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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Hooray!! (^_^)

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I know it's been a while since I've blogged...Not like anyone reads this thing anyway, though.

How sad.

But things have been busy what with it being the holidays and all.

Nor have things been very good here on the home front either. I don't know what it is exactly about this time of year, but from October 31st through Dec 31st, things get real shitty here. Bad luck and bad moods.

However, Christmas was real nice this year. I always enjoy the week of though. We went over to my in-laws on Christmas Eve for a small family get together. I hadn't realized Dillinger was so shy until that night. He fell and got a giant goose egg on his forehead right before the kids started opening presents. Scared the crap out of me. He got over it fairly quickly. Maybe it was because of all the action.

On Christmas Day, we actually woke up before the kids did. Maybe we were the excited ones. :laughs: The kids opened their presents immediately. Dillinger kept gasping at everything he opened - so cute! After, we went out to Waffle House and had breakfast and then drove 40 minutes to my parents house. Fun times to be had...

Dia got a children's guitar and drum set. A rocking horse that she wants to paint pink with yellow polka dots. Several art sets and board games. And quite a few educational toys.

Dillinger got the typical things a one year old would get. A piano, a toy phone, toy drum, and a hobby horse.

My parents surprised me this year. Typically, my mom buys me things I need...Like toothpaste, razor, or shit that I may have mentioned I was slightly interested in when I was fourteen. This year though was different...She got me a knitting basket, two knitting books, a random assortment of retro needles, and notions. Squee!

After the disappointment of Dia's legwarmer, I took a bit of a knitting break. And don't ask why it double posted. I'll have to fix that later...It never seems like I take that long of a break, until I really sit back and take a look at it.

My current project is a pair of mittens for Dillinger. It's been damn near a year since I tried my hand at knitting mittens.

Oh, and I didn't gauge, so...we'll see how this turns out.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Last night.....I threw a big ol' hissy fit

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I was working on knitting a pair of leg warmers for my daughter on some size 3 double pointed needles. Using a sport weight yarn... Keyword here is was. I pulled it out of my bag last night and one of the needles had slipped out. I tried saving it...but only made things worse.

So I ripped it out...and threw a fit which rivaled that of my daughter's.

I had at least 50 rows done and was maybe about 1/4th of the way done with the first leg warmer.

I don't get the chance to knit that often or for long periods of time. So even if it's one row, it's a lot of progress.

Oh and I'm pretty sure I threw away all my pattern notes (it was my own)...So I have to knit another swatch....

:sigh:

Last night.....I threw a big ol' hissy fit

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I was working on knitting a pair of leg warmers for my daughter on some size 3 double pointed needles. Using a sport weight yarn... Keyword here is was. I pulled it out of my bag last night and one of the needles had slipped out. I tried saving it...but only made things worse.

So I ripped it out...and threw a fit which rivaled that of my daughter's.

I had at least 50 rows done and was maybe about 1/4th of the way done with the first leg warmer.

I don't get the chance to knit that often or for long periods of time. So even if it's one row, it's a lot of progress.

Oh and I'm pretty sure I threw away all my pattern notes (it was my own)...So I have to knit another swatch....

:sigh:

Sunday, November 16, 2008

A few FO's for my friend's baby

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My best friend is pregnant with her first child. She'll be having a little girl some time around December 20th. She is, as all first time mothers are, very nervous.

I, on the other hand, am very excited. I know she'll make a great mother. Although, she does have much learning to do. But I feel this will bring us closer together. Ever since I got married and had kids, we've drifted a bit. Not so much in our love for each other (I love this girl to death), but I could tell she felt distant. Understandably though, because I know she doesn't understand. As sappy as this may sound, no one can understand love until they look into the eyes of their child. It doesn't necessarily happen instantly, but as you watch your child grow, the love for them grows that much more.

Anyway. Sap-fest over. Here are the things I've made for her.



The hat is tiny. Which is how I wanted it to be. I wanted it to fit for those first few weeks, since she'll be born in December and no "newborn" hat ever fits a baby that early. I am a little worried that it may be just a tad bit too small.




