Kat's Knitting and Crocheting

My Vest

2011-06-28T10:35:00.005-05:00

If you look on the side you can see that I have a ticker for my vest. I frogged it so that I can knit Dark and Stormy. Well I started on it and didn't have the zeal to even finish it, so.. I frogged it. I think I'm going to go ahead and restart My Vest over. Its this vest

I made the image clickable so you can click on it to go to its website for the free pattern or you can search for it on ravelry. Its the Long Cabled Vest.

I'm waiting on my fellow ralvery user to get back to me on the Kiri shawl because I want to do my in size 10 crochet cotton and size 6. I noticed they used a size 6 needle. Hopefully this work..haha I'm doing it in black too! Go figure. Busting that stash babeh!

Hi people!

2011-06-22T11:20:00.004-05:00

So I went on hiatus. I had too much stuff going on in my life to even blog about it. I shut down my facebook account because well I was unfriending so my people and it was really down to my family and a couple of people. I can call my family if I want to keep up with them and MMS pictures to each other. I can contact the other friend by other means. Besides, it started getting boring anyway. I would only get on Facebook to play the games which I could play on Zynga anyway.

So what have I been up to? Baking another baby. Yes, another babeh. This is my 4th and last child, I'm going to get a tubal to make sure. 3 drove me a bit crazy and 4 is going to make it worse LOL. Don't think I can't handle five. How did my mother and grandmother do it? I have not the slightest idea but guess what I will be on that roller coaster of life.

I did manage to start the Dark & Stormy Cardigan (was it a Cardigan? preggo brain heh) and quickly stopped. I was fatigued and could not even keep my eyes open long enough to do anything. Then I hit my second trimester and got a bit of energy and frogged it because I forgot where I was in the pattern. I don't think I'll start it again. I want to attempt a shawl or something.

DD1, Lizzy, has finished Kindergarten and she was reading on a 1st grade level by the middle of the semester. She's a little smarty just like her parents. DD2, Javon, is being big sister to DD3, Morgan. She loves bossing her around LOL and little Morgan isn't having it. Yup I hear a lot of screaming and fighting from the two. Sometimes Lizzy steps in and tries to break it up. Morgan's only 16months and she's a handful. We moved her into the room with them and she's loving it.

Lastly, we (my family..aunts) finally moved my grandmother into a retirement community. She has her own apartment with kitchen and a cheaper rent. I am so glad to get her out of that crazy ass apartment complex she was in. Those bastards turned off her A/C because she couldn't afford the rent for this month. I know that had to be illegal. At any rate she's gone from there. She has a lot of stuff so we're still moving her. (We started Saturday of last week LOL).

The last part brings me to the shawl. My grandmother loves things like this and well she doesn't know how to knit or crochet and advanced age has caused her to lose a lot of memory. She did at one point sew but I'm thinking she forgot how to even use a sewing machine. I remember her mentioning to me earlier this year that she likes the handkerchiefs that her sister has. They look like a regular handkerchief with pretty crocheted edges. They were most like store bought that way. I want to make her some. I want to make my grandmother a shawl too. In a burgundy color. Burgundy is her favorite color, so that should do.

I will need your help with the shawl and handkerchief edging. I am a member of ravelry (katriska) so if you find a free pattern there please let me know. I want to make both the shawl and handkerchiefs using my stash of crochet thread. I have size 30 I believe. I'll double strand if needed. So that's all for today!

UPDATE: I kind of like this one
It is called Kiri and freely available on ravelry here

Opulent Ocean and Argyle Sweater Done

2011-01-25T12:35:00.004-06:00

Wow a whole month without updating my blog. Bad kitty! So I finished both the Argyle vest and the Opulent Raglan. I have pictures but I dunno if I should let you all see them :D Ok I'm just kidding here you go!!!

Here's me in the Opulent Raglan hehehe. Yes that is my Shower in the background. Yes, that is soap and a loofa in the shower. LOL

Last, here's my daughter's Argyle sweater. Isn't it extremely girly?

So, where am I going from here? Well I plan on knitting another Ravelry pattern! Dark and Story by Thea Colman. It is published on Baby Cocktails website, where its available for purchase. I'll just link the website as well. BabyCocktails: Dark and Stormy! I'm borrowing this picture from Ravelry.

Morgan's Argyle Vest

2010-12-11T15:38:00.006-06:00

I forgot to post pictures of another project running in parallel with my Opulent Raglan. I decided to knit my baby, Morgan, a vest since she doesn't have any sweaters or anything. I chose this pattern:

This is a ravelry pattern that can be found here. You have to be a member of ravelry in order to see this pattern. If you are not a ravelry member, I really suggest you join because this website has a plethora of knit and crochet. I wonder if there are weaving and/or spinning projects too. Ooo I will have to look.

I'm not going to do it in those colors. The body will actually be an antique rose color, the diamond will be coconut white, and I'm debating on what color to use for the diamond. I was thinking about green and call it Morgan's rose. What do you all think? At any rate, here's what the start looks like

Its for a 12 month old. She should be able to fit it. Its knit on size 5 and 4 circs. I'm using the magic loop method because I can't be bothered to go out and buy another circ for this. I'm suppose to knit this color for 4 ¼ and then switch to the argyle pattern. (Yes, that's my Biology book in the background. I'm supposed to be studying for my finals this week but I really need a break right now.) So what do you think about the green diamond outline?

Pictures!

2010-12-08T11:34:00.003-06:00

This is going to be a short post. As promised here is a picture of my Opulent Raglan in progress.

Hmm I should have probably took a picture while I had it on. Oh well, you all will have to wait until then.

Oops I did it again

2010-12-07T22:12:00.002-06:00

I apologize peeps. I have been extremely busy. All my kids are sick, upper respiratory infection and sinus infection. You would never know anything was wrong with them except the constant coughing and snot-fest, yet they play as if nothing was wrong. Alas, they are all taking antibiotics and decongestants. They're a little better now.

School has been going fine. I'm just trying to figure out how to pay the last $400 for my classes. That will be due before I can enroll into the other 3 courses, sigh. If I didn't mention already, I'm enrolled in Biology, Calculus, and Intro to Programming courses. I'll be glad to finish with them so I can really get back to knitting. I was supposed to take pictures of my progress with my Opulent Raglan, but I didn't have enough light. I will post what I have and possibly try to retake them over the weekend.

My daughter's school is driving me nuts. I'm not even sure if I want to keep her at the school or get her tested and possibly put into a magnet program and transferred elsewhere. I am trying my best with these people and I see why a lot of kids slip through the cracks. A lot of the teachers are only there for a paycheck. Yes, there are one or two that are actually doing their job.

I remember when I could sit in the class with my teacher after school and work on things and wait for my mother to come and get me. That is no more. I work 40 minutes away from my daughter's school. At first, I was leaving at 2:30PM to make it to her school by 3:15PM dismissal. I believe I was late twice (at most 10 minutes). Her school Principal called me and threatened to put my child, a kindergartner, on the bus to come home. 1. My daughter was not aware of her surroundings and did not know where to get off on the bus because we had not gone over that with her. Then, when I told the Principal she could not do that because of the previous reason, she threatened to call CPS. WoW, has it gotten to this? So that was my first run in with the school. The second time takes the cake. I really can't speak on it because if I do, I will anger myself again. The only thing I can do is pray on it and keep on going. She's now riding the bus home because I was told I couldn't leave before 3PM. Its hard to be a working mom and try juggle things. I'm almost at a point where I want to just stay at home while my husband works, but it'll be hard on him because he'll need two jobs to support us and I don't want that to happen. I'll pray on that too and keep moving.

Anyway, I believe my husband will probably drop out of school because of work. He gets home too late to attend classes and even though the school touts that it caters to the working class citizen, it really doesn't. I told him to talk with the dean and he did. He said the dean says its up to the instructor. There's money down the drain there. I'm going to continue and hope I can get my second bachelors (or associates at this point) in Computer Science and get a better job.

That is all I have to add, I finally got Miss-flip-out-the-bounce-a-bounce-and-crawl-to-mommy-and-press-buttons-on-her-computer. Don't worry folks, the bounce-about is weighted down and we have carpeted floors with pillows around it. After I discovered her neat little trick after dozing off one evening, I made sure she had some type of protection around her. The girl's acrobatic I tell you. Maybe I'll record her escape trick and show you all what I'm talking about. (She's now cruising along anything she can pull herself up on). I'll say she'll end up walking before next year.

See ya!

Back AGAIN

2010-11-13T17:28:00.003-06:00

Well, I figured I would at least try to resurrect my blog since I really don't have time to do anything else anymore. Let's see what have I done since I last posted:

I've started school again. I don't think I'll be able to do anything with my Computer Engineering Technology degree. I have been at the same job for nearly 4 years. While there I've had a pay cut and a raise and have not received a promotion. I guess I should be happy because I still have a job but I feel like I could do better. I am a contractor at my job and I feel like I'm a total asset to this company and should at least get hired on permanently, but for some reason I'm not seeing that in my near future. I have talked to my boss constantly about it and I get nothing. I guess it'll never be. As a result, I've gone back to school get another Bachelors of Science (and my aim is a Masters) in Computer Science. I feel like I should have done this from the start because I am very interested, almost infatuated with computer programming. So I chose the Software Development option. Right now, I'm enrolled in Junior College to take some of the courses that would transfer from my first B.S. to this one. I am taking an Intro to Programming, Biology, and Calculus course. I am doing great in all three.

The Intro To Programming is easy because its a C++ command-line programming class which I took with my other major. Its sort of refreshing my memory. The Calculus course is also a refresher because I had 2 years of Calculus in high school and basic/advance technical math in College which is also equivalent to Calculus I/II. Last is Biology, I had the Biology course in high school but that was just it. This class should be hard but it isn't. It actually intrigues me. I can actually read my text book (whenever I get the time). As a result I have a high grade in this class (it would have been higher had I not forgotten to take 3 quizzes). This is all complicated by the fact I have kids and have to work during the day (I'm taking the online courses. Its a little bit more in tuition but I get what I can take).

Home life is a bit wild. Morgan, that baby, is showing her first signs of trying to walk at only 8 months. She is pulling herself up and scaling the pack n' play! I think she'll start actually walking at 9 months like my other girls did. My husband is out most of the time so its mostly me and the girls. I have been knitting on and off. Its mostly because most of my time is taken up by studying and the kids. (Oh I miss knitting a lot but career and family comes first). HOWEVER, I am knitting on something. The Opulent Raglan in the 2008 Fall Edition of Knit Scene. I am using Caron Simply Soft in Ocean color. Its a pretty blue color. I'll grab some pictures off of Ravelry and post them later. I had to frog it though because it was not fitting right. So I'm starting over.

I'm doing this to rebuild my wardrobe because I basically gave everything I owned away. I was down to one pair of jeans, one pair of khaki pants, and one pair black maternity pants (yes maternity pants). I only had three shirts LOL! Yes I was rotating these items around everyday. Oh yeah, I only have (yes have I haven't had a chance to go out to get more) three pair of shoes; two are heels and one sneakers. Sad ain't it. I did that because I could not fit anything! I went from at size 10 to a size 14 (16 depending on where I'm shopping) in 5 years and 3 babies. I have to lose some of this girth!!! So I went to get a weeks worth of clothes from the store, but I want to make I own too!! I can knit and sew (A LITTLE, I need lots of help!)

Anyway, the baby woke up and she's hungry. So.. I have to tend to her now I'll hopefully update soon with pics of my new project!

UPDATE!!!

2010-04-27T11:22:00.008-05:00

Ok I've been gone for a LOOOOOOONG time. My daughter, yes I said daughter ( I have a 3rd girl), has kept me busy! I love her very much and even though my husband was shocked in the operating room to see that we had another girl, he is smitten with her. Everyday I come home he's cuddled up with her. I call her my Fatty McFatticans. Introducing Miss Morgan Francis!!!
She is too cute.
She found her tongue here and loves to eat her hands.

Last I had to get a pciture of all my babies together :D

I'm back.. I think

2009-12-29T18:36:00.011-06:00

Hi all,

I know I've been dormant for a while. Its just that this baby's been kicking my butt. I'm just about 8 months pregnant and I believe I'm just as big as house contrary to what my family members say. They say I'm smaller than what I was with my first two children.

