Christmas Prep KAL

I am just loving the texture of this sock. There are no cables and the pattern is easy to follow once I get the rhythm of the row. Now I am worried though that I don't have enough yarn. I think though that I can just shorten the foot and all will be fine.

The pattern is: Pomatomus

The yarn is: Plymouth Galway Chunky

How is your Christmas knitting coming along? 

Leave a link in the comments with your Christmas knitting!

Looking Forward

Todays final prompt for Knitting and Crocheting Blog Week fits perfectly with what I have been dreaming about the last few months .. Next years list for my Year of Projects. I have nearly completed this years list and when on Wednesday I cast on for my KAL I'll be pushing through the remainder of my list.

My project list for the coming year will be a little more vague as I want to focus on some skills, hurdles, and fears I have with my knitting.

• A Vest for the Hubby -- he has been asking for a sweater ever since my knitting really took off. He believes wholeheartedly that I can do it, despite the fact that I keep telling him the yarn will be a lot of money and it will take a long time to complete. His answer to that: "The quality of the vest will be worth the price and time it takes." Oh, he really knows a way into a knitters heart doesn't he? I haven't decided on the pattern yet but it will be something with cables so I don't get bored. Most likely all one color so he can wear it all the time in a yarn that can be tossed in the washer with out causing me fits of anxiety. The last time I knit a vest for an adult it was for my sister and it went rather well so I have hopes that this will too. It just will take so much of my knitting time, but it will be worth it.

• Participate in Two (or more) Test Knits -- this is such an affordable way to get new patterns and it helps out designers. Last summer I was tester and tested, I really enjoyed the process and since I am finding I'd rather alter the wheel than re-invent it when it comes to designing fits my life much better. It is also a good way to be pushed to finish something since the designer wants the project done by a specific due date.

• Crochet My Mascot Project -- I am assuming I will be working on squares when I get frustrated or bored with the vest project, it will give me a break with out picking up a new project. I don't like having more than one project on my needles and I am hoping I can finish a few squares when I need a break from the vest.

• A Sweater for Me -- If I haven't died from boredom knitting the vest and the vest goes well I will finally knit myself a sweater. I have spied a few that interest me: Hearth, Charlotte,  and Centripetal to name a few. Are there any Plus Sized knitters out there who have had success knitting a flattering sweater, I'm in the market for a pattern. 

How about you .. am I the only one who has been thinking about the next list?

