One Baby Cardi Done!

Yea! One baby cardi with buttons done! It's so cute and its blocking in the laundry room right now. I figure if I have to dry my clothes I may as well put that radiant heat to use right?

The particulars: Needle Size US 8 and 6, circular for the body and DPNs for the sleeves.

Yarn: Cascade Sierra 80% pima cotton, 20% wool, 191 yards/skein

Pattern: Jimmy Beans Wool "Sweater Gift Set" free pattern

Started Sunday, finished tonight.

This turned out really cute, but there are things that I would change if I knit this again. Even though I went from a size 8 needle to a size 6 for the neckband, sleeve cuffs, and button bands, I'm not happy with how they turned out.

I also discovered that I'm not really all that happy knitting cardigans. If I decide to use this pattern again I'm going to do the math and figure out how to knit this sucker in the round. No baby cardi, just a bitty sweater.

I start my Kristi baby knitting tonight! :)

Sleeved in Indiana

Two sleeves done! Only the button bands left to go. Plus sewing on the buttons. This may just be done in time for the shower. If only I could figure out how to work and knit, sleep and knit, drive and knit, eat and knit, well you get the idea. ;)

Just thought that I would share my newest purchases in the tea department. I can't wait to try them.
As part of the Knitters Tea Swap 2, we were asked to show off our favorite tea cup. Mine is this simple little white number here. I like plain, simple, clean, and functional. I also have an affinity for wild little numbers that are too expensive for me to buy. Window shopping can be a bummer at times. :(
I am just so overwhelmed at the response to the blog that I set up for Kristi and the Dutchicans. Thank you to everyone that has signed up to knit for the triplet boys. If you haven't checked it out, we have some great prizes to win if you knit a baby item for Kristi.

Hope your Wednesday went well. KB

Moving on Up!

Or down I guess. :) One sleeve and the neckband finished for the baby cardi for Jason and Theresa. Only one sleeve and the buttonbands to go. Plus I have the buttons picked out. What do you think? I thought that they were very appropriate for a boy baby with this yarn. They are super nice wood buttons.

And I'm curious, blogless Jayne, my friend, informed me that she uses a "button sandwich" method when making baby cardigans. She puts a flat clear button behind the fabric and the button she wants to use on top of the fabric. Then she stitches the buttons to each other with the fabric in between. This makes the button more stable and keeps the baby from chewing the button off. Does anyone else use this method?

AND if you haven't heard or clicked on the Dutchicans link, here's the scoop. Sarah and I are organizing a "virtual knitters baby shower" for Kristi of Red Dog Knits. She is having triplets. I mean, can you imagine having to knit for not one or two, but three babies??? If you can help out by knitting a baby item or two head on over to the Dutchicans blog and drop me a line. There are prizes too.

Also, does anyone know how to make a button? I want to make a "Dutchicans" button for those participating. Thanks for your help!

Knitter Bunny

Baby Sweaters Knit up FAST

Check it out. The body of the sweater for Jason and Theresa is done! Sleeves, neckband, and button bands are all that's left. A little blocking and this baby will be ready for the shower on Sunday that I can't be at.

What's that? I didn't mention that this had to be done by Sunday? Oh, he he, yeah. I didn't know about the shower until Sat. I'm doing the best that I can. :)

If you aren't Kristi of Red Dog Knits and haven't cliked on the "Click Me Quick" link titled Dutchicans, go check it out now. Kristi, go see Sarah first.

Have a great night!

Confession is Good for the Soul

At least that's what I've heard. So I'm coming out with it. Grandma's socks are finished!



And I cast on for a pair of gloves for Mom and a baby sweater for "big brother" Jason and his wife. I figure its just practice. This way I can learn more of the mechanics before I get into making too many more. :)

Speaking of making sweaters, and as it is confession day in the Knitter Bunny household, I have never successfully made a sweater that fits me. Nope, not one. I have made several that fit other people, but I have terrible luck making one that fits me. It's as though my fingers are naturally resistant to making a sweater that I can wear.