Unfortunately, we still do not know what we're having becuase this baby is just stubborn. He/She refuses to move during the ultrasound and basically mooned us. So what has happened in the past 4 months.

I moved into a house, gave away most of my furniture, bought my husband a computer and we celebrated Christmas. I have also worked on a couple of projects and I will post some pictures of them later. My never ending vest. I just have the front right to do, and the edging and put a few buttons on and I'm done. I started a project for my sister's baby I think its still over on the right, I just have yet to cast on for her dress. I crocheted my cousin's baby a blanket. I think I'm going to back it with fabric because of the way I attached the squares. It created ridges and I don't think her little angel would like the bumpiness.

But for now! Here's our tree

Here's the tree after Santa Clause came. This children were asleep during all of this which I think is a miracle in itself becuase when they have guest over, they pull all-nighters. That;s my sis-in-law in the pic doing some last minute wrapping for my kids and her son.

And here's what we ended up with that morning. That's my other sis-in-law on the right.

Do you know I was more excited than my kids? I kept waking up starting from 7AM and every 30 minutes expecting them to come running into my room saying that Santa came and brought them gifts. I actually had to wake those little sleepy heads up and tell them its Christmas day. Then their reaction, nothing LOL. They stood there in a daze. Maybe they were too shocked to say anything but once they started opening presents, it was all over with. Now here is the aftermath.

Now the Christmas Princess' would like to bid you a good night!

Divas

2009-08-28T11:06:00.006-05:00

I'm going to dedicate this post to the two little Divas in my life. I have their Diva style pictures for you. First up is my little Diva, Javon:
Then my aspiring Diva model Lizzy. You guys watch out for her, she's going to be the next Super Model!

Here's Javon modeling a beautiful Wig. It becomes her!
Here's Lizzy rocking the same Wig.

Last up, is the Diva's modeling their swim suits!

Please say thanks to the Divas for blessing us with their presence and modeling some beautiful wigs, glasses, and swimsuits. Hopefully they'll agree to model something I make for them. You know Divas, you have to cater to their every whim if you want them to do something for you!

Ultrasound Pictures

2009-08-26T13:55:00.003-05:00

I went to the doc yesterday and got my very first ultrasound. According to the ultrasound I am 14 weeks and 5 days. Well 14 and 6 days today yay! We're moving right along. I will stop rambling and post the darn pic.

Its too early to tell the sex of the baby, but he looks likse he's just chillin' in there. It took two hours just to get the ultrasound done because I constantly had to go to the restroom and the baby wouldn't turn the right way so the doc can get a good picture. She actually had to get her supervisor in and he did it. It was funny how he did it. He told me, "Here's what we're gonna do. I'm going to have you turn on your side so we can flush him out the corner." I did just that and whaddaya know, he goes to the other corner of my abdomen. It was easier to get pictures of him (I saw him because I'm hoping for a boy lol). So here's the one they let me have. Yay!

Baby Cardigan

2009-08-24T19:17:00.004-05:00

So I have the back done for my baby cardigan. Before I get into that, let me tell you a little story about this cardigan.

I started the cardigan last week and after many froggins I was finally satisfied on how it came out. Saturday before going to work I managed to get a lot of it done, I think about 5". I was suppose to knit about 8 1/2" before binding off 3 stitches on each side for arm shaping. Anyway, I sat my knitting down, and went to work. After work came home and what did I see. I saw my project off the needles and nearly unraveled and my yarn all over the place! The kids, my husband, and our two adopted kittens where in the bed sleep. Apparently he dozed off on the kids and my two-year-old Javon got to my knitting needles and project and decided to "knit". To finish everything off, the kittens saw the yarn as a great toy to play with.

I screamed and woke everyone up. Then slowly started to untangle and wind my yarn into a ball. Now I wish I had that ball winder. So after about 3 or 4 hours of untangling I got the yarn into a ball and I rip my project apart and started over.

Now I'm here. I have the back finished.I have now started on the left front. I have just a little done. I'm trying to hurry up and finish this post because I'm geting sleepy.

Tomorrow I get to see the first ultrasound of the baby. Hehe I wish I was further along that way we could determine the sex. I'm 13 weeks pregnant.

Update

2009-08-18T08:34:00.002-05:00

So my all day sickness is starting wane and my appetite for eating has returned a bit. I know because I have already gained 4lbs. But that's not what we're here for.

My vest is still in the corner. I'll pick it up and try to finish it before it cools down a bit. Two things I must finish before next month, particularly September 17. They are my sister and cousin's baby sets. They are both having girls and my sister is due September 17 and my cousins baby shower is on September 17. I wish I could be with my sister for the birth of her second baby because I missed the birth of her first daughter. She had moved to Florida at the last minute and I wasn't able to afford tickets to go to Florida. I do however have a surprise for her. She's been complaining about needing a computer for class. Well I have an HP 2140 that I don't want anymore. It has a VGA port (Something she could hook up to her projector.. she's teacher at an alternative school), 120G HDD, wifi and NIC. I'll have it all ready for her. I know she's a bit hard up on cash as everyone else is in the country. So I'm making her the baby set and send her a few bottles, diapers, and a couple of outfits for her daughter. She's going to be so surprised.

Now my cousin, I'm giving her this gift because no one has really given her anything. In fact most of her young life she was faced with hardship; from her father's murder to being molested by someone in her family. I hope that having her daughter would bring much joy to her life. I'm going to also make her a baby set (hat, cardigan, and booties) and buy probably a onsie or two, some bottles, and newborn diapers. I wish I had some size 2 circulars so I could make this diamond baby outfit. My husband thinks its too plain but I think its lovely. I may surprise my sister with it, if I could find some.

Once I'm done with all this, I can start making sweaters for my own daughters. I have a nice friend that I met in one my knitting groups that sent me some bows and headbands. She said she'll send whatever colors my daughter wants to go with her outfits. I may ask her for black, green, and brown. She already has a pink and blue one.

Sorry this post doesn't have any pictures. Hopefully tomorrow or later this week I'll be able to update with pictures.

