Home Depot Can Be Fun...

We ended up picking out colors for the apartment the other day. Though the process turned out to be much longer than I expected, we were there for almost 2 hours. Victor and Ella had a blast and helped me choose which three colors will be on each of their bedroom walls. I have to say thank you to the girl who helped us pick and mix the shades while entertaining my lil' ones. You were a life saver!




January KAL
Clue #4

row 32: (k1,p1)2x, k2, p8, k1, p2, k1, p4, k2, p4, k1, p3, k1, p8, k2, (p1,k1)2x
row 34: (k1,p1)2x, k5, (p4, k1)x2, p7, k4, p3, k1, p4, k5, (p1,k1)2x
row 36: (k1,p1)2x, k2, p12, k13, p10, k2, (p1,k1)2x
row 38: (k1,p1)2x, k4, (p3, k1)x2, p3, k2, p4, k7, p7, k4, (p1,k1)2x
row 40: (k1,p1)2x, k2, p13, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, p2, k6, p6, k2 (p1,k1)2x


Now I'm on my way back to the apartment to finish painting.
Happy knitting everyone!

Almost There!...

***Fixed the small error on Row 30, it's updated on the bottom of this post.***

I guess I should explain the temporary lapse. It's a pretty good excuse and I'm quite happy about it. We've been over at the new apt everyday since last Wednesday getting things ready for us to move in next week! Such long days and lots of coffee but it will all be worth it soon.

I'm 90% done with the kids' room and can't wait to share some pictures with you. I ended up painting murals on both sides of the room for each of my little ones. It was difficult keeping it a secret from them but so far it's working. They like the idea that Mommy has a "secret room" for them.


So.. without further ado,

January KAL
Clue #3

row 22: (k1,p1)2x, k7, p7, k3, p4, k3, p8, k7, (p1,k1)2x
row 24: (k1,p1)2x, k4, p10, k1, p3, k2, (p3, k1)x2, p7, k4, (p1,k1)2x
row 26: (k1,p1)2x, k6, (p3, k1)x2, p4, k2, (p4, k1)x2, p3, k6, (p1,k1)2x
row 28: (k1,p1)2x, k3, p7, k1, p2, k1, p10, k1, p3, k1, p7, k3, (p1,k1)2x

row 30: (k1,p1)2x, k6, p2, k6, p4, k2, p4, k6, p2, k6, (p1,k1)2x
row 30: (k1,p1)2x, k6, p2, k6, p4, k2, p4, k7, p2, k6, (p1,k1)2x

There will be 3 more updates spaced out between the next 10 days. I promise with my whole heart that I will get them up for everyone so that we can have a finished cloth by the the 31st. February's Mystery Cloth is already designed, charted and ready to go on the first of the month so no worries!

KAL Update!...

Here's a shot I took while coming home with the kids tonight, the sunset was so peaceful.

I'm trying to finish up the dessert set by tomorrow. It's been such a busy weekend I haven't had any free time to knit up the last cloth and take pictures. I really need to sit down and sort through my unfinished projects, they're just piling up too quickly.

January KAL Update #2:

Starting from (rs) right side of the cloth:

row 11: "and all odd rows" (k1,p1) 2x, K to last 4s, (p1,k1)

row 12: (k1,p1)2x, k6, p5, k1, p14, k1, p6, k6, (p1,k1)2x
row 14: (k1,p1)2x, k8, p3, k1, p14, k1, p4, k8, (p1,k1)2x
row 16: (k1,p1)2x, k6, (p5, k2)x3, p7, k5, (p1,k1)2x
row 18: (k1,p1)2x, k8, (p4, k2)x3, p3, k1, p1, k8, (p1,k1)2x
row 20: (k1,p1)2x, k4, p5, k1, p3, k12, p10, k4, (p1,k1)2x

It's so great to see everyone knitting along together!

Here is the pattern page on Ravelry!

Holiday Shots...

This is going to be a picture heavy post. I took some cute shots of the kids over the Holiday's. We had a great time on Christmas and they got everything they wanted from Santa. I can only wish that every year will be just as special. I feel truly blessed!

We have a big family and all of us come together at an uncle's house Christmas Eve. Santa Claus makes a special appearance around midnight to give each child one gift before leaving to bring other children their toys and then stop at our house before morning. My daughter was getting grumpy waiting up for him so she might not be too happy in the photos but I love that it's just her. Ella has some attitude if she's over tired!


I made snowflake sugar cookies from scratch that morning with the kids. I let them decorate for awhile but after noticing that none of the icing was making it onto the cookies I did take end up taking over. I think they ate half of them before leaving for the party.

**KAL update tomorrow!**

Another Hobby Another Love...

For as long as I can remember I have always drawn on everything. Never having any formal training, it has always come naturally and been just for fun. My kids love to sit down and scribble with me in coloring books and finger paint toddler masterpieces. Sometimes if I have half a day I can start and finish a photograph that I've been asked to draw. Though I'm sure when the kids are in school soon I'll be able to find more time for my craft. I wanted to share a few pencil drawings that I've done. The family was done recently and the Staffordshire Terrier was done a few years ago.


In both photos the original photograph is on the top and my drawing is on the bottom.

For some knitting news the Dessert Cloths should be available on Thursday or Friday and I have so much knitting to show you it's ridiculous!

