The Loom Knitting Nanny

2 months - AHHHH!!

2016-04-22T20:14:00.001-07:00

2/11/16!! February 11th!! That's the last date I posted. I'm such a slacker and I feel horrible!

Bear goes next week for laser eye surgery thanks to the lovely military. He is excited and I can't wait because that's all I've been hearing about for the last 3 weeks since they approved his request. I have a few patterns that I have finished and thought I would share, but not all at once. Patience.

First, I love water and It Works products. Both go hand in hand and I feel better, I have more energy, I feel better, not sluggish or empty. I have my Contigo water bottle and I am in love with it. It is the Cortland style, I find the one with the straw to be to forced and it requires a lot of draw to get the water. I like to add ice before I leave for work and by the time I get to work, its cold, but not so cold I can't drink it.......I have overly sensitive teeth. The sweating was driving me bonkers soooo I sat down one day and made a cozy for it.

Contigo Cortland Water Bottle Cozy.

SC: Single Crochet
DC: Double crochet
HDC: Half Double Crochet

I prefer a magic loop, but you can also start with a chain 5 and join tog.
DC 20 in the loop.
2 DC in each dc,
Now you have the base.

SC in the top loop of each all the way around and join tog to create the start of the sleeve
Chain 1 and HDC in each stitch and join tog at end.

Continue until tall enough to cover the water bottle. I found usually 33 rows does it.

To Create the security loop to hold up:
SC for 3 stitches.
HDC for 15 rows. Secure where you feel works best for you when you insert the water bottle.

ENJOY!!!

Any questions feel free to ask. I used 100% cotton yarn so it absorbs better but you can use any yarn you feel comfortable with. It will stretch but after washing, especially if you use cotton it will shrink back down.

Thank fully for those waiting for the other patterns that I perfected in the 2 month hiatus, I will have my computer with me with we go for Bear's laser eye surgery next week since I have an Itworks online party to do while we are down there. I will post one next week - oh no! - you might have to stay tuned! and another the week after.

If anyone is interested in joining the Itworks party, comment below (I have to approve it being posted, so if your concerned others will see, don't be) and I can find you on facebook and invite you so that you can learn more. No harm in learning more and you don't have to commit to purchase. Simply learn. Or you can simply visit my ItWorks! Page to see and learn more.

Pet Education - a venting session

2016-02-11T11:57:00.001-08:00

I know I mentioned before in the post about the dog park that unwanted pregnancies can cost upwards of 5K depending on where you live and the size of your dog. Working in an emergency veterinary hospital I see a lot. I'm not cruel to your pet, in fact, I'm a whole lot nicer to your cats and dogs, then I am to my own. In my defense, I don't abuse either my dog or my cat, but I know there limits, I know that they know better, and a finger bop on the nose when they sniff for food, or holding there urine an extra few hours while I take care of your pet at work isn't going to hurt them.

But I've digressed, and again I repeat..... SPAY AND NEUTER!! Talk with your veterinarian about breeding if you want to breed your female. If you can't afford to take your pet for all the vaccines, fine, I could preach to the choir what a lot of people do, if you can't afford the vet, you cant afford the vet, but I'm not going to because I know there are a lot of people who are going to give me grief and in this economy, while we can afford what we want, if something drastic were to happen and we needed to fork over a few thousand, most of us would be scraping everything, and asking friends. BUT if you don't talk to your vet, cannot afford to take your long haired dog to the groomer, refuse to get her spayed, and purposely breed her because you think it will be quick money, I hate to tell you, its not that simple.

Don't expect the emergency hospital to do things for free when you have no money. I love animals, I don't like to see them suffer, especially when it comes to owner stupidity, but I have my own bills to pay and mouths to feed. A fashion designer loves designing but I don't see Louise Vuitton (or however it is spelled...Sorry) designing bags and other fashion items and giving them away. Same thing. I also don't get paid what I should for everything I do. Therapist, anesthesiologist, nutritionist, phlebotomist, laboratory technician, and so much more, nurses in the medical field get paid 5-10 times more then I do, I'm not in it for the money.

