Every year I convince myself that it will be the year our holidays are completely handmade, and every year I fail at it.* This year is no exception. I had grand plans for knitted gifts for everyone on my list, and now Christmas is a little over a week away and I have nothing to show for it. Well, not nothing...I have two dishcloths and a sweet little pink and white baby sweater for my cousin...and a Christmas sweater on the needles for Connor and a nearly finished cowl. But I wanted to make fingerless mitts for the ladies 10 washcloths and mittens or hats for the fellas. It's possible I can finish the washcloths and make hats for everyone (that's 7 hats,people), if it's in a bulky weight yarn or a doubled worsted weight. Truthfully, what I should do is work on one item each month and then by Christmas I'll be done. In theory. What I want to do is knit finish Connor's Christmas sweater, make something for my lovely hubbie and do a bunch if things just for me! I rarely knit for myself and I have so many things I want to make, so many projects in my queue that i never get to because i am always knitting something for someone. There aren't enough hours in the day to get it all done! I am thinking of not knitting my brother a hat this year, (because we have some revision work to do on his Viking hat) and instead making him something funny and stitchy. Anyway, we are getting in the Christmas spirit and this weekend the house will be cleaned and decorated, cards will be sent and gift planning will begin!
*Although, last year I whipped up two hats before Christmas and a pair of mittens by January..so that's not tooo bad....
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
NUTTU JA KYPÄRÄMYSSY (Jacket and Hat)
This post really only pertains to the knitters out there. I found a hat pattern that I like, for the bambini, so I translated it. I hope I translated it well, but not havging knit it yet, there's no way to know. Anyway, below is the English translation of the original Finnish pattern Jacket and Hat by Arja Viitala
Jacket and Hat by Arja Viitala
Size: 23.5” (60 cm)
Yarn: 4 skeins of Novita Wool or 591 yards of any DK weight yarn
(Approx. One hank of Novita for the hat (148yds) and 3 (444yds) for the jacket)
Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) and a 3.0mm crochet hook
Notions: 6 buttons
Gauge: 22 stitches and 50 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
Stitch Pattern: Garter stitch, knit every row.
JACKET:
Back:
Cast on 60 stitches and work in garter stitch until the piece measures 9 ¾” (25 cm)from CO edge, BO all stitches
Left Front:
Cast on 32 stitches and knit in garter stitch. When the piece measures 7 ¾” (20cm), begin the neckline over the next as follows:
1. BO 4 stitches, knit to end (28 sts)
2. Knit
3. BO 4 stitches, knit to end (24 sts)
4. Knit
5. BO 5 stitches, knit to end (19 sts)
Knit until the piece measures 9 ¾” (25 cm) from CO edge, BO all stitches
Right front: Knit as same for left front, adding button holes every 1.5”, starting 1 ¾” from CO edge, as follows: K3, K2tog, YO, K to end **
** Be sure to do neckline decreases on the same edge as you did the button holes!
Sleeves (knit both the same):
CO 40 stitches and k until the piece measures 4” (10cm)
Begin increases:
Knit 3, Inc 1, K to last 3, Inc 1, K3 (42 sts)
K for 1” (2cm)
Knit 3, Inc 1, K to last 3, Inc 1, K3 (44 sts)
K for 1” (2cm)
Knit 3, Inc 1, K to last 3, Inc 1, K3 (46 sts)
K for 1” (2cm)
Knit 3, Inc 1, K to last 3, Inc 1, K3 (48 sts)
Knit until the piece measures 7.5” from CO edge (19cm)
BO all stitches
Finishing:
Sew Shoulder seams, attach the sleeves and sew sleeve and side seams. Crochet around the edges as follows: *1sc, 2 ch, 1 dc, skip s 2-3 or 5-6 rows in between* repeat between **
~I do not crochet, so I am not sure if the above makes any sense in crochet language.
Attach buttons, weave in ends and block.
HAT:
CO 32 stitches and K every row
1: K2, increase 1, k to last 4 stitches, K2tog, K2
2: K
Repeat rows 1 & 2 above 14 times (28 rows) then switch:
1: K2, K2tog, K to last 4 Inc1, K4
2: K
Repeat rows 1 & 2 above 14 times (28 rows) then switch:
1: K2, increase 1, k to last 4 stitches, K2tog, K2
2: K
Repeat rows 1 and 2 above 9 times (18 rows), then switch
(this is where the shaping is for the point above the face)
1: K2, K2tog, K to last 4 Inc1, K4
2: K
Repeat rows 1 and 2 above 9 times (18 rows), then switch
(this is where the shaping is for the point above the face)
1: K2, increase 1, k to last 4 stitches, K2tog, K2
2: K
Repeat rows 1 & 2 above 14 times (28 rows) then switch:
1: K2, K2tog, K to last 4 Inc1, K4
2: K
Repeat rows 1 & 2 above 14 times (28 rows)
Bind off all stitches
Finishing:
Sew edges together to that are opposite the point for the face. (See diagram below) Pick up 2-4 stitches at one edge and make an i-cord for 8”, repeat for other side.
Jacket and Hat by Arja Viitala
Size: 23.5” (60 cm)
Yarn: 4 skeins of Novita Wool or 591 yards of any DK weight yarn
(Approx. One hank of Novita for the hat (148yds) and 3 (444yds) for the jacket)
Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) and a 3.0mm crochet hook
Notions: 6 buttons
Gauge: 22 stitches and 50 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
Stitch Pattern: Garter stitch, knit every row.
JACKET:
Back:
Cast on 60 stitches and work in garter stitch until the piece measures 9 ¾” (25 cm)from CO edge, BO all stitches
Left Front:
Cast on 32 stitches and knit in garter stitch. When the piece measures 7 ¾” (20cm), begin the neckline over the next as follows:
1. BO 4 stitches, knit to end (28 sts)
2. Knit
3. BO 4 stitches, knit to end (24 sts)
4. Knit
5. BO 5 stitches, knit to end (19 sts)
Knit until the piece measures 9 ¾” (25 cm) from CO edge, BO all stitches
Right front: Knit as same for left front, adding button holes every 1.5”, starting 1 ¾” from CO edge, as follows: K3, K2tog, YO, K to end **
** Be sure to do neckline decreases on the same edge as you did the button holes!
Sleeves (knit both the same):
CO 40 stitches and k until the piece measures 4” (10cm)
Begin increases:
Knit 3, Inc 1, K to last 3, Inc 1, K3 (42 sts)
K for 1” (2cm)
Knit 3, Inc 1, K to last 3, Inc 1, K3 (44 sts)
K for 1” (2cm)
Knit 3, Inc 1, K to last 3, Inc 1, K3 (46 sts)
K for 1” (2cm)
Knit 3, Inc 1, K to last 3, Inc 1, K3 (48 sts)
Knit until the piece measures 7.5” from CO edge (19cm)
BO all stitches
Finishing:
Sew Shoulder seams, attach the sleeves and sew sleeve and side seams. Crochet around the edges as follows: *1sc, 2 ch, 1 dc, skip s 2-3 or 5-6 rows in between* repeat between **
~I do not crochet, so I am not sure if the above makes any sense in crochet language.
Attach buttons, weave in ends and block.
