Juggler

Crazy busy today at work. I stayed late and got a ton accomplished but was bushed tonite. I didn't want to start anything new with the pile of waiting projects growing so I gave in to the mice's pleas and selected on for assembly. Here is the boy juggler partialy finished. I love his multicolor balls and dashing sash. He has to lie down on the job right now because he has no feet. I promised him he would get finished tomorrow and then I would work on his girlfriend.

Classic mistake

Here is what the 'american girl' doll sweater will look like when it's completed. Nice pattern, good directions and pretty easy to knit so far. It's from knittingatnoon.com
Here it is still on the needles the body done, one sleeve done and one only half knitted. The problem? I've run out of yarn. I thought I would have enough but I had already used some of the skein to knit some mice parts so I shouldn't be suprised but I was. Did I check the pattern to even see if I had enough from the start. No. My fault totally. I rushed to the local yarn store where I bought the yarn 2 months ago but they were out of that color. Then it was on to the web and success. It's a widly available yarn so this project will be on hold for a little while, until it arrives in the post. No worry though, it can join the pile of other started projects. Next time I'll pay attention.

Circus Mice

Today was a windfall day of knitting time for me. I finished knitting the body and outfit for the boy juggler as well as all of his knitted juggling balls. I love his colors and know that he will assemble well. Luckily I had brought another project with me to work so at my dinner break I worked on an 'American Girl' doll sweater using yarn left over from the mice. I'm bound and determined not to go shopping for more craft supplies for a while. I have plenty of patterns, projects and supplies to keep me busy for months at least. I don't have to remind my self of this at all when I see all of my bags waiting for me to get to them. I do love to craft but the finishing mostly has to be done at my work table and the outside patio calls out to me to enjoy it, and I do.

Tomorrow picture of the sweater and yarn, promise.

Girl juggler

Today I worked on the girl juggler finishing knitting all of her outfit. I decided that her leotard needed a little bit of adjustment in how it's knitted. You knit the bottom part starting from the waist. Then you pick up stitches at the waist and knit the bodice. I thought that instead of using the normal cast on I'l make it neater using waste crochet cast on. I crocheted a bit of yarn a few stitches longer than needed. Then I picked up stitches on the crochet and knit the first row of the leotard using the correct color yarn. In theory after the bottom part was done the crochet would just undo and leave me perfect live stitches to pick up. In practice I picked up the wrong part of the stitch so instead of the quick pull I invisioned it was undo each stitch which led to a cutting off of the crocheted yarn. The end result was the same as my original plan with a beautiful leotard, but I'll have to practice this again to see where I went wrong.

But now it's on the the boy juggler!

A pair is born

Late last nite I was knitting my son's second sock, turning the heel and working on the foot. Then today I kept on knitting and soon it was the toe and kitchnering it shut. They look great and fit so well. I don't have very much of the yarn left which is good work on the sock companies side. My son was very happy they are finished. He won't get to have them though until his birthday later in the year. That's okay because it's been to hot for wool anyway.

Now it's on to craft clean up and then I get to pick another ball of yarn to put in my sock knitting bag. My choices are skein of 'Classic Elite Alpaca Sox' in baby blue for my daughter or 'Regia' in a gray/black/blue self striping for my son in law. A quandry for sure but I think I'll leave the Alpaca on the hank and go for a manly stripe.

Went to the fair

Went to the fair today and got to see the items I entered and see if they won anything. Shawn the sheep and friend won first place in their category as did my my blackwork 'windows' . My mom and I had fun working on our projects (she her cross-stitch and my circus mice body parts) and talking to all of the visitors. I brought 2 beach bunnies and 2 circus mouse and had them to look at. Kids and grownups alike liked their looks, size and cuteness. One older lady thought I had made them all in a couple of hours that morning. No Way!