Search what is toxic for your pets and if you think they might have call animal poison control, yes, they have one. People get mad at me all the time for having them call with the response "But your a ER!" Yes. I know. But there are SOO many medications out there, we cannot expect our doctors to remember how to treat for every single one. The toxicologist there deal with it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They know their stuff and how to treat. Yes, it can be anywhere from $50-75 to call, but if they tell you not to worry, its better then driving to the vet, the $100 or more office visit depending on where you are, and at least at my hospital, we charge $100 for US to call poison control if you haven't already. They will give you a report reference number -WRITE THAT DOWN - I cannot stress that enough. They will tell you what to do at home and may tell you to bring your pet to the local emergency hospital or that you should monitor at home for symptoms and if you notice them to go to the ER. But it is not a waste of money. I've had to call. I admit it. Goober ate a piece of Fels-Naptha Soap when I was making homemade laundry detergent. If your not sure, call poison control, or your local veterinary emergency hospital, they will be able to tell you its ok, or if they don't know, to call pet poison control. When people call our hospital and start to get annoyed with me on the phone about referring them to poison control I like to break it down for them, our emergency exam is just shy of $100, our charge to call pet poison control is $100. They will only charge $50-75, and they will be able to tell you if you actually have to come on in or if it is as simple as watching for a few simple symptoms at home. I'm sure I'm going to get grief about our hospital charging $100 so I'll break it down - we have to as you questions about the product, name, manufacture, milligram dosage, about home much your pet ate, how long ago, any flavor additives, and more - we then have to relay ALL of that, plus data about your pet - name, age, weight, current presentation, to a representative who presents it to the toxicologist. The hospital has to pay me to be on the phone with poison control, the phone call, and electricity, not to mention we also have to cover that $65 fee.

TIP: If your dog or cat has a microchip - register it with Homeagain . Its only $17.99/year, they offer A LOT for such a little price. They will proactively send out lost pet fliers if you call them saying your pet is lost - they is quite a few hours you don't have to spend, making, copying, correcting, reprinting, and handing out. If your pet is in another state they will help get him/her back to you with travel assistance, you get access to a 24/7 pet poison control line and lost pet line, and so much more. Your pet doesn't have to have a Homeagain microchip to utilize the services. And that 24/7 pet poison control hotline - that $65 or so charge to find out - WAIVED!! I kid you not a year for $17.99 pays for itself if you have to call. And better yet? You only have to remember 1-888-HOMEAGAIN to get to the poison control. No looking up numbers to find the one that they take. call the same number you would to register your pet or renew for another year.

I'm sorry I had to vent. This past work week has been stressful. Between trying to coordinate Bears birthday in May with friends and family from his home state of Kansas and the "Boat (submarine) Family" (THEY COME HOME TOMORROW!!!) that he left last year for shore duty, and plan everything on top of working has been a pull my hair out week.

I just want to note that homeagain knows nothing of my endorsing them. I simply believe that what they offer pays for itself in one use of any of their services. And for $17.99 for the ENTIRE year?? That's like $1.25/month. You cannot go wrong.

Birthday for Bear.

2016-02-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

So Bear's birthday isn't until May 5. However I was the worlds worst girlfriend last year and really slacked. I mean I thought I did good for a gift, I got him all the supplies, or at least 90% of the supplies he needed to make his own vaping juice. I got the propylene glycol, the vegetable glycerin, the nicotine, flavoring (it was at least 8 different flavors and he picked them!), as well as some containers to put the juice in to be able to carry it around. However he has only made one batch and now orders from Mtbakervapor.com and loves it. They really have only messed up on one order, otherwise he turns into a kid waiting for Christmas when they have been shipped and are on there way.

We have been talking for quite some time to go do a ropes course. I found a deal on living social for a place kind of near us, it like 67% off, and I've been in contact with those from his old boat to join us since they are coming home from deployment (AHHHHH!!!!!) here in SIX days; and friends and family of his from back in Kansas seeing if they will come out and surprise him. I also got a whale watching experience that I think I will use as well and make it into a birthday weekend so he can spend a few days with everyone and I can keep the surprises coming. I'm trying to get everything in order and plans made early so that during the weeks before I can simply prep and not have to feel stressed or ill-prepared. I know his parents won't be making it, so neither will his brother, it now just a waiting on his sister and friends back home as far as whether or not they can make it out. I mean, five months in advanced should be plenty of time right??