All Day Sickness

2009-07-06T08:12:00.002-05:00

I can't believe this is my third baby and I'm acting like a new mom. I have been SO sick these past few days that I've practically lived in my room. Every smell or taste makes me nauseous. What can I do? I am getting tired of being sick. Some mornings I may wake up and feel fine but as the day progress I get very nauseous. I've tried the ginger ale, the crackers, the coca cola, the sprite, the everything. The only thing that may seem to help a bit is the crackers. I don't even eat too many of them because I'm trying to watch my weight. I am NOT trying to be 200+ lbs when I have this baby (I've been 223 with the first, 203 with the second, and I'll be damned if I end up being another 200+ with this baby). It is hard to get the weight off. My poor husband is getting fed up with me. I've made him change his shower gel. I close my room door and stuff the door jamb with pillows so I can't smell what's cooking in the kitchen. I can't even cook because the smells bother me. I tried hard and made my daughters ice cream last night. They'll enjoy that today when they get home from school. I don't know what to do. I'm just miserable right now.

Another Baby :O

2009-06-30T08:56:00.002-05:00

Yes, what the title says, I am expecting another baby. What a birthday surprise! I found about 5 days ago that I'm pregnant! This will be our third baby. Not sure if its going to be our last. We settled for three and then tried for the last back in December and I finally said forget it. If the Lord wants us to have another child he will bless us with another one and five days ago I found out just that.

I'm so excited and surprised because that means that we're going to have a third, yes third, March baby. I guess I'm just extra fertile around my Birthday. Oh yeah, did I mention today is my birthday? Yup I've hit the big 28. Gosh, as I look over my life I wonder what would I do if I had chance to do it over. I guess really nothing... other than make sure my behind went to class my first year in college. I guess not, I probably wouldn't have gone home and met my high school sweetheart again and not had Lizzy and Javon and got Married.

I know this baby will be well loved because my eldest daughter, Lizzy, has been asking me for a "new" little brother or sister. Oh and this pregnancy is waaay different than the others. I am very very nauseous. My God, I don't know what to do to combat all this nausea. I read that you're suppose to keep something in your stomach at all times. Well I'm doing that (nutritious things because I was in the middle of a diet when I found out I was pregnant). What to do? Oh yeah and I've been a serious biotch to everyone. I can't help it, I apologize later but sometimes they just get on my last damn nerves and I have to tell them off.

I have somewhat finished on my vest. I could post pictures but I'm too lazy to take pictures. I do however have pictures of my daughters modeling their swimsuits. They are too cute! Hah, my husband said if its another girl he's going to leave town and just send money every month. I'm hoping its a boy but I'll be happy with whatever we have.

My sister's due in September and cousin's due in October. I have to hurry and start on these blankets and dresses for their babies. I have an extra surprise for my sister though. I hope she loves it.

Well I have to get back to work because my boss walks by and see what I'm typing. I haven't said anything to my coworkers but well, that's my business. HEHE

Baby Stuff

2009-05-07T10:50:00.002-05:00

Well my sister's having a baby girl. So now I have to figure out what I'm going to make for her. I asked her what colors would she like for her daughter and she couldn't tell me. I think I'm going to do her stuff in purple and white. My cousin is also having a baby girl and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to make for her as well. Both of their babies are due in September/October. If y'all know something pretty let me know. Otherwise, I'll go trolling on ravelry to find something for them to make. This is going to be a short post because I'm really busy at work. I will be moving into my new apartment this weekend, yay! So I'll be really busy.

Cabled Purse

2009-05-04T12:01:00.005-05:00

So as I promised I have pictures of the purse I'm working on. I think I mentioned in a previous post that I found this purse on ravelry and fell in love with it. This first picture is of the actual purse outside. I basically followed what the pattern said to use and its knit from Lionbrand Wool-ease Thick & Quick. It took me about 2 hours to knit this (kids were constantly bothering me).

I love brown and chose a pretty pattern that I came by at Joann's Fabric.

Last is a picture of the handles I chose to use with this.

Now, all I have to do is attach the handles as you can see in this last picture I started doing and then sew in the clasp and I can finally enjoy my purse or at least I thought.

I found out that I may have a mild allergy to wool. I noticed that everytime I work on this bag and touch my face. The places I touch tend to itch very bad. It doesn't last long but it itches and my poor nose is starting to turn red because when I'm deep in thought I tend to either scratch my head or my nose. I sometimes rub my cheek and mouth and guess what? They ITCH too!. My lips itch LOL. I don't care because that's the only part of my body that gets irritated other than that, I'm fine.

That's all for today folks. I'll probably have some updates on the other stuff later. My husband and I are planning on making some designs of our own so that I don't have use anyone else's pattern.

Vest Update

2009-02-28T11:36:00.002-06:00

Ok guys, I almost forgot about you but I managed to remember when I looked at my blog and thought to myself, "Man that post is old!" So, today I give you guys an update. I've been working really slow on this, mainly because I come home and I'm too tired to do anything. Which is weird because I sit on my butt all day at work. I guess I'm mentally tired. I have to deal with a bunch of men who think women and technology don't work together. So I'm constantly on my toes trying to prove that women aren't dumb. Heck 90% of the time they're coming to me asking how to do things, yet one guy just think women are dumb and know nothing about technology. The other day I was sweeping my area because the guys around me are so nasty and the guy that thinks women are dumb says to me, "Finally you're doing woman's work". Anyway, I'm not going to get into that because it only going to make me hate men LOL NOT! I love my husband, but back to the blog.

I have just about finished the back panel to my vest. I think I have a few more rows to go and then do the shoulders a bit and I'm done. Here's a picture to visually explain it to you guys.

Back again

2009-02-17T14:48:00.003-06:00

So where do I start?

We are currently living with my sis-in-law (my husband's sister). We're doing a little better. My husband was finally able to find a job yay! He starts today yay! But he works from 4PM to 5:30AM. I'm going to miss my baby tonight. So I have the girls to myself. Fun fun!!!

So where am I? Ok well I haven't started anything new yet because I'm determined to finish this vest before I start anything new. The next project I want to start on is a pair of socks. This will be my first pair of socks. Did I tell you how I happen to get a free ball of sock yarn? Well a few months ago I was searching around a website that specializes in yarn. I saw some yarn I like in this blue color. The only problem was I didn't know the price it was until I added it to my cart. To my surprise it said that it was going for $0.00. I said to myself, "This can't be right!". So I deleted it and added it again and there it was, $0.00. I immediately notified the site owner and told what all I had to do and what it was showing. She said it had been like that for quite a while and no one seemed to notify her of the issue. So she sent me the last ball for free and told me to let her know how it works up. So I will be able to let her know probably next month lol. Oh yeah, I plan on knitting these socks. Sorry crochet sisters I have a jones for knitting right now.

