a little crafty nest

knitting inspiration

This little blog world never ceases to amaze me.  I fell into it rather unexpectedly, and after much skepticism, just over two years ago.  If you had told me then that it would become such a source of inspiration, creativity, and friendships, well, I would have raised both my eyebrows in polite disbelief.

But here I am, finding myself in a lovely community of like-minded women...knitters and crafters, mamas and grandmothers.  It is not a stretch to say that I have found some very kindred folk here, and I am ever so grateful for that alone.  Recently, I found another lovely human in cyber world.  I do believe it was a serendipitous meeting as we share so much in common...it gets kind of eery (in a good way)!  Lori is inspiring to me in so many ways...knitting photographs, outlook on life...truly, she is one talented lady!  Somehow, Lori manages to make each one of us feel so very special and important (I think), and that is truly a gift.  It is not too much for me to say that I really look to Lori for a positive, humorous little sunburst of happiness when I visit her blog.

Well, imagine my surprise when I discovered I had won (!) a give-away she held a few weeks ago.  First of all, I never win these things...I am not lucky like that.  But when I saw what she was giving away, I couldn't help myself.  I was struck by the beauty and simplicity of simple beach glass and shells...my kind of gift!!!  So I entered, and days later, realized I won!!!  How exciting is that!!!

And not only did I recieve these nesting shells from her beachside home, but a lovely handknit necklace to hold some of her beachglass.

Can you see how delicate and shimmery this stitchwork is?  Gasp!  I love it!!!

Lori and I have been exchanging some emails before this, and so she knows a little about my family and our journey.  Lori was thoughtful enough to send my children little packages as well, which they adore.  My husband also recieved a copy of Lori's husband's magazine, DEEP.  Her generosity knows no limits as the two of them are about to head off to Africa, and Lori is taking dozens of knitted pouches filled with little goodies for the children of Namibia.  You can check it out here. 

Yes, I am so happy to have my wee little corner of blogdom as I get to meet such lovely, gentle souls like Lori.  What a gift she has brought to my family's life!  Thank you, Lori!!!

Now, for knitting this week, I began a Fisherman's Pullover for my oldest boy, Forrest.  I am embarassed to say that I have begun this sweater more times than I can count on one hand, and what you see below will have to come undone, too.  I just can't seem to find the flow of this one, but determined I am!  I think I should be fine on my restart tonight.  Sighs.  Knitting surely brings lots and lots of practice for patience.

My book is an excellent read, "Bride of New France" by Suzanne Desrochers.  Forget about the history I learned in school about fur traders and the New World, because this is a much more frank, unromantic view of the unwanted women of France who were shipped to future Canada to mate and create a thriving population.  Fascinating, if at times unbelievable.

Thank you once again, dear Ginny, for your lovely yarn along.  I look forward to seeing what others are doing right now!

three little bunnies

Somehow, the week slipped by and I realized I hadn't shared the three little bunnies I made this year for Easter.  Last year, I sewed these bunnies up from scratch, but when I came across this cute little fella, I glanced at the calendar and wondered if I could knit three of them up before Easter.  Well, it all came together, rather easily, with the last little end being sewn up just as the Bunny was hiding eggs in our garden.

Oh, these were really fun to knit...and very easy.  Lots of pieces to sew together, but so worth it when they are put together.

The name of the pattern is The Well-Dressed Bunny, but as you can see, the boy bunnies are still in their, um, birthday suits.  I guess I'm not that fast of a knitter.  The pattern I bought from Fuzzy Mitten came with three clothing options ~ hoodie, waistcoat, and pinafore.  I began with the pinafore in a lovely Mini Mochi rainbow yarn for my girl who declared it the softest bunny ever ("evah").  Indeed!

They arrived in their baskets on Easter morning, and stayed in there for a few days, in a special spot on our hutch, surrounded by our dyed eggs.  Now, they are often nestled under little arms, accompanying my little ones into dreamland.

I'm not sure what is more adorable, these little bunnies, or seeing my one year old son clutch his little bunny to his chest and strut about the house making truck noises. 

Thanks to Ginny for hosting the lovely yarn-along.  Next week I'll have a book to share as right now I'm immersed in a few good reads, mostly homeschool related.

 

ravelry notes here

inspiration here

a summer raspberry

Joining Ginny for a little yarning-alonging...

Off the needles and onto a happy little three year old...

It's big and boxy right now, but despite the snow you see, it is supposed to be Spring, and that means I wanted it to fit for next fall and winter.  By the looks of it, that shouldn't be a problem.  In fact, I think I overdid the needle size and would probably opt for a slightly smaller needle than what I used.  But it is warm, and soft, and with just the right amount of pink to satisfy my little raspberry lover.

It was a real gamble, this sweater, as I made up the design as I knit, using three other cardigan patterns for inspiration.  I began with just three buttonholes, and saw how roomy it was becoming, so switched to buttons all the way down the plackett.  Then I had to go back and sew up two buttonholes which was trickier than I imagined.  But I'm happy with it...and so is Miss Sunshine.  Afterall, there are six butterflies adorning her sweater and she tells me, "Mama, I am a butterfly, too!"  (Good thing today wasn't the day she felt like a unicorn)!

As for books, I am reading a great novel by Joseph Boyden called Through Black Spruce.  It is a tale of Annie and her Uncle Will Bird, who are both from a reservation near James Bay in Canada.  Annie is on a quest to find her missing sister who left for big city life, while Will is fleeing to the bush from the harsh realities of rez life and his past.  I am so enjoying this read and I recommend it if you have the time to read, because it is hard to put down.

ravelry notes here

a recipe for happiness

Joining in with Ginny for a little yarning-along...

My first real, true knit for myself...is done!  And I like it ~ I mean, I really like it.  I stumbled across this shawl a long while back and knew this was for me.  I have always worn shawls over the years, but I have never knit one before.  And it is a good knit...fast at first, and then slow and steady progress to the finish.  So very hare and the tortoise, I suppose.

I liked that the "recipe" allows so much wiggle room for your creative expression...choosing any stitches you'd like, in any order.  I did run out of wool before I would have liked, and I also have misplaced a beautiful wooden shawl clasp I bought from a now-closed store.  I have searched this house through several times...alas, it was not meant to be.  However, I am pleased with the whole project, and that is a very happy thing.

And what could be better than knitting with a friend?  Despite oodles of miles between us, I managed to
knit this with my dear friend, Melanie from Our Ash Grove.  There were a few emails and a phone call or two thrown in there, and together we made our own versions of the same recipe.  And just like two cooks manage to create such different creations from the same ingredients, Melanie and I made two very different shawls...that are very much the same.

In fact, this shawl has so much of her stitched into it, wearing it over my shoulders is like having Melly's company beside me...and that's also a very happy thing. 

Indeed, knitting with a friend is definately a recipe for happiness as far as I'm concerned...no matter how far away that friend might be!

~inspiration for the shawl here

~my ravelry notes here

*Sorry for no literary participation this week...I'm still reading half a dozen gardening books and a few homeschool resources.  Next week I'd like to share a good book though, along with my daughter's completed cardigan. 

yarning along

I really enjoy joining Ginny and all the other knitters for the weekly yarn-along.  There is so much inspiration out there, both with reading and with knitting projects ~ thanks to all of you for sharing such great ideas!

I thought I'd give a little update on my three year old's Summer Raspberry sweater.  I'm making up the pattern as I go, which has been interesting...and satisfying.  I haven't undone too much so far, and now I'm making progress on the sleeves.  It shall be very roomy (too much so?) which means it will just fit her a while longer ~ hopefully.  This has been a really good knit for me, boosting up my knitting confidence.  My husband laughs at my excitement over any progress I make, reminding me "it's just knitting, honey".  Exactly.

My knitting notes are on my ravelry page, here.  You might notice that I began with several buttonholes close together, and decided to make the whole placket with buttons, not just the top.  So I need to hide two buttonholes...hmmm...how do you do that?!

I'm happily reading through the Seven-Year-Old Wonder Book by Isabel Wyatt, anticipating a certain oldest child's birthday in the fall.  I enjoy the whole book, and I'm looking for suggestions on how to incorporate it into next year's grade 1 homeschool year.  Has anyone out there used this before?  I've heard tell of making our own Wonder Book, but when do you start it?  In September or at the child's birthday?  I have noticed most of the stories in the book cluster around autumn festivals, particularly Christmas, and end with New Year's.  Hmmm...suggestions, please?

Happy knitting to all of you!!!

fancy that!

There is nothing like giving a gift that somehow finds it's way back to you, even if it is in a different form.  I'm not talking about re-gifting your favourite scarf or sharing that bottle of wine with your best friend over handmade chocolates.  While both those things are wonderful, what I truly appreciate is giving a gift to someone you love who transforms it into something you would love.

Last week, my daughter received a package from my mom, Nana.  In it was a sweet baby doll blanket and a lovely hat that she had made with yarn I had gifted her for Christmas.  She loves to knit as I do, and this gift has become a sort of tradition from me to her.  One year I would love to knit her something fabulous and "fancy", as Sunshine recently reflected that Nana is just about the "fanciest" person she has ever met.  But for now, I give her yarn.

Ahhh, pink...was there ever such a fan of yours as this girl?!

My mom also returned the leftover yarn to add to my stash...but really now, that yarn never stood a chance!  Within a few sittings, Sunshine's favourite little friend, Maya, had a matching hat and scarf.  Sort of fancy, don't you think?

Yes, indeed, Nana, your hat was very appreciated!  Thank you for your beautiful knitting.

Yarning along this week with Ginny, here's a little update on my shawl.  I feel like I'm sort of wrestling a bit with this one, but in a playful sort of way.  I have undone several rows several times (!) because if I'm not paying attention to the textured stitch, it suddenly becomes very apparent in a very uncharming way.  But it is ok because it is beginning to look more and more like a shawl.

As for the book, my inner geek is delighted!  My husband gifted me this little book a few year's ago, and it seems every year at this time, out it comes...just as the seed catalogues are getting dog-eared and ready for mailing off orders.  I admit to being totally intrigued by little known facts about plants and it does come in handy when shopping for seeds or plants at the local greenhouse.  My grade eight latin skills are dusted off and I spend a few days each year pestering my husband with trivial details such as purpurea is a purple coloured flower and pruriens is stinging or itching ~ oh, how I love this!  My mind stretches and yawns a little...until it dutifully rolls over and goes back to sleep until next year's seed catalogues arrive.

Happy knitting, friends...enjoy your week!

Tomorrow, I am excited (and a little nervous) to be a guest blogger at the Homespun Waldorf Winter Carnival!  There will be many Waldorf inspired homeschoolers sharing ideas and inspiration over the course of four weeks...come and check it out! 

knitting woes...resolved

My husband thinks I'm crazy.  (Oh, that's so wonderfully dramatic, isn't it?)  Ok, he thinks I'm crazy when it comes to my knitting.  You see, I like doing it right.  If I begin a project and the yarn is all wrong, or the stitches are so tight the whole garment feels and looks like cardboard...well, I let 'er rip.  That is, I rip it out and begin again.  I don't know why he thinks it's crazy, but I am perfectly ok starting again.  Usually.

But this wonderful shawl that I originally saw here, well, I have had to start it four times.  Four.  Times.  This can really get on the nerves of even the most patient knitter ~ of which I'm not claiming to be, by the way.

Then I saw my dear friend post about her shawl.  We like to do these collaborative projects, like this one and this one.  Now we are doing the textured shawl recipes...for our very own selves!  So, of course, it has to be just right.  Anyhow, back to Melanie's shawl...it is beautifully knit in lovely yarn...and I couldn't help feeling so very amateurish in my attempts.  So I chatted with her and she mentioned the most simple of solutions ~ bigger needles!   Ahh, problem solved.  Dear friends, it amazes me how simple this little golden knitting rule is.  I even tried the four inch gauge swatch and it must have been off because after switching up two sizes to 5mm needles, this shawl is starting to look like what it is supposed to be and not some kind of woollen parcel package.  In other words, it drapes rather than bends.  Ahem.

the shawl on the left is the keeper; the one on the right is ready to Fed Ex

I also changed up the increase stitches from M1L and M1R twice, to YO on the edges and M1L and M1R along the center.  It adds a little more detail to the edge, see...

Or, maybe you can't see enough here...just wait 'til it's finished, I guess.

As for reading, I am still on the same book from two weeks ago, State of Wonder, which is an ok read.  Unlike most of the country, I am not swept away by her books.  It is engaging enough, though, and I read at night before bed as sweet Huckley is nursing away in dreamland. 

On a more exciting note, I began Paddington Bear with my six year old son and my three year old daughter.  Now that I am swept up with!  It is so fun to re-read these childhood books I enjoyed so long ago, only now with my beloved little people.  Forrest is completely drawn into the book, sitting beside me, mouth agape, smiling in a goofy, un-selfconscious way.  This is priceless to me.  For the last year and a half, I have tried to find some good books other than picture books.  He is very sensitive to most conflict and tension, so I am trying to ease him in slowly.  We read some Grimm's Tales for homegrown schooling, but only those ones which I know don't contain too much strife.  So far Winnie the Pooh and Burgess books are real winners.  Anyone have any other suggestions?

