Knitting

Gryffindor Scarf

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I am having one of those “where did the time go moments”. Today is my son’s 8th birthday, and it seems like yesterday that I was swaddling a newborn. I enjoy the independence that he now has, but I miss the baby cuddles. I have traditionally made my kids gifts for their birthdays (and every other holiday known to man). I don’t get many crafting requests from the boys, but this year a certain someone is enthralled with Harry Potter and he requested a Gryffindor scarf.

I have knit a few scarves in my day, but usually they are not worn. It’s a great easy project but when it comes down to it, scarves are not needed here. It doesn’t get cold enough. They do however become handles, bridges, leashes for stuffies and various other tools of creativity. But in Making A Life fashion, if there is a request for a crafty project I jump on board. Plus I sent my son into my craft closet to search for the colours of yarn needed and he returned immediately with the exact right colours, so how could I say no.

Should you need to whip up a scarf, and you are a muggle without magical knitting powers here is the pattern;

This pattern is knit in the round on either US 10 – 6mm circular needles or 4 double points. I started it flat and it started to roll so I switched to knitting in the round. The yarn is Lion Brand Vanna’s choice in Mustard and Cranberry. Also needed is a 6mm or larger crochet hook for the fringe.

CO36 (divide 12 stitches per needle if using double points)
Join for working in the round, and place marker
Knit 20 rows Cranberry
Knit 20 rows Mustard
Repeat Cranberry and Mustard rows until there are at least 11 squares in alternating colours, ending with cranberry
Using a crochet hook add fringe

 

Yoga Socks

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yoga-socks-4_making-a-life

With every new year comes resolutions and I seem to make at least one similar resolution every year. Last year I resolved to listen to more music, and be more active. These resolutions went well together, and I did become more active while listening to music. This year I resolved to become a better listener, and to continue to be more active.

My resolution to be more active required the making of Yoga socks. I have been doing yoga in my living room but I end up with little people crawling under my downward dog. They also like to participate with me (really really close) by holding hands or sitting on me. My workout space is in my garage and it’s chilly, so I am thinking that if I wear socks maybe it won’t be so bad, and I won’t get interrupted by my little people. If you happen to have the same issues here is a pattern for yoga socks.

I was asked “what are yoga socks and why would I want them” by a follower the other day. In case you don’t know what, they are, they are socks designed to do yoga in. They come in a variety of forms but the main objective is allowing your toes to separate, and prevent you from slipping. You might want some if you are doing yoga in a cold space, or you really like to wear socks. I have a little issue in that my toes are attached, and the toe version of yoga socks will not work for me, so this is my solution.

Materials:

  • Fingerling weight #1 yarn – 3 stitches per inch
  • set of 4 double points and or 22″ circular needles – US 3/3.25 mm
  • large needle

Pattern:

  • ROW 1: CO64
  • ROW 2: Join and K2 P2* repeat to end of row
  • ROW 3-15: Repeat ROW 2
  • ROW 16-38: Knit desired length depending on the size of your feet (24 rows for my size 10 feet)
  • ROW 39: K2 P2* repeat for 32 stitches, K32
  • ROW 40-45: repeat row 39 5 times
  • ROW 46: K32, Cast off 32 (heel opening)
  • ROW 47: K32, Cast on 32
  • ROW 48: K64
  • ROW 49-63 : K64 – 15 times
  • ROW 64 : K2 P2* repeat to end of row
  • ROW 65-103: repeat row 64 38 times or desired length
  • ROW 104 – Cast off
  • Cut yarn leaving a long enough tail to weave in ends with a needle

This pattern is intended for personal use only. I offer this pattern for free but I request that you do not sell it or any product made from it.

Christmas Crafting – Day 12

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On the last day of Christmas Crafting my sister made for me…a Messy Bun Hat. Right now there is quite the knitting trend happening, with the creation of the messy bun hat. My sister sent me a message a few weeks ago hinting not so subtly that she might like me to make her a messy bun hat. So I did. There are a few patterns floating around on Ravelry (a knitting pattern site) but not many. When I can’t find what I want in the gauge or size I need I make it up. Here is my messy bun pattern if you wish to whip one up.

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Christmas Crafting – Day 11

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I have been on a knitting binge recently, which means lots of leftovers. I haven’t been feeding my family leftovers because of my knitting obsession, but rather I have a lot of leftover yarn. What do you do with the little scraps of leftover yarn? This is one project that uses leftover sock yarn. If you don’t have big feet then this one is for you. On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love made for me…Knit Ornaments.

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Christmas Crafting – Day 8

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For a while I was on a sock knitting kick. When I determined that I had enough pairs of knit socks, I moved on to finger less gloves. Same yarn different body part. On the eighth day of Christmas my true love knit for me…Fingerless Gloves. If you want to make some, the pattern can be found here. I shortened the pattern a little bit based on the amount of yarn I had. If you want to buy these, click here.