Dog Park Etiquette and Pet ownership

2016-02-01T09:22:00.000-08:00

So Cain and I went to the dog park earlier today and I realized why I have never gone by myself and why Bear has come with me. As a vet tech I have to deal with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments in the hospital, I don't want to have to do my job, veterinary advice or education when I'm not at work. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching and educating and don't mind doing it when I'm not at work, but there are some dog people that you cannot reason with or even educate because they refuse to see anything but what they want to.

I'm sure you could find things similar on the web, but after I my last straw got tested today there are some things that I would like to point out, from pet owner perspective, and veterinary professional. I'm not trying to scare people, but there are things I have noticed that need to be addressed.

-There is always a small dog play area and large dog play area. If there is a single small dog in the "small dog area", and a few large in the "large dog area", ask all large dog owners if their ok with the small dog coming over, OR ask the small dog owner if he or she is ok with large dogs and invite the small dog over to the large dog area. As a small dog owner and having owed large dogs as well, and working with them on a nearly daily basis, small dogs can handle playing with large, they aren't as fragile as we make them out to be. Besides, the point of taking your dog to the dog park is to allow them to socialize and exert their energy in an attempt to tire them out. If pet owners work together everyone, including pets, will benefit.

-Don't skimp on your vet. There are infectious diseases out there that can ultimately kill your pet. Rabies and Parvovirus are two things you don't want to mess with. Rabies is basically a death sentence unless vaccinated prior to any potential exposure. Parvovirus affects the GI tract and can without treatment can lead to death. Treatment is typically a good 2-3K or more depending on where you are located. With an annual vet visit usually between $50-75 and vaccinations $25-40 each you can keep your own pet healthy as well as prevent to spread of the diseases. Kennel cough is another one, its easier to spend the few bucks on a vaccine then to provide the treatment.

-Your veterinarian only wants to keep your pet healthy. No one in the field is really in it for the money.....SERIOUSLY! As much as you may feel it is expensive, what you never see is the bills your insurance pay when you visit the doctor or emergency room and those are much more expensive. When your veterinarian recommends a fecal exam, its because you can also get those pesky little intestinal parasites that pets can pick up. They spread through fecal-oral route and when your at the dog park, I'm sure your bound to get those few pet owners that don't pick up after their pet. Talk with your veterinarian about running at least 4 fecal exams a year - depending on how often you go to the dog park, or interact with other dogs. Dog parks provide poop bags, grab a few extra, and hand them out if you notice an owner doesn't have one when his or her dog does it's 'business' and they don't pick it up. A simple "Here, I have an extra you can use" is polite, and doesn't make the other owner feel like you are telling them what to do so they don't get defensive.

-Spay and Neuter your pets and leave dog aggressive dogs at home. Intact dogs - both make and female - can be more aggressive. C-sections on dogs can go upwards up 5k if your dogs needs one, x-rays prior and prenatal care can add up, plus if you don't get any families interested in adopting a puppy, you now have, depending on the breed, anywhere from 1-15 puppies, that you now have to vaccinate, feed, house, care for, and train. As far as aggression goes, it depends on the area, but some towns and townships have law protecting those owners whose pets have been attacked. The aggressor's owner's may have to pay for all medical expenses, and the dog may have to be quarantined, or even potentially put down. It can be embarrassing to tell people your dog doesn't like other dogs, but its better to be honest, and keep everyone happy, then have a police report and a potential worse case scenario of losing your four legged companion. Arrive early when there is less likely to be any other dogs if your dog doesn't play well with others. Believe me, even the best dogs, have their faults, they may be perfect for us, and we love them, faults and all, but they like us as humans, aren't perfect.

-Leave the toys and food at home!!! Dogs can be like kids and not want to share. Even the friendliest dog can become aggressive over a toy or a kibble. If you offer your dog a treat, the other dogs are going to probably stick there noses in to see what you have and they may get defensive about what they consider is theirs and become the aggressor should the other dog or dogs chose to engage. I have noticed that the parks tend to have some tennis balls and maybe a rope toy or two scattered around. Utilize those and monitor your dog for any possessive behaviors they may develop.

