1. Monkey socks: You all were so nice, so kind to patiently suggest sock patterns to get me back in the saddle. The Monkey pattern was the overall winner, so I bit the bullet and cast on. I am doing them in STR Sunstone, a color that is making me insanely happy. Pros: Socks are portable, I can work on them when my students are taking tests--you know, just to rub it in that even though they have shiny hair and taut waistlines, I never have to take another test again in my entire life--mwaahahahahhah! Cons: They're socks and as such are still feeling...pointless. But I will soldier on, I promise. The love is most likely right around the corner, right?
2. Juliet: Those Zephyr gals have yet to put out a pattern that doesn't inspire. Juliet is no an exception, there are so many on Ravelry that prove the versatility of the pattern. Tween Thing chose the pattern and the yarn--Brown Sheep Bulky, a yarn that doesn't annoy me. Pros: It's almost done! I only have about three more lace repeats to finish, but feel the need to put it down every time the recipient and I have a squabble...segue to the Cons: As parents I know we're supposed to be more mature blah blah blah, but are we contractually obligated to continue knitting for the kid when said kid proclaims that you are 'the worst mother ever'? Please advise.
3. Falling Leaves Shawl: This project falls under the 'tout beau tout nouveau' category as I just began it this morning for My Favorite Hat Model's (tm) 40th birthday. Pros: Valley Yarns Lenox is a dream team combo of alpaca, merino and cashmere and is so, so soft. And cheap. For the record I feel that all Valley Yarns blow doors off of Knitpicks. Yeah, I went there. The pattern is beyond easy, and size 9 needles? I am so there. Cons: It's red, and red is hard to photograph for the ol' blog. But letting blog issues effect your knitting choices just seems semi-lame to me.
4. BSJ: I have been wanting to this EZ pattern for a while now, and the planets have converged in such a way as to make it seem possible right now. Pros: Rowan Felted Tweed is a yarn I have wanted to use forever, and I have the perfect unisex color combo right now in my stash. Cons: I am not so good at the 'just press on and trust me' part of the directions. And does knitting a baby sweater in scratchy tweed seem like a passive aggressive thing of me to do? Be truthful.
So there you have it. Hormones dictate so much around this joint. Maybe Tween Thing's lovely attitude will abate and there will be a window of opportunity to finish Juliet while it will still fit her. In the mean time the only other thing I got is a link to the most exciting single I have heard in a very long time...
Am I totally lame and old for loving that song for sounding like vintage, ol' school REM?
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, you can put that Juliet into time out, I think. Or, even better--finish it for you! "But mom, it's supposed to be for me!" "I know, honey, but I'm a the worst mother ever, so I kept it for myself."
I might just have to start loving R.E.M. again. Me & them go waaaaaaaay back. We're talking "Murmur" vintage.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ashley, start trying on Juliet in front of Tween.
BTW, felted tweed will soften when you wash it. I can't tell if that's a good or bad thing as far as you're concerned...
that's so sad. If you've achieved "worst mother" status, then for what is left for you to strive? Let tween know that she's ruined your life.
ReplyDeleteyes, I speak English, but I live in Central PA...just down the road (26)
Liz
So many amazing projects on the needle. :)
ReplyDeleteNice projects - at least a diverse line-up to keep you interested right? I think the Juliet will be gorgeous - can't wait to see it on tween thing, hopefully before she is off to college:) Aint parenting grand?nThe STR is fabulous! Love the happy color in the middle of this sad winter.
ReplyDeleteLots on the go, just like me, I need lots of different mood knitting.
ReplyDeleteLOVED that single but you know me, huge fan anyway.
Worst mother ever huh? I haven't got that one yet. I've gotten straight up "I HATE you!" but not worst mother.
Finish Juliet, give her to tween thing. If you're lucky you'll get temporarily up-graded from worst and she'll feel guilty for being so miserable to you.
Yep, that Juliet must be put on hold. I've vowed to never knit for anyone who mouths off to me. I think you're one of the coolest mothers ever.
ReplyDeleteLove the monkeys!
Mmmm, Sunstone STR. Got me some of that, too. I like to light candles around it and sing it love songs. They'll feel mighty er...pointiful when you put them on, so push through!
ReplyDeleteI like ashley's idea for Juliet! Teaching kids the value of a knitted item is an important step in the growth cycle.
hmmm. about juliet, i don't know. i do like the idea of trying it on in front of her! :)
ReplyDeletei want you to finish it so i can see it!
damn, i LOVE r.e.m!!!!
You are so great about pattern/yarn combo! And speedy too!
ReplyDelete(The perfid option) 'There it is sweetie, your Juliet in Brown Sheep BULKY'
ReplyDeleteI personally never got that, why parents should be all selflessness and forgiveness. After all parents are just grown up teens, right ?
I love the Felted Tweed color combo!
I think that if you push forward on the Monkey socks, you will be completely amazed at how quickly the first one will knit up and then you'll just have to knit its mate.
ReplyDeleteI can also tell you (and you've been to my blog, so you know I have a lot of experience in this) that you absolutely can trust in EZ's directions for the BSJ. Yours will be lovely in tweed -- and what a lucky baby the recipient is to get such an early tweed experience!
So glad you are knitting the Monkey socks in STR Sunstone colorway! I love this color.
ReplyDeleteAlso you took a great photo to capture the red yarn. It's so vivid red!
Juilet, oh please finish it! I love this pattern. Love it and can't wait to see it knitted up in this bulky yarn.
