Passing on the tradition

Not this weekend but last my sweet niece came up from Mona to stay with me for the weekend. My little ones just love her and request her often; so when I needed a babysitter for Zac's b.day since Max would be coming with us to the dreaded (I dread them, the kids love them) arcade for the party, Lydia came immediately to mind. She is such a sweetie and gets along with everyone in the family, I've always thought of her as a little bit mine even though she has a 
wonderful mother ( my awesome sister).

So it was conference weekend and while the men went to priesthood meeting us girls did girly things and the kids played. Lydia taught me how to make jewelry and feather headbands and while watching conference on Sunday I taught Lydia to knit. 

 Zac took some goofy pictures of us but notice the cute feather earring I'm wearing and the cute feather headband on Lydia's head.

Listening to the spoken Word on Sunday

I bought Lydia some essential notions, but we'll have to visit the lys soon because Hobby Lobby didn't have the needles and of course the yarn I like!

She learned quickly and I wrote her a pattern for an easy bag that we'll later sew to some liner fabric for a notions bag. I can't wait for our next lesson, I love passing on the knitting tradition. 

Just Like Karate Kid

Since these socks have already been posted about as a WIP and they are not totally done I can't post them as an FO, but I am so proud that I finished one sock that I just had to post about it. I know I can do some fancy schmancy magic loop knit 2 at a time thing, but I don't know how so for now I'm just doing one at a time.

At the end of knitting a sock from the top down you have to close up your sock and the best way I think to do that is kitchner stitch. If you're not acquainted with kitchner then a good place to learn how is here. She says to chant knit, purl, purl, knit which is a good idea to keep yourself on track. I take a tip from Daniel Son and chant knit off, purl on, purl off, knit on. check out the link and you'll see why. Now on to the next sock!

Happy knitting!

FO Friday

Here is my latest FO. Another 

slouchy hat.

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes; Jalapeno

Needles: size 7 US

Pattern: Slouchy Beanie by me

WIP Wednesday

Happy WIP Wednesday! I love progress, but it's hard when it's slow so I'm not even showing you my dad's socks I was working on last WIP Wednesday. It's not that I'm not making progress it's just that well it doesn't look like I am when there are 2 socks. It's like starting over when you start the new sock and I'm not even that far...Boo Hoo.  I get bored when things don't move along fast enough so I start new stuff. Plus I just bought gorgeous yarn so who can blame me? This first one is the Ethereal Triangular Shawl in Cascade Yarns Alpaca Lace. It's for Nate's Grandma for Christmas. I really hope it turns out good. I started it and then realized that I need a chart keeper so this one may sit like this until I find one.

Next we have the Lovely Belfast. I'm using Berroco Inca Gold which is being discontinued. So sad because it is truly a joy to knit with and it knits up so beautifully with such a nice twist.I am really excited for this one and I work on it a little too much I even brought it up to my cabin and knit it there. I usually don't get the chance to knit there because we go on hikes and stuff, but my nieces and I had a little impromptu craft circle. They were making friendship bracelets and so I joined in and knitted. Now they all want to have a craft sleepover and I'll teach them to knit. So fun! I really should work on Christmas presents so next week will probably be full of those. 

FO Friday & Happy Yarn Shopping Birthday To Me!

So I've been a bad blogger and an ADD knitter, starting projects left and right and then abandoning them to take care of my children's hectic sports & music schedules. So finally I have an FO to share. I actually finished the sweater part a while ago, but I didn't want to show it until I had the flower done which isn't actually part of the pattern. I think the flower is too big though :( but it will have to suffice for now. And just so you know it's paper clipped on in the pics because I don't have anything better right now. I know crazy that I could not find one single safety pin even.

Here is a pic of the flower alone:

Pattern: Ross's Hat ( just the flower from this pattern)

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran

Needles: size 10 US

I think it looks better here on the bed, cuz I'm a total goofball posing in my closet.

See TOTAL goofball!

Pattern: Antropologie-Inspired capelet by Julia Allen
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in Pewter
Needles: size 11 US

 Now for my birthday my hubby didn't get me a present. In his defense he and the kids got me a cake, ice cream and made me a really cute movie. I was pretty mad about the no present thing (a new phone that I hinted at) cuz it just made me feel unimportant. Anywho he said he thought I would just want to go buy yarn (which of course I always do)...I hope he doesn't regret it and I actually think I was pretty thrifty about it. Isn't it pretty?

Here's what I got:

 Cascade Yarns ALpaca Lace (blue-green)

Plymouth Yarns Mulberry Merino (pink)

  Plymouth Yarns Mulberry Merino (purple)

Berroco Inca Gold (blushy red)

Gotta love my LYS Unraveled Sheep in Sandy!

               I am totally loving this last one it is so soft!

I couldn't wait to start gauging for my next project. Normally I hate gauging (neccesary evil) but Inca Gold (a travesty that it's being discontinued) is such a joy to knit with I don't even mind gauging. Belfast Hoodie here        
     we come. See you on WIP Wednesday!                                                                                      



Here is my lovely gauge swatch with Inca Gold: