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Tadpole Socks

My very first pattern:

Please stop by Ravelry or email me if you'd like the pattern.

I've been busy doing a lot of baby knitting.  It's really just taking over my life right now.  And Steve has been out of town and will be again shortly.  I feel like I'm losing days and sanity.  Chocolate helps.  Really that's about it.  I've been trying to write a more substantial post, but this is about all I can seem to manage.  Most of my energy is devoted to chasing after H, finishing up the last of the baby knits so I can send them to their intended recipients, and praying that one of the two interviews Steve has had will lead to a job.    

1. Easter Bunny, 2. fish and starfish, 3. WHW, 4. Blanket, 5. Soaker, 6. Stripy Soaker, 7. Katja, 8. IMG_5889, 9. IMG_5841, 10. IMG_5837, 11. Fishy Side, 12. PF Soaker back

Cloth diapering

Once I found out I was pregnant and living in a place with a washer/dryer, I knew I'd be cloth diapering.  

For me, cloth diapering is super easy.  I also can tolerate the diaper changes better than the few times we have used disposables.  I do laundry every other day for the most part.  And in the summer, I line dry them.  

I really love to talk about cloth diapers, so if you are thinking about using them, or just have questions, feel free to message me.

Almost Birthday Yarny Goodness

Shibui Knits Sock in Anime:

Shibui Knits Sock- Orchid: 

Indie Dyer Supersock- Storybook:

Tuscan Grove Venice- Galileo:

Dream in Color Smooshy- Beach Fog: 

Happy like whoa.   I need more needles and time....

Good News, Bad News Edition

Good News: I finished my brother's sweater.

Bad News: I wasn't 100% happy with how the zipper bands and bottom hem came out.  If you are making Avast, bind off the bands very, very loosely. 

Good News: I blocked the Maja shawl and I love it!  I wish that I had the extra skein or two of yarn it would have needed to be full size, but I can always make another.  

Bad News:  I found huge holes in my jaywalkers after I washed them.  Note to self, do not wear handknit socks with handknit felted slippers.  Time to reknit the heels.

Good News: It's been over 46 degrees for three days in a row.  This means I can take H outside for walks and exploration time. 

Bad News: I found an eraser in his diaper.  I'm pretty sure he ate it and didn't just stick it down his pants, but you never know.

Busy, busy, and bored

So far, March is keeping me on my toes, but also has me bored.   I think H is going to get a bunch more teeth soon, but I always say that and then he doesn't get teeth for months.  He is in the process (about halfway there) of getting his front, left tooth in.  Teeth are slow moving things in my house.  

What else...

I submitted a sock pattern to Knitty.

I finished my brother's sweater (it's blocking, so no pics yet).

I'm about 1/3 through one baby project.

I cast on for another baby project. 

The Maja shawl is blocking, too.

I want it to be warm enough to take H out for walks (low 40s isn't cutting it).

We are waiting to hear where we will be living next year.  Right now, my husband is position-less (he is a college professor).  Hopefully we will hear something before June.

My brother came to visit last Friday and he'll be back on Sat.  

There is a sweet contest going on from the peeps over at Phat Fiber.  Check it out here.

I got a skein of Noro in the mail from a Ravelry group random act of kindness.  That ruled.

4am and nothing to do but think

It's 4 am on the dot.  You woke up screaming and shrieking.  I know you must have had a bad dream, or your teeth are really hurting you.  I hurry to put on socks and a sweatshirt, it's cold outside of bed (57 to be exact).  I rush in to rescue you from the crib and you sweetly snuggle into my shoulder and sigh, happy to know someone will get you.

I heat some milk and then we sit down in the armchair.  Everything is so still outside.  There is no breeze to move the two ropes dangling from the tree across the street.  There are no runners this early, and no cars with people on their way to work.  It is eerie.  Even the house across the street is dark, their baby must be sleeping well today.  (Normally, I see the flicker of their tv in the early morning that matches ours.  I wonder if they also take comfort in the fact that there is someone else up with their baby like I do.)