I am just about 33% done with my vest. Its working up pretty nice. I'm kind of afraid that I may be off a bit with the gauge. I know I knitted up a swatch and it matched the gauge. I will find out when I'm done. If its too small I'll just sell it on etsy or something or maybe try to lose some weight to fit in it (LOL yeah right, we'll see).

Oh yeah after the socks, I want to knit this sweater that I've been seeing on the knit list. The February Lady Sweater. I may have to go out and find some yarn for that because I don't too much like the colors I have in my stash. They're really bright, like neons and stuff. If someone wants to trade for neon pink, green, or orange, let me know. My sister decided she wanted to buy me some yarn and bought any darn color she can find. But that's alright, its the thought that count. She funded me on my very first knitting project (a baby sweater I knitting for my first baby, Elizabeth.)

Anyway, I have to head out because my I'm at work on my lunch break doing this and I have to get back to work.

Before I forget, here's a picture of my work in progress.
UPDATE: My Husband comes home at 7PM today. YAY!!!

I didn't win

2009-01-24T16:05:00.004-06:00

So, as the title says I didn't win. Oh well better luck next time. Anyway, I have an announcement to make! I am in love with my sis-in-law's dog Sohpie. She is the cutest maltese dog. I have to show you guys a picture of her.
Isn't she a cutie. So I decided I'm going to make her a sweater or outfit. I saw this cute crochet t-shirt and jeans pattern that I may try out. I haven't decided yet and when I do, you all will be the first to know.

Other business, well I don't think I got too far on the vest thing, if you notice the bar still says 15%. Work is just killing me. I get up a little later now, but still I'm super tired when I get home and I have to deal with one of my daughters. I think she's allergic to something in the laundry detergent and she has hives all over her body. She also has this diaper rash that hasn't gone away. She's had it for almost two weeks. It looks like its clearing up but her skin peels a bit and its starting to look chalky. My grandmother says that I need to start potty training her and put her in some panties. But I think its something else. I haven't been able to take her to the doc becuase #1 I don't have time (I know that sounds weak, but my husband can't stand to take the girls to doc it hurts him when they get shots LOL) and #2 I can't afford it. I am the only one working and the benefits they allow us are just too expensive so I've opted out of them. Medicaid says I make too much money.. go figure. So I'm left to try to treat this on my own. I would post pics but I think it may be inappropriate and someone may flag it as some type of child porn so I'm not going there. Let's just say she's very very red and it almost looks like a raspberry. It sometimes peels and a chalky red in color. I've been using A&D with the zinc oxide and the regular A&D. I've also tried benadryl cream. I'm not sure if it were the wipes we once used (my husband switch up and bought a type we don't use) or what because I always make sure she's dry. Oh well, I'm hoping my grandmother would give me some cash to take he to get checked out on Thursday of next week.

At any rate, you all stay well, and update those blogs because I'm checking!

Musings of a Fat Chick: GIVEAWAY: Fabulous black bag

2009-01-20T08:34:00.001-06:00

Musings of a Fat Chick: GIVEAWAY: Fabulous black bag

I really needed to update this blog. Anyway, I have gotten a little bit further on my vest. I've just been trying to get the family together and trying to move. As a result, the vest had to take the backseat.

I guess you guys are wondering what my title's all about. I recently entered this give-away. I have been trying my best to get a stylish bag to put all of my "crap" in as my husband says. Black is my favorite color because it goes with just about everything. I can't have just any old bag, it has to be big lol because guess what? I'm a pack rat. I'll go ahead and admit it. I blame it all on my grandmother. You know what type of stuff I can put in this bag? The little make-up I do own, some knitting needles, crochet needles, yarn to a project I'm working on, a few diapers and maybe a couple of pullups, sippy-cups (yes both of them use sippy cups need to switch the one-year-old to pull-ups), change, letters, earrings, did I mention knitting needles and crochet hooks, lotion, hand sanitizer, my laptop (yes my laptop is that small you can check it out here. That's not all, my bags usually contain everything from the kitchen sink to the bathtub.

Anyway, I'll probably post a picture and update on where I am with my vest. Oh yeah, you remember that baby bunting I was making. Well my friend never did come back to work and I don't have his address so I'll probably be selling it on ravelry. I have to sew on the zipper and I'll post a picture of that too. I still only have one bootie made and haven't even started on the hat for the vest I made for my other friend's baby. I'll probably hurry up and make those today or so and post a picture of them sometime this week.

See you all soon!

Sweater/Vest

2009-01-12T00:19:00.005-06:00

This will be a short post, but I just wanted to give you guys an update on my vest. I know I previously called it a sweater but its a vest. I'm not sure if this is 2% or more but I'm going to leave as is in the WIP bar because I'm just too lazy to update it :). Anyway, to calm your anticipation here you go!
This vest is worked in 3 parts, the back, and both side panels. I hope I'm not making it too small LOL. So I have to go until this piece measures about 18 inches and then I will start shaping the armholes.

If this picture's too dark let me know and i'll change it. I've been knitting kind of slow because I only do it on the ride to work, if I'm not too sleepy because I tend to fall asleep on the bus sometimes. I'll probably work on it tomorrow on my way home from work.

UPDATE: Ok I'm not too lazy.. I have 15% done. I actually sat down and calculated everything LOL. So I'll work on it on the bus later today (it 12:33AM) and see where I end up. Oh yeah this is being worked from the bottom up. Alright I will update in probably a couple of day.

