Happy Forest Koolhaas

Thanks to another enterprising swap with Bertha, I got my hands on some Dream in Color Classy in Happy Forest on Thursday. By Friday morning, when the kids were at preschool, I was at the coffee shop, happily knitting away. Saturday, this was done. And the world was good.

Pattern: Koolhaas Hat from Holiday Edition of Interweave Knits
Yarn: Dream in Color Classy in Happy Forest
Mods: None. Four chart repeats.

This was so fun to knit. And I happened to have the perfect vest to wear with it, although vest weather doesn't usually happen here until March or April. But all the same, I really enjoyed knitting this hat and plan to make another one to match my winter coat, too. On Ravelry, some people said they preferred five chart repeats, but that would have been too long for me.

This will be most excellent for St. Patrick's Day. And if the Packers ever make it to the Super Bowl.

This took 54 grams of Classy, and I have about 66 grams left. Enough for an entire hat! But my question is...do you think I could get a pair of adult mittens out of it?

Buttons Ago-Go

Finally! Buttons for the purple monstrosity:

I've worn this about three times now, and I have to say I'm not too happy with the wear-factor or durability (? it's early) of this yarn. Maybe it's that I didn't knit it at a tight enough gauge, but it's pilling like crazy and because the yarn is already nubbly, it just looks homemade to me instead of handmade. Unfortunate. Maybe I should have struggled on those size 8 needles instead of knitting it at a bulky gauge.

As for our son, I got word that the ENT has greenlighted (greenlit?) getting him on the OR schedule, but that it might be three or four weeks until we get a spot. Insert expletive here. At least he actually ate something besides milkshakes for dinner last night. To be a little more clear, he doesn't have tonsillitis and in fact isn't sick at all. He doesn't have strep throat. His tonsils have seemingly decided to poof out ('specially that left one), leaving the barest minimum of space between them, for no apparent reason. This is the main reason to do surgery. But ending all the sleep apnea will be a bonus, too. Right now our guy, 5 years old, is napping daily--something he hasn't done since he had pneumonia last year. He's just not getting any quality sleep at night because his breathing makes him sound like a tractor. Thank you for all your positive comments.

More Pink

Pink has been playing a major part in my knitting life lately. I don't usually try to analyze my color choices, but treat them more like thoughts while meditating..."hm...there's another pink project. Oh, huh, there's another pink project."

Child mittens and Ear Cozies from 100purewool 3-ply merino

I made these for an auction our preschool is having to benefit an inevitable, upcoming renovation project on its space. This yarn is delightful to work with. I have to admit it's my new favorite. It's very soft but because it's 3-ply, it seems more sturdy and strong than 1-ply Malabrigo, more consistent, and I hear it's less likely to pill, as well.

I'm also making progress on Imogen. I finished the first sleeve last night, although this photo doesn't show it.

Imogen in Araucania Nature Wool Chunky #111

I think this is going to be a flattering, nice-fitting sweater. Famous last words, right? I hope not.

You all have been so supportive in the past, and I'd just like to share a little mommy-freak-out situation and ask for your positive vibes for our son. About three weeks ago we noticed his voice sounded different, full as if he had a sore throat. So in the ensuing 2.5 weeks, we asked him a bajillion times if his throat was sore. Finally, realizing that probably wasn't a good tactic, I decided to take him to the pediatrician. Who said his tonsils needed to come out immediately. They were enlarged. So we saw the Ear/Nose/Throat (ENT) doctor--the same one who put in M's eartubes over the summer--and he did a blood draw to test for mono (negative) and said we should wait a month to see if they get smaller and then consider a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. That was Thursday.

Yesterday afternoon, he sounded worse. So I looked in his throat. His left tonsil has swollen up disproportionately and is threatening to take up most of his throat. There appear to only be about 2 cms between the tonsils now. I was sufficiently alarmed that I sent DH and son to the ER last night, and because son does not have a fever or any pain and he can breathe and swallow, they did not recommend any immediate treatment but said we should call the ENT on Tuesday. The official documents from the ER say "unilateral tonsillar hypertrophy." Do yourself a favor and don't Google it. It could be all sorts of terrible stuff. But it also could be nothing.

Mommy anxiety prolonged yet another day. Darn that Martin Luther King, Jr. ;)

A is for

Araucania Nature Wool Chunky. Which our daughter sometimes clutches like a security blanket.

Today is the last day to sign up for the ABC-Along 2008. Get thee to Vicki's blog and sign up!

