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November 30, 2008

Fantastic Eyelet Afghan

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It was a few months ago that I realized that before I plan to knit a bunch of Christmas gifts, I need to focus on making sure that my own family has handknit gifts this season. I'm knitting the afghan for my youngest son who always enjoys a good blanket. He loves to get cozy with a pile of them and since I wasn't a knitter when my kids were small, I'm making up for it now. The pattern I bought has instructions for two afghans - this one -- which I think is considered a razor shell lace -- and a Feather and Fan pattern. I lost about a week of knitting due to a wicked cold, but I should be finished with the blanket in a few days. The photo was taken two weeks ago and I've made a lot of progress since then. The hardest part has been avoiding casting on for other projects while I finish it.

I already sent Erica a few beanies and one of them was knit according to her specifications -- she wanted an earflap hat with pom poms, knit with charcoal-colored wool. My plans are to knit my middle son a hat and mittens. And from now on -- I'll make sure that the kids get new handknits every holiday.


Posted by Janet at 08:30 PM | | Comments (16)

November 18, 2008

Self-striping hat

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Yarn: Adriafil Knitcol, approx 1 skein
Pattern: Self Striping Hat

I'm knitting hats for all three of my kids; I just sent four hats to Erica (including a Kittyville hat), so now it's time to focus on hats for the boys. The hat pattern I'm sharing (via the .pdf download above) isn't exclusively for kids' self-striping hats -- you can upsize or downsize the pattern to fit your gauge and head circumference. For instance, if I have a worsted-weight yarn (4 to 4.25 stitches per inch), I can usually cast on 80 to 88 stitches and end up with a hat that fits an average adult. Plain hats are fast and fun to knit (and great for stashbusting), but I also have a few more challenging hats on my list to knit:

Norwegian Star Ear Flap Hat by Tiennie
Windy City Hat by Jodi
Capitan Hat by RosiG

. . . and this is where you leave a comment pointing me to YOUR favorite hat pattern -- I'd love to know what your favorite hat patterns are.

Comments closed due to SPAM - contact me via the email link on my sidebar if you have any questions.

Posted by Janet at 09:52 AM | | Comments (15)

November 10, 2008

Outcomes

This blog entry is dedicated to Jennie, who in an unfortunate turn of events had her Flickr account suspended. If you're a knitter, visit her NEW Flickr account and add her as a contact/friend.

So I never did blog here about my oldest son's broken arm or my younger son's stitches, did I? While it was difficult and upsetting and both things happened two days apart a couple of months ago, I can count any number of blessings that have come about since it all happened. We didn't have to experience it alone either -- some very cool heads (not mine) prevailed. Stitches were out weeks ago and the cast was off last week. Both boys are fine and probably much more cautious now as a result. I, however, have a few more gray hairs.

An outcome-related knit:

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I started this dishcloth on election day because I had a lot of nervous energy. I finished it moments before discovering the outcome and I honestly didn't expect to cry during McCain's speech, but I did. I cried again (harder) during Obama's. While I will never share what happens when I'm at the ballot box (not even with my own husband), I voted courageously and I'm happy with the outcome. I'm proud of our country. While my faith in the leadership and direction of the country had been shaken these past four years, I was very aware that this is the first election in my memory in which my dad couldn't vote. (For my new readers, he's suffering from dementia and is now in a nursing home). He's always set the example for me regarding faithfulness in voting. And although he was the one who actively demonstrated that it is our civic duty and privilege to vote, we knew not to ask how he was casting his vote; I'm continuing that proud tradition because it's how I roll. I voted on your behalf, Dad, and your grandsons were with me.

Dad2008.jpg


Posted by Janet at 08:18 PM | | Comments (16)

November 06, 2008

Art Quiz

As seen on Anna's blog:

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Non-conformist, Visionary, and Independent

15 Abstract, -3 Islamic, 5 Ukiyo-e, 0 Cubist, -8 Impressionist and -22 Renaissance!

Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which exists independently of what may appear to others as visual realities. Western had been underpinned by the logic of perspective and an attempt to reproduce an illusion of visible reality. It allowed the progressive thinking artists to show a different side to the world around them. By the end of the 19th century many artists felt a need to create a 'new kind of art' which would encompass the fundamental changes taking place in technology, science and philosophy. Abstract artists created art that was diverse and reflected the social and intellectual turmoil in all areas of Western culture.

People that chose abstract art as their preferred artform tend to be visionsaries. They see things in the world around them and in people that others may miss because they look beyond what is visual only with the eye. They rely on their inner thoughts and feelings in dealing with the world around them instead of on what they are told they should think and feel. They feel freed from the tendancy to be bound by traditional thought and experiences. They look more toward their own ideas and experiences than what they are told by their religious upbringing or from scientific evidence. They tend to like to prove theories themselves instead of relying on the insight or ideas of others. They are not bound by common and mundane, but like to travel and have new experiences. They value intelligence, but they also enjoy a challenge. They can be rather argumentative when they are being forced or feel as if they are being forced to conform.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

Posted by Janet at 04:44 PM | | Comments (3)

November 02, 2008

Giveaway Winner

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Thank you all for your comments on my Giveaway entry! I had a great time visiting some new blogs as well as stopping by my current favorites. Rachel (Wanderlust) is the lucky winner of the Morello Mash Colinette Jitterbug sock yarn. She's a new knitter and is looking forward to knitting her first socks very soon.

Happy Socktoberfest!

Posted by Janet at 10:12 AM | | Comments (3)