Can I Ask You Something?

So, I signed up for a swap. I've never done this before, but I was caught in a moment of weakness.

The swap is being organized on Ravelry and is related to the TV show Lost. Now, I'm a fan of the show and have watched it pretty much since the beginning. (Ok, we kinda broke up for a while during the third season which was slow. I'm not the only one that jumped ship for a while.) I really enjoy the show but I am in no way an expert. I'm doing my best to put together a swap package that includes little bits of the show but also includes items (knitted and otherwise) that will appeal to my swapee. (I have stalked her on Ravelry. I'm sneaky like that.)

Have you ever been in a swap? Did you ever get anything that you loved? Did it not really work out for you?

To be honest, I haven't really thought about what I might get in the mail. I just want to make sure that the object of my swapping enjoys the package that I send.

Insanity

Things here have been a little crazy, hence the radio silence.

I was out of town travelling quite a bit last week, however none of it very conducive to knitting. And the knitting at Chez T has been on hold a bit anyway.

The Beast is still NOT steeked.

The current project I'm working on is almost done but I'm COMPLETELY out of yarn.

I don't know what to start next and fear that J. may bug me incessantly if I start something new without steeking the Beast (she can be a scary little woman).

But I promise by the end of this week, I'll have something to show you ..... it may just be pretty pictures of my trees turning green, or gratuitous kid pics, but I promise, there will be something.

We Interupt Your Regularly Scheduled Knitting

Every once in a while, we have a knitting emergency in our house.

The first occurred around Christmas when the older Princess NEEDED a stuffed Bat. She needed this bat like flowers need the sun. At least, that is what she would have you believe. We looked for a bat. We hunted high and low but there were no bats to be found. In the end, I did a quick search on Ravelry, found a pattern and knit the thing myself.

Now she needs a snail. And you know I can't say no. Good thing I didn't throw out that cheap acrylic yarn.

Here are some lovely socks to distract you.

Knit in Twist of Fate yarn made of wool and seacell. The pattern is Cat Bordhi's Fountain Foxgloves.

A little bit

He's seems to like this just a little bit.



He wears it proudly. He tells everyone who made it for him. He is excited about the colours he picked out.

I guess this means he'll get another hand-knit sooner rather than later.

Four

Four years pass so quickly.

Four years and eleven months ago, I dreamed of having a baby. A little person to hold and cuddle and love.

Four years and eight months ago, I discovered you and wondered what you would become.

Four years and four months ago, I saw an image of you. Two hands, two feet, a beating heart.

Four years and 1 month ago, I waited and waited. Scared to become a mother. Scared to not be enough.

Four years ago, we met.

And here you are. Four. Tall and strong. Funny and delightful. You dance, you sing, you laugh, you spell and tell stories and help me more than I would have thought you could.

And I love you more than four times as much as I thought I could four years and 1 day ago.

Distractions

I am knitting socks. I really am. In spite of the fact that I am planning a 4 year old's birthday party, holding down the fort while my husband works long hours, taking a toddler for shots and checkups, I really am knitting socks.

But my attention may be focused elsewhere at the moment. Take my Tempest, for example.

It's stocking stitch will occassional changes of colour and it's such a relief for my overworked mind.

I'll get back to those socks soon. I promise. If I don't start another Tempest in the mean time.

Easter Presents

The Easter bunny was able to find my boys on our little road trip for the long weekend.

The Easter bunny did NOT find me, so I had to take care of things myself.

Completed over the 4 day long weekend, and worn on the 1st day back to work (Montego Bay scarf - Interweave; slightly modified).


And look at all the other spring green yarn I have....what to make next???

In Which I Should Have Taken Your Advice

Remember when I asked you what I should knit next? You voted resoundingly for the Coraline by Ysolda. I was a little surprised that it was unanimous. Nonetheless, I planned to cast it on to appease the masses.

BUT, it required a very lengthy provisional cast on AND I was going to be knitting it in wool with alpaca and that just didn't seem like a spring sweater, you know?

SO I was going to surprise you with my new project, Tempest. I was going to knit it in red and oranges and it would have knocked your socks off, not to mention match my new orange dress. I cast on all in one piece and knit the first stripe. The thing looked HUGE and my gauge was off. Back to the drawing board. I went down a needle size and started again. This time, I did two stripes and was admiring my work before I went to bed last night. The morning, we got a visit from the Easter Bunny and a good friend I like to call Reality. The two yarns I had chosen just didn't go. I frogged the second colour this evening and chose another from my stash.

So here I am. This sweater has had a few hiccups, but I think I will wear it a lot. The colours are much more harmonious and I think it will still match my orange dress.

And if it doesn't, it's not the end of the world. I plan to knit this sweater again some day in blues and greens. Catknip told me I didn't have to chose between the reds and the blues. I can have it all.

As long I don't make any more mistakes.