• Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 78 other subscribers

  • “Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers” — Isaac Asimov

  • Recent Posts

  • Pages

  • Categories

  • Archives

  • Blog Stats

    • 195,081 hits

A Pile of Finished Blankets

Posted on January 23, 2009 by auburnchick

As many of you know, I head up the West Coast Oddball Baby Blanket project.  We’ve got a group of gals here on Ravelry and one here Knittinghelp.com (where the project originated) involved.  I’ve mentioned this project before but thought it would be fun to share some pictures of finished blankets.  The gals have been sending them to me after the border has been added.  I’m going to wash them all and get them ready to ship to the members who will be delivering them to hospitals in their cities.

As you will see, we’ve been quite busy!

Autumn Reds

Autumn Reds

Blueberry Bliss

Blueberry Bliss

Candy Cane

Candy Cane

Carousel

Carousel

Desert Sand

Desert Sand

Disney Land

Disney Land

Grand Canyon Sunset

Grand Canyon Sunset

Lemonade Stand

Lemonade Stand

Lime Sherbert

Lime Sherbert

Pacific Blues

Pacific Blues

Puppy Love

Puppy Love

Purple Mountains Majesty

Purple Mountains Majesty

Rain Forest

Rain Forest

Rainbow Sherbert

Rainbow Sherbert

Tropical Plantation

Tropical Plantation

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Family Arrives

Posted on November 27, 2008 by auburnchick

When I got up this morning, this is what it looked like:

I had stepped outside the night before and noticed the drop in temperature.  Apparently it was enough to give us some frost.

The roofs were all white…

As I looked across the street at the pond, I saw this…

It was a beautiful way to start the day.

I subbed at my favorite high school.  The classes were short to accommodate the half day.  I managed to finish these:

Bernat Jacquard Ruffled Hats

Bernat Baby Jacquard Knit Ruffled Hats

The hats are for Soccer Chick’s physical therapist/sports trainer.  He is an amazing guy and really helped us out when she was rehabbing her knee.  He and his wife are expecting twin girls in a couple of months, so I thought I would whip these out for a Christmas gift.

The pattern is free and located here.  There is a version available for crocheters.  I used Bernat Baby Jacquards.  The colorways are provided below each picture:

Colorway - Boys and Girls

Colorway - Boys and Girls

Colorway Berries and Cream

Colorway - Berries and Cream

The pattern is given for knitting the hats flat and seaming them, but I don’t like to seam, so I used Magic Loop instead.  This left me with a hole at the top, so I added a pom pom to each hat.

I have to say that the yarn is FABULOUS to knit with!  It’s ultra soft but still manageable.  I only used 30g from each skein, so I have plenty left over.  I’m thinking about making booties to accompany the hats.

Another project that is just about done (just have to mail them) is the mini-stockings for the troops.  I had given the stockings to a friend who had asked to fill them.  She returned them to me yesterday.  Here’s a picture:

The pattern can be found here.  It’s free and was created by a KH member.  I used a variety of I Love This Yarn colorways.

With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I’ll be busy cooking and trying not to burn myself in the process (did a number on my thumb this evening), so I probably won’t have much time to knit (nor the energy).  The pre-Thanksgiving meal that I cooked up for the family was a hit.  I made Chicken Piccata, fettuccine, and salad.  “Guy Friend” and Soccer Chick made the salad.

Guy Friends Salad

Guy Friend's Salad

For dessert, I made Chocolate Chip Cake…a recipe posted by Sunshine’s Mom over on KH.  I’m copying her post (hence references to “me” are actually “her”) here:

Duncan Heinz Butter cake mix
1 small package Jello instant vanilla pudding
1/2 bar grated chocolate (I usually use German chocolate – it’s in a green package)
chocolate chips
1 cup oil
1 cup milk
4 eggs
A bundt pan

(Let me just say to start – grating the chocolate is the most time consuming part of this cake. I’ve found that using a zester instead of a grater works so much better. In any event, grate your chocolate first before doing anything else and you’ll be happy you did.)

With mixer, beat together cake mix, vanilla pudding, oil and eggs. Fold in grated chocolate. Put half of mixture into bundt pan, add enough chocolate chips to your liking, put rest of mixture on top (and maybe a few more chocolate chips?) Make sure chocolate chips are pushed into the top layer of cake mix. Lick the spoon, bowl and detach and lick the mixer blades, seriously. It’s that good.)

Bake at 350 deg. for an hour or until inserted knife or toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool in the bundt pan (I can’t stress this enough!). Once cool, tip over onto plate and cover with powered sugar if you wish.

AuburnChick speaking again…

Instead of the milk, I used water because Mr. AuburnChick and I are lactose-intolerant.  I don’t do soy, and supposed “lactose-free” products still hurt our stomachs.

The cake was a huge hit!  Here’s a picture of what was left over:

Yeah, I know.  Nothing.  The family (plus Guy Friend) inhaled it.

We went to see Madagascar 2, and on the way home we stopped at the grocery store to pick up boxes of cake mix and pudding.  I’ve been requested to make another cake for Thanksgiving Dinner.

I’m off to check on my eggs…

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Knitting Up More Stockings for the Troops

Posted on November 2, 2008 by auburnchick

Boy, is this project addicting!  The mini-stockings project that I started working on yesterday has quickly taken over my knitting life. Thankfully I’m subbing every day this week, so I’ll use my free time (i.e. Planning) to work on them.

Y’all saw the first one I made in yesterday’s post.  Here are three more that I’ve completed since then:

I Love This Yarn - Color #530/Green Camo Stripe

I Love This Yarn - Color #530/Green Camo Stripe

I Love This Yarn - Color #40/Red

I Love This Yarn - Color #40/Red

I Love This Yarn - Color #672/Mistletoe Ombre

I Love This Yarn - Color #672/Mistletoe Ombre

I’ve been playing a bit with the loops, trying to figure out the best way to make them.  I tried i-cord, but it’s tedious.  Then I tried casting on 30 stitches and then casting them off.  This made a nice cord, but it’s a little too thick.  On my third attempt, I crocheted a single strand of stitches.  I think I like this method best.  I can do it using the tail from my cast on, and it’s thinner too.

I’m going to take a small break from knitting these stockings to work up a little something for a friend.  I joined a Cold Weather Drink Swap over on the Virtual Knit and Spin forum on Ravelry.  My partner is figaro, who is also a buddy on KH.  There’s a $5 limit, and all items must fit into a padded 9×11 mailing envelope.  The challenge is fun, and I love how creative it’s causing me to be.

So, no pictures of what I’m cooking up for her.  I think she may read my blog, and I wouldn’t want to spill the beans.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Knitting ADHD

Posted on November 1, 2008 by auburnchick

I think I have knitting ADHD.  Do you know what I’m talking about?

I have always been a one-project-at-a-time gal, but lately, I find myself dreaming of other projects.  The project I currently have on my needles are the Knotty or Knice socks from the latest issue of Interweave Knits.  I’ve completed the first sock and have worked two pattern repeats of the second sock.  But I have to admit that I’m getting distracted.

Perhaps I could blame it on the holidays…except that I’m not planning on doing much holiday knitting.

Nope, that’s not it.

I think it’s simply that I’m tired of working on the socks.  I’ll jump at any chance to put them aside.

A few days ago, Rockin’ Rooster asked me if I would make him a beanie.  I’ve had this pamphlet laying around for a few months now:

I bought it at Hobby Lobby and have made one hat out of it already.

Needless to say, I was extremely pleased that a member of my immediate family would ask me to make them something.  The next day, I headed straight to the store to find the perfect yarn.  Look at the pamphlet above…at the fourth beanie on the second row.  That’s the one that Rooster wanted me to make him.   He wanted it in green and orange.  The official name of the pattern is Nothing But Ribbing Beanie.  I bought two skeins of  Lion Brand Wool-Ease.  The colors are Paprika and Forest Green Heather.  I was a bit unsure…thinking that the colors would be too dark, but Rooster gave me the green light to proceed, so I did.  Here’s the result:

I modified the pattern a bit to allow for the striping, and I am pleased with the way it turned out except for the places where I carried the yarn up.  I’ve got to figure out how to do this in such a way that there’s not a heavier “seam” going up the hat.  The average person wouldn’t notice it, but I do.  Anyhow, I worked three rounds of the green and then one round of the orange…all the way up the hat.

With the hat finished, I turned to my next project.

I recently learned of an effort to provide mini stockings to the troops serving overseas.  You can read more about it here.  The thing that touched me about this project is that these stockings are going to servicemen and women who are not receiving mail.  Believe it or not, there are many who receive little to no mail.  That must be very sad.  One of the gals at KnittingHelp.com has organized an effort to contribute to this project.  The response has been incredible.  We’ve already made over 100!!

Here’s my first one:

I’m subbing for four days in the same classroom this week, and I’m going to ask my students if they want to decorate note cards for us to place inside some of the stockings.  I’m hoping they decide to do it.  Of course, this will have to be done at home as I don’t want to interrupt the work already planned by the teacher.  However, I have faith that the kids’ hearts will be touched, just like mine was when I heard about it.

Excited about this project, I went shopping for more Christmas-colored yarn today.  I ran into Ms M, and we went from one craft store to another.  She’s been crocheting some stockings too!  Here’s the yarn I bought at Hobby Lobby today:

Fortunately, the store manager kindly found a 40% coupon, so I saved some money on the purchase.

And here’s a skein of yarn I bought at Michael’s (with a 40% coupon):

I’m going to make the hat on the label.  Soccer Chick’s sports trainer (who was also her physical therapist after her sugery) is expecting twin girls in January.  When I paid for this yarn, another 40% coupon printed out, so I’m going to go back and buy another skein, in a different color.  Mr. AuburnChick wasn’t even mad when I told him.  He wants to give these as Christmas gifts.  Whew!

So, do you see what I mean?  My focus is totally gone.  I want to knit EVERYTHING!!!

Sigh…

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Never Too Busy To Knit

Posted on September 25, 2008 by auburnchick

What a crazy week I’ve had!  What, with Soccer Chick’s crisis and my new adventure in the world of subbing, it’s a wonder that I’ve been able to knit.

But I have!  And boy, have I been busy!

A long time ago, I fell in love with the Koolhaas Hat. You can purchase the pattern here.

Then, I received a gift certificate for Kaleidoscope Yarns and went in search of something nice to buy.

I bought two skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca Silk. The color is “Peapod,” #141. You can read about the yarn here. Oh man, is it soft! Here’s a picture of the pre-knit up yarn:

I went hunting for patterns on Ravelry before I bought the yarn and saw that someone had used it to make the Koolhaas Hat.

Bingo! The perfect match!

So, like the other person, I doubled the yarn (hence my purchase of two skeins) and cast on this project on 9/13…finishing tonight (9/19). I used up 85g of my yarn (each skein is 50g).

Getting started was a challenge because I didn’t have DPNs that were the right size, nor the 16″ cable. However, I decided to use Magic Loop. The pattern works absolutely fine done this way. Whew!

The pattern is not hard, if you are comfortable doing cable work. However, the slickness of the yarn made it impossible to do the cables without cable needles. What a chore!

I persevered and am really glad I did. The top of the hat, IMHO, is gorgeous! This pattern is smartly written, despite my aggravation with the cables.

I’m pleased because although I didn’t do a gauge swatch, the hat came out the perfect size for me, proving there’s a first time for everything.

On to the pictures!

The yarn is actually a darker color. Maybe a sage color? The next picture was taken with the flash on. I tried to fix it, but oh well.

And a view of the top…

Now, knitters typically move along from one project to the next.  Y’all know that I am coordinating the West Coast Oddball Baby Blanket Project.  Our blog is located here, if you want to take a peek.

Last week, Shandeh, of KH fame, sent me a HUGE box of goodies…yarn, needles, and a few things for little ole me.

Here are close-ups of what’s on the table…

DK Weight Yarn for Preemie Blankets

DK Weight Yarn for Preemie Blankets

DK and Worsted Weight Yarn

DK and Worsted Weight Yarn

Goodies for AuburnChick!

Goodies for AuburnChick!

The Baby Bee yarn is incredibly soft, so I couldn’t wait to cast on!  I wound up casting on four blankets this week and will mail them off this weekend.

For Lemonade Stand, I used the Checkerboard pattern from the book knit & purl. The yarn is Baby Bee Sweet Delight, and the color is “Sunny.”

I only knit about an inch so we can fit in six other knitters, giving more people a chance to work on it.  Actually, this is what I did for all of the blankets I cast on this week.

Lemonade Stand

Lemonade Stand

For Little Boy Blue, I used Yarn Bee Sweet Delight, and the color is Blueboy. I used the pattern Stocking Stitch Triangles from the knit & purl book.

Little Boy Blue

Little Boy Blue

Here’s Carousel. I used Yarn Bee Sweet Delight, and the color is “Carousel.” I cast on 85 stitches and used the Check Pattern from my knit & purl book.

Carousel

Carousel

Here’s Puppy Love. I used the same brand of yarn, and the color is “Puppy.” The pattern is Twisted Moss I from the same book mentioned above. I cast on 85 stitches for this blanket.

The picture doesn’t show the flecks of color in this yarn. It’s not completely cream colored.

Puppy Love

Puppy Love

Now that the blankets are started, I can resume work on a beanie for Soccer Chick’s “guy friend.”  He asked me to make him one out of the school colors.  I found a pattern and have begun work on it.  It’s going to be a bit challenging, though, because he has asked me to put his soccer number on it, so I’ll be learning how to do a duplicate stitch.

My friend, Shandeh (mentioned above) interestingly enough just posted on her blog about her latest duplicate stitching adventure.  It’s worth a look-see.

Ok…I hope this makes up for all of the recent “Poor Me” posts lately.  I’m off to work on “Guy Friend’s” beanie.  I’ll post updates…

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

AuburnChick Succumbs to Temptation

Posted on July 25, 2008 by auburnchick

BRIEF INTERRUPTION…

Littlest Chick will henceforth be referred to as Rockin Rooster. Thanks, Megan, from the Stitch-It Ravelry forum, for this suggestion! We mulled over each idea very carefully and decided that this name fit the bill nicely, being something he will not outgrow as he ages.

AND NOW, BACK TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM…

AuburnChick has hit the road again. Soccer Chick’s team is playing in a national tournament in Virginia Beach, so we loaded up the car and headed out Thursday afternoon.

Packing for this almost week-long, 13-hour each way trip proved challenging. As fellow knitters, I’m sure you can identify with the following scene.

I arrived home from taking the kids to youth group and decided to get busy preparing for the trip. What’s the first thing a knitter packs when going on a trip? Clothes? Um, no. Toiletries? Wrong-o. Of course, it’s the knitting that goes into the bag first. Clothes and other stuff go in last, and if there’s no room, my motto is that you buy them when you get to your destination.

I currently have three works in progress. This is way more than the one I usually have, but into the bag they went, along with all possibly-needed accessories and patterns.

Next, I decided to pack yarn and needles for the charity blankets I hope to cast on this week. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but I am heading up the West Coast Oddball Baby Blanket project that’s based over on KnittingHelp.com. You’ve seen the other blankets I’ve worked on. Well, wonderful Shandeh, brave leader of the entire project, decided to split the country into regions to make the project more manageable. I was asked to coordinate one region. I’m very excited about this. I created a blog for the project, found here. My region covers the states of California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Hawaii. If you live in one of these states and want to participate, please let me know. We have a thread going over on Ravelry in case you’re not on KH, so you can stay connected there as well. Or, you don’t have to be a part of either site. Just drop me a line, and I’ll explain how the project works. It’s a fabulous way to use your talents to benefit others…without having to make a humongous time commitment to knit an entire blanket.

