My Peanut

I'm not sure why I call her that...our oldest son is allergic to peanuts so we don't even have any in the house, except for her! I started this sweater around a year ago while I was pregnant with her. I was convinced I was having a girl, so I started knitting this girly sweater, then, for some reason that I'm not quite sure of anymore, I stopped. All that was left to finish were the sleeves, which are so small I had them done in a morning, and I'm so glad that I got them done, if I had waited too much longer she wouldn't have been able to wear this. I'm so happy with this little cardigan, it seems to suit her personality! The pattern, (tulip) and yarn are both from Dream in Color Yarn. This was my first time using this yarn, and I am a huge fan! My husband bought me some Dream in Color Smooshy sock yarn for Christmas and I'm getting excited to pull it out to knit up some socks.

Thinking about peanuts is making me crave peanut butter cookies....

Spring Forward

I started these socks while we were on our way to Florida. I finished the first one in less than a week. I started the second one while we were still there, then we came home and our kids took turns getting sick. It was a flu that seemed to bounce around between the kids and my husband. I was running ragged trying to nurse everyone back to health, and it seemed like everyone was better, then they all got colds. After everyone else got better it hit me. Yuck!

So the socks ended up sitting for about a month until I was able to pick them up again, so I was finally able to finish the socks! Spring Forward is a pattern from Linda Welch that is found on Knitty. I knit them with indigo from Avery Allison yarn.

The name of them gives me hope, hope that spring may soon be on it's way. We've had another blast of winter here in Alberta, yesterday was a snow day, schools were closed, many people stayed home from work, those who went in probably shouldn't have. Here is a picture my husband took on his way into the office. Zero visibility.

Warmer weather is sure to come...right?

Long time...

Well, it's definitely been a long time! I've been busy. We spent 2 weeks in Florida in January so my husband could do the Walt Disney World goofy challenge which is a half marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon on Sunday. The crazy thing about it is he didn't train, at all. I think he'd ran once in the 6 weeks before the race. I wish I could do that, not have to train and just be able to head out and run 26 miles in 4 hours. Our boys loved Disney World! They are at a great age to go, they get so excited about everything that just being there is enough for them. We don't have to try to get on every ride there is, as long as we hit a few of them they're happy!

I finished all of my Christmas knitting! Woohoo!!! My kids all had their own knitted stockings. I made my husband a pair of socks, and a knitted cycling cap. He wrote a great post about the socks that I made him. It feels so good when you make something for someone who really appreciates it! These were made from my own handspun merino with a reinforced toe and heel (since I know how hard he is on socks!). I found a bicycle chart here that I used to add the bike to the top of the socks.

Secret

This is a Christmas secret is from my handspun, although the pictures are not very clear (on purpose!) I know the intended recipient will love it!

I have been a little worried lately after hearing that my LYS is going to be sold as the owners are moving... I love the atmosphere there, and the comfy couches that are always available to sit down and knit on. (I talked to my husband about wanting to buy it, but with 3 little kids running around I think it may not have been the greatest idea!) To my surprise they've already found a (possible) buyer who will, hopefully, keep everything the same. I'm still a little concerned it could turn into one of those cluttered little get in and get out places, but hopefully not!

Cake Topper

It's been quite some time since I've done any modeling work (for cakes!). I put this one together for a friend's baby shower, and I'm fairly happy with it, although I think I need to get into practice again if I'm going to be doing any more! Sorry for the crummy photo, but I was running out of light and wanting to take the picture already!!

Stocking Update

Coby's stocking is finished, and has been for a few weeks! Yahoo!! I like this pattern, although in my excitement to start I went to Michaels, as my LYS was closed, and ended up buying some acrylic. Now I'm wishing I had held off until I could have gotten in to pick out the good stuff. Oh well, he loves it, and is so excited that Mommy made him a Christmas stocking, that it doesn't really matter. I really like the monochromatic look though. Overall, I'm pleased with how this turned out! Pattern is Christmas Sampler from Knit Christmas Stockings! by Gwen Steege.

Isaiah's stocking is about half finished, but it shouldn't take too much work to get that one finished up before the big day! I haven't taken any pics of it yet, but will get them up here as soon as I do!

Busy, busy, busy.....

Well, it's been awhile. I've been around but busy, busy, busy. I've been running between the ski hill, skating rink and swimming pool for the past month and I'm exhausted.

I was a lifeguard and swimming instructor for 6 years before having kids and I always swore that my children would be swimmers, I would never have one of those kids who wouldn't put their face in the water...right? WRONG. My oldest is (at 4) just starting to put his face in the water, but won't jump in, won't float, won't blow bubbles, etc. My 2 year old is, well, a 2 year old! What he will and won't do varies depending on the day. We're going to continue with swimming lessons as long as it takes, it doesn't matter to me if my kids are the best swimmers, or if it takes them 10 tries to pass the first level. They need to know how to swim, I want them to be able to swim well enough that they can be comfortable in the water. Hopefully that happens, someday!

One of the other places that I'm splitting my time is the skating rink, which is great because it's right behind my house. A two minute walk tops (with 3 kids and equipment) so at least I'm not wasting any time driving! It's my four year old's second year skating, and he loves it. He wants to play hockey (like most small town Alberta boys!), but so far he's just in learn to skate, and actually doing surprisingly well. I'm wondering how long it will be before I'm a full fledged hockey mom!?!

Lastly it's been skiing. He loves skiing, I love watching him ski. He seems so little, but my husband started when he was 4 and went quite regularly with his family, and then me until we got pregnant and decided snowboarding might not be very good for our baby. So or the past 5 years or so we haven't been skiing or snowboarding much, but would like to get back into it with our kids.

After just 2 lessons he's pretty much mastered the bunny hill. He can do the snowplow, turn and stop fairly consistently, but his favorite part is the magic carpet, because that's what takes him to the top of the hill so he can do it again!

Although I've been busy with kids activities I have been knitting, and baking quite a bit. I'll get posting more regularly now... I hope!