Busy Busy

Somehow it's January 27th and I am just getting around to a 2nd blog post.  That should give you an idea of the kind of pace that we've been keeping around here.  One can hardly sit down and knit- let alone post to a blog!  There's just been a lot of background distraction this month and it doesn't lend itself very well to focus on other things- especially hobbies.

BUT- the child is currently sleeping in and I cannot... CANNOT go another day thinking "I need to update the blog" so here we are- finally getting around to telling you what's up.

The good news is that my JAN 26 deadline on the warm smooshy socks was MET and I delivered them to my patient friend last night.

 

Pattern: Inglenook by Adrian Bizilia
Yarn: Illimani Yarn Silky Baby Llama
Needles: US 4 & 5
Notes: This is the first time I have ever done short row heels and only a small handful of times that I've done toe up.  The toe up was much for satisfying this time than my other experiences with it, but I'm not sure I'm in love with the short row heel.  It's clever, and it works for this pattern, but for an average sock I'm not sure I'm convinced.

The pattern is a great smooshy reading sock kind of pattern- and the yarn!  OH THE YARN is sooooo nice and soft and SOFT.  Did I mention soft?

I had originally bought the yarn in a sweater quantity - but realized after a disappointing swatch that the silk weighed the sweater down and it would never drape as nicely as I would like.  Oh well- it does fulfill a destiny with these socks and who knows- there might be some more warm reading socks made up again in this stuff.  The socks are quite cozy and are a perfect "stay in on a cold night" kind of present that could be perfect for a lot of people.

With the socks finally off my back I was able to switch gears and back into some of the other priorities.  I delivered 2 white baby hats to my friends when I was in Saskatoon 2 weekends ago (HELLO -40 degrees every day!!)  Eager to have them out I didn't even take a pic of the 2nd one!  But never fear- I'm already working on another white hat, and booties, for my neighbor's daughter and I'm hoping to have that finished up by the weekend.

I also, thanks to a whole day of being able to devote my attention to it, (THANK YOU MiL for babysitting!) was able to finally get around to swatching and planning out the baby blankets for my cousin expecting twins.

 

I love the idea of 2 blankets in opposing dominant colors.... (one with pink dominance and the same one again this time with white dominance) and I finally got around to casting on and knitting.

I'm a bit anxious about these blankets as my cousin is due in March and I know that twins in particular aren't great at going full term.  I need to really focus in and get moving on this one and I'm hoping now that the math and figuring out part is all complete, I can focus soley on just knitting, fast.  This is a pattern I've designed in part with a stitch dictionary- and I'm planning to make it available once I have the projects knit.

I still need to squeeze in a brown bootie set (hat is done) for another mom at preschool in the next 2 weeks and still one more hat and booties before the end of Feb.  And then, please mom's at preschool, let's lay off the baby making so I can knit other things?  There is so much to knit and there is NO TIME it seems, to actually knit it.

I will try to be better at updates now that some things are winding down here- and send me a little knitting mojo?  I need to get some closure on some projects here so I can start planning out other things.

New Year, New Distractions

I had hoped that my first post in the New Year would be to show you a completed pair of those snuggly socks.  Alas- I have nothing to show you except basically where we were the last time I was here telling you I hoped to finish them shortly.

I'm seeing my friend on the 26th and I am DETERMINED that they will be gifted to her on that day- so I need to get these done- hopefully I will carve out a little time this weekend to add some stitches and next week it will be THE priority.

Distracting me this week is a little crisis on the kitty front.  My little black kitten shadow started limping Wednesday morning.  I'm not entirely sure how he even hurt his foot, but when I couldn't get him into my regular vet, I had to take him to vet emerge.  (Parker will now have to go to a lesser college because we spent his college fund on Shadow at the vet.)  A shaved paw and some xrays later they think that he sprained a toe and ordered him to a week (minimum) kennel rest.  I'm not sure what's sadder at this point- a kitten with a limp or a kitten ordered to stay in a kennel and not play.

Thankfully my mother lent me her dog kennel so Shadow can have a larger place to stretch and convalesce - but he is not happy.  It's also a bit of a pain because we need to stay somewhat close to home to make sure Shadow has access to his litter box fairly regularly.  We have managed to avoid accidents thus far and even have found ways to entertain him.

Here, Shadow is watching his favorite YouTube show- called "Party at the Snow Hole" where various birds and squirrels come to visit and eat nuts.  He loves to keep a close eye on the birds and every so often tries to give them a swat.

We even downloaded an App for him to play (low impact exercise is ok)- and here's a short video of my little guys chasing a mouse.  (Must keep them keen on finding and killing mice!)

As of this post, Shadow is still limping, which is a bit of a concern.  If you think of it can you send him a little "get well" mojo?  I'd prefer it if we could keep away from the vet for a bit (gah so many vet visits!)-  and just have my happy, healthy and playful kittens back.

I've also had to set the socks aside because I wanted to take 2 hats to take with me this upcoming weekend for friends that are both expecting their second little ones.  I opted out of booties for both of them because I just don't have the time.  I had some leftover white yarn and thought Polar bear hats would be cute.  (The bows are because my friend just found out she's having a girl.)

Once I get back from my girls weekend this weekend (so excited!) I'll be able to refocus and get back to finishing those socks and focusing on the 2 baby blankets I need to knit.  (That's another post for another day...)  Hoping to get into a big swing of things here soon!