Knitting Frogs

I've joined a sweater knit-along.  A KAL for short in the yarn world.  We're knitting this sweater.
This is what mine looks like.

Please pray I finish.  Those of you who knit will know what I mean by "knitting frogs."

Back to casting on - again.

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County

Finished Objects: I've been busy

Not that I'm not normally busy chasing an 8 1/2 month old around, but I've been especially busy this month trying to finish some projects.

First there was the gift exchange with the "yarn ladies".  Rules were, had to take two hours or less to complete and be made of some type of fiber.  I panicked, then went to my trusty crochet hook and made this in about 30 minutes.  Could have made it in 15 if I hadn't had a child to look after!  Got the idea here:  http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/01/crochet-neck-cuff-scarflette-pattern.html

I also finished these for gifts:

This was from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts and called Big Lace Scarf.  I only did two repeats.

This is the Ribs & Ruffles Pattern from MistiAlpaca.

Both yarns are Misti Alpaca Chunky. Gorgeous color, don't you think?

I also finished this for myself from some Misti Alpaca Chunky Handpaint

This for Mary-Claire

It's Kristen Kapur's Thorpe Hat in Mochi Plus self striping yarn from Magpie's Cottage

And finally, a double duty pattern I made up and knit out of Schulana Cashmere

Wrist warmer for me or

Legwarmers for this darling baby!

Whew!  I need a rest!  But, as all knitters know, unfinished objects await!  So much yarn and so little time!

Merry Christmas from The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County & the Real Baby!

Knitting in Public: Otherwise Known as Yarnoholics Anonymous

My husband is always telling people about my "knitting club."  There is no membership requirement, other than showing up, and we have a great group of ladies and one very cute sixteen year old young man named Caleb.  Our "Yarnaholics Anonymous" group meets Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings at our local yarn shop, Magpie's Cottage in Sheboygan Falls, WI.  This week in honor of World Wide Knit In Public Week, we took it outside!

We gathered at Settler's Park in Sheboygan Falls under the gazebo on the banks of the Sheboygan River.

That's Sheila, Joann and Bonnie.  Joann is wearing her "Group Therapy" outfit.

We brought cookies for the cookie swap.  You can find the recipe for these Coffee Crisps by clicking here.

Then we knitted. 

Here are some photos of what I worked on.  

The yarn is "Chakra" from Mango Moon. It was handspun and beaded in Indonesia and proceeds from the yarn help provide safe shelter, health care and educations to families in Nepal & Indonesia.

The yarn has a nice drape.

And the color will really make my green eyes pop!

Did I mention the most important  thing for knitting in public?  An easy pattern!  At Yarnaholics Anonymous we like to chat, and it's important not to have too much counting or keeping track to do.    It's called "Chakra Scarf" designed by Paula Zenick, the owner of Really Knit Stuff in Tallahassee, FL.  It was a free pattern with the yarn, and requires little concentration.

The perfect project for World Wide Knitting in Public!

Did you Knit in Public this week?

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County

The Hat Parade - A Post by The "Real Baby"

My mom has finally started knitting again.  I guess she's finally getting the hang of having me around.  She made me this pretty pink "Baby Squash Hat" from 101 Designer one-skein Wonders, and she says that she's making the "Pink Tweed for Baby" cardigan to match.  She better hurry up, because I'm growing like a weed.

This modeling is tough work!

She also made me this hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.  

I'm growing so fast that's it's almost too small.  I guess I will send it to one of my new cousins who will be coming soon!

Thought I'd show you my "baby blues."  Just like my dad's!

The next hat is still a little big, and it's my mom's favorite color.  Not sure where she got the pattern, but it's just an easy baby hat, knitted in the round.

My mom says I look like "Mushmouth" from the old Fat Albert cartoon.  

Sometimes when I babble, I  do sound like Mushmouth, so I guess I won't take offense.

I also got my first big girl sports equipment this week.  Daddy is so happy!

His friends at Titleist made this Bullseye putter just for me!  I'm sure it won't be the last club my Dad gets for me.  He is a great teacher, so I'm sure we'll have lots of fun together.

Poor Paddy has been feeling a little left out lately, so we've been trying to give him a little extra love.  He sure does like to lick me!

My mom will be back next week posting about her Dinner On A Deadline project.  She got off easy this week, as my daddy was only home one night!  We missed him, but I think I saw her eat a peanut butter & marshmallow creme sandwich for dinner last night!  She did have a glass of milk with it.

Have a great weekend!

The Real Baby of Sheboygan County

Future Yarnoholic

My name is Mary-Claire and I'm a future "yarnoholic."

My mama can't stay away from the yarn shop, and I know I'm going to get "hooked."  The crochet hook is already clenched in my little fingers, and I know the knitting needles will be next.

Woe is me!  This is hard work!

Enough already!  I surrender!  

Have a great weekend and a Happy Mother's Day!

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County

Things that go "Click" in the Night

I have been a night-owl lately, and not by choice.  The little "nugget", or "peanut" or "p-nugget", as we've taken to calling her, likes to eat.  A lot.  

