The guilt can be released

So my good friend Kelly is not getting a knitted baby gift right now. I just can't bring myself to knit a baby thing right now! I'm being totally selfish and really want to knit the Jaywalkers with my Stitch 'n' Bitch girlies. I'll knit her something when I feel like it in a few months. There's something about the pressure of getting it done. You know? I'm such a rebel I hate being made to do anything. Not that I was being made to do it, but I was forcing it too much and wouldn't have really enjoyed it. Instead, sweet baby Grace will be getting these:



Some of my most favorite baby gifts from when my own girly was little. Those Little Taggies are brilliant. And yes, I know how easily I could make one of those. Don't even say it okay? They're bought, wrapped and ready to ship and I'm happy about it dammit.

Plus, I just bought some of this Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in Black Watch. How yummy is that!?



I just need to put the gifties in the mail tomorrow and stop worrying about this present, finish my boys' socks and onto Jaywalkers!

Go buy one now! (New MEME!)

I bought mine at my LYS-Village Wools a few weeks ago and it went right onto my car. I'm hoping it gives off the impression, "Back OFF or I'll stab you with my kntting needles!"

Maybe I need some help for my agressive tendancies? Anyway, I want everyone to unite and have a cool knitting magnet on their car. Mmmmkay? Click on the link and you can buy one there. (Thanks to my Secret Pal 6 recipient Eyow for finding this!) I haven't been able to figure out where else you can buy them. I was at Village Wools today and Carole got one too but I'll post about that later. I'm on a total yarn bend. Somebody's gotta stop me!

Edited to add: Ana had a great idea for us all to buy these, put them on our cars and post pictures of them! I think that's way fun so I'm tagging anyone who reads this. Yah hear me!?

Finito

One down one to go. I can't believe how much easier it is to make socks once you've knocked out a few pairs. Here is the boy a little bit ago.


I've already casted on sock #2 and am a few rows into it. I hope to have them done in a few days.

I hope everyone had a good weekend and enjoyed celebrating or not celebrating whatever it is you do or do not celebrate!

Bwahhhhaaaaaa!!!

I just saw this on Goodkarmago's Blog and it's hilarious!

Pimp My Nutcracker

Here is mine. He's hot!

Option #6?

Make a pair of socks for the other child who feels left out of knitting swag! This other kid of mine is pretty cute even when he's super tired like he is in this picture.

We trekked on down to Village Wools two days ago and I let him pick out his own yarn. His favorite color is red so it wasn't very hard for him to pick out the yarn. He picked out the same yarn that I made his sister's socks out of this Lang Jawoll Jacquard. I'm digging on this colorway. Now that I've made a few pairs of socks they are such a piece of cake. I actually really enjoy knitting them. Whoulda' thunk?

I thought you'd all like to see my other child next to our Christnukwanza tree.



Isn't he a cutie? Hence the name! Okay, time to get a move on.

Blargity Blargh

Isn't my One Skein Wonder pretty? Isn't the Melting Grape Popsicle beautiful? Too bad it's cutting off the circulation under my arms in those pictures. Yep. These linebacker shoulders are too damn big. Or actually, my lovely husband didn't do a great job measuring when I asked him to take my shoulder to shoulder measurement.

Now what to do? I blocked the crap out of it and it's stretched to it's limit. I refuse to frog it. I know I could probably frog the ribbing and add some stitches but I'm not even sure I want to do that. The yarn is a bit delicate (Where the silk and wool are spun together) and I don't know how it would hold up to frogging after I've blocked it. It's probably only about an inch too tight. Maybe not even that much. What would you do? My choices are:

1) Screw it. Cut off the circulation under your armpits! Pain is beauty!

2) Find someone to give you the money for the yarn and make another one.

3) Force your 3 year old to wear it.

4) Frog the ribbing, add some stitches and make it bigger. Not fun, but best option.

5) Give it to Carole and make her fix it for you because she loves you and would do that for you if you whined enough.


Also, it's only 7:55am on day one of Christmas break for both of my kids and I'm already ready to strangle them. How the hell am I going to make it 2 weeks and 2 days? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

They can go to the drop-in daycare at the gym so I can run! Woot!

Oh, but they are cute aren't they? Happy Holidays to all my crafty friends out there!?

Knitting is punk rock!

That's what I told my neighbor sk8tr grrl yesterday as I taught her how to knit. I made a little trip to Hobby Lobby and bought her some cool Camo yarn, needles and a little bag so she'd be all set. Then we started with the basics. You can't go wrong with Camo yarn and both Stitch 'n' Bitch books can you?