Don't forget to tune in on Tuesdays to participate in my KAL!

~~~

This post is part of Knitting and Crocheting Blog Week. Please take a moment to check out other bloggers who are participating by searching: 4KCBWDAY7

Project Report

Done! And I do a dance of joy!

I love this sock pattern from Susan B Anderson. It is simple and straight forward and she tells you how to customize it if you need it bigger/smaller. I knit this pair on a US Size 2 with the same amount of stitches and it fits my hubby just fine. When I knit another pair of socks, I will use this pattern again. 

The yarn is self striping from On-Line Supersocke. I'm not sure if they still make this colorway or not, its a few years old. This pair has the aloe in it and my hubby says they are super soft and comfy.

I am taking a break from my project list since I'm starting my Christmas Stocking on the 30th with the KAL that I'm hosting.

In other finishing news I finally sorted out the mess I was having with Stomper's Owl Hat and managed to complete it! He loves it and wearsit all the time .. just in time for warm weather. Hopefully it will fit still next year. I plan on putting it in his dress-up stuff so it will get a lot of use! The earflaps are an interesting construction. The rib is all picked up stitches, and either I picked up too many, too few, too tightly, bound off too loosely, or a combination because it's a little floppy. I think if I were to make it again I'd use my Gnome Knot pattern but knit it all one color and omit the knot. Jason thinks I should make two adult ones so that all three of us have one. Then he tells me he will climb a tree and hoot like an owl .. I might take him up on his offer. It would make an interesting Christmas Photo.

Year of Projects

Did some outdoor knitting on Thursday. It was nice to get out in the sun even if my fingers got a little chilly. I am writing my weeks posts ahead of time due to our very busy week (it's school vacation up here). When I took this photo I had just reached the toe. I hope that by the time this posts I will have neared the end of the toe decreases .. I'll let you know.

Per last weeks request ::

The pattern is Susan B Anderson's : How I Make My Socks

and the yarn is : Supersocke 

My next project will be another sock, a Christmas Stocking knit with this pattern. I am super excited to try something a little more challenging. I'm a little tired of stockinette stitch! I'm knitting the Christmas Stocking for my Christmas Prep KAL -- it'd be great if you joined me!

I have two prizes in mind for the KAL check back on Tuesday to see what they are!

Christmas Prep KAL :: My List

I am hosting a KAL in May, you can read about it some more here. The boiled down version is this: I am knitting Christmas gifts in May. My goals and my ability never seem to match up at Christmas time, so this will give me a good boost.

Will you join me?

I have two projects that I will work on. Both are projects that I have wanted to knit for a couple of years.

The first is a toy from my favorite toy designer Susan B. Anderson. Her creations are just too cute! I will be knitting a Hedgehog Squirrel that I have named: Farren. Stompers Bumpa has a rocky relationship with some rodents that hang around his bird feeder and this is a little homage to that hilarity.

The second is a Christmas Stocking for myself. I am going to knit it using this sock pattern and then plan on knitting myself an actual pair to wear maybe after July. Maybe, we'll see how hard it is to knit the Christmas Stocking first.

That's it, short and sweet.

I have at least one prize too!

Year of Projects

There is notable progress on the sock.

Granted they aren't quite as lovely as some of the socks I have seen being knit, but I think they are awesome just the same. I have turned the heel, worked past the gusset, and I have high hopes that before next Sunday I will be on the toe.

When I finish this pair I will polish up a few other projects (mostly the owl hat) in preparation for next months KAL that I'm hosting.

Since this post is so short here are a few snap shots from my weekend. We celebrated Uncle Z's birthday with an ice cream cake and a bath in chocolate!

We took a  little drive in the country just to see some vistas and we were not disappointed! I am really looking forward to some green!

Year of Projects & Yarn Along

Doing double duty today as I link up with both my fellow Year of Project friends (Sunday was too busy with Easter--sorry!) and those stopping by from Ginny's Yarn Along. Not to worry there is enough knitting and reading to go around.

I got over my knitters block and managed to cast on for the second sock of the striped socks. If you checked in on Tuesday you know I have a plan to help me knock two things off my list next month. Once that is done I will just have the two hoods left and I'll be finished! I don't think I'll be able to finish both hoods in a month, but stranger things have happened.

I started an owl hat for Stomper, but something strange happened to it and it doesn't fit right. What I need to do is pick up some stitches to work on the length, but I'm feeling a little discouraged. I may or may not work on it. I may turn it into a doll bed, I may burn it, I don't know. I nearly cried when I put it on him and it didn't fit.

