Mama Loves Knitting

Yarn Tagging

Mama — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:23:33 +0000

As promised, forever ago, here are some more photos from our yarn bombing event. The holidays came and went, my little toy store went through a remodel phase and now it is May. May seems to be the perfect time to share some snowy photos.

It is pretty pleasing to see the burst of color amidst the dreary, drab wintery Missoula skyline and downtown.

The cause for the yarn bombing was this organization.

In case you are wondering my hand model is my good friend Niki. A tiny flaw...we stitched these bits of cozy warm blankets together using a needle and thread and in the future when we do yarn bombing again we'll need to stitch these beauties on with yarn. The thread didn't hold up on the windy bridge quite as well as it could if burly yarn were used in place of the thin thread.

There she is! Niki joined me spur of the moment to tag the posts on our Higgins Street Bridge.

Tag something, with yarn of course!

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At Long Last….

Mama — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 00:55:43 +0000

I did it! I finished my sweater - in one year - but it is finished none-the-less. I will probably wear it every single day for a year now. It is cozy and warm. It isn't without a flaw here and there, like the entire hood is completely inside out, but with the addition of a pom-pom it looks perfectly adorable, in my opinion, and then no do-overs required.

Before I forget there is a link I've been meaning to share. Picking up stitches can be tricky and each time I have to do it I realize I've completely forgotten how to do it, this video perfectly lays it out (for me). The photos above are when I was working on picking up stitches for my sleeves. I had to do it again when I was working on my hood and finishing up the collar. I am not going to lie to you, I'm pretty into the finished product.

So I did end up finishing the hood later with a pom-pom and I love it so much more, but I love the elf effect it has on me.

I couldn't comfortably stand in the yard while Shane took some pictures of me, I'm far to shy for that, so I grabbed my chicken to keep me company. Meet Octopus Pie - named after Gussy's pronunciation of Optimus Prime as a tyke.

So the hood, I flipped it so you could see the side that is (I think) actually supposed to be the visible part. I honestly like the way it looks though. Others may not be into the "character" (that is what I'll be calling it from here on out).

The pattern for this sweater I found on Ravelry and it is called the Weekend Hoodie. You can see my progress if you look back at this post and this post. And I don't honestly think there is much else to say. I'm beaming - and now for a few more photos...and I'm out (wearing my sweater of course).

Happy Knits!

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Socks – and then some…

Mama — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:52:16 +0000

I have yet to complete a pair of socks...er even one sock...but I am going to finish my sweater - hopefully before the weekend is over.

I wanted to share this blog that is full of fun patterns and mad skill. Today the focus happens to be sock construction...and I will be revisiting this after my sweater is complete.

Just so you have a fun photo to view this is another holiday gift that I knit up for Simon's 2nd grade teacher - Mrs. Rothwell - whom he loves dearly. And I love this boy dearly...my little potato.

I knit this from some local yarn - made in Corvallis - Mountain Colors is the brand and boy is it colorful. It was a fun project - I knit most of this scarf in the hospital (doula-ing) while the little nugget below was being born.

His mama was my yarn bomb buddy.

Here is a pretty cake of Mountain Colors yarn - which I will most definitely be using again.

Happy Knits.

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Year End Holiday Knits

Mama — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:47:47 +0000

My year has been full. It has been full of love, friends, family, knits, change and all kinds of good stuff. I embarked on new projects this year, tried new things, grew a bit as I feel like I do with each new year. My kids are obviously growing too, I'll be doing some shopping for Simon in the new year he barely fits in any of his clothes these days. It warms my heart to see both of my boys still loving their knit hats I made them back when this whole new passion became a part of my life. The hats were one of my very first projects.

This year I've been crankin' hats out. I can make one in no time flat anymore, all I need is one evening and a good movie and of course some chunky wool and my 10.5 circular needles. It doesn't hurt to have my husband snuggled beside me on the couch either, never does really (knitting or not). I still have a couple of projects in the works. My sweater for example. Sheesh when will I ever finish that bad boy. But I've made two baby blankets over the course of the past few months and several hats.

Here is a quick snip of one of those blankets.

This one was for Baby Evelyn whom you met a few months ago.

Then I got to spend nearly a week with one of my favorites - knitting a few nights when we weren't cleaning, rearranging, and organizing at my store.