She was a quick learner and kept saying, "This is so easy!" (Umm, ignore how tired Ms. Scout looks. It was a long day)

The cutest thing was when I handed her what I had bought for her and she gave me the biggest hug. She was even holding the needles like a pro within minutes.

It really feels unbelievably satisfying to teach a 12 year old a skill they will continue using for the rest of their lives. She had so much fun with it and said she'd be taking it everywhere with her. That's when I told her that knitting was cool and she had better tell everyone that. Repeat after me, "Knitting is punk rock!"

I've been busy myself working on the One Skein Wonder. I love Noelle's yarn. Yummmy. It's super soft and so damn pretty all knit up! I had my boy model it for me this morning.


I hope to finish it today so I can wear it this weekend to my holiday parties. Then I really need to make that baby sweater. Or should I make those socks for myself out of that gorgeous Cherry Tree Hill yarn I got? (the middle colorway). Baby sweater or socks for me? hummmmm whatcha think? I'm pretty sure I'm going to make Grumperina's Jaywalkers with my Abq girls. We're going to do our own little KAL. That yarn will work right? I didn't even look.

Sweater?
Socks for ME!?

I'll let my readers make the call. Are baby gifts like wedding gifts where you have a year?

The Rockstar is in da house!

Well, not exactly a rockstar but most definitely a Knitstar! Some of you may remember this cool, hip, guitar strap from Knitty's Fall '03 issue and not have put it together that this is also Knitty Gritty's own Vickie Howell.

Before we get to the interview let's start this off right. To celebrate the end of Vickie's Blog Tour I'm serving up my own creation of Christmas Cosmopolitans to all of my readers. Go ahead and grab one and let's go.

As I've mentioned before, I grew up knitting. As soon as I heard the buzz about the new show on DIY called Knitty Gritty I set my TiVo up for a season pass and was immediately hooked. To this day I still record the shows and always learn new knitty tricks. The crazy-busy, mama of two recently finished wrapping up shooting seasons 4-6 of the show and has just released her first book titled New Knits on the Block. You can even buy a signed copy if you want.


With another new book in the works as well as a new TV show it sure as heck doesn't look like she'll be slowing down any time soon. Let's see exactly what our favorite knitster grrrl has to say shall we?

---

I know that you do other needle crafts. In what order did you learn those? (I asked her this because everyone says it's harder to learn how to crochet after knowing how to knit)

Jeez lady, I don’t remember my crafty chronology. ;-) Ummm…I think I learned to hand-sew first when I was about 6 or 7 and then over the next few years I learned how to cross stitch, crochet, embroider, punch embroider, machine sew, plastic canvas and then finally, knit.

I have knit my whole life and can't wrap my mind around crocheting. Do you do a lot of that?

Not anywhere near as much as I knit but my 3rd book will be on crochet, so that’s soon to change. I’m actually really looking forward to dedicating some time into experimenting with it!


Have you always been such a crafty mama?

Yeah, I guess so. I was raised by a crafty mom so it was inevitable that I’d become one myself.

List your top 5 most favorite Knitting Books that you have used over and over again.

In no particular order: Stitch N’ Bitch Nation (Debbie Stoller), Loop-d-Loop (Teva Durham), Weekend Knitting (Melanie Falick), Simple Knits with a Twist (Erika Knight) & Vogue’s Big Book of Knitting.

My husband is asking me to ask you what music do you like to listen to when you knit. (We're listening to the new Bob Mould that inspired this question!)

Well Hubby, I don’t have any special knitting music per se —I usually just put my i-pod on random and put my needles into motion, yo. ;-) As I’m typing this I’m listening to this amazing song called “Salome” by Pigeonhed (a band that my friend just turned me on to). Lately though, I’ve been revisiting Radio Head’s Kid A (one of my all time faves) and listening to a lot of White Stripes, The Dandy Warhols, The Decemberists, LadyTron and Gwen Stefani (‘cause ya know, a little pop never hurt anyone.)

Do you get into a knitting slump during the summer or do you just grab the needles and whip up a bikini?

Living in Texas you would think that I’d avoid knitting during the ridiculously hot summer months, but that has yet to happen. When I’m not knitting something work related (I think I knit the dude’s Brimster Beanie that’s in the current Knit.1 during the summer), then I’m most likely working on a bag or a smaller project. This past summer my son wanted a “wristband o’ power” to match his black low-top Chuck’s for the first day of kindergarten, so of course I had to oblige.

How did Knitty Gritty come about and how did you become the host?

The show’s production company, Screen Door Entertainment, had sold the idea of a knitting show to DIY. When their original host plans fell through, they hit the internet in search of someone new. They literally Googled for “Hip knitters” and a logo for one of the Stitch n’ Bitch groups I started came up. They e-mailed me and to make a long story short, two days later I flew to L.A. to audition and shortly after was offered the job.

