holiday crafting

While it's been nearly a month since my last post, and very quiet here, I've been super busy (as I'm sure many people are at this time of year)! The big project I've been working on can't be shared yet, but I've been knitting and sewing some other things in my spare time. Here's a little selection to inspire you, if you find your fingers need something to do over the holidays.

I knit this cardigan for my little niece, from this pattern. She's only 4 months old, so I scaled down the pattern by using DK weight yarn instead of worsted weight. It was easy and fun to knit, and I wish I had time to make more for my boys!

This beret was knit in just 2 days, because I had such a short deadline between the party invite and my friend's birthday. The hat turned out so well, I might knit another for myself.

The mini pookies I made for the pattern samples ended up on the tree in my boys' room. They were joined by some other soft and cute ornaments from my collection. For some reason, Kyr calls them all "piggies" so I knit a piggy one just for him (I just used pink for the head, and folded the fox ears).

I've also done a bit of sewing. The boys' stockings (on the right) I made last year. This year I found time to sew one for my husband and myself. I didn't use any pattern or tutorial for these, just making it up as I went along. I wanted to use up some of the scraps I had left from other projects, to make stockings that would suit each one of us, but still look like a set.

These matching pyjama pants I made for my boys from a piece of flannel that's been in my fabric stash forever. My method was very similar to this tutorial. If you've done a bit of sewing, this is such a rewarding project!

As a Christmas gift, I have a recipe to share with you tomorrow, something perfect for cold, busy winter days!

adventurous projects

In between designing and knitting toys, sewing and knitting for myself, and doing all the other things a mother of two little boys must do, I find a little time to make some special things for my boys. The last project was linen shirts for each, but the weather is now definitely Autumnal, and it was time for something more seasonal.

For many months now, one of my boys' favourite cartoons has been Adventure Time. They both enjoy the heroics, silly songs, and memorable characters. (I also enjoy the messages of helping and friendship, and appreciate that my kids voluntarily skip the scarier episodes). Lev's favourite character from the show is Finn, and a new, plain black hoodie for school seemed like the perfect opportunity to make Lev a little something special. I made this patch from white cotton fleece and peach-coloured felt, hand-stitched together, then onto the hoodie. It helped that Finn's face is quite simple and recognizable, as my embroidery skills are not great. Anyway, we both love how it turned out, and Lev wants to wear it almost every day.

Of course, when Kyr realized I was making something for Lev, he wanted something too (in fact, he made great big puppy eyes at me and started crying when he realized the hoodie wasn't for him). He didn't have a convenient plain sweater or shirt to embellish, and for a few days I was stumped on what to make for him. Then the weather turned a bit cooler, I pulled out his Fall hat one morning, and realized it was nearly too small. My choice of project was clear. Kyr's favourite Adventure Time character, by far, is Jake the Dog (he actually calls it the "Jake-Finn" show). Luckily, I had 50 g of yarn left-over from a vest I'd knit Kyr a couple winters ago, in the perfect Jake colour. After a couple false starts, trying to sort out gauge and the brim style I wanted, I managed to knit a plain stockinette cap in just 2 evenings. Once I knew the fit was right, I added little floppy ears. However, it still wasn't recognizable as Jake, so I decided to add eyes and a nose with fleece patches. The finished hat is probably one of my most favourite projects, and Kyr loves it too!

quiet usually means busy

While it's been rather quiet here on my blog, I've been quite busy with my knitting needles. Two very exciting opportunities came my way about a month ago, and I said yes to both of them! This means I'm having loads of fun, working much harder than I'm used to, and making very cute things I can't share with you yet.

Over the past few weeks I've been too caught up to have much chance to write to you, but hopefully I will have a little more time next month. However, since I can't share my current knitting, maybe you'd like to hear about some of the other things I do? I sew as much as I can find time for, usually clothes for myself and other family members, sometimes little things to brighten up my home. I also adore gardening, and my gardens are coming along nicely this year. I also enjoy cooking, and I've shared some recipes in the past. Maybe I will post a few of the dishes my family likes best right now. I hope you'll enjoy reading about all of these things.

Sadly, I've had to put on hold the pattern I'd planned for early summer release, but there are some other things for you to look forward to. I plan to update one of my most-loved patterns for a September release, and that I can definitely share with you. I've also been thinking about reorganizing and expanding the clothing bundles I sell. Would many of you be interested in that?

Until then, I hope you continue to stop by, and I'll talk to you soon!

(P.S. The photos are from a recent trip to Vermont, for my birthday)

not quite there

It seems like Spring is starting almost everywhere, but in Montreal, we're not quite there. Today is blustery and below freezing. I contemplated taking the bus home from my yoga class, even though I walked all winter. A few warmer days make these colder ones hard to bear. The snow is mostly gone, but the ground is still frozen. All I have are a couple lonely snowdrops, which I planted last fall. The gardener inside me is bursting to be out, busy and dirty and tired at the end of the day. Thankfully, I have many things inside to keep me busy. For knitting, I am trying to finish up the last part of the mystery KAL, have a light cardigan about 1/2 done, and have started a new pair of socks (because even if spring comes soon, my feet will be cold for a couple months yet).

I hope everyone else is enjoying some Spring weather (or cooler days of Autumn, if you live in the south).

New yarn

I picked up some yarn for a new design, and I'm really excited about it! What do you think this will become?

There's still a few days left to enter my give-away, so don't forget to leave a comment on the previous post.

strawberry season

I've been sick, again (goodness, do kids ever bring a lot of germs home from school)! And I haven't felt much like knitting lately. However, I picked up a few balls of Sirdar Baby Bamboo in silver, and bought this lovely pattern, in the hope that I would be inspired to knit myself a summer cardigan. We'll see how that goes.

In other news, the strawberries are ready! This bowl won't last the day, but there will be more tomorrow. I must say, growing soft fruit is the most rewarding type of gardening. I love flowers, but you can't eat most of them :)

updates

It's been far too long between posts. I am sorry. I've been busy with life, and a little bit of knitting. Here is my most recent custom-made toy. I think she turned out especially well. I want to get some proper photos of her, before she heads off to the UK tomorrow.

Now that this one is out of the way, I'm going work on those pesky old patterns of mine, which have been waiting for an update for, oh gosh, years now! First up is the big teddy. I already had a new one knit months ago. I just couldn't find the motivation to get it put together. Today I got everything but the legs stuffed and assembled! I'm very pleased with how it looks. I'm always a bit surprised that my big toys aren't bigger, since they seem to take so much more work. I can only imagine the dedication to knit a really large toy - I'm truly a small project person, with only one adult sweater to my name!

Now I'm off to do a wee bit of yoga, and maybe read a chapter of The Secret Garden, before bed. Good night, my friends!

muddy knees and knitting

A couple images of what my days look like recently. A lot of playing outside, now that the snow is gone, and whatever knitting time I can squeeze in. I've been making a few custom toys, since I'm not designing anything new right now. As you can guess, it can be very difficult to find moments to pick up my needles when this little toddler is bustling around getting into everything.

knitting projects of 2011

Wow, I have no idea how I found time to knit so much this year. Here are 16 projects I finished, and that's not all of them. I know of several more that I haven't photographed - some toys and toy clothes, socks for the boys, a beret and mittens for myself, a partially finished cardigan for myself, a partially finished pullover for Lev that ended up too small, half-a-dozen hats which didn't fit Kyr, and probably more that I'm forgetting. If you want details of anything, check my Ravelry projects page (I'll try to add anything that's not already there over the next couple days).

My goals for next year include a fair-isle cardigan and striped pullover for myself. I also want to finish the cardigan and pullover I had started - the first is lovely and only got abandoned because I messed up the raglan increases, the second will fit Kyr in the Autumn and just needs 1.5 sleeves to be done. I also need a couple more pairs of socks, and I have a few skeins of stashed yarn for which I really want to find projects.

I'm sure I will knit toys as well. Maybe I will find time for a few custom toys, or just knit ones for my Etsy shop. At the moment I have no ideas for new patterns. However, this might be a good thing because I have several old patterns that really need my attention. As far as Fuzzy Mitten knitting goes, I'm content to make no plans or deadlines, and just work on each idea as it comes to me.

still alive

Hello there, loyal readers! A quick post for you, to show that I'm still alive. However, I've been struggling with a recurring illness which has made it difficult to do more than keep an eye on the kids while they watch cartoons all day. As well, Mr. Mitten has started a new job which is keeping him very busy. Let's all hope I get better soon, so I can keep in touch a little better!

Here's a little bit of knitting I've managed lately. A very modified version of this pattern. I knit the 6-12 month size, realized it wasn't going to fit as it was, but didn't have the heart to pull it all out (mostly because this was attempt number 6 at knitting a hat for the baby). I kept adding bits until it finally worked. I hope it fits for a while, so all that knitting was worth it!

no photos

I don't have any photos for you today, because, between one thing and another, I didn't take any in the past week. Both boys have colds, so I haven't been sleeping much (I'm sure other mums can sympathize).
I haven't done much knitting either, because I realized the pullover I'm making for Lev probably won't fit him by the time it's finished. This is partly because I don't have much time to knit it, but also because he's grown over an inch since I started it (and he's started eating like crazy again...) At least I have another boy who will appreciate it in a year or so. But now I'm stuck trying to decide between what I want to knit, and what I might actually be able to finish this winter!
I should have been taking photos of our front garden makeover that's been on-going for the past couple months. I haven't taken any progress photos because the mess of clay and rocks that kept getting churned up for one thing or another was just too ugly to bother photographing. But this weekend my hard-working hubby finally got the top-soil spread out, and I can almost imagine the new lawns and flower beds.
If I go to bed now, and if Kyr is kind and sleeps better, perhaps I will find a few lovely or cute things to share with you tomorrow, or next week...

no time for email

I totally overestimated the time I might have to answer my email these days! New babies do sleep a lot, so I thought I would have the chance to send those pattern updates, but I also have a 2-year old! Anyway, I've replied to all your emails this morning, so check your inbox for the new patterns if you requested an update (if you don't know what I'm talking about, check my previous post). Mr. Mitten was also kind enough to answer most of my Ravelry messages for me, since I never get time to look at those (hint, if you need to ask me something, email is much faster than Ravelry - it's such a time-suck to go on there, I try to avoid it).

I am getting a little knitting done these days. I got 75% of a vest knit for Lev, from this pattern. Only to decide in the end that my gauge was doing weird things, and it would be way too warm for him to wear much. So it will be frogged, and knit again in plain stockinette (the vest does have a nice shape, and the instructions will work even without the slip-stitch pattern and stripes). I also started a Big Teddy, since that pattern desperately needs to be updated. I decided to add a pinafore dress to the pattern, so you can make a girly bear too (it's simply a skirt attached to the overall bib and straps, so a super-simple change to the original).

And here's a video of our little family enjoying some time together!

2011-04-21: Flying and vocalizing from Kay Ryabitsev on Vimeo.

recent fo's

Some recent, and not so recent, finished knits (a bunch of these links are to my Ravelry projects, so you can read the details there. If you don't have a Ravelry account, why not?)

This modification of Citron was finished a few weeks ago, but I haven't found time to block it yet. Once I find something to actually wear it with, perhaps I'll finally do that step and get some better photos.

This lacy scarf is knit from some Noro Sekku yarn I picked up on an impulse during my vacation to BC. I love the summery colours of it. I'm glad it's cooling off here so I can wear this now.

This little vest I knit for my newest nephew. It's in Knitpicks Simply Cotton Worsted, and I had no trouble getting gauge with this yarn. It's my second time knitting this pattern, and I really like it.

If you follow me on Facebook, this is the hat I was talking about knitting for Lev. I have the instructions finished, but I need help getting photos of it on him for the published pattern. The longest he's left it on his head is about 10 seconds.

And finally, here is a little preview of the new pattern I'm releasing soon!

never get anything done

conversation I had with Mr. Mitten the other day

Me: One part of me wants to keep working on my sock, so I can finish it sooner and start on my new birthday sock yarn. Another part of me wants to knit some toys for my shop, because I haven't done any in ages. Another part of me wants to go do some sewing on my new sewing machine. Another part...

Mr. Mitten: How many parts do you have? (laughing)

Me: Too many, that's why I'm always so conflicted and never finish anything!

I can't remember what I actually did at that point, but it probably involved getting Baby Mitten up from his nap and feeding him. This is the main reason I never get anything done these days! On the other hand, he's learning something new nearly every day, I have so much fun to spending time with him. Yesterday he discovered he can grab his feet and roll around on the floor. He thinks it's so fun, he tries to grab his feet even while falling asleep in his crib. Anyway, here's a cute video to amuse you (please ignore the messy unwashed hair, I am a mom. Focus on the giggling baby).

short and sweet

What a lack of blogging around here lately! At least I have good reasons. Here's a short and sweet version of what I've been up to since my mom came:

- cooking big pots of soup to fill our freezer (helping my mom cook, mostly)
- visiting local thrift stores and finding some very useful and/or cute baby items
- walks outside every time it's above -10 C (and sometimes even when it's colder but sunny)
- long chats about knitting and family history (and sometimes both together)
- squeezing everyone into our tiny living-room for supper one night (5 adults and 2 babies is a lot for our little place)
- a visit to a yarn store where I finally jumped on the Noro sock bandwagon (thanks to my mom's generosity)
- lots of knitting on said Noro socks (so fun and pretty, they're hard to put down)
- 3 nearly sleepless nights of a growth spurt (thank goodness my mom was here to take turns sitting up with him)
- finding out Lev is now over 8 lbs, thanks to the growth spurt (I need to get pictures of the baby jowls he's developing!)
- and now I'm procrastinating about working on some felted slippers for my nephew's 2nd birthday (I made them too big, and have to rip back the 1/2 of one I already knit)

I think there's probably lots more, it's been such a busy week! Anyway, time to stop procrastinating. Have a lovely day, all!

babies are hard to photograph

I just realized I haven't blogged this week - shame on me! I guess having a new baby means I'm a little busy most days. By the way, here's a cute collage of photos we took of Lev the other day. It took us three days to get them, because every other day he was too sleepy, too grumpy, or too messy. We're having a few of the photos printed to send to friends and family. It seems a little strange to be getting actual hard copies of the photos, since nearly everything we take is just kept in digital format. But grandparents like to have something they can put in a frame (we're getting a copy of the collage for ourselves, because it's just too cute!) He has such an expressive face, although he usually makes all his really funny faces as he's falling asleep. However, his eyes are closed then, so we can't take such good photos (but I find him endlessly entertaining!)

Thanks for all the lovely comments about the sock pattern and the TV show. Hopefully any of you who knit the socks don't find any mistakes. If anyone out there does know how to put a copy of my segment of the show on youtube, please let me know!

Now back to knitting! I'm working on a shawl, which has be going for several months now. I'm just not used to knitting something so large, and I get bored with it after a dozen rows or so. Today I decided to add a bit to the pattern, so I have something more interesting to look forward to every 5 pattern repeats. If I can stop myself from starting any new projects, I might just get the shawl done in another month or so...

happy new year

Hello to all my friends out there! Happy new year, even if I'm a bit late :)

I know I've been a bit behind in the updates here lately, but it seems I have just enough time in a day to eat, feed Lev, and sleep (and quite often not enough time for that last one). However, little Lev is quickly gaining weight, and should be over 6 lbs within a few days! My tiny newborn didn't last long, but I think he's cuter with some chubbiness on him. It's rather nice to not have that to worry about any more. Now if only the weather would be a bit warmer so we could get out in the sunshine, but really, it's just a normal winter here and our cozy apartment will have to do for a couple months yet.

I have been knitting a little - a little sock that is! Lev's feet are so tiny, we couldn't find socks to fit him. I have one done so far, but even with such little feet it's a struggle most days to find the energy and time for knitting. I had a bunch of projects I'd hoped to get done in the last few weeks before he was born, but those are all on hold now. One was a sweater for Lev, but I doubt it will fit him before spring, so I have some time to get that one done. I managed to knit on my shawl a bit in the hospital, but it's not even half-done, and I'm not sure when it will be. Oh well, I'm enjoying time with my little babe, and that's more important.

swift advice

It's been a busy week, and we're still waiting for our first copy of Festive Knits, so there hasn't been much worth writing about. However, I've been thinking about investing a little into some equipment for my business - specifically a swift and ball winder. Honestly, I would mostly use it for work! Besides, I don't buy that much yarn for myself. I just like the idea of making standard sized skeins for dying, and being able to wind up lovely cakes of yarn for the kits. So I was wondering if you have any advice on what I should look for, and what I should avoid. I'm not even sure how much choice there is in this type of equipment. But I would like to avoid buying something crappy that will break after 5 uses, and maybe other readers will be interested in your experiences too.

a million meetings

Thanks so much for being so understanding and supportive! It really helps lighten the load when I can air my little insecurities. It puts everything in perspective when I write it down, and makes me feel a little less crazy that you understand where I'm coming from :)

Today I'll be working on the bat pattern, taking some new photos, and trying to get everything just right for the final version. Usually my husband does the last bit of formatting for me, but he's had about a million exhausting meetings this week, so I might attempt it myself. I think the first week of school is as much work for a university's staff, as it is for the profs and students. The software he uses is more than a little confusing, but perhaps he'll have enough patience to show me what to do.

Also, I'm planning to combine a couple of other patterns like I did with the bunny ones, in order to keep things simpler in my shops. I'm undecided on whether the monkey or bear patterns would be best, although I will most likely do both eventually.

While I have the camera out, maybe I'll take some photos of knitting I've been doing for me! I have several projects that I've been working on, when I'm not too tired in the evening. There's a pair of socks, which I think I've been working on for about a year. They're pretty and fun, but for some reason socks don't inspire me. There's a pair of fingerless mitts, which I lost the chart for, so have been on hold since spring. There's a quilt/rug for the baby's room, made from a bunch of different yarns that have been given to me. And a shawl, which I plan to use when nursing. It's knit from some malabrigo lace yarn I'd intended for a sweater, but I like the shawl much better.

still here

I haven't been a very good blogger lately, have I? But I have been busy working on stuff for you. A new pattern is in the works for this fall. I've decided to get some of my local friends to test knit it for me, so it will be a big surprise for everyone! And that's all I'm going to say about it :)

I also found time for some sewing, so there will be a few kits available soon. I just need to add the last few bits, and take photos, so they should be up in my Etsy shop by the end of the week. They will all have my Fuzzy Knits book, since I'd really like to sell the copies I have sitting around. They also all have yarn hand-dyed by me, so their little outfits will be pretty and unique.

I think that's it for now. I'm off to do some baking for my girls' night get together (a bunch of my friends get together every Wednesday to cook, bake, drink, chat and knit). We're making soup and cookies tonight, which seem perfectly suited to the cool wet day we're having.