Stomper and I have been working through a small stack of books I got him a the library. He really likes The Baby Dances, Otis, Super Hero ABC, and Baby Goofy . There are others in the stack, but we haven't gotten a chance to read them all. Baby dances is full of soft pictures of a little baby, he just loves to look at her toes, fingers, and smile. Otis is about a tractor and a calf and the artwork is nearly monochromatic, so the red of the tractor really sticks out. Superhero ABC has brightly colored art and silly names (there is a superhero who vomits) and that's why I think he likes it.

I just finished Railsea and it didn't end like I thought. It didn't end bad or abruptly, just not like I thought. It was definitely a good read and I recommend giving it a try. I gave a more in depth review on it during this yarn along if you are interested.

I cracked the spine of a new book last night called Scarlet. Its a retelling of the classic Little Red Riding Hood but in a different direction. More like the author took the idea of the classic and expanded. It is the second in a series, the first being Cinder. The first book was amazing, vivid, and well thought out. I hope my hopes aren't too high for this one. Time will tell.

Oh, and I haven't picked up that final Rangers Apprentice book up in a long time.  I will, when I'm ready.

Year of Projects

On Thursday I posted that I finished Stomper's Easter Vest. I think more vests for him are in my future and possibly a sweater. It was so fast and super cute!

Photo Courtesy of Grandma

I also finished the second sock of my hubby's green socks. Although it's not all green. I ran out of yarn. I have another sock for him on my list that I will start in a week or so.

Right now I am working on using up some yarn in preparation for baby showers. I don't have anyone in mind just yet, but its' nice to have a few things set away. The hat on Charlie is Tweedy Owl.  Stomper wanted to wear it, but it's newborn size, so I am starting a larger one for him tonight.The booties I have made before. They are quick, but it uses European (I'm assuming) terms so it's a little tricky. 

Not certain what I will work on next off my list. I am leaning towards knitting my Christmas Stocking, but there is this yarn that keeps calling to me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~My List~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UFO's

Joni's Photo Gloves

Striped Sock

Green Sock

Due Valentines:

A Kitty for a friend maybe Susan's or maybe Linda's not sure yet. ~~It's in time out

Due Easter:

Pembroke Vest for Stomper

Little Lamb from Spud and Chloe at the Farm for my Sunday School Class kids (Stomper plus one other)  frogged

Promised Projects:

A hood for Mom

A hood for Little Sister, but with a symbol on the back

Christmas Stocking for myself maybe from an actual sock pattern

A hat for myself

For Stomper:

Squirrel/Hedgehog

Socks 

Pembroke

I am doing a little dance of joy. I finished the vest with lots and lots of time to spare. 

I put it on Stomper and it fits, but only just. I think he will be able to wear it this spring (like every Sunday from now until May) and then he will be too long for it. I should have listened to that little voice telling me to knit it longer. Why don't I listen to that voice?

The vest is beautiful, I am quite proud of it and he looks very handsome wearing it. 

If I keep in mind that this was a free pattern it was great. Some of the instructions took a little pondering and head scratching for me to fully understand. The shoulder decreases were awkward and I'm not sure the purpose for them, I wish I hadn't done them. I am anti-sewing so I would have preferred some in-the-round knitting for the body and Kitchener stitching at the shoulder, but those mods aren't necessities.

The yarn is Berroco Vintage in worsted weight. I enjoyed using the sport weight when I made a dress last month it held its shape beautifully. I thought that it would be perfect for the vest as well. I do like how the cables look in this yarn and the feel of it is super soft; however, it is not holding it's shape. Perhaps if my gauge was tighter it would hold better? 

My conclusion is that I will be holding on to this pattern to make again maybe for a baby shower.

Year of Projects

I don't have much to tell you or report. I am working on a vest for Stomper for Easter Sunday. It is progressing. I have the back done and the front is finished up to the arm pits. I am hopeful that I will finish. I don't have a recent picture. Just this one from last Wednesdays post.

I enjoy reading everyone's posts. Keep up the good work knitters!

Yarn Along

Back when I first started knitting I'd looking longing at cabled items and think: "Wow, I'll never be able to do that." Well, I am happy to report that I am a capable and happy cable knitter. My current cabled project is Stompers Easter Vest and after a minor hiccup (noted on my rav page) things are progressing smoothly.

Haven't done much reading because Easter is coming and I have that vest to knit...

I read a few pages a day of A Series of Unfortunate Events, I have reached the climax of book 6!

Stomper felt left out of the picture taking so I told him to pick a few books to include in the photo. He choose "Don't Bite Your Friends" a tale of mistakes, hardships, misunderstanding, food, and forgiveness by the Yo! Gabba, Gabba crew; "Where is Elmo's Blanket" (we swap blanket for Froggie) a Lift the Flap Adventure; and "My Many Colored Days" by Dr Suess. Granted they aren't literary giants, but he loves them and will sit for them, so bonus!

How about you? What are you reading/knitting? Go ahead and leave a link in the comments to your own Yarn Along.

Joining Ginny, go check out the other knitters and readers!

Yarn Along: Startitus Thwarted

