Inspired by the Cleveland Zoo's Rainforest

This pattern is very sweet- I love the way the wings button. We recently went to the zoo and saw a live bat exhibit in part of the Rainforest. Usually, my little Z is easily intimidated by all things she deems spooky- she uses her own scale of creep-factor and it's hard to predict what she will deem unacceptable. Interestingly, she was really intrigued by the nocturnal antics of these creatures! She now professes a LOVE for bats!

I always forget, when making these toys, that the knitting portion is faster than the assembling portion. I am not a huge fan of the assembly, but it’s always worth it. I have several requests for more of these fellows.

I remain unimpressed by this yarn- Vanna's Choice- I should have made it with Cascade 220 as called for in the pattern. The Vanna's Choice was splitty and hard on my hands.

Just Enough Ruffles.....

(photo by H-bomb)


I have stated on numerous occasions that I wanted something made with Aurora 8 around my neck. This lovely yarn is the yarn that gave me gauge fits when I knit "Hourglass." But, with a scarf, there is no gauge with which to have an issue : ) I do love gauge-less projects, you know.

So, this scarf is Just Enough Ruffles. It was a quick, fun knit. It's a great intro to short rows. The only aspect I DON'T like about the scarf is where it rolls. Despite several rows of garter stitch at the beginning, it rolls. I tried to block it to stop the rolling and it didn't really help. I think I can just let it go, we'll see.

Surprisingly, the Aurora 8 for this scarf doesn't seem as soft as the same yarn knit up in my sweater. My friend Buffy and I spent lots of time debating whether it has a little itch or not. I guess if you can't tell very easily, the itch factor is pretty negligible...but I am always searching for no-itch natural fibers. All in all, I like it.

(photo by Z-bomb)

Baby it's cold outside....

Hat number two- for daughter number two!

Just about the same as the other one, except I made the decreases more severe to have a flatter top : )

She appears to love it!

Knit like the wind- it's cold out!

This kid is a riot- she picked out these colors herself! I am thrilled about making knitterly items to keep them warm...more to come.














Pattern: Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky
Needles: Size 10, 3.5 sts/inch- nice and tight for warmth
Mods: Changed the crown decreases to be more gradual, added afterthought garter stitch edging and decreased a few stitches so it would hug her head more

I've lost that loving feeling....

This project is on the verge of hibernation status. I think I know why. It's hard to see the value of a cardigan that doesn't actually close down the center! This functionality is particularly important since I am visiting Ohio and it's COLD here!!




(The pattern actually comes much closer in the center- this is a fit problem.)



But, I have been slogging away, and I was almost done with the body of the sweater. I know you are supposed to be able to try on the sweater as you go, but I usually don't. Ridiculous, really. Sure, I had many signs the fit would not be a good one- for example, my gauge was way off. (You know, the little details!)







To the frog pond it goes....but not for long. I have already cast on and just divided for the sleeve. I decided to forge ahead and see how it goes. I love the yarn, so we'll see.

Kittens who are smitten with mittens....

There was some concern these mittens would be thumb less, but alas, all digits are covered. I made these with a very utilitarian objective- to help keep the girls warm when we get back to Ohio. Soon, these little projects became a calming outlet for my nervous energy about the trip in general. What I discovered is that they are FUN to make!






I was surprised by my tender feelings when my children donned their new little mittens. I really felt warm and fuzzy inside- it seemed, through my craft, I was able to somehow hold their hands from a distance......


The knitty gritty:
Yarn:- Knitpicks Swish Worsted in sunshine and
Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in mulled wine

Pattern: Knitters Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd - When I purchased this book years ago, (actually I think my mom bought it for me when I lived in Washington, perhaps California?) I had no idea what a treasure it is until this project. First you start with the yarn and then you can find a pattern. This book does all the work for you by giving a wide variety of patterns with a wide variety of gauges. Excellent resource...she's done all the calculations for you! Perfect.


Waving bye-bye before our voyage to the motherland! (and the home of MANY local yarn shops- hurray!)

P.S. It was all I could do to stop myself from embroidering O-H-I-O- one letter per glove....it's ingrained in my brain : )

Free-range Knitter....

Things are looking up....this book made me laugh out loud! I chuckled my way through it, at one point laughing until I had tears running down my face. I'll have to find her first book, too.

It's a collection of essays ranging from knitting to parenthood. She's hilarious....this should get the knitting back on track : )

Free-Range Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee