knitting | The Angel Forever

Category Archives knitting

Knitting Lessons after 10 pm = bad news

Posted on February 9, 2008 1:18 am by TheAngelForever

After running a million errands with the boys this evening (BJ’s Joanns, Target), Madame Squishy Yarn Guru came over. She arrived here at about 9:00 when NHL was already asleep. JSL quickly got cranky, so JL went to get him to sleep in our room (they are now both hogging the entire bed).

Anyway, we were chatting about the fabrics that I had bought for several projects that she has graciously agreed to do on her wonderful sewing machine (Thanks L you are the BESTEST. . . can you tell I am punchy and tired?). After quite a while it dawned on me – hello dork the Guru is here and you did not ask her to show you the good way to cast on. So I flew to my yarn stash got the Homer Simpson yellow and a set of knitting needles.

Let the comedy of errors begin!

Note to those that knit, teach others to knit, or want to learn to knit –> Do NOT try to learn to do things when lacking in the sleep department, especially after 10 at night.

We seriously could not figure out how to do things. Wait my hand goes where? Are you sure that is right? Where should the yarn go? Wait is it over and under . . . or over and under?

We were in hysterics laughing several times. At one point the needle slipped in my hand and I almost took my own eye out. Coordination with knitting needles apparently is not there after a certain time of day with me. Thanks to this incident we were both laughing at having to wake sleeping hubby up to tell him we were off to the ER from a knitting needle mishap. Could you just imagine the look of the faces of the people at triage in the ER for that one? "No seriously, I was just knitting and well . . . ooops!"

Doing the Figure 8 cast on is really not that hard. I just could not get my head to figure out where Laura’s hands were compared to mine, and I was confusing her in return (it’s catchy I tell you). It really was pathetic how we just could not figure out what we were both doing wrong (much more on my end). Then finally the Guru did something and the lights were on and finally somebody in my brain was home.

Yes, I actually got it!!!! So, with any luck tomorrow (or should I say later today since it is technically after midnight now) I will finish NHL’s camouflage scarf and begin the Homer Simpson washcloth for JL.

On that note I best be off to get some sleep since I am amazed I am able to type at all. Hopefully I can locate a space in our bed because the almost 9 month old in our room is a space hog in beds.

** Please remember I am WAY to tired to be typing this now, but wanted to do it because I may block it out in the morning ;)

Categories:
friends knitting laughs losing my mind

Afternoon with my boys (2-6)

Posted on February 7, 2008 10:28 am by TheAngelForever

Being a SAHM is challenging, but oh so rewarding. I swear less seems to get done than used to when I was teaching full time. Granted I can not compare life now with a year ago. Hello silly, you have an almost nine month old little boy now. It takes time to nurse, feed, diaper, play with, snuggle, read to, and dance with JSL. Every so often when I am in a rush I stop myself to slow down and enjoy things. I will not get these moments back where he will laugh at anything and everything his big brother says and does. In a short time this sweet giggling and playing will be replaced with sibling squabbles and screams. Ah, the things to look forward to.

Yesterday after NHL came home from school we decided to do some craft time (other than Play Doh and coloring). I wanted the big guy to do something fun away from the television where I could feed the baby and also work on his fine motor skills. So we took out the beads that we bought the other day. The plan was to make some things for NHL to give as Valentine gifts for special people, but he had more fun designing a masterpiece, looking at it, dumping the beads off and starting over. Over the entire afternoon he went back and forth to the beads 2-3 times and played for over 2 hours (at least). This was a wonderful investment for my sanity!

While NHL was busy with this JSL gobbled up his favorite food, sliced carrots. He loves these and chatted away with NHL while eating and watching his big brother.

Meanwhile I was able to work on the magnets that NHL helped me to pick out the other day. Check these out, they are really neat.

I was also able to do a little mindless knitting. Here is what NHL’s camouflage scarf looked like early yesterday evening.

We had a nice afternoon together and with any luck it will continue today. If the ice is cleared up I may take the boys to Joann’s to get fabric for NHL’s flannel blanket that Madame Squishy Yarn Guru (aka Laura) graciously said she would make for him. Yesterday she told me they had some really cool Muppet flannel and when he saw a photo of it he wanted it (so did JL and I actually).

Categories:
brothers fun jsl knitting nhl photos sahm

Weekend Wanderings and Photos (Feb. 1-3)

Posted on February 4, 2008 11:22 am by TheAngelForever

The weekend began early here in AngelLand. Friday we woke up to reports of a horrible ice storm starting just around the time I would need to pick NHL up from school. I opted to keep him home and let him rest. So NHL, JSL and I had a fun filled PJ day and stayed out of the icy mess. In addition to watching Noggin, NHL spent part of the day showing me how to use certain games on his Smart Cycle. Here are some photos from when he was pedaling up a storm.

After several photos were taken I received the following response from NHL:

Friday night both of the boys were tired and went to bed early. Here they are when they were actually sleeping in their own beds. *sigh* Unfortunately it was a long night with both of them up several times.

Saturday morning JL and I were walking, talking zombies! At around noon my parents called. They wanted to see if the boys would like to spend the afternoon with them. This way JL and I could head out to lunch and shop alone. Of course we jumped at this chance and got the troops ready to head out. JL and I had a yummy lunch at Panera (with a gift card I had) and then went shopping at Super Walmart. We needed some items that only they carried. We picked up a huge Rubbermaid tub to put our meat pots away in since we use them less than once a week. I also bought some more cotton yarn and also bought some flannel for new pillow cases for our bed. (Thanks again Mom & Dad!)

When we were done we brought our things home and went back to my parents house. Both boys devoured lunch, but JSL apparently would not take a bottle. He played with it, but refused it and attacked my chest upon return. So I think I will buy a Nubby sippy cup to have him try for emergency situations when I am not there to nurse. After JSL nursed we went with my parents to walk around the mall. The boys were getting very tired so we went to get NHL dinner on the way home. He ate and went to bed. Thankfully both of the boys slept through the night Saturday. While they were in bed I finished up my second washcloth. This is the one for NHL.

NHL was shocked to see it was done when he woke up early Sunday morning. We all were up at that point and had breakfast. JSL fell back asleep. This changed the plans. He slept and then we all went to Michaels for NHL to select yarn. After seeing JSL’s scarf he wanted me to make him one as well. I wanted him to pick it out since he is old enough. We got the yarn and then went running all over the place on errands. We had lunch out (kids eat free Sunday at Moe’s) and bought a Crock Pot at Kohls at over 50% off to replace our parve one that kicked the bucket. We then came home so I could nurse JSL.

While nursing JSL I noticed blood on his face. I mentioned it to JL and then realized I was the one bleeding. Lucky me, I had a blister from a certain teething monkey in a rather sensitive location for a nursing mother. the blister finally cut open. This was painful by the end of the evening so I put something on it and hoped it would help (it is much better this morning).

JL then went out with JSL for a little while. NHL did not want to leave and stayed home with me. He played with Play Doh and I played with yarn! I had to figure out how many stitches to cast on for his camouflage scarf. It took me two tries, but I finally got it right. This is NHL having a blast with Play Doh time:

A closer look at this fun:

JL spent a lot of time chopping veggies up, making pizza and things for the Super Bowl. The funny thing is we hardly watched any of the game or commercials. We did tune in at the end just in time to see the Giants win – we were floored! Should make for an interesting training camp for the team this summer.

When both of the boys were in bed we worked on moving the meat pots out of the kitchen and I did some knitting. Here is what NHL selected as presented by a special Muppet and the progress from yesterday:

So far I am pretty impressed with how the camouflage pattern is working out. I was not too sure how it would look. I did about 6 1/2 inches and then went to bed. Then the wake up calls began. NHL was up at 2-ish and woke up JSL. JSL would not resettle and NHL wanted one of us with him. I was asked to go with NHL (his request) and JL had JSL in our bed. It was a long evening that ended with JL ignoring the alarm for an HOUR and then all of us rushing.

On that note I am off to do some organizing and purging of things while JSL sleeps.

I hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend whether or not you watched the Super Bowl.

Categories:
jsl knitting nhl photos shopping sleep weekend winter

C’est Moi . . . the Super Hero

Posted on February 1, 2008 9:52 am by TheAngelForever

Right now it is the calm before the storm. Absolutely nothing going on outside (well maybe a little rain). However, that is not what the weather people are saying is going to happen soon. They claim that starting at 9:00 until early this evening we will have a horrible mixed bag storm with a lot of icing. Needless to say a TON of schools are already closed with nothing going on now.