These leg warmers are not what I made for her. However, I did use the Peppermint (red and white) yarn pictured to make her a cotton baby bib. It was done in stockinette stitch with a garter stitch border. It only has one strap and buttons closed with a white button sewn on with red thread. I realized, as I went to upload the photos, that I'd completely forgotten to take pictures of it when I was done. (T_T)

I also intend on making her a few more things, such as baby leg warmers. However, I need to wait until she is born because I've forgotten how skinny a baby's legs really are.

DazzleMea's OTK Japanese Legwarmers (UPDATED: now with more functioning links!)

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I've finally finished my leg warmers!



I know, no one knew I was actually knitting leg warmers, but I've been so busy knitting lately, I haven't had too much time to blog. I started them in September but didn't finish until tonight. As winter was fast approaching, I realized that my family needed things first, and these got put on hold for a bit.

But here it is! My first official pattern!

Download PDF (If you have a problem downloading the PDF, please email me) If you don't like the ties because they can be difficult to use, just work a 2 stitch I-Cord on a set of smaller DPNs. **It's come to my attention that the .pdf is being stupid here's a link to the pattern **

I would update with more pictures, however, my batteries are dead (how dramatic) and I lost the charger.

I learned something while making these though....

Measure often.

I accidentally knitted several rows too many. I tried to fix this mistake by inserting my needle to abouts where I messed up. Well....This yarn is deceiving. I've found it difficult to even measure my gauge. Well, in the process I tilted my needle and the one side was slightly longer.

Lucky for me this pattern is very forgiving! All I had to do was slightly bunch up the button area. And since these are slouchy, you can hardly tell.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Reflecting on Dillinger's first year

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Today's Dillinger's first birthday. I can hardly believe it's been a year already! Here are some pictures I've taken over the last few years





Friday, September 12, 2008

Dangit!

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About three or four weeks ago we were at Walmart in Oberlin. We had $20 extra for me to spend on yarn. Now, Walmart isn't known for it's wondiferous yarn collection....In fact, the selection here was downright sad. Ugh. But Oberlin is just a small college town. However, they did have a surprisingly decent selection of cotton.

I bought two balls of Peaches n' Cream. One red and white ombre called Peppermint, and one black and light grey called Licorice. I had originally planned on making some baby bibs out of them.

Keyword here is orignally.

Then, I suddenly had the desire to knit me some japanese legwarmers.

Oooh.....Japanese legwarmers....

As I neared halfway finished with the first one, when it dawned on my dumb ass that I was definitely going to need another ball of each color. Dan assumed that it was going to be relatively easy to get these colors again. Turns out no. At least not the licorice. Plenty of peppermint though. Checked two stores.

Unfortunately, since I only had one skein each.....................I only have a legwarmer. But it still looks pretty freakin sweet!

I present you:
Japanese-style Legwarmers

©All rights reserved. Pattern or design is not to be sold or redistributed without prior permission from the author, Meagan Fischer.

Materials:
2 Balls Peaches n Cream cotton yarn, Peppermint
2 balls Peaches n Cream cotton yarn, Licorice
size 7 straight needles
row counter
yarn needle

Instructions:
With Licorice, CO 30 sts. Work 6 rows in K1P1 ribbing
Knit in St st until you have 20 rows.

Change to Peppermint and work 20 rows in St st.

Alternate Licorice and Peppermint four more times.

Loosely BO. Seam sides.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

As it turns out...

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I am a spaz.

Dia's homebase teacher came today. She's doing great for someone her age. Most of today was filled with screenings and what not...And Dia did an excellent job.

Her teacher said she has fantastic fine motor skills. Excellent at copying drawings. Great at listening. And that since, 1994, Dia is the first person to identify a peach.

Dia was an angel during the entire thing.

Now however, I can hear her yelling at the Gamecube. Guess she has her limits.

This entire time I thought that she was behind...Turns out she really isn't.

I have to go help her with Monkey Ball

Friday, September 5, 2008

T Minus! ...

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One hour and 6 minutes until my kids leave for Aunt Lisa's! Until Sunday!

Hells yeah!

She'll also be taking Dia to her first fair-like thing at their church. The church thing is a bit ew, but Dia's 4 and never been to something like this.

We'll be taking our nephews next weekend.

Thank you for baby sitting exchanging!


Ooh! This gives us another reason for Dia to be on her best behavior. I can tell it's wearing a little thin though. She's been a bit defiant these past couple days.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

DazzleMea's Insanely Soft Sloppy Scarf

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It’s almost complete. I just need to finish the edging on it. It’s insanely soft and super warm!

So far, this is my favorite yarn to work with. Because it’s so feathery, it leaves room for error. However, it is easy to accidentally make an increase using the knit right loop…So, be careful. I made this mistake. I started out with 29 stitches and ended with 31 (hence “Sloppy Scarf”). Also, it tends to stick to the crevices of your hand if it’s even the slightest bit moist. But despite it’s flaws, I *heart* how this stuff works up.

I plan on posting more pictures of it when it's 100% complete, but I just couldn't resist showing it off now.

Monday, August 18, 2008

The rest of the braclets...

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I made our friends little girl 3 more bracelets. Well, wait. A total of four. But I gave one to her mother since they share the same birthday and matched her outfit perfectly. The one you see below is what I gave to her mother.


I made another pink one but without the black trim. I used two different sized white buttons and lined the bracelet with them. I, sadly, don't have a picture of that one.

The second one I made was a blue ombre cuff. I knit in 5 beads representing each year of her life...and one birthday cake bead in the center. I plan on re-knitting it each year. Again no picture.

I made another one using red yarn and sewed seed beads onto it. I was going to make 3 more and use them as party favors for the girls, but never got around to it. I got too busy in helping get things ready for the party and keeping the house clean for the hostess.

I do plan on getting pictures the next time I visit them.

I want to make more and sell them online, however it seems everywhere requires you have a credit card. An' we ain't got one of doze.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

There's a needle gnome in my house....

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And it's my daughter....I used to have 8 sets of needles....Now I only have maybe 3 working pairs. Either the full set is missing or just one.

Last night, I started working on knitting some bracelets for Dia's friend, Jade. Her birthday part's this Sunday. I wanted to make her at least four and then I was going to make Dia one, and then any extras for any other girls at the party.

I only made two though. As my daughter ran off with one of the needles I was working with. And I can't even tell you how many times I told that girl to leave it be...

And now for a pity party...

I'm so sad. I can't have anything nice. No seriously. It always gets fucked up by Dan or a kid.
I'm on the verge of crying right now. Not just because my shit's all missing. But since we have no money for a present, this was the only way we could give her something.

Here are the two bracelets I did complete though.

My faux bangle


Punk Cufflet...

:sigh: And now it's off to continue searching....I've searched throughout this entire house. I have no idea where it is....

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Back in the game

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Soo a lotta shit's been happening that's prevented me from knitting. Uh, like breastfeeding damn near constantly. Gah...But he's now eating solids and it's been better.

And as the saying goes "Idle hand's are the devil's playthings". And yeah. We had soo much fun playing together one day that we decided to start a punk/goth/alternative parenting forum. Which for the first few months of it's conception was a nightmare!. AutarChic Parenting <-Come check us out!

Then we were in the process of moving. Not out of our complex, just to a smaller apartment. But that got nixed. After all the work we've done...:grumble grumble:

And then there were apointments and illnesses....And then general business of being a mom of two. Yikes! I never knew...Now that Dillinger's mobile I don't get much time to myself.

Speaking of time, that's all I have for now

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

My new toys

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Tax return. Our Christmas equivelant...However, this past Christmas we were able to get our family stuff.

I got a new camera. It's a Canon A650 IS. It's purdy. And yes, I do understand why it was so cheap. But I didn't care...I wanted it.

Got a photo printer too... It wasn't too expensive. But it's just nice to finally have a printer. We got our computer through Blue Hippo. My advice to anyone who's considering going through them. Don't. Seriously. Save yourself the trouble. They lie to you and string you along the entire time. Six months after we paid them off, we got our TV....A year later, we're still waiting on the printer.

My other big purchase was the Asus EEE PC. I call it My Anus. I got the pink one. I love this little thing. While it doesn't have a CD drive, I don't care. If I really wanted one, I can save up and buy one. The only reason I want one though is because it has Linux.

