Please spread the word!

The freedom to buy and sell handmade items is under attack!

Off to a pretty good start I'd say!

940 Meters... This reflects both of my most current finished objects. With KnitMeter you have the option of showing your progress by miles, meters and yards. For now, i will stick with meters...

FO #2 for 2009: JoSpun Beanie

beanie
Originally uploaded by pudmuddles.

This beanie was a very quick knit using some lovely hand spun yarn I was given as a gift from a dear friend. The pattern is a modified version of a hat recipe from The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd. I knit it on size 8 (5.0 mm) because it was thick and thin in spots but I wanted to make as dense a fabric as possible.

I'm very pleased with the results!

First FO of 2009! A Baby Round Ripple

IMG_0046
Originally uploaded by pudmuddles.

My husband's sister is expecting her first child in July. Since I have had this gender neutral Pound of Love sitting in my stash since 2002, I thought this was a great time to try my hook at a round ripple pattern. I started January 2nd using a G (4.00 mm) and completed it on the 11th. I could have finished it two days sooner but had to take the time off to complete a book review. In all, I used just over 8/10 of a skein or 826.2 yards. I enjoyed this pattern and look forward to making another one (though bigger) in the future.

The pattern I used can be found here.

2008: A quick look back...

The theme for 2008 was apparently stash busting and felting. I predict that 2009 will be dominated by socks :)

In 2008, I finished a total of 18 projects -- this I find impressive since I believe I only finished 15 projects in 2007. There are still a few UFOs which are carrying over into the new year but I won't count those here.



















As of this writing, I do not have any definite resolutions for 2009. However, I do want to be better about updating my blog. I would love to have an integrated blog which will cover all of my interests, instead of the handful I have spread out all over Blogger. Hopefully by the end of 2009 this little daydream can become reality. As always thanks for reading! Happy New Year!

FO: Bed Socks

IMG_2161
Originally uploaded by pudmuddles.

I've been in a sock frenzy lately but I've decided to knit up my "worst" sock yarn first. These socks were made with Cascade Fixation, which is a neat yarn, looks beautiful in tops, etc. However, in my opinion (experience), it is just NOT COMFY to walk on!

NaNoWriMo was abandoned because of book reviews... Holiday knitting (crochet) plans are now in danger too. Today is a good day to give it some thought and try to come up with a list of quick/easy projects to complete in time for Christmas... wish me luck!

I've been sort of down lately...

Looking at the date of my last post it shocks me to see how much time has passed! I haven't been knitting or crocheting (or reading or writing) much lately. My oldest daughter went through a health crisis beginning in early October and though she is walking again, we still do not have a diagnosis.

Of course, the economy has not helped and though I avoid the news to try and keep my anxiety level down, I still feel overwhelmed. My husband and I voted by absentee ballot. We are registered Libertarians and we both voted for our party's candidate. Speaking for myself, it really comes down to a protest vote because I don't have confidence in either the Republicans or Democrats.

I've signed up for NaNoWriMo but have gotten off to a really slow start. I'm trying not to dwell on my inevitable failure to write 50,000 words by the end of the month, focusing on the creative process instead. There was a time when I was in the habit of writing daily but it all seems a distant memory now. Can I hope to get that back?

I've volunteered to help a few hours twice a week in my oldest daughter's classroom. Her teacher is very nice but I worry because some of the students in the class can be quite rowdy.

I have a couple knitting projects in progress: Nanners socks (in hibernation until I can wrap and turn to my satisfaction), dark green Hallowig (changed my mind about finishing it for Halloween), and socks for myself in Cascade Fixation. I want to knit up all of the Fixation in my stash as I don't have enough to make a garment with it and I am not all that confident that the socks will be comfy. I know I could probably trade it but it seems like a hassle at the moment.

I'm hoping after the next follow-up with the pediatric rheumatologists my mood will improve. The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's is traditionally my favorite time of year and I really want to make it enjoyable for my whole family.

I'm contemplating seeing my doctor for some "happy" pills, if you know what I mean...