Our district is open. . . therefore NHL’s program is technically open as well. Mommy decided she was not interested in ice skating her car to school between 12-1 when the storm is supposed to be really bad. Sure, it may be crazy to keep the kiddo home, but it is not worth the risk to me. NHL is only in PreK and he has been tired, so a restful day will benefit him. Now if only that would be the case for me. I am not feeling like my super hero Alter-Ego – TheAngelForever right now:

LOL – Sorry, I could not help myself. I had to get this in and it seemed fitting here!

I hardly slept all night. For some reason I was having strange dreams. Dreams of JSL not only walking, but running all over. Back into reality another reason for the sleep deprivation was oce again we had a little monkey in our bed.

*sigh*

I guess the new blankie that that Madame Squishy Yarn Guru made him our of his favorite fabric (flannel) was not a simple trick. My theory is that other pesky upper tooth next to his front one is cutting. The one on the right finally has a point out. Here was a really great shot of the little guy when he fell asleep cuddling his new Ducky Pirate flannel blanket. As you can see he is on my lap, but could have cared less about me being there:

It is nice to know that my milk still ranks up higher than his other possessions. Why you ask? Please see the photo that follows. This is JSL when he clearly did not want to pose for a photo with his new special blanket since he knew it was time to nurse.

There must have been something in the air last night. Even NHL was in a cuddle mood. He decided before dinner at my parent’s house to curl up in Papa’s lap. It was just too cute, so cameras were out in a flash!

Hopefully the day is not too long with the boys and being cooped up in the house. I am going to try to be motivated to get some arts and crafts out when JSL takes a nap to do something fun with NHL. Right now both of the boys are on the floor playing together.

___________________________________________________________________

Quick Project update:

In the evenings when I am trying to relax some I have still been knitting. Here is JSL’s finished scarf on the test run yesterday (silly hat was being an issue and did not want to stay on). When NHL tried it on he asked me to make him one as well. So we will be yarn shopping this weekend.

I also finished up my first wash cloth quite a while ago and am already half finished with a second one. This is the first one where I retaught myself to purl. The latest (for NHL) is coming out a lot better.

and

On that note I hear someone moving on the floor in the other room. He likes to crawl when I am not looking.

*** Note to all readers – If you leave me a comment I reply right here on the post. Assuming everyone is healthy it is usually within a day or less. Please check back here if you do not subscribe to the comments.

Categories:
jsl knitting nhl photos sleep teething winter

C’est Fini!!!

Posted on January 24, 2008 11:25 am by TheAngelForever

I finally did it! No, not that. . . I do have two little boys after all ;)

What you ask?

I finished my first knitting project in over 20 years. On Tuesday night I decided to be a little adventurous and try to bind-off JSL’s scarf by myself. I did it with a quick IM tutoring session from my favorite Squishy Yarn Guru. I went off and accomplished it. Below is scarf almost ready to keep JSL warm.

And here is a close up of the end that I finished alone (not too shabby if I do say so):

Now the only thing left to do is weave in the ends and wrap it around JSL’s neck to keep him warm. He seemed to like it when I did a test run. He enjoyed ~~eating~~ petting it. Meanwhile as I was taking photos of the scarf my little guy was playing with his food. Here is a different sort of view of the scene.

Please note the static in his hair – ugh winter stinks even for babies in the frizz department!

_______________________________________________________________________

New Project Alert!

Since Laura is not feeling well (feel better Madame Guru), she sent me to a website to try to reteach myself how to purl (it’s been WAY over 20 years since I tried that). After some ~~swearing under my breath~~ trouble at first, I finally got it going thanks to the video. Later at night I mentioned to Laura that I was having problem with the knit row, after purling. She said something was obviously wrong. So I watched again and figured out that I was wrapping the yarn in the wrong direction. Since it is SO subtle (you really have to look and follow the stripes to see the mistake) I opted to just keep knitting. Purling is getting easier, but it is more awkward and easier to drop a stitch if you are right handed.

Here is the start of my first wash cloth that I am making for myself (thus the reason I am not redoing the tiny ooops). Mistake not seen here since I started the correction afterward.