Happiness Is . . .

Life. Captured.

Another Knit This Week

I just finished up my first, of what may turn into

many, "Mystery Knit Alongs".

The basic idea is you know what you are going to knit

in that, I knew that I was going to make a shawl, but 

beyond that you no nothing about what the final

creation will look like.

The designer gives you an idea of what kind of yarn would

be best suited to the pattern, in this case, a subtly 

variegated yarn as opposed to a wildly, hand-painted

yarn was preferred.  And with this mystery knit, the

designer had paired with a yarn-dyer and had a 

custom made yarn for her KAL (knit-a-long) that you could

choose to purchase (I did).  

And then you wait for the clues to appear.

Fun, fun, fun!

I started my project April 15th and finished 

exactly one month later.  

It's not too big of a shawl, which I like.

However, I haven't decided if I'm going to keep

it or gift it.  Purple is not one of my go-to

colors, but I couldn't resist this yarn for some

reason, maybe because was meant to be

for one of my many purple loving friends! {grin}

Pattern:  Roxanne by Liz Abinante

Yarn:  Hipster Sock in the Ethereal colorway by Little Red Bicycle

and the bottom border in Dream in Color's Smooshy Sock Yarn.

Verdict:  This shawl has cables and lace and lots of fun

texture to it!

Would I have chosen this pattern to make on my own? 

Probably not, but that being said, it was a lot of fun to 

join in the discussions and knit up a mystery item!

(Some have compared it's shape to Cylon ships from BSG.{grin})

A Knit A Week

A birthday sweater for Princess #1.

This one may look familiar, as it was the same

pattern I used for the Prince's b-day sweater!

She chose the yarn and then waited patiently

for me to finish, which I'll have you know,

was only one day after *her* day! {grin}

Pattern:  Hotshot by Julia Stanfield

Yarn:  Cascade 220 Superwash Paints in 

Fruit Smoothie

Verdict:  Turned out great, she loves it!  

The only modification I made was to add a 

kangaroo pouch to the front.

Happiness Is . . .

. . . feeling emotionally and spiritually recharged and ready to deal with life again, despite being physically exhausted.

*****

I follow that with a question for the Void:  How is it that my kids always seem to know when I've had a late (fun!) night . . . and choose the following morning to bless me with an extra early rising?!?!  Why, oh Void, why??

A Knit A Week

Easter Knits for the Royals

All of these patterns came from the amazing

book, Itty Bitty Toys by Susan B. Anderson.

I started this tradition last year, when I made the sock monkey

for the Prince's basket, hoping to distract him from

the lack of candy.  It worked so well for all the kids

that I did it again this year!!

A little hippo for Princess #1 out of

leftover Socks that Rock sock yarn in the

Wonderful Goodness and Mr. Greenjeans colorways.

A stripey snake, complete with slithery tongue

for Princess #2 out of leftover Misti Alpaca

sock yarn.

A reversible bluebird/egg with a little nest for Princess #3.

How cool is this pattern????  Love this.

It was made out of scraps of Cascade 220.

And last, but not least, a little "Biscuit" puppy for the Prince.

He is made out of scraps of Cascade 220 and other

stash finds.

Eleven

PRINCESS #1 is a . . .

* voracious reader

* faithful friend

* daughter of the One Most High

* responsible brother watcher

* creative creator

* lover of shoes

* gentle big sister

* giver of wonderful back scratches

* excellent scholar

* delightful dessert maker

* fast and furious bicyclist

* knitter

* wonderfully sweet daughter

Eleven years ago, we were blessed here at the Castle by the birth of our first born.

A daughter.

Thankfully, she broke us into parenting gently, however, her presence

rocked our little world of two.

We are eager to see what the "Judy Blume" years have in store for 

our sweet princess.  We know that she will continue to

grow ever in grace and beauty because of Who

she holds dear in her heart.

Happy 11th Princess #1.  You are dearly loved, Bugga.