Are you enjoying it? It seems difficult to juggling everything you have going on in your life, how do you do it all?

Yes, I love what I’m doing and yes, it’s really difficult balancing it all. I don’t sleep a lot, ingest a lot of coffee and diet coke, have a cocktail now and then and rely greatly on my daily chats with my best friend Tammy (aka keeper of my sanity). I don’t always do the best job of juggling, but I’m learning.

Tell us a little bit about your new book New Knits on the Block. It must be so exciting to be published!?

It’s really exciting! I’ve always wanted to write craft books so really, it’s a dream come true for me. NKotB was a labor of love for me, so I’m thrilled that people don’t seem to think it sucks (or if they do, they’ve kept that fact to themselves…which I greatly appreciate).

What do you have coming up in the next few months that we have to look forward to?

Hmmm….well, This Saturday (the 17th) I’ll be a guest author at the BUST Magazine Craftacular in Brooklyn (www.bust.com), I have a (sewn) hot water bottle cozie (I know, random) coming out in the February issue of Budget Living and the TV show I co-host (Stylelicious) with the other Austin Craft Mafia members starts airing in the spring. Other than that, I’ll mostly be traveling to promote this book, decorating my new house (woohooo!) and working on the crochet book. There’s other stuff I know that I’m forgetting about but if you’re interested, you can always go to www.vickiehowell.com for the scoop.

Lastly, what do you love about knitting the most?

I love that it gives me something to do with my hands when I’m sitting “still”; I love that it helps me relax while simultaneously creating something beautiful; I love the community that it’s afforded me (holla out to the MEOWers!) and most of all, I love that I’m still constantly challenged and inspired by it.

---

A great big thanks to Vickie for taking the time to answer all of our Bloggy questions on the virtual tour. I wish you tons of luck with all of your crafty endeavors. Just make sure that when you do your real book tour you get your crafty-self here to Albuquerque so we can all meet you.

Socks 'n' Clocks

Today was a busy craft day dans Chez Scout. This morning we did our annual holiday clocks for the kids' teachers. Every year I buy inexpensive clocks from Target for about $4.00 and the kids do beautiful water colors that I put into the clocks as the face. The kids love making them and the teachers love getting them. Perfect. Click the picture to see a bit better.



During the soccer game (Which we lost... BOO!) I got a bit of knitting done and finally finished my socks for Miss Bee.

I love how they turned out all funky and mismatched with the stripes. Thanks to my girl Carole who ran over here to swap some needles with me, I was able to get them modeled. Lucky for me she has the same size foot as Bee so I was able to use her throughout the process. These are my first adult socks!


I'm off to cast on the

Melting Grape Popsicle to make a One Skein Wonder. Noelle? You there? ;)The yarn is wound up and ready to go.

3
2
1
Cast ON!

Public Service Announcement

Whatever you do? Do not, I repeat, do not learn how to needle felt. Beverly was right. It's highly addictive and you immediately find yourself wondering what you have that you can needle felt. I am supposed to be running right now. The dog has been patiently waiting for a good 45 minutes. What have I been doing you ask? I realized in the middle of the night that my mitered felty bag needed a little flower on it. Don't you love when you're thinking about crafting in the middle of the night when you are supposed to be getting rest? I rushed home after dropping my daughter and Carole's daughter off at pre-school to do this. It's too cold right now to run anyway isn't it? Maybe I should just go and see Carole at work and get a pumpkin scone and a latte? One 1/2 pump of chocolate, triple shot, non-fat, no-whip latte to be exact and I am so, not high maintenance!

Oh hell. I'm going to go for a run. Then maybe the scone? Did you know that those damn things have like 22 grams of fat? Why does everything that tastes so good have to be so bad for you? Oh well. I'm off. Chulo will be happy at least.

Wow

First of all I want to thank those of you who have already participated in the knitting meme I posted about yesterday. It's been so much fun seeing where everyone parks their tush and gets their knitting groove on.

This afternoon I had a needle felting party! Thanks to my fabulous Secret Pal Jenn I got a Fiber Trends needle felting kit that I got to test out today. I made a felty bag a few years ago for my son and it's basically just sat in a toy box unused. I decided it was the perfect thing on which for me to learn my new mad skilz. Beverly came over to felt a bag she wasn't too keen on and a cute secret other thingamajiggy. It took about 2 stabs of the felting needle before she exclaimed, "This is so cool! Ramona was right! This is so easy. I love it!" My girly got in on the action and had fun playing with the roving. Then Shelby, my cool neighbor, sk8tr girl showed up. (She and her brother come over now in the afternoons while her parents are at work) She totally loved it and almost did one whole side of my bag. I am going to teach her how to knit next. Check out the action here. If you're related to Beverly in any form don't look because I don't know if one of these is for you! You have been warned.

