Maybe This is Possible

Two projects down on that list mentioned in the last post.

A wild baby blanket. If you knew the parents you would agree this is perfect for their new daughter.

And a cozy shawl for my Grandmother.

I even started working on that black sock for Dan. What else did I have to do while I sat in the midst of my first 7 hour custody trial? Apparently observing court will be part of my practicum. This is intense stuff and the knitting definitely took off some of the edge.

Did I mention this...

Out with the Old...

This week was my first week not working at the treatment facility in four years. It is a welcomed change. I am currently embarking on a four month hiatus from my job, not necessarily by choice but because it is required for me to receive my master's. I hope to return in June in a new/different position but for now...

I am currently working in the Agriculture Department at UW (yeah, that's right) under the counselor for the department So far, it is quite slow. This is FINE with me. I will also be working, some evenings, with the Drug Court Program here in Laramie. Along with these duties I will be writing my final paper (a non-thesis, thesis. Yes, that's weird)

Part of that non-thesis thesis will be conducting a knitting club with the kids in treatment. I am trying to "prove" (in some ways) that knitting has a positive effect on mood in children with behavioral problems. It should be really fun and hopefully give me the results I want. We'll see.

On the knitting front:

2 baby blankets on the needles, 1 almost finished the other just started.
1 prayer shawl on the needles, almost finished.
1 black sock for Dan, just started and neglected for the past 3 weeks. (one sock is done so...)
1 prayer shawl, still just a ball of yarn
1 baby blanket, yarn not yet purchased (what are some good boy color combos that are not blue or yellow or green???)

1 pair of slippers for Dan...FINISHED! but in need of a hot bath (okay, so not really finished yet)

I really want to finish all of these in the next 3-4 weeks but that may be impossible.

I also am feeling inspired to start designing my own clothes. Yep, crazy. I have barely made any real clothing items so I think I should hold off and maybe use someone else's patterns for awhile.

Here are some of my inspirations, just in case you're wondering:

Norah Gaughan
Kate Gilbert


Both brilliant designers if you ask me...I can't look at their designs without wanting to knit them and wear them.

Happy New Year!

So far, 2009 has been wonderful. I am fortunate enough to be on a break from both school and work and have been trying to soak up every second. Dan and I returned from a great visit to Casper and are enjoying our time off together (something that rarely happens). This time has consisted of staying up very late, sleeping in, watching the various DVD's we gave each other for Christmas (including Old School Sesame Street and the Original Star Trek), and, of course, knitting (both of us actually, yes, my husband is a knitter).

I tried to "not go crazy" on the knitted gifts this Christmas but did end up giving quite a few hand made items as presents. Here are some of the recipients...

I am most proud of the sweater that I made for my Mom. It fits her perfectly and she really likes it!

I was glad to get a good picture of at least one of the two-year-olds wearing their hat and mitten set. I got lucky with this picture of my niece Katherine. And the one of my nephew Cody, well, at least he tried it on for 2 seconds.

I had to show a picture of the two of them together. I think it is a little unusual to have a niece and a nephew from different sides of the family, who are the same age, and who actually know and play with each other. It is a nice blessing for Dan and I.

My 9 month old niece, Alissa, was much more cooperative with the picture taking.

Now my focus has turned to the UFO's (unfinished objects) that I have promised Dan. I almost completely finished the slippers yesterday and then ran out of yarn. I am also almost done with one of his socks. I also started a new baby blanket for a friend (this is one of three that I want to make before the end of March...all 3 of these babies are due within 2 weeks of each other!) I am also working on two prayer shawls, one for a friend and one for my grandmother.

Needless to say, the knitting continues...

Crunch Time

Sometime in October I decided that I would not go crazy and knit gifts for everyone this year. I had made a few pairs of mittens here and there for friends and that was going to be all I did. It was a nice thought.

Today I found myself in the kitchen knitting (and cooking) another pair of mittens and telling myself that I could squeeze in one more pair along with a hat all before tomorrow.

It is now 12 noon (and I'm on the computer which makes it difficult to knit) and I still think I can do this, along with the last minute shopping, packing, and cleaning we need to do before we head to C-town for 9 DAYS!

I did, however, finish this gift for my mom. I love it! The yarn is Silk Mountain by Noro. It is a boucle, which is not fun to knit with and the reason that I "banned" this sweater for quite awhile (I think I started it in October and just now finished it). However, it turned into a lovely sweater that I hope my mom enjoys.

Yes, that is Dan modeling a woman's cardigan. Pattern (roughly) from Creative Knitting. I didn't use the suggested yarn or color and had to make maaaaany adjustments. But for my first adult sweater, I think it turned out pretty great. At least it looks good on Dan.

