Ooo Baby Knits:

The long awaited post. Have you been asking yourself, I wonder if Michelle has recovered from her knitting funk? Just how much does she make her family suffer when she gets this way? Did she finish sewing up the fall sweater that perfectly matches the leaves on her neighbor’s tree? Has she started her Christmas knitting? Or has she given the needles up entirely and taken up bungee jumping?

The answers are: yes, there’s nothing like ditching everything and starting something new; they’re strong- they can take it; no, but she has started; well, duh, hasn’t everyone; and no- she’s saving that for her golden years.

Today I am brain dead and exhausted. (Long-winded explanation to follow. I assure you it’s optional reading. It will not be included on the final exam.) So enough witty banter, and on to the pictures. It’s overcast and seriously threatening to rain so don’t expect them to be of Ansel Adams quality. My daughter took better pictures with her Barbie camera.

There's nothing like knitting quick stuff with big yarn to boost my knitting ego. I haven't heard from our sponsor child's grandmother to get her sizes, but I figured if I shoot for big, she can always grow into it. This is a simple, knit in one piece pattern from the Lion Brand site and Jiffy I had in the stash. Kinda plain, but practical. I'm trying to think of something to girly it up, but as I've mentioned- brain dead.

A while back I used my 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby to buy a skein of Sweet Delight Twist to try out. I like it- soft, squishy, pretty colors. I'll buy it again. It's perfect for quick baby knits. So voila sweater and hat. Well, almost hat. The color is much prettier than in the picture.

39 days, 9 hours, and 18 minutes until Christmas. I should have no trouble finishing this scarf for my mother-in-law. It only took my 2 hours to get this far, but then I had to restart it twice. Not sure about the dozen other gifts I have planned, but this will be finished. If it kills me. Which it may. It's so soft, but the mohairyness tangles and sticks together. I had trouble finding needles pointy enough. This is a very old pair that belonged to my grandmother. I love being reminded of her when I use them. I just hope they are pointy enough for the KNIT 7 TOGETHER!! coming up in the next section.

Here’s the non-knitting part that explains why I haven’t posted. If this isn’t good enough, I’ll get a note from my mother. DD#2 is a high school senior. Since I last posted, we have visited two colleges she is interested in Appalachian State University and Radford University (my alma mater). Long, exhausting, but fun days. ASU is on a mountain. You have to climb it to get to the student center. I am so grateful she still enjoys hanging out with her mom. As long as I take her to the mall and supply her with Starbucks, I’m sure she always will. We also found out that she will have gall bladder surgery Monday, so we’ve had numerous doctor appointments. To add to the fun, DD#1 had her car broken into- a window smashed- while she was at work (hers was one of many). Everything stolen was recovered- at the mall of all places- and the window is replaced. Things will be better. I will knit my way to happiness, and pray my way to joy.

Yes, I know a pair is two (hence sock), but since I knit it twice I’m calling it a pair. This is my blog, and I can do what I want. I did start a third sock so I’ll have two. I know children have two feet. I personally have two left feet, but that’s another story.

Do you sense frustration in this post? Can you feel the negativism? I’m having a bad day, a bad week, and I can’t believe there’s no more Halloween candy. And don’t tell me maybe if I had put a banana instead of Snickers on my Cheerios there would still be some. How was I supposed to know I would need one later? First I finish a sock with the leftover fall sweater yarn. (And don’t ask me how the fall sweater sewing up is coming. It’s coming, all right? It’s coming. Leave me alone.) I take a close look at it and decide the gauge is too loose. It’s destined for A4A and it needs to extra warm. I knit it over. Meanwhile, two skeins of luscious yarns come from theknitter.com for Christmas presents. I knit furiously for several days to finish the fan and feather shawl I have started so I can start another shawl for Mom. Last night I hold it up thinking, wow. This looks long enough from the needle to the tip. I must be about finished. So I spread it out on the bed to get an idea of how wide it is, only it won’t spread. It’s barely wide enough to cover my shoulders. If I keep knitting to get the right width, it’ll be long enough to drag the floor. What am I going to do with this flat ice cream cone shaped piece of knit thing? Wrap up a giant piece of candy corn? No. because I ate that, too.

At least my Fetching wrist warmers are warming and I only had to knit two. At least the MDK kimono and booties were finished without a hitch. At least the dogs have a new bed. (Thought I’d throw that one in there.) At least the winter knitting mags are coming in.