The Answer

How many pairs of little girls socks can be made froma skein of Tofutsies?

4.

Ask me how I know.

Now that I have used up that yarn that has been lurking in the stash for far too long, I am moving on to the latest STR kit.

I'm reserving judgement on this one. The colour is alright. The pattern is fine. I think I'll need to see it on my foot to know if I like it or not. And I need to knit these up quickly because the Edmonton Knitter's Lace-a-long is starting next week and I know I'll be itching to start once we get the first clue.

Things you could never have enough of....

I was thinking the other day of one of my favorite articles of clothing - the white t-shirt. I have a variety of them in my closet - from short-sleeves to long-sleeves, from crew neck to v-neck. I realized that I could likely never own too many white t-shirts. They are a staple in my wardrobe (and really a great choice under a hand-knit cardigan).

I think if you were to pose this question to knitters, what could you never have enough of, they would say "yarn". So, dear knitters, I'll modify this question for you:

Other than yarn, What could you never have enough of?

Travels

My week is mainly going to be composed of getting ready for a work-trip and spending as much time as possible with the boys before I go away. I'm only gone for 5 days, but I know (as much as I complain about them at times) I will miss them all terribly.

So what does a knitter do to get ready for a trip?

Find out where the yarn stores are of course.

I've enquired with the appropriate group on Ravelry and received some PMs as well regarding the different stores. I have a tentative plan for seeing what I can.

The next thing a knitter needs to plan....travel knitting. I actually have no idea what to bring. I'd like to finish my Kai-Mei socks, but I'd also like a really simple and easy to transport project. I will be stash-diving tonight to look at my options.

For now, back to the lists. Lists for packing, lists of meals I've prepared for the family, lists of reminders for my Love regarding all child-related activities (he would argue that he needs no lists....). I always feel more prepared once I've made a list.

What am I forgetting?

Decisions

Sometimes, there are projects so amazing, so jawdropping, so beautiful that you feel that you must knit them one day. Sylvi is that project for me. It is stunning. I picture myself strolling, ney sashaying down the catwalk, I mean street. I see myself smiling as other women gasp in awe at my lovely creation.

The only problem is what yarn? I mean, I'd need a lot and it could really add up if I pick something expensive. However, if I am making a lovely jacket that I will wear for always, perhaps I should invest in some quality yarn. (Thanks for pointing that out, Andi. Like I need an excuse to purchase expensive yarn. Remember this?) And how do I know if the yarn I select will stretch out over time? I plan on having it lined so that it will be warm and to give it a little added structure but will lining the sweater be enough to prevent sagging?

I think I'm going to have to just ask a whole lot of people who knit this lovely sweater. Thanks, Ravelry, for once again connecting knitters.

What do you think, Dear Readers? Help a knitter out.

In preparation

As you can tell from our last few posts, we here at Baad Medicine Inc. are anxiously awaiting the arrival of better weather. It is currently 0.1 degree Celsius (that's 32 degrees Fahrenheit). The snow that fell yesterday is gone, but it is anticipated we'll get some more today. I'm trying not to complain, just stating the facts.

Having said all that, summer will arrive. At some point.

In preparation for that, I completed my first summer knitting project.


It's a February Lady Sweater a la Teri. I added a button flap as I wanted it just nice and swingy for summer.


The button is from Robin (same place J. got hers....).

The forecast is hopeful for the weekend and so am I.

Summer Knitting

When we talk about knitting, most people picture wool. Great skeins of wool knit into cabled sweaters and hats and mittens. And while these garments are essential for those of us who live in northern climates, they are not worn for the whole year.

This spring has been cool here. It snowed yesterday. Not enough to stay on the ground, but snow is snow. I am looking ahead to a time when I won't need a jacket and the sun will warm my shoulders. I want to go about town, with my Princesses in tow, wearing this elegant number.

It's Delphine from French Girl Knits. I have some KnitPicks Simply Cotton, the first yarn I have purchased all year, just waiting to be worked up. This project is a bit of a gamble as the sizing seems to run small, so I'll be guessing as to which one to make. Cotton is quite a heavy fibre, so I'm hoping this yarn will drape nicely without sagging.

What do you knit with in the summer months?

A Cowboy Story

Well hey there little lady, do I have a story for you...


It takes place in the Wild West. Well at least, a little bit west of the big city.


It involves 2 little cowboys who were living the dream. The dream of driving tractors and living off the land.

And taking care of the animals.

Your favourite animals....

Animals that produce one of the finest things in the world.


Wait a minute...this could work.

I just have to keep the boys interested in farming, and we could make our very own Baad Medicine Farms...now that's living the dream.

As long as I don't have to live on the farm....

Happy Mother's Day

Great minds think alike.

For T's Mom.

For J's Mom.

And to all the Moms we know, we salute you. Motherhood is not for the weak.

Hey, Andi!

I forgot to show you my new buttons last night.

I guess you'll have to settle for crappy pictures from my phone.

I had a bird thing going on when I was buying them.

These last ones remind me of you. Is that weird?

All from buttonsbyrobin on etsy.

Friends Don't Let Friends...

...knit fingering weight sweaters. Seriously. What was I thinking?

The Apres Surf sweater appeared in the Interweave Knits Summer 2008 issue and I loved it from the start. I found some Louet Gems in just the right shade of purple at Make 1 Yarns last year. It seemed like fate.

Never mind that it would be like knitting 5 or 6 pairs of lace socks.

To be honest, it wasn't a very difficult knit. It did require attention and so I took regular breaks to knit plain socks. The whole thing was knit on 2.75 mm needles since I found that using the recommended 3.25 mm needles gave me a sweater back that would fit my husband.

In the end, I knit this sweater over a two month period and I have to say it turned out quite well if I do say so. It's a bit snug but that's part of it's appeal.

My next sweater will definitely be worsted weight.

Worry

My Grandma made worrying a hobby. She perfected it like no one else I know. She would worry about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren from the moment she awoke to the sound of her bird clock. She'd call whomever she was particularly worried about that day, and try to put her mind to ease, although I'm fairly certain that never worked. She just worried more.

The older I get, the more I turn into my Grandma.

These kids of mine have turned my hair gray and turned my body into something I don't recognize most days. They have also turned me into my Grandmother.

My Punky has been unwell for the last little bit. He has some conditions that are concerning as of late and I find I just worry constantly. I worry when I leave him at school, take him to the babysitters and when I go out for a few hours with my sister.

Even though I seem to be worrying at Grandma-like levels these days, I've come to realize that worrying is actually a great abyss. You can worry worry worry and nothing actually comes of it. It doesn't have a productive result (other than possibly more gray hair). So, I'm done with excessive worrying (there will always be some level of worrying....). Trust my instincts. Know that he's well taken care of.


Darned kids.