Sunday, October 19, 2008

Busy, Busy, Busy...

I have been busy, busy, busy. Sewing, knitting, cooking, cleaning, reading, mothering..Have we discussed that the holidays are coming?!? That means many a gift to make!! According to strict Santa policies of confidentiality and "no peeking", I cannot disclose the recipients of some of these items, or the purpose of others, of course Halloween is the first holiday to arrive and one of these pictures reveals a secret portion of an un-named someone's costume... The pumpkin hat finally is finished, and it fits the head of a special 11 month old-not the pumpkin outside, not the cat, but the actual baby!! The ribbing is a bit off, I must have lost my paying attention skills, but it is even all along the edge, and it fits. I didn't use a pattern, I kind of made it up as I went along-it went something like this:use a size 6 or 7 US circular needle and any orange yarn you have in your stash. To start:k1p1 for 4inches, then work in st st for an inch or so, until the measurement from the CO edge will reach the top of the intended wearers' forehead. (approximately!) Start decreasing: k6 k2tog, to end. Next row: k1p1 to end. Next row:k5 k2tog to end, next row:k1p1 to end, next row: k4 k2tog until end, next row:k1p1 to end, next row:k3k2tog, next row:k1p1, next row:k1p1 to end, next row:k2 k2tog to end, (I switched to green yarn somewhere here, I think there is an actual term for this?!?) one more row of k1p1, next row:k1 k2tog, to end. You may have to wing it at the end-I ended up slip knotting, or working the last green stitch repeatedly until I had a little tail. (I am sure there is a term for this as well!) I cut the ball end of the yarn a bit long and tied some knots in the end. Turn hat inside out and sew up the back seam, roll the green stem in half and sew that up too, so it is a bit more stiff. Disclaimer: I am really in no position to give out knitting advice-I am a very beginning knitress and am still mostly struggling myself. Please consult a more experienced knitter, or your better judgement prior to using my pattern notes!! I wouldn't want anyone to have their hat not meet their expectations on account of my inexperience!! Ava actually loves this one-she doesn't tear it off immediately. She "asks" for it during meal times. So okay, my daughter now wears a pumpkin hat in her high chair at lunch. Not the vision I had for meal time attire, but I will pick my battles. Let's just say that a very hairy Icelandic sheep was sheared for this project-stay tuned for the reveal. Of course the sheep was not harmed in the collection of it's wool-an actual sheep farmer did the shearing. Okay, I am off-no time to chat, there are scarves to knit, hats to sew, cookies to bake, costumes to finish, a wood stove to hook up, a vintage camper to finish re-building (we will talk about this later) and laundry piling up! My dad and step-mom are coming home from England and I will need to bring Ava over for a catch up visit. I have to go "fastah", I gotta go!

4 comments:

Ebeth said...

my my my! YOu have been busy - Thanks for keeping in touch! I love this connection with you... I realize we have even more connections since I am an owl fanatic and when I saw the scarf I HAD to comment! Astrid has her owl shirt on today, in fact! I don't know where the obsession began but I think the OWL is my power animal. They always appear in the most peculiar places and times....the top of a mountain, swooping in to take a better look at me, crossing my path on a morning hike, or in the desert in Moab (that was VERY cool). I have always had a big connection.

I'm also VERY intrigued to find out what is to become of the icelandic wool! I'll be watching!

best of luck getting your list completed! I have been putting off so much stuff - including two very important website designs I should be working on! Maybe tonight after the babe goes to bed!!!!!

Philigry said...

so cute! i can not wait to see the finished costume! i love the hat.

Meggie said...

That is one fabulous pumpkin hat! So happy that Ava will wear it and not rip it off immediately after donning it. You sound so busy with all your knitting and gift making. You young Moms are amazing to me how you juggle it all. Glad you had a good time at the wedding.

kaetrn said...

love the hat! she looks totally adorable in it!