My edges are getting A LOT neater. I really enjoyed doing this little practice piece. I used this pattern, but I kind of goofed after making 2 rows of the blocks..... I accidentally started making them 4 stitches wide and 6 stitches tall (as opposed to 4 x 4, like they're supposed to be). I liked the way the 4 x 6 blocks looked better, so I just went with it. I ended with 2 rows of 4 x4 blocks to make it look like I did it on purpose. I think I may actually turn this little swatch into something practical, like a coin purse. I'll just fold it in half and sew up the sides. I think I have a little scrap of satin to make a lining...and I may even have a zipper (although, probably not the right length). I'd like to embellish it somehow, but not sure with what. It would look darling with some little felted flowers or something, but I don't know how to do that yet.





Yesterday, I took our shower door down and replaced it with a shower curtain. For one thing, I hate the noise that the shower doors make when they're rolling on the tracks. I know, that's pretty stupid. But it's just not a pleasant sound. Another reason I hated having sliding shower doors was that they are not conducive to bathing a baby. Our toilet is right beside the tub, on the side closest to the faucet. Even though Scout is far from being able to sit up in the tub by herself, I know that the day will come when bending over the toilet to reach the faucet all twisted-like because the sliding door is in the way will NOT be fun.

Scraping the caulk that lined the door off of the tub and tiles was a pretty tedious job, but the results were worth it. It looks a lot more light and airy in there now. One side of the sliding shower door was a mirror, so when you were in the shower, it was pretty dark. Now, there is an opaque curtain that lets plenty of light in.

Blah blah blah....Sorry..... Like you really want to hear about my bathroom :)

Tomorrow is Scout's second ever appointment with a pediatrician. (oops - I mean, today...I'm up way too late!) She hasn't been since she was a week old. She will be 5 months old in 2 days. I'm nervous and I'm not sure why. I heard from an acquaintance that this particular doctor is very respectful of (but probably not in favor of, I'm assuming) the decision not to vaccinate or delaying/selectively vaccinating. I'm not sure what to say when it comes up or if it will even be an issue. I don't want to totally dismiss his thoughts on it and I definitely don't want to send out the "To hell with what you think, Doc" vibe...but I also want to stand my ground and not let anyone pressure me into giving my daughter injections that I'm not totally convinced are safe.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Labels: health, knitting

I can tell I'm going to really like this whole knitting thing. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like I've been doing it my whole life. And I haven't. I don't think I had ever even touched a knitting needle before this. I'm not saying that I feel like I've knitted before because I'm great at it or something...because I'm NOT...but just because the needles just feel natural in my hands.

I'm a little frustrated with how my edges have been turning out. One edge of my practice sample seems relatively neat and tidy, while the other is a train wreck. Also, there are some wonky stitches smack dab in the middle of my pretty stitches and it's just irking me that I don't know how to correct them. It's not like this is a project or anything...I'm just practicing...but I'm anal retentive and want my practice pieces to look absolutely flawless just 3 days after picking up the needles for the first time. I know. Ain't gonna happen. I wish I lived closer to one of you knitting mommas because I really NEED a real life knitting mentor to take me under her wing. The one person in my life who is a fantastic knitter is someone I only see once every 6 months or so....and she is more of an acquaintance. Actually, fantastic knitter or not, she's the only one I know.

Hhhmmm...I wonder about knitting lessons at the yarn store where said acquaintance works part time? Definitely worth looking into. Will DH go for it? I don't know. He might, if I present it as part of my business plan (which it is). It is my dream to eventually make and sell high-quality cloth diapers, and now if I get good enough at knitting, wool baby items as well. It almost seems unatainable, but I feel more determined about this path than I have about any of the other hairbrained business venture we've ever come up with. It's probably because I am passionate about cloth diapers (shut up, I know I'm a loser) and I've ALWAYS wanted to earn a living selling the fruit of my hands in some way, shape, or form. I need a couple of really nice machines and some quality fabrics and dyes to mess around with so I can come up with a product. The business end of things overwhelms me...but I think having a Hyena Cart or an Etsy page would be so wonderful.

Here are pics of my discombobulated knitting:




If you're wondering if my title is a Flight of the Conchords reference, it is...and you are cool for knowing that.

Labels: knitting, wahm business

So far, I've learned how to cast on, how to knit, and how to bind off. Here's a pic of my little practice strip I was working on last night:



Not pictured: The crazy lumpy stitches that looked like I was knitting while smoking crack.

Today, I'm going to work on learning how to purl so I can combine that with what I already know and end up with a stockinette stitch. Woot.

I feel like I'm catching on pretty quickly, except I don't really have any concept of WHAT I'm doing. I mean, I am following the instructions in the books Wendy sent me, and I'm benefitting from watching the videos on Knittinghelp.com....but if some stitches slide off of the needle or I lose my place and forget what I'm doing, I can't recover from it. Hence, the aforementioned crazy crack pipe stitches. I'm sure it'll all click and I'll eventally realize the mechanics of it all.

It's kind of like what I've heard DH say about playing bass guitar. He knows how to play several songs because he's good at memorizing them...but when it comes to actually knowing WHY he's hitting those notes and being able to improvize and go off and play in the key of E or something, he's oblivious.

I have laundry and other things that need done, but all I want to do is sit here and learn how to knit. Have I mentioned that I have an addictive personality?

Labels: knitting

First cast-on, y'all.



Scout went to bed at 7:00 pm because her nap schedule got all wonky today. After that, I made grilled cheese and roast beef sandwiches, baked beans, and a spinach salad for dinner. After we ate, I learned how to cast on while DH and I sat in the family room and watched the making of Metallica's Black Album.

Yeah, Saturday nights are wild around here. We know how to party like rock stars.

Labels: knitting

I just received a package full of knitting supplies in the mail from Wendy over at Well Mannered Frivolity today. What a sweetheart! I was whining about how I want to learn how to knit, but am too broke to buy stuff to get me started. I really have the best bloggy pals. Oh yeah, and what's a beginner's knitting kit without Hello Kitty lip gloss and a box of Chinese rice candy? She thought of everything.

Labels: gifts, knitting