It Might Not Be Mutual

It's kind of obvious that Hugs is taken with Sandy, Genevieve's Blythe. I don't think the admiration is mutual.
However, her lack of enthusiasm does not seem to squelch his.
Hugs is knit from the wonderful Hugs + Squoze pattern by Anna Hrachovec of Mochimochi Land. I still have to knit Squoze (Hugs's little friend) and perhaps when Squoze is finished, Sandy can get a break.

If you go to the Mochimochi Land Blog (search through the archives for Blythe + Hugs) and you will find the first picture here posted over there!!! Anna's blog is my favorite, and I am thrilled she liked the picture of Hugs + Blythe.
I love Anna's patterns ... they are really well written and her toys are so darling. I can't wait for her book to come out this early summer!

Hugs to all of you! Remember Spring is near!

Hats With A 'Tude

I just got this knitting book, "Hattitude" by Cathy Carron. Lately, I have been pleased if a knitting book has 4 or 5 projects that I want to make... I feel like the book was a good purchase.
Let me just say, that is not how I feel about "Hattitude". I feel like it was an excellent purchase... Not only did I find at least 6 hats that I want to make for myself, but one of my daughters marked 5 that she is about to die for. And the other daughter.... well.....
...she marked 19 hats that I just have to make her! NINETEEN!!! So the big decision is which one to cast on first. I could probably just randomly open the book and see which one it opens to... or check out my ample stash and match up the project that way. I have some Ozark Handspun and some Burly Spun... maybe I will start the hat called "Romantic". I would make that one for moi! Oh what fun!

Warm Ears for Atticus

Christmas Day brought a big snow and a bunch of cold. Atticus was aghast there were no warm hats in the house... none with ear flaps anyway. So I searched Ravelry for a pattern and he picked from the projects of other knitters... luckily, I had the right colors in the right wool... so... voila... warm ears for Atticus.

Pom-pom Love

As if this scarf isn't bad enough on its own... just wait till I make Tank (HimsMostPretty) a matching sweater for our pretty walks.

Hillbilly Gnome

Gnome moved to the Ozarks and now has officially become a Hillbilly. He seems to really like his new home. My folks are happy to have Hillbilly Gnome move in... as long as he doesn't start smoking a corn cob pipe.
Hillbilly Gnome (Yuletide Gnome) is an Alan Dart pattern. I altered the knitting to be done completely in the round. I used notes from other knitters on Ravelry, and the best tutorial was from JoyKnitCrochet blog. (When you click on this link, be sure to scroll down to find the tutorials for the mittens and boots... really great info!!!) I think more gnome knitting is in my future... all six kids fell in love with Hillbilly Gnome!

Gnome

Can't seem to get a good picture of Gnome. He will be moving to the Ozarks soon. I think he will have some cousins that will be moving to New Jersey before Christmas if all goes as planned. You can't tell from this picture, but his beard is sparkly white. How is "sparkely" spelled, anyway? SPARKLEY???? Anyway, his beard has a sparkle that is very festive.

Death and Birth

Sadly, this past week we lost a beloved uncle, and though the news was sad, the celebration of a funeral always brings our huge family together.

And on a happier note, I was able to finish a very funny felted Yoda hat for a soon-to-be born wee one. He will be born right around Halloween (if he is cooperative and if his mother is lucky.) I also made the wee one a pair of three-toed mitts which his dad was particularly fond of... (I forgot to take pictures.)

Lots of Knitting on the Needles

I am knitting like a Mad Lady these days. Actually, I am knitting like a mad, angry, "can't get to my knitting", frustrated lady these days. Hoping this will change. I have tons of things on the needles ranging from a darling baby bunting to a bear backpack for humans to more wonderful designs for Blythe.
The portrait of me and HimsMostPretty was drawn by Olivia a few years ago when she was 8 or 9. We both look about the same, though I am heavier and Tank has more gray hairs in hims furs. Okay, I have more gray hairs, too.

Blythe Dress Designs: Edith's Head

Bonnie is now modeling the finished "Grace Dress for Blythe". Still tweaking the pattern a bit.
Genevieve wanted the same dress, only using the self-striping yarn I had in my stash. Well, self-striping yarn and the top from the Grace dress don't mix so well, so a new design was born... doesn't have a name yet.
The mint green dress is knit from the bottom up... the ice cream striped dress is knit from the top down.
I feel like the Edith Head of doll dress design.

Okay, it was generous of me to label myself as the Edith Head of doll dress design, I know. Believe me, I am not channeling her in any way .... I'm just wearing her glasses.

Faceless

This doll has been waiting and waiting and waiting for a face. Maybe she will have one by tomorrow. (let's all hope so.)

Herz and Hiz

We are both looking forward to spending time with our new history books this weekend.

Squares

Finished the deadline and mailed three "secret" squares for community projects that will go to two people I have never met. It's fun to knit a square, mail it, know that it is getting stitched together by a stranger...and that my square will be living next to other squares knit by strangers and then it gets mailed to another person who is going through struggles... and voila! group hug from people all over the country... right there in their mailbox. Pretty cool.

By the way... they really are square(ish). They just look funny cause I took the picture at an angle so as not to cause shadows...

Pile of Parts

Perhaps this pile of project parts is why I feel so scattered. Everything is only partly ... partly sewn up, partly knitted, partly stuffed, partly embroidered. My plants are only partly potted. The laundry, partly folded. The house is fully filthy... hey wait! That's one thing to feel complete about! Yippppeeee!!!

Can't Stop Thinking 'Bout Chicken

I made this bunny hat for my friend chicken. Aren't the earflaps and the custom-knit strap around the cockscomb super sweet ??!
My friend chicken always loves the things I knit for him... he is a real gem.