmed with Swarovski crystals, feathers, satin ribbon, pink tulle, and crocheted/felted flowers that I made. It has a knit strap too, so it should just slip on. If worn with the feathers on the back, instead of the front, you can pull the fascinator veil down to their sleepy, leetle eyes! AHHH! cuteness over load. Ashley from LeLe Photography is coming over to pick it up and give it a test spin. Professional photos coming soon!

The Click of the Sticks

2011-08-07T22:58:00.003-05:00

My third yarn. Blue Faced Leicester.

By now you might have picked up on the fact that I am an over achiever. I take all hobbies to the extreme. Some people like to powerwalk, I hike the Inca Trail. Normal people go to college and major in something. I got a triple major, and finished a semester early. Most people date for about a year before getting engaged. I was proposed to after 5 days, and two dates. I said yes. Don't worry, it's worked out so far. I didn't fall off a mountain, die from stress, and it's been 2 years and counting of wedded bliss. But then I started to KNIT, and now I am in danger of losing myself to the opiate of yarn.

I had always known how to knit. I have very early recollections of a shameful past involving acrylic string and unfinished scarfs. Then one day I found an LYS (a local yarn store in knitter speak for all my craft impaired friends :p). Life changed. I learned about patterns (I'd always just made stuff up from squares), knitting techniques (who knew I knit "continental"), the beautiful world of wool, and hand dyed/handspun heaven. Now I must admit that I had not always been faithful to the fiber. I had cheated with other crafts, had dalliances with other arts but my heart has always fluttered to the sound of clicking sticks. I joined Ravelry, swore off synthetics, and pledged my allegiance to the small fiberphile businesses.

Pioneer woman...ish

Then one day in my fiber explorations I saw it...the spinning wheel. Like a real life manifestation of my make-believe imaginings as Sleeping Beauty. I checked. There was no sharp spindle to prick my finger on. Bummer. I looked around, but no one had seen me checking. I bet they knew I was thinking it though. It was so glamourous in a do-it yourself, renaissance reenactment, princess in a tower kinda way. And then the old over-achiever alarm went off in my head. OMG. You could take knitting to a whole new level. And I thought learning to crochet, felt, and tatt had been ambitious. HAH! I could learn to make my own freaking yarn. Add that to my baking, cheesemaking, sewing, and knitting lessons and I could be the pioneer woman to reckon with. The domestic leader in the post-apocalyptic world where electricity and the internet have failed us. You know, something like this picture to the right. -----> I still don't know how to clean but no one will care when we...Whoa. I just got carried away on a mega train of thought. You can see how my hobbies get out of hand with such an overactive imagination.

I got online and researched the best spinning teacher in Saint Louis. The sound of clicking sticks was getting drowned out by the whirring of a spinning wheel. I found Susan, of Spunsilver Creations. Ravelry was humming her praises, both for her store and her weaving and spinning lessons. Wait. Weaving? OMG. I have always wanted to weave. Ever since the American Indian display at the Grand Canyon....hold on....spinning. One thing at a time, but don't think I'm not already planning ways to convince my husband to buy me weaving lessons and a loom.

Very first yarn!

I contacted Susan and she was super nice. We set up a lesson and I was already researching all kinds of spinning stuff, developing spinning wheel envy, and dying of shock over the prices. After securing my husband to babysit one Monday (he's so sweet!), I drove out to her beautiful home where her shop is located. Her store is small but stocked full of any fiber or tool you would need to create gorgeous yarn. There are wheels and looms set up everywhere and the most tempting of wools and silks to touch. Over the course of two lessons (2-3 hours each!) I learned about fibers, handling the fiber during spinning, using an Ashford drop spindle, a Kromski Fantasia spinning wheel, plying yarn, and prepping the yarn you've made so you can knit with it. I was in heaven. It's strange because looking back there was so much information and so many techniques that we went over but it all just kind of clicked. Elizabeth Zimmerman, in her Knitter's Almanac, talks about having some kind of "historical memory" about what to do when she first sat down at a spinning wheel. Like her hands just seemed to remember spinning in their past lives and knew how to work the wheel (of course I'm going to have to get my copy of her book out now and do this justice in my paraphrasing). It felt sort of like that. It all just seemed to make sense, and maybe also because Susan is a really good teacher :)

Maxi on the drums!

I made my first little baby skein of yarn. It wasn't perfect, but honestly it wasn't too bad. Since then I have been sucked into a vortex of spinning, thinking of nothing but making yarn. Ok, not really because the baby is still having serious sleep issues and is just so darn cute on his drum set. No, seriously! Look to the right. But I have made four other skeins (about 100-150 yards), and knit them up into hats. Oh yes, we have come full circle back to the knitting. I told you that my heart belonged to knitting. After all, what's the purpose of using the wheel if not to make yarn to knit with. Although, I really do like treadling on the pedals of the wheel. I looked it up, but it only burns about 100 something calories an hour. Too bad. I was hoping it could count for cardio.

The very best part though was that Susan gives her students a discount (on top of already having the best prices online!) so I was able to buy my wheel with the money saved up from my Etsy store and she threw in a Niddy Noddy (more yarn speak, click the links, I swear it's interesting-ish) and bobbins as gifts! So if you were worried that I wasn't going to talk about my adventures in spinning anymore (I know...I know), FEAR NOT! There's a pictorial on the way illustrating the steps from wool to hat. But for now, here's an exhilarating pictorial of the day that my wheel came home.