You sigh and look at me, questioning why you are up.  You close your eyes and try to go back to sleep.  I am trying to will you to sleep with my mind, but I know in my heart that you are up for the day and so am I.  

I both hate and love this time of the morning.  I'd rather be sleeping, but I know I won't get this quite, still time with you for much longer.  Even 30 minutes into our morning, you are trying to push away.  You want the warmth and comfort of mama, but you also want to go exploring.  I keep you in my arms for another few minutes, then turn on Sesame Street and curl up on the futon.  You do such a good job of playing quietly, so I can get as much rest as possible.  We watch the sun come up together, and then we start our day in earnest.

Actual knitting content

I've been doing a lot of under the radar knitting, so there aren't many bloggable pictures.  

Secret item one is completely done and very cute.  I can't wait to show it to you, but for the moment it is in hiding.

Secret item two is halfway through and I'm pleased with how it is turning out.  I'm hoping to submit it to Knitty.com, which means there can be no pictures until it is either rejected or the issue comes out.  

Non-secret item one is the Maja wrap.  I'm knitting it using Noro Cash Iroha, which is absolutely lovely.  That could be the cashmere and silk though.  I will most likely be short of yarn, but only by one pattern repeat.  

Non-secret item two is the Christmas sweater for my brother.  It's, uh, taken a bit longer than it should have, but he's a nice enough guy that it doesn't seem to bother him.  I've replaced the original cable with the one seen below.  I like it much better and I think he will too.  More details on my Ravelry page.

Shopping Tips

We eat fairly to very well on a somewhat limited budget.  Here are some tips:

1. I always make a two week menu before going shopping.  Sitting down and deciding on around 8-10 meals helps avoid impulse purchasing.  That number accounts for at least a few nights of leftovers and all of our lunches. Recently, I've started a spreadsheet of menu ideas so I'm not completely overwhelmed when it is time to do menu planning.

2. I organize my shopping list into store areas (produce, dairy, protein, condiments, etc).  I'm not sure if it helps save money per se, but it does eliminate confusion and shortens the time I'm actually in the store.

3. Do not buy items that are not on the list unless they are a necessity (like milk- Cheese Its do not count just because they are on sale).  I tend to just do a general fruit/veggies line because I like to see what is local and looks good.  Not strictly on the list, but not an impulse buy item.

4. Don't buy junk food.  No chips, pop, cookies.  Not only will you lower your bill, but you will (theoretically) be healthier.

5. Only buy meat that is on sale.  Look up the flyer and plan your meal from that, or go in with several meal ideas that are 'flexible' on the cut and type of meat.

6. Eat before you go.  Make sure you are full.  It is harder to throw everything in your cart because it 'just looks good' when you are really not hungry.

7.  I find that I'm able to keep to my budget better when my husband isn't with me.  I feel guilty about indulging in extras when he isn't there.  When he is there, I will get things we don't need because he wants them and I want to make him happy.  You might work better with someone to hold you accountable.

8. Try to go to the store when it is not crowded.  I find that I do better when I have time to think about whether I really need that extra ____ when there aren't tons of people around.

9. If you can, use coupons.  I hardly ever buy things that are pre-made or pre-prepared, so I don't collect coupons.  But, if you are getting cereal/salad dressing/ frozen pasta, check to see if you can find a coupon.

10. Keep a large pantry.  If I notice flour/sugar/canned tomatoes/etc is on sale, I will typically get at least two.  I might spend more that trip (like $10), but chances are I'll save money later.  We could probably make at least a week's worth of food based on my pantry and freezer alone.

Here's an example menu from the beginning of the month:

Ground Beef was on sale, so I based most of the menu around beefy meals.

-tacos w/refried beans

-enchiladas 

-sloppy joes w/salad

-meatloaf w/mashed potatoes

-thai beef with mint w/rice

-sweet and sour pork w/spring rolls

-pad thai

-thai omelet 

-32 bean soup w/bread

-grits/sausage/eggs for breakfast

(yes, I tend to get on ethnic kicks)

Anyone still reading?  Questions?