These are the pictures of my bag. I need to retake them tomorrow in the natural light. Not bad for my first time doing it huh?

Tag! You're it!

I'm starting a knitting meme and I want every single person who sees this to post in their Blog and tag 5 other people okay?



Get your camera and take a picture of your favorite knitting spot. I want to know where you are as you create your masterpieces. Come on. Indulge me!

Here is mine. I sit in the living room on my throne where I can see and hear everything. The kids can be playing or hanging out and I'm right here with them and even have my laptop too. Nothing makes me happier than multi-tasking. I mean, I can knit, watch my kids, watch TV and have my computer all right there in front of me while I sit on my tush in a comfy chair. Life is good.

Now, I expect to see lots of pictures of peoples knitting spots! Pronto!

Edited to add: I'm having fun tagging all of my knitty friends. I can't help it. I think this will be fun!

Edited again to add: Wow. Who knew there were so many people against memes!?

Knit on!

Guess who is the last person to host a virtual interview with Knitty Gritty's own Vickie Howell? Check it out!



That's right. C'est moi! She's doing a cool blog tour for her new book



So next Monday please make sure you stop by to say hello and see the riveting interview between Vickie and me. If you are interested to see the rest of the tour here they are:

Monday (Dec.5)- http://www.Craftychica.com

Tuesday (Dec. 6)- http://knit1.typepad.com/1knit1der/

Wednesday (Dec. 7)- http://stellaland.typepad.com/knitblog/

Thursday (Dec. 8)- http://knitandtonic.typepad.com/knitandtonic/

Friday (Dec. 9)- http://alison.knitsmiths.us/

Saturday (Dec. 10)- http://www.lollygirl.com/blog/

Sunday (Dec. 11)- http://boogaj.typepad.com/knitting/

Monday (Dec. 12) - ME!


Can you tell I'm just a little bit excited? And may I add, is she not the cutest damn thing ever?

Sweet!

The new Knitty is up and it seriously rocks. And, it's so cool to actually virtually know some of the contributors! Check it out. That's an order dammit!

Oh secret pal!

You there? Look!!
I got my package today and you are the most rockingest Secret Pal EVER. I immediately called Carole and told her what I got. Actually, the funny part is that my husband and kids got it at the mailbox and he came in asking me who you were because his best friend is from there with the same last name! We need to talk and see if you guys are related. That would be way too weird. Did you know I am from VT and went to UVM? Soooo strange. Also, my son's name is your last name too. Did you know that!?

Thank you so much for all of the amazing gifts. I can not wait to get going on some of the things you've sent me. I especially love the smell of your yarn. I ran out of that nag champa and had to buy a different brand and it was horrible compared to that one so I can't wait to use this. henachick, you have made this experience so wonderful. Thank you thank you thank you! Mwuah!

Wait....do you know my girlfried Jess? She's married to Shay with 3 kids? Now that would be too weird! I can't wait to talk with you!

One down

One to go. Lookie Bee!


The funny thing about these socks is that I've used about 5 different patterns to make this one. I used the basic Regia pattern with about 4 other Nancy Bush patterns from Knitting Vintage Socks. I changed the toe decreases and then did a Kitchner graft instead of just pulling the tail through the last stitches. Pretty damn fancy huh?!

Time to cast on the next one. I'll tell you, kid's socks are way easier. Thank goodness her foot is only a 7.5! I'm determined to get this next one done in 7 days.....

My girl

This morning in bed while we were snuggling my girly said, "I love my beautiful mama who makes pretty socks out of pretty yarn." Can I get an Awwwwwww?

Speaking of socks I'm almost done with the first one. The Thanksgiving madness took over my life and I didn't get a lot of knitting done. I think I'll be able to finish it today and start on the next one. I really need to get that baby sweater going but I have a really big problem. You see, there is unbelievably talented knitter/spinner/dyer named Noelle. She's EVIL! She came to Stitch 'n' Bitch on Tuesday with a bag of the most beautiful yarn I've ever seen. Damn her!! Anyone who knows me knows I love purple. This is what she had the nerve to bring.
How could I pass up Melting Grape Popsicle!? I told her the only way I'd buy it is if she helps me make a One Skein Wonder out of it. Go to her shop and buy stuff!

So now what? Baby sweater or OSK? Hummmmmmmmm.

Edited to add: I get quite a few daily hits and I want to know who you are! Will you please say hi??? Pretty please with sprinkles?