Thank you to everyone who has started the KAL! The more people we have the more fun it will be. It's also keeping me motivated to design more.

Let's Start A KAL!

I thought this would be a great way to start the new year and keep it creative! In case some of you aren't aware of what a Knit-Along is I'll post a few questions and answers.

How do I join the knit-along?
Anyone can join. It's as simple as picking up some yarn and needles and following sections of a pattern over a given month. Invite others to join, it's fun to knit together. You might want to follow this blog by clicking the button on the left or subscribing through bloglines so you get the new posts right away.

How often will you update?
I will post up 10 lines to the pattern about 6 times a month. Look for the KrisKnits KAL logo at the bottom of a blog post. There you will find a new part of the pattern.

What will we be making?
Every month will feature a new full sized 10x10" picture dishcloth that corresponds in theme to each month. At the end of each KAL you will have a beautiful cloth that you can use in your home or share with someone else.

How do I share photos of my progress?
There will be a pattern for every month on Ravelry to share your progress with others. I would love if everyone added a new project there so we can see how many of us are knitting together. I only ask that you do not post a picture of the cloth as your main photo for the project. It can be anything else. This way the design stays a mystery for those who wish to keep it that way.



January 2010:

Supplies:

• 1 Ball of Lily's Sugar'n Cream Solid
  

I used 00083: Cornflower Blue (Blue), but you can use any color you wish

• US #3/3.25mm needles*
• Tapestry Needle *I used a smaller needle size to obtain denser fabric and to make the picture stand out more.
  
  

Finished Measurements : Approx. 10"x10"

Pattern:

co 47s

(k1, p1) to last stitch, k1 repeat for 6 rows

row 1: "and all odd rows" (k1,p1) 2x, K to last 4s, (p1,k1)

row 2: (k1,p1)2x, p5, k2, (p6, k3)x2, p6, k2, p6, (p1,k1)2x
row 4: (k1,p1)2x, p2, k1, p4, k2, p2, k3, p10, k2, p3, k2, p5, k1, p2, (p1,k1)2x
row 6: (k1,p1)2x, p9, k4, p12, k2, p1, k1, p3, k1, p6, (p1,k1)2x
row 8: (k1,p1)2x, k7, p4, k1, p14, k2, p6, k5, (p1,k1)2x
row 10: (k1,p1)2x, k9, p2, k1, p14, k1, p3, k9, (p1,k1)2x

Here is the pattern page on Ravelry!

2010, I'm Ready For You...

Happy New Year everyone!
I wanted to make and share a washcloth pattern for '10. It's sized perfectly to wrap around a fragrant or hand-made soap bar. If I can find time this week I'll make some soap and brighten a friend's day with this little gift. I'm currently working on so many different things I don't know what to finish first. One of my New Year's resolutions this year is to blog and post pictures everyday. Another is to finish everything I start. I'd love to hear some of yours!


2010 New Year's Washcloth:

Finished Measurements : Approx. 4"x8½"

Materials: 1 ball Lily Sugar'n Cream Solid
US #3/3.25mm needles*
Tapestry Needle
*I used a smaller needle size to obtain denser fabric and to make the picture stand out more.

Chart :

Click here to see this pattern's page on Ravelry!

Pattern:

With Size 3 needles,
co 40s

row 1: (an all odd numbered rows) k
row 2: k
row 4: k5, p30, k5
row 6: k4, p32, p4
row 8: k3, p1, k7, p4, k3, p4, k6, (p3, k3)x2
row 10: k2, p2, k7, p3, k5, p3, k6, p2, k5, p3, k2

row 12: k2, p2, k3, p3, k1, p2, k3, p1, k3, p4, k2, p3, k3, p1, k3, p2, k2
row 14: k2, p3, k3, p5, k2, p3, k2, p4, (k2, p3)x2, k2, p2, k2
row 16: k2, p4, k3, p4, k2, p3, k2, p4, (k2, p3)x2, k2, p2, k2
row 18: k2, p5, k3, p3, k2, p3, k2, p4, (k2, p3)x2, k2, p2, k2
row 20: k2, p6, k3, p2, k2, p3, k2, p4, (k2, p3)x2, k2, p2, k2

row 22: k2, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, k2, p4, (k2, p3)x2, k2, p2, k2
row 24: k2, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k4, (p3, k2)x2, p2, k2
row 26: k2, p2, k3, p1, k3, p2, k3, p1, k3, p2, k4, p3, k3, p1, k3, p2, k2
row 28: k2, p3, (k5, p4)x2, k3, p4, k5, p3, k2
row 30: k3, p3, (k3, p6)x2, k2, p5, k3, p3, k3

row 32: k4, p32, p4
row 34: k5, p30, k5
row 36: k
row 38: k

row 39: Bind Off


Weave in ends.

Block and lay flat to dry

Hanging loop:

When binding off the final row leave 3 remaining stitches and knit an I-cord for 3". BO and sew the end of the cord to the underside of the cloth where the I-cord started.

I'm almost finished with a new set of Dessert Cloths. I can't wait to publish and make them available. I'm also going to start a free KrisKnits' Monthly KAL (Knit-Along) starting this week. Every month will feature a full-size themed picture dishcloth. I'll post more about it tomorrow and hopefully get the first couple rows up for everyone to start together.
Happy Knitting!