I have yarn, yummy yarn, sitting in my stash just waiting to be made into a delicious little sweater. I'm thinking bell sleeves, a nice V-neck ('cause I'm partial to V's) and a flattering waist flair. It's Kimono Angora people, the good stuff. Like expensive stuff that I found at a really good price (I Heart Ebay). I'm almost scared to knit with it. I don't want to ruin it. I want a nice sweater, the sweater of my dreams, in this yarn that I love. Most of all though, I want it to fit me.

Phew! That's better. Any confessions you want to get out of your yarn basket?

Snowball, my First Fiber Bunny

When I was little my parents left me with my Grandma Slack while they went on a trip to California. During this trip I cried, a LOT, and Mom felt bad for wee little Kelli left at home. Since we raise sheep and it was a trip involving sheep, Mom found the perfect gift for Kelli. A bunny made from a sheep fleece*! (And my dad always wondered why I loved rabbits. ;) )

Kelli fell in love with the fleece bunny and promptly named it Snowball. Snowball and Kelli went on many adventures. The bunny was well loved and well worn, so much so that Snowball had to be retired to the top of the closet to prevent deterioration at one point. Luckily, Kelli remembered her sweet little fleece bunny when she came to college, and Snowball has a prominent display in the bunny gallery in Kelli's bedroom.

Snowball, loved, worn, and in all of her glory. :)

*This fleece bunny may have seriously contributed to my love of rabbits instead of sheep as well as a propensity to stick my nose in wool and sniff deeply. I always did like the way that rabbit smelled.

Glory, Glory What a Day

Oh, so nice out. Pretty and just a little bit cold, but not too hot and not really cold. Blue sky, sunshine, little clouds floating by. Plus me stuck at work. Ah well, I am enjoying my evening. And I'll admit to my little obsession.

I love the original CSI. In fact, I'm all geared up to watch the season opener tonight. *can't wait* I have my sock knitting, a nice cup of tea, and I'm making some deviled eggs. You know deviled eggs just seemed to go with the show tonight. Not that the deviled eggs go with the tea. I'm going to have that now. :)

Speaking of tea, I am so enjoying the new tea that I bought. I think I need to buy some of this for my KTS2 swap partner. At least, I'm hoping that my partner likes black tea, flavored that is. I feel bad though because I haven't posted a picture of my stash, but its so messy. I'm ashamed to post my messy tea cabinet and I don't have time to clean it right now. :(

I'm off to do some homework, but I promised a certain someone a bunny picture, so here we have one week old Dutch babies.

And a bonus picture! Baby bunny butts. hee hee

Socktoberfest, Socks, and Poems Oh My!

One finished Grandma sock. :) Lionbrand Magic Stripes something or other that has been in my stash since John Kerry was running for President. Um, it was time to use it.

And please note that I have cast on for sock number two, so no SSS here!

Speaking of socks, did someone say Socktoberfest? I did! I've joined Lolly's tribute to all things socky for the month of October. It makes me immensely happy to spread the love of the sock. All hail handknit socks, full of yarn and love. Koi-gu! (Blatant play on religious symbolism, mock me if you dare.)

And because I am just that crazy, I wrote a poem. A nice little poem, untitled as of yet, that involves the fibery goodness that we all enjoy. It follows:

Prepare for me a sunset
painted in purple and blue
with streaks of orange and red and gold
and all the other hues

Paint them with gentle brush strokes
on the canvas of the sky
and dye for me some roving
to spin by-and-by

Knit for me the rainbow
with love in every stitch
ever worn with memories
knit in inch-by-inch

Hugs from Knitter Bunny to you!

Who Knew?

That there was this sweet, cute, adorable little shop with a great customer service rep (who may be the owner). She saved me money on my shipping, she sent my order on Friday, THE DAY THAT I ORDERED IT!! And it was here by Monday! Plus look at how cute she wrapped my new needles. And she included a handwritten note, a pen, and a business card. I feel special. You should too.

I admit to purchasing 5 new sets of DPNs. But they are a different length than my other sets.

(DPNs in US 0,1,2,2.5, and 3)

Hope you're enjoying your knitting time. I need to go do ucky homework. :(

(Don't worry I'm going to sneak in knitting time later tonight. Here's a shot of Grandma's socks so far.)

