Gone Knitting

Free Time

My baby Chicky is away at Tennis camp for a week! What's a mama to do?

I've tried a little retail therapy to keep myself distracted.

Floating around the pool with just my hubby was nice.

I'm planning a garden combining fruit trees, vegetables, flowers and boxwood. Maybe a potiger garden with espaliered fruit trees.
My goal is for it to look good not a like a lanky crop plot. The area is focal plot in the back yard by our pool but it is not as large as some of the examples shown. It will take some creativity so I am calling in an expert.

1.Knitting ~ Currently on the needles is a baby surprise jacket in cream malagrigo. 2. A Cabo Hoodle blue sky alcapa dyed cotton in Seagrass availavle at kpixie.

The Orange County Fair

Holy Cow Batman, I'm really glad I didn't feed the kids’ lunch before the rides! The Orange County Fair is as typical as they come in "Fair" offerings it's all about the food. They serve some really good down home foods and some tasty junk too! I came upon Juicy's BBQ, I ordered a smoked turkey leg for lunch- It was too large but excellent. The kids had burgers and hot dogs. The roasted corn on the cob smelled so good but I couldn't, I was too full! The youngins had eyed the caramel apple stand~ they ordered red licorice dipped in chocolate and an over the top caramel, chocolate and M&M apple. I had a bite of the licorice-chocolate - WOW it gave me a reeling sugar rush. Oh well the buzz helped me through rush hour traffic on the 405 north.

The truth about this baby surprise jacket is I wish I did several things differently. In an effort to make it a larger size I doubled the yarn and used size 10 needles. The result is that it is too bulky almost carpet like. If I knit another I will make it very simple using cream or natural worsted weight yarn. With all due respect to Mrs. Zimmermann the pattern is remarkable. Side note here I will let you in on my little secret, in my humble opinion I prefer knitting Wendy's Girlfriend's Swing Coat. I like that it is offered in a wide range of sizes. The BSJ is limited to about a 1-year-old size.

Baby Surprise Jacket

I trust the process here!

I’m letting go of having to know what color line will be where.

Hoping it’s not going to be too much of a surprise?

I will just “knit on” as the wise woman said to do….

Tallyho. …

I’m off into a leap of faith!

Yarn Naturwolle and Malabrigo double stranded. Size 8 needles. I didn't do the sleeve increases. I hope it will workout.

What to Choose?

It looks like this Tomten had a hard time chosing too!

I need help choosing yarns for each of these Tomten and Baby Surprise Jackets.

~Tomten Jacket for a Boys Size 3
~Tomten Jacket for a Boys Size 5
~Baby Surprise Jacket for a Girl 1-2 years.

Does anyone know how to make a BSJ in Kids Size 3? I know EZ says to knit the adult version with larger needles and bulkier yarn. One of my concerns is that Malabrigo might be too soft and pile. At the same time I don’t want the garment to be too itchy.
It was good for me to do this collage of photos because I forgot that had some of these yarns.

Chill'n with the Cousins in OC

Sun, fun and too much apple juice!

Striped Dress - The pattern is from Adorable Knits for Tots by Zoe Mellor I changed the pattern to be knit in the round.
Yarn- Patons Grace 2 skeins of rose and 1 skein of cream.
Size 2 needles

Sweet Dreams of Tomtems and Baby Surprise Jackets

This little dress pattern was a breeze to convert into knitting in the round. I was sad that I was about to finish it and that the fun was over. Tomorrow I will give it to my little niece and snap some photos of it on her.

Over the last two days I have been down with a flu allowing much time to read knitting blogs and dream about future projects. Mainly I have become obcessed with Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket *1* *2* *3* *4* and the Tomtem Jacket *1* *2**3* *4* *5* I have studied the yarns used by others and have become fascinated with handspun yarns. I am overwhelmed & numb due to my illness blaaaaaa I can't make any decisions! I needed to started something so brainlessly I cast on and began knitting in the round without knowing what it would become. Maybe a Child's Placket Sweater although I wish I had done the seed stitch bottom.

My Spot in the Bahamas

Giggling and trying to keep warm after being drenched in the rain on the beach.

The trip started out at Atlantis. This type of resort is not my cup of tea but it was chosen for the kids. I did enjoy the river - rapids that you can float around on inner tubes. I won 68 dollars at a slot machine in about 5 minutes and then cashed in. We dined at great restaurants, my favorite was Nobu. All and all we had a good time but I was ready to leave "Disneyland” and the crowds. I don't think I would return.

Our second stop was the Four Seasons on Great Exuma, which was absolutely lovely. Quiet ~ Peaceful ~ Service ~ Fluffy Beds ~ White Sand ~ Clear Blue Water ~ I'll be back!

A pleasurable knitting moment ~ working on the striped dress which I finished. I would have taken a picture for this post but it is in my delayed luggage.

Delta is really disorganized we had delayed luggage both directions. They have a lousy first class and it is not worth the money or the points to upgrade.