Here she is...knitting by our sweet little Christmas tree.

She brought me a surprise...a huge one...my sister and her baby whom I hadn't gotten the chance to meet yet. Baby William Jeffery.

The nights when we got to sit down and knit were, and always are, my favorite. The aforementioned hats I worked on for Christmas gifts were for my husband (whom I've never made a thing for - on purpose anyway) and his brother who happens to heart the Chicago Bears.

In order to complete these projects before Christmas morning I used some fairly chunky yarn and some size 10.5 circular needles. The yarn is malabrigo chunky in the hat pictured above. This hat I knit right in front of Shane (because I didn't really have a choice) but since he didn't inquire the gift ended up a surprise. This yarn is Kettle Dyed pure merino wool the variation in the skeins was so pretty. I decided to stripe it a bit - I'm a total sucker for vertical stripes.

The hat below was the Chicago Bears inspired hat that I decided to attempt a tiny bit of fair isle on. I don't really know what I'm doing but it sort of worked. I didn't know if my brother in law would like it though so I quickly knit up another ribbed hat for him too. Two hats on Christmas morning - that's a fine gift...right?

I finally found some Brown Sheep Yarn Co. yarn to use for the Bear's hat, but it was no easy task finding yarn, in one day, that came close to being the proper colors. Plus I needed wool...and it wasn't the softest wool - hopefully Bryan doesn't have an itchy head. I ribbed the bottom of the hat in the pictures above and then just knit knit knit (on circulars) and knit in those little fair isle stitches for a couple of rounds. I didn't use a pattern just decided to wing it.

And now I'm feeling a bit more caught up. I realize it is actually February and I'm still reminiscing the end of the year. I guess I'm just in a much better space today than I was a month or so ago. Things are calming down and I'm filing through photographs. And, I'm getting excited to have the time to start some more new knitting projects. Happy 2012!

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Yarn Bombing in Missoula

Mama — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:20:36 +0000

This morning our local paper featured a yarn bombing project that I was fortunate enough to partake in yesterday. If you'd like to see the article to hear more about Keep Missoula Warm you can check it here.

This fascination I have with tagging something in town was finally met but not on the secretive level that I'd hoped for...so that is my next goal. I have the perfect piece to share - now I just need an occasion. It will come to me soon enough I'm sure. I took a handful of photos of the handiwork yesterday so I'll post those as soon as I weed through my pictures. I barely squeezed this post out before I turned into a pumpkin. Nighty Night.

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Baby Evelyn Mae’s Hat

Mama — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 05:11:42 +0000

I got to be at another birth and it was an awfully special one, especially close to my heart. This little nugget joined our family almost a week ago and I was present for her first breath of Montana air. She was born right in her Mama and Papa's peaceful bedroom, and she's my niece Evelyn Mae. I am working on a blanket similar to the one I made for Baby Bill Jeff but with a different color scheme. I knit a bit during the labor, but I wasn't working on the hat, that was complete and I had gifted it to Sarah that night, at our house, right after her water broke at our kitchen counter. We were having a bit of a surprise party for her because her birthday was only a few days later and we figured the weekend would be the best time. We were about an hour into the party when ~ "blammo" drenched drawers. We surprised her baby out! Or maybe Evelyn thought the party was for her.

We headed to her house, and I went along for the ride, as I'd planned to be her birth doula. Her midwife visited just to check heart rate, blood pressure and dilation. All looked well. Contractions hadn't started just yet, so I headed back home for an hour, when Bryan texted me things were getting more serious. That didn't take long.

Sarah labored through the night with mighty gusto. Bryan was by her side the entire time and things went perfectly. Mama might still beg to differ, but I'm sure not for long. Sandhano (her midwife (and mine 4.5 years ago)) came back around 5:30 AM and Sarah was ready to push. 1.5 hours later she pushed her sweet baby out right before the light of the morn on October 22nd.

Not sure how many stitches I cast on but I know that I just looked back at another ribbed hat for a babe I'd made before. I suppose I probably did somewhere near 60, of course some multiple of 4 as that is a requirement to make this pattern work. k2, p2 all the way around using size 6 circular needles. The variegated yarn I used was wool from Skyline Yarns purchased a couple of years ago, her Etsy shop has been empty for a while now, but I save it (hoard it) for special occasions...such as this one. I am promised the yarn shop will be back someday. The yarn pictured is sock yarn (fingering yarn) but just because it is "sock yarn" doesn't mean it has to be used for socks only. In fact I've never completed a pair of socks...but I'm always on the lookout for pretty sock yarn.