So, I get up.  A lot.  And try to stay awake.  That's where my iPhone has come in handy.  I can catch-up on Facebook and Twitter - not that I really remember what I'm reading, but hey, it keeps me awake.

It's during these times that I have been finding new Apps for my iPhone and I thought I'd share a couple of my recent favorites with you.

Some of you know that I am a Mark Bittman fan.  I love his books, his column, and now his "Slog", which is a combination "salon" & "blog."  

So, I was ecstatic to find his "How to Cook Everything" App for the iPhone - and only $1.99 - for a limited time!

The next App I came across will help me when I'm knitting and don't have time to run 

to the local yarn shop for help.  It's the Vogue Knitting app. 

I like that it has a "Stitchionary" and also goes over basic techniques, as well as 

help "fixing" your mistakes.

Always nice to know that inspiration is only a "click" away when I'm up in the middle of 

the night.  God bless the "P-Nugget."  And I won't be sad when she starts 

sleeping through the night!

The Real "Tired" Housewife of Sheboygan County

Baby Update and some Finished Projects, too!

I thought I would give a little baby update since I had a doctor's appointment on Friday.  Things are looking good, however, the little one is not cooperating as far as her positioning is concerned.  Both her head and her feet are up -- I guess she will be a little gymnast or cheerleader like her mama--and because of her small medical condition, the doctor doesn't want to try to get her to turn, thinking that she is remaining in this position for her own safety.  

So, I go back to Milwaukee in two weeks for another ultrasound and we will decide what to do from there.  I was so hoping for a natural delivery, but if I have to have a c-section, I guess I will make the best of it.  I know it's a common procedure, but also know that natural birth is typically better for both mama and baby.  Everything happens for a reason, so will give it some time and see how it all turns out. If I do have a c-section, she may be arriving sooner, rather than later, and this 42 year old former workaholic isn't quite sure what to do with a baby!

I did finish some baby projects over the weekend.  This is the Bear Hugs: Baby Wrap Cardigan Kit from Plymouth Yarn Co..  It was my first kitted sweater and was pretty easy.  My least favorite part was piecing it together, then finishing the ends.  

Here is the button detail.  Kind of unisex, don't you think?

I also finished this cute rolled brim baby hat that I started as part of the Baby Hat Class at Magpie's Cottage.  I would be very disappointed if her head is too big for all the stuff I've made!!!

And finally, a spring scarflet for myself made from Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton/Silk yarn in colorway Neptune.  I have lots left, so will probably make another little hat!  Then mama & baby can match when we're out getting our exercise!

Now I'm off to enjoy the beautiful day we're having in Sheboygan County!  Hopefully Mother Nature will be kind to us for the rest of the month!

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County

Maybe I Will Keep Knitting....

I started with this

 And finished with this

Maybe I will keep knitting....

Yarn:  Misti Alpaca Cotton Pima/Silk Blend in Fuschia Fusion

The Chunky Newsboy (Cap, that is....)

I finally finished the Chunky Newsboy Cap I started a while a go. I had problems with the gauge, and I have a small head, so significant modifications had to be made.  Plus, as usual, I also used different yarn than called for, so I guess I'm a glutton for punishment!

  

 I finally fixed it by using smaller hooks, and then I added some embellishment:  a crochet flower and one of my favorite brooches (click here for closeup) that I don't wear much.  I think it turned out pretty cute after all the trouble it caused me!  

 Next, I practiced my knitting, using a pattern from Jill over at Wool's Happenin'.  Not sure my counting on my rows was exactly accurate, but no major mistakes, and I made my first "pattern."  Tonight I start a baby hat class at Magpie's Cottage.  We will be working on circular needles and also double points, so I think I have my work cut out for me!  

 And lastly, my husband gave me the best gift for Valentine's Day!  Now maybe I'll finally finish The Pillars of the Earth that I started over a year ago, but it was such a heavy book I never wanted to take it with me!  It was so heavy I couldn't even hold it up to read in bed!  Problem is solved with my new Kindle.

Now what can I get myself into next?

Stay tuned.

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County

Friday Showcase: Finished Projects!

I think Friday is a great day to showcase a couple of finished projects:

The first knitting project - not without mistakes, but hopefully not too noticeable!  Two balls of Knitcol trends yarn - self-striping, 100% Merino Superwash purchased at Magpie's Cottage

Crochet Baby Hat made from leftover yarn

And matching Mary-Jane booties...they'd look better with little feet in them!

 And finally, Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a great weekend!

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County

A Treat For Your Valentine (but not mine!)

Don't these look yummy?  I absolutely love meringue cookies!  I usually have a tub from Trader Joe's around the house, and pop a couple when I need a quick treat.  My husband, however,  thinks they taste like chalk. 

This idea is from this month's Better Homes & Gardens and the instructions can be found here.

Maybe you can make some with your Valentine, but unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to come up with something else!

Tomorrow I hope to post my finished first knitted scarf (keep your fingers crossed that the binding off goes well today!), and also some baby things I have finished.  Still a lot of works in progress and works in my head, too, so must get to work!

Have a great day!


The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County