An Autumn Sock

I just finished another sock last evening. Just had the toe left to finished, as I needed my needles to start my Harvest Sock Swap sock for my pal. Of course, I have other size 2 DPN's, but these were my Lantern Moon Sox Stix--and they are my favorite to knit with--I just can't describe how they feel in my hands...so...had to get this sock off the needles.
The pattern is from Monica and she allowed me to be a test knitter for the pattern--thank you Monica...HUGZZZZZZ!! I hope I did the pattern justice!! Her patterns can now be found here at The Loopy Ewe. I know some have sold out already, but I understand from her sister's blog that Monica will soon replenish what has been sold out. You should really check them out--all of her patterns are fantastic, and I feel lucky to have been able to be a "test-knitter"!!
This particular pattern is called "SockItToMe". and I used Trekking XXL yarn in the colorway 171. My pictures don't do the colors justice. I tried to get them as true as I could. Also--I messed up on the toe. When I got tothe toe decreases, I thought--oh--I know how to do this, so I didn't bother to read the directions :( I just did my own thing. Well--Monica has a different decrease, which gives the toes a neater, rounder appearance. When I make the second sock, I will do the toe right--no one will know but me anyway--and any of you who have now read my blog--LOL!!
Anyway--go check out Monica's blog, and her patterns at the Loopy Ewe. She inspires me to want to knit socks!!
After I finish my Swap Pal's sock, I am going to go back and complete the second sock of all 4 pairs that I have started BEFORE I start any new socks--LOL!! I promise!! You can all hold me to that!!
In other news, I was driving past my most favorite LYS of all...Borealis Yarns in St. Paul today, and they had a help wanted sign in the window!!! So I went in to inquire--and the owner told me she was looking for a part timer, and that they could be flexible with the hours....so....I filled out an application. My hospital hours are 5 twelve hour shifts every two weeks, so that leaves plenty of time to spend a few hours working in one of my most favorite places to be...heck--just the discount alone would be profitable for me--LOL!! So we shall see...she told me she would call me next week...I'll keep you all updated!!
Well-I'm off to knit for now!! Happy Monday to everybody!!

Frogging (sorry Fredrick-no offense)

After THREE trips to the frog pond, I am finally getting a good start on my Harvest Sock Swap pal's sock!! I finally gave up on all of my patterns and made a trip to one of my favorite LYS's and looked at patterns, and--the trip was well worth it!! I found THE pattern! It is knitting up beautifully with the yarn I picked!! Unfortunately, I have to work tomorrow, so won't get to knit anymore until tomorrow night when I get off work :( I can't wait to start a pair of these socks for myself, as I bought myself a skein of the same yarn. I wish I could post pics, but the pattern and yarn must be kept secret until my partner receives her package...sigh!!

Harvest Sock Swap Revisited

Now that the shower is done, and I have finished all of my projects for our Lyllie, I can start my sock for my Harvest Sock Swap pal. I went and bought the yarn today, and it is so pretty, I had to buy a skein for myself as well. It reminds me of driving along the Mighty Mississppi in fall and looking at all the beautiful colors of the leaves. OK--that is the only hint I am giving as to the yarn. I cast on tonight, and got through two rounds of the pattern, and hated the pattern--so off to the frog pond that went. Now I am delving back into searching for a pattern. I have a couple in mind that I think will work much better with the yarn, so tomorrow I will cast on again!! I want the yarn and pattern to be a surprise, so will not post pictures until after the package is received by my swap partner. I also found the neatest gifts to send her that I think she will love!! So sock partner Sheryl--hang on--your package will be coming fairly soon!!!

I have also cast on a beautiful cable sweater for Ryder that I am doing in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK in a teal color. It is so pretty--well, handsome--guess I can't put pretty on a boy, right? LOL!! Will post pics of that soon! But for this next week I am going to be working on the sock. I also have four pairs of socks for myself right now that don't have mates, so gotta work on that Second Sock Syndrome once I get my swap partner's sock done.

Also, I just checked my status on Ravelry, and there are 1472 people in front of me, and 13,251 behind me, so....I am moving up in the line...I wonder how much longer it will be...
I signed up on September 14, and was #32,814 on the list...so I feel I have moved up fairly quickly. Bless whoever took on that huge project!!!

Aimee's Baby Shower

Well--we made it to Saturday, and the shower went great!! A good time was had by all...but the highlight was the look on Aimee's face when my mom and sister-in-law walked in. Aimee glanced at the door as they came in, then did a double take, then started crying she was so surprised. I asked her later why she was crying, because we had just seen them three weeks earlier, and she replied, "Shut up!! I was having a hormone moment!" LOL!! Ah yes--I remeber those pregnancy hormone moments. In fact--I had a hormone moment myself when I saw the above picture--it was very poignant for me to see my mom holding MY grandson. It hadn't hit me too hard before that picture--but my mom IS a GREAT-Grandma now. I will cherish this picture forever.

And here are pics of the sweater set I made for Aimee--It is Sirdar Snuggly Baby DK and Sirdar Confetti yarn. The shower started at 2 PM and I finished the sweater at 11:00 Saturday morning! Talk about last minute!!