This little hat is so tiny that I was asked if it was made for a hamster. Uncool. Hamsters don't even wear hats.

I promise to share more photos and love just as soon as I complete the blanket. I'm 1/2 way there. Here is a snip of what it looks like (a bit before the 1/2 way mark) and Thanksgiving felt project my sister (Sloane's Mama) and I are working on.

Welcome to the world sweet Evelyn. We all adore you!

Baby En Route I convinced my sister at 41 weeks (today) to drink...
Edie’s Birthday Hat I have another special special person in my life...

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Yarn Scraps

Mama — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:04:41 +0000

It all came to me one afternoon. I was wondering what on earth to do with my yarn scraps, they aren't all just scraps - I'll use them again. I used some bits to tie a quilt just this past week. I use all kinds of bits for projects I've got going in other realms of my world.

I love glass, I love canning, I love yarn and if you put it all together in a pretty window sill you get the perfect element of storage/eye candy.

I might be a dork, but it is the little things that make my heart sing.

Plus someday I want to make some scrappy leg warmers, and I will make use of this pretty canned yarn.

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Double Pom Pom Hat

Mama — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:11:52 +0000

Baby William really digs his new blanket.

The hat on the other hand...well that is another story. He looks really peaceful in these photos. This was another project I started this past summer for my baby nephew. I told my sister I could finish it up before I left the Midwest on our summer vacation.

I didn't end up finishing while we were still there, but it was really shortly after and it gave me something fun to knit when I had some down time while we played at the lake. On the pontoon boat one foggy morn I made a bit of progress.

When I wasn't too busy adoring these lovebugs.

They were a little bit tired this foggy morn.

The hat was similar to most of my other ribbed hats. I used some Amy Butler yarn (didn't know she made yarn until our trip to Crafty Planet). It was simple to knit with. I think I used size 5 or 6 circular needles. I decided to just wing the color changes between the blue and brown color. The yarn is a mix of organic wool and organic cotton, so perfect for a brand spankin' new little baby head.

I got the idea to do a double pom pom up top from a hat that my kids had when they were a bit smaller.

Not a knit hat but a fleece number we got as a gift that I loved. I think I liked the idea of a challenge too, needed to vary my predictable hat just a smidge. I guess my sweater gave me some confidence. I used one of my handy stitch holders while I finished one side and then went back and did all of my decreasing for the other point. I am glad I was putting pom poms on there because I did have some little bits that needed covering. I'm generally quite the perfectionist but when you get right down to it, it just needs to keep the baby head warm.

Don't you love my creepy model?

The Back

There was a bit of a gap in the middle (between the pom poms) so I ended up sewing that center up just a titch as well, with some yarn of course and it came together just fine. After all of the loose ends were tucked in you couldn't even tell I'd done anything. I think I also realized how I can make it better the next time I attempt a double pom pom on a ribbed hat.

And Baby William, once again, I cannot wait to snuggle you. Hopefully before you are a month old, if all goes as I wish for it to.

Edie’s Birthday Hat I have another special special person in my life...

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Baby En Route

Mama — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:21:31 +0000

I convinced my sister at 41 weeks (today) to drink some castor oil (in hind sight I don't think it took much convincing). She is probably checked into the hospital right now. I got a text about an hour ago saying they were on their way. I texted her 2 hours ago and said "Sup?" and she replied with "Not good" about 5 minutes later. I wasn't sure what that meant but I found out 15 minutes later they were heading to the hospital.

The hugest part of me wishes I wasn't 1300 miles away right now. I get the amazing experience of being present for many births in Montana but seriously debated trying to doula for my sister in spite of our distance. I tried to be there for Clara's birth and that didn't pan out quite as I'd hoped, so I think I learned my lesson. The catch(es) is/are that I have another sister (in-law) in Missoula that is due the 25th of October and I have 2 little boys in school and a husband with a sporadic work schedule. I couldn't really leave my world for an undetermined amount of time to go to my sister's world to be at her birth, even though at this hour after a few glasses of wine my heart is telling me that was a bad decision. I realize she is in good hands and she is made up of the same bits I am so she'll be just fine and probably can feel my love from afar? I hope.

