I’ve been a crazy knitting fiend this last week that we’ve been on vacation. It’s really amazing how much knitting I can accomplish when I have more than the hour of sleepy, post 11pm knitting I usually get at home.

Of course it doesn’t hurt that I’m obsessively knitting newborn baby knits which hop off the needles nearly as quickly as they hop on. I’m taking chances though, knitting newborn sized vests and sweaters when Mira was a whopping 10+lbs. I’m trying to stick to 3-6 months sizes to avoid too many repeats of the problem I had with my undersized owlie sack.

It is so fun seeing my little stack on knits growing as I dream about this new little person! I’ve realized my colours are leaning decidedly to the more manly side of things even though I’m trying to stick to neutrals while we wait to meet our new addition (will this be our fifth daughter or our third son?). Dan rationally suggested I wait to see before knitting much more but of course after the arrival my arms will be full of baby with very little time for needles and wool (a sacrifice I’m perfectly thrilled to accept).

So on I knit! Perhaps I’m making a little wish I thrown a rosy hue or two into my suitcase but the colours I brought are very happy making.

And because Dan can only get so excited about baby knits (“Don’t get her wrong, kids, she’s knitting for herself”, is a recent quote from him), I’m going to share them here with you.

In truth I knit this one while we were still at home but I got the buttons on fairly recently. It’s the tried and true puerperium pattern which I’ve knit (and loved) quite a few times now. I was getting pretty stressed that I would run out of the leftover Cascade 220 I’d found in my stash so I  kept the sleeves short. It will be perfect over a long-sleeved onesie and should fit during our late summer/early falls days.

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This smoky vertebrae was another I’d been working on at home. Unlike the last time I knit this pattern I conquered the collar immediately (I’m rubbish at picking up stitches). It was quick and enjoyable (I’m all about those types of knits these days) and so, so soft in the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran from my stash. I used only two of the five skeins I have so I’ll be happy to pick it up again for another project.

I couldn’t bring myself to knit the newborn size (although it would be darling) so I stuck to the 3-6 month directions…although I am tempted to whip up another in the newborn size…(somebody stop me!!).

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First up when we hit the road was this 5-hour baby boy sweater, a simple free pattern. Short and sweet, it really only took about the time promised (although I spent a fair amount of time swatching). I sized the needles down to US 8 (5.0mm) which I felt knit a better fabric than the needles called for in the pattern. I also moved the sleeve stitches to scrap wool, finished the body, then picked up the sleeves for knitting in the round – much nicer than all that seaming! I knit it in some clearance Martha Stewart Merino I’d picked up at Michael’s for a song. It was lovely wool and the colour ended up being much more watercoloured aqua than the baby blue I’d first expected. Gender neutral, right?!

This one will get a good blocking and some sweet little buttons when we get home!

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A few weeks ago when I asked baby pattern recommendations, Svenna recommended the felipe pattern. Her little guy wore his so sweetly that I’d already searched it out in her ravelry projects before she mentioned it. It was ridiculously speedy – an evening’s knitting and an afternoon movie (the first matinee Dan and I have seen in 10 years!). This blue is not technically neutral (or even vaguely) but it matters not – it’s too darn gorgeous to resist! Mmm, malabrigo rios!

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For a quick break from the sweater knitting I cast on this speedy little hat. I used Rebecca‘s mods (gundyknitter on ravelry) to size it down a touch for a true newborn size. There is some doubt whether this will even be big enough for a newborn but I’ll block it well if it’s too snug…And perhaps I’ll whip another up slightly larger one, just in case.

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My needles aren’t getting any chance to cool with this stack of knits awaiting baby. I’ve just finished a Small Things Sweater but it needs a good soak before I can show off its true beauty. Now I’m thinking maybe I quick pair of socks, a sleeping cap, and maybe some longies or shorties? As you can tell I’m unstoppable.

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I know I’m always asking but I do get so curious what others are working on. Have you got a crafty project on the go (needles or not)? 

Thanks for stopping by!

The day has arrived.

The kids have been counting the days down for weeks and weeks. They’ve been trying to pack for at least two.

Now, finally, the bags are loaded. The meals are planned, frozen, and prepared. The wool is packed (at least a month’s worth).

We are heading out in search of winter wonderland, our third annual. Hoping we don’t find spring creeping in too quickly, while we escape to enjoy a week of snow.

Happy Weekending, lovelies!

Thinking about the people affected by Sandy. If you’ve been along the hurricane’s path, my prayers are with you. xoR

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When I took these photos to show off the sweet plain vest I finished a few weeks ago for the wee lass I had a hard time. I had to absolutely tear my focus away from those curls and remember I wanted to show the knit.