Chuck Norris!?!

How funny is this?

The "back when I had bangs and I actually took one good picture" picture. ;)

The Day In Which Nothing and Everything Got Done

Ok, first of all, I had grand plans to finish up some homework, print off some articles for a paper, clean the house, and generally put my life back in order. I had a list, I knew what it would take to get it done, and I didn't get home until after midnight from the bunny show so that all went to hell in a hand basket (ever wonder where that phrase comes from?) .

So, instead of doing all of those things that I need to get done, I searched for a costume for this. I'm joining the Lafayette Lacers and demonstrating tatting and possibly knitting if I can find something suitable at the Feast. And I've got to say, searching for a period authentic costume was a lot more fun than homework.

Until Will brought in a piece of the lawnmower. Well, actually it was two halves of a piece of the lawnmower. So a trip to the local TSC was in order, where I promptly lost my sunglasses.

Dejected, despondent, and depressed, I had given up on this day going well at all, as I am almost crippled in bright light without my sunglasses. I demanded, ahem, yes, demanded that Will take me to the mall to look for new sunglasses.

And my mood improved considerably as I bought new sunglasses, a few new shirts for work, and happy thin dress socks for work all on sale. I might have bought some new tea as well. At least, it's new to me, Vanilla Almond black tea from the Republic of Tea. It was tasty. A little pricier than I usually go for, but I'm intrigued and kind of hooked. My best bet is that we will be seeing some more yummy teas from this company in the future.

What's that? Knitting? Um, I did turn the heel on the first grandma sock and I'm starting the gussets, but it's just not far enough along nor light enough to show you. :( Sorry, I'll try to get a picture up on Tues.

Hope you had a great weekend!

How Did I Miss This?

I want some of this sooooo bad. I want to make a sweater out of it. No wait, an entire king sized blankie. Bwa ha ha ha.

I want Karaoke. I want to bury myself in a mountain of it, and not come out for a week (Ok, maybe just a few hours). I need to work more hours so I can afford more yarn. I want need a sweater for me out of this stuff. Think I can get by on ten balls?

South West Trading Company. Go, check it out, I'll be here when you get back. [drool, drool, drool]

Getting back to reality, if you could live in and play with any yarn in any yarn factory in the world, what would it be and why?

Status: Where I Come Clean About Those Projects That You Haven't Seen In a Long While

So. You're probably wondering what's going on with the kniting projects. :)

Do I really have to tell? ;)

Oh, ok. Remember the curtains? They aren't any longer than they were three weeks ago.
I haven't worked on them.

And the Ina Carleen shawl that I am designing.
Haven't touched it in over a week.

Oh, and the blue thing? That's a sweater for Will.
Not a stitch since Monday night.

So what have I been working on? Socks for my grandma.

And homework and finding Dot and work and cleaning my house and all of those other things that take away from my knitting time.

I'm off to Midland, MI tomorrow to judge another bunny show, so I probably won't post again until Sunday night. I wish you all a great Friday and the bestest weekend you've had yet this year.

FO and The LICKER, Revealed

First off, Dad's socks. I finished these last Friday, but hadn't had a chance to post them yet.

Specs:
Yarn: Knit Picks Memories in Yukon
Needle Size: US 2 Clover DPNs
Pattern: Um, generic whipped up, cuff down, short row heel with standard Harlot toe.

Plus, very sad pictures of the kittens. What can I say? They are active little snots and they won't sit still. :)

Captain Hook, Hook for short, the black boy. Why did I name him Hook, you ask? It's simple. The very tip of his tail is hooked and has been since he was a wee little kitty. I think it may have been broken during birth and it just healed with a little crook. So, we have the Captain! Welcome Hook!

Mistress Black Purl, oh wise lady of the orient. She has a decidedly triangular face that reminds me of fine Siamese cats. Thus her mysterious name, because Black Pearls are a rare find even in Asia. (And I have a damned hard time trying to find those Lorna's Laces in Black Purl, too.)

She is becoming more friendly each day and likes her little tummy rubbed. I've even caught this precious gal purring when I pick her up. Heavens! I never thought she would let me touch her, and now she's PURRING!! Welcome Purl(should I spell that Purrl?), you're delicate little chin will enjoy much scratching.

And now, we have Miss Stash Olivia Licking. Stash is named for her moustache as some of my contest entrants guessed, as well as for the fact that she used to hide in the bunny cage and behind my carrying cages, and in the nexting boxes, and anywhere else there was to hide, then dash out and trip me. He, yeah, that was fun all of one time. (Ok, NEVER, but she has stopped.)

Olivia, I don't know, it just came to me. And the Licking part, well, take a look.



Everytime. Everytime I go to the barn, she has to lick me. Fingers, toes, hands, feet, legs, arms, anything she can put her little tongue on. I try to ignore her, I do, but she's very insistent. By that I mean she climbs my leg if I ignore her for too long. Or she just grabs my toes with her teeth (I wear sandals sometimes). Such a little bugger, I want to lock her in a cage until I'm done feeding sometimes. lol

Still no sign of Dot. I keep hoping that she'll turn up, but I'm losing more of that hope with each day. I'm so glad that I decided to let her have one more litter before I had her spayed. Her kittens are very comforting to me and it was one of the bext gifts she could have given me. I would love to have her little six pound body perched on my shoulder while I'm feeding rabbits one more time, but I treasure Hook, Purl, and Stash because they are a constant reminder of what a good cat their mommy was. Good-bye my little parrot. I miss you.

Half Caf and a Double Whammy

Yeah, I don't drink coffee. I do LOVE tea. So, I signed up for the Knitter's Tea Swap 2 (cool button on my sidebar!).

I had such fun reading the responses to my blog contest. First I have to give you some highlights.

Kristi's (of Red Dog Knits) answer to the fate that I wished upon the deadbeat that stole my credit card number is priceless: "to be near a flame wearing acrylic fiber." HA! That's a good one.

Kelly's answer to why Stash is Stash and how I buggered up my knee made me laugh so hard I almost peed my pants.

"Stash is called Stash because you always seem to find her exploring your stash and pulling the pretty yarns to the top to entice you to use them. Stash tried yet again to entice you by throwing a gorgeous angora blend in your way while getting a cup of tea, your sock slipped on the angora making you lose your balance and twist your knee on the way down. Stash however, high fives her brother, another successful mission!"

Melissa is obviously trying to kill me because she gave me 14 pets. In my house. Melissa I think you're trying to multiply those bunnies a little too much (they live in the barn or I would have over 100 pets in the house). :)

But the winner, as this was a truly well informed blog reader (or she can google like no body's business), was Kristi of Needlefingers. According to her, I buggered up my knee "during a wrestling match for Koigu." Plus Stash is named Stash because she "was the fifth kitten you found, so just like the yarn stash, it came out of nowhere. 'What?! I didn't even know I had that yarn.'I"

Kristi send me your addy, baby, because I am sending you the goods. :)

As for the double whammy, Black Boy's new name is Captain Hook, and Black Girl's name is Black Purl. Stash, Hook, and Purl welcome to the fold.

Odds More Than Ends

Randomness will prevail. Not feeling so good tonight, but I wanted you all to know that Dot disappeared on Sept. 2 and has not been seen since. At this point I am assuming the worst.

It is a sad, sick bunny that blogs tonight. :(

As Dottie will no longer be with me, I am considering keeping two of her kittens instead of just one. Stash is staying with me, but I need to choose her short haired black brother or long haired black sister.

Until I choose, they need names. I am thinking knitting/yarn themed names. Ideas gladly welcomed.

Contest winner will be announced tomorrow if I'm feeling up to it.

Sadly, your Knitter Bunny

Where Are All the Bloggers?

Hey! Quick post from Indy. If you haven't entered the contest, you still have a chance to win.

In fact, I haven't had an entry yet, so it might only take one person to get a winner. It could be your lucky day with just a bit of time and an eency little email. :)

Hop on.

Labor Day Contest! (or Contest #3)

Since I will be gone most of the next week with the Conference for work and the Convention with the rabbits, I wanted to hold a contest. This contest will be a bit different than the last two that I ran. Sorry, but you'll have to work a little bit harder for this prize. ;)

This will be a quiz about the Knitter Bunny as found in this blog (although it may also require a little guessing as I haven't put EVERYTHING in here).

First, the prize, and its a good one. My own personal pattern and a ball of South West Trading Company Oasis so that you too can make an original Knitter Bunny Window Panes Scarf. This yarn is soooooo yummy! It's 100% soy silk and all drapey and delicious. Plus at 240 yards who wouldn't love this stuff?

Now for the hard part: Rules.

1. You have until midnight on Sept. 10 to answer the questions that I'm posting today.
2. It is perfectly legal to use the search component on my blog, but you won't find every answer by searching.
3. You may enter more than once, but only the last entry will count.
4. Inventive answers, even if they are wrong, will still get you points. What can I say? I like creative people. :)
5. The winner will be announced after I have had time to consider the answers, which may take as much as a week.
6. Please send all entries to my email address, which can be found in the sidebar. (krisdutch@aol.com)

Contest Questions:
1. How many pets live in Knitter Bunny's house?
2. What are their name(s) and specie(s)?
3. What fiber arts do I know?
4. What fate did I wish upon the person who stole my credit card number?
5. What is my fiance's name and when is his birthday?
6. What was the name of my Project Spectrum Shawl?
7. How many kittens did I think were born?
8. What kind of fleece did I buy?
9. How did I bugger up my knee? (Yeah, I couldn't figure this one out, so make something up. The crazier, the better.) :)
10. Why is Stash named Stash? (I don't think I've put this on the blog, so creative answers are perfectly fine.)

I hope you have fun with this. I know I've enjoyed writing the questions and planning the prize. Regular posts will resume as soon as I recover from this week. Happy Hunting!

Shawl Progress and Oops!

Hello Bloggy friends! I have been steadily working on my shawl and have a completed first pattern repeat to show you. Sadly, I also have a problem. Since I like to fly by the seat of my pants, I didn't plan out my shawl beyond the first pattern repeat. This means that I am now at an impass until I can figure out how to fit in my next set of repeats. I have a few ideas.

1. I can do separate charts for each repeat.
2. I can wing it and fit in as many butterflies as possible.
3. I can place butterflies along the center panel and the outer edge, thus creating a triangle of butterflies on each side panel. (Will suggested this one)

Any ideas?

I shall now distract you with baby shawl pictures.

How did this get in here?! :) Stash, you sneaky little brat.

If I Could Only Match Yarn to This!

Will called me as he ws headed out to the barn this evening because the sky was purple tinged in red. Of course, I took pictures, and I don't usually post on Saturdays, but I just had to share these pictures with you.

The first two are to the East and the third one is to the West.

If only I could capture these colors in yarn. :)

Falling In Love and It Feels So Good

Why, what's this? Could it be? Did she actually start her DAY OF THE DEAD KAL shawl?

Put down the needles and back away slowly from the computer. Hide your pets and children in a safe place! DUCK and cover . . . I have started the shawl.

Well, I didn't say that I had much done. ;) I'm recording each row so that I can make it again if I want to. Who knows it might even become you know the thing with the charts and the words and it helps you with the knitting when you want to follow along pattern.

So far it is going well. The yarn is delightful, the needles pointy and slick, and I'm only 11 rows in, so that may change. :)

Since I've become so interested in lace lately, I decided to buy myself a little treat.

This would be Heirloom Knitting by Sharon Miller, a bit pricey, but I have to say completely worth it. If I use this book for nothing other than the patterns, it is well worth its weight in yarn (laceweight of course).

I know that I've been less than chatty lately, and I'll give you a hint as to why. Work is CRAZY. I'm helping with a conference that starts Sept. 6. Since I already know that I won't be able to blog much next Tues.-Thurs. I thought that I would put up a fun little contest. Look for a contest with a yarny prize on Monday.

Hug your bunny! And have a great night.