Now that it's over....

    I can show you the photos I took of what I made!! This first set, I started right after we found out that Sara was expecting, at Hubs' request. I waited until we knew the baby's sex for absolute sure before I completely finished it. If the baby was a girl, everything was going to be trimmed in pink, and the sweater buttons were going to be pink too.

    This one is the Harley Davidson receiving blanket. There was also a black Harley onesie, and black Harley booties too. I didn't get photos of them for some reason. I think the bootie box was too shiny.

    It was funny, but after I found boxes for everything and got them wrapped, I sort of forgot what was in which box. I guess I got them all right, since there were no surprises at the shower.


    As for the knitting, I did quite a bit today, as I went to visit my good friend Bonny, so I sort of got caught up. I was too involved in the shower thing, being nervous about it and all, to get any knitting done in the week before the shower. Now that it's all over, I can relax.


    Oops, I almost forgot, that sweater in the top photo? I didn't make it, my friend Bonny made it for me. I was supposed to sew the buttons on, but that didn't work out. I did one, but it was in the wrong place, so I got mad and took it off. Bonny sewed the buttons on for me too. She's the best.

Crafting Updates

     In the last few days, I've made some good progress on the crocheted super secret project. I think I've done at least 7 or 8 rows. That's quite a bit on this project. It's going to be half done soon!


    Today I was feeling particularly brave, so I picked up the knitted super secret project and actually knit 4 rows on that one. I decided to try and knit since my shoulder is feeling lots better, as long as I keep remembering to stretch it out at least twice a day. I am even able to sleep in my left side again, without too much pain or discomfort!


    But the bestest crafting news I have today is that I received a request from a very good friend who wants to crochet those blasted crocodile stitch baby booties for me. Many thanks to Kim, who is very brave. I took her all the yarn I had, the pattern, and an assortment of (tiny)hooks to try for gauge. HA. She's like me, she doesn't like doing gauge swatches. At the last minute I remembered that the pattern calls for some locking stitch markers and since I wasn't sure she had any, I sent those too.


    I keep forgetting that not all the baby stuff needs to be for the baby shower next month. Christmas is coming too! Hmmm..... now the ideas are really flowing.....


   

Difficulties

     I'm having difficulties with this new project. Mostly because it's so darn tiny. My hands are really hurting today, and I am only 2/3 done with second sole. This morning I picked up the super secret project again, just so I can say I worked on something.


     Being that the booties are so tiny, I'm having to fight for every stitch and I'm tired of fighting it already. The light I usually work by isn't bright enough, so I need to turn it up. Hubs and I refer to this setting as "the Sun". It's a bit bright.


    I am very tempted to hand this project over to my good friend Bonny, she's used to working with the smaller hooks. I hope she'd help me out and do it for me. That's something to think about.

Baby bootie, take II

    Today I had to take the Hubs' truck in to have the windshield replaced. He had to work unexpectedly, so I got to take it for him. It just so happens that the glass place is right across the road from Michaels craft store.


   So I left early, and went to Michaels first. I wanted to buy some new yarn for the crocodile stitch baby booties. I found some nice dark grey Patons Kroy Sock yarn. It will work. Of course, I was done waaaay before my scheduled appointment time. I drove over there, and figured I'd just have to wait.


    It turns out that they could so the windshield right away! In fact the guys were thrilled that I was so early. I guess the earlier they get their appointments done, the earlier they can go home.


   While I was waiting, I was reading on my nook. But that new yarn was calling to me. I had brought everything I would need in case I decided to crochet instead of reading. I had three hooks, sizes D, E and F, a scissor, four lockable stitch markers, a pencil, and the pattern. I even brought the first bootie sole I made to compare the new one to.


    I completed the first sole while I was waiting. The last thing to do on it was to single crochet all around the edge of the sole, using 50 stitches. I only managed 47. I still might rip that last round out and do it over. But I don't see any places to put three more stitches.

 

    That's the photo I took of both soles. The first one from yesterday, and the one I just did today. That is the same dime, by the way. Why oh why do babies have to be so freaking tiny?                                                                                                                

The beginning...

    Today I decided was a good day to start the booties from yesterdays post. They are from Bonita Designs, by the way. I found some suitable yarn in my stash, and dug out my size D, 3.25 mm crochet hook.


    At that point I had my first doubts. This hook is so very tiny. I might need a microscope just to see what I'm doing with it. At the very least, a magnifying glass. Here is a photo I took, with the hook next to a dime:

    Do you feel my pain? Now here is a photo of that same dime, next to the size hook I prefer, and usually use:

     So far, I have struggled through 8 rows of the sole of one bootie. It is less than one inch long. Why is it that the tiny things get me every time? I may have to wait until this kid is a teenager with size 13 feet before I make him any booties.


    I am getting discouraged, but will persevere. At least for now. I just want to know if I can do it. It could be the yarn I chose isn't the best for the job. I found some Patons Stretch Sock, in the colorway Mineral. It's mostly blue. I thought it might be a good idea to make stretchy booties. It turns out that stretchy yarn is a bit difficult to work with. Who knew?

Another new project

    Quite a while ago, I found these really cute little baby booties on Ravelry. They are made with the Crocodile Stitch, which I personally can't stand. HOWEVER, these booties were the cutest thing I've ever seen.


    At the time, making them was doubtful. Then I decided to research the crocodile stitch, found a good pictorial and discovered it wasn't that hard. Suddenly, the booties were doable. Last night, I bought and downloaded the pattern. Today I will print it out, and hopefully I will be able to find a good yarn to use to make them with. Pending baby mama's approval, of course.

    Of course, they are made using a really small hook, and I usually hate using really small hooks. I promise I will give these my best shot. I don't have the name of the designer of these, but she is on Ravelry.

Craft Report and more!

    This week I haven't even picked up any needles or hooks. I am, however, lusting after these really cute baby booties.

    They are so adorable. They are crocheted in the  > shudder <  Crocodile stitch. Up until these booties, I have not liked a single thing I have ever seen done in this stitch. In general, I think most of the items are hideous. This pattern is for sale on Ravelry, and I am going to purchase it. Right now, I'm biding my time, looking for the right yarn.


     In other news, today I attended a 5th grade moving up ceremony. The last one I attended was my youngest child's, about 13 years ago. Cherub looked adorable in her pink dress. Luckily we were able to get out of there before the buses left, as poor Kim was so tired that she was ready to pass out.


     After I got home, I took care of the pool as best I could. I turned on the filter, and backwashed it. I emptied the skimmer basket. And I added some earth to the filter through the skimmer. The water level looked a little low, so I put the hose in.


    Then I came upstairs and harvested my crops in Farmville. You gotta have priorities. Finally, I was ready to wash some of those dishes that have been piling up in the kitchen. Even now that it's just Hubs and me, there are still so many dishes. I am getting tired. It takes a lot out of me to go up and down those stairs to take care of the pool every few hours.


    Hubs will be home late tonight, so I'll probably be sleeping when he gets in. I've had my new phone for two days now, and he was the first to call me since I got it. I've been texting everyone, but he was the first call.


    Speaking of my phone, I mentioned I got my ringtones back from a free website I have used before. I went back in and got a few more. I now have the theme song from The Big Bang Theory as my ringtone. Happy dance! I also downloaded another bit from the show, where Sheldon does the knock knock knock  "Penny", and before he can do it again, Penny knocks three times and says "Sheldon". It goes back and forth a few times, more insistent each time. That one is now my text message tone. I'm loving it!


    On my old phone I had a special ringtone for my Hubs, he now has the Stone Cold Steve Austin Theme from the WWE. I used to love Stone Cold Steve Austin.