It's interesting hearing from non-crafters how they like what you do. Lots tell you what they do in their spare time and then say they couldn't possibly do knitting or stitching or ***insert craft***. Others want to know if you sell stuff but have no idea of the time it takes to craft something special. Then their are the people who have stuff entered into the fair. They bring friends and family, pose in front of their item for a picture, everyone smiling proud of their accomplishment having a great day at the fair. It's a lot of work but in the end it's a way to have 'show and tell' for grownups. We all are so happy in what we craft but sometimes feel the need to share and show to others of the same mind. A ribbon or bow or even a certificate makes it official somehow and validates what we do. An annual event celebrated for decades all over the country and around the world. The county fair. It lives.

One sock at a time

W4 orked hard today and finished my son's sock after measuring his foot. I knit until the foot measured 1 1/2 inches less than his foot. I had this idea that if your foot was 10 inches long than it was a size 10. Wrong. A 10 1/2 inch foot is a size 9 for men. Does that make any sense? After weaving in the ends I had him try it on and it was a perfect fit. It does pay off to measure because I would have knit it a little bit short.

Now the second sock has about 4 inches knit on the leg and it's a fun night of knitting ahead. Socks Rule!

Sock

My son's sock has turned the corner and it's a race to the toe. I showed him it tonite and loved the color changes. It's colorful without being too bold. Soft and washable it's a hit so far.

Socks needed

Today was totally busy at work so the only crafting at lunch was on my son's sock. I want to knit enough to get to the heel so it's off I needle.

Lots of assembly

Fun day today assembling all the parts to make the mice. This is how the clown is turning out. His hat needs stiffening and shaping with hairspray before his ears and face get added. He also is missing his tail. More work tomorrow for him.
The bee trainer and his two bees need a little more work too. Hat shaping, face work and a tail for him. I think the bees need to be on tiny thin wire for them to float in the air.
This is the boy acrobat almost done. He needs some face work and he'll be completed.
This is his companion the lady acrobat. As you can tell she's lost her head. She needs work on lots of her parts. I did put magnets in their paws but the double layer of yarn (one on each paw) is making them attractive but not sticky enough to stay together. Oh well, I'm thinking of another plan for them. Velcro is looking good at the moment.

I went to see the new Batman flick "the dark knight" and loved it. Long, lots of car chases, mayhem and foolishness and big wide openings for a sequel. Lots of fun and adventure. Back to the real world of work tomorrow.

Bee trainer

It was so hot yesterday here so after a morning of really needed house cleaning I went to the air conditioned part of the house and worked on the 'bee trainer'. I think the heat made my knitting go slower but by the end of the night all of his parts are done. (Oops, I just remembered his tail needs to be made!) So today's plan is to go to the movies to see the new "batman" flick and then gather all of my bags of parts, my box of finishing items and then find a cool place (not outside today) and finish at least one mouse. We'll see how it turns out at the end of the day.

Bees

The clowns parts all got knitted today and this evening so I started on the next mouse to join the circus. The bee trainer needed some bees so bees are what was knitted. I've pulled all of his yarn so he can get worked on tomorrow. I'm enjoying the knitting but think that an assembly afternoon is needed soon. I'm hoping that after a morning of house work tomorrow the afternoon will free itself for some fun crafting time.

Birth of a clown

Yesterday I was crazy busy from early morning till 9 at nite. I had to watch the premire of Project Runway so the crafting suffered. How could I concentrate on the paper towel dress and count rows at the same time? Well today I finished all of the body parts for the acrobats. Now I just have to hunt in my beading stash for those tiny bracelet magnets. Note to self: when assembling make sure to match the arms so they'll attract not repel.
Tonite saw the birth of the other clown. I'm using mostly 'Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby DK' and some "Wendy Peter Pan DK' weight yarn for the circus set. I've been very pleased with the Plymouth yarn in both the feel and the color range that was available in my local yarn store. It was at $3.95 a ball so I didn't feel bad about getting so many colors. I might have to go and get another 'fur' color so that the mice are varied in fur tones. The new issue of 'Simply Knitting' is due in my mailbox this weekend. Can'te wait to see all of the new project possibilites.