-Take off everything. Let them play naked. It didn't happen at a dog park, it happened at home, and the owners came into the ER with one deceased dog, and another, very bloody, very shaken up, and terrified companion. What happened? We don't know, owners weren't home and they said they came home to find both choke chains entangled, one dog already gone, and the other absolutely terrified. It's not just choke chains, prong collars too - I've seen the prongs get lodged into the neck from them pulling, and again, not just prong collars, regular collars - the ones with the buckles or snaps. I had a very shaken up owner one night, again happened at home when no one was there, bring her small dog in, his tongue was basically dead, he had gotten the collar in his mouth and his tongue wrapped up in in some how that his tongue went for a long enough time without blood supply that it was basically dead. Now both of these happened at home, imagine when dogs are playing, rough and tumble, biting at each others necks, it could only then be worse. Don't risk your dogs life, or another dogs life. Remove all collars, head lead, and harnesses. If there is an owner that leaves it on, don't be afraid to ask them to remove it, explain it could be a hazard if another dogs jaw gets stuck and they panic, it could lead to broken teeth, jaw, or even neck. Most pet owners with understand and go ahead and remove it.

As I think of more or notice more things that could cause you and your four-legged children and family members harm I will post them

Happy 2016!!

2016-01-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

Its the beginning of a new year. I've been terrible on keeping up this up to date with patterns and my own progress. It is now the beginning of a new year, and a new me. The past few months I have been on a crochet frenzy. I think my poor boyfriend is sick of seeing yarn (even though he is now learning how to crochet and is making his own blanket) and together we have made a few "New Year's Resolution's".

-Be more active. We have decided we want to do at least four 5K's. We figure it gives us time to be able work up to it, we aren't fat, but neither one of us could run a 5K and be ok after, but it also isn't just one and done.
-Save more. We learned we are less inclined to spend small bills like $1's and $5's, and all loose change. We dug up what loose coinage there was around and we found close to $20 already. But its not just money; being able to utilize Pinterest and its ability to allow frugality by making your own cleaning supplies for less then at the store and in larger amounts, as well as utilizing coupons. We aren't trying to be on 'Extreme Couponing' or anything but 10, 25, and 50¢ certainly add up.
-Create more. He is at least supportive of my inability to sit still, and always having to be doing something. So by encouraging keeping my hands busy with crochetinghe is less likely to be irritated with my shuffling about around the apartment doing things.

I have a project in the works. I can't say that I created the whole thing, or that someone else hasn't already done it, but I haven't found a pattern or it anywhere online. As soon as I have it done and I've approved of it, I will post it for anyone to be able to use.

Hope everyone has a happy, healthy, prosperous, and crafty 2016!!

Create, CReate CREate CREAte CREATe CREATE!!!!

2014-04-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

And I have been doing just that!! Amazing!!

I want to mention a few other things in this post as well.

I have a pattern for an infinity scarf!! HOORAY!!

But first, I found this amazing site!!! I am a godmother x3 - I have my godson, and my two goddaughters and I can NEVER find anything during the holidays or birthdays that says or shows godmother -goddaughter/godson status; whether its clothes or cards. This right here has them!!!!!!!!!!! My godson just turned 7(!!!!!) on sunday (4/6) and I got him a shirt and just because I was there I got shirts for my goddaughters tooooo!!!!!!!!!!! I may be going back and purchasing the keychain too. I was so so so so so so so sooooo excited!!!! Here is the link to the site!!!!

I have also gotten into this going green phase. composting, reusing items, I've reused paper towels, rinsed them, let them dry and used them again, saving things, and we got rain last night and late last week too and I used the rain water to water my indoor plants rather than from the tap. Little things - but I have noticed that my families trash can now fills up about once per week rather than 3-4 times per week. I even started a loom knitting project with plarn!!!! I'll post that pattern once I have completed the project but if anyone wants to try it out this shop here has plarn already done up - it ships to you and you just start your project like you would start with yarn. I found it saves the hassle of sitting there from hours on end trying to make it yourself. Plus, I purchased from a few different places just to see - this shop's has been sturdier and held up a lot better - its also what is known as double ply in the plarn world - so its double stranded. The other ones I bought - I purchased from I believe 8 different places - 6 were only a single strand, and the only other one that was double ply was thinner strips and I felt like I was retying pieces together every ten minutes or so. If you find a different shop that has a good quality as well just let me know and I can add it to the list :D

