Belly? What belly?

Lets face it, after birthing two children there are just certain things that I cannot wear. No amount of dieting and exercise will reattach the skin to my torso. Stretch marks? You better believe it.

So all these cute summer tops are grand, but short of surgical intervention there will always be a bulge. If I was a female form the TV series Manimal, all I would be able to turn into would be a Shar-pei.

And my obsession was born. I have wanted a knittable summer top that would not hug the belly. Nothing too hot or clingy, it’s hot here!!

So for the last four days all I have done is measure, knit, re-knit. And at last I have it.

(Pardon the goofy grin...the husband was making rude comments about the freckles.)

It is done on size two and four needles using the Valley mercerized cotton from webs. (By the way, have you seen the new website? Very nice re-design. Looks great, and much easier to find things.)

As I have said before, I love this stuff. For less that $17 you get an entire cone of yarn. 1260 yards. Do you know how much yarn that is?? This top took less than a half a pound. I have so much left over!!

Also, it comes in over 70 colors. SEVENTY. I have gone through at least six cones over the years.

You could also substitute Paton's Grace. I get about the same gauge with it.

I have half the pattern typed up, and will try to get it up by tomorrow. It is for a size 34 bust. I can try to work it up in another size if someone is interested.

You think I could count

OK, I am a math teacher, for crying out loud, you think I could cast on the right number of stitches.

So I was out to dinner the other night (we were coming home form camping) and this gal walked by in a very snappy tank top. It was tight at the hip, then a bit blousy. A few rows of lace at the top. Hers was a jersey knit, but I think it will translate well. I figured this would be nice and cool.

So I have been busy casting on what I thought was 342 stitches. And doing 3 inches of 1x1 ribbing.

And it was looking a bit small, but I just kept going. Then I counted. 180 stitches. My hips cannot be circles by a mere 180 stitches.

So, rip, goodbye eggplant ribbing. This was using the tubular cast on.

Deep sigh. Progress shot later. I have some counting to do.

Call David Horowitz

Do you remember that show? “Fight Back with David Horowitz”. He exposed consumer fraud and allowed the viewer to fight back.

Well, in researching this blog post I found out he’s still out there, and it might be my time to contact him. Really, check out the site. It even has the old theme song.

My sister loved this show. When she was in the sixth grade she was on the lookout constantly. She wrote in to the show and got a letter back and everything. I have vague memories of her getting a fight back badge in the mail…I should ask if she still has it.

OK, here’s my deal. So everyone in the civilized world knows about Mason Dixon Knitting and the amazing new book. I have visited it at Barnes and Noble several times now. The girls play with the Thomas the Tank engine trains and I flip through it. No purchase yet since I am trying not to add any more bulk…moving next month and all.

I NEED that book. What I have skimmed has been so snappy, so we won’t be asking David to fight back against the book.

Here’s my issue. That Peaches and Cream cotton is like crack. Seriously, I almost never just buy random yarn. I generally have something in mind for everything I get. I might not ever get to it, but it has an intended purpose.

That said, there is something about $1.19 for a ball of yarn that just intoxicates me. So I have a few in my stash. And now there is a book of really great pattenrs using this stuff. So obviously I need more.

And the girls just happen to have killed the last bathmat. And Mason Dixon Knitting has a great pattern for a bathmat made of this cotton crack.

Side story, the death of the bathmat involves a turtle named Broccoli, markers, glitter glue, and toothpaste. Don’t ask. The turtle, federally protected endangered turtle the husband unknowingly brought home, I might add, is back safe and sound in its natural environment unharmed, but the mat is no more. There are things even I cannot wash out.

So I pulled out a few balls, then headed to the store to make sure I had enough. Here’s the problem:

Yup, they’ve gotten smaller. The one on the right is the ball from a year ago, the left the one I got yesterday. Same price, but a whole 1 oz. smaller. I want a Fight Back badge for this!!

Deep sigh.

The bathmat is going great and should be done by tomorrow. Pictures once it is done.

I also made a bib to be mailed of Monday, the girl’s newest step-cousin.

I am telling you, addictive stuff these patterns.

Oh, and I sold a pattern. Cannot yet say where it's going, but I am so happy I could burst. We even ate dinner out...I couldn't concentrate to cook.

We're home

Well, we are back home in Florida. It has really hit me today though, this place is only home for 2 months, then we are back up to Virginia.

This is a test post via e-mail. Since things will be up in the air over the next few weeks I am trying out new ways to keep this up to date. I'll be back later today with some photos. It's baby central around here, I have two new babies to knit for, so it's time to get crackin'.

What was that?

You appear to be speaking.

Yes, you. Don’t think I don’t know what you are up to. This is my PTK, and you cannot waste it.
Fine, cry, it’s good for your sinuses.

No, I cannot come in there. If your feet are cold cover them up. That is why I knit after all...all these hours knitting and you can lay there and complain of cold feet.