Within 30 minutes, I had filled up two bags with knitting supplies. My family was not amused that half of our trunk is devoted to my hobby addiction.

Now, being the techie that I am, I also cannot leave home without my gadets. Enter in my laptop, with its 17″ screen (aka a LARGE computer bag), and my new camera.

Oh, I didn’t tell you about that yet? Well, remember that my old camera was kicking the bucket. It finally quit sputtering and completely died. I just cannot be without a camera. My blog requires the frequent posting of pictures, plus I want to capture every drop of sweat that Soccer Chick works up on the field.

After much inquiring and research, I finally went to Best Buy, where I totally disregarded everything I had previously read and fell into the tech trap that frequently engulfs me the moment I step foot into that place. To be fair, I passed by the $899 cameras. There’s a line I won’t cross, and that was it. Stepping over to the cheaper aisle, I was quickly overwhelmed by all of the shiny gadgets. I was like a kid in a candy store…I wanted everything!

Timing is everything. At that very moment, Mr. Young Salesman appeared at my elbow.

“Hello, you look like you’re confused and thus willing to spend an exorbitant amount of money right now. Allow me to lead you down the path to debt.”

Yeah, that was me alright. And boy did he lead me astray. It was almost like he had chocolate in his pocket, and my sniffers knew that and followed blindly behind him.

Sure, I’ll take that expensive camera that happens to be on sale this week (of course).

4gb memory card, that’s also on sale this week? Of course. Why not. I’m gullible today.

Extra warranty? In case I drop my camera in the toilet? Sure thing! You go boy. Ring it up!

To my credit, I bought the generic camera bag.

I walked out of there the proud new owner of a Nikon Coolpix P80. It’s got 10.1 megapixels and 18x optical zoom. No longer will I have to wait until the second half of the game when Soccer Chick is on my side of the field. I can photograph ever hair of her unshaven leg from across the park, if I want. I’m sure she’ll appreciate this comment, but since she doesn’t read my blog (thinks it’s stupid, but what does she know), who cares.

Here are a few of the pictures I’ve taken so far…

My Leaf Lace Scarf…

A Little Slip of a Thing…

Pele (Soccer Chick’s dog)…

Molly…

Aubie…

This is Ziggy, Soccer Chick’s teammate’s dog…

I plan on posting more pictures from Virginia. I can’t wait! The scenery is beautiful up there, which should give me ample opportunity to play with my new toy.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

AuburnChick Wraps Some Presents

Posted on July 13, 2008 by auburnchick

I fixed Ms. Jean’s care package yesterday! What a grand time I had too!!!

FYI…I LOVE wrapping presents at Christmas. Lots of ribbon is the key.

I did the best I could, using tissue paper, so the individual packages are odd-shaped.

I kept all of the cards with the items they belonged to.

Here’s what it looked like when I got started…

Here’s what it looked like after I had wrapped a few items…

Here’s what they all looked like when I got done…

Here’s a close-up of the note I wrote…

Now it was time to put everything in a box. Easier said than done. The first box was too small, so I tried another one.

Obviously, this one was too small. Time to move up in size…

I figured out that you can smoosh packages only so much before they quit smooshing.

I didn’t have another box big enough, so I trotted off to the post office to get one. It poured down rain, of course. I was wet when I got home, but dab-nab-it…I had the box I needed…

The box I wound up with is on the left.

I’m going to put it in the mail on Monday.

I sure do wish I could see her face when she opens everything. Of course, not seeing is really part of the joy in giving. Kind of like leaving a gift for a neighbor, ringing the doorbell, and running like crazy to avoid detection.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

A Knitter in Need

Posted on July 12, 2008 by auburnchick

This week, I received a prayer request from a friend on Knittinghelp.com. Her 10 year-old son was badly burned in an accident. He received 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 60% of his body and was transported to a Shriner’s hospital for long-term care. He will probably be at the hospital for a couple of months, minimum.