 

Christmas Crafting – Day 7

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We are in the midst of a cold spell on the island, and I am struggling to stay warm and cozy. The wool socks, and sweaters just aren’t cutting it. I am sure that I am not alone, so I made a few hats for the kids teachers. On the seventh day of Christmas a parent made for me a …Wool hat.

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Soc-tober

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soc-tober-2_making-a-life

October is the month that the wool socks come out. I don’t like wearing socks, I am convinced that it’s genetic. My dad has gone so far as buying a place in Florida so that he doesn’t have to wear socks year round. I don’t blame him. My youngest doesn’t like socks either, he wears them only when leaving the house and even that varies. We got to preschool the other day and he was wearing one lonely sock. His version of a compromise I am sure.

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I just want snow

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S14I know that I have readers all over the world, and for those of you still digging yourselves out of the snow you might be surprised that my son asked for snow for his birthday. It has been 2 years since he has been able to play in the snow. I have fond memories of playing in the snow when I was a kid, and so I do understand his request. When asked if he wanted to go skiing or have a birthday party he opted to go skiing, which really impressed upon me how important this was to him.

So we rented a ski condo from a friend, packed up our (newly purchased/borrowed/knitted) snow gear and set out for the mountain. In an effort to make the most of our weekend I booked lessons for the kids and my husband who had never skied or snowboarded before.

I learned to ski when I was a kid and skied through highschool as part of the ski club but it has been 16 years at best guess since I have skied. To be truthful I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t remember how, or that I wouldn’t be much good. That whole brain tumour, metal plate in my head thing has made be overly cautious. I was also nervous about the movement and potentially getting dizzy. I am 100% OK when I am walking but I have had some movement issues post surgery. But I am so happy to report that I skied (wearing a helmet) for two days. My body was sore but my heart was full. I am happy to have been able to do something that I really enjoy.

S10The birthday boy unfortunately had a different experience. Five minutes into his ski lesson my husband took the call to pick my son up because he had been sick. They both missed their lessons, and the birthday boy spent the next two days in bed with the flu. I felt awful for him. He did get on skies briefly, threw some snowballs and went for a sled ride but he missed out.

My youngest however has proven to be a true snow bunny. My husband was able to reschedule his snowboarding lesson and would do it again, and I conquered a small fear, so all in all the trip was a success. We will be back at it next year, hopefully earlier in the season!

 

In true Making a Life fashion I knit the kids matching multi-colour hats and for myself a white/orange winter hats for the occasion.

Hiatus

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Every once in a while it’s important to take a break. A break from things you love (like writing this blog) and things that you don’t. Recently I went on vacation and took a break from many things including parenting. My husband and I went away for a few days together because it’s important for our marriage. I love my kids but I love my husband too, and sometimes we need to be together without the kids. Thankfully my parents are happy to step in and have let us escape more than once.

We contemplated going on a cruise but I have in the past struggled with motion, and given that my brain is still healing we opted for a land based adventure. I may have been fine on a cruise but when someone was meddling around in the part of my brain that controls balance I am going to air on the side of caution for the next 6 months or so.

F15
Florida Socks

Our land based adventure involved a fair amount of driving, which for me means a fair amount of knitting. I knit a pair of socks while we were cruising around south Florida. We went to the Florida Keys and Miami. We had a few very relaxing kid free days with lots of time to chat (if you know my husband you understand the humour). Anyway it gave us time to reconnect which is critical to the success of our marriage.

 

We started just south of Tampa and drove to Homestead where we stayed in a dive (which was a bit of an accident), but we survived the night. We also took the opportunity to hit up Red Lobster. It has been years since I have been to Red Lobster (we don’t have one where we live), and those cheese buns are fantastic.

In the AM we made a quick escape to the Keys and drove all the way to Key West where we spent the day, and evening. We didn’t stay in Key West because it’s pricey, instead we opted to stay in Marathon (another of the keys). In the morning after a trip to IHOP (how can you resist) we drove to Miami Beach. Our hotel was perfectly positioned right on the beach. We walked the beach for hours while I took too many photos. We had dinner on the strip and I drank the biggest margarita I have ever seen, twice.

We spent the following day relaxing poolside before the drive back along alligator alley to life with kids. The kids had an amazing time with their grandparents (pictures below prove it), and we had a great time without them. It’s important for them to spend a little time without us, and for us to spend time without them, we all appreciate each other more after a little time apart.

 

Sock it to me

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My feet are always cold. Even when I am wearing socks my feet are cold sometimes. It’s grey rainy and cold here so I can think of nothing better than colourful wool socks to keep my feet warm. It took me a few weeks to make these. I knit when I watch TV or lectures for school and occasionally when I am out and about. The time invested is totally worth it, as long as I don’t accidentally shrink them in the wash.

These aren’t exactly matching but they are from the same yarn. Matchy, matchy is totally overrated. I think the pattern adds to the fun. I am sure that my sister who never wears matching socks would approve!