Hats Off!

An action series:

I don't wear hats, Mom.

Can't we give it to someone else?

Here, you want it back?

Yep, that's my boy. And my latest FO.

I started a baby hat awhile back with the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Rainbow. I was trying for something lacy and airy, but it wasn't working out well. I wasn't sure how much yarn I had left after making Elongated Corded Rib socks (example to show the pattern) for my stepmother, so I was trying to be cautious.

So I ripped it back the Thursday before our trip to Indiana for Sarah's wedding and started over with the wonderful Lucia's Top Down Spiral Hat pattern. I (heart) this pattern! It's simple and easy and makes a great fitting hat. Perfect airplane knitting, too.

But of course...I ran out of yarn in Indiana.

Dum, da, da, dum...yay for Yarns Unlimited! I ran out right before the rehearsal and found some great Cascade 220 in a perfect John Deere green color. Slim actually picked it out. Nancy, the lady at the shop, was showing me the colors they had that might match the Lorna's , and Slim grabbed for the green and put it up to his cheek. My sweet little yarn snob!

So I was able to add green ribbing and a green/variegated pompom to finish off the hat in a week. It is wild to say the least. I went ahead and made the hat 96 stitches around (what can I say? we have some big heads in my family) and the colors pooled like crazy. It looks variegated in the top at the increases, tie-dyed around the body of the hat and finishes off with green ribbing. The (semi-) still shot:

Slim has a new habit: screaming. Screeching, actually might be a better term for it. I think he's getting in three more teeth, including two top molars. And he took a couple little baby steps today, not a complete walk, but almost. So I think the fussiness is a combination of both of those breakthroughs. It's been a challenge.

Other news is brewing...but more when I'm not so tired...

FFO

That's for Finally Finished Object!

The fall-colored socks are finally done. I really love the stripey goodness. This non-flash picture actually captures the colors quite well. The one sock has an orange-red band that is quite a bit brighter than the other sock. It came from the third ball, where the colors seemed brighter.

Yarn: Schoeller + Stahl Limbo in the 2539 "Hummingbird" colorway
Purchased at: Yarns Unlimited in Bloomington
Started: June 1-ish?
Finished: August 15

I used about 2-1/2 balls, and have quite a bit left over of the third ball. Maybe enough for a baby hat.

Pattern again was the "You're Putting Me On" toe-up socks with a Figure 8 cast-on and a Garter Rib leg from Sensational Knitted Socks. They're quite large, and hopefully will make a nice boot sock for the intended recipient. They are practically knee highs on me.

I am working on the second Welt Fantastic sock, which is actually my first top-down pair. I really am trying to branch out in my sock-making skills. There's the top-down Welt Fantastic and my Magic Loop Caribbean Blue two-socks-at-one-time already on the needles. I feel like I should try short row heels next.

I am drooling over Nancy Bush's Vintage Socks and Knitting On the Road, and I really want to make one of these next. I can hear the Cap'n suggesting that I finish my other UFOs first, but it can't hurt to dream, right?

Ain't Droppin' It

Y'all. I just had to let you know that last night, knitting on the Metro as the kid slept, I was able to rescue 6 dropped stitches without a crochet hook. Just me and my Boyes.

I had to tell someone, because the three other people on my train car didn't seem all that excited. Don't know why.

Slim and I had dinner last night with Grandpa B from Indiana, who is in town for a conference. Wore the little boy slap out, and I wasn't able to get much knitting done except for the little on the way home.

Grandpa is coming over for dinner tonight, but I still intend to finish those fall-colored socks before we leave out for Indiana on Thursday for sis's wedding. There will be knitting progress pictures! THERE WILL!!

Now for the big question: Which knitting project(s) should I pack for the trip?

Day. Made.

Scene is a busy city intersection where three roads intersect and several crosswalks lead from island to island where grass goes haphazardly. I'm walking the dog with the kid in the Snugli backpack, which conveniently comes with a side pouch that can nicely hold a ball of yarn. I'm working on the Garter Rib socks (v. easy pattern) as we're on our way to the park.

A woman about my age in the passenger seat of a Jetta stopped at the light rolls down her window. I can see some kids strapped in the back seat. She shouts at me, as she pumps her hand in the air:

"I know that's right! Multitask, Mom! That's right!"

My day was made.

It was a good day today. I got a chance to catch up on sleep this afternoon when the boys went to an outdoor city pool. Then the family took a walk down to Eastern Market to shop for dinner tonight.

Knitting progress photos soon!

A New Addition

I have been incredibly remiss in introducing a new member of our family. He's small, he's cute...he's June!

(Not June)

It's actually incredibly difficult to get a photo of a Betta fish in a small "Lavarium" tank. The Lavarium is an aquarium shaped like a lava lamp with different colored lights. Groovy.

June (he's named after Slim's birth month) is the same colors as the Betta pictured above. Quite beautiful blues, purples and reds. I'd like to find a yarn the same colors as June. This one looks nice! And cashmere too!

June lives on the bedside table next to Slim's crib. For a few weeks, I don't think he knew June was there. But then, one day after he woke up from a nap, I saw him cruise over to the end of his crib, stick his hand through and pat June's tank, saying, "aaah laa baa laa ah-ah-ah."