Gradiations

Got to work some more on my son's sock today and have about 8 inches knitted in a K3P1 rib pattern. I'm loving the way the color is gradiating. The yarn is called "mega boots stretch" "meilenweit" by lana grossa. It's machine washable which is important for these socks as I know they'll be worn a lot. Only a few more inches on the leg and then off to the heel.

I also managed to knit a few more body part on my acrobatic mice. The lady mouse has all of her parts and outfit done. Now her fellow acrobat needs to have some feet made up as well as a vest for him to wear. I'll have to start some assembly this weekend because the little mice are just begging to come to life.

More parts

During my lunch break today I listened to an Agatha Christie novel, "Murder at the Vicarage" her first starring Miss Marple and knit on the acrobatic girl mouse. Finished her body, two arms, head and two ears. She needs feet, tail and her outfit of course. She'll be adorable but now it's the bag of twisted yarn.

Miss Marple always has her knitting, fluffy items or baby sweaters and I'm sure it helps her those sharp observations of life. During my knitting time I was too busy listening and following the pattern to pay attention to all of the others eating their lunches. Of course there haven't been any murders for me to solve as of late.

body parts

Not a lot of knitting this weekend but I did manage to get some more body parts done for the acrobatic mice. Lots of parts to get done for the pair. I had great time visiting a craft exhibit at a local museum (inspiration abounds), visiting the other local library (loads of books etc), grocery shopping (cupboards full of good stuff), movies (Hellboy 2 - action packed) and then reading. Totally great weekend.

Friday crafting

It was a beautiful day today. I solved problems at work that had been vexing me. Got lots accomplished and for my lunch break took my beach chair, mp3 player, knitting and a cold drink across the street the common. I set up under a shady tree, plugged in, drank up and had a fun time knitting the rest of the leotard for my escape artist as well as his blind fold and tiny ball for his weighted chain. It is so nice to knit outside. There is no need to wait for a special day of the year to knit in public. Every day is great.

Tonite I went to see the new movie "Hellboy", great comic fun, but while I was waiting I cast on and knit a few rows for my son's new sock. I can't wait to see the gradiations after a few inches are knit.

Tiny crafting

Yesterday was not a great crafting day. Though I did manage to knit two legs and half of a leotard for the escape artist, the rest of the day was crazy busy. I know I could knit when I take the cats out for their walks, but I read or do a puzzle while sitting with them. Their walks are not energetic but strolls, laying in the grass, observing wildlife time. I actually look forward to them. Relax and enjoy.

Meeting knitting

Had a meeting today and managed to get some knitting done while it was going on. Here's the body, head ears and feet for the escape artist mouse. He has some more parts to knit. Luckily there's another meeting I have to attend tomorrow.

Stitch n Pitch and other crafting adventures

Finished the Dalek this weekend. There was a ton of backstitching to do on this alien. Now that he's done I'm putting him aside to decide where he will end up. Marilyn has here frame and is just waiting to get into it so she will be first at the frame table.
Monday was Stitch N Pitch at our minor league ball park. I got us great seats, just not in the section where all of the other knitters had bought theirs. I brought my birthday socck and had fun working on the foot, chatting and just having fun at the game. We saw and talked to other crafters, admired their knitting and project bags. The baseball bags I made were a hit with even the non-knitters in the bunch and the finger-puppet dpn holders are working out wonderfully. Tonite I finished off the second sock using my birthday yarn. They are soft and comfy. A little warm to wear today as it was in the 80's but the weather changes so you have to knit ahead.
Here is next sock yarn waiting in the batting cage. I have a meeting to attend tomorrow so it and my needles go into the waiting sock bag. This will be for my son so longer leg sections (he likes to wear boots) but normal foot lengths. I think his will be a K3P1 rib pattern. I do know he loves his socks because they are always in the laundry pile so I know he needs another new pair or two.

Yesterday I had to find something I needed in the back of my closet. That meant pulling everything out to get at the box, then putting it all back in. A lot, and I mean a lot of my projects are in this closet, just waiting in the wings for their chance to shine. Loads of projects and not enough hours or energy in the day. Oh the woes of the crafter.