Here is a pic of the cake to welcome our little Lyllie to the big wide world...



and my beautiful Aimee with her cake and balloons....and
my niece Rylie in the pic with Aimee




Aimee and her Grandma, my mom...



...and a four generation picture...
My mom; my son, Zak; his son, Ryder and me...it was wild to be in a generation picture, and to be THE grandma!!! I am still getting used to this whole grandma thing, but loving and cherishing every moment...I truly feel blessed!!



I put a link in my sidebar to all of the baby shower photos. Please let me know if you click on the link and it doesn't work...it works for me, but I am signed in as the owner to the gallery. I'm not sure if it will request a passcode or not, so please let me know if it works or not!! Thank you!

So...tomorrow I am off to buy yarn for my Harvest Sock Swap partner!! I would not even allow myself to go buy the yarn before the shower knitting was done...it would have been WAY too much temptation for me to have the new yarn in my house--LOL!!!!

So--Aimee had to have another ultrasound today...she was having some cramping, and it may be due to a urinary tract infection, but her cervix is softening, so the baby may be a bit on the early side...so she had to have an ultrasound to check on the baby's well being...and the baby is fine...we are hoping she will stay inside for at least three more weeks, and four weeks would be even better. She was doing alot of breathing and that was fun to see. and as I said--everything looked good and hopefully this UTI will clear up and all will be well.
But...the amazing thing is--the baby has such thick curly hair we could actually see it on the ultrasound!!!!!! Here is the pic...if you look at the thick white curve--that is the top of her skull. Then there is a thin black line along the top of the curve, and the white curve above the black line is ALL hair!!!! and to the right side is curls!!! I have NEVER seen hair on an ultrasound before. Aimee and I can't wait to see what the baby looks like. But--we hope we get to wait for at least a few more weeks yet. We are relieved that all is well, and seeing all that hair was a great stress reliever for us!!
Well-I'm off to bed--it's been a long day!!!

Lyllie

I finally got the pics from Aimee's ultrasound and got them scanned into the computer, so.....here she is--our beautiful little girl! Even though I work in Neonatal Intensive Care, and see premature babies everyday that I work,it never ceases to amaze me to see them in the womb. It kind of felt like we were spying on her--LOL!! She was very active the day of the ultrasound, but held still long enough to pose and give us a few good pics. I sure can't wait to meet my little granddaughter. For now--I better go and get back to my knitting for her!

Autumn

I really love fall--I think it is probably my most favorite season. and I am loving having my deck and balcony...I have embarked on a new hobby--birdfeeding. My grandma used to love to feed the birds and watch them all through the year, but I think she mostly enjoyed them in the winter. My mom and dad also have feeders in their yard, and when we were down visiting them, it was so fun to watch them come to feed--they had some beautiful yellow finches that came by everyday. So last week, I went shopping for birdfeeders and birdseed. I have never had a place before where I could actually put up feeders and be able to see the birds, so now I have my deck with my big sliding patio doors right off my living room, and I can see my little feathered visitors from my knitting spot and from my computer desk. So far I have had a few wrens and a couple of black capped chickadees. I know I will have cardinals at some point, because I have seen a pair of cardinals around the apartment building off and on all summer. I have also had squirrels. I didn't think they could get to my feeders, but this morning one was sitting right on top of my barn feeder!! I know from searching the internet it is hard to keep them away from birdfeeders, so I thought the next best thing would be to set out a bowl of squirrel feed and peanuts for them--if I keep them happy on the ground, maybe they will leave my feeders alone. There are two that have been running and playing and eating on my deck all day. When they first saw the cats and the dog, they would run away, but they have already figured out that the cats and dog can't get to them, so now they sit right in front of the window and play and eat. It has had Roxy in a tiz all day...she is going nuts wanting to get at them. I figure it's enjoyment for Roxy and the cats as well as for myself. Anyway--the pics of the birds and the squirrels are not the greatest because I was taking them from inside my house through the sliding doors with no flash on. I really love the pic of my little black capped chickadee, and the one of the cat watching the squirrel.

On the knitting front...I am off for the weekend, have my house cleaned and my laundry done...so this weekend I am going to get all the baby stuff done for Aimee's baby shower. It is next Saturday, and I have to work 3 12 hour shifts in a row next week, and then get the house ready for out of town visitors...Aimee doesn't know it but my mom and sister-in-law are coming for the baby shower, as well as my best friend who lives in southern Minnesota--we have been friends for 20 years, and our kids all grew up together--so I will have a house full in my little one bedroom apartment!!! Anyway--this weekend is for knitting.

After the baby shower, I can start my sock for my Harvest Sock Swap 07 partner. I have the pattern picked out, but have to find the yarn...so once I get all the baby stuff done--I get to go to my favorite LYS and buy yarn--YEAH!!!!! Not like I need an excuse to go there-LOL!!! I have been collecting other goodies to send in with the sock and yarn...I'm glad she is so understanding and patient with me that I haven't started her sock yet.

That's about it for an update this week...I hope that by tomorrow night, Iwill be able to post pics of the other sweater set I am making for our little Lyllie!!!