The knitter and I have grown to know each other through our chat sessions on the KH site. She works nights and pops in during the early evening hours before her shifts begin. I’ve asked her questions about my animals, since she works at an animal clinic, and we’ve commiserated about raising children. It’s amazing to me how the internet has brought me close to so many people.

Something that humbles me is the fact that she turned to me for prayer. I don’t know if she is a Christian, but she knows that I am, and that she can count on me to pray. One of the first times that we actually “clicked” during a chat was when she told me that she had a good night at work the evening before. I was glad for her but didn’t understand the point she was making. Sometimes I’m a bit slow, you see.

She went on to explain that the afternoon before, I had told her that I would pray that her evening was slow, with the hope that there would be few pet emergencies. Apparently, the Lord had answered my prayers for her that evening, and it touched her heart. It’s something she hasn’t forgotten and a reason why she turned to me a few days ago.

I am humbled.

I am not a perfect person…far from it, in fact. My family can testify to this, trust me. I am conscientious, though, when I’m out in “public.” I am very aware that people are watching me. Our lives are, for the most part, open books. That I have garnered any kind of respect is not of my own doing but the Lord’s. He turns the ugly in me into something beautiful in others’ eyes. That is a miracle in itself because the ugly is really ugly. Trust me. I know myself.

My friend gave me the phone number and address of the hospital, and I gathered my nerves and called her. What do you say to a person you’ve never actually met?

“Hello, this is Nathalie…uh, AuburnChick, how are you?”

That was a good beginning. I told her my heart aches for her and that I’m praying for her. I asked what we can do for her, and she was very hesitant. It’s difficult to receive help from others. I told her that she would have her turn to give one day. Thankfully, she has grown more willing to tell me what she needs. Once I had my list, I got moving. I immediately posted a request on Knittinghelp.com, and the response has been immediate and extremely generous.

One knitter has begun a Granny Square Knit-a-Long. Her goal is to get 20 8×8 squares and have them seamed together into a blanket by the middle of August. This is the same knitter who will be doing the border for Ms. Jean’s blanket.

One of our Canadian members organizes a charity blanket project with other Canadian KH’ers. They have unanimously decided to donate their Teddy Bear Love blanket to my friend’s son. It is a beautiful blanket. I’ve seen pictures.

Many people are sending cards and other goodies to the hospital. Some have sent money to my Paypal account. I will use this money to purchase prepaid cell phone cards, balloons (mylar, of course), and some other types of gift cards…perhaps Walmart or Visa cards to help pay for the practical needs of the family.

I am incredibly awed by the outpouring of love. A knitter in need is the SOS that draws the masses to the rescue.

If you want to contribute to this cause by sending money or a card or any other item, please let me know. Please keep my friend, her son, and the rest of her family in your prayers.

Filed under: Knitting, This-n-That | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

Goodies for Ms. Jean

Posted on July 10, 2008 by auburnchick

Over the last few weeks, I’ve mentioned a project I’m involved with. A group of knitters on KnittingHelp (and a couple from Ravelry) banded together to produce home-crafted items for a fellow KH’er. Mason’s (Knitting_Guy) mom, Ms. Jean, underwent surgery to remove her larynx and is supposed to be undergoing a second round of chemo.

We wanted to something nice for a member of our “family.” The items have been trickling in over the last couple of months.

I wanted to post pictures of all of the items so everyone could take one quick look at everything.

Before I start posting pictures, I wanted to say thank you to every person who participated. You know who you are. As I’ve said before, crafters are a special group of people…overly generous and quick to respond to needs. I have been touched as I’ve opened each package and seen the creativity and care given. Thank you for allowing me to organize this.

Y’all rock!

And now, on to the photos…posted in the order I received them.

One knitter had a bump in her plans when her dog tried to help her knit.

She sent me a non-doggified hat later (picture is posted a little further down).