Great projects all! Someone told me that the sure cure for lost sock mojo is to knit a pair with bright orange yarn. You'll be feeling the love in no time. I hope. The baby who weras your BSJ will have a shirt on underneath so I don't think the scratchy wool factor will be a problem. If you kept on knitting while angry with Tween Thing, Juliet would turn into a resentknit and you don't want that!
ReplyDeleteYou can conquer the BSJ...I did it, and I'm not that talented of a knitter. The pattern is sparse, but there is a group on Ravelry, and a cheat sheet/guide to help if you are interested.
ReplyDeleteLove the Juliet! It's my favorite color!
I bought the Schoolhouse Press version (as opposed to some of the new annotated versions) of BSJ and recently found a help page specifically for it: http://www.knitting-and.com/wiki/Baby_Surprise_Jacket
ReplyDeleteThose tweeds rock. Can't wait to see it done up.
If the tweed doesn't soften enough when washed, rinse it in vinegar to settle the scales back down.
ReplyDeleteFinish Juliet but wrap it and hide it for next Christmas.
Now, I really have to do a BSJ! I've had the pattern and yarn designated for ages, but have been procrastinating. Love your yarn/colour choices! BTW, age 16-19 with a teen gal was not pleasant by any stretch ... however, now that we're on the other side, it's really a joy! Something to look forward to :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm... lots of choices. I say go for the BSJ just because I'm most interested in seeing that one finished. I'm easily amused by stripes.
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing group of WIP's.
ReplyDeleteTell your daughter that there's no way she has the meanest mother in the whole world because I had her.
I think I may agree with you about Valley Yarns. I just swatched for a sweater with their Colrain yarn and not only didn't the red bleed, but it was heaven to knit with. Plus I think the Valley Yarns colors are better. I can't wait to get my hands on more of their yarn at Stitches.
The felted tweed softens up quite a bit after its washed. I think it will turn out beautiful!
I believe we are contractually obligated to finish a garment even though name calling persists. However there is nothing written about delaying the progress of said knitting so that it would appear that we are fulfilling our motherly duties yet making them suffer while waiting for the garments' completion. Or knitting it a size smaller than necessary so that it can go to a child who has not called you every name under the sun.
ReplyDeletePlease note I have yet to put this theory into practice and cannot vouch for it effectiveness against any 'tween things'.
I agree with Ashley - make it for you! I get that kind of comment too, but I rarely knit for my kids so I guess it's somehow even!
ReplyDeleteI was was walking near the student center where I work and I heard a student say that rem was "so" in a way that clearly meant she did not think it was cool. I heart them, they make me shiny and happy...whatever. I have so many things on the needles right now, it's kind of stupid. I think I need to pick one thing and finish it. Oh, and juliet should totally be yours.
ReplyDeleteLove all the pictures of the projects - the colors are great. I think you should teach your daughter to knit so you can say, "Knit it yourself" if she starts giving you an attitude! But what do I know?
ReplyDeleteOooh, that Sunstone colorway is to die for! Can't wait to see your Falling leaves too. I *heart* that pattern :) And the Lenox sounds yummy. I agree - Valley Yarns are so awesome!
ReplyDeleteknittymuggins
Man you look busy! seems like one can't make you happy:) I just finished my first BSJ and it was a breeze. The tweed may be scratchy, but there will be a t-shirt or something to hold back the scratchies.
ReplyDeleteloving all that beautiful yarn you are working with. I can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteYour colors are killing me! They're so amazing- they're making me totally itchy to cast on something spectacular.
ReplyDeleteWell, you are definitely not the worst mother ever. There are kids out there with no food because their moms are too busy stealing things for their drug money... there are kids who cover & hide bruises every day when they go to school... and there are kids who end up in juvy because they do something so stupid just because they wanted to and their mothers never cared enough about them to say "NO!", never set any boundaries, never taught them any self control...
ReplyDeleteNope, you are MOST DIFINTELY NOT the worst mom ever. The worst mom ever would never have even started that sweater.
Personally, I'd probably finish the sweater, but I wouldn't give it to a youngin' saying things like that to me- but I'm kinda hard core old fashioned. I'd probably gift it to someone and then maybe knit her a nifty little ipod or cell phone pouch or some such trinket as a little peace offering in the near future, with the understanding that you are her mother and deserve respect and kindness...
As for the rest of your wips- the yarns and colors all look so yummy, I would have a hard time concentrating on just one for a while and would end up knitting a row/rnd or 2 on everything and get lost somewhere on my couch in a pile of projects and yarn...
Well, have fun with all that!
Happy knitting-
ali
Your post makes me want to call up my mother right now and thank her for all the things she sewed for me, though I was not very grateful at times.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure when your daughter gets older she feel the same way. And in the meantime, you can work on something for you. :)
with so many lovely WIPs - how do you ever choose which one to pick up and work on!?!
ReplyDeleteThat's why even though I'm dying to make a BSJ, I just can't make up my mind about the yarn!! I'm not a wing it person with knitting. I'm impressed with all your projects though!
ReplyDeleteWhen my son was four (yes, really), he screamed that I didn't care how he felt, I just wanted him to be quiet. (Which was true, of course, and probably puts me a nose ahead in the Worst Mother Ever competition. In my defense, he was, at the time, sobbing over the loss of his "best friend ever", which happened to be a napkin that had been wrapped around the hot dog I bought him an hour earlier at CostCo, so my insensitivity was perhaps somewhat justified.)
ReplyDeleteSince you asked, I do question the kindness of scratchy wool for a baby sweater. Just sayin'.
Darlin', any baby that gets a handknit from yosef should thank their lucky stars!!!
ReplyDelete