I also decided to knit all the little munchkins gifts that are some variation of the following combo. Soft, warm, and durable. I came up with the mitten pattern out of my head so I hope they fit and don't get immediatley lost (that may be wishful thinking). The hat is 2X2 ribbing on size 7's to head measurements. All in Lamb's Pride worsted weight wool/mohair.

And I continue to make socks. This is my 3rd pair and I've started a pair for Dan. Which is on hold until I finish up my 1 1/4 pair of mittens and another hat before tomorrow. I think Dan is on to me. I always put his projects aside...but I will finish those slippers and the socks over the break, mark my words!

On a non-knitting note... here are a few pictures of our house for our first Christmas (married)...and my hand at baking cookies (that didn't come in a tube) for the first time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A Story about Socks

Once upon a time I took a sock making class. This was my first experience with double pointed needles, my first experience with needles smaller than a size 8, my first experience knitting something other than a scarf, and my first experience with reading a pattern. It was confusing and only possible because of the extreme patience of a very gracious teacher. She fixed my mistakes many times and did the turn heel for me.

I (we) finished the first sock with difficulty and a lot of help over a 3 week period. The sock actually looked pretty good too with only a few minor mistakes. I bravely tried to start the second one a couple of weeks later and then, totally intimidated and lost without my teacher (who moved away!), I placed the unfinished pair in the yarn basket where it lay buried for the next two and a half years.

I learned to knit many more things in that time period, along with starting a new job, beginning my master's, getting married and moving all of my knitting paraphernalia to a new house. Yet still, my sock and a quarter sat lonely at the bottom of the yarn basket.

Until yesterday.

I picked up the very tiny needles knowing it wouldn't be as hard as it looks...and of course, it wasn't.

I finished my first pair of socks and it only took 2 1/2 years!

I'm officially a sock knitter.

P.S. I've been wearing them for the past two days and will probably wear them tomorrow.

Unwinding the ball

This semester is finally calming down. With the push of a button I turned in a very large paper, which I considered the biggest project of the semester, and now I feel I can breathe a bit. And blog a bit.

I've been furiously (well, sort of ) working on items for the craft fair next weekend. I'm not sure how it will go but I think it will be really fun. Mostly I'll get to hang out with my sister all day...which doesn't happen all that often.

One of the little mittens, up close.

Here is the pile I have so far. I have no idea what kind of prices I should put on this stuff. Any ideas?

I've also started something with this awesome (and not cheap) yarn. I am a little upset with this project right now...okay with myself, for not getting my gauge right...so I've put it aside in protest for a few days and finished a project for myself.

But isn't the yarn cool looking?

This is a vest that I found in one of my knitting magazines and decided to try. It was really fast and I wore it to work yesterday. Believe it or not, this was the first item (besides a scarf or a hat) that I've made for myself and been able to wear as an outfit. It actually gave me hope for finishing the above project and I will soon pick it back up, I'm sure.

I also found this beret pattern and decided to make one for a friend. It is definitely not a beret for warmth...for style, sure. Not exactly my style, but the receiver will totally be able to rock it.

And that's all for now.

Erika Interviews Dan about Knitting

Me=Erika
D=Dan
(words)=Erika's side comments

Me: What is your favorite thing about my knitting?

D: I guess when you make me stuff. No, my favorite thing about your knitting is that you are making something. That you're engaging in an ancient art. There's a real DIY, punk rock asthetic to it.

Me: What is your least favorite thing about my knitting?

D: That it prevents you from cuddling me on the couch.

Me: What is something I have knitted, that you recall as good?

D: Everything. I've never seen you make anything that I wouldn't consider as good. (ah, that's sweet)

Me: Do you think knitters have an expensive hobby?

D: Uh, no. I don't really pay attention to what you spend on yarn and needles. (that's a good thing!)

Me: Do you have a stash of any kind?

D: Me? YES I have a huge music stash. CDs, Vinyl, Cassettes, that's my stash. (our house looks like a record store/yarn shop)

Me: Have I ever embarrassed you, knitting in public?

D: No. (but I think I've embarrassed other people...)

Me: Do you know my favorite kind of yarn?

D: No. You like natural more than synthetic. Wool? Do you like wool the most? (yes, usually)

Me: Can you name another knitting blog?

D: Yeah, the Yarn Harlot has a knitting blog. I don't know the name of it though. (it's the yarnharlot.ca)

Me: Do you mind my wanting to stop at knit shops wherever we go?

D: No.

Me: Do you understand the importance of a swatch?
D: Uh, kind of. (yeah, me too)
Me: Do you read my blog?

D: No. Occasionally, but not regularly.

Me: Have you ever left a comment?

D: Yes.

Me: Do you think the house would be cleaner if I didn't knit?

D: No. I like that there are balls of yarn and needles everywhere. (neither of us clean!)

Me: Anything you'd like to add?

S: I think knitting is awesome. The only thing I don't like is when you won't cuddle me on the couch because of it.