The Conference Cowl

This is it (I think) - the last completed project update!

It was a great project. I had a ball of Malabrigo Rios left over from my Estelle and I needed a project that was interesting but not too involved to take along to the Sovereign Grace Pastor's Conference. This pattern and this yarn made for a beautiful pair.

I began on the car-ride down to Gaithersburg and finished the day we came home. Perfect.

Plus, I learned two things:

1. Blocking is so important. I already knew this, but the reminder was helpful. When it was first finished and I put it on, it looked like a large, blue caterpillar was attacking me. It was more than a little snug around my neck, and I was preparing to give it away. But once home and suitably blocked, the fibers really r  e  l  a  x  e  d, and there was a lovely drape to it. No more(wo)man-eating caterpillars here.

2. When you drop your yarn in the middle of a meeting and the ball rolls under the dozen or so rows in front of you, several things will happen: the yarn will pick up dust and fluff, people will turn and look at you, you will want the floor to open up and swallow you whole, you will have to ask a patient man to throw that ball of yarn back behind his feet so you can get to it, he will look at you like you have 3 heads as you scrabble about on the floor, you will feel like an utter moron, and you may never live it down. I'll get back to you on the last one.

For real. 

Baby set

Such a cute set, and a nice project to work on.

 Having made both before helps with speed, but having to rip out the sweater twice before getting beyond the second button does not.

 Abi helped sew up the booties, so I can officially call it a joint effort.

I don't know what to say about that pen cap (other than that it is obvious I do not use Photoshop), but all the info is on my Ravelry page.

Gorilla legs

That's what Toby calls these little soakers - the wool is rather...hairy, so I suppose it suits.

 I love them, though. He's warm and cozy, with plenty of growing room. And of course, they make the perfect cloth diaper cover - no leaks and no smell.

 Even though I did run out of yarn right before the end and had to substitute with another black yarn for the last inch of the second leg. A non-hairy yarn.

 No, we'll not discuss that. We'll simply enjoy the fact that they fit, they do their job and they're finished.

Check here for more details.

Another hat!

This one was mine. Seriously. I'd had my eye on using this yarn for a while - it's so soft and just...yummy. But it was very much not the right gauge, nor was I using the correct needle size, for my own noggin. But it fit this little noodle very well...

 Yeah, I know the photos are blurry. I defy you to get one in focus some days - I couldn't pay him to keep still!

Visit the Ravelry page for pattern and yarn details.

Annette needs a hat, too

 Another "A" name, but not another child - this is Abigail's American Girl doll, so kindly gifted to her by friends. We've been busy making her some clothes, and I'm working at using up some of the ends-of-yarn balls from previous projects. I had enough purple cotton for a little cap.

Rubbish picture - taken in a dark hallway at night, while children sleep. Helpful making info found here.

Sock Hat

I'm not particularly fond of making Anna hats, since she tends to lose them, without much remorse, I might add. Still the child needs a hat, and I've had this handspun sock yarn I bought off ebay for so long, I figured I'd put it to good use on her head...

 She seems to like it. Maybe she'll hang on to this one a while.

Pattern details on my Ravelry page.

Multitude Mondays

What a week - so many things planned, then missed or cancelled due to illness. Not what I would have arranged, had I the choice, but Isaiah 55 reminds me of the truth - a truth I need to remember so much that it's engraved in my wedding band:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

And so, my list of thankfulness this week includes:

• This verse!
• His good purposes in sickness
• a chance to snuggle with a poorly baby
• getting a new haircut
• a new carpet to replace the flood-damaged one!
• a generous bonus from the Man's work
• my mom coming to visit
• making a roaring fire in the fire pit and spending all afternoon enjoying the warmth
• swing set restoration now under way
• a perfect autumnal afternoon
• my first workout in too long!
• napping babies

Lying low

My kids are not altogether well at the moment.

Daniel seems to have come down with the chicken pox. I have no idea where he may have picked it up (like a bad penny). It's certainly not the worst thing for him to have it at his age - he's little enough that though you can't explain to him why he shouldn't scratch, he's also not too inclined to do so, combined with the fact that his most affected area is under a diaper, and thus unreachable. Still - poor lad. He's definitely not a stoic, but is sharing his discomfort with all.

Abi is also not well. Nothing specific, just a general malaise (how often do I get to use that word??). She can function for a while, then lays down and reads or even sleeps. She's not terribly interested in food, though she has yet to turn down any Halloween candy. And for the record, I'm pretty sure she doesn't have the pox - she had them when she was about Dan's age, so I reckon she's probably safe.

The other kids are okay, health wise, for the moment. Noah had the chicken pox vaccine when he was little, so he's unlikely to get it, but Anna and Ellie haven't had it (the virus or vaccine), so I'm kind of waiting to see if they come out with little rose gardens of their own. But when two out of the five are out of commission for a while, it seems to make everyone a little more subdued.

This makes for a slower pace for sure, but I'm convinced it's not altogether a terrible thing. Of course, I would prefer my children to be happy and healthy - who wouldn't? But while the afternoons are quieter a little longer to accommodate the longer naps and outings have to be missed, we'll make the best of it. Lego creations are flourishing, goodies are being cooked and baked, books are being read, and snuggly little bodies that are usually so busy are cuddling up for naps on Mommy's lap. Not a bad thing at all.

Multitude Mondays

God is so kind to our family, He really is. In so many ways, little and large, He is faithful to show is care and provision to my family and I...

• going shopping with a birthday gift card
• sewing with my girls
• listening to and applying a good sermon
• meeting a new couple at church
• hearing God speak through His Word
• surviving a Wegman's trip with 5 children!
• finishing a great, big book - so good
• crazy snow in October??
• the Man, baking some yummy biscotti
• a relaxing visit with friends

In Progress

Several projects on the needles - first, it's this sweater, made for a grandma to give to her new granddaughter. I'm working feverishly to see that it's done in time to send it to California. I'm also praying that I've got enough yarn and won't need to order extra! It's coming together in good time, though - it's always helpful when you've got experience with a pattern. With it will go a pair of these really cute booties. 

Next, it's this vest for the Man. It's a great pattern, very classic, but with the little yarn and little needles (size 3!), it's slow going. Fortunately, it's pretty mindless at this point, which means it comes with me and gets worked on when I have to think about other things. I'm hoping it'll be a Christmas gift, but if it's late, I'll have his birthday gift all sorted out!

Finally, a new pair of longies for Dan, just like before. He still wears the old ones to bed, but they're more like britches, now. I really like these on babies - they're warm, cute and work well with cloth or disposable diapers. They're great for overnight, since they keep the kickier kids warm. I was going for black in the hopes that not too much mud and mess will show when he wanders outside in them...Shame about all the white dog hair they'll pick up, though!

So, that's some of what's keeping me busy at the moment. Anyone else got their "making" hats on?