Coming back home from walking the dog I found this waiting by the door! hooray! I don't think Kromski should print what it is on the outside though....someone might steal it!...hmm probably not.

I dance giddily around the box for a few minutes, dancing a jig while Max looks at his mom like she's the best entertainment since Dora. Then I finally, and CAREFULLY, open it. Paper.

Whoa. That is alot of small wooden parts. This must be the Ikea of spinning wheels. Better break into Robert's toolbox and get supplies. I might need some snacks too.

"We can help". I like that. I enter the number into my cell phone.

That is $478 worth of little paper wrapped packages. That's about 225 knit hats and patterns to sell.
I have a lot of catching up to do.

20 minutes of unwrapping, 1 hour and a half assembling, 45 mins of hearing Max wail and fuss to get ALL of my attention, one broken drill bit (oops!), a phone call to complain about missing parts and instructions, and my new baby is up and running. And I did it all by myself with no boys helping. But no Robert, you can still build the bookcases and stuff. Woodworking will be the one thing I don't excel in post-apocalyptic times. Now I have to find some wool.

The Inca Trial...a lesson in ambitious exercise and the awesome-ness of wool

2011-04-27T16:35:00.005-05:00

No seriously, I am obsessed with Alpacas.

*Warning: Several paragraphs of blah, blah, blah before you get to the pattern*

When I was 22 I hiked the Inca Trail. I thought that maybe out there in the middle of mountainous Peru I could find some great truth, get some life changing meaning, take a trip that didn't revolve around drinks with tropical fruit granish...and I did! Almost like a stone tablet/burning bush combo coming out of a brutal rainstorm, the greatest thing I learned, that turned my life around was this;

Wool is the most important thing on earth.

In order to save money I went the very first week of the trail hiking season. It was cheap because it coincided with the end of rainy season (a fact I did not learn until my sleeping bag and tent slid down the mountain side in a torrential mudslide). As they say, there's no such thing as a free lunch...or a discounted adventure. 12 hours into the hike I was already thinking of it as my own personal Trail of Tears. Blisters abounded, leg muscles were burning, and every inch of me was dripping in sweat, rain, mud, and tears. It was a journey that even my Ipod and the magic of Madonna combined couldn't give me the motivation to power through.
Besides embarking on this test of physical endurance, for which I had no training (no seriously....I thought 45 mins on the stair-master the night before would do the trick), the arduous journey was further enlivened by a never ending shower of freezing rain. I felt like a human tea bag climbing up the side of the mountain, like the soggy coca tea leaves they kept urging me to chew for energy (they forgot to mention that those are the same leaves cocaine is made from! Are you kidding me?). I could swear I was dressed in a mop head and sponges. At one point I contemplated stripping my clothes off and continuing the hike nude. I figured if I could fool myself into thinking I was taking the world's longest shower than maybe I could relax a bit.
The only things that were not soaked through and cold were my Alpaca and Merino blend earflap hat and socks. And so I learned a beautiful truth, wool is life changing.
The natural characteristics of Alpaca made it the only material suitable for a 4 day hike through the Incas. It is extremely warm but not itchy, hypoallergenic, and water repellent blended with wool. It is also naturally fire retardant, just in case I passed out from exhaustion while sitting too close to the campfire. Even my waterproof poncho sprung leaks in the seams and left me shivering underneath. But the double knit, bulky, alpaca and wool things I was wearing were warm and surprising repellent. Marvelous, even if I did smell a bit like wet goat. No wonder that the wild llamas, vicunas, and alpacas were happily prancing about and looking bucolic. They were dressed head to toe in wool!

A Llama and I get friendly at Machu Pichu, Peru

At long last we arrived at the Sun Gate at dawn and glanced across the valley at the sun rising behind the ancient city of the Incas. The light bounced off the stones as it crept across the hill, and the hikers were silent in awe as they wrung water out of their socks. And I stood majestic in my mud, petting a wild llama, and reveling in all of its woolly wonder.

Well ok then, you made it this far so here is the pattern as promised. I decided that every baby needs a hat like this to keep their ears and adorable little heads warm after my wet weather excursions in Peru and Missouri. However, if you don't knit (or haven't the time) you could also buy your own custom knit hat at our Etsy store, Knit While He Naps. Earflap hat patterns for babies abound on the internet. The patterns are all very similar and produce almost identical looking hats. This one is not any more special than the rest so I thank you for choosing this one to make.

The pattern is written for worsted weight, 5 sts to the inch but the blue hat picture also shows a version knit up in bulky weight for extra warmth. If you choose to modify the pattern to use a bulky yarn remember the great Elizabeth Zimmerman's advise; when using a bulky weight the circumference of the inside of the hat is smaller than the outside because of the thickness of the wool so cast on more stitches than you think you would need.
I could list all the different instructions for different weight/gauge yarns but I have a 9 month old running around here so my blogging time is brief, but please feel free to message me or email me at Vania@knitwhilehenaps.com if you need help adjusting the pattern and I will be more than happy to oblige.

A very wiggly Max models a multi colored blue version.