So those were the other two things I wanted to let everyone in on. Below is the pattern for the infinity cowl/scarf. It is a stripped multicolor cowl/scarf so you will want 3-4 different colors to create the look. My sister has my finished one down at school with her, and I unfortunately don't have any pictures of it. I have started a new one and will upload pictures as it gets bigger

Items needed:
2-3 pairs of circular needles (all the same size)
1-2 DPN's (double pointed needles) (same size as circular)
1-2 skeins of each color (same brand and coordinating colors work best)
Needle tip covers (optional)

((Side note: Your can use almost any stitch for this pattern. If you have a favorite you can use it. I just stuck with a knit stitch, I love the flat look it makes especially with the stripes. ALSO I found my Knit Picks Interchangeable Needle set worked amazing for this)

To start:

On circular needles; cast on the number of stiches you wish to create the desired finished length. You can start with any of your colors, just be sure to write down the order you with to use them in. I will be referring to them as "Color A", "Color B", "Color C", and "Color D".

Your are going to begin back at the beginning where you began to cast on. If you are using 3 colors, you are going to want to slide (CAREFULLY!) 20 stitches onto a double pointed needle (DPN). If you are using 4 colors, your are going to want to slide 30 stitches onto a DPN.

Make a loop like you are going to cast on with "Color B". Using another pair of circular needles, knit in your desired stitch across until the end - you should have two live ends of yarn on that end.

Once again you are going to begin back at the beginning. Slide ten stitches back onto the beginning of the circular needles. Leaving your last ten if you are using 3 colors, and 20 if you are using 4 colors.

Make a loop like you are going to cast on with "Color C". Again using another pair of circular needles, knit in your desired stitch across until the end - you should now have 3 live ends of yarn on that end.

((For those only using three colors scroll down to **CONTINUE**))

Once again you are going to being back at the beginning. Slide ten stitches back onto the beginning of the circular needles. Leaving your last ten on DPN.

Make a loop like you are going to cast on with "Color D". Again using another pair of circular needles, knit in your desired stitch across until the end - you should now have 4 live ends of yarn on that end.

**CONTINUE**

So you have used all your colors but still have ten unknit cast on stitches on your needles?? PERFECT! This is what you want.

Make sure that your word is facing the same direction at both ends of the circular needles, making sure that no twist managed to sneak in.

YOU CAN NOW JOIN IN THE ROUND!!!

The first few rows while easy it takes some getting used to. Using "Color A" knit those ten cast on stitches.

Done? Ok now keep going until you have reached the rest of the yarn! Drop "Color A" and pick up "Color B" and knit the circle.

Drop "Color B" and pick up "Color C" and knit in a circle. You want to be sure that you don't twist the yarn when picking it up the back of your work does begin to look like a continuous knit. ( I found different tote bags for each color worked)

Using four colors?? Drop "Color C" and pick up "Color D"

Continue until you have your desired width. I staggered the ending of each one.
Using "Color A" knit around and begin your cast off at 20 stitches left.
Using "Color B" knit around and begin your cast off at 20 stitches left. Cast of "Color C" entirely if your using only three colors.

Four colors??

Using "Color C" knit around and begin your cast off at 20 stitches left.
Cast off "Color D" entirely.

Hopefully this makes sense. If you have any questions feel free to ask. :D

Cain's Post of Shame!

2014-02-28T12:56:00.001-08:00

I've seen lots of dog shaming pics online and after this last week with Cain, I decided he needed to join the ranks of shame.

His very first shaming reads:

Mommy has PTSD, sometimes she gets up in the middle of the night and sleeps in my pen/kennel with ME, so I potty on her!! Mommy is always unaware until daddy wakes her up in the morning!
- I'm not sorry!
Love, Cain
P.S. I do have potty pads in my pen!!!

It's been a long while.....