Here are items that were completed without the…er…”assistance” of furry friends…

A washcloth…

A bath mitt…

More hats…

A couple more washcloths…

In addition to the above items, the group wanted to make Ms. Jean a blanket. Our original hope was to get at least 14 squares. I think we wound up with 28 or 30! One of our knitters is seaming them together, and another knitter will crochet a border. Here are the squares that we received. I don’t think I have photos of all of them. I do apologize if you don’t see your’s. Send me a picture, and I’ll post it!

The blanket will be sent separately. I wish I could see Ms. Jean’s face when she opens her packages.

This is why I started knitting…for the joy of making something practical yet loved.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

4 Blankets in 6 Days

Posted on April 26, 2008 by auburnchick

Whew! This was a busy week!

When I got home from my trip last weekend, I found I had two blankets to work on. Here is a picture of Melon Medley. I decided to continue the moss stitch that the previous knitter had used. I dug into my stash and opted for the Caron’s Simply Soft “Limelight” that I’m so fond of. I just LOVE the way it looks up against the pink watermelon color!

The next blanket to get attention was Ocean Blues. Shandeh, from KnittingHelp.com, sent me the yarn and needles to get this blanket started. I used the Ripple pattern I had posted about before. The yarn is Bernat Softee Baby, and the color is “Bongo Blue.” The blanket turned out quite lovely, if I do say so myself.

Next in line was Pretty Princess. I really wanted to use my white I Love This Yarn stuff, but I decided to keep with the pink theme and used Caron’s Simply Soft “Pink” instead. The stitch is called Moss Stitch Diamonds from my knit & purl book.

And last, but not least, was the Easter Basket blanket. Look at the goodies I received with the blanket! The purple yarn was hand-spun by one of my chat buddies, who got started on the Oddball project after I talked it up in the chat one evening.

For my portion of the blanket, I used Caron’s Simply Soft “Baby Brights Ombre.” Although I really like using Caron’s Simply Soft, this particular color is NOT soft! It feels more like Red Heart. I like the colors though. It looks like fruit loops when you knit it up. The stitch pattern is called Gaston’s Stitch.

Did you happen to notice that the first picture of the blanket shows the blanket on grass? Well, I was at a soccer game when I knit up the last six rows. I finished as the girls were warming up for their game, which was kind of a bummer because, although I do watch the games, knitting during throw-ins and half-time are huge stress relievers. And believe me…I needed a stress reliever during today’s game.

My daughter’s team is currently in the state playoffs. This isn’t high school ball but travel ball…elite stuff. Well, the other team scored immediately off of a corner kick…much to the shock of all of the parents. My stomach started churning at this point.

If I had not completed the blanket, I would have been furiously knitting away. Without those needles in my hands…well, let’s just say that I had a difficult time coping. The game went back and forth. The other team scored with two minutes in the game, putting them up by one. Then, out of the blue, one of our girls boomed it from the center and it went over the other keeper’s head. We tied! The referee blew his whistle.

Overtime.

Grrr…no knitting in my hands…grr…

Two ten-minute overtimes later, and the game was still tied.

Penalty kicks.

Grrr…no knitting in my hands…grrr…

First two kickers on each team get their balls past the keepers. Our third kicker scores. Then, their kicker kicks it, and our goal keeper STOPS it!

Our fourth kicker goes up and makes her goal, getting it in. Their fourth kicker goes up.

Our keeper STOPS it!!

We win!

Relief!

At that point, I literally could not walk…my legs were weak. I was too shaken to do anything but enjoy the moment. At some point, I will relax and start the comfort throw for my friend.

But tomorrow is another test…another game. If we win, we’ll go to Final Four. Another stressful day. I will have a project with me tomorrow.

Filed under: Knitting, soccer | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

« Previous Page — Next Page »
  • December 2025
    S M T W T F S
     123456
    78910111213
    14151617181920
    21222324252627
    28293031  

  • Currently Reading

  • Books I’ve Read