To tie it all in - I've spent the last month dreaming about baby William's arrival and wondering how his story will unfold whilst knitting and knitting and knitting him a precious blanket. Back in the summer Melissa picked out the yarn and held it in her sweet pregnant lap. That lap is not the same size it was then, and that baby is not probably quite as cozy as he was this afternoon. Hopefully his blanket can keep him warm as the fall creeps in.

I used a pattern I found called the Forever Baby Blanket and I found out as I neared completion that another Mama I am doula(ing) for is knitting the exact same blanket for her baby due in February. I used Spud and Chloe sweater yarn in place of the yarn the pattern recommended. This particular yarn is a wool/cotton blend and delicious to work with. I used size 8 needles a bit different than the pattern but good for my yarn selection and circular needles as the pattern calls for. I got one skein of yarn that was a different brand (without knowing) and had to order more - this time I chose to order from Jimmy Bean's Wool and I love the outcome of that decision. I loved my experience and would recommend it to anyone that might be wondering where to order yarn from. I got a free pattern when I ordered and got free shipping on my next order.

Back to that blanket...

I love how simple the pattern is:

Row 1: K3, *sl 1 wyif, k3, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: K1, *sl 1 wyif, k3, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, sl 1 wyif, k1.

And that is basically it. Over the course of the last month I took this blanket with me to Simon's second grade orientation, watched/helped Gus learn to ride a two-wheel bike, sat on the front porch swinging chair and watched fall come, watched storms roll in, watched the wind blow, went to prenatals, watched about 8 horror movies (it is horror movie month at our house), hung out with baby Sloane, spent hours talking to family on our regular Friday night family night, knit on the beach in the sunshine, all the while wondering about William (Baby Bill).

William Jeffery is here! He came while I puttered away on the keys. I will probably just post some photos and call it a night.

Just got this photo to 'send out to the world'.

Happy Birthday Baby Will - born on the sweetest Great Grandma's birthday on earth. That will make Grandma Eleanor smile!

The kicker is the blanket arrived today on their doorstep. Maybe he really was waiting for his blanket from his Auntie.

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Edie’s Birthday Hat

Mama — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:35:42 +0000

I have another special special person in my life that was the recipient of a knit birthday hat, and don't you worry I stuck to that 'oh so familiar ribbed pattern' that I so do love. I couldn't ever tell you the exactness of it, I pretty much wing it every time, but I find myself looking back on this here blog to remember how many stitches to cast on. This time for a 4 year old I cast on 60 stitches. The requirement is that the number of stitches be a multiple of 4 for the pattern to work. I've finally come to this conclusion after a year 1/2 of knitting pretty much the same hat 25 times.

I decided tiny Beeser needed a pom pom atop the knit goodness. This is the perfect way to use up the last little bit of your skein of yarn. Sometimes these particular hats are hard for me to give away, but it is usually just because of the yarn I use and how cozy it is. I just want to wear it, I probably ought to make one for myself. Edie chose this yarn out of my stash a year ago, and it is right at the very top of my list. I heart it! I could make this hat a billion times and never get tired of making it, especially with a good movie in my face, or this time - an airplane ride to New Orleans from Montana. I finished it up by the time we arrived, with the exception of the finishing work because I didn't have a needle or a crochet hook to hide my ends.

I used Sheep Shop Yarn (100% wool) which I need to stock up on because I LOVE it. Another thing I was without was a pair of scissors. Anyone have tips for that on the plane? Here is what I did, and do fairly frequently...

I just fray the yarn until I can snap it off. It doesn't make for very pretty pieces hanging off but it gets the job done. You hide those pieces anyway...so what difference does it make. My husband suggested on our last flight that I use the seatbelt - he's so smart.

One thing that did surprise me about knitting on a plane is you can bring whatever knitting needles you want to - no problem. I was surprised when I brought my gigantic size 13 metal needles, no probs. Just in case I tend to bring the whole lot of them. Thanks to my sister I have a handy place to keep them all and roll them up for transport.

Here is one more sweet photo of Edie that I took only a couple of weeks ago - she is my littlest son's bestest friend. Two peas they are.

Her Mama promised me photos of her wearing her new hat so just as soon as I get my mitts on those I will put them up on our facebook page.

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