A Warm Solution

Posted on December 14, 2015 by atangledyarn84

So Jellybean is an active wiggling 15 month old and we are heading into the heart of winter. He has several jackets and coats but we never leave them on in the car seat for safety reasons. So that’s lots of on and off clothing wrestling with a marginally cooperative toddler in the bracing cold of the Midwest. I had a flash of inspiration…he needs a open cardigan much like the kiddy or momma vertebrae. Something to keep his arms/shoulders/back warm without anything on the front to interfere with the efficacy of the car seat straps!

Enter the Snugbug by Tiaga Hilliard Designs!

@Tiaga Hilliard Designs

I pulled some Knit Picks Brava Bulky in red from my deep stash. I’ve already cast on and worked down to the armhole divide. I’m in love and may have to make more than one!

Happy Knitting!!

A Finished Flax

Posted on September 10, 2015 by atangledyarn84

Jellybean’s Flax sweater has been finished with the knitting for several days but it’s still “a block away” as the Knitmore Girls say. And since my shingles have sidelined my knitting I thought I’d share this in its current state.

Pattern: Flax by Tin Can Knits from their Simple Collection

Needles: U.S. 6 and 8 needles

Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Pageant

Size: 2-3 years

mods: none

I’m hoping a good blocking will highlight the fantastic ridge detail of the garter section on the arms. I used 216 grams of yarn or just over 4 skeins of yarn. I’m glad I chose the 2-3 year old size so that Jellybean will get more wear out of it. He’s almost a year old and firmly in 24 month clothing. Now I just need to find a time where it’s not too hot and Jellybean is in the mood to model this FO after its blocking bath. Cross your fingers for that perfect storm will you?

Happy Knitting!

WIP Wednesday: Flax

Posted on September 2, 2015 by atangledyarn84

I’ve squeezed in some more progress on Jellybean’s Flax sweater from the Tin Can Knits Simple collection.

Both sleeves are done and I have one full skein and two tiny partial skeins to finish this sweater. I still think I’m in the territory of yarn chicken but we will see. Fingers crossed! And I really want to finish this before fall gets here. Especially since I still have a Gru scarf to finish and I think jellybean needs a vest for fall as well. So many ideas and so little time…

Happy knitting!!

Growing Flax

Posted on August 27, 2015 by atangledyarn84

A virus has knocked Jellybean and I for a loop. Not to mention the hubby has been out of town for a conference for several days leaving us sickies to our own devices. Needless to say not much knitting got done. I did get some stitches in on my Flax for Jellybean.

I felt a game of yarn chicken coming on with only five 50 gram balls. I knit past the sleeve division and finished my second ball of yarn. So instead of finishing the body I started the sleeves. It took less than one ball of yarn to finish one sleeve so I’m hopeful for winning yarn chicken!

This pattern is easy and relaxing to knit. But some days I just can’t do the dark yarn in the evenings so it’s slow going. But the good news is that baby sweaters go zoom!

Happy Knitting!!

A Sweater For Jellybean

Posted on April 21, 2015 by atangledyarn84

Its spring here in Kansas but a tiny part of me is thinking ahead to fall. Jellybean is 7 months now and already wearing 12 month clothing. I REALLY want to have some hand knit sweaters for him this fall. I’m guessing I need to knit 18 months or bigger, lol.

My problem is that I don’t have a lot of knitting time let alone Ravelry browsing time. I hopped on my queue the other day and fell a bit down the rabbit hole. So I’m asking dear readers and fellow knitters for help. What should I knit? Here are my requirements:

Top down seamless construction
Masculine pattern
Sport weight yarn and bigger
No lace
No cables
Sizes 18 months and up

I might be willing to negotiate on seamless and willing to do seams if the pattern is that good. But I need to know your suggestions and “go-to” toddler knits. I’m looking for chic and simple for this sleep deprived knitter. Please post or link them in the comments. I can’t wait to see what comes!

Happy Knitting

Goals and The New Year

Posted on January 8, 2015 by atangledyarn84

I have a thriving baby, a career, loving family, and a pretty amazing husband. I just don’t knit as much anymore as the aforementioned things are taking a bit more time. I don’t mind, to all things there is a season. I’ll soon enough have more knitting time and miss these previous days.

That being said, I still have some knitting goals for 2015:

1: Ravel all my projects
2: Keep better track of my yarn in versus yarn out (I heart spreadsheets)
3: Make at least two pairs of socks for my loving husband
4: Knit a winter sweater for Jellybean (12-18 months size)
5: Finish all my 2014 carryover projects
6: Find a space for and use my cedar chest

There you are, nothing drastic but rather logical and reasonable goals for a knitting mommy and wife.

Do you set goals?

Finish It or Frog It

Posted on December 30, 2014 by atangledyarn84

Jellybean is napping and I’m taking advantage of it. It’s the end of the year and it’s time to go through my WIPs in a “finish it or frog it” frame of mind.

Here is what I’ve decided so far..

The Baby Bunting from Jellybean’s nursery…Frog it!! With Jellybean coming early I just couldn’t finish this and honestly don’t have the time or energy to work this now. I’d rather knit him cute clothes now that we now that we know he’s a he, lol.

A random ribbon scarf from at least two years ago…Frog it!! I was working these for craft fairs, and in which I’m no longer interested. So into the frog pond this went and the yarn back into my stash.

Fingerless Mits from who knows how long ago made from leftover bits from some sweater yarn? …. TBD. I don’t want to frog these as I could really use some fingerless mits, but I don’t have the urge to knit them currently. I’m going think more on these.

My Plain Rye socks…Finish them!! These woolen socks are perfect for my cold feet. I’ve finished the first sock and then fallen victim to the dreaded SSS. I’ve put these on my night stand to finish this winter!!

Random sock project…Frog it!! These pre-date my Ravelry tracking. I don’t even know what in the heck these are, lol. Nuff said..My Cuff to Cuff Sweater…Finish it! I’m excited to wear this. It might not get done this winter. But get done it shall! I’m enjoying this knit so I’m not in any hurry.

There you have it! My craft room feels so much better already and my project bags are organized and ready to go for 2015. Anyone else out there do any purging these last few days of 2014?

My Little (Old) Man

Posted on November 25, 2014 by atangledyarn84

Just a quick post to show off my favorite Jellybean. Here he is in a teeny tiny Baby Sophisticate! (Mind you this lasted 10 minutes until he got an unnamed bodily fluid on it but it’s acrylic so into the wash it went!) Doesn’t he make the cutest tiny little old man?

WIP Wednesday: Cuff To Cuff Sweater

Posted on October 29, 2014 by atangledyarn84

My sweater is growing! Here is the latest progress on my Cuff To Cuff sweater!

This is an interesting construction. It’s worked side to side. I’ve completed the first sleeve, one front, and the back. Now I’m on to the second front. The stockinette is very curly and I’m concerned this is going to be small. But I believe in the pattern and my search. Blocking is indeed miraculous! I have faith 🙂

Happy knitting !

WIP Wednesday: Cuff to Cuff Sweater

Posted on October 15, 2014 by atangledyarn84

My knitting time is basically nonexistent now that I’m nursing Jellybean. But I manage a few rows here and there when he is napping or chilling in someone else’s arms.

Since my last post on this sweater I had completed the sleeve and now I’ve finished the first front/side panel (depending on how you look at it). I’m now working the back portion of the sweater!

(The true color is closer to the first photo)

These few stitches here and there really help me find my center in the midst of baby poop, crying, laughing, and nursing. This motherhood stuff is no joke and I’ve never been so tired in my entire life. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Pardon me while I go take a short nap whilst Jellybean is down for the count as well!