Baby Inca Trail Earflap Hat
Size: 0-3 months

Gauge: 5sts to the inch

Needle: 12" circular needle or DPN's to achieve above gauge (I knit very loosely so I use a size 4 but a US size 7 could do the trick if you knit more to the guage or tight)

Optional: Pom Pom maker, yarn needle, and some freshly baked cookies

Techniques Used: Knitting in the round, simple decreases (K2Tog), and provisional cast on. Tutorials abound on youtube.com, the TechKnitting blog, and Knitty.com.
Advanced Beginnner and up knitting level

-CO 72 sts using a Provisional Cast On
I use an easy method taught to me when I was learning to knit. I don't know the name of this version but it is pretty simple. Using waste yarn, and a crochet hook, chain 70. Then flip the chain over and going through the back loops only (they look like a row of purl bumps), pick up a loop of the working yarn and transfer it to the knitting needle. Repeat. It's not the best way but maybe the easiest.
-Join for working in the round
-Knit every row, continuing in St St until piece measure 3.5-4 inches from cast on edge. Or you could knit about 1.5 inches of 2x2 ribbing then switch to stockinette for another 2 inches or so like in the hat shown on the picture below. Either way, with or without the ribbing that hat has enough stretch to fit a growing head.
-Begin decreases

A newborn photography prop version knit especially for
the fabulously talented ladies at LeLe Photography.

Work Decreases/Shape Crown:
Row 1: K6, K2tog rep. around
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: K5, K2tog
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: K4, K2tog
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: K3, K2tog
Row 8: Knit
Row 9: K2, K2tog
Row 10: Knit
Row 11: K1, K2tog
Row 12: K2tog

-Break yarn and thread through remaining sts. Pull tight, fasten off, and weave in end.
-Pick up provisional stitches, placing them back onto your knitting needles, and pull out waste yarn, if you're me this requires a some careful cutting, picking, and pulling.
-BO 18 sts, then working around place the next 18 sts on holder/scrap ofwaste yarn (carry the yarn by weaving it through back loops of stitches on holder), then BO the next 18 stitches, then place the last 18 sts on a holder. Fasten and weave in any tails to get them out of the way.
- Rejoin yarn at the beginning of the first group of 18 sts.

Work Ear Flaps
Row 1: K1 row.
Row 2: Turn and purl back
- Repeat last two rows again
Row 3: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, KI
Row 4: Turn and purl back
- Repeats rows 3 and 4 until 4 sts remain.
Row 5: K1, YO, K2tog, K1
-Break yarn, pull through rem. 2 sts, secure, weave in tail.

-Rejoin yarn at the other group of 18 sts waiting for you on a holder and repeat the Work Ear Flap section.
-For cords on either side you can work i- cords or follow directions below.

Work Ties/Cords
- Cut 6 pieces of yarn 36" in length
-Thread through hole made by YO in flap
-Fold in half, and braid.
-Repeat on other side.

*If using for daily wear for a young baby and not just as a photo prop shorten cords to 6" in length to reduce risk of strangulation or always use hat under adult supervision.*

Add Embellishments
I added 3 pom poms of varying size or a giant pom pom on top in the pictures above, you could also add I-Cord loops, felted crocheted flowers, a tassel, a knitted ball or anything else you think would work best.

Thanks for knitting/reading along and good luck! Please feel free to email/message me with any errata, questions, or sizing issues. :)

Feel free to use, copy, share, link, or sell hats made with pattern with my permission. Please just include a note or link that credits me with writing the pattern. Thanks!

Abbreviations
YO- yarn over
K- knit
P- purl
CO- cast on
BO- bind off or cast off
K2tog- knit two stitches together
SSK- slip, slip, knit (slip 2 sts one at a time, then knit together)
ST ST- stockinette stitch
sts- stitches
rem- remaining

a few of my favorite things....

2011-04-19T23:04:00.000-05:00

I am far, far behind on my posts for April. Probably because I am addicted to online shopping for things I don't need but NEED. Just now I was busy composing a Etsy treasury list The Sale of Indulgences (these gorgeous shoes pictured here are featured) instead of uploading some more patterns I've been working on. I'm also working on a pictorial of my new adventures in spinning wool and weaving. *sigh* Tomorrow....is another day wasted in front of the computer.

Knit and Run on Washington Ave.

2011-03-03T11:25:00.003-06:00

As previously mentioned I have a "bucket list". One of the sub-listings on it is to do a "yarn bomb" or as my husband has nicknamed it, a "knit and run". I mentioned this to the ladies at Knit While They Nap and some of them decided to help by each contributing some flowers (Caz and Arpi). Originally I had had this idea of crocheting a net with flowers to throw over a bush in winter. I was watching someone do this with a christmas light net for bush's and though how great would it be if that was knit! Good idea, right? Well, it is still a good idea but I got an even better one when member Arpi said she was doing a flower vine (did I mention that this has now become a monthly project with the group?) and I thought awww the lonely lions at English Living would love that! And they do such a good job of guarding my favey tea place and keeping the drunks in line at 3am. They should be rewarded!

