While I believe my plans for next winter and spring are pretty reasonable (and I'm glad you agree) we'll have to see how it really works out! I've learned not to be disappointed when things don't go exactly as I wanted, and make plans more tentatively. Maybe I'll have more time for knitting, sewing, and blogging that I thought, maybe I'll have much less. But whatever happens, I will try to keep writing here, and let you know how things are going. Besides, I'm sure to have a million baby pictures to share with you!
Speaking of baby, he's really starting to move in there! It's such an amazing feeling, when it's not uncomfortable :) I think all babies must start out wanting to be soccer (football) players. At the moment his favourite kicking spot is my belly button. I can't wait until my husband can feel it too!
Okay, enough chatter for now, I guess. I have a full day of pattern editing ahead of me!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
no title
Here I am, procrastinating about making bread, despite the fact that I won't have anything for lunch tomorrow if I don't. Well, I will get to it as soon as I answer a few questions.
First, someone asked me recently what yarn I use for the Siamese kitty, but for the life of me I can't find the email. I guess that happens sometimes. Anyway, I use Elann's Peruvian Highland wool in worsted weight, in coffee bean brown, nutmeg heather, and bisque. If you want more contrast, try bittersweet for the dark brown. I love this yarn, because it's soft, comes in lots of great colours, and is really affordable.
The other question was about my Ravelry id. My patterns are here, and my own account is here. I do have a shop, but it only has the free lamb pattern. (these links only work if you have a Ravelry account) I'd looked into having my other patterns there, but decided it wasn't worth it for the extra work it would create. It looks like lots of people would like a Fuzzy Mitten Ravelry group, so I guess I need to look into how I do that.
Someone also asked what will happen to Fuzzy Mitten once I have my baby. While there's still a few months to wait, I have been making some plans. I have a couple new things coming before Christmas, but then January will probably be pretty quiet while I get everything ready for the new Mitten. Some of the secret stuff I've been working on are new patterns that I will release next winter and spring. I'm hoping this will keep things interesting for you, while being the minimum of work for me. My Etsy and Lulu shops will stay open, though it's likely there won't be any kits or toys for the first few months. I have no idea how much time and energy I will have for blogging, so we'll just have to wait and see. I hope that sounds reasonable to all of you!
First, someone asked me recently what yarn I use for the Siamese kitty, but for the life of me I can't find the email. I guess that happens sometimes. Anyway, I use Elann's Peruvian Highland wool in worsted weight, in coffee bean brown, nutmeg heather, and bisque. If you want more contrast, try bittersweet for the dark brown. I love this yarn, because it's soft, comes in lots of great colours, and is really affordable.
The other question was about my Ravelry id. My patterns are here, and my own account is here. I do have a shop, but it only has the free lamb pattern. (these links only work if you have a Ravelry account) I'd looked into having my other patterns there, but decided it wasn't worth it for the extra work it would create. It looks like lots of people would like a Fuzzy Mitten Ravelry group, so I guess I need to look into how I do that.
Someone also asked what will happen to Fuzzy Mitten once I have my baby. While there's still a few months to wait, I have been making some plans. I have a couple new things coming before Christmas, but then January will probably be pretty quiet while I get everything ready for the new Mitten. Some of the secret stuff I've been working on are new patterns that I will release next winter and spring. I'm hoping this will keep things interesting for you, while being the minimum of work for me. My Etsy and Lulu shops will stay open, though it's likely there won't be any kits or toys for the first few months. I have no idea how much time and energy I will have for blogging, so we'll just have to wait and see. I hope that sounds reasonable to all of you!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
batty batty bat...
That song from Sesame Street keeps going through my head!
Just a little later than I thought, here's the Bat pattern, all ready for you (Etsy and Lulu). I must thank my lovely friend Amanda, plus Jocelyn and her knitting group, for test knitting this pattern for me. They didn't seem to have any major trouble with the pattern, so hopefully it will go smoothly for those of you who try it. The trickiest part is probably finishing the nose, and I might see about knitting up another head so I can get some clearer photos for you (just in case).
I'll probably get this pattern up on Ravelry later this weekend. Please post your photos, so I can see how your bats turn out! For those of you who don't know what Ravelry is, here's a good place to find out. If you're interested, sign up! It usually only takes a few weeks to get in, and there are so many great things about it.
Friday, September 5, 2008
bat delay
After a week full of meetings, my husband asked if he can finish the bat pattern this weekend. It's supposed to be rainy tomorrow, so it should be a good chance for him to work on it. If all goes well, it will be ready for you late Saturday, or sometime on Sunday.
not toys
So here are a few of my personal knitting projects. As many people know, making a hobby into a job leaves you little or no time for any hobby-type projects. I find an hour or two to knit in the evening, maybe twice a week, depending on how tired/hot/lazy/into a good book I am.
These socks have certainly been on the needles the longest (since sometime last year)! The yarn is bamboo/merino, specially dyed for me by Zen Yarn Garden. I started these to try learning the magic-loop method, only to find the circular needle left me with horrible hand cramps after a few rows. This one is ready for a heel, if I can only find the time and motivation.
Second longest on my needles is this Endpaper mitt, which I started in March. I wanted them for Spring (ha ha!) but then lost the chart I was working from. I was soon too busy to think about them, and it was too warm to wear them anyway. I might take these on our holiday, and try finishing them while the weather is still right. They should look pretty with my scarf.
