Big News!

I have been a single working mom essentially since I found out that I was expecting - my kids' dad is, well, crap - to put it mildly. This spring has brought alot of stress to me, though. Kerry was expelled from daycare last fall and the end of the year is coming fast. Daycare is really expensive and the one we can't go to is the one that has assistance. Gas prices are going crazy, too, and I drive about forty minutes just to get to work. Well, Eric and I have been talking alot about my options, and he's agreed to let me stay home with the kids all summer! Wooo! I'm in a bit of shock, of course, but so excited. I've been with my job for a very long time. It will be really weird to not get up early to get there. And, of course, there's the whole thought of being alone with my kids for the whole summer - every day, all day. It's a huge lifestyle change. I'm really thrilled to have the opportunity, though. Wish me luck!

In other news, Khloe is healing up nicely. She will probably only have a little scar. She's back to being fearless and started tumbling classes last week. Here's a picture of her with Grandpa - aren't they cute?

On the yarny front, I finished a shawl but don't have any pictures of it, although I wore it out to dinner Saturday night. I'll discuss it more when you can see it. I'm going slow on the sock because I started a clapotis. That is so far my favorite pattern. I'm making it in laceweight that I dyed in the Ravenclaw movie colors. (Unfortunately, it's the same colors as the Dallas Cowboys. Oh, well, what can you do?) I'm already in the eighth increase section - I'm making it big since the yarn is so little. This is my first time using laceweight, so I wanted a project that I'm confident with. No frustration right now, please!

I've been dyeing a little - I ran out of yarn and had to get some more. It's interesting to look at the hand-dyed yarns on etsy. Every dyer has such a unique style. Anna's is so natural, Pixie's is bright and bold, some are clear sections of color, and some flow like, well, paints going down the drain when you rinse out brushes. Beautiful skeins are really works of art, I think, and I hope that someone sees my work as beautiful.

That's all for this morning. I'll try to be a better blogger as my time frees up.

Just wondering...

I took Khloe to her first tumbling class tonight, and as I worked on my sock and watched my girl do cartwheels I listened to the moms behind me. The list of activities they have their kids in is staggering. When is it too much? It wears me out just hearing all of their stuff. Their kids must do their homework in the car between dance and karate or something. Jeesh. I may not be supermom but I know that kids should be kids and have fun while they can.
It has really warmed up outside. My roses are getting leaves! Yay! The grass is green and pretty. I'm so glad it's finally nice - we had such a long, crazy winter. It will feel so good to be out working with my plants and getting the yard pretty. Aahhh....spring.

What a Week

I'm glad that last week is over. It was crazy. I ran out of my happy medicine just as the pms hit stronger than usual, Khloe had an attitude with me, Eric was feeling icky and was therefore crabby, and I had cramps so bad that I had to leave work early on Friday. I started to set up for some serious dyeing on Saturday - no kids, Eric was out - just me and some yarn - when the phone rang - it was the ex telling me that Khloe had fallen and probably needed stitches but he couldn't get her to the hospital. I had my parents get her and meet me at the emergency room. It was a nasty gash in her little chin. She was very upset. I kept my cool and worked a little on a WIP while we waited. My baby now has six stitches right under her chinbone. She's still beautiful. Oh, and she found out how Grandpa really feels about her - he wasn't even off the phone with me before he was out the door to get her and stayed at the hospital with us until she was done. He checked on her first thing Sunday morning and each day since. Yup. He's SuperGrandpa, all right.

I'm really trying to make this week better. I started by finishing my $5 in Paris sweater. It looks so good, too. Unfortunately I chose the wrong yarn to use. It's very itchy so I'll have to wear it layered which isn't quite the look I was going for, but the wool will be nice and warm next winter.

I have alot of other sweater patterns to choose from, both from books and online. I'm going to make a few more. I love sweaters and know I'll feel great wearing one that I've knit myself - I love wearing my crocheted ones. I'll be crocheting a couple more, too. Since it's warming up, though, I want to work on smaller projects - who wants a lap full of warmth on a warm sunny day? I want to make several pairs of socks. There are so many beautiful designs and yarns. I'm loving all of the lacy scarves, too. Oh, speaking of socks, my Bellatrix is coming along nicely. I really love this pattern. Even though this is still my first pair of them, I have more planned.

The yarn dyeing has been so much fun for me. I've discovered that I prefer kettle dyeing to painting because it's easier to do other things, too. Here is what I've done so far. Only two of them will go in the shop. The blue and gray on top is laceweight and will become a clapotis soon. My first try at kettle dyeing is the purple in the middle and it turned out too pretty so I have to keep it. It will be great with a lacy sock pattern. I'm sure I have several to chose from.

Oh, yeah, that's something else from last week - I decided to try to settle myself down by doing some pattern browsing, and found that Magknits is gone. Gone. I had several patterns there that I wanted to do. Now I need to wait for the designers to put them up on ravelry or their blogs or just pout and do without. Hmmm...maybe the purple would be good for Jaywalkers. (I did find that pattern already, thank goodness.)

No, I don't know how to link to things by clicking on the name, like clapotis or jaywalker. I'm kind of slow with computers. Maybe one of you can show me how. Hint, hint.

Well, I think that's all for now. Talk to you again soon!

Recent FO's

I just realized that I haven't posted any new pictures! So, here are Shona's shawl, which she likes I just found out today, and a throw that I whipped up for Erica. It's made out of furry yarn from Hobby Lobby that was on sale.

To "B" or Not To "B"

I've been thinking about all of my WIPs and how to get them all finished. I started, you may remember, the famous Weasley sweater not long ago. I'm still working on the back but have been wondering what to do on the front. The traditional sweater has the wearer's initial on the chest. I've considered a big B but can't find a font that I really like. I have some charts from StreetLegal Designs, one is thirty different star designs and the other is very different designs like tribal designs and Egyptian motifs. They're all great but not really what I want on this particular sweater. While talking to Jenny about it the answer became clear - Sirius's tattoo! I'll have to chart it out, but it will be perfect.
I have a few rows left on the sleeve of the purple sweater. I think a sleeveless version in a cottony yarn is in order for summer. I want to get my first sweater done before it's too warm to wear it.
Kerry is really doing well with counseling. I'm so happy. He's so smart and fun, and his problems were really starting to affect his learning and friendships.
I'm so excited about dyeing yarns with Jenny. I have so many ideas! I have a notebook in my (huge new) purse so I can write everything down instead of trying to remember it all. I have tons of dyes to play with and yarns to experiment on. I'm trying to be organized, though, which for me is really hard.
I've started journaling again, and I gave the kids journals to keep, too. We're all enjoying it so far.
Back to knitting - how many WIPs is enough at one time? I'm thinking three - a pair of socks, a big item like a sweater or the messenger bag, and a shawl/wrap item with some laciness. I think that will be my goal, with a dishcloth or charity square thrown in for fun here and there. I get so excited every time I see a new pattern and need to remind myself to finish things. Three WIPs, Bobbi!