2014-02-17T16:53:00.001-08:00

Its been over a year and a lot has gone on. My friend found out she was pregnant and I took it upon myself to make the baby a blanket she could grow into. I have been working on a large (I think I bit off more than I could handle) project for her, and its taking a lot (I started it last march - so almost a year ago) of time!!! More on that later :)

What else is new??? I learned how to make I-cord and have been making it like there is no tomorrow. Now I can't stop making it!!! It knits up quick, and it uses up those yarn left overs ( you know you have those) from previous projects that you have just laying around, that if your like you, you just can't throw out. You can do SOOOO much with I-cord. If you do a search for it you find scarves, necklaces, and it being used as an appliqué. I've found some new ways that you can't really find when you search what to do with this long "useless" cord. I got a new Chihuahua puppy, and he LOVES to play tug, unfortunately his mouth doesn't fit those gigantic tug toys. I make a cord about a yard long and make a sailor's knot in the center and he is able to pull one end while I hold on to the other. He is in love with it. We got him some squeaky toys, a few rope toys, but as soon as his homemade toy comes out, the other toys no longer exist.

I have also found I cord makes a perfect replacement for those hoodie strings that get pulled out. Choose color, make cord, attach safety pin, feed through hole and hood until at other side, pull until even on either side, and remove safety pin! I made a knot in both ends so that I wouldn't loose the new 'string'.

My last discovery??? YARN!!!! Chunky yarn knits are becoming more and more popular these days and the yarn to make them isn't cheap to purchase either. Make your own icord, and use it as a super chunky yarn! It works AMAZING! I would recommend using a larger knitting needle or crochet hook. If you can't find ones at your local craft store check out Go-Girl Knitting's Giant's collection. This is where my friends blanket comes in. I am knitting I-cord and crocheting it into a blanket. Its larger than I planned - its fits in width on a queen size bed - and I have about 2 feet crocheted in length. While the I-cord knits up quick it takes a little bit longer to crochet it into the project. I've worked on it as much as possible - ran out of yarn a few times and couldn't get to the craft store for day or two - took a few mini vacations - went out with friends - also working full time doesn't aid in the process - so about 2-3 hours a night - 5 nights a week makes 10-15 hours a week. I wouldn't recommend making such a large project. I'm thinking about a scarf or cowl for the next project once this is done.

Don't want to make your own i-cord or your own project? Visit here. They make i-cord and can work with you for a specific color and length if you can't find anything you like.

Have an idea how to use i-cord?? POST IT!! I would love to hear your creative ideas :)

Hurricane Sandy knitting frenzy

2012-11-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

We survived. Barely. The family I work for got SUPER lucky, there was a tree bending towards the house, and I would have put money that if it came down that they would have lost the master suite, garage, parents closets, half the kitchen, and my car. It ended up coming crashing down, but went AWAY from the house. We lost power on monday afternoon, and got it back on thursday, thankfully the family has a generator and were able to poorly hook it up to the fridge, tv, cable box, and water. During the week since the kids didn't have school and were absorbed in their electronic games ( I tried to teach them card games but those were referred to as "boring") I was able to knit a pair of fingerless gloves on DPN's. I just knitted in a circle without a pattern, made a spot for my thumbs and VOILA! I do have a note to self to use a pattern next time. I was also able to finish my sisters hooded scarf BUT as promised I did take a video to help explain the pattern and hood cast on. I have never uploaded a video before and I hope I do this right.

Here is how to put the scarf onto the round loom:

And here is how to wrap the pegs inbetween:

I hope this helps. If there are any questions please ask, I want to make sure I explained everything right.

A few days late is better than never.

2012-10-18T06:10:00.001-07:00

I've been going to work during the day while the children are at school with my mom. So I haven't gotten much knitting done. I feel like I've gotten nothing done even thought I've finished two projects over the the past two day. I finished the hooded cowl for my friend. She will be leaving next weekend (October 27th) for Ireland and it will apparently be a staple among her wardrobe while she is there. While doing it I was able to revise the pattern a little bit, and it actually made it a lot easier in the end. I am finishing up the scarf portion of my sisters here in a few days and will take picture documentation and post it so that it is less confusing. I won't be able to make myself an all white one in a single week with everything else that I already have on needles or a loom. I did however last night make myself an all white beaning using Lion Brand Yarn, from the Hometown USA collection, in New York White. It is a super bulky yarn and worked up the beanie quite nicely. I added in a 3 inch brim and after working the first 3 inches I started to add in Lion Brand Fun Fur. I was then able to, after working 6 inches, fold over what was worked up, leaving the fun fur on the outside, and a nice soft yarn on the inside so I don't have the "fur" in my ears when wearing. It came out really nice and I cannot wait to wear it next weekend. Although I may have to use it before then, the anticipation is killing me. I'm off to work with my mom (its an hr drive). I will take pictures of the beanie tonight as well as the friends hooded cowl I finished and upload them. I did take one yesterday and upload it to facebook. I have 4 friends that want one and have already offered to pay. I may be on to something.

