Author: eaumaison (Page 56 of 207)

Winter FOs

Ive had a busy little winter of knitting so far, with many lovely FOs (finished objects) to show for it!  I’m so pleased with all these, I had to share them here in addition to my Ravelry account.
(The next time you wonder why I haven’t blogged in a while, remember this list representing my work from November to January.  My fingers are probably busy with yarn instead of a keyboard.)
I made this cardigan for Amanda for her birthday.  It’s made with a linen blend from Madelinetosh called Dandelion.  It should get very soft and drapey with washing and wearing.  The garment is knit in one piece from top to bottom. 
Here is a warm hat with two different yarns I spun myself.  Never got a great photo of it.  Also, I made it a little too long and I keep thinking about pulling out the brim to take and inch off.  But it’s wearable as is. 
These are mittens I made for my Dad for Christmas.  I hadn’t used this brand of yarn before.  It was so nubbly and fun to knit with!  I’d love a whole sweater out of it (but it would cost an arm and a leg!)
This hat was a fun, quick project I gave to Jenn for Christmas.  The pattern is called Beeswax and I found this rich amber Madelinetosh Tosh DK for it.  I added a removable pompom and bee pins.  This picture is before I blocked it.  Jenn, please send me a better product photo for my collection! 
Not too exciting, but I had these sock “hibernating” on needles for over a year.  I finally finished the second sock.  For some reason the old one is much tighter than the one I finished recently!  Annoying, but I still wear them. 
I made these socks with Madelinetosh Sock yarn.  I hadn’t used that type before, but like all things Madelinetosh, it was delightful to work with.  My feet want to wear hand knit socks every day!  Someone has a birthday coming up and would love some more sock yarn 😉 
Ben gave me some luxurious Woolfolk yarn for Christmas.  It’s only merino wool but it’s as soft as cashmere and so squishy soft.  I turned it into a cowl with lots of undulating brioche stitch ridges.  Love it so much, I’m wearing it now. 
You may not remember this sweater from 2014 (but you probably remember that hair – yeesh!).  I had a hard time wearing this cardigan.  Too hot in warm weather, too cold for chilly days.  Not many outfits were flattered by it. 
Such a shame.  I was proud of the construction and work and I love the color and yarn (another Madelinetosh Tosh DK), but what good is that if I don’t wear it?  
In a rush of bravery, I unraveled the whole thing.  I put them in loose hanks and reset the twist in a warm water bath.  After drying I wound them all back into cakes to use again. 
I made this sweater last spring of 2015.  I loved the fit, but hated the cheap yarn from Hobby Lobby.  It pilled terribly, looked messy after just a season of occasional use, and didn’t block well. 
I decided to make this pattern again using the Tosh DK recycled yarn.  It’s a masterpiece!  I’ve never been happier with a sweater I knit.  
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It looks great and fits great – despite a lot of improvising.  I had to adapt the pattern from fingering to DK weight (I’d already had to change it from fingering to worsted on the brown sweater).  I also added a deeper collar with shaping and cables along the body side and up the inner sleeve.  I jumped around from sleeve to neck to body, doing a little at a time to make sure I had enough yarn for each direction of growth. 
Now I’m working on a new shawl with (you guessed it) Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light.  I have four gorgeous colors and a pattern with fun, new techniques.  Too bad I can only work on it when kids are sleeping.  If I try to knit when Sam is around he claims my lap. 
I have two non-knit finished objects to show off.  Jack saw Dr. Doom on Super Hero Squad swearing a snuggie.  He asked me if I could make him “a blanket with sleeves.”  Sure! What else is a crafty mom to do but whip up two snuggies on a Saturday night. 

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Christmas in pictures

Poor Sam was very sick on Christmas.  He couldn’t muster much energy for toy playing, except for zoning out with his new tablet.  Jack took up the slack and had a fantastic time.  Overall it was a splendid, chill day, with a lot of presents, treats, and family time. 

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Twinkling lights and the Land of Sweets

Tonight I took Jack to his first ballet as a special Mom and Jack date.  He was hesitant about the evening, not convinced that he would have fun without snacks or toys as part of the deal.  It turned out to be a great night of wonder and awe. 