One look at my projects on Rav and you can see that I had a bit of startitus over the last few days. I have a bunch of beautiful yarn calling my name and I've been itching to use it, but on what? I've been searching the last week for what to knit next. I took a look in my Year of Projects page to remind myself of my goals and so the three projects I "started" on Rav are all reflections of that list. Did I start them? No. What I really want to knit with is the bright Knit Picks yarn (from the turtles and the mittens) but I have no idea how much I have left. If only I had a scale that measured a small enough weight ...

I digress, this is supposed to be a Yarn Along post, so what have I actually started? Because even though I say I started the projects on Rav, I haven't, only in my mind. What I have actually knitted on is the second sock of a pair of green ones from Christmas for the hubs and Stompers Easter Vest.

I know I sing praises of my husband quite often here, but I really do have the best man on the planet. I sent him to my LYS with a list and some money. The list: Berroco Vintage Worsted in light grey, light blue, or light green, check the dye lots, and ask her to cake the yarn. A few minutes after I sent him out the door I received a call: "Honey, they don't have the right color. I-um---here, talk to the lady." The phone was shuffled and I hear, "Hello Delia, it's Sherri, this is what we have..." She and I sorted out a few details and he came home after work with the right yarn, caked, and ready to go. How I love him. 

I've only cast on the swatch to the vest but I am excited to get started. This pattern has been in my queue for a year or more. I may go blind reading the chart, but I'm afraid to make it much bigger and risk legibility. 

I have been reading. I have been studying the aforementioned pattern and reading several fiction books. I am mostly through with #6 of A Series of Unfortunate Events and just started #10 of The Rangers Apprentice. My music teacher had a saying, "If you are going to mess up, do it in the beginning of your recital, but always end on the right notes. That's all the audience will remember." Well, this last book, I'm not impressed. I will solider on, because I have faith in the author. And after all I almost didn't read it because I didn't like the rhythm of the first one.

Joining Ginny and the gang of readers and knitters! 

Go ahead and leave a link to your own Yarn Along in the comments!

Project Report

I finished my cowl. I wish that I had cast on the full 180 stitches so that it would be a little bit longer. All I need to do now is block it so its a bit longer. I showed Jason how I can wrap it around my neck twice to make a face mask and he said he'd like something for over his face like that too. I may bring out his scarf and see if I can link the two ends together to make it into a cowl. He tells me that he likes wearing his scarf when he hunts, but the ends bother him. If it doesn't work I have a feeling he'll be asking for his own cowl for hunting .. maybe something in hunter orange? 

I didn't finish Stomper socks in time for Valentines, I finished them a few days later. He watched me finish the toe and as soon as it was finished I asked him if he wanted to try it on. I set him on a stool next to me and put the sock on him. Then he waited patiently while I wove in the ends of the second sock so he could put that one on too! 

I have a quick little pattern for the sock I will put soon for those that are interested. It's a heel less sock, so if you are afraid of heels, it would be a great starter sock. It hasn't been tested, so the sizing might be a little off, but for a boot sock that should be too big of a problem.

I am not making a couple of sheep for Easter. I finished the bodies over the past few weeks, they are tedious. I don't like my yarn choice, and I can't imagine I'll like it any more once I start the legs. The cable is really interesting and I'm glad that I tried this pattern if only to learn a new cable pattern. I will be tossing out what I've made, but that just frees up the needles and hands for more projects!

I cast on the second sock for the hubby. I haven't told him yet that I'm working on it. I hope to surprise him, sometime before winter ends (and since we are getting 7-14inches of snow tomorrow looks like I'll have a little time).

I would like to be knitting Stompers Easter Vest, but I haven't made it to the yarn store. With any luck I can go later this week, Easter will be here before I know it and I really want it to be done!

I bought the pattern for the hoods for my Mom and Little Sister. Have you seen moebius knitting? I watched this video and it blew my mind away. I just sat there staring at the computer totally bemused. I am so excited to start the hoods.

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful comments to my last post. I look forward to reading the comments of each update. I am lucky girl to marry the man that I did, who understands a knitters heart for yarn and goodies. The pattern for the hat is Starcrossed Slouchy Beret as goodpurlgonebad guessed I appologize for not mentioning it in my post.

Year of Projects: Encouraged

I looked over my pinterest board: Photo Finish 2013 and felt an immense sense of accomplishment. I think keeping a log of what I've knit will keep my motivated to keep moving forward.

I finished a hat for myself a couple of weeks ago and I've been wearing it all the time. It is warm and roomy enough for my hair when I have it up in a sloppy bun or ponytail.

I am working on a pair of socks for Stomper that I optimistically will finish him for Valentines Day. They are going to be huge on purpose. They are intended to wear as an extra layer in his boots and will fit him until he is four (I hope).

The kitty is in the time-out chair while I consider what to do. I am confident that I don't have enough yarn to make it the size I want to. Perhaps I will pick it up soon at a smaller scale.

I cast on for a project for myself, the second this year! My husband bought everything on my wish list at knitpicks and on it was one skein of Chroma. I have fretted since Christmas what to knit. I finally settled on Mira's Cowl and I cast on this Wednesday.

Yarn Along

Still working on the same books from last week. Reading is slow going since I have a deadline for a pair of turtles for the end of the month. 

As promised I have finishes! This week-end I finished my beret. I stretched it out on a dinner plate on the pellet stove over-night. It has the proper amount of floppiness now. The turtle below is one of two, I just started the second one last night.

Linking up with Ginny today.

Year of Projects :: Slow

I feel like I'm moving at a snails pace.
No motivation whatsoever to knit. None.
I should have plenty, I have a deadline.

I am dutifully pecking at my projects, one stitch, one row at a time.

I talked about most of my projects on Wednesday, and for fear of repeating myself, I will just kindly ask you to pop over and take a look. Two of the three projects I am working are on my list: my beret and the kitty.

I hope had a more successful week than I!

Yarn Along :: Three's Company

Last week in my post about my project list I mentioned that I might cast on a toy or three. I came close. I started a Soft Kitty and a turtle. Soft Kitty is for a friend and is based on this pattern by Linda. I think my vision and yarn availability are not matching up. Not sure yet what I will do, I might turn it into a fuzzy monster for Stomper or pillow or something, because it's not big enough for a kitty. If that is the case I will just cast on again for the kitty, if at first you don't succeed....

Yarn: Homespun by LionBrand

I also cast on a turtle, one of two, for a friend of my SIL. Do you recognize the yarn? The pattern is one of my favorites from Susan B Anderson. So simple and cute it doesn't take me long to make a pair. You can find my rav notes here. I made a crazy amount of these turtles a few years ago and I highly recommend the pattern.

The third thing on my needles is my beret. Gosh how I wish it was finished! There have a been a few times when I could have used it, but alas I must wait. I got a lot done while I was at a friends house last week. I probably would have finished it, but I ran out of one of my yarns. Not to worry I have more of it!

I went to the library this week and got some new books. I just couldn't get back into the Princess Academy. Maybe I'll try again in a few weeks. I got one from the series, A Series of Unfortunate Events and #8 in the Rangers Apprentice. I am really enjoying them both, the humor is so perfect in the SoUE, so spot on. Rangers Apprentice there is only a few books until the series end and I'm sad. It's been a really great journey.

Next week I hope to show you some epic finishes!

Linking up with Ginny today.

Farming & Knitting

I have been deliberating on what to do about the other blog I maintain. Last year around this time we moved in with my parents and started a small hobby farm, Hamberg Family Farm. For the first part of 2012 and most of the summer I attempted to keep multiple blogs thriving. This fall I realized that it wasn't working out writing three blogs (Knitted Together, Hambergs in the Kitchen, and Hamberg Family Farm) so I focused my efforts where I had readership--here.

Starting today I will be posting all three blogs here on, Knitted Together. I have formulated a plan to keep me focused and give me direction. Most of my posting will still be about knitting and mothering, but you will also see more cooking and farming related posts. The following list is not set in stone, but a guideline. Some weeks I may post on all the days listed, on other weeks only a few.

• Monday or Tuesday :: Weekend Wrap-up
• Mostly photos like this post
• Wednesday :: Yarn Along 
• Books, knitting, yarn, and designing. On this day I link up with Ginny at www.gsheller.com
• Friday :: Farm Friday
• Updates on what is going on at Hamberg Family Farm
• Thursday :: From the Kitchen
• Recipies, failures, and food photos
• Sunday  :: Year of Projects Update
• Knitting and planning, this is a way to keep myself focused on specific things I have been wanting to knit. You can find my list HERE

I have a short photo journal of the farm HERE so that you can get to know our little farm.

Yarn Along: January Snow

We are having a little snow squall today. Just a few inches, just enough to make the world beautiful and quiet. The kids played outside for an hour, two little snow people. 

Inside again I my knitting goes slowly but surely. The mittens I am making for my photography teacher are nearly done. Just a little bit of magic and they will be finished.

Beside my bed my book gathers dust, but I keep current with my favorite bloggers: Ginny at SmallThings, Amanda at SouleMama, Sarah at Crafts from the Cwtch, Svenna at Stitch and Purl, and Ashley Ann at UnderTheSycamore. I really enjoy my invisible blogger friends. They encourage and bolster me. They make feel part of something bigger, an unseen community of knitters, mothers, crafters, wives, daughters, and photographers keeping a running memory of our lives.