November Baby Sweater

I'm finally getting around to posting the FBS I made for a family at church who just adopted their second child. She's a beauty and was so tiny when they brought her home~~just over 6 lbs, and is weighing in at a whopping 7 lbs at one month. My kids were never that small.

Details:
Pattern: February Baby Sweater by our beloved EZ
Yarn: Plymouth Dreambaby DK (50% acrylic, 50% microfiber)
Needle: sz 4 KP Options
Start Date: November 3rd-ish
Finish Date: November 21, 2008

Thoughts: I can't say enough good about this pattern. Just love it. It's my go to pattern now when I hear of a baby girl being born anywhere in the vicinity. I went with a lighter yarn this time in hopes of getting a smaller sweater than the one I made this summer (although they were both knit on the same size needle. I still find it hard to believe that KP Comfy is a worsted weight yarn.) I did have a bit of trouble with the increase row. I couldn't get them to look nice, and to be honest, I can't recall what I did to finally get a pleasing look. I'll give my usual warning for this pattern~~read it the whole way through first, or you may miss the buttonholes. Speaking of buttonholes, I wound up closing one of mine up, as the buttons were too big to cram three into the space in the yoke. I think two look fine. BTW: Aren't the buttons cute? Got them at Knitting Sisters. They had a ton of really cute buttons the last time I was there.

In other knitting news, my Hemlock Ring Blanket is finished, blocked, and has already been snuggled in. Photos when the clouds clear away. I have a Christmas present to finish, and then it's back to my selfish knitting.

Oh, and Beau said to tell you that he hopes you had as great a Thanksgiving as he did!

Autumn Maple Socks

A couple of weeks ago I was taking some kids from our homeschool bowling league home and rode past a gorgeous maple in it's full autumnal glory. It was so breathtaking that I had to get a photo of it. So the next day after dropping The Teen at her piano lesson I went and grabbed a quick couple of shots. All the foliage this year has been fantastic, and it seems as though many of the trees reached peak at the same time which made for New England-like rides about town.

In the midst of enjoying our autumn I finally finished another pair of socks. Just my second of the year. Pitiful, particularly when compared with my output in previous years.

In honor of autumn, I give you:

Autumn Maple Socks (Thusly named for their resemblance to the tree at right)

Pattern: my basic toe-up pattern~~turkish cast-on, stockinette foot, 3 x 2 ribbing, Abigail's short row heel (which I still just love! Thanks so much for passing it along Abigail!)

Yarn: Trekking 110: I had this mislabeled as 105 until 11/24 (This workhorse of a sock yarn is my absolute favorite)

Needle: Size 1 Addi turbo

Start date: July 2008 (original incarnation was in another pattern which just didn't satisfy me.)
Finish date: November 06, 2008

Thoughts: Love handknit socks. Love Trekking. They've been worn and washed several times in the last 10 days already. On my feet as I type.



In other knitting news~~I've finished a February Baby Sweater for a shower this week~~just need to add the buttons. I'll remember to get photos before I gift this one, I promise. Also nearing completion is my Hemlock Ring Blanket. Hopefully by Thanksgiving there will be a couple more FOs to report.

Beau, 12 weeks

If you live in Virginia, you know that the weather has been lousy this week, so I had to take the opportunity this morning to get out and get some photos of Beau before the next round of rain set in. He was 12 weeks yesterday. When he came home at 7.5 weeks, he weighed right at 7 lbs. On Sunday he tipped the scales at 15 lbs, so he's more than doubled his weight in 4 weeks. Obviously, he's eating well. Training is continuing to go well~~he passed/completed Level 1 over the weekend, and we started working on Level 2 on Monday. His 'go to the mat' is fantastic! I started with the decided advantage that any time you put his blankie on the floor, he'll go and lie down on it. Click, treat! Good dog! Have added the cue, 'Go to your spot.' We also started working on Loose Leash, Down with just one signal, early sit-stay, as well as reviewing his Level 1 work. The 'come game' continues to be his favorite. He's really starting to be part of the family. I've noticed that he's wagging his tail a lot now whenever he sees us and gets very excited when someone comes home. He still loves to curl up in The Teen's or my lap, which should be interesting once he's about 70 + lbs.

Anyway, here's the weekly update.


Sorry about the blurry shots. He's either lying/sitting down or moving at blur speed.

Mom told me to tell you that she promises to have some knitting photos soon. I let her finish a pair of socks and start a new project this week. The socks just need to be photographed. At least they stay still better than I do!