Did I forget to remind you that tonight is the finale of Top Chef? Prime Potential Knitting Time. I can finish a whole sock in this time. Think of your feet, if not of me.

Yes, I am aware too much TV will rot your brain out, I remember telling you. Have you heard what childbearing does to it?? No?? Perhaps later...

Now, GO TO BED!!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday Queen Victoria! To celebrate the girls and their Muz (translation: Grandmother) are having tea this afternoon.

We are back from San Diego and are visiting here in Willy until the weekend. San Diego was grand, and I got in lots of PTK (Potential Knitting Time). We were out for my baby brother’s wedding, so sorry folks, some non-knitting photos follow. His wife is originally from Kobe Japan, and her family made their first trip to the US for the event. They are moving to Tokyo next month, so we are all trying to learn Japanese so we can visit. I took Japanese in college, but I need serious brushing up.

I am now almost done with this Walking sock from Knitting Vintage Socks. Since we’re at my folks house there are lots of fun spots to take photos.

Here he is lounging with friends on the 200-year old bed.

Visiting with my great-great-grandfather.

And some of the other locals.

And soaking up the sun in the front garden.

On Location

Howdy from California! We are on location at the lovely Glorietta Bay Inn Here on Coronado Island in CA. My brother is getting married (tonight!). I'll have some photos later...I forgot the camera cable.

Yesterday we went to the San Diego Zoo. Very exciting. I am working on a secret pair of socks for my dad's birthday, mostly while he's sitting right there. Good thing he tunes out my knitting.

"See" you all soon!

What to bring?

OK, so it's the usual. We're going on a road trip. 12 hours in the car. 6 hours on the plane, both ways. Total of 36 hours of Potential Knitting Time (PKT). This is important people, not to be wasted.

(And all that travel is over 15 days. My brother is getting married, and the travel arrangements are convoluded, to say the least)

Last time I had this much knitting time it turned out Awful!

I am debating ...socks? Too many needles to lose.

Hubby Hat? Good thought, but he won't be there so I can measure his head.

Sweater? Too big.

I have three days left to decide.

This is actually interfering with sleep. I have to drive to Orlando on Thursday to pick up the parental units at the airport. My plan in to stop by the knitting store there on the way to find something.

And yes, this means leaving two hours early, and bringing dinner for the girls. But think of all that wasted time if I didn't have the right project. Wasted PKT time. I shudder at the thought.

(And also, I just found out I am a finalist in the Elann.com competition...Very exciting!!)

Hat!

OK, so I ordered all this yarn, Reynold’s Saucy if you must know. I am planning some summer tops for the girls, but that is for another post.

One looked so pretty online, but it turned out to be a cammo-green. I was complaining to the husband about it last night, since the girls both groaned when they saw it. Then, it happened.

“That would make a good hat. I like the color”

Can you believe it???

For years I have been under strict orders to not get any ideas and knit for him. He is super picky about clothes (the slouchier the better) and we agreed a long time ago it was best for our relationship if the yarn was my thing. We figured I would be crushed if he didn’t like it, and he would be uncomfortable wearing something out of obligation.

But now he wants a hat. This is big. It’s the crack in his armor that I have been waiting for.

(The picture is little-sis in the old hat)

Next, I’ll tempt him with socks, and before you know it he’s wearing a sweater. I just know it.

And yes, this is a lot of responsibility for one hat.

It’ll have to be ribbed, and boring, but he wants me to knit something for him. He actually wears caps year round. I know, we live in Florida, and it’s wacky to want headgear in the summer…it serves a higher purpose.

So, little sis and I drove an hour to the knitting store to get the right sized needles. She was so good about all the time in the car seat that I took her for a cookie at Barnes and Noble afterward.

I’ll let you know how it turns out.

This is all the Saucy I ordered...and a self portrait of big-sis.

Not Me!

What’s behind my back?? Nothing, I swear!

Oh, that? Poking out? It’s a stick, harmless little stick.

No! I am not knitting!!

Of course, I am just about to mop. Dishwasher is running…can’t you hear it? Go look…much cleaner in there.

No, I was not hiding anything, just straightening up. See, this sock just fell out of the basket.

Why is the TV hot? It’s Florida! Everything is hot!

No, I did not just spend my whole morning knitting socks and watching Magnum PI. I resent that!

The children? What chil…oh, them. I’m sure they’re here somewhere.

Where?!?! Why are they running around the backyard in their pajamas?! Well the fresh air is good for them, and it keeps them out of my yarn.

I do clean…dust bunnies? Where? Are they angora?

No, knitting is not all I think about. I think about mopping, a lot. Pondering the chores brings me a zen-like peace, really.

I’m sorry you don’t believe me. Frankly, I’m done with this conversation.

And I am NOT obsessed, this is a healthy way to relax!!