The Novice Knitter Strikes Again!

Well Ive been practicing my knitting again... but this time I actually worked on a real project! Not that my dish cloths aren't a real project cause they are, and they will make great gifts for Christmas it's just that there is no pattern to them its just a straight knit. 

This time I started with a pattern that 1) I could read (have you ever found that knitting patterns aren't written in English) I found this one over at "Make Your Own Zone"  and 2) I fell in love with it.... 

This is Bev's hat! Isn't it cute?!?!?! I love it and so I gave it a try, on my first try I didn't use worsted weight yarn so it came out TINY and I mean tiny! As in Delaney's doll now has a new hat.... lol but then I went ahead and used what was recommended and I did add a few stitches because I am expecting that the baby coming home to our house will have a head at least as big as Delaney and hers wasn't newborn size.... (Small tangent here....  I remember taking her to her first Dr. apt when she was 1 week old and taking off her little hat and there being a ring right around her head because the hat was far too small and as I recall that was a 0-3month hat... I felt like a horrible mom, how could I not have realized that the hat was too small... I now err on the side of caution) Back to the pattern here is what Bev called for... 

"Cast on 48 stitches

Work in Knit 1, Purl 1 ribbing for 1"  (about 6 rows)

Knit in Stockinette Stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) for 3" inches. End with a purl row.  Piece will now measure 4" from the beginning.

Begin Decrease for top of hat:
Next Row:  Knit 2 together across row (24 stitches)
Next Row:  Purl across
Next Row:  Knit 2 together across row (12 stitches)
Next Row:  Purl across
Next Row:  Knit 2 together across row (6 stitches)

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing up seam.  Thread the tail of yarn through a large eye needle and then pull through the stitches to remove them from the needle.   Pull stitches tight to gather. Sew seam down side of hat with remaining yarn.  Make pom pom and fasten to top of hat."

So I cast on about 90 stitches just to be sure that it would fit our boy when he makes his appearance...  and here it is... the unveiling of my first real knitting project!

If its too big for him when he's born I'm sure it wont take him long to grow into it! 

I was so proud when I finished it that I sent pictures to my mom, my sister and anyone else who would look! I can't wait to make another one for the baby and I will certainly be making more to have on hand as I know of at least one more baby who is on his or her way... I certainly agree with Bev in saying that these will make a great gift for a shower or for a newborn! 

If you are looking for more things to make at home for yourself r for gifts in some cases you have to visit Bev over at The "Make Your Own Zone". She has great things happening over there!

Do you ave any great patterns that you keep going back to or that you have just discovered but are in love with? Share them in the comments!

Photo Friday

We had more snow this week... yes that's right more snow first week of spring and its snowing and blustery and there is a snow plow going up and down our street. and since a few weeks ago I posted a summer picture saying how much I missed the warmth and sun and summer or at least spring I thought that today I would post a winter picture or two in hopes that maybe old man winter will get this good bye note and take a hike!

These were taken last winter in Little Hearts Ease where my in-laws live... 

 I love this one of the snowy path to the look out... some one has put a picnic, a bench, and a sign out there indicating that it is "Jelly Bean Park". It's such a beautiful place no matter the season.

This is the Beautiful Delaney on Nana and Poppa's property She loves that she can just wander about and have a look around and have all that freedom! It's so beautiful to see her learning about the world...

OK Old Man Winter... I have just reveled in the beauty of what you do... so now take a hike!

Tell the Truth Thursday!

Well here we are another Thursday and another confession...

I'm scared.... a little everyday, maybe every moment, I'm scared. Mainly that I'm not doing the right thing, in that moment, that second of should we go with plan A or B should we jump in or wait it out.. no matter the decision no matter the issue I am always scared that I will make the wrong decision, do something wrong.  I am very indecisive.

This song plays over and over in my head all the time I try to make an informed decision and go with my gut but I always wonder if it was right or wrong, if maybe I had gone with the other option would things have turned out different, or better and now with the birth of a second baby on the horizon I wonder if I am making the right choice in having a repeat C-section, planing not to breast feed, planning to keep the baby in Delaney's room until we can move to a 3 bedroom before Christmas, everyday there are so many choices and so many chances to screw up...

I am a worry wart and an indecisive person and I wonder sometimes if that makes me a bad mom, or a bad wife or sister. Unfortunately its who I am and while I have gotten used to it I still wonder if other people think I'm crazy for stopping to consider or reconsider most things even if they are silly.

Adding to my to do list...

As you well know I have a huge to-do list for Christmas and I am trying to get as much as I can done before the baby comes, I have been adding to it rather than knocking things off of it but things are getting done. 

I thought that since I am not doing a lot of crafting this week due to my cold I would update my list! I now have a total of  5 dish cloths completed, I have one of 8 coffee cup coozies done, I have been getting lots of practice with knitting and have made a hat that was supposed to be for the baby but turned out very small so now Delaney's baby dolls have a nice new hat, so now I have at least 3 more hats to go for Christmas gifts for the baby, plus I want to knit a blanket for the baby too... I have to also make a stuffed something for the baby because I don't think that the mermaid I made earlier this winter will do for our manly little son...

I have a few other things that I have been thinking about making too... 

This "It's not you" ruffle scarf made by Dora over at Show Tell Share... 

I want to make Baby boy pee pee cones from Little birdie secrets  because I have a fear of getting pee in my mouth. (she has some amazing tutorials and projects over there you should check it out)

Do you have anything new on your to-do list? Any new projects you want to share? Leave a comment and let me know... who knows maybe I will add it on to my list...

It's A.....

Well it's not a Tuesday tip, we are coming down with a cold and not feeling the greatest so I thought I would give you a sweet simple post to clue you in on our news!

We had our 18 week ultrasound yesterday and we found out the gender ASAP... I am just too type A not to know and I think it's easier to prepare Delaney if we know what to expect, plus it's easier to plan for a second baby knowing what we are planning for. 

IT'S A BOY!

And we are all very excited... except Delaney keeps calling me her brother now, just not realizing that he maybe growing in my belly but that I'm not actually the brother... She made her calls after our apt, telling all of our family and friends "Were having a Boy!" she is going to be one great Big Sis!

Make it Monday!

I found a new blog to follow.... I know, I know as mentioned I have a problem with blogs...

This new one is right up my ally! The "Make Your Own" Zone is a wonderful blog where author Bev has compiled not only some of her favorite things to make but also lets you know if some of the things that you can make at home are worth your money or not... last week she posted this recipe for No Bake Chocolate Cookies so I thought I would give them a try! 

1 stick of butter (or margarine)
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups quick cooking oats.

1.  Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
2.  Add the cocoa powder, sugar, and milk and stir to combine.
3.  Continue to heat until mixture comes to a boil.  Boil for one minute longer, stirring constantly.  Then remove from heat.
4.  Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla.
5.  Finally, add the oats and mix well.
6.  Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper and let cool

There are so many bonuses to this recipe, they are so easy, you don't have to preheat your oven, they are practically gluten free, their made with PB butter so they are higher in protein and made with whole grain quick cooking oats,

they take only 7 ingredients (you likely have everything on hand to make them), they are yummy. Major draw back they are made with PB butter so they can't be brought to school with your kids and likely can't be brought to work for most people... 

but try them anyway because they are awesome! 

Visit Bev over at The "Make Your Own" Zone and check out her blog!