I think that means, "Hi, fish. Have you had lunch yet? Because I haven't and I think Mom should really get out of bed and feed me again."

50 Things About Me

Well, Numero Uno, before the list starts: Garter stitch in the round sucks. Hard. But I went ahead and cast on for the partner to the Welt Fantastic sock. Love the pattern, hate the garter stitch cuff.

I'm also making progress on the fall-colored socks with the Garter Rib pattern. I've turned the heel and am ready to start the leg pattern. It's so easy to remember, it's perfect Metro/waiting room knitting. So I don't feel as under much pressure with it. I think I'll be able to finish it by the end of the month for my KAL.

So on to my list. I saw this over at Knittin' Mom's blog and thought I would give it a go. Haven't done anything like this up here yet.

1. FIRST NAME? Virginia
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I am named after both of my grandmothers.
3. LAST CRY? Okay, I'm a sap: Last week when I saw a commercial about a kid going away to college, and I thought about Malcolm going away to school. You may now point out the fact that he is only 1 year old.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yep.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Bologna.
6. KIDS? Just the one. So far.
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so.
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? I mostly blog and write in the kid's daily book.
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Yeah, right. I'd never do that. (ha)
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Tonsils, adenoids, and all of my wisdom teeth!
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I would sky dive, but not bungee jump.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Cracklin' Oat Bran.
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? no. (oops)
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Abso-freakin-lutely.
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Chocolate chip cookie dough
16. SHOE SIZE? 10 wide after pregnancy.
17. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Worrying too much. Obsessively, SOMEONE might say.
18. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friends in NC.
19. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? If anyone reads this and wants to shoot it back to me or post it on their blog, I'd love to read it.
20. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black track pants and no shoes.
21. LAST THING YOU ATE? Spinach empanada and fried plantains.
22. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? South Park.
23. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Cerise.
24. FAVORITE SMELL? Cotton.
25. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? The Cap’n.
26. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Intelligence and sense of humor.
27. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? She’s a great KAL hostess!
28. FAVORITE DRINK? Diet Coke.
29. FAVORITE SPORT? Yoga
30. EYE COLOR? Blue-gray-green.
31. HAT SIZE? Gigantor – 23 inches around.
32. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope.
33. FAVORITE FOOD? Ethiopian. Yum.
34. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy endings, always.
35. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIE THEATER? Capote. I highly recommend it.
36. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Green
37. SUMMER OR WINTER? Fall.
38. HUGS OR KISSES? Kisses!
39. FAVORITE DESSERT? Magic Shell on top of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
40. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? My sisters?
41. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? The Cap’n
42. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Trawler by Redmond O’Hanlon.
43. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don't have one.
44. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Mr. and Mrs. Smith
45. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Classical music
46. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? The Stones
47. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Guatemala
48. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Walking the dog, carrying the baby and knitting a sock, all at the same time!
49. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Charlotte, North Carolina
50. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I scammed it, and you can to!

Let me know if you do it, too. Now I'm off to bed!

Nothing Beats Good Sox

The weather has finally cooled off a bit, but I'm still not overly motivated to work on the Sweater That Shall Not Be Named. Bulky alpaca/wool is a challenge even in an air conditioned apartment.

So I'm all about the socks. Not to mention that 3 of the UFOs hanging about are socks, and I can't touch the Cap'n's Debbie Bliss gift until the UFOs are ALL done, so, hey, I'm feeling the sock love.

I went ahead and joined up on the Knittin' Mom's KAL to get motivated on finishing up the socks I've started. Check out all the other participants' socks on her page. Plus I like her thoughts about breastfeeding and high MPG cars!

Speaking of boobage, (I know, you're saying, we were?) the boy has mostly stopped breastfeeding now that he's chowing down on 3 meals plus snacks a day. He had a little milk today, but generally he is even able to fall asleep without it. There are some times when he needs to be cuddled extra, and I'm more than happy to do so, just so he knows that even though the milk isn't flowing, the love is.

OK. Back to work on the sox. Must. Knit. More.

Ooh, Zippy

So yesterday, I had to get to a doctor's appointment, and Oren had to take the Orangemobile into work early. Que un problemo, right?

Hello, Zipcar!

What a nifty little concept. All I had to do was activate my card, and in less than 5 minutes I could reserve a car for the same day. I got the Scion xB "Bapka" that lives near the Potomac Avenue Metro station. If I want, I can even reserve a car back in our old hometown. And the 3.5 hours cost us just $30.

When we were still car shopping, I wanted to check out the xB, but after driving the xA and being incredibly disappointed, we didn't bother. And I am glad. The xB feels Grand Canyon big on the inside, but it feels like it has even less pick-up than my Honda Civic CX did. It is sooo sloooooow. But Bapka was a great alternative to the Pathfinder.

A sad story: Oren bought the Pathfinder not long after we started dating, and it's been everywhere with us, including to Ocracoke for our wedding and Maine for our honeymoon. But it has what the mechanic calls "a rust condition" and is no longer drivable. Tomorrow I'm going to try to get the paperwork together to donate it. Bye, bye, Nissan. We've loved you.

All the other bloggers are talking about the heatwave, and I don't have much else to add but: DAMMMNN. It is hot. It's too hot to knit at the park while the kid plays, as Slim and I have been doing each morning, but I am going to try to do more knitting inside where it's cool.