So I made a flower crown for the lion on the left. I wanted to make a pair but I only had so many flowers and about half a dozen orders to catch up on. Paid knitting must take precedence. I went with honoring the lion on the left, because I have a thing for alliteration. I still like my net idea but that requires more help so maybe after I do some "hooker" recruiting I can pull that one off too! Hookers is another term for crocheters so don't get all excited.

But back to the flower crowns...I did a leetle pictorial down below of my adventure and many thanks must go out to my husband. Not only did he wake me up at 5am so we could go yarn bomb, and not only did he take pictures, BUT he went to go check it out this morning to let me know what people's reactions were because I was too scared. :)

Check back for more pictures because the members of the group have decided to each take a turn yarn bombing a location in their hometown. If this keeps up we should have some fiberific photos from all over the world. Yay!... I love yarn.

All crocheted up into a beautiful flower crown. I have to try it on to do a quality check....ok...and to play princess dress up for like 5 seconds.

Some of Arpi and Caz's contributions on my right side.

I had no idea it was so dark and quiet downtown at 5am. Or that that was how bad I look in the morning! Ok hurry up and take a picture Robert before we get harassed by cops or homeless people.

A little closeup of the other side and my tag. Time to hurry up back to bed, it's freakin' 5 am!

Robert coyly snaps a daytime photo as he walks Leo in the morning. Meanwhile, he is taking note of passerby's reactions so he can report back to me because I'm too wimpy to go see myself. Looking sharp Left Lion.

A close up of the tag, which people keep stopping to check out as they pass. I wanted to be sure people knew it was on purpose and not just some drunk bachelorette stumbling home, losing articles of clothing...I mean...I hear that happens a bit on Washington Ave but I wouldn't know.

and now we bid adieu to the Lions that guard the London Tea Room of Washington Ave. Thanks for being such good sports. I think the lion on the right is directing some envious, dirty looks at Left Lion's new flair.

Wait! Just one more look back....awwww yea! He's still got it.

Knit While They Nap presents....a Magic Yarn Ball Swap!

2011-02-28T14:37:00.000-06:00

So a while back I started a group on Ravelry called Knit While They Nap (not to be confused with Knit While He Naps, my store). I know it's a little redundant but I was pregnant and distracted and couldn't be super creative with names twice in a row. You should've seen how long it took me, and my husband, to pick the baby's name. Besides the sentiment behind the name remains the same for the group and my Etsy store. The reason I started the group was because I figured there were many new moms like me who were so committed to creativity that they would rather knit (or crochet) while the kids napped then take a nap themselves. I would rather look like H, E, double hockey sticks from lack of sleep than forgo a nice new pair of handknit socks or have Max go without a scrummy, soft, sweater (wrapped in wool and love *sigh*). All these reasons, and because I was trapped in my house with a colicky newborn and too post-prego fat too waddle anywhere in the summer heat were why I started a fiberphile group. I also had no new mom friends and no knitting company. Don't bring out that violin yet though. I'm not whining, not this time anyway, I went online to do what any other recluse would do....find friends.

I have met the most fantastic, intelligent, hilarious, and creative group of women ever gathered together, through our group on Ravelry. Although we have never met in person, I feel as if I've finally found the Stitch and B*tch group I never had. There are about 80 members from all over the world, with a varied interest in all things fiberific (knitting, crochet, spinning yarn, hand dyeing, and weaving). It's amazing to explore the knitting culture and mom demographic in places such as Germany, Iceland, Finland, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, Zimbabwe, France, and all over the USA.

One of the ways that we keep in touch is through Knit Alongs and Crochet Alongs (KAL/CAL), knitting for local charities, contributing to each other's Yarn Bombing projects, and a Magic Yarn Ball Swap (suggested by member CrochetBelle).

A magic yarn ball swap is where you take a ball of nice yarn and wrap it around little presents and surprises so as the person knits with it or un winds it the surprises all come out. You can also tuck the nice yarn inside and use scrap yarn to wrap it all up so it's even more of a surprise (or in my case you put feather surprise in it too which will be annoying to clean but FUN!). Then you ship it off to your swap partner and wait impatiently for yours to come in the mail. Click the link above to see more about this. I forgot to take pictures of mine before I sent it but I'm sharing pictures below of the one that I received. You can also make one of these as a children's birthday gift or stocking stuffer to help them get into a crafty/handmade mode. The gifts tucked inside will help them finish their project and not be haunted by an unfinished, lumpy, acrylic, half-a-scarf mess from 10 years ago as I am. :)

Ooooh a package! for me?!?!

Yay! An H&M bag...oh wait there's stuff underneath....

Hooray! Knitting Christmas has come!

A shovel for Max, nice organic cotton yarn, adorable pet theme buttons (one has a flocked puppy face on it!), Knit While They Nap letters ( to make a yarn project tote bag), fun knit pins (to decorate said tote bag), an Eucalan sample, and a delicious donut gift card to make up for the chocolate one that got away *sigh* crafty heaven!

He may be worth it, but can I afford it?