Contest Winners & FO

Ok! Whew! A lot of people commented! Thanks very much. They were very interesting to read. I got everything across the board with knitting projects, and I hope you found it rather interesting to think about what you'd really like to knit, and maybe you can incorporate that project in your queue this year.

I chose four people randomly (or, rather, random.org gave me four numbers and I matched them up with the commenters). They have been contacted and will receive their yarn hopefully this week. They are:

Vicki Knitorious
Melissa of Banana Migraine
Anne of The Bag Lady & The Pro
Michele of McKnitter

Thanks everyone.

Last week I finished some fingerless mittens for our favorite preschool teacher. She's the type of person who can tell when something is slightly 'off' with your child or you, and she's so caring and knowledgeable and practical with her childrearing advice. I hadn't jumped on the fingerless mittens bandwagon because, truthfully, where we live it's just usually too cold. You need fingers on your mittens. But then I observed what happens on the preschool playground. The teachers have to take their mittens or gloves off a lot to help the kids. So I decided to make these:

Axel Mitts by Blue Garter
Araucania Nature Wool Chunky color 111

The pattern is written for bulky weight, and as Araucania Nature Wool Chunky is misnamed and is a worsted weight, I jiggered the pattern a little bit. But see how nice? They fold up over your fingers. Perfect for the preschool playground.

One More Day!

There's one more day left in the contest (see post below). So far 68 people have commented, and I definitely think I'm going to have to make use of a random number generator to pick three winners. Unfortunately, the socialist tendencies in me cannot allow me to pick, say...an Orenburg shawl over a house cozy. I shouldn't have contests because I'm notoriously indecisive. But I'm really enjoying reading the comments-- thank you!

Nova asked: "What is yours?!"

I'd have to go with a Zimmermann-esque self-designed aran knit in the round, steeked for cardigan opening and armholes, with a hood. Kind of like her Aran Coat, but not knit at 2.5 stitches to the inch.

Isn't it a blessing...and a shame...that we can't knit just one project in 2008? If we did, we'd all get our absolute dream projects finished. And what a joy that would be indeed.

Come One, Come All: Win Yarn

Ok, technically this is my 99th post, but I couldn't wait for the 100th. And didn't have anything else to write about, if you'd like to know the truth.

In celebration of 100 posts here at Friender (and my first blogiversary coming soon), I present to you a Deep Sea Diving Expedition. We're fishing for comments here, readers. I know, but I'm a middle child, so I need the attention.

So here's what you do:

Leave a comment (with your email address so I can get in touch with you if you win) by January 11th answering the following question:

If you were only allowed to knit one thing in 2008, what would you knit?

Three people will win yarn!

Araucania Ranco Multi 302 blues/purples


Joslyn's Fiber Farm Sheep's Gift in "Montego Bay"


Mountain Colors Weaver's Wool Quarters in "Raspberry"

Creativity counts! Really think about it and put in your comment by midnight on January 11th. **Winners will be contacted via email, so please do fill out the little form with your email address if you'd like to be considered.** Thanks for reading!

edited to add: I don't want to force people to leave their email addresses in their comments. If you have a blog attached to your profile on Blogger, I can find you! If you are blogless, please give me some way to contact you. thanks.

Knits in Action

Happy New Year. My parents came to celebrate Christmas on New Years (yes, we're slightly off kilter that way) and so I was able to get a photo of my mom in the Reader's Wrap.

It was well-received, as my mom is the most gracious person I know. She's particularly deserving of something she can wear everywhere next year. Especially since she and my father have always been so supportive of my knitting hobby, not to mention generous. This year they got me the Knitpicks DPN set, The Knitter's Book of Yarn, More Sensational Knitted Socks and Favorite Socks. And two skeins of Knitpicks Bare to assault with more Koolaid. And a new digital camcorder. Yeah, they're generous.

And here is me. It was a gray day and well, the photos aren't the best. But I do love this sweater and actually had to take it off while preparing our food that day--it was too hot for the kitchen.

I'd also like to thank Tiennie--apparently I'm starting off 2008 with some good vibes. Never having ever won anything in a blog contest before, I was chosen as her random blog commenter and she's sending yarn! Yarn! Thanks Tiennie. I'm so excited to see what it is.

Speaking of yarn, this is my 98th post on my blog. Rapidly approaching 100, in which I'd like to give away some more yarn. It's fortuitous that I need to visit my LYS for buttons today; I can pick something out there to give away. Stay tuned and tell your friends.