Okay, so I haven't been quite as good about blogging as I said I would. September has crept up on me, and we're mired in preschool, Sunday school, and such. My beginner's knitting class at the Y is going well, I love the students in my class! Next week theya re going to tackle circular knitting and a cute little hat, and they are terrified. I remember how scared I was the frist time I had to join, and I know they will do just fine.



We just got back from a glorious week in the Adirondacks, which turned out to be quite productive for me. I got several patterns written up, including the one for these beauties: LTK Longies!



Ethan is deserate for a new pair, so I'm doing some for him in a denim-y blue Bartlett yarn. Aj wants a monster hat for the winter-so need to think about what that is, exactly! No projects on needles or planned for me, since I'm getting huger by the second and don't desire to knit any tents for myself.



Ah!! Baby newsflash: IT"S A BOY! yes, anotherboy. There's a special place in heaven for mother's of three boys, and my spot in the corner, knitting under the tree, is reserved already. It's right next to the padded room they've reserved for mothers of twins.



Now that we know it's a boy, I've started to get the urge to knit cute little denim yarn sweaters and such. We'll see how much I get done though!

Back from Long Island, what a weekend! I was in such a rush to get up to my parents' on Thursday that I left all of my knitting at home. Up at their house I came across some of that fluffy TLC Amore yarn and came up with this little ditty:


I was going to make it into a 3/4 sleeve sweater, but I think I like it just how it is now. I'm picturing some cute little curly-headed tyke in a pair of bootleg jeans, with a crisp white button down shirt underneath it. Tres chic for the preschool set, LOL! I think I will offer this as a freebie on the site (the pattern, not that exact vest;) )

Also swatched that Cotton Plus for a darling holiday dress. I really like that yarn. It's got a nice crape and stitch definition to it (and it was cheap!)

A girly vest, a darling dress. It seems my inner muse is definitely leaning towards the feminine designs lately-perphaps this babe is already making herself known? Only a few more weeks till we'll find out for sure (yes, I am one of those impatient mamas who cannot wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl!)Carodan Farm Wool Shop.

I need to get out more often. I took a trip to AC Moore today, and was completely shocked at the assortment of yarn they were proffering. Last time I'd been, they had Red heart, Red Heart, and some Lion Brand wool-ease. Now, it's a veritable yarn shoppe, complete with "dazzle", LOL! As if we needed more proof that knitting is the *in* thing to do, the craft giant store is now carrying Sirdar yarns.



I did manage to snag some nice cotton acrylic blend that isn't as sproingy as Cotton-Ease, I think it will have a much crisper drape and show stitch definition very well. And although I am an admitted fiber-snob, I did pick up some super soft and fluffy TLC Amore, it was begging to be made into something baby-licious.



As promised here are the pics of the halter and the stitch markers :)



Deja vu, no?




And the first two sets of markers:


And the second set:


My fave is the fish set, I love those beads!!

So I've officially decided that I have no original ideas. Blah. I finished up a halter top for myself about 5 weeks ago, a maternity halter. Very cute, seed stitch top section, ties at neck. Was gonna finish writing up the pattern, even contemplated submitting it to the Knitty book, but never got around to finishing the largest size number crunching. Imagine my surprise when I check knitty this weekend, and there's *my* halter top in the Summer Surprise! Ack-good thing I didn't submit it, LOL! It's freaky how similar my top is to the Cleo version. More proof that there really is nothing new under the sun. Ah, well, at least I got a sexy maternity top out of it ;) Promise to post a pic as soon as I charge the digi batteries so you can see for yourselves just how alike great minds think.



In other knitting news, I've got a great idea for a new kid's design (which will probably show up in someone's else pattern in the next IK, with my luck lately!), but can't find a suitable yarn for it. Want something simple, slightly crisp, sport or Dk weight, and must be easy care since it's for a kid. My mind is a complete blank. Any suggestions?



I made myself some pretty neat stitch markers this weekend after being inspired by a friend's georgeous beaded necklaces. They came out very cool, I think. Again, pics when batteries have life.



That's it for now...

I actually have a lot of knitting related stuff to share today :) I'm working on a new pattern for a stuffed star for sister-in-law's new baby. The nursery is a moon and stars theme, so I thought a cute stuffed star would eb cute for the crib (that hopefully will never get used, cause I'm trying to convince SIL that co-sleepign will yield more sleep for everyone). It's made in a bright sunshine yellow cotton-ease, and I have to admit, I like this yarn. It knits up nicely, pretty crisp stich definition, and it was cheap, which is always good.



On another cheap note, I'm swatching for a Noro Silk Garden scarf for myself. It's yummy, a pretty pale green with slubs of various colors. I have no idea how old this yarn is, I got if ages ago at Goodwill in a huge bag of Noro yarn for $10 (there were like, 15 skeins of various Noro yarns in this bag.) Wooo-hooo!!! I'm guessing since I'll be big and feeling frumpy this winter, I will anticipate needing to pamper myslef by knitting a pretty scarf (which will also serve to distract attention from the monstrous bump I will have come November!)



Lastly, I made myself some stitch markers with beads that have been sitting around forever, waiting patiently for inspiration to strike. They are really quite beautiful, and as soon as the battery is charged in my digi, I will dutifully snap pics for your enjoyment.



Today was a good day. I slept in, DH took the boys to swim at the Y, then everyone napped, and we went fishing at the local park. Went for water ice afterwards, and now I'm looking forward to an evening of old movies and swatching for my scarf. Life is good.

I know I've been awful about blogging. But, to be honest, I've done nothing but knit soakers for the past 4 months. Not that I'm complaining, I'm thrilled my biz is keeping me so busy, but now that I'm pregnant the primal urge to knit warm fuzzies for the babe is kicking in. I NEED my therapeutic knitting back! So, hopefully I'll have oodles to show very soon!

I have been a [i]bad, bad[/i] blogger. But, I've got an excuse. The boys and I have been nearly half-dead with the flu for weeks. Weeks! But, I have been knitting!

and my newest pattern creation: the moc booties. I love this yarn! Classic Elite Provence. Expensive, but egyptian cotton that is just so yummy!



Pattern's coming soon, I promise. Computer crashed this weekend with the almost completed pattern, so I have to reconstruct it.



If you haven't been to my site in a while, go check it out. I've kicked off the ~Knit Something~ idea, and it's got a whole new look. :)