2011-02-19T23:39:00.001-06:00

Look at that face. A-DOR-A-BLE! Of course, he's worth it. A blind mole in a paper bag could tell you that much. That's a question I've been asked a lot lately. Every time I complain about some "joy of motherhood" someone inevitably holds my son up and says, "but isn't he worth it?". Well, yes of course he is. His worth is immeasurable. He is single handedly the biggest and most important thing that has ever happened to me, and yet there are times when I find myself pondering over the price I paid for such happiness. Here I pause and feel overly cautious about my next words. I'm striving to put the right tone here because I worry that people will find me ungrateful or unworthy. New moms are judged so harshly when it comes to the type of parent people perceive them to be. People are always saying they know exactly what you're going through but they still don't want to hear you complain. If you even begin to hint that there is trouble in newborn paradise, they insist that it's irrelevant because, "isn't he worth it"? I understand that they are just trying to help me put things in perspective. I read the pamphlet on Postpartum Depression, I know what you're worried is happening here and I assure you it's not that. I just can't help running over the list of things I traded in for the opportunity to call this angel faced lovey mine.

In my case, the price of motherhood was;

1. A now defunct thyroid. It turns out that it wasn't just me and my menage-a-trois with Cheetos and Chocolate. Somewhere in my third trimester by body decided to wage an auto-immune war on my thyroid and killed it. The result? A metabolism on permanent holiday, the kind of fatigue and joint pain found in retirement communities, and the inability to lose weight. Even a renewed commitment to the commandments of the almighty D&E (diet and exercise) won't help now. It seems that the only way I'll be losing the baby weight is through more blood tests and medication than a guinea pig sees on a workday. Joy.

2. A completely battle scarred body. I won't get into what happened to my body. Nobody is interested in hearing that same old pregnancy/birth sob story, not even me. Let's just say that if I were an apartment and the baby was a previous renter...he wouldn't be getting his deposit back. Not the way he left the place looking when he moved out.

3. What was left of my "youth". Most moms today are in their 30's. They lived through their 20's, enjoying the single life then relived their 20's again when 30 became the "New 20". I got to about 25 and was skipped ahead ten years in a game of Chutes and Ladders that I call marriage. I go in my closet and laugh at the absurd wardrobe belonging to some 20 something girl that, supposedly, I used to be. The only purpose that toddler sized collection of party dresses and miniskirts will serve, is as dress up clothes for my daughter's social studies projects. Kind of like when I wore stuff from my mom's closet to Disco Days at school. In August I turned 27 but it felt much closer to 49.

4. Losing touch with all my friends that don't have babies. I can't blame them. I don't have anything in common with myself anymore either.

5. Losing all the free time I used to spend with my husband and myself. If ever there is even one spare second not involving the baby I am usually so exhausted I fall asleep just thinking about the ways I will spend it. Getting a manicure involves more phone calls and planning than planning my wedding did. And now you have to multiply the cost of any night out with the number of hours you will have to pay the babysitter for. There's also the complex mathematics involved in figuring out how many extra hours you have to schedule in for the old 10 minute trip to the grocery store. Today it took me 3 hours to clean the kitchen. In wasn't particularly messy (Robert had even triaged the dirty dish situation the night before) but when you factor in the 2 minutes of work I get done for every hour of baby drama interruption, 30 minutes of cleanup turns into an all day affair. I quit my job so I could spend all day working for the man. The man that is 6 months old and doesn't even talk yet. Romance and relaxation are words that left my vocabulary when high heels and lingerie left my closet.

So there's the bill. The total payment due for the thrill of holding the world's best baby in my arms (that's right...you read that bold claim correctly... WORLD'S BEST :p). So is it worth it? That's become an entirely irrelevant question. I had no choice in the matter. They dropped the check after I had already fallen madly in love. I didn't even glance at the total when I handed over my card and told them to charge it. I might have over paid. I probably could have got more for less somewhere else. But just look at that face! Luxury like this is always worth it.

Chocolate Doughnut

2011-01-08T12:03:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday I got this sudden urge to buy a donut. I LOVE donuts, like Homer Simpson love them, so I very rarely buy one, too much temptation to be had. So this was a serious sugar surge. I was all excited and took it home and was like oooh I'll save it for lunch and eat it with coffee. Well, Max was freakin' out pretty bad so lunch never happened. Then I tried eating it for breakfast but between dog walking, baby caring, cooking, working out, kitchen cleaning, and life it has now been almost a week since I brought the doughnut home. This sad little chocolate deliciousness has quietly died, uneaten, in my breadbox without even so much as a lick to demolish the perfect little icing top. I knew I should have frozen it. *sigh*
Once upon a time my Sunday would have gone something like this. Wake up at noon, make time for a donut (and some starbucks...and then maybe a bloody mary and mimosa....possibly some eggs and chili at the diner), sloth around doing absolutely nothing, then slink into a size 4 itty bitty sequin something and go out all night with friends. WTF?!?! How is it possible to be sleeping less, eating less, working harder, never drinking, being happier, but still weighing 25 pounds more than this time last year? And don't suggest that it's part of getting older because that freaks me out about turning 30 in a few years.
I'm pretty sure I need a trainer...and a nutritionist... and a nanny...maybe a dog walker. Wait, a sec.....now I know how all those celebrity moms look so good! Unfair! I need to find a way to befriend one of them.

Newborn Kneehigh Booties

2010-12-04T17:33:00.006-06:00

(WARNING: there's a paragraph of blah blah before the pattern)

I'm in an incredible knitting frenzy today trying to get stuff made to sell tomorrow at the Bizarre Bazaar in the Syndicate Building. This is the first time since I was 7 that I have made things to sell. The last time I was in the second grade and made a bunch of little paper things (like origami animals and fortune tellers) and I sold them in school. The nuns somehow found out and I got busted and had to donate all the money I made to the mission box. It was only like $5 but in 1989 that was a fortune in popsicles to a little kid. Plus, I would totally have split 50/50 with the mission kids. I just hope tomorrow goes better than that time. Mostly I hope people show up. Craft fairs aren't exactly the "in thing" on a Sunday. Then again, most things are uncool on a Sunday, except maybe sleeping off a hangover. I mostly knit toys, stuffed animals, hats, and booties. Everything else requires nice yarn, so I prefer to have the persons measurements. I refuse to knit with crappy yarn. It makes me itch and drives me crazy when it squeaks, splits, or sheds, making knitting an unpleasant experience. I decided to write down my baby bootie pattern and post it for my people from Ravelry. Because anyone that loves that website as much as I do deserves more free patterns in the world. :)

OK, the pattern.....I knit these about knee length because babies kick off short socks the minute you get them on. I dislike hearing a dozen times a day, "oooh your baby is about to lose his sock". It's helpful but distracting. I knit these up in 100% Baby Alpaca for warmth and softness but it's really almost too fluffy to see the lace well. I would suggest something better for stitch definition, maybe an extrafine merino or using bigger needles? *shrug*

Here are some pattern details before you begin. If you are unfamiliar with any of the techniques, I'd watch some how-to youtube videos before proceeding. This pattern uses the following techniques;
-Knitting in the round
-Judy's Magic Cast On or Turkish/Oriental Cast on
-Knitting socks from the toe up
-Basic lace pattern stitches like SSK, K2tog, and YO.

NEWBORN KNEEHIGH BOOTIES
Guage: 6-7" in stockinette, although size tends to hit or miss with babies since their feet are constantly growing, but fear not....the lace pattern is stretchy.

Needles: One US3/3.25mm 32" or longer, enough to use the Magic Loop Technique or
One set of US3/3.25mm DPNs or
Two US3/ 3.25mm circulars
(whatever way you like to knit from the toe up would be fine. I like Magic Loop since it's easier for me to cast on with. DPNs are really tricky to do a Turkish Cast on with.)

Yarn: Wool yarn in a Sport Weight or use DK Weight for slightly bigger feet. I used Knitpicks Andean Treasure in Amethyst.

Size: 6-12lbs Newborn, every baby is different but the bootie is pretty narrow not good for very chubby baby legs, go up a needle size or two or use a light worsted for a little more room for those adorable chubby legs.

Notions: 2 Lengths of ribbon, long enough to tie around baby's leg
And this has to be said, because people can be careless, If ribbon is longer than 6 inches...
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE RIBBON IN SOCK UNLESS BABY IS UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION. Ribbons longer than 6 inches can be a choking/strangulation hazard.

If you want you can of course knit these two at a time. So you would be doing each of the directions twice.
Begin TOE:
-Using Judy's Magic Cast On or Turkish Cast On, cast on 6 sts onto each needle (12sts).
-Knit 1 round
You should now have 12 sts total, 6 on each needle.

Begin INCREASES:
Starting with needle 1
-K1, KFB, knit to last stitch, KFB, K1
Now repeat on needle 2.
-Knit 1 round
Repeat above steps until you have 14 sts on each needle, ending with a knit row.

Begin LACE/INSTEP:
You will be working the Crab Walk lace pattern from Vogue Knitting's Stitchionary 5, adapted for knitting in the round. It is...
Row1: K1, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1 (rep)
Row2: Knit all sts.
Row3: K2tog, YO, K3, YO, SSK (rep)
Row4: Knit all sts.
(Rep)
Lace is worked only on needle 1(or first 14 sts) , Knit remaining sts.
Continue working in the round until piece measures 2" from cast on edge. End with Row 1 of pattern.
So you should have knit Row 1 (K1, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1 (rep)) on the first 14 sts then stopped right before the last 14 sts. You will work the short rows to shape the heel on these 14 sts.

Begin SHORT ROWS/ TURNING HEEL:

-Knit to last stitch, turn.
-BYO, purl until last stitch, turn.
-YO, knit to st before yo (3sts remaining), turn.
-BYO, purl to st before yo made on last row (they will look paired together), turn.
Repeat until their are 6 unpaired/unworked sts in the middle.
-Knit to first YO of pairs, k2tog (yo with st next to it). Turn.
-BYO. Purl to first YO loop. SSP, turn.
-YO. Knit to next YO loop. K3tog. Turn.
-BYO. Purl to YO loop. SSSP. Turn
Repeat above 2 steps until all the sts are worked and their is a YO on each end.
Knit one round to join sts again, knitting YO's together with a st on each end, and completing Row 2 of lace pattern for front of sock.
You should once again have 28 sts (14 for lace pattern for front of leg, and 14 sts in stockinette for back of leg).

Begin LEG:
-Continue knitting first 14 sts in lace pattern ( starting with Row 3 and keep on)
-Knit last 14 sts.
-Keep working in the round repeating above 2 steps until leg measure 3" from where you ended heel and began leg.

