It’s once again time to fess up on my knitting and reading for the past week. It’s a confession because I’d like to have more to show for myself but the truth is I’ve spent more time baking and cooking up treats than sitting with my knitting this week.

I have been working away on the hat for the little exchange Jen and I have arranged. There was some trepidation and the occasional fearful outburst that it’s all wrong for her but she kindly encouraged me and I’m sticking to it. I’d love to share the pattern but I don’t want to ruin her surprise (could you resist following the link, Jen?).

The leg warmers I started last week were a big flop. I feared early on that they were too wide but I stubbornly kept knitting. Until I finished the first one, until I’d woven in some of the ends, until I tried it on her leg and saw how ridiculously huge it was. I’ll need to rip it out – until then I’ve stuffed it a basket until I’ve forgiven it for not working out.

In the meantime I picked a project I’d barely started a while ago and have been enjoying how quickly it’s coming together. I’m making this knitted toy for my wee girlie who loves to stuff everything in her mouth. Socks seem to be her favourite but I’m hoping I can tempt her away with the sweet rainbow colours. Considering all the babies I know of on the way I might easily get carried away with more. This pattern is wonderfully easy and very quick, and because it’s felted (helping hide boo-boos) I think it’s great beginner project for someone who wants instant gratification. I can even imagine the kids working on these with their knitting towers.

As usual there has been quite a bit of reading going on here this week. I’m enjoying The Lightening Thief and am already nearly through it. The kids have books strewn all over the house after our trip to the library. Elizabeth has been reading a book on taking care of goldfish (we don’t have fish) and Liam has been browsing a book on car maintenance (??). The older kids have discovered little brother’s skills at I Spy books and Sarah is sticking with her good old favourite. My favourite, though, has to be the bedtime reading of Five on a Treasure Island with the two oldest girls. Elizabeth has read ahead though and warned us the next few chapters need to be read during the day – just in case we get scared.

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How about you? Had any knitty successes or failures this week?

joining Ginny for yarn along

I’m enjoying keeping warm with a stack of knitting at my side. I think it leaves Dan rather bemused that despite the new baskets he brought into our life as a means to tame the wool beast* I still end up with multiple projects circling my feet, taking over the couch, and undoubtedly, getting kicked across the floor by a small person.

* To be clear, I am not the wool beast. I am it’s mistress…but just barely. It threatens to spin out of my control at any moment.

This week I’ve mostly focused on the cowls I wanted to finish up (seen here). I still have four sleeves, button bands, a secret hat, and an ear to finish…but as a reward for finishing both cowls I cast on another project. It feels like a reward but after reviewing that long list of unfinished knits I’m starting to think I should change my reward system.

Either way, I started a pair of leg warmers for the littlest girlie’s chubby baby legs. She’s been wearing leg warmers under her clothes often. They are so nice and easy for diaper changes and give her that extra warmth she needs. I decided cozy handknit leggies were a must have for an Alberta January. I do proudly admit that seeing Corrie’s wee babe modelling her pair pushed me over the edge on this decision. Since my need to squeeze her little sweetie is going unrealized  (thank goodness I have Mira to snuggle on this end of the country) I’m outfitting Mira in a sweet pair of her own.I’m knitting them in the same alpaca I used here and here. They will be cozy warm!

My book pile has grown significantly after a hold placing spree I took last week. They seem to come it for me at the library all at once so now I have a lovely stack to poke through. The only one I’ve had a chance to look through is The Home Creamery. We started making yogurt before Christmas and we can’t get enough of it. I’m making 6 L a week and everyone is devouring it. Yum! Now that we’ve realized how easy yogurt is we’re excited to try more dairy making.

I also finished The Red Pyramid this week. I did really enjoy it and will look for the second book. It was a bit more intense than I’d expected when I began – my kids would be freaked right out by it and aren’t old enough for it yet. I found the premise of Ancient Egyptian mythology and religion as truth a little creepy but it would be very interesting for youth studying the topic. Has anyone else read this series?

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joining Ginny for yarn along

We had a great weekend in this house of jays. I love how a wonderful weekend sets us up so nicely for the new week.

We shared fun times with special friends, I tested out a couple of new recipes (forcing me, ahem, to eat a lot of chocolate), and we kept watching those birds (like many of you correctly assumed here). We polished off a giant stack of waffles while test-driving this loan from a friend (amazing!!). There was snuggling, reading, listening,  and watching.