But the rest of the stuff I got was stuff we kinda needed. I bought an infant carrier cuz I can't work a sling...Slings hurt my back anyway. Got both Dia and Dillinger new clothes. Dillinger some toys. Stuff for the car...Stuff for the home.

This is the first time that we've been able to get ourselves nice stuff. Last tax return we had to pay off payday loans....And the year before, we used it for rent to get us out of the motel. I wish we would have saved some, but actually, I don't really regret it too much.

But with all these new toys I find myself torn on what to do when I have free time...Not like that happens much though. Knit? Or play?

Thursday, January 31, 2008

He heh...Oops!

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I accidentally ordered Stitch n Bitch. I didn't mean to. I was on Amazon.com ordering stuff for Dan and Dia...I was kept trying to get the free shipping. I had apparently put in both SNB and 101 One Skein Wonders...I either didn't realize or had forgotten that I put the two in my cart. I took one off because of the price...I had just been so frustrated by the whole experience, that just said "Fuck it" and sent it all through without paying close attention.

Oops!

But it was a very nice surprise!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

SlipperMitts and Scarves.... er...Scarf

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I finished the final mitt! I started feeling better towards the end of the day, so I picked up my needles and worked. I tried them out on Dillinger. They're too tight around his fists. So we (my and my husband) tried them out on his feet. They fit rather well as slippers. The baby I made them for was born on December 26th, so it should fit him a little better.

I doubt she'll even put them on her baby! :laughs:

It also helped me abstain from smoking. I decided to quit the other day. I only smoked a total of 4-5 cigarettes a day, but I was still super-bitch the first day. Instead of sneaking a smoke break, I knit instead.

But here they are....laying on my couch. Fancy, right? And on
Dillinger.






I've also begun knitting a scarf. I'm thinking that it'll be for myself. It'll be from Jo-Ann Sensations Beautiful in green and Caron Bliss in plum on the ends. I'm also going to crochet around the green edges in plum...And maybe I'll do the opposite around the plum with green. It depends on how much yarn I have left over. I just hope I have enough of the Caron Bliss to do what I need to do. I doubt it.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Ookie.....

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Ugh...I think I'm getting sick. I'm dizzy and wanna hoark. Yuck. Dammit.

I need to get that other baby mitt done! I'm already 1/3 of the way done already and I just started it last night. It usually takes me much longer to knit because if I'm lucky, the kids will let me get 2 rows done.

I just hope the kids don't get sick.

I'mma go lay down now.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Sweet!!

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I would love to make a scarf using this pattern: http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/charts/starwars.htm

I want to make it for my husband. He'd love it. I just don't know how to read these things.

So if anyone knows where I could learn or have any tips or whatever please let me know!

LiveJournal confuses me

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So I'm gonna try this place out...To check out my old posts (because I will be making references to it) just go to: http://dazzlemea.livejournal.com/

Random thoughts and learning to crochet...

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My sister bought me a set of Boye crochet hooks for Christmas. She didn't know exactly what they were for. I was initially a little disappointed - but not much. My husband, Dan, had broken my acrylic hook by chewing on it. The guy's like a ferret...chews on everything...The remote, baby toys, anything rubbery.

I looked up how to start w/the initial chain several days ago. I finally tried to do it Saturday night. I did pretty good...I had to make it up as I went along after that. It was ugly. I finally looked it up though and discovered what I was doing wrong - and man, I was wrong! I can't even describe how off I was... But once I watched one video (from Nextstitch.com) I had it.

Apparently, I crochet right handed. I'm actually left handed. I knit continental. I tried to do it English, but I was feeling lazy and decided I didn't want to use a mirror to try and watch the videos. I'll learn how to throw eventually.

I'm so proud of myself for learning how to crochet so quickly. My grandmother had tried to teach me when I was about 10, and I just couldn't get it. I wish I would have tried harder...I miss her...

I shouldn't be playing with crochet right now. I need to finish the other baby mitten I'm making for a friend. I would have two by now, had I remembered that I was using smaller needles than specified for the pattern. The very first baby mitt was way too small (deja vu?). For the "second" one, I had to cast on about 4 more stitches....

How have I not gone completely crazy, yet?

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