Way too early morning...

2012-10-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

Etienne had to be at school this morning for a class trip to Boston, at 5:15am. UGH 5am this morning was not fun. Soooo when I got back I did some more knitting on the project I'm working on for my best friend, with as well as its going I could have it done before she leaves in a few weeks and MAYBE Ill get mine done before the white out game. Only time will tell. I only have to do about another two feet of knitting before the scarf part is done then I can attach it to the round loom and work up the hood. I'm excited for her to see the finished project. Here's the top view on the loom and a closer look at the yarn Mary picked out. I think they look great blended together.

Once these next two are done I can't work on the one for my sister for her Christmas present. She picked white to be paired with gold and purple. She attends James Madison University, so I picked gold and purple as the base and allowed her to pick a neutral, out of white, beige, tan, grey, or black.

More to come, Happy knitting

Help Patpat's Hats

2012-10-10T05:49:00.000-07:00

I did a little bit of knitting last night and need to find a better way to knit on the straight loom. If I hold it parallel to my body it comes out nice but goes SOOO slow. If I hold it perpendicular, it gets a wavy look to it and I don't think it looks good. If anyone has any suggestion I'm open to trying something new. I haven't been able to make a hat in a month or two and I feel like I haven't done anything to help (I have a pile of them that I need to send in) out with PatPat's Hats.

Anyone looking for something to knit and would like to help children in the hospital battling cancer; check out PatPat's Hats. Click here to go to their facebook page, or here to visit their webpage. They are just over a year old and have received hats to equal out to at least one for each day of their existence, if not two. While they have received a lot of hats, there are more children with cancer than we think, and more unfortunately being diagnosed each day.

Patrick (affectionately known as PatPat) was diagnosed with cancer at age 2, only a few months before he turned 3. His Aunt Betsy is a very avid knitter and made him quite a few hats while he was in the hospital to keep his head warm while he received chemotherapy. This was when Aunt Betsy got the idea for PatPat's Hats. They accept new, unused, handmade, knit, crocheted, or store bought hats for preemies, infants, toddlers, children, preteens, and teens. They donate them to the local cancer treatment centers to hand out the hats to patients.

While Pat may not be immediately related to me (He is my mom's brother, Keith's wife, Debbie's sister, Katie's daughter, Becca's son) he is still my little cousin. Keith and Debbie invite both family sides when they host holiday parties or celebrations. I have grown up referring to Debbie's sibling as my aunt's and uncles, her niece's and nephews as my cousins, we are one big, integrated family.

Every hat helps.

Happy knitting!

Afghan photos

2012-10-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

I Figured out how to upload pictures!! My day today is being spent doing scholarship applications so no knitting will be done until tonight after dinner. I did get another 3-4 inches done over the weekend while Allen was setting up his Wii that he hasn't used in the longest time.

The first picture is a close up of the second panel made up of 4 strands of yarn. The second picture is of the two panels side by side. The other panel is the first one I made, and is made up of 3 strands of yarn. Both very thick and super warm already. I can't wait for it to be done so I don't freeze this winter, if its as bad as the one we had in 2010.

Not much progress....

2012-10-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

The girls decided last night after I asked them to get ready for bed around 7:30 that they were going to horse around, throw pillows and stuffed animals. This is nothing new, and they play like this all the time; Best of friend, and worst of enemies. I went in, asked them to get into their pajamas, brush their hair, and brush their teeth. I began to hear the horse play and decided to wait a few min before hounding them again. A minute later I hear a loud cracking noise, and then a blood curdling scream. Thinking someone just died I ran across the hall to their room to find Alyssa half dressed, holding her head looking stunned. And Emma, the source of the scream, crying hysterically. Upon taking a look at Alyssa head we discovered a tiny gash, with an already purple area surrounding it. Jenny after much fussing decided to take Alyssa to the ER. They arrived home around 10:45, Alyssa tired, in pain, and sporting two new staples in her head, so Jenny decided she was staying home today. We spent our time watching TV, walking to the store to get her meds, bringing the meds home, going to starbucks to get a drink and bite to eat, riding bikes, and we painted our nails. I only got to work on my knitting while Alyssa was consumed in the tv shows. While I wish I could say I was able to get a lot done, but I can't. I was only able to get about 3-4 inches done of the scarf I'm working on right now. My goal is to get it done before my friend goes off to Ireland for her family vacation. My next project to be done by the same time?? An ALL WHITE hooded scarf for the Ohio vs PSU White out game on October 27th. Allen won tickets in a raffle and is like a kid in a candy store ready to go. Me? I'm excited but need to get an all white hooded sweatshirt, and the hooded cowl done so I don't freeze.

