Merry Christmas

Tiny Hat

Whipped this up just in time for Christmas. The plan it to make a man sized one for my sister-in-laws finance.

Child's Purse

I do not crochet, but I made these from crochet items. I found some bits and pieces in the stash of yarn I received from my Grammie and thought perhaps I could make a little something out of it.

I found two matching squares and some plastic rings that had been crochet over and thought, hey, these could be a child's purse. I sewed the two sides together, leaving the top open. I sewed the rings as handles to the inside of the purse (so not to hide the design of the square) but you could attach them to the outside if you'd like.

Enjoy and get creative!

Materials:
yarn
hook needed for yarn you choose
instructions on how to make a square (try a new one or an old favorite)

Instructions:
Make two squares
Sew squares together leaving an opening
Attach handles

Here is a link to a bunch of free squares. I'm sure you could also check out Raverly for more patterns.
Squares Link

Socks and Mitts

I am pausing on the mittens (I'm about 75% done) because I need a break from the chart. I have started a pair of sock for Stomper. They are going to be big, but I want to use them more like booties anyway so maybe it will be all right!

Having Fun

We are having so much fun being parents. Stomper is getting bigger and more interactive every day! He is starting to settle into a sort of schedule which is nice, my day is a bit predictable now. Christmas quickly approaches and we are looking forward to the festivities and busyness of the year. We have had several Christmas parties already (one each Saturday of December) and Stomper has done great with them. He is usually very sleepy the next day since he misses his two hour nap in the afternoon while we are gone.

Stomper loves to play with his toys. He reaches and bats at them with his little fist. He has excellent head control and loves using his Bumbo (pictured on the left) with a toy "rainbow" (as I call it). I hope to upload a video soon of him using his toys.

He surprised me at his two month check up and rolled over! His doctor put him on his belly to check out his head control and said "Look, he is going to roll over!" sure enough he rolled right over! He prefers to nap on his belly (where I anxiously check him every five mins to ensure that he is breathing)  and I relent because he naps better on his belly than on his back. I think, perhaps, all his belly napping time is why he is a head with his head control?

Stomper loves faces. He will study and stare at a new face for the longest time as if to say "Hey, I don't know you. Let me take 5 minutes and memorize your every feature so I will remember you next time." He loves to talk and smile and is becoming ticklish.

Bullet using the Bumbo

The dogs have done fine with Stomper. Izzy (the lab) gives him kisses whenever she can. Vinnie (the pom) doesn't seem to have any opinion about him at all. The cats like his crib (he doesn't use it yet) and his Bumbo and will cuddle with Stomper as long as Stomper is in my arms.

I guess that's it for now.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Last Check-Up

Stomper had a check-up at the end of November. His stats:

Stomper 2months Old

Weight: 12lbs 13oz
Height: 23 1/2 inches

Development:
Controls Head Well
Rolls Over
Smiles
Coos
Laughs
Follows Object
Reaches for Faces/Toys

We couldn't be any prouder of our little boy!

Christmas Pictures

Winnie Dolls

"Mae"
Wow, talk about cutting it close. I just put the dolls, their clothes, and something a little extra into a box and shipped it today! I am really hoping that it makes it to the girls in time. I'm not overly thrilled with the way the second dolls eyes turned out, but everyone I've shown her to says they look all right. I hope the little girl she goes to feels the same way.

cute clothes

she could almost double as a boy
"Fred"

Siblings

Child's Beanie Purse

original hat

I goofed up awfully bad on a beanie. First I knit it too long so I ripped it out to try again. That was a mistake. I started ripping it out from the bottom and the stitches would not come apart easy enough so I was force to cut the offending pieces off. The tension of the yarn changed but I didn't change my needle size so the circumference of the rim changed to too big.

All is not lost. I changed it into a purse!

With size 7 or 8 needles CO 96 stitches and

join in round (place marker to note beginning of round) and knit in 2x2 (k2, p2) rib for 1.5 inches

knit one row in MC

change to B and knit one row

change to MC and knit one row

then start fairisle pattern:

1) *k1 with B, k1 with MC*

2) k with MC

3) *k1 with MC, k1 with B*

4) k with MC

continue with pattern until piece measures 5 1/2 inches from cast on edge. End with an even round (2 or 4)

knit one round with B

knit one round with MC

follow pattern and knit for total of 5 1/2 to 5 3/4 inches 

Decrease: 
k10, k2tog 
k 
k9, k2tog 
k 
k8, k2tog 
k 
k7, k2tog 
k 
k6, k2tog 
k5, k2tog, 
k 
k4, k2tog 
k 
k3, k2tog 
k2, k2tog 
k 
k1, k2tog 

k2tog

Cut a 6 inch tail. Thread through remaining stitches and cinch tightly.

Weave in loose ends.

Then knit an i-cord at least 20-24inches long. To knit an i-cord  view this video (it's near the end).

Thread i-cord through rib to form handles.