Kicky McKickerton
Well, recently I was lamenting that I was worried I wasn't feeling the baby move yet.
Hahahahahaha! Now he moves all the time, and it feels REALLY WEIRD. Of course I'm glad he's moving. But I will admit it is really disconcerting! Like weird gas that stays in the same place and repeatedly rises up - it's so weird! It woke me up the other day!
A FO! A Sister! The Atlanta Braves!
High Energy Sister came up and we had a fun time. And I was so pleased to see that her Green Gable fit!!!
And a close up:
And a close-up of the decreases and increases...
I used Cotton Fleece, size US 6 needles. I made the small/second size. I also, like Carrie, added hip increases which I think made the fit just perfect.
The increases were the only modification. I added back the 8 stitches over two increase rows that were initially decreased after the bust, then two more rounds for a total of 16.
I love to knit for my sister because:
1) She's SMALL. Unlike knitting for my husband (I have started a sweater for him. LORD it's taking a long time).
2) She's the perfect size/proportions. Everything looks good on her, and almost anything fits her well.
3) She wears what I make her. Yay!
So good times for Green Gable.
And we had good times at a Braves game while she was here! And they won, which hasn't happened much lately, so we were excited!
They have a HUGE jumbotron at Turner Field. I was really far away from this and DIDN'T zoom. Look how big Francoeur's head is!
What's new, pussycat?
I started Bridie and am knitting like crazy on it. Here's the back:
Wanna see a close-up?
Some interesting things to tell you next time about this sweater. I am loving the pattern so far!
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
and meet me tonight in Atlantic City...
Hello! We are back from Jersey, where I had SO MUCH FUN visiting Cara!
Cara is such a fun person, and her husband and sister are awesome too. I had a really great time and am so glad I went.
Things I learned on my trip to Jersey/NY:
1) Cara walks really fast. I pride myself on being a fast walker - I can't stand people who walk slow especially when they are "in my way". But now that I'm carrying extra weight, I almost could not keep up with her! And I love that.
2) The 10-second rule does not apply to NY city streets.
3) If the band for the top of your knee high sock can fit around your head -
It's too big.
4) Ferries are fun!
And look! The Statue of Liberty!
5) I can spin! Ok, not well, but I did it. Cara's a good teacher.
And here's my handspun:
It's not beautiful, I make much prettier yarn on a spindle, but it's only the second time I have done it. I can't wait to get a wheel!
6) NYC is really big, but they have the tiniest. bathroom. ever.
I'm standing in front of the toilet here.
Hardly room for a pregnant woman, I assure you.
7) If you put me in a yarn shop, I will buy yarn:
Here's some Habu Bamboo I got, gorgeous and so soft. I'm going to have a real dyer dye it for me.
And here's a pic of the front room at Habu, where they make such beautiful stuff!
8) If Cara has a STASH SALE, I will buy yarn. BTW, go over and see what she has left!
I got the following - some Firesong yarn:
and some angora for a tiny blanket for a tiny high energy person.
9) I can finish a sweater on a trip if I knit hard and fast:
My sister comes up this weekend, and then I'll have pictures of her wearing it, yay!
10) Cara can twist my arm into starting a pair of knee highs:
Koigu. These are gonna be GOOD. Even if I do have fat calves.
Knitting update:
Lastly, an update. Peaches is rockin' right along:
But Bridie had a snafu:
Looks okay, huh? Well, it's way too big. Despite checking gauge, I'm getting 19 st instead of 22 to 4", which of course will never fly. Had to rip those 6 inches of sweater out. SO. SAD. But after a knit fest last night I am almost back to where I was.
Hope you all have a good week!
Cause it doesn't remind me of anything...
We are liking Audioslave more and more around here. I have their first album from itunes and I really like it. That Chris Cornell can WAIL.
Housekeeping.
This post is mostly about catching up. And who doesn't need a good list, really?
1) THANKS for the birthday wishes. We had a great time.
2) Thanks for the support about jerky people who say stupid things to pregnant people. At least I didn't have anyone yet act THIS STUPID.
3) To all who recommended The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, it ROCKED. I really enjoyed it.
4) Almost done with The Geographer's Library. It was okay.
5) I have renamed my crazy dog Sadie. She will now be called Sadie McGillicuddy McGee.
KNITTING. PLEASE.
I did no knitting because I have been so tired and worn-out - sometimes I wish my work wasn't so stressful, you know? I know, cry us a river, Timberlake. We ALL have hard jobs.
BUT then I remembered, I see my sister in like two days and have to get Green Gable to the bust line, and I am about 7 rows away. So, tonight, it's kntiknitknit. YIKES.
Decisions.
I have also been agonizing for a really long time now over getting sewing furniture. I want to be sure it's exactly what I want, that it will fit, etc., 'cause the ones I want are expensive. But I keep changing my mind, and feeling nervous, and changing where we'll put it.
Because, you see, I lose my sewing room when the High Energy Fetus is born. Which is cool. But I need to put my crap elsewhere.
So, what to do? Make paper cutouts, that's what I did:
How LAME. But you know, it works for me, and I think I can envision how everything will fit when the cabinet is open, closed, etc., and how much storage, etc. The husband thinks it'd be easier to do on computer. COMPUTER? Give me graph paper any day. I can TRUST graph paper. It won't screw you over.
Ok, I don't have a song about Green Gable.
But since it sounds Irish, did any of you ever see Darby O'Gill and the Little People? HILARIOUS. I think there was a song in it about "She is my dear, my darling one, her eyes are full of sparkling fun..."
Hmmm. Maybe not. Maybe another lame movie from my childhood?
Do-Over!
So, you might or might not remember that I was making Green Gable not so long ago. Then, I went and got all knocked up, and realized not only would it not fit, it won't fit for a looooong time. So I quit it. Gave it away.
I decided though, that I need a mindless knit, one where I can chat and do a few rows, stop and start without issue. Both Peaches and Elspeth require a lot of concentration, especially in the increasing or decreasing in pattern.
So, I already had the yarn (STASH USE! WARNING!) to make a Green Gable for my sister! Who isn't rapidly expanding in any way, at least last time I saw her.
So I merrily cast-on, using the same needles etc. for my GG, while watching Syriana. How could I lose?
You had to ask.
I had this much done:
To discover, as you see, my gauge was off. Should be 10 stitches to two inches. SUPER BUMMER. This was on a US 7, which I had used before.
The trick is, when I frogged and did a few gauge swatches, even swatching in the round, it was tricky to get the right gauge. But I think on the actual project a US 6 will do it.
Then I had many a cast-on issue. I decided I didn't like the cast-on I had used before. So I tried (even though I knew what would happen) the backward loop that the pattern wants, but I HATES IT.
Then, I just used a tried and true cable cast-on, and so far it looks right. Gauge seems good at this point. Maybe it'll work!!!!
AND!
Just so you know I ain't no slacker, I did finish the purple ribbed sweater! Finally! After 1 1/2 years!!! I just can't wear it right now, so a picture is on hold till I locate a model. I'll see my sister in a couple weeks, I think, I think she just might WORK!*
* What would I do if I didn't have a younger sister who is smaller-but-not-too-much-smaller than me??? Really. That chica has so many functions. Strong work, Mom and Dad. ;-)
The waiiiiting is the hardest part*
OK PEOPLE. Listen up. There's a lot to tell. A lot that's random. I'm just going to go with it. You should pee, and get yourself a beverage. You may be here awhile.
High Energy Embryo.
So, all the active IVF poking and prodding is done for now, except the aforementioned shots. Now, we wait. And wait. Maybe there's an embryo implanting. Maybe not. No way to tell yet. Just lots of waiting.
There's a lot of chance it just won't take. Even if it does, it could only take a little and then I'd have a period. Or I could miscarry. Or, maybe it'll stick.
I don't say this to be negative. I'm feeling quite positive, actually. But we infertile types get used to failure, to having our hopes dashed with each period every 4 weeks (or 3 in my case. EXCELLENT.) So, it's best for us to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. All your thoughts and prayers mean everything to me. Thank you. We'll wait together.
Random thing number one.
Mostly for the fam, a picture of our new deck furniture and newly stained deck. Which my dog has already covered in mud. Because she's bad.
The knitting on the table - it's a secret. Shhh.
Dientes mas blancas.
I am getting my teeth bleached. They make these cool molds of your teeth so the plastic things fit exactly, like so:
Not so attractive. Not very tasty bleach gel. Moving On.
You think she's dancing now...
Here's some math for you:
9 girls + slightly used wedding gown + engaged girl = weddin' jig.
REALLY High Energy Johnny...
...is taking a welding class. How cute is this picture?
Best. Man. Ever. Wants to build bicycles. Lord don't let him burn down the house.**
Random Pirate Attack!
Look what I got from the dear HibiscuitsGirl at The Black Stitch! Yo Ho Ho!
Note the "Ahoy Matey" sticker. I love this woman.
Knitting? A swatch. Anything.
I have joined the "Green Gable Knit-a-long" because I could not help myself. Here's a swatch. Boring, but it's all you get folks.
Yarrrrrrrrrrn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in "New Age Teal". Ooooh. Goody.
Alright, kids. I'm exhausted. I actually have to go back to work Friday. Oh, WORK. I forgot about that bit. I was enjoying this stay-at-home situation...
*Kudos to Karma, whose song suggestion was perfect.
** WATCH OUT. You might get what you're after...