Happy knitting.

Hooded Infinity Scarf

2012-10-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

I started a project a while ago on needles and it didn't turn out like I expected. It works, I'll wear it, but the "scarf" part isn't as long as I wanted. So instead I came up with a better idea. Use my loom!!!

I'm still working with the pattern and working out the kinks.

Supplies:

-1 short loom (I used the pink Provo Craft Knifty Knitter)
-1 extra large circular loom loom (I used the yellow Provo Craft Kifty Knitter)
-1 loom knitting hook
- Approx. 4-6 skeins of yarn (I used three strands for this project and used 6 skeins)
-1 yarn needle

Directions (Scarf):

Cast onto your short loom using the cross rib (figure 8) stitch. Here's how if your unsure and go straight to the 3:00 minute mark. Continue with knitting with this stitch until your scarf has reached the desired length.

*I recommend resting the end on a shoulder and wrapping the scarf while on the loom loosely around your neck so that the loom is on the other shoulder and in the same position. You don't want the ends to go to far down your back since they will be attached to the hood. Once you find your desired length, cast off. I did about 5 feet, and can wrap it twice for extra warmth.

Directions (Hood):

Take the scarf and lay it flat one end near you, the other far away. Take the end near you and bring it to the side of the far end making a single twist. Take the ends and place them onto the circular loom, careful not to add any more twist or take out the one that was made. Place them side by side careful to not where one ends and the other starts, you don't want to knit them together as these will be the sides of the hood. (I have found that doing a k1/p1 repeating for the first few rows helps prevent the curling that can happen using circular looms). Start knitting side to side using the E-wrap going back and forth until the hood has reached the desired length. Cast off. To complete the hood turn the purl side out and sew up the cast off seam so that it is on the inside.

Voila! Ready to wear!

(Like I said I'm still working out the kinks, if there is something that isn't understood, please let me know)

Afghan: work in progress

2012-10-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

I have lots of left over yarn. Scrap pieces, none long enough for a single project alone. My solution?? Patchwork quilt!! Sort of. I've been wanting to make a nice quilt to cuddle up under on the couch. We have a few blankets at the house but nothing special and nothing that keeps you warm without doubling it over.

I used the extra large yellow round loom from Provo Craft and made flat panels. I had a few skeins of yarn that I had gotten for projects that I never got to and can no longer remember what I was going to make. Currently I have two good sized panels and have sew them together; side by side. While not the same size they were making me sweat while I made them. One is with 3 strands of yarn, the other with 4. Both the same thickness. I have a few pictures and am still trying to figure out how to upload them. I may add them to the next update if I can figure it out.

First Post!!

2012-10-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

I work as a nanny for a family with three kids. Twin 9 year old girls, Emma and Alyssa, and a 13 year old son, Etienne. The mom, Jenny, works as a guidance counselor in NYC, the father, Phillipe, works at the restaurant in the Trump Hotel. During the summer it was a lot of running around and I only finished a single project. Now that the kids are in school I feel as though I have been knitting from the second the girls get on the bus to the second they get off and sometime even then I don't stop. If I do stop, I pick it right back up around 7pm and continue until about 10/11 pm when I go to bed. Friends and family keep asking about what I'm making, the progress of the current project and photos. I can't keep up every request and decided to make this blog so that they could come here and look.

I will try to post each day and will figure out how to upload photos so that everyone can see. I also enjoy creating my own patterns and when I have one I will post it. I'm currently working on one and should have a pattern to post in a few days.

Right now I'm just trying to figure out what to do with all this scrap yarn I have left over from previous projects.