Author: tabitha

Kids are funny creatures

After a certain point in life birthdays are something you would just as soon forget especially if there are unpleasant memories associated with them. My kids however, think no birthday should go uncelebrated.

This year the kids decided that I needed a themed birthday party. They were horrified to discover that I had made it to adulthood without a single themed birthday party. They have been plotting for weeks. I would enter a room to find conversations suddenly stop and things getting hidden quickly. I tried to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to such events.

This year my birthday fell mid-week so it was decided that the festivities could wait to the weekend. This proved more difficult for the family than for me. Hubs insisted that I had to have a present on my birthday. PrincessButtercup chided Hubs for “ruining the surprise” and SmallFry tried to claim the present as his own. Me, I just wanted some cake.

On Saturday, I was confined to my bedroom for most of the morning. You cannot imagine the ruckus I caused when I had to visit the bathroom. Lucky for me, there is a computer with internet access in my bedroom so I was able to get some work done in relative peace while still having contact with humans.

Finally, after hours of enduring ominous sounds and smells coming from downstairs, I was summoned. The kids had chosen Doctor Who as my party theme. They decked out the living room with drawings of all my favorite episodes. They turned the front door into a TARDIS.

But the most fun part of the party was the cake. My culinary-challenged Hubby and kids made me a Dalek cake.

If you don’t know what a Dalek is, do yourself a favor and visit Netflix and watch an episode or two of Doctor. Otherwise, the humor will be lost on you.

Rather than singing “Happy Birthday” the kids were chanting “EX-TER-MI-NATE!” in their best Dalek voices.

Gifts were also quite fun. I got a Sonic Screwdriver (courtesy of Hubs and Think Geek) as well as a knitted version from PrincessButtercup. Hers is more of a Sonic pen but she refuses to allow me to call it that.

The kids also made me my very own TARDIS (in addition to the one on the front door.

And I got an Ood costume (which is hilarious but I am not in the mood to model it for the web) and a Bad Wolf knitting bag – it was her own design. I also got a couple of other things that didn’t match the theme and had to be dealt with separately from the festivities.

All things considered, my family managed to make a day that could have been quite depressing into a festive occasion.

Is There No End???

Yet another of the Linda inspired Arwen designs has reached completion. Only two more pieces and the accessory set will be finished, complete, through. Do you hear me Linda? No nose cozy! And that is final.

I have to admit that I had never knitted a cowl before I started designing this one, and wasn’t really certain what you were supposed to do with the things. But I am starting to understand why they are so popular. All the warmth of a scarf without the ends to fight with. Can’t come unwrapped, won’t get caught in something and choke you. Yep, I am now a believer. The world is a better place because someone decided to invent cowls.

Arwen Cowl

At the prompting of my friend Linda, I added another piece to Arwen’s elven accessory set – a cowl to ward off the evening chill of Rivendell.

This one can be worn two ways – with points up or down.

A quick knit that would be great for gifts.

The pattern comes in three sizes for custom fit and includes an option for a wimple, a longer cowl that covers the head and neck. I recommend knitting the L for a wimple to allow room for it to comfortably fit the head.

Pattern is available as a download through Ravelry or in print format through my etsy store.

$3.00

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Obsession??

It is funny how things can quickly get out of hand. What started as a simple little sock has grown to proportions bordering on obsession. My friend Linda was one of the test knitters for the Arwen slipper sock. She loved the pattern and is now constantly bombarding me with ideas for expanding the Arwen line. “Don’t you think that stitch pattern would make a cute hat, scarf, cowl, doormat, shower curtain, nose cozy…” While I am not ready to admit that an Arwen nose cozy is a good idea, some of her suggestions had more merit. Here is the latest addition to the Arwen live of elven accessories.

Arwen Fingerless Gloves

These delicate little gloves will keep your hands warm without interfering with the use of your fingers. Perfect for wearing while knitting or doing other hand work. These gloves coordinate with the rest of Arwen’s elven accessories.

Knit in the round on dpns or circulars, this low yardage pattern will allow you that luxury yarn splurge without breaking the bank. Since they don’t require a lot of yarn, this is a great project for using up that odd skein of yarn.

Ribbing in the hand makes the pattern fit a wide variety of sizes. The upper photos are of a tiny-handed teen and the lower photos are my much larger hand so you can see that the sizing is quite flexible. The pattern comfortably fits hands 7 – 8.5 inches (measured at the knuckles). Length is easily adjustable. They knit up quickly for last minute gift giving.

Pattern is available as a download through Ravelry or in print through my etsy store.
$3.00

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At Long Last

I told you several posts back that I had some new designs in the works to match the Arwen Slipper Socks. Unfortunately, the project had a number of setbacks along the way. But I am happy to say that the first design is finally released.
Arwen Cloche Hat

My friend Linda reminded me that Arwen needed some accessories to match her comfy slipper socks. I thought she’d enjoy a lacy, close-fitting cloche. The gentle ripples of lace will frame her lovely elven face.

Knit in the round from the bottom, this hat is a quick knit that is perfect for gifts. Knit it in wool for winter warmth or in cotton blend for fun, warm weather wear.

Stitch pattern works best in light to medium solid or semi-solid colors.
Multi-sized pattern includes sizes for most infants through adult. All but the largest size can be knitted from 100 yards of yarn or less. This is a terrific stash buster project.

Pattern is available as a download through Ravelry or in print through my etsy store.

$4.00

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There are several other pieces in this set that are on the way. I hope to have the ready within the next several weeks.

Still Falling

Since the excessive rain is interfering with fall colors here, I am getting my colors from yarn. Here is my latest yarn acquisition
Valley Yarns Northfield

I cannot adequately describe what a lovely yarn this is. The color is rich and highly saturated with great depth. The yarn in an unbelievably soft blend of Merino wool, baby alpaca and silk. It has a lovely sheen without being shiny. The merino and silk keep the alpaca from being overly fuzzy and the alpaca keeps the yarn nice and soft. And it knits beautifully. Smooth and tightly twisted with no splitting. And the stitch definition is fantastic. The yarn isn’t exceptionally heavy. Even at DK/light worsted weight, it is not too heavy for shawls or sweaters. You are going to love this yarn. I am working on a pattern knit from this that I will share with you a little later.

I am also giving another yarn a test drive.

Valley Yarns Deerfield

This yarn is a 50% alpaca/50% silk blend. It is scrumptiously soft next to the skin. This one is also rated as DK but it is a bit thinner than the Northfield leaning more to the sport weight side of DK. The higher alpaca content makes it a little fuzzy so it is best suited to bold stitch patterns that can handle that halo effect.

All in all both yarns are fantastic. More than worth their very reasonable prices. Check them out.