The nutcracker

First we took a pedicab from the theater parking lot to dinner.  Jack was thrilled!  There was a blanket for us to wear and a friendly driver who took us through the wintery streets of LoDo.  Jack marveled at the lights everywhere and grinned ear to ear the whole ride despite the cold.

We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.  Jack has no appreciation for restaurant service, but managed to have an okay time there.  They had pizza that he picked at while I enjoyed their avocado eggrolls.  We made it a quick trip.  Jack has had a sore throat and sniffles for a couple days and it was starting to wear him out. 

The nutcracker

I took him around across the street to the Rocket Fizz candy shop and he REALLY perked up.  We picked up an assortment of candies to suck on during the show to help with is cough.  No pedicabs passed our way so we had to walk the few blocks back to the theater.  Twinkly lights, soft snow falling, and smiling people everywhere – we didn’t mind one bit.

The nutcracker

The show was wonderful!  I like this newer version they’ve put together.  The sets and costumes were impressive.  I liked how they made Clara seem to shrink.  They had good humor and magic tricks in the first act.  The Dewdrop and Sugar Plum Fairy were really really really good. 

Jack liked it as well as I could realistically have hoped for!  He was totally focused on the show.  Laughing and clapping along.  The magic astounded him – the tree growing, the sword going through the Rat King (via the armpit), the empty boxes suddenly having doll dancers inside, and the firecracker boom and flash when the Nutcracker doll transforms to human.  He said he favorite part was the Chinese dancer who jumped on a pole and danced with a three-person Chinese dragon that blinked and wagged its butt.  He also liked learning about the orchestra before the show and went to see them some more at intermission. 

I continuously fed him lifesavers candies to help keep his cough down.  He sat on my lap the whole show.  We tried the booster seats but the foam collapsed so much it didn’t help.  On my lap we could whisper to each other when he had questions.

He started to lose it during the snow scene, right before intermission, and again at the grand pas de deux.  Very wiggling and sighing.  I don’t blame him, that’s a lot for a five year old to endure 😉

The nutcracker

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The nutcrackerThe nutcracker(Above is the same picture with varying light levels.  Very hard to use a camera phone in a crowded lobby with pretty light projection and a tired kid)

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js When we emerged from the theater there was a brass band playing Christmas carols and Star Wars themes. 

He had a really good time.  I got all kinds of Christmas jolly feels and I think he did too. 

Merry Christmas!

Snow Day!

I got a phone call at 5:20 AM that the school district was closed.  We got oodles of powdery, blowing snow that’s still falling at 3:15 pm.  Everyone (except poor Amanda!) is stuck at home today.  Best to make the most of it!

Phineas and Ferb in jammies, Jack is finding out that school is cancelled.
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Sam probably enjoyed the extra hour and a half of sleeping without realizing it.  He’s still catching up sleep from last weekend.
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Fluffy pancakes!
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Claymation Christmas shorts.
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The boys join me in baking gingerbread cupcakes.
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It’s an aggressive activity for them.  “My turn, my turn!” and lots of snatching away tools.  I spend most of the time pre-measuring ingredients away from them, mediating the turn taking, and acting as referee when someone makes a foul move. But all is forgotten when it’s time to lick the bowl.
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Now it’s quiet time and I’m taking a break.  Trying not to feel guilty while I do this:
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while Ben does this- for the third time today!  He’s my hero. 
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A Convalescent Christmas

Last weekend I was able to help/distract my mom while she recovers from knee replacement surgery.  Sam came along while Ben and Jack stayed in Arvada for work and school.  We had a grand time with all grandparents in Grand Junction (hey! what a perfect name for the town now that they all live there).

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Who knew walkers make perfect fort infrastructure?

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We had the pleasure of playing with Martha too, who came down from Utah. 

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Sam is a very poor sleeper.  Crying all night, overtired during the day.  Here he just couldn’t muster any longer.

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“Ride with Gammah!”

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Orthopedic stools and benches also make great obstacle courses.

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Thank you for letting us crash!  Mom is doing really well and walking around much more than I expected by now.  I hope she is all healed in time for their next big trip (Italy, I hear).

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