Saturday crafting

Had a great day in my craft corner today. I finished two more knitting bags, all ready for Monday's stitch and pitch event. My son has turned down the need for a knitting bag but he thought he could bring some macrame bracelet items to craft on at the game.
These are an invention of mine. Finger puppet double pointed knitting needle holders. Raid your child's toy box for some cute finger puppets. Make sure that they are sturdy in the head region. Some are very thin there. Poke a tiny hole in each side. Cut 2 pieces, 5 inches long of elastic cord. Tie a knot on one end of each, close to the end. Using a yarn needle thread it through the hole from the inside of the puppet then go in from the outside to the inside of the opposite puppet. Tie a knot close to the end. Repeat for the other side. Pull the puppets apart and put your set of dpns inside for safety. Use them when there is active stitches on the needles and you won't drop a stitch. Have fun scouring the kids dept for fun puppets to use.

For some new babies I made some baby burping pads. These are draped over you shoulder to protect your clothes when the baby has some drooling or burping incidents. They are easy to make, wash like a dream and are very useful. Here is the pattern shape. Cut out two shapes like elongated race car ovals. Sew, turn, press and then sew again with some decorative edge stitching.
The flannel that is available is so cute. I tend to pick neutral colors so I won't matter if it's a boy or girl on your shoulder. I made three from 3/4 yard of fabric. Next up is two baby blankets. So many things to work on and finish up.

Emperor

It was a drizzly 4th of July here in my home town. I cleaned the house and organized some craft projects, putting away my toys and other stuff. The movie star got a wash and press and went with me to the movies to see Will Smith in Hancock. She stayed in the car because after the excellent superhero flick, I went to the craft store and got her a flashy gold frame fit for her star status. She needs to go the the framing department next. Tonite I worked some more on my alien and have finished the cross stitch portion of his body. He's got a lot of outlining left until he's done. I'm still unsure as to what his end look will be but I do like him. I'm thinking of scanning him then printing it on a tee-shirt or fabric. ?? I think more thinking is needed for this project.

More reading less crafting

I worked on my alien this afternoon and had a wonderful time stitching him. I am pretty sure it is the emperor dalek. There's lots to go on him but it is fun.

This evening my son and I went to see a minor league baseball game. We were on the highway and could see the dark black clouds ahead. Then the skies opened up and it deluged. Not poured but flooded. About a half an hour later, we had arrived, parked and waited out the rain, the sky started looking brighter and normal. We met our group an anticipated an evening of fun and baseball. The stadium was cosy and there were loads of families looking for a great evening, culminating in a fireworks display. Our hopes were dashed as the rain had taken it's tole on the visitors dugout which was flooded and there was no place to pump the water out to. The field covered in tarps was flooded and the help ended up using them as giant slip-n-slides, a sight to behold. We checked our where our excellent seats would have been, checked out the flooded dugout, it was full of water and decided to call it a night. I would have been fun but my son thought it much easier to navigate when one could actually see the road.
Home it was and I finished this excellent book. I'd recommend it for any one who uses a computer, thinks about terrorism, government or just likes to read. It's highly rated, and a compelling read. The computer terms and concepts are explained so it makes sense, the plot is riveting and totally believable. Put your request in for it at your local library, you won't be disappointed. 1984 in 2008.

New project

Started stitching on a new project late last nite and some more today. There is a ton of stitches in this pattern with lots of color changes but I'm looking forward to seeing it progress.

Mystery revealed

I finished the stitching on the mystery lady today. Can you guess her identity? Famous movie star. I think she came out well. She does need a wash, press and frame to be appretiated in all of her glory.
Here is the birthday sock in progress. The first one is finished and the second is on the needles almost ready to start the heel flap. The first one fits nice and snug and is extremely soft and comfy.

I also finished off three baseball knitting bags today. They had needed cording and toggles. I really like how they finished off. Go Sox.