OT: Princess Dress

2009-01-03T13:00:00.003-06:00

So I decided to let my kids open their Princess Dress xmas gift. I know understand why my mother and grandmother would not let me play with or open some of my Christmas gifts. We lost most of the parts! Both my daughters got Barbies for Christmas and 15 minutes later Javon, my one-year-old, came running in the living room with both Barbies bucket nekkid and hair tossed. Lizzy, my three-year-old, got a Brats doll (it was the tattoo set) and it was missing its feet. I guess she didn't want her to run off LOL. Anyway, I decided to take a picture of them in their Princess Dresses :D

I think Lizzy will be a little Diva. She loves to take pictures and pose. Javon will probably be a sports girl. She's a little rough but she loves the girly stuff too. I will probably make them something this year don't know if I'll crochet or knit it yet. Anyway back to my sweater. Still at 1% LOL Slow! yeah I know.

I'm back!!

2008-12-30T18:37:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone! Happy belated Merry Christmas and I hope everyone's going to have a happy new year. Well, I have been afflicted by the nonfinishitus disease. Remember those booties, well I started one and never finished it and can't bring myself to finish it or make another one. So that's that. Um yeah I never started on the hat either. The baby's been born. She was born December 23 around noon and she was 6lbs and some ounces. I haven't gone by to see my friend yet because I've been lazy and basically wanted to stay at my makeshift home. I'm tired.

Anyway, I decided to start on a sweater that I seen the caron website.

Mine will be in a natural color instead of a the color in the picture. I think its going to take me a LONG time since I knit kind of slow.

Other than that I have nothing else going on.

Apologies: WARNING BIG RANT AND SPEWING OF FEELINGS

2008-12-14T16:36:00.004-06:00

My apologies for not updating this blog in a while. I have been very busy trying to get things situated for my family. As you all know I have two beautiful daughters and I and my husband have been trying very hard to take care of them. Our troubles begin in July of this year. I had gotten fed up with trying to wait on my landlord to fix 3 toilets and the garage door in the house we agreed to purchase after leasing it for 18 months, so I refused to pay the rent for July. He tried to evict us in August; the Judge wouldn't allow it because there was a verbal agreement between us and the landlord to fix the toilets and garage. Anywho, I was asked if I wanted to continue living there and if I want to I could because the judge didn't want to grant the eviction. I told him no that I wanted nothing to do with this guy because he made no effort to fix these things after me and my husband repeatedly tried to contact him. So he asked us how long it would take us to leave and I told him by the end of the week. So he said it was done, we were to be out by the end of the week and we only owed the rent for the month I withheld for troubles. The landlord sued for court costs and unpaid rent for the month of July and August. I was only to pay $1250 (one month's rent).

We parted our ways and before I knew it I recieved a letter from a collection agency telling me to remit $17,000+ to them for CRC Property management. I instantly sent them a letter disputing the claim asking for proof of this and how they come by this amount and I get a letter telling me that I owed one month's rent, cleaning, keys, and $15,000 in future rents (re-letting fees). I thought this guy must be kidding. At any rate, it was put on my credit history as an eviction.

Since then, we have not been able to find a place to stay. The car I once owned broke down and required $3,000 to fix but at the same time I was paying a monthly payment on. So I called the bank to have them come get it since I could no longer afford to fix and pay it. That went on my credit history. On top of that, my husband had to pay a big bill of $800+. Not to mention he lost his job back in July and could not find anything mainly due to Ike and the fact we have no car.

We have lived in almost 3 hotels and have been with my husband's Aunt since Novemeber. I know she is getting fed up with us living here because she hasn't had any little ones around since her own baby son, who is now 23. (You get where I'm coming from). On top of that, I can't afford anything for my kids for Christmas. This really saddens me because I wanted them to have something since I dealt without a lot in my childhood and I don't want them to experience the same.

I spend endless nights crying myself to sleep because it upsets me so to see my husband depressed and know that my kids may do without for Christmas. My husband's aunt doesn't even celebrate Christmas that way, so she doesn't have a tree and she doesn't exchange gifts.

You know what's bad? I go to get public assistance and they tell me I make too much. (I didn't want to do it and just to get there to me more humiliated). God, I wish, I wouldn't be in this situation. I get up at 3AM every morning to ride the bus to daycare and to get to work at a decent time so that I may leave early enough pick my kids up so that I wouldn't get penalized $30 every 30 minutes.

I apologize.

To keep my mind off of this, I have been working on that baby bunting I started a while back. I have finished making all the pieces. I am just finishing the two front peices and I will attach them and show the finished product. I will try to finish this tonight because I want to hand it off to a coworker so that he give it to my friend. Much to my surprise, he took a month vacation right after Thanksgiving.

I will see you all soon.

Sidetracked

2008-11-17T15:03:00.003-06:00

Ok so I got sidetracked. It got cold overnight and I really have to make my daughter's some hats and mittens. At any rate here's a picture of my little angels in their aunt's wigs.

Out of Yarn

2008-11-15T11:40:00.001-06:00

Well I just now remembered that I only bought one ball of the white for this bunting and guess what? I'm done with it. I won't be able to buy another one until next Thursday. So in the meantime I will finish my bestest best friend's booties and hat. I started one using crochet but it came out big and bulky so I figure I'll just knit it. I will be done with them in about an hour and post the picture.

And back

2008-11-10T07:34:00.002-06:00

Ok so I'm going to have to tweak the booties pattern I was working on because my stitches aren't adding up. In the mean time I went back to my other friend's baby bunting. I managed to get finished with most of the back portion and now I'm working on on the arms.

Impromptu

2008-11-08T18:05:00.003-06:00

I totally forgot that my bestest best friend's baby shower was today and yesterday I rushed to the store and bought some yarn. I wanted to make her a baby blanket but it was too late so I decided to make a her a baby set that included a hat, vest, and booties. Well my kids came home and decided they wanted all (or most) of my attention and I was only able to make the vest. I actually finished it on the bus on the way to her baby shower. I got most of one bootie made. Here's a picture of it.I will probably make the booties and hat today and send it off to her on Monday.

I continued..

2008-11-05T12:54:00.002-06:00

I decided to continue with the baby bunting.. I will try to get a picture of what it looks like as of now, today. I really need to hurry and finish it because I have to start on something for my bestest best friend's baby shower on Saturday. I was thinking about a sweater (or dress) booties and hat set. I could probably find a rattle to make it prettier. I wonder if I can complete this overnight on Friday. Maybe I'll leave work early on Thursday so that I can start on it then. I just need to finish this bunting. Either that or stop and start on the set. I'll see later today. See you soon...

