Boo!

So it is time to catch up a bit. Again, I cannot post or read blogs at work, and what with the kids at home and all it is hard to get this done. The husband is now back in town (permanantly...no more trips!), so things are easing up a bit.

This is big-sis' school spirit/halloween vest. The bobble up the front are ment to represent tiger paws. She has been very kind and supportive of this..."Sure mom, just like paw prints". She said this without rolling her eyes, which takes real self control.

As for the Homecoming outfit...I wore a cammo t-shirt with a green knitted vest. This vest:
And a parting shot of the orange vest:

(Hmmmm...she's lost it this time!)

In other knitting news I just finished a pair of pants for a baby shower. It was one of those showers where as soon as you walk in in a ponytail you feel as if homemade was not, possibly, the way to go. I included gas drops, which every mother ought to have, just in case, so perhaps that rounded it out. I am almost done with socktoberfest. Still no word on my pattern submission, so either a good sign, or I cannot properly e-mail. I'll fill y'all in later.

Oh, and a bit of crochet to round things out...an old hat worn by little sis:

What I do to educate the youth of America

OK, so teaching. You know…must be nice with all this time off we get, right??

I really do like it, but this is Homecoming week. Which means spirit garb. I am just faking jersey day, and twin day I have all worked out. Then there’s Thursday…cammo day.

Yes, I teach in the sticks. Actual cows roam in the field across the street from our high school.

Under normal circumstances I would also skip cammo day, but what with the kids I have this year, and being newly returned at all, I think I need to make a good show.

So my three options are:

1) Do the easy thing and buy a cammo bandana and wear it like a festive scarf

2) Borrow some of my dad’s old airborne ranger gear

3) Make a pink/green camo skirt (and yes, I can get the fabric for like $2 a yard)

I was leaning towards three until I remembered my doctor’s appt that afternoon. Thoughts? Opinions?

Anyhoo, knitting at school has been a kick. We have a pretty active knitting club. My computer guys are fascinated by the socks/vests/sweaters I leave on my desk. Frankly I’ve had almost no time to knit this week, what with the husband out of town and all, but it is amazing. The kids that are the most reluctant to talk or do anything all have some story about their Mumma (translation: mom) or Memaw (grandma) and the blanket/sweater/scarf they knit for them.

It may be the sticks, but handcrafting is a big part of life out here, which I love.

Girls and I are about to head out to the yarn store. I need some red sock yarn for spirit Fridays.

Go team!!

October, Argh!

So here we are October. I promised myself last year that I would not do it. Nope, not I. I would plan small reasonable gifts for people. No need to knit for everyone. My mental health is a valuable thing.

And we all know where that kind of thinking goes once fall hits. One chilly evening and all I can think is "who needs socks?"

Last year I did BIG projects. This year I am at least trying to think small.

So in the spirit of small, here's a wee pattern for Halloween. It would make a good stocking stuffer too, if you know any pirates. I also like these since the girls LOVE piraes right now, and I love their eyeballs, so the soft hook is a win-win scenario.

Materials: One ball chunky, cheap black yarn
One hank of plastic canvas thread in silver (the fat kind)
Optional: chunky yarn in a contrasting color. Use what you have...you could even double up some worsted stuff.

One set METAL DPN’s in a size 8. Seriously, the silver stuff is scratchy, and I do not want to be responsible for messing up your best pair of bamboo needles.

This is all based on i-chord. So simple it hurts.

Start with the black yarn and work in a 5 stitch i-chord for about 2-3 inches. Depends on your pirate's hand. Switch to the silver. Work another inch or so. Then, every other row, slip the first three stitches and knit the other two. This will cause the hook to curve. When you think it is long enough taper the end by doing 1 row k2tog, across, then next row knit the remaining 3 stitches together. Pull the tail through and work in the end.

Now you need a cuff. Pick up about 10 stitches around the edge where the silver and black meet. Distribute the stitches evenly over 3 DPN’s.

K 1 row.

K1M1 for next row.

Repeat these two rows until the circle is wide enough to cover the pirate’s hand. Then knit straight until the cuff measures abut 4 inches. If you like knit the last two rows in the contrasting yarn. Bind off, weave in loose ends, then shiver me timbers! You’re a pirate.

If I can find my notes I’ll try to also post the eye patch and hat patterns. Again, super simple.

Enjoy!