Begin CUFF:
-Knit all sts for 2 rounds.
-Knit an eyelet row- YO, K2tog works well
-Knit 4 rounds of 1x1 ribbing (k1,p1)
- Cast off with a sewn bind off or similarly stretchy BO.

TA DA! Now thread a ribbon through the eyelet holes and you are all done.**

ABBREATIONS:
CO- cast on
BO-bind off
BYO- backwards yarn over
YO- yarn over
SSSP- slip slip slip purl
k2tog- knit 2 sts together
K3tog- knit 3 together
SSK- slip slip knit- slip 2 sts knitwise then knit together

** Please feel free to use pattern to make booties for gifting, selling, or charity. Feel free to link to pattern or share a printed version with friends and knitting groups. I only ask that you credit me as designer and link back and/or mention my website as the source. And of course if you feel like "like"ing our FB page...I'm sure I wouldn't protest. :)

The LeLe Baby Hat

2010-09-29T13:55:00.005-05:00

(Warning: Exactly 2 paragraphs of chit-chat before pattern actually begins!)

Ashley and Alicea from LeLe Photography asked me to knit some fun and funky baby hats for them to use as photography props on their newborn photo shoots. I couldn't quite find a pattern I liked (for free anyway) so I decided to design one and make it available to anyone who would like to knit one for their baby or photography business. All I ask in return is that you friend our Facebook page, Knit While He Naps, so that we can keep growing and posting more free patterns for everyone! It's a really easy pattern and I'm sure someone out there must have made one similar. This is just the way that I knit it up. Please feel free to use the following directions to make your own, for a friend, or for charity. If you want to sell the hats you make, that's ok too! I ask out of courtesy that you credit me as designer, and please keep in mind that the LeLe name is trademarked to LeLe Photography, who allow us to use it with permission. So maybe if you could include a link to their website as well, www.lelephotography.com, and that would be extra nice. Of course, you technically don't have to do any of this BUT I have found fiber artists to be some of the nicest, most polite people in the world.
Thanks! :)

I have written these out pretty basic, more for an advanced beginner to understand. If you have questions please feel free to message me. Tutorials for making an I-cord or German Twisted Cast On abound on the internet/youtube.com. I knit this in super bulky weight yarn so that it would hold it's shape better for photographs. If you are knitting this for a baby to wear, you could knit this up in a softer bulky weight yarn and adjust needle size accordingly. Although I don't think guage really matters for a prop hat. You could always measure your baby's head, knit a swatch, and do the math to adjust accordingly. I got about 11sts to 4" in stockinette. Please shorten the I-Cord if you are making for everyday wear so that it is not a dangerous length/choking hazard for baby.

Ok then here we go.....

Yarn: Super Bulky Weight ( I used Adrienne Vittadini-Mia to make the one in the picture 50g/50yards 11sts 4" guage on Us11 size needles but Malabrigo Rasta is an absolutely lovely variegated and super soft option that I use when making this for gifts and not props. The super bulky weight holds it's shape as well as the Mia yarn mentioned above.

Needles: Size 8 DPNs ( I knit loosely so use Size 10 if you knit tight or to the gauge), and a size smaller for the ribbing if you want.

Hat Size: 0-3 months (gauge not important for prop hat)

Cast on 48 stitches using German Twisted Cast On, or similarly stretchy cast on.
Place marker and join in the round.

Work 1x1 ribbing for 1 inch. (using a smaller size needle here if you'd like, mostly to keep ribbing from puffing out too much)

Switch to stockinette for 2.5-3 inches, then begin decreases.

Round 1: (k6, k2tog) Repeat.
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: (k5, k2tog) Repeat.
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: (k4, k2tog) Repeat.
Round 6: Knit
Round 7: (k3, k2tog) Repeat.
Round 8: Knit
Round 9: (k2, k2tog) Repeat.
Round 10, 11, 12: Knit
Round 13: (k1, k2tog) Repeat.
Round 14-18: Knit
Round 19: (k2tog) Repeat.
Round 20-27: Knit
Round 28: (k2tog) 3 sts remain.

You should now have 3 sts on one needle. Begin knitting an I-Cord with the 3 sts. I knit about 15 rounds to make the length in the picture. Watch your tension on this part so the cord doesn't get a distinct bend in it. Or do as I sometimes do and stuff a little wool in the tail part.
Break yarn leaving a long tail.
Draw yarn through remaining 3 sts and knot.
Make a tassel, using tail to attach to hat, and weave all ends in.
You could also make a big Pom Pom instead if tassels aren't you're thing.

Ode to Colic

2010-09-08T17:20:00.001-05:00

You're sleep deprivation in it's purest form.

You are louder than a thunderstorm.

You're the reason we can't leave the house.

You're the baby vomit on my just washed blouse.

You're a screaming alarm in the late afternoon,
You're more annoying than the mosquitos in June.

You're a shaky hand, dispensing mylicon drops.
You're an anxious mother, dreamin' of Wife Swaps.

You're the 13th repetition of an annoying lullaby.
You're the reason I randomly start to cry.

You're a promise of "three months and you'll be fine"
You're the reason why babysitters resign.

You're the earplugs we won't admit to.
You're a martini and prozac, I'll take two!