A project I started recently is this shawl. The yarn is Malabrigo lace (so yummy!) in the pearl colourway. This yarn was originally intended for one sweater, then tried with a second sweater pattern, only to discover halfway through the back that I wouldn't have enough for the whole sweater. Lately I decided it would be nice to have a pretty shawl for nursing, which would be a great use for this yarn. The pattern is one I modified slightly from a chart I found in a stitch book. I even tried a provisional cast-on, so I can make both ends the same.
The fourth project I have on the go right now is a quilt/rug thing, made from a bunch of "fresh from the sheep" yarn a couple different people gave me. It's essentially just variously sized square swatches, which I'll sew together at the end. It's my mindless-knitting-during-movies project. I didn't take photos, because it just looks like a stack of squares right now.
If you add in all the random toys I knit from day to day, it's certainly enough variety to keep things interesting. It's not surprising I find no time for painting any more.
These socks have certainly been on the needles the longest (since sometime last year)! The yarn is bamboo/merino, specially dyed for me by Zen Yarn Garden. I started these to try learning the magic-loop method, only to find the circular needle left me with horrible hand cramps after a few rows. This one is ready for a heel, if I can only find the time and motivation.
Second longest on my needles is this Endpaper mitt, which I started in March. I wanted them for Spring (ha ha!) but then lost the chart I was working from. I was soon too busy to think about them, and it was too warm to wear them anyway. I might take these on our holiday, and try finishing them while the weather is still right. They should look pretty with my scarf.
A project I started recently is this shawl. The yarn is Malabrigo lace (so yummy!) in the pearl colourway. This yarn was originally intended for one sweater, then tried with a second sweater pattern, only to discover halfway through the back that I wouldn't have enough for the whole sweater. Lately I decided it would be nice to have a pretty shawl for nursing, which would be a great use for this yarn. The pattern is one I modified slightly from a chart I found in a stitch book. I even tried a provisional cast-on, so I can make both ends the same.
The fourth project I have on the go right now is a quilt/rug thing, made from a bunch of "fresh from the sheep" yarn a couple different people gave me. It's essentially just variously sized square swatches, which I'll sew together at the end. It's my mindless-knitting-during-movies project. I didn't take photos, because it just looks like a stack of squares right now.
If you add in all the random toys I knit from day to day, it's certainly enough variety to keep things interesting. It's not surprising I find no time for painting any more.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
the new me
A slight departure today from my usual ramblings.
As my pregnancy has progressed, I've noticed that the changes to my body are as significant as what I went through during puberty... and I'm only half-way there! I'm not sure why this is such a revelation, maybe because most women don't talk about what pregnancy is like until you find yourself in that condition. Perhaps they believe the truth will turn too many women off of having children, or perhaps they would rather forget about all the changes that happen to your body.
While most of me is very happy to be pregnant (because I get a baby out of it!), a small part of me is struggling to deal with the new me. I was a very shy and awkward kid, who always thought of herself as unattractive. Then in university I gained lots of weight, which made things worse. I have worked so hard since then to stay fit and healthy, and it took me a long time to overcome that negative image of myself and become happy and comfortable with my body as an adult. So, it hurts a little when each piece of clothing becomes too small, when doing yoga in the morning becomes more awkward because of my growing belly. Among other things.
I know that most of the weight will disappear in the first few months after the baby is born, but I also know that I will never look quite the same as before. I suppose time will help me become accustomed to the new me, and I will probably forget about most of my struggles in the day to day business of taking care of a new baby. But some days it is hard to look that far ahead and be content right now.
I thought of an idea this morning which, while it won't help me now, might help me once my baby is born. I keep hearing about friends and fellow bloggers doing the 365 photo thing on flickr, but I never thought my life was interesting enough from day to day to both joining in the fun. But I think that a photo a day, of the slowly changing me and my baby, would be a project worth undertaking. I also think it would be a fun thing to share with my son one day, so he can see how much he changed and grew in the first year of his life.
As my pregnancy has progressed, I've noticed that the changes to my body are as significant as what I went through during puberty... and I'm only half-way there! I'm not sure why this is such a revelation, maybe because most women don't talk about what pregnancy is like until you find yourself in that condition. Perhaps they believe the truth will turn too many women off of having children, or perhaps they would rather forget about all the changes that happen to your body.
While most of me is very happy to be pregnant (because I get a baby out of it!), a small part of me is struggling to deal with the new me. I was a very shy and awkward kid, who always thought of herself as unattractive. Then in university I gained lots of weight, which made things worse. I have worked so hard since then to stay fit and healthy, and it took me a long time to overcome that negative image of myself and become happy and comfortable with my body as an adult. So, it hurts a little when each piece of clothing becomes too small, when doing yoga in the morning becomes more awkward because of my growing belly. Among other things.
I know that most of the weight will disappear in the first few months after the baby is born, but I also know that I will never look quite the same as before. I suppose time will help me become accustomed to the new me, and I will probably forget about most of my struggles in the day to day business of taking care of a new baby. But some days it is hard to look that far ahead and be content right now.
I thought of an idea this morning which, while it won't help me now, might help me once my baby is born. I keep hearing about friends and fellow bloggers doing the 365 photo thing on flickr, but I never thought my life was interesting enough from day to day to both joining in the fun. But I think that a photo a day, of the slowly changing me and my baby, would be a project worth undertaking. I also think it would be a fun thing to share with my son one day, so he can see how much he changed and grew in the first year of his life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)