Once again, I'm joining Ginny at Small Things for this wonderful yarn along. 

recipe for a shawl (part I)

Oh, Ginny, how I love to join thee when I have something worthwhile on my needles...yarning-along now...

The holidays are pretty much over, our regular rhythm is re-emerging, and now its time for a new knitting project.  The queue is a long one, my friends, with lots of grand ideas and noble intentions as this very new year begins.  However, rather than begin some next year giftmaking now (!) and rather than making those darn fingerless gloves for my husband that I shelved the day after Christmas because they were way too big, I am doing something drastic and crazy.  I have decided to make (cue drumroll) myself something. 

To be fair, I have had my eye on this shawl for some time, and I purchased the wool for it in November.  But I had to force myself, really steel myself, against beginning it as the holiday gift-making timeline shortened all too quickly.  I stashed the skeins away in a rubbermaid bin at the bottom of a tower of rubbermaid bins in my crafting / one year old's room.  Twice, I took out the yarn to fondle it and dream about the shawl, only to stuff it back in its plastic bin as my guilty conscience chided me to keep focused on the holidays.

So on New Year's Eve, it was quite possibly the most thrilling I've experienced in a few years as I curled up on the couch, sipping homemade cherry brandy beside my husband as he read Moby Dick, and I cast on for the Textured Shawl Recipe.  Four attempts later, this is where I'm at now...

Three days in, this recipe calls for:

    * two skeins of Pear Tree Merino in den blue (8 ply)

    * US 7 - 4.5 mm needles

    * free pattern on ravelry found here...though it is really like a recipe ~ very loose and free to be creative

    * a guilt-free conscience to savour the sheer joy of knitting for oneself

As for my good read right now, I was gifted this newest Ann Patchett novel, State of Wonder.  I am no die-hard Ann Patchett fan, but this is pretty intriguing so far.  The Amazon, fertility experiments, mystery, fast-paced...the formula's there for a good, easy read.  I'm all for that as I seem to be drawn to knitting every spare second I have right now...

And off I go while the little ones are tucked in their beds...happy knitting for this new year ahead!

handmade for the holidays...that would be the one that just passed

Better late than never, right?

First, there were two beeswax crayon roll-ups for Forrest and Sunshine.  Forrest graduated to stick crayons while Sunshine seems old enough to take better care of her crayons...and oh, she feels so grown-up with her lovely set!

All three little ones have their own sketchbooks...it's easier to hold all their drawings together than to have so many looseleaf masterpieces scattered about!  Even little one year old Huckley has a sketchbook, which he uses...the older two model how to use it properly, without even knowing what they are doing.  Using beautiful beeswax crayons (Stockmar) are absolutely positively the best - and worth every penny for the vivid colours and rich quality.

Another handmade gift, which was no surprise to them, were knitted neckwarmers, which I posted about here.  This is what they look like adorning their necks...

Forrest requested (several times) to make his extra long to cover his nose when he goes skiing.  However, he informed me during the taking of this photo that "Next time, please mama, could you make it not so long?"  Sighs.  The younger two have been wearing theirs when I request them to, however, I'm not so sure Forrest will use his too much...we shall see...

I also made our traditional Christmas Eve pj's for the three children.  I found some flannel with candy canes and snowflakes ~ Sunshine tells me they are just what she wanted!  Though, she says this with great delight whenever she receives anything.  So much like her Papa.

Papa also made a little something for the children, inspired by some items out of the Nova catalogue and by my dear friend, Melanie at Our Ash Grove and her husband.

These sandwich boards were harvested and milled with Josh's chainsaw and then he cut out shapes for each child.  With a little regular beeswax polishing...

...these little boards hold a lovely meal that each child can take to the table on their own.

Please go see Melanie's snack boards here.  They are so delightful!

Of course, not nearly as many ideas made it to completion.  But, then again, half the fun for me is imagining, designing, and thinking about what I want to make for those special people.  And there's always next year!

warm necks (aka knit dickies)

Joining Ginny at Small Things today for her lovely yarn-along.

I picked up this wonderful book, The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter ~ for the fifth time, or something like the fifth time.  I've read it myself, to my classroom of students once upon a time, and again and again to myself.  I'm short on books right now and am recycling through my bookshelf.  I hope this is an indication that I really enjoy this book.

This week I'm not only sharing what's on my needles, but I'm also sharing a hand-knit stocking stuffer idea...a few birds, so they say.  I was about to cast on for mittens for my three little ones, but I realize making mittens for my biggest boy is silly ~ he's outside romping in the snow so much, they would just become a stretched-out, soggy mess of wool in no time.  (Although, mittens would be a wonderful gift for the younger two children...in fact, maybe they still will...)

One thing I do notice when we are outside ~ and I shamelessly admit to being preoccupied with surveying the attire of all three little ones ~ is that they often have a large area of exposed skin from where their hat ends and their collars of snowsuits begin.  No matter how much rearranging of outerwear and innerwear I attempt, their exposed skin on the nape of the neck looks...so very cold.  Scarves can be bulky and cumbersome, but a cozy little neckwarmer may be just the thing.

Here is Forrest's completed neckwarmer alongside Sunshine's, whose just needs a quick seam up the back.  I wanted to show the flare at the bottom that makes them fit more snugly.  I chose soft wool, including the pink Misti Alpaca (I completely forget where Forrest's wool came from...perhaps Crystal Palace?).

I made up this simple pattern which is as follows...

Cast on about 64 to 88 stitches, depending on the thickness of the wool.  I made these for small children and measure 14 inches in circumference when finished.

K2P2 for 2 1/2 inches, then increase once: *K, make 1, K, P2*, repeat to end

Continue with ribbing so K3, P2 on one side, K2, P3 on the other side.

Make neck warmer about 5 to 7 inches long.

My husband jokingly calls them knit dickies...do any of you know about those silly fake turtleneck things that are sewn to be worn beneath a sweater and look like you are wearing a turtleneck (but you're not)?  I assure you, these knit dickies are far more fabulous than that!  For one, they prevent the cold from creeping down my little one's necks...and that's just about all I need to stop fussing over their outdoor attire and start sledding with them!  Now, I' off to go finish up the third neck warmer...and maybe go sew my husband a really big dickie for his stocking.

birthday mama-mades

It's not a true birthday around here without some new, mama-made clothing for the birthday boy.  Forrest asked for a cardigan just like his little brother's from back in July.  Of course, I was pretty happy to oblige...the last time I made a sweater for this boy was when he was in the womb.  I didn't give myself very much time to knit his birthday sweater ~ I was blocking it the day before and stayed up until midnight selecting buttons.  But finish it, I did, and he (and I) couldn't be more pleased!
As you can see, my wooden button stash is low and his sweater is missing the top and bottom buttons until we go to town next. I used the same cardigan pattern that my dear friend, Melanie, had introduced me to and it is a fairly easy, satisfying knit.  I used some lovely Berroco Ultra Alpaca tonal, which I really love. 

You can check out my ravelry notes under a little crafty nest, but I did have to alter the pattern, and darn it, it still came out in a slim fit.  I even cast on for a 10-12 year old, adjusting the length of arms ~ however, it is a slim fit.

No matter, Forrest tells me that he loves his sweater as it's like "wearing a kiss from mama".  What more of a rating could I get than that?

I also made Forrest some comfy pants from an old pajama pattern I've used several times (I can't even remember where it originally came from).  I bought some denim but preferred the washed out look of the wrong side of the fabric.

Forrest helped me choose some patch pocket material...vintage snowy sport fabric!  I love this print!!!  It is just perfect for my boisterous, active boy who loves anything snow-oriented.

And a funny little tidbit...my boy doesn't like to wear anything under his sweater ~ the wool is that soft!  I suppose there's nothing coming between him and his mama-mades!

 

cluck cluck, clickety-clack

I have a new project on my needles so I am joining Ginny for her weekly yarn-along today.

My older son's cardigan was finished in the nick of time for his birthday last Friday.  Tomorrow I plan to share how it turned out, as well as some mama-made pants, too.  But I'm rather excited to get back to the Knitted Farmyard project which I hope to have finished for the holidays in something like six or seven weeks!  Yikes!

Like the sheep and the pigs, these little chickens (called cluck clucks around here) were such fun to knit up ~ and being so small they are a snap to whip up in an afternoon or two.  I had to play around with the comb and the dangly thing beneath the beak (what is that called?), but I think they are working out well.  The children certainly approve.  They watch me knit them up, sometimes offering their opinions (ahem!).  But then I stash them away so that when the whole farmyard is revealed, it ought to be a bit of a surprise...even a wee little one!

I'm cheating a little with the book this week.  What with a bedroom reno stalled out upstairs and many boxes of books and treasures stored away, there are not a lot of books lying about.  So I grabbed the first thing I could find, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, which I have already read and I think I remember vaguely that it was an engaging, fast read.  What I really hoped to have found was my beloved Kirsten Lavransdatter, but that will have to wait until the reno is complete.

Besides, if this book doesn't read as swiftly as the first time through, there is always a few more cluck clucks to whip up!

sticking with a good thing

I managed to finish three of my Thanksgiving hats for our favourite holiday last week...with just one afternoon to spare.  My husband's hat, and mine too for that matter, will have to wait for Christmas.

My oldest son's hat looks less than inspiring off the head...

But once it is on him it shows how terrific this Soulemama pattern is!

I've made it before for my two big guys last year so I knew to alter the pattern a bit from a 5" depth to at least 6" in order to cover those ears.  I also cast on 104 sts, a bit more than Amanda suggested.  Forrest loved his hat, and while it eventually went AWOL, he managed to wear it until March.  This year, I decided to stick with a good thing...I'm kind of like that, why keep re-inventing the wheel?!

I'm on ravelry under a little crafty nest but I'm a bit of a technophobe so I have no idea how to link to ravelry without showing you my edit page.  Anyhow, the yarn I used was also last year's Mirasol Miski on size 5 (3.75 mm) needles.  I used some end pieces of Misti Alpaca for contrast, adding a little flavour to the top.

Ears covered?  Check.  Soft wool so not too itchy?  Check.  Warm noggin in all kinds of autumn weather?  Check.  Smile on boy's face?  Hmmmm...

Ahhhh, there, that's more like it!  Gratefully, Forrest forgot all about the pompom he wanted with this hat.  I don't think it matters anymore, there's simply too much stuff to do outside.  And with a cozy warm noggin, he'll be out there for a while yet.  Guaranteed.

Thanks once again to Ginny for hosting the weekly yarn-along!  It's always so inspiring to play along.

red riding hood

I finished my second Thanksgiving hat this past week, another Stella Pixie like this one, but a bit bigger.  When I first cast on for it, Sunshine reluctantly told me she didn't like the colour.  It wasn't pink afterall.

 
It was a long knit given the yarn was sock weight.  And row after row, it grew and grew and grew.  Suddenly, Sunshine was showing more interest in her hat.  With the help of an older brother who pointed out the subtle variegations of pink amongst all that red, slowly Sunshine began to like her hat.

 
 
 
Sometimes, what you expect isn't what you get...well, we all know that Red Riding Hood figured that out in the end.

 

So did this one ~ but with a happier ending!

Thank you Ginny for another week of yarning along.  

tried and true

Once again, I'm joining Ginny with her weekly yarn-along.  This week, I'm keeping it brief as I have many puppets to make before Thursday's puppet show. 

 
I cast on a few days ago for another neck-down cardigan, this one for my oldest son.  It was such a successfully easy knit the first time around, I do believe I ought to stick with a good thing!  I've put a bit of a deadline on myself for this one, and I'm hoping I can finish it in time for Forrest's sixth birthday in early November.  That only gives me six weeks or so, and I'm not exactly the fastest knitter around!  Hmmm, now that I've put it out there, it is even more incentive to get it done.  I really love the variegated blue yarn I found...it is Berroco Ultra Alpaca Tonal.  It is knitting up so beautifully...oh, I hope I can do it in time!

The book is borrowed from my husband, who really enjoys real adventure and wilderness stories.  He is a back country ski guide in the winter and these kind of non-fiction novels really speak to him.  I have to admit, I usually get into them afterwards, too.  This book, "The Tiger ~ A True Story of Vengeance and Survival" is the tale of a Siberian Tiger and Russian poachers and conservationists.  It is an unbelievable account of one tiger who actually targets one individual man, and shows that Siberian tigers actually have a collective unconscious.  There is a lot of historical background to the political, economic, and social make-up of Russia in the last one hundred years, shedding new light on what I thought I knew about this country...truly fascinating!  We've read one of John Vaillant's books before, "The Golden Spruce", which was also fantastic.  Despite being so factual, which I would have thought might be dry, this opening sentence to the book shows just how poetic Vaillant writes..."Hanging in the trees, as if caught there, is a sickle of a moon."  Yup, this is a good read!

little green cardigan

Playing along with Ginny and her yarn-along today.  I forgot to take a photo of the book I'm reading but it is the same as last time, "Radical Homemakers".  I've thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who cares about living simply and mindfully for the planet, the community, and especially for one's family.

Today was a happy day in that I dressed Huckley in his little green cardigan that I started way back when in a knit-along with Melanie. It was the second sweater we knit together, and I think she has made a shawl, another sweater, a pile of socks, and a pair of longies in the while it took me to finish Huckley's sweater.  Sighs.  Well, it was fun to begin it with her!  She certainly amazes me with her creativity and productivity! 

 
Melanie has used this cardigan pattern several times and I understand why!  It is so straightforward, knitting up very easily ~ especially for a one year old.  It is also really adaptable to making it bigger for an older child, or boxier, or longer in the arms and body.   

 
 
 
These buttons were handmade for me by my five year old son last Christmas.  I saved them for these cardigans especially, as there will be two more to follow ~ the requests are in!

 
Huckley's cardigan was finished just in time for the beginning of the cooler, September nights.  I love this time of year with the colours beginning to turn and with the beginning of crisp evenings.  And knowing that my littlest is folded up in a hand-made sweater filled with mama love...well, that's just about the best thing of all!

little pixie boy

I'm playing along with Ginny today and her yarn along.  Yes!  I love books and knitting, too!

 

I began reading Shannon Hayes' Radical Homemakers, based on a suggestion from my good friend Melanie, who always seems to like the same things I do!  When she mentioned it, I pictured something very different, and I have to say you really can't judge a book by its cover.  I had never heard of it before, though it's only been around since 2010, but I gather it is generating a lot of discussion elsewhere.  Oh, this is a good good read!  Basically, Hayes suggests that a true homemaking spirit will allow men and women to embrace domesticity in order to "rediscover the joy that comes with using our hands and our minds in union to nourish, nurture and delight in our families; we tap the source of true creative satisfaction, the ecstasy that accompanies a home that lives in harmony with the earth's systems, and the certitude of a life guided by principles of social justice and nonexploitation."  Just two pages into her book, and I felt so validated knowing that I was not alone in my happy homemaking bliss...in fact, there is a movement underfoot and these Radical Homemakers are cropping up here, there, and everywhere!  Oh, there is hope for our children's future, for our earth's future.

 
And here is little Huckley in his Thanksgiving hat...the Stella Pixie Hat found for free on ravelry.  I began this hat a good long while ago...and when I finished it, I realized my boy's little noggin is not so, ahem, little.  So I cast on again, adding on several more ribbings to accomodate his larger dimensions, and voila!  it worked quite well. 

 
I love this pattern!  I used Indigo Moon's merino superwash fingering with size 3.25 mm needles so it took quite a while to knit it up, but easy.  I also made i-cord ties rather than the button closure, as suggested by Meg.  I am so thrilled with it, I immediately cast on for Sunshine's Thanksgiving hat (Canadian Thanksgiving is in early October, just when Jack Frost is beginning to nip) in red. 

 
And this little pixie boy seems to like it very much, thank you!  Well, then again, he likes to put anything on his head...hats, socks, vegetables, dogfood...I'll try and limit the rest and stick with the pixie hat. 

box of treasures

My three year old daughter is not much of a dolly girl.  Oh, I've tried, believe me.  She shows some interest for a few moments, and then moves on to more action type play...like trucks and motorbikes and see-how-I-throw-the-dolly.  I have to admit, I'm a little sad about this.  I know, I know, honour who she is and what she likes and don't force her into a mould.  But, really now, I am a dolly girl. 

As her third birthday approached, one of her most requested stories at bedtime was my recollection of dolly play when I was a girl.  The old-fashioned school set up in my basement, the high chair I got from St. Nicholas that my sister thought was meant for her, the doll I painstakingly made walk every step to Kindergarten a whole two blocks away.  She especially loves the high chair story and so that is why we gave her a dolly high chair for her birthday ten days ago.  She loves it.

And the hand-made presents we made for her grew out of those stories.  
Josh made her a cedar treasure box that I filled with dolly clothes.

