Joining with Ginny’s yarn along to share what I’m knitting and reading this week.

I’ve been getting that summer feeling that usually has me drop the knitting needles for a time. I have so many projects I want to tackle (thanks to the suggestions so many of you offered last week) and so many requests from the little people that I’m hoping to stay motivated by taking my knitting outside for the wonderful weather we are (finally) having.

I’m just about finished the little hat I started for a friend’s soon to arrive little one – I’m knitting with Cascade 220. For that same little one I decided to try knitting one of these sweet elephants (here‘s a Ravelry link to the very sweetest one I can imagine).And just because I love knitting hats so much I also want to knit one of these hats on Sara‘s suggestion and I can’t resist this one or this one. So many aspirations but we’ll see how much I actually get made.

For reading I enjoyed the The Unusual Suspects over the weekend and although it is a children’s book I was surprised how gruesome it seemed at times. Not a book my little people are ready for but I found it entertaining. I’ve also been reading through Ecological Gardening. I’ve been learning more about soil, composting and mulching and love that the author presents the info from a Canadian/Northern gardening perspective so there are lots of tips that match our climate. We’ve also spent lots of time with The Garden Primer and are thumbing through The Canadian Edible Garden. I’m looking forward to implementing what I’m learning in our new garden.

The sunshine is calling through the window and I think I’ll sneak out with my knitting bag. I’m looking forward to browsing other yarn along posts in Ginny’s space!

Thanks for stopping by!

It’s time for another yarn along, kids!

This week I’ve been working and reworking my itty bitty pebble vest. I had it bound-off and was weaving in the ends when I discovered why it looked so odd – it seems I must misread a pattern at least once before I get it right. I tore out the problem and am nearly done for the second time. I’m having a hard time believing this will fit a newborn – are they really that tiny? Despite the fact that this new one will be my sixth child, it still amazes me how small they start out.

I’ve also been knitting a newborn hat for a friend’s baby-on-the-way. I had a hard time deciding what type of hat to knit but decided to follow my go-to hat pattern for kids (seen on my youngest daughter here) and tiny-size it. I hope it suits the new little one. I’m thinking of either one of these or one of these to go along with it. I’m always a little breathless when knitting for others – hoping they (or in this case their parents) appreciate hand-knits.

I’m still reading The Dirty Life and enjoying it but not finding much time for reading. I thought rather than show another shot of the same book I’d photograph a couple of thrifted book finds from the weekend – Anne of Green Gables and Shakespeare for Children. I get very excited about used books and, yes, I already own a copy of Anne of Green Gables but not in hardcover with such sweet inscriptions….so I was justified in buying a second copy, right?

Since I have been thinking about baby knits so much lately I am curious to know what favourite baby knits are out there. Do any of you visiting knitters care to share your favourite knits to gift to new babies or to knit for your own newborns?

Thanks for stopping by! If you’d like to check out other yarn alongs post visit Ginny at Small Things.

Happy Wednesday! I’m joining Ginny for another week of yarn along where we share what we’ve been knitting and reading over the week.

Have I done any knitting this week? I know I have but I don’t feel like I have much to show for it. My previous weeks’ knitting frenzy seems to have calmed down a little – I think I’ve been feeling too tired to do anything in a frenzy by the time the littles are in bed.

I did knit up a couple more little balls and a bunny nugget as little Easter treats. Both are free patterns from Rebecca Danger. The balls were meant to be Monster Chunks but I ran out of time to add the feet at 1 am on Sunday morning. So balls they became. They are a total hit without the feet  and I’ve since made another for little bro’s birthday this week because he’s been stealing everyone else’s. I stuffed them with felted sweater scraps wrapped in a little wool roving. I knew I was saving those scraps for a good reason. They give the balls a perfect weight – heavier than wool stuffing but light enough that we haven’t broken any pottery…yet, anyways. I think they would make a great set of juggling balls. The bunny is also a new beloved friend – I have orders to make a few more. Simon and Sarah have had so much fun playing with their bunny and birdie, I love it!

After all my talk about starting a pebble vest, I finally got into it. It’s kind of refreshing to be knitting on straight needles again. I’m using the Fisherman’s Wool that I had left over from this sweater. I decided the dreamy green wool my sister gifted me was a little too fine so I’m saving it for the perfect project.

I’m still reading The Dirty Life and enjoying it. I am amazed by this story. It is putting a lot of my homesteading dreams into perspective and confirming my suspicion that I probably couldn’t handle livestock very well. I’ve also picked up Independence Days from the library on Charity‘s suggestion. I haven’t cracked the cover yet but I’m looking forward to having a look through it this week.

And since I feel like all of this is rather repetitive of previous weeks I just have to show this next project I am dreaming of – the Owlie Sleep Sack. I am in love with this and must knit one up for new babe. Babies get cold in August right? I’m saying they do.

Happy Wednesday everyone! We’re getting ready for some birthday celebrating tomorrow – four children are very excited and the birthday boy has no idea what’s coming his way!

More yarn along posts here.

Happy Wednesday! I’m joining Ginny for another week of yarn along where we share what we’ve been knitting and reading over the week.

This has been a good week for me to complete a few little projects. My little guy’s sweater is finished (okay, except from the blocking which I am lazy about) and ready for birthday gifting next week. I also made him a little pair of these and finished this friend for him. Those last two were such quick little knits, I loved it!

I also finished up these fingerless mitts for a special person. They were so quick and easy I don’t know why it took me so long to knit the second one – it took me well under an hour with the chunky yarn. I’m sure I will be making more as quick gifts. The pattern  is another one by Jane Richmond, the designer of raglan sweater above. I love the way her patterns are written (and, by the way, she has a 3 for 2 sale on until the end of April). They make sense to me which isn’t always the case with knitting patterns.

I knit up one of these monsters for my eldest last night as a little surprise and just need to finish the feet when she isn’t peeking. It took me no time at all to knit up his body so I’ll think I’ll throw together a couple more for a couple of the siblings along with the bunny I mentioned last week for Sarah.

My next bigger project (big by my standards anyway) is going to be a Pebble vest for little on the way. I’m hoping to cast it on this morning  but can’t decide which wool to use. I think I’m going to chose a beautiful green wool (shown in the picture) my sister brought me on her last visit. It is so lovely!

For reading this week, I’ve still been enjoying The Dirty Life. I did receive a couple of warnings last week that the language towards the end of the book may be offensive to some so while I still recommend it as a great book, I’ll add that comment to my otherwise favourable review. We’ve also still been reading through bits of The Backyard Homestead but it is now overdue at the library so it will unfortunately be going back. It is such a wonderful reference – I’m sure it will find a permanent home with us some day soon.

Thanks for coming by! I think we’re going to be having a sick day here – a couple of coughs have appeared over night and we have lots of getting healthy to do before company arrives this weekend. I’m sad for the little people but just maybe I’ll squeeze in a few extra snuggles and knitting rows which I’ll never complain about!

For more yarn along posts visit Ginny at Small Things.

P.S. Thanks so much for the learning to knit tips many of you offered last week! It is so wonderful to have this knitting community to draw on for help and advice!

I’m joining with Ginny at Small Things again this week to share what I’ve been knitting and reading this week. I’m always amazed at how these Wednesdays sneaks up on me but it’s always fun to share what I’ve been up to and see what others have been working on over the week.

I am about half an inch away from finishing the raglan pullover for my almost two-year-old. I’m so pleased it will be ready for his birthday at the end of the month. I’m knitting it with Lion’s Brand Fisherman’s Wool and I love it. The wool fit my current yarn budget (which is small) and while it’s not super soft it has been lovely to work with. I don’t know how it would feel next the skin but for a pullover which will surely be worn as a second layer it will be great. I am thinking I may just keep going with this wool and knit a Pebble vest for baby #6.

I’ve also been working on one of these oh-so-cute chicks but the upcoming birthday. It would make a super sweet Easter gift as well but I am thinking of this especially for my little guy who loves birds, ducks and chicks – basically anything he presumes says “Quack”. The designer also has a couple of other free patterns, one of which I’ve seen kicking around on the yarn along – I will have to make a few of these little bunnies.

I’ve still been reading the Backyard Homestead and I’m still absolutely enjoying it. Because I can’t read a reference book too long for the pure pleasure of it (and because I couldn’t resist cracking it right open once it came in for me at the library), I’ve started reading The Dirty Life. Tonya gave a glowing recommendation of it a few weeks ago and it has not disappointed. I’m not very far into it yet but I am captivated by this true story. A New York girl meets a farming boy and together they set out to start fresh on a farm of their own. As I mentioned last week I am deep into dreams of homesteading so this book is especially appealing to me but I really think anyone who enjoys a sweet, simple story would enjoy it. It is written so well and it is such a pleasure to pick up and read.

Before I sneak to the kitchen for a taste of the caramel and fresh banana bread which are calling my name, I have a quick question for all you knitters. A friend asked me recently if I knew of any good books or videos to teach yourself to knit. I taught myself with a kit from the craft store but I thought I would see if any of you had a great title to suggest. Thanks for the help and happy Wednesday!

To see more yarn along posts visit Ginny at Small Things!