Of course there was knitting. While I didn’t get loads done, I did finish off the gaptastic and darkside cowls, finished up the body on the ongoing saga that is the tiny tea leaves and nearly completed the last ear on this poor neglected friend (you can view my notes for all these projects here). I even braved myself to snap some self-potraits modelling the cowls (ta da, photos of me).

Now our Monday is almost over and we’re rushing out the door for skating lessons.

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How about you all? Hope you had a great weekend and a great start to your week!

I’m hosting my first ever giveaway this week! If you missed it be sure to leave a comment here! For those who have commented, I’ve very excited with all the challenges I’ve received – thank you!

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We’ve left the balmy weather of last week for the reality of winter. It is cold, cold, cold…but there is no better time to cozy up with knitting and reading.

I’m just a few rounds away from finishing the gaptastic cowl. I’m enjoying this second one more than the first – I can read bedtime stories quite easily to the rhythm of the seed stitch and it moves so quickly with the chunky wool. This one is being sold to a friend of a friend. I am certainly not a quick enough knitter to make a business of it but it feels kind of nice to be knitting on commission.

I’ve also been working away on a darkside cowl. I’ve loved watching the pattern emerge. It requires more counting than I’m sometimes up for (or rather have the attention for) but it is quick and simple to follow.

The biggest excitement in my knitting week was an offer I received from Jen. I appreciated all the wonderful suggestions I received on my request here but seeing all those lovelies side by side put me into a wool induced stupor. Jen came to my rescue with the idea to exchange knits. She is going to knit me a thistle cap (a pattern I will tackle one day…perhaps when I have a little more focus time) and I will knit her either a hurricane or a wurm hat (it’s going to be a surprise). She’s generously (and bravely) given me the choice of colour and I think I’ve picked the perfect wool from my stash. I’ve been holding onto for the perfect knit and I think I’ve found it! How exciting! Fingers crossed I get the fit right…

In reading this week I finished Wildwood. I enjoyed reading it and I must admit I enjoyed finishing it. I think I should really have loved but as I mentioned last week it just didn’t grab me. In comparison though, I started a new book this afternoon which pulled me before the end of the first chapter. In keeping with my great love of kid lit I’m reading The Red Pyramid. This one promises to be devoured rather more quickly than Wildwood.

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joining Ginny for yarn along

It’s weekend time again. Phew. It’s been crazy and wonderful around here with all the visiting family and celebrations but we are needing a weekend to get back to a schedule, catch up on sleep and think about getting back to school. We’ve been very generous with our homeschooling vacation and now it’s time to refocus.

I’m trying not to over plan this weekend but it’s filling up already with dinner dates, crafty ambitions and catching up with friends. I’m hoping to squeeze some knitting in and maybe even some sewing (barring any surprise house showings). I’m even planning a little surprise for you lovelies next week to celebrate my first blogiversary (Woot! Woot!).

Along with my plans I’ve been browsing Ravelry for hat and mitten patterns as I joined another knit along over at luvinthemommyhood . If you’re not familiar with Ravelry, it’s an online database of knitting and crochet patterns. Just sign up for a free membership and browse to your heart’s content. My problem at this point is not with finding patterns I want to knit but with choosing between them. So as I’m agonizing over them already I thought I’d share a peek at some of my favourites. Maybe you can help me decide?

1. grove 2. mitten cuffs 3. leftover 4. gradient 5. fiddlehead 6. endpaper

7. isidora 8. polska 9. fallberry

1. windschief 2. thistle 3. ql slouch 4. norby 5. jane 6. honey hat

7. a hat fit for a boyfriend 8. lina 9. from norway with love

See my dilemma?! Do you have any suggestions for me? I’m looking to knit a hat for my mom as well as for my hubby (who said he’d rather a sweater but is getting a hat for the time being). I’m hoping I can squeeze in a pair of mittens for myself. And it’s all gotta be from stash wool because I have some busting to do.

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How are your plans shaping up for the weekend? Will you be out and about or staying close to home? Visiting with loved ones or cozying up for some quiet time? Do you have crafty ambitions as well? Either way I wish you a very beautiful weekend! Be sure to stop by next week for my little surprise!!