Baby Bunting

2008-11-02T08:32:00.004-06:00

So what, I'm addicted. I'm addicted to needle crafts (knitting and crocheting). I decided to go ahead and make something for a coworker of mine. I didn't know what I wanted to make but I wanted to make something. I decided on a baby bunting. It started out as a blanket but now a bunting. I was suppose to give this to this guy tomorrow, but I don't know what's going to happen because it may change again tonight since I don't like the way the colors are coming. It is not looking anything like the picture. I'll post the picture and what I'm starting to see.

I've started on the back and here's what I'm getting so far. I'm kind of getting discouraged at what I'm coming out with.

I'll figure out what I want to do and update you guys. I wish I could wing it but I'm not advanced enough to do that. I'll probably find some knit pattern and just give it to my friend on Tuesday. See you guys later....

Last of the Swaps: Bath Set and Kitchen Set

2008-10-29T14:59:00.005-05:00

My other exchange partners sent word that they received their swaps. Here's pictures of what they received. This is a picture of the bath set. Yes I stayed up all night crocheting these. You can see the materials for the kitchen set I made for my other exchange partner.

Here's a picture of the kitchen set. I made all of the items using crochet thread. It was very time consuming and hurt but I think I would do it again. After all I want to make my bedspread using this. Here's a picture of them anyway.

I wish I had a picture of the potholder I made. I really wanted to use the same colors as in the coasters and towel, but the thread wasn't worsted weight. So what I did was took 4 strands of size 10 thread together and was able to make the potholder. I will have to get a picture of it because I forgot to take a picture of it before I sent it off.

Yay! Finished

2008-10-29T14:54:00.004-05:00

I finally finished my youngest daughter's hat. I still have yet to post my beautiful daughter's pictures. Here's a picture of her hat.

Here's a close up of the stitches.

Starting Over

2008-10-24T14:32:00.002-05:00

Ok I had to take down the hat I started because I managed to gain 4 stitches... I've been riding the bus from work so I have more time to knit. Its funny when the people constantly ask me, "What are you making". I tell them its a hat. Its just so many yarn overs, ssk and k2together that sometimes I get confused. But now its looks better than ever. I will take a picture of it later on tonight... Can't take one in the lab..against company policy.

Swap Recieved...

2008-10-22T12:25:00.004-05:00

I just got word that my shawl partner received her swap. I'm going to go ahead and post a picture of what she received.

Here's a close up of the stitches.

I actually forgot to take a picture of the hat. Hopefully she'll be able to take one for me. I'll post it when she sends it.

Pictures....

2008-10-21T22:02:00.010-05:00

Noooo... they aren't pictures of the items I made for my exchange. Sorry, but I can't post those until my exchange partners say they've received them. This is a picture of one of the hats I'm working on. Its the hat for my youngest daughter Javon. I need to post pictures of my children one of these days. I haven't had any chance to work on it today. Came home and found out the kids were with the hubby at the park and I couldn't resist joining them. Unfortunately my knitting and crochet tools were at home.

Here's what I have so far. Its starting out beautifully. Had to fudge a bit because I was too busy trying to watch a movie and knit at the same time. I am using the magic loop to make this hat, since I couldn't be bothered to go and buy some size 7 dpns.
I have a close up of some of the stitches here.

My Week...

2008-10-19T18:40:00.003-05:00

Where do I start? My week has been very very dramatic. We have been trying to find somewhere to stay and when I finally find somewhere to go, its roach infested. My apartment wasn't ready so they put me in temporary one bedroom which was suppose to be their showcase apartment. I know this hasn't anything to do with knitting or crocheting but its been driving me crazy. I have no place to stay right now, but I'm trying. Anyway, I finally finished all my exchanges and the last minute extra and started on a hat for one of my daughters. I will have to get my husband's phone to take a picture since my phone sucks. I will post some pictures tomorrow or so..

Tuesday

2008-10-15T10:20:00.002-05:00

Okay I admit, I didn't really do anything last night. I came home, was tired and extremely hungry. I did work a bit on the extra exchange gift for Ann B, but I think I may be running out of yarn. I'll see tonight because I plan on finishing it, or at least going until I run out of yarn for it. Mostly yesterday I tried to relax from Monday's fiasco, checked on my grandmother but she was asleep when I called, so I let it be. I may knit her some slippers to wear. I'll probably update this tonight when I'm at home. I have a lot to do here at work.

Until tonight...

Sunday's Post

2008-10-12T19:40:00.003-05:00

I got a call from my aunt today while I was on my way to the grocery store. She told me that my grandmother's in the hospital because she had a stroke. I could only turn around, come home and start crocheting. My nerves are on edge. Me and my grandmother have this weird relationship. She was very close to my mother before she passed and I kind of feel it upon myself to fill her shoes. I go to my grandmother's from time to time to check on her and see if she's ok. But this one time I didn't and my bother, the only one of us who lives with her, probably wasn't there with her when it happened. I guess I shouldn't stress about these things, but I do. Anyway let me not talk about that because this is a knit and crochet blog.

So like I told y'all in the last post I chose to use the crochet cotton thread. I love the way the hotpad came out. Too bad I can't show it to you all, I don't know if my crochet exchange partners check my blog and I don't want them to see what I'm sending them. I kind of sort of want to keep it myself. Now with that done I decided to make something special to go with the "shawl" I created for my shawl exchange partner. I probably won't be done with it until tomorrow. So I'm still on the baddy list, but its for a good cause. I really hope they like what I'm sending them.

So after I'm done with these I am going to make my daughter some slippers and some hats and knit my husband a hat and some socks like I promised him last year (giggle). Then I'm going to have to get the yarn for the scarves I plan on knitting for my family for Christmas. Anyway my husband's yelling at me about being on the computer. We're suppose to be watching Iron Man together. See you guys soon...

Well...

2008-10-10T12:41:00.002-05:00

I thought I was done but I realized I never made the hotpad nor did I buy any yarn for it. Now I have a choice, I can buy some cotton yarn to make the hotpad but it would be very hard to match the colors I have or I could find a way to combine enough of the cotton thread to make a worsted weight to make the hotpad. I'm going for the second choice because one, I don't have that type of money and two, I really love these colors. I just really hope my exchange partner like these items. I'm going to walmart today to pick up the Stiff Stuff so that I can stiffen up the coasters.