 
Sunshine has a very special doll made by my dear friend who owns maplerose.  I have been saving the doll for a few years, until Sunshine was old enough to care for her properly, or until she ever became smitten with dolls.  Both of those reasons went out the window when Sunshine was diagnosed with diabetes in January.  Josh went home on our second day at the hospital to gather clothing for our family and I asked him to find the doll at the back of my closet. 

  
She was great comfort to Sunshine in the hospital, but soon after settling back at home, she was rejected.  I think Sunshine associates that really horrible time in her life with this doll.  So...Maya (as she came to be known) was given a wardrobe change...a whole new look to hopefully spark renewed interest.

 
I had such fun sewing these little (pink!) outfits from scraps of Sunshine's own clothes.   

 
 
 
Maya's sweater is a pattern by Shelly (waldorfmama) found here.  It was such fun designing and making Maya's wardrobe...it sure came together a lot faster than sewing for bigger babies!  And all three children were pretty excited by the box of treasures...

 
There's been a lot of dolly play since Sunshine's birthday.  And even if my daughter never becomes a dolly girl like I was, I know in my heart that is just fine.  The comfort she provided my girl in the hospital is beyond priceless...and for that, Maya, I will always cherish you!

 

looking ahead

I thought I'd join Ginny at Small Things this week for a yarn along.  I so enjoy seeing what other people are up to and I am continually being inspired by both projects and books.

Right now I am immersed in birthday merry-making.  With Huckley's first birthday one week today (!) and then Sunshine turning three a few days later, I am up later than I ought to be knitting, sewing, felting, and painting.  And, dear friends, this is not a complaint...I love this!!!

 
First, I finally finished The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski.  Last time I joined the yarn along, I said it was a little slow and sad.  Well, it must have been my mood, because the story really picked up and I looked forward to those late night nursing stretches where I turned on the light, hoping not to disturb the other family members who share our bed, and read.  More like consume the rest of the story.  It is a good read, and helped me give a few extra rubs for our two four-legged girls, Nyla and Cocoa.

Second, the very pink knitting is a dolly sweater I'm making for Sunshine's doll, Maya.  In fact, I'm making her a whole wardrobe (I hope) for Sunshine's birthday in just ten days.  The sweater is a pattern by Shelly at Waldorfmama and it is done in five pieces.  I had to finangle the sizing with different sized needles, something I'm not very experienced with.  Needless to say, I feel like I've spent far too much time on this dolly sweater than I have on Huckley's cardigan that I shelved some time ago.  I'm anxious to get back to that!

Finally, the book(s) I'm reading might seem somewhat dry to many of you, but I am immersed in preparing for homeschooling this fall.  I've purchased the Christopherus First Grade package and I am so excited by how comprehensive and true it all feels to the Waldorf philosophy.  Perhaps many of you are familiar with Christopherus, but for those who aren't, Donna is a real treasure.  She is very thorough in her curriculum and gives a very readable presentation of the whys, whats, whens of Waldorf home education.  I am really undecided how to approach homeschooling with Forrest this fall as he is a late birthday (November) and I'm still trying to figure out if I ought to keep it simple with Kindergarten again this year, or move forward and do a little letter learning...which he is keen to do.  Does anyone else out there have experience with a child whose birthday falls so late in the year?  I am leaning towards doing capital letters and maybe have Forrest illustrate a weekly Mother Goose rhyme, and then move more into Grade 1 next year.  I'm open to suggestions and hearing anyone's experiences.

Thanks to Ginny for hosting this wonderful yarn along...I look forward to being inspired by other knitters and readers out there!

two little piggies

I thought I'd join Ginny at Small Things this week for a yarn along.  I so enjoy seeing what other people are up to and I am continually being inspired by both projects and books.

 
The book I'm reading is The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski that my mom passed along.  It is the story of a teenage boy who cannot speak and his parents who operate a dog breeding kennel.  Truly, it is a tribute to the relationship between a boy and his dog combined with a thriller.  It is an intriguing read, though I find there is a sense of sadness and loneliness on each page.  Perhaps my next read will be a little more uplifting.

 
And here are my three, er two (so far), little piggies for the Knitted Farmyard I am making for my three children for Christmas.  Slowly I am acquiring some animals for the farm.  They are such fun to make, so simple and so easy...I love that!  And I know that my little ones will just love it, too.

Thanks again to Ginny for hosting a wonderful yarn along!  I look forward to seeing what you are knitting and reading right now.