I do love the plain vest pattern. And this isn’t my first time mentioning it but I’m saying it again. It’s simple and fun and oh so sweet. I knit this one in a beautiful malabrigo worsted that my parents-in-law bought me for my birthday (and topped off for me afterwards as I mentioned yesterday). It was dreamy to knit with this wool. Why don’t I knit with malabrigo more often?!

While our weather has been cold and colder, it’s been the perfect thing for our little lady.

(ravelry notes on the plain vest here)

I cannot end this post without drawing your attention to the mat Mira is reading on. It came as a beautiful gift from my dear friend, Irina. An incredibly talented seamstress, as well as knitter, baker, writer, and photographer, Ira continuously inspires me with her creative endeavours. If she weren’t across many miles in Lithuania, I’d be knocking on her door for sewing lessons and sharing many cups of tea.

The kids and I were so excited to open her package. When it arrived the kids recognized the Lithuanian address and remembered the last package we’d received from her. The play mat is a lovely tag quilt. I thought to put it in Mira’s room for her cold hardwood floor but instead I haven’t been able to take it out of our main living area. And I’m wrapped in it as I type.

Thanks for keeping me warm, Ira!

Visit Ira’s shop here, and her blog here.

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While we’re talking about staying warm – how do you do it? I’m cloaked in wool and still so chilly!

Also, those curls…really, did you see them? Everyone in this house is powerless against those curls.

Difficult change bringing new routines;

familiar comforts and the joy of promise;

good friends even as family is far;

snuggled at home, warm from the cold;

grace from these people of mine as I take a little time to struggle through the new;

a garage cleaned by hubby – and the van’s first winter shelter;

finally organizing the eruption that was the winter gear;

little lass dressed in wool by sweet siblings bringing laughter from all;

admitting defeat and packing away summer shoes and rain boots;

moments treasured with this beloved classic and this special knit;

wonderful meals prepared by hubby as we muddle through this new diet;

kind friend to the rescue with pumpkin and diet approved recipe;

the drip, drip, drip of melting snow and warmer weather (please no snow for Halloween!);

and topping it off with a late evening snuggle with blankets, rooibos, Lewis, and needles.

Peace, comfort, support.

Things I am thankful for this weekend.

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And, you, how was your weekend? Where did grace find you?

once again I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal

into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our

past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

~Melody Beattie

In the name of gratitude and truthfulness I’ve decided to post a little piece of reality here once a week. Likely just a single picture. See my original post here.

I did not want to get out of bed this morning.

I slept late.

Dan woke me to tell me the time. “Not that you have to get out of bed, just thought you might want to know.”

No jumping out of bed. It’s grey. I’m cold. Flannel sheets are warm.

Thankful for the babe who woke me early but afterwards slept late, I pull on jeans and cardigan uniform, slip on familiar wool-lined slippers.

Late starting school, but we’re at it. A daughter composes cursive creative writing sentences about barf and bums. A son has forgotten how to count by fives.

We’re out of peanut butter. I wanted it for my toast. Instead I eat a cupcake left on the counter after yesterday’s plea for chocolate treat. For breakfast. At noon.

I pick a glob of porridge off the floor. There are bread crumbs everywhere and smears of God-only-know on the white tile floor.

Fruit flies have returned with warmer temperatures and the weekend’s apple boxes. The fruit fly trap reeks of red wine vinegar but it’s effective.

The Map of the World Jigsaw was broken over hardwood by well-intentioned small ones. Tears from older sibling.

There are dinosaur cutouts and paper scraps on the carpet.

Pencil shavings on the table (soon floor).

Breakfast isn’t cleaned up, lunchtime nips hard at my heals, and we have company arriving in an hour.

It’s these days that we aren’t playing our A-game that grace is at its richest. 

We’re messy and humbled, needy and weak. Because we need grace most on these days. And it’s always given for the asker.

And on this messy morning, when I wish the sun would break through cloud, and kids cared for cleaning, I’m surrounded by beauty. Beauty – the offering of joy. 

:: Cinnamon rooibos tea steaming in another favourite mug

:: big girls lingering in bed over library books

:: wee lass in her sweet new sweater with those darling skinny cords

:: first morning’s school whiner turned first to leave the school table

::  almond butter and honey on fresh bread slices

:: colour-coded checkmarks on 7yo’s math pages

:: little fingers tickling ivory

:: knitting bag close at hand

:: chicken stock simmering on stove

:: the excitement of reunion with a childhood friend

Funny how much easier it is to see when I’m looking.

I’m full of thanks.

::

What beauty do you see this day, lovelies?