See you soon...

I'm almost done!

2008-10-08T20:41:00.002-05:00

I just have two more, well one and a quarter of a coaster to make and then stiffen it and I'm done. I hope my exchange buddies like these. I can finally get of the bad list.

This hurricane set us back a lot. We have gone through so much these past few weeks. To make things worse, my husband lost his job. I'm so frustrated I don't know what to do. We are living in a hotel, I can barely make enough to function off for the week. I'm going to stop talking about it before I start crying.

Anyway, after finishing my exchanges I am still busy. Its getting a bit cool and my kids don't have any hats. So I'll be searching for some hat patterns for toddlers and kids and adults. I want to make them some slippers and my husband those wool socks I've been promising him.

Oh well let me get back to finishing these coasters so I can be up early tomorrow for work. Later....

Scarf I made for my crochet exchange buddy!!!

2008-10-02T16:44:00.006-05:00

Here's a picture of that scarf I made!!! Thanks goes out to my buddy Kathleen Gilreath. She took a picture for me. (I know I'm forgetful at times)

Um.. Yeah..

2008-09-22T12:58:00.004-05:00

I know, I know.. haven't updated in years.. Ok months well... I WAS BUSY! We moved, and then started remodeling the family house, that fell through and we moved again. Now I'm living in my cousin's apartment. Go figure. I've joined a crochet exchange group on Yahoo Groups. I've crocheted a scarf using Smooshy by Dreams sock yarn but I forgot to take a picture of it before I sent it off... Yay! I'm currently working on a shawl for another swapper but I'm not going to post until my swapper posts that she received it. Last I will work on a kitchen and bath set. I hope this swapper likes it.. see you soon!

My Baby's Teddy

2008-08-18T22:40:00.002-05:00

Well, I sort of started with my baby's teddy bear, but I kind of stopped because I started on a case for my mobile phone and joined a crochet exchange group. I have to make scarf, kitchen set, bath set, and a shawl for 3 people all by the end of next month. I really hope they like what I'm making because I'm putting a lot of time into the items I'm making.

Sorry this is not a long post but its nearly 11PM CST and I have to be up for work in the morning. Yay work gotta love it.

See you soon....

Finished!

2008-08-07T22:00:00.003-05:00

Yeah I know, you're probably wondering what happened to the blog. Well.... I WAS BUSY!!! I had moved out of my house because the landlord refused to fix the things he was suppose to fix before we moved in. My husband, me, and the kids moved into the family home which we have to remodel from front to back, inside and out because it was in such bad condition; not to mention that his sister had completely gutted the house (removed sinks, toilets, dry wall and flooring). So there, that's what I'm doing..

Anyway, I finished my oldest daughter's purse a while ago but I forgot to put up the finished piece. I will post it later. Now I've started on my youngest daughter's teddy bear. I hope to at least finish it by the end of this week. I will see you all soon...

Edit: Here's the picture

Update ....

2008-06-18T10:46:00.002-05:00

Last night I finally got some time to myself. My aunt reluctantly kept my kids over night so I had time at least work on my daughter's purse. I know this is such a tiny project and I should have been finished with it within one day, but we're having a financial crisis and knitting has been the last thing on my mind of late.

Off-topic though, my husband's cousin and his girlfriend moved in with us last night. I don't know why we always take in people when we're down on our luck. I guess we just don't like to see family doing bad. Which reminds me I need to call my grandmother and make sure she's alright.

The Rug is still in its same condition as the last picture and I haven't even taken my other daughter's teddy bear out if its packaging to even get started on it. I leave work around 5PM today so I'll see if I can at least work on my oldest daughter's purse tonight.

Pictures

2008-06-11T21:47:00.002-05:00

Well I finally got some pictures to show how far I am in my knitting of two of my three projects.

This is the Kitchen rug I am currently knitting.

Here's a close up of the rug

Last, here's what I have of the purse I've been working on.

2008-06-05T09:27:00.000-05:00

Well as you may have noticed I haven't posted anything in a while. That's simply because I've been so busy these past few weeks and I have actually had to put down my knitting projects because of this. I went to two graduations last weekend and furnished my daughters' room with a bunch of Dora The Explorer paraphernalia. Two white sleigh beds with Dora bedding, a Dora table and chair set and a Dora Lamp. We are still looking for a Dora rug and Dora window treatments. Then the room may be completed. I bought some makeshift dressers until we can figure out what we want to do.

As far as my projects go. I have restarted my oldest daughter's purse almost a million times now because I couldn't get a good gauge with the needles that came in the kit. So I resorted to a size 8 needle and its starting to look okay. I have half of the purse done. Again I still have to take pictures because this blog would be really boring without them. As far as the kitchen rug well, I've completely stalled on it. And the cat's have nearly unraveled a ball of yarn, yay! So I have to fix that and get back on the ball (no pun intended).

Will hopefully update this pretty soon. Bye :)

Projects

2008-05-26T19:19:00.001-05:00

Ok so I have 3 projects going on at that same time. The first project is a kitchen rug that's knit in this nice pattern out of Lily(r) Sugar n' Cream white and green twists. My decor for the kitchen is olive green and black. I managed to get the yarn on sale at Michaels. It was actually on clearance for a $1.00 per ball and I got my hands on a coupon that gave 25% off the total bill. On that same day I got project kits for my other two projects. I'm making a purse for my oldest daughter, Lizzy (She's 3-years-old and loves purses) and a knit Teddy Bear for my youngest daughter, Javon (she's a one year old).

As of now I've started both the kitchen rug and my daughter, Lizzy's purse. Its taking me quite a while on the rug since I have to stop and make sure the kids are ok. The purse should take me a couple of days to do since I have to figure out what needles I want to use. The ones that came in the kit, in my humble opinion, are too dang big.

As of right now I have 18 rows of 180 rows done. I managed to finished the fuzzy edging on my daughter's purse and have just started on the body portion. I keep changing the needle sizes since the one's I keep using aren't creating the give that I want. The one's in the kit gave too much give, which I think were a size 17 and the size US8 are too small. I think I'm going to try the US13 and see what I get. The yarn is worsted weight on both projects.

I will post more as I go.