Hey! I'm Ba-ack!

So, here we are again. I came back, just as I said. Now, on to the craftiness!

Update on the Big 3:

1. Knit Dress - Finished it, now being washed. I know cotton doesn't felt but I'm kind of hoping this one shrinks up in the wash a bit. It was supposed to be a 2T size and came out more like 3 or 4T - it fits my son, who is on the small end of 4T. It seems to be unseasonably wide and if I try the pattern again, I plan to start with less stitches to make a narrower dress. My girls are tiny as it is and I'm afraid even next summer they'll be swimming in it. In the mean time, I have picked up a lacy crochet dress pattern (Crochet Today) and am trying it with a smaller than called for hook (H/8) and a thinner yarn in the largest size the pattern shows. If I get something reasonably nice, I'll redo in a nice cotton or light wool blend and line it.
2. Ripple Afghan: It's coming along. I went through my stash again and the colors of Simply Sopft I have left are truly hideous, if a bit subdued. We shall see.
3. The Great Owl: Started the body last night, this really is a fun pattern and I plan to make more - I may even buy the pattern she lists for the Log Carrying Case and make a set for the kids! I didn't realize the fun in making toys and I'd really like to try more after this - oh, crap, I like amigurumi now!

OK, I also realize that I have promised pictures about a hundred times now. I just figured out how to get pictures from my phone to my computer, plus I may have found a substitute USB cable for my regular camera, so I will try to work some time to add pictures either tonight or next week.

Until then, have fun! See you next Wednesday!

Way to Update There, Dingus!

Yeah, I've been out of things for a while. I can't really accurately describe where my head's been since April - that was a lifetime ago, it seems. We were all struck by the Unavoidable Stomach Flu and The Croup. (Aren't kids' germs so cute?) My husband wrecked his car and we somehow ended up with a minivan. We've been working to make some forward motion in our lives, but it's slow going. I started running. I get up a little earlier and bring my clothes to work so I can run for a little while before work. I discovered swap-bot and am now incredibly addicted. My parents bought a house and I made my mom a full complement of kitchen stuff in awesome 70's avocado, rust and gold (potholders, scrubbies and dust mop covers!) to match her newly acquired awesome 70's kitchen. The girls are walking much better, Maggie says her name now. Andy is a daily challenge, but we're working on it. We have to accept little victories and really look at ourselves to find ways to deal with him that work. (hint - yelling doesn't work) I've gotten a bit out of hand with the projects at the moment, but I'll get back on that in a minute. As painful as it is sometimes, I'm trying to simplify my life and really decrap the closet this time, so to speak. I hang on to way too much, physically and emotionally. I hamper all my best efforts to change and grow sometimes, just because I get disorganized and distracted. I'm looking to change that.

Not that this is what you came to read.

So, dear readers, I need your help to stay on track with my projects. I will promise to post weekly, and let you know how my rotating cast of three projects at a time is coming. Hopefully, knowing I need to update you all on these things will help keep me focused on just three projects that will see completion instead of thirty that never get done.

Unfortunately, my time is short at the moment - I will make some time later today to show you my three newest projects. I will say, however, that one of the three I listed back in April is done - Maggie's sweater was completed with enough time for her and Joan to wear them exactly twice before it became too warm and they too big. I will not unravel them - I will save them for my girls when they are bigger and maybe in need of a connection to their babyhood.

**EDIT: Later on ...

I promised an introduction to my new Big Three. Well, here they are!

1. Knit Dress for the girls. Pattern is here. I'm using Sugar & Cream Cotton (yeah I know, dishcloth dress, but I swear it wears like iron and softens so nicely) and making the Size 2. I have heretofore learned my lesson about knitting for the babes and will no longer attempt anything in a size they are currently wearing. Hence, Size 2.

2. Ripple Afghan: I have a ton of Caron Simply Soft acrylic. A TON. It is useless for potholders and kitcheny stuff, as it is very thin and slippery. No bueno for clothes, being acrylic and we are a sweaty bunch as it is. And how many different doll sweaters can I make? So, ripple afghan it is. It will be gloriously hideous.

3. The Great Owl Crochet Along


I'm working on the tummy now, just a little ahead!

OK, time to go herd cats. I promise another post in a week's time - this is just as much for me as for you.