You're the need for a bouncy chair, a pacifier, a moby, and swing.
You're the winning argument for children after wedding bells ring.

You're a mystery to mothers,

you're a myth to all others.

You're colic.

All my pillow friends and August updates

2010-07-18T13:52:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I had the most traumatic night of sleep in my life. Every time I turned it was like trying to flip a bowling ball with a spatula. My shoulders and hips would turn and then my stomach would follow 30 seconds later with a thump, and a muscle wrenching feeling like my belly was holding on with velcro and was being ripped off. It was an all night reenactment punctuated by hourly bathroom visits. So I looked to my Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy book (that Catherine so wisely gave me) and it recommended pillows. But that was so generic. I had questions. How many? What type? Any specific formation or chant? That's why last night I ended up looking like I had fallen asleep in a makeshift bomb shelter. There were half a dozen pillows propping up all the angles of my lumpy, bumpy body. I having enlisted the help of all these pillow friends (two couch cushions, 2 feather pillows, a memory foam pillow, and a squiggle shapped Boppy full body pillow) I finally slept for the first time in 4 months. Robert (or any other enemy fire) couldn't get within 2 feet of me....but I finally got some sleep.

With August coming up I am reminded that in exactly 17 days I will turn 27 just in time to be a more respectable age to be a first time mother. Shortly after my birthday is my Grandma's (my family twin) on the 15th, and then hopefully VERY soon after will be Cashew's birthday. He will most likely be the newest Leo in the family, and if he is born on the 22nd like the doctors think he will share a bday with Kobe Bryant. If he is born on the 16th like I'm guessing (actually I'm split between the 16th and 18th) he will share his bday with Napoleon. That leaves two very interesting career paths for a young boy to look forward too. Nothing competes with my birthday though because August 4th is lucky enough to host the day of my birth, Louis Vuitton's, and Barack Obama (who is pretty much the most coolest president we've ever had :). It's also the day Dom Perignon discovered champagne and no one's bday would be complete without that. So with that being shared I say to everyone, "you're welcome". HAH

As a last minute plug here's a shameless link to my Birthday Wish List. Because you're never to old to get excited over presents and because it's most likely the last birthday I'll get any.... Until the baby gets old enough to make personalized mugs, crayon portraits, or popsicle stick photo frames.

today I made a hat...and ceviche

2010-07-09T23:52:00.000-05:00

more pictures

As the belly grows, so does yarn stash

2010-07-08T23:37:00.001-05:00

I am now so pregnant that my once round belly looks lumpy and totally fake. It's actually uncomfortable to move around with this counter weight bouncing in front. There's still about a month left or so which is scary. How could there possibly be space left for the baby and I to keep gaining weight? Anyhoo...with this newfound time on my hand (now that tennis, golf, and gym classes are out) I've finished a few more items. I've always liked to knit. I'd take on a project or two a year. Now that the uncomfortable aspects of being pregnant have taken over I've finished about 16 projects this year. Yup, it's like that. So if you're on Ravelry.com friend me and if you're not and you knit or crochet you need to be. Join!....and then friend me. :) If clicking the title doesn't work then here's the link.

Projects on Ravelry

2010-07-01T11:36:00.002-05:00

Stitch and Bitch Club

2010-06-27T15:31:00.009-05:00

SO there is only so much about pregnancy that I can complain about before people begin to think I'm an ungrateful mother or anti babies. After all, nothing makes people as vocal about their opinions as spying a baby bump on a stranger. Don't get me wrong though, I'm still not done whining. In fact, now that I'm 8 months pregnant I feel like I have a whole new list of shocking and scary things to worry and complain about. In order to resist the urge to unleash all that on my blog (that's what husbands are for :P) I've decided to list some of my knitting/crochet projects and patterns here, though Ravelry (which I know every "fiber artist" is obsessed with!). Just click the title for the link. I might even upload one or two of my secret pie recipes. This should keep me occupied with uncomplaining posts for the next four weeks at least. I do this all in the name of positive thinking, which Robert says is the only way to survive the broiling, hot, hell of being in your third trimester in Saint Louis. The first project I've got going on is an amigurumi called Leo the Lion from LionBrand.com. I thought it'd be a good start because it uses inexpensive craft store yarn, Lion Brand. That way if my first Amigurumi ever turns out horrible, I won't feel guilty about tossing it instead of struggling to unravel and save the yarn. Then I'm going to move on to a Toe-Up Sock Two at a Time pattern (from Ravelry) using this beautiful Valley Yarns sock yarn you can get at Webs (yarn.com) for practically nothing. Knitty Couture in the Loop carries dozens of gorgeous sock yarns if you live in Saint Louis and like to feel before you buy like I do. If you're unfamiliar with amigurumi or toe-up socks click the links below or message me. It would be fun if I could get a few of you to knit.crochet.bake along with me because I haven't been able to find a single "Stitch and Bitch" club in Saint Louis that isn't made up solely of women over 60 or socially awkward young adults. Although I realize that now that I can't drink and received a cat for Christmas I'm dangerously close to crossing this line between Cat Lady and homebody. But I'm still one stiletto and a hair straightener away from all that, so you can join me with the confidence that I've not yet gone crazy.

http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/FEATtiptoptoes.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amigurumi

http://ravel.me/vmacjen/ltl