New Year - New Blog Site

The old year is coming to a close and as it does I'm going to close the chapter of my Blogger blog. I've found that I love the format and the publishing options over on Wordpress. AND by changing my blog to my website you all can easily access my pattern shop! So I will now be blogging over on my website, created for me by my father-in-law (didn't he do a great job?). I see you all over there! Happy New Year!

Baby's First Christmas

What a sweet Christmas we had with Baby John. Yes, we did wake up early, but for a feeding, not Christmas anticipation. No, he didn't understand what was going on but it was adorable to watch his fascination with the bows, ribbons and wrappings of the Christmas presents.

His Christmas sweater was finished just in time and he fit into it with a little room to spare! Ah, sweet satisfaction.

I have come to the conclusion that Christmas is made even dearer with a little one to share it with. I've been savoring the memories of John's first Christmas...

Christmas Knitting

I'm beginning to crest the hill with my Christmas knitting. Presents are coming together and flying off the needles now, despite the fussy baby with the wee baby cough.

JK hardly ever reads my blog, so I think it's safe to post his knitted Christmas present here. I made his a Guernsey-style vest. I used classic Cascade 220 and am extremely pleased with the stitch definition. I think the vest might be a little too big... we'll see. I went off a vest he had and I think I should have taken actual measurements from him. Oh, well, my fingers are crossed for a good fit.

I also just finished a new hat for JK. I made last year's hat a bit too small. (See a pattern developing here? It is hard to fit my husband.) I LOVE this hat and would like to steal it for my own. Instead I think I'm going to be knitting one for myself when all the Christmas knitting is over (and before I cast on for the Zimmermann Project).

This hat is lined with Princess - a lovely yarn with a cashmere/angora blend. It is wooly and warm inside.

I hope you all are doing well with your Christmas presents. I keep adding last minute gifts I want to knit... we'll see how far I get.
Happy Knitting!

The Thumb

Baby John found his thumb and oh, does he look so cute sucking it. Yes, I know, I'll have to break him of the habit later. But I was a thumb sucker as a child and I remember how comforting it can be. He'll get through that stage.

Baby John has had quite the week already. Monday morning his little cough that he had been having on and off for two weeks was decidedly worse. Still no fever. But it sounded horrid enough to call the doctor. The doctor wanted to see him immediately due to his decreased activity, sleepiness and fussiness. So in we went at their first available appointment - 3PM. The doctor was a bit concerned because he sounded so congested so she sent us off to get his little chest X-ray. That was an adventure. Fight rush hour traffic around Castleton to get back on 465, get off at Meridian, fight rush hour traffic to go the small distance to 106th Street. By the time we got to the X-ray place John was starving. Nurse in the car. Go in, try to fill out forms while he's fussing because he hasn't had a nap since 1 PM.

Thankfully he fell asleep in the car as I was on 465 driving to Marsh to get his prescription filled and thankfully the doctor called as I was pulling into Marsh to say that John did not have pneumonia. Thank goodness. BUT at the pharmacy we had trouble filling his prescription because somehow the insurance company hit the wrong button back in September and took him off our insurance. OH, MY GOODNESS.

I must have looked so tired and frazzeled checking out of Marsh because one of the store managers came up to me and asked me if I needed help getting to my car! Ha! I thought that was funny, but very sweet. I declined and managed to get everything stowed away myself.

This is Baby John's first taste of sickness and it is so sad to watch him go through it. He'll be just fine, thanks to modern medicine, a 24/7 humidifier in his room and the wonders of Baby Vicks. And of course, thanks to his little thumb he just discovered.

The Regina Cardigan

Believe it or not, our pile of Christmas knitting will soon be completed and we will all hit the January blues desperate for a new project. So here is a new cardigan for you to consider.

The Regina Cardigan is knit, of course, from the top down with the button band knit along the way, so there is virtually no finishing. Don't we all LOVE that!


The one thing I really love about this cardigan is how the 1x1 rib flows without interruption into a 3x1 rib and gives the cardigan a gentle A-line shape.

I knit the model in Cascade 220 because I love the stitch definition Cascade 220 has. However, I think my next version of this sweater will be in Ultra Alpaca. The Ultra Alpaca will give the same stitch definition but add a little drape and swing.... I can't wait to cast another one onto my needles!

You can buy it over on Ravelry. It will soon be up on my shop website too...

Milestones

My little pumpkin rolled over this afternoon. Can't believe it! JK was on the phone with me as John rolled over so he got to share in the special moment. John also grabbed his rattle and shook it for a long time. What a sweet little boy he is. I'm enjoying every moment.

7 December 2009 - Snow

Our first snow of the year! Isn't it wonderful? Just enough to be pretty.

Woke up this morning without much of a headache... the first time in weeks. Got things posted on Ravelry for the Knitting Zimmermann project, 40 minutes of exercise in and the kitchen floor swept and mopped all before 9:30 - oh, did I mention the baby fed and back for a nap. Can every day be headache free? Oh, wouldn't that be lovely!

I'm off to clean our bathroom while my headache stays away... later on I hope to post a new sweater pattern! Stay tuned....