Sara's 3rd Birthday

Finally got to give Sara her birthday dress today, after a month of it sitting in my house a surprise. She LOVED IT. After discarding several other gifts with a “yeah, whatever, boring” face and a toss of the wrist (nice to be 3 yrs. old), she opened my first of two boxes: two pairs of cute Target shorts and the little pink and purple purse I made her. She tossed the shorts and loved the purse.



Then she opened the box with the birthday dress in it and as soon as she saw it, and heard my sister tell her that “Aunt Whitt MADE this dress for you!”…she got a little happy grin and her eyes got all squinty with love and she held it up...



...then put it down, walked over to me, jumped in my lap and gave me a HUGE hug with her head on my shoulder and said “You are the best Aunt Whitt”. OMG my eyes totally teared up and I just felt so much love and appreciation! And the way she said it, it sounded like out of all the Aunt Whitts, I was the best. So cute.

Then, and this cracks me up, Spencer says randomly, “Aunt Whitt…did you hear about the toy company mom and dad and me are starting?” I said no, and he continues to tell me about how they’re going to make toys and dolls and then says, “So…do you want to knit some clothes for the dolls?” OMFG how cute that my niece and nephew totally get that I can make them things!

So Sara was against trying on the dress (of course, grumpy birthday moments) but pinkie-promised me she’d do it before I left. She kept her promise, but b/c the ribbon was tied in a bow and therefore tightened the top of the dress, she couldn’t get her second arm through. She got frustrated and annoyed and started crying and UGH, nightmare. I undid the tie, not giving up on my one chance to see her modeling it, and put it on her. My mom took a quick picture but the bow isn’t tied and Sara looks incredibly annoyed. Still…

Elvish Leaves Dishcloth

I love this pattern. Fun to knit (decided I like knitting lace b/c there's stuff to do), works up fast, and pretty result. I think a scarf with this pattern would be gorgeous.



I used up only about half of a 2.5oz skein of Sugar 'n Cream, in Hot Blue. It’s so pretty and I will definitely be making more. Only mod is that I used a size 6 needle (better for dishcloths).

More Booties!

...and more crappy cell pics.

Preemie Booties for Charity

So Debbie's cousin recently gave birth to a preemie who only made it a week, very sad. She is doing a charity drive for knit and/or crochet preemie items to give to the hospital where her cousin was. Since everyone is making hats, I decided to make booties. They're so teensy and so easy to whip up.





I used THIS pattern. The pastel ones are made with Cotton Tots, the blue ones are Sugar 'n Cream. Both used an H hook. I have lots of both yarns so I'll be making a few more.

For the pair pictured below, I did an extra round of hdc at the end to make them more like socks. I like this version better...easier to fold down and I'd imagine easier to stay up on little teensy leggies. CUTENESS!

Random Acts of Kindness

I swear, I must be doing something right in the knitting universe. In the past few months I've been the recipient of some awesome gifts, all of which were given "just because".

First, Shelagh makes and sends me those awesome fingerless mitts, all the way from Canada, because I'd complained about my Raynaud's cold fingers. Then Suzette and Gail gave me the awesome set of Harmony Needles. Then just last week, Debbie reveals that the secret project she's been working on was for me, and hands me a cute assymetrical cardigan. Then Debbie (the other) and Torii both invite me to sleep over their house when I had to get up early for a doctor's appointment.

And tonight? Tonight I was given an awesome skein of Dream in Color SMOOSHY from Gladys! And it’s in my fave color, grass green (well, it's really called Happy Forest)! OMFG I love it so much.



I knew it was comin’ my way b/c she told me she'd bought it months ago for my birthday, never mind that we hadn't ever met (until tonight) and had just started chatting online. It’s so awesome to be constantly reminded of the warmth and generosity of people, and how random acts of kindness are everywhere you look. And maybe if you are a good person, you'll be the lucky recipient of a few yourself.

Ever since Gladys told me about it, I've been intending it for a mini Clapotis, as seen on Ravelry. She assures me there is enough in the skein to make it, and I can't wait. I'm not a shawl person so I don't know for sure that that's what I want to make with it. I really want to get good use out of whatever that gorgeous yarn becomes. WHEEE!

PS) I sorta feel like shit for never reciprocating. I just don't know what to get/make people or how to "repay" them. I hate that.

PPS) How much will I love naming the Clapotis, The Happy Clappy, after the yarn name? ANSWER: a lot!

New yarn on it's way to being a tank top

So on a recent trip to the yarn store that was supposed to be just to visit with The Betties and hang out, I found myself wanting to get something. Shocking. Debbie convinced me to get this Araucania Pomaire Multi yarn (100% cotton, color 17) and I immediately decided it was to become a tank top for me. I've never worn the Razor Cami I made so I really want to make something awesome and actually wear it.

After much deliberation, I cast on for THIS tank top late night July 2nd and hoped I would have enough yarn for it (3 hanks). It's a little splitty but not bad to work with at all.



Well...I finished the back piece last night and didn't even use up a whole skein! Did I mention I love this yarn? So soft, such a pretty colorway, and totally wearable. I've named it Summer Nights Tank Top as I am hoping to finish and wear it soon. I really liked doing the armhole shaping and decreases, two new skills for me. I feel like my knitting is getting better and my stitches more even.



I'll post my mods to the pattern when it's all said and done. Yes I know, I always say that, but this time I really want to since I can see myself making this one again.