HAT:
CO 32 stitches and K every row
1: K2, increase 1, k to last 4 stitches, K2tog, K2
2: K
Repeat rows 1 & 2 above 14 times (28 rows) then switch:
1: K2, K2tog, K to last 4 Inc1, K4
2: K
Repeat rows 1 & 2 above 14 times (28 rows) then switch:
1: K2, increase 1, k to last 4 stitches, K2tog, K2
2: K
Repeat rows 1 and 2 above 9 times (18 rows), then switch
(this is where the shaping is for the point above the face)
1: K2, K2tog, K to last 4 Inc1, K4
2: K
Repeat rows 1 and 2 above 9 times (18 rows), then switch
(this is where the shaping is for the point above the face)
1: K2, increase 1, k to last 4 stitches, K2tog, K2
2: K
Repeat rows 1 & 2 above 14 times (28 rows) then switch:
1: K2, K2tog, K to last 4 Inc1, K4
2: K
Repeat rows 1 & 2 above 14 times (28 rows)
Bind off all stitches
Finishing:
Sew edges together to that are opposite the point for the face. (See diagram below) Pick up 2-4 stitches at one edge and make an i-cord for 8”, repeat for other side.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The weekend
Ah, the weekend….the most wonderful time of the week. I can’t wait to have a couple of days of solid “Connor Time” I have a stack of freshly printed knitting patterns and plans to whip up a pair of mittens and at least one hat for my little guy. I have plans for gifts, but am not entirely sure I will get to them. What I really need is two to three days of solid knitting and nothing else. I doubt that will ever happen. In the mean time I will try to get at least a few things done. I really need to do something for my DH, he hasn’t received a knitted anything in forever. Meanwhile, Stephen is loading up on hats. Perhaps the goal should be one fabulous knitted gift per Christmas? I could rotate the recipient each year. THAT may be a plan, my friends. Going forward, not this year…this year people will get what they get. If it’s knitted, good for you! If not, maybe next time!
Meanwhile, today is our fifth anniversary. What a ride, five years dating, two married and 20 months, 2days of being parents. Happy Anniversary.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
I sang "Rudolph" over 100 times last week.
I won’t apologize for my absence. I know now that by neglecting things here I was able to squeeze out every last moment of “Connor time” my days at home would allow. Now that I am at work again I can see how I would have regretted putting him off for this, and you. (No offense meant.)
Connor is in his fourth week of daycare, a nice little family care place with two sweet young women running it. Today is day two of dropping Connor off without tears. (His, not mine.) It’s a bittersweet victory. On the one hand I don’t want to see my little boy cry, on the other I am selfishly sad that he now seems to leave me with so much ease. I can picture his earnest little face, chubby hand waving good-bye. I was deserted for French toast.
I miss our days together, frustrating as they could sometimes be. Walks, playing at the park, feeding the ducks, stacking blocks, running back and forth over the footbridge at the neighboring apartments, snuggling together, all our daily activities. I especially miss laying him down for his naps, that moment just after he falls asleep where his whole body relaxes and I can feel all his weight resting on me, and hear him snore softly. I miss him, desperately. I know I am not the only mother to feel this way, but I do not know any other mothers with little ones in my area, and I don’t know any mothers who have been in my situation of being home for such a long time and then suddenly having to return to work. I feel isolated and alone with no one to really understand what I have been going through these weeks that I have returned to work.
It has been an adjustment, for both of us. For all of us, really. It’s a finely choreographed dance we do in the mornings now, if we miss one step the whole dance is off resulting in a missed lunch to make up for a missed morning, and a long and difficult evening with a cranky toddler.
Now that the Christmas lights are going up Connor has something to look at on our way to the highway. He loves the lights and often tells me that they are cool. In Springfield they have Bright Nights and we hope to take him before they are taken down. I think Connor will be riveted by the displays. I have found that singing Christmas carols to him is an effective way to keep him happy on the drive back home. His favorite is Rudolph. I believe I sang it every single night last week, at least twenty times. When it’s over, he says his version of “again”, so on and on we go. Sometimes he’ll allow a few repetitions of Jingle Bells, but only if I start it with the “dashing through the snow” verse, otherwise he gets upset that I have gypped him out of an entire song.
I am currently in a knitting frenzy, trying to get something done for everyone on my list, getting distracted by other projects I want to do for Connor and myself. I found out that my cousin and his wife are have a baby girl, so I’ve knit them a few things…and am addicted to baby knitting. I want to make ten thousand bonnets, but have had to rein it in. There are sweaters and socks to make for myself and for Connor. I have 3 skeins of Christmas sock yarn and have not cast on for a single pair, even though I only justified the last purchase by promising myself I would do so. I have a sample pair to knit for a friend and two designs in the works. And yet, I have only finished Jess’s birthday gift. I have sooo much more to do. I think it is time for a project a night; small, simple things that can be done quickly. Intermixed with all o that is my desire to decorate for Christmas, clean out the house and make some Christmas things…a banner, a stocking for Connor and some soft ornaments for the bottom of the tree…otherwise known as the “Connor Zone”. As you can see I have a lot on my plate and very little time in which to get it done. If I could enlist helpers, I would. I would have everyone I know over to help me craft things and clean and decorate. I’d entice them with food, desserts, wine and beer. However, I think I am too far from my loved ones and therefore it is up to the two of us to get it all done. Everything that needs to be done, will be. Everything else can wait.
Connor is in his fourth week of daycare, a nice little family care place with two sweet young women running it. Today is day two of dropping Connor off without tears. (His, not mine.) It’s a bittersweet victory. On the one hand I don’t want to see my little boy cry, on the other I am selfishly sad that he now seems to leave me with so much ease. I can picture his earnest little face, chubby hand waving good-bye. I was deserted for French toast.
I miss our days together, frustrating as they could sometimes be. Walks, playing at the park, feeding the ducks, stacking blocks, running back and forth over the footbridge at the neighboring apartments, snuggling together, all our daily activities. I especially miss laying him down for his naps, that moment just after he falls asleep where his whole body relaxes and I can feel all his weight resting on me, and hear him snore softly. I miss him, desperately. I know I am not the only mother to feel this way, but I do not know any other mothers with little ones in my area, and I don’t know any mothers who have been in my situation of being home for such a long time and then suddenly having to return to work. I feel isolated and alone with no one to really understand what I have been going through these weeks that I have returned to work.
It has been an adjustment, for both of us. For all of us, really. It’s a finely choreographed dance we do in the mornings now, if we miss one step the whole dance is off resulting in a missed lunch to make up for a missed morning, and a long and difficult evening with a cranky toddler.
Now that the Christmas lights are going up Connor has something to look at on our way to the highway. He loves the lights and often tells me that they are cool. In Springfield they have Bright Nights and we hope to take him before they are taken down. I think Connor will be riveted by the displays. I have found that singing Christmas carols to him is an effective way to keep him happy on the drive back home. His favorite is Rudolph. I believe I sang it every single night last week, at least twenty times. When it’s over, he says his version of “again”, so on and on we go. Sometimes he’ll allow a few repetitions of Jingle Bells, but only if I start it with the “dashing through the snow” verse, otherwise he gets upset that I have gypped him out of an entire song.
I am currently in a knitting frenzy, trying to get something done for everyone on my list, getting distracted by other projects I want to do for Connor and myself. I found out that my cousin and his wife are have a baby girl, so I’ve knit them a few things…and am addicted to baby knitting. I want to make ten thousand bonnets, but have had to rein it in. There are sweaters and socks to make for myself and for Connor. I have 3 skeins of Christmas sock yarn and have not cast on for a single pair, even though I only justified the last purchase by promising myself I would do so. I have a sample pair to knit for a friend and two designs in the works. And yet, I have only finished Jess’s birthday gift. I have sooo much more to do. I think it is time for a project a night; small, simple things that can be done quickly. Intermixed with all o that is my desire to decorate for Christmas, clean out the house and make some Christmas things…a banner, a stocking for Connor and some soft ornaments for the bottom of the tree…otherwise known as the “Connor Zone”. As you can see I have a lot on my plate and very little time in which to get it done. If I could enlist helpers, I would. I would have everyone I know over to help me craft things and clean and decorate. I’d entice them with food, desserts, wine and beer. However, I think I am too far from my loved ones and therefore it is up to the two of us to get it all done. Everything that needs to be done, will be. Everything else can wait.
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