She's Growing Up

Watching Little Sis
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I often ask myself how I can possibly have three children. I was SO done when Mary Grace was born. I was in my mid-twenties and deep in a career and a social life. Having a baby really threw me for a loop. I knew immediately I didn't want any more.

Fast forward 11 years. My baby girl, precious and perfect, is racing toward adulthood, more than halfway there now. (tears) How can Mary Grace be 11? And how can it be that I have two more children now? I mean really, how can all of this be?

I was just saying to Don that she is becoming more graceful, after a few years of tween clumsiness due to radical growth spurts. She's looking more proportional to me, more and more lady-like.

Of course and I type this, she's upstairs playing with her two younger siblings, laughing hysterically and squealing. There is still a lot of kid left in her... but less that I'm comfortable admitting.

She's growing up. How does that happen?

Bucket Back Sack

Bucket Back Sack
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.
Pattern: Felted Bucket Bag
Yarn: Debbie Bliss SoHo

For Christmas, I knitted this Bucket Bag for Mary Grace. I never did get a picture in the chaos that was going on with the holiday and mom's passing.

So here it is now. I adore how she's personalized it with her softball photo keychair... she played outfield for the Summerdale Cardinals this spring. *big proud mama grin*

I added the single strap to turn it into an over the shoulder backsack. This was the start of it, way back in November:

Marigold Class Project

Marigold Class Project
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Andrew planted seeds before school ended, just a couple weeks ago, for these nice Marigolds. He has been petting them and watering them and they are finally strong enough to find a home in the ground.

We plan to transplant them tomorrow. Andrew is so proud of them, and I'm so proud of him for keeping them going.

More later once the bloom. :)

Cotton Summer Sock

Cotton Summer Sock
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

I started a new sock this week, for me. Just a simple sporty sock, in cotton for summer. The first time I've chosen a knit, not by accident, for Project Spectrum 2. GREEN PINK YELLOW! We shall see if I make it to completion. I'm going to try, I have 11 days left. ;)

Pattern: standard stockinette sock with 1 inch of purl at the top so it will look rolled. Cast on 64, 32 for the heel in slip/knit. Love it!

Yarn: SandesGarn from Norway, in Mandarin Petite #2406, 100% cotton it is SO soft and luxurious.

~~~love~~~

Knitting with this yarn makes me crave sherbert!!!

Teacher Gifts

Teacher Gifts
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Today is Andrew's last day of preschool so I'm sending these along in his backpack as thank you gifts for his teachers. Its been a wonderful year!

I can't believe all he's accomplished this year and how much he's blossomed. I'm so proud of my little guy and very thankful for his teachers.

These are simple dishcloths with English lavendar soaps wrapped in hand-knit dishcloths. Patterns: Flying Geese and Open Star I'm so please with how they turned out. :)

One Lozenge Sock - Done

Lozenge Mosaic
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

My first completed Men's Lozenge Sock from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.

In Lornas Laces Shepard Sport (Aslan colorway).

Altered cast on from 72(0s) to 60(1s) as pattern was for fingering weight, also altered the heel to a slip/knit heel, to strenghten it.

The sock fits Don well! Now he just needs the match. This sock feels HUGE compared to a women's sock. I feel like I could have knitted 3 pair of women's socks in the time it too for me to do this ONE. But I love it! I enjoyed doing the Weldon's wide toe, and am very happy with the look of it.

Monthly Dishcloth Knit-A-Long

My knitting circle is doing a monthly knit-a-long of dishcloths. Each participating member gets to choose the pattern one month and a yarn theme. This month was "Cinco de Mayo" for May. The pattern was Open Star and the yarn theme was something in the fiesta realm. I chose Peaches and Cream in Fiesta Ombre.

Our first month in the knit-a-long was "April Showers." I knitted the Chinese Waves pattern in Peaches and Creme Spring Rain.

Babys Got A Brand New Big Bag Complete

Babys Got A Brand New Big Bag Complete
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

All done and drying out back. I'm in love! This is my drag everything to the park bag. (happy dance) Its a very quick knit... only 2 weeks for this SAHM.

This is my second time to knit Maia's Baby's Got A Brand New Big Bag. The first was from a recycled Alpaca sweater from my girlfriend Lauri. It was a very enjoyable knit... and the bag is incredible. So incredible that I wanted one for myself!

I used Original Lopi by Reynolds and the only adjustment was that the yarn not doubled worsted... its chunky so I knit single yarn.

Other pics while in process: