The things that knit us together...

What's this? Well it is a baby blanket I am currently knitting from yarn that I have had for almost 12 years. The yarn is Lion Brand Homespun in the color Waterfall. I have quite a bit of this yarn and have never done anything with it. Originally, it was purchased to crochet a sweater for Mark's mom. I soon discovered that I did not like to crochet and never finished the sweater and never used the yarn.

I am using a free pattern from the Lion Brand Yarn site. The blanket is made on the diagonal. Each row there is a yarn over which increases the total number of stitches as well as making a pretty little design. Now that I've reached 126 stitches I am doing the decrease rows. I hope to finish this soon.

I am rather fond of Lion Brand Homespun. I know it isn't "pure" and all that but I love how it feels and looks, so warm and cozy and comforting. There is a color out right now called Florida Keys that I love. It's a gorgeous green color. One of these days I will spend the money for 4 skeins of it and knit myself a shawl.

I am knitting my sister-in-law a scarf for her birthday. Her birthday has already passed but I was short of funds right before it and couldn't buy the yarn. I picked out a lovely cotton/silk blend that will make a great spring/summer/fall scarf. The yarn is Somerset 85% pima cotton 15% silk by Plymouth Yarn. I cannot remember what color this is but I thought this was a great neutral color that will go great with jeans. My sister-in-law especially likes magenta but I couldn't find that color.

I've had this pattern for a while. I found it online and thought it'd make a pretty scarf. Then I started it...and hated it. I've worked on it for a week and the longer I worked on it the more I disliked it. Last night I ripped it completely out and started with another pattern that I found on ravelry.

Here is the new pattern. It is going much faster too and I love the way it looks.

I admit that it is a little heavier looking than the other one but I like it and am willing to give it as a gift.

In other knitting news...

I've given up on making baby booties for my friend Shannon. I tried three times and each time there would be a major mess up somewhere in it. Plus I hated the yarn. Hated it. I feel bad about not finishing the gift for her but she got a lot of baby socks so I'm not afraid of her feet freezing. I did make her a sweet baby bonnet and one of the knitted bunnies.

I've also started my first sock ever! My mom had to start it over for me because I misread the pattern but it is officially started. I'll keep ya posted on how it goes. Expect some cursing ;-)

I finally made it to the knitting group. I can't remember if I've written about it before, but a mother from my MOPS group has knitters and crocheters over once a week. We all bring our kids and they play while we knit and talk. Unfortunately I didn't make it this week since Irene was having a bad day and needed a nap and Gavin suddenly developed a rash.

Last week everyone loved my knitting bag and asked if I made it. I did not. In fact, it was a gift from my dad one Christmas probably ten years ago. Does anyone remember Monica Lewinsky?

How about the knitting bags she was making and selling? Yes, this is a "Monica" bag. Made especially for me by Monica...or so the tag says. It is actually a nice bag and I've used for many things including a diaper bag.

Does she even make these anymore?

This is a craptastic picture of the tag. My camera quit focusing so I don't have a clear picture but that is the tag that states "Made especially for you by MONICA"

Hip Hop!

This little bunny buddy was knitted for a fellow MOPS mom's daughter. The little girl is only just over a year old and she pulled a hot cup of tea onto herself. Her arm and torso were burnt. She spent a day at the burn unit at Devos but was lucky enough to come home the next day. Thankfully she is doing very well. The kids and I wanted to send her a little something to help get her through the treatments. This bunny seemed the perfect idea. Of course my kiddies want their own now. Henry's is finished and looks similar to this one but Irene demands that hers be pink. Oh well...more knitting on the pile. I have to finish those darn baby booties. I have less than three weeks! They have just been kicking my butt. I had to completely rip back the one I had started.
The good news is that I have been invited to join a knitting group that meets on Tuesday. Tomorrow will be my first time going. The kids get to come with me so I don't have to worry about finding child care.

The bunny is made with Lion Brand Homespun yarn in waterfall (i think). I have had at least 5 skeins of this yarn for over 10 years. The past few weeks have been short of funds so when I needed yarn I thought I was going to be out of luck, until I remembered I had this stuffed in a bin. I am also making a child size blanket with it. Lion Brand had a simple pattern for homespun yarn at their website. I've been enjoying the yarn and finally using it. It is so soft and such a pretty mix of color. I'll post more pictures of my projects soon!