Little Man Getting Big

I couldn't resist sharing this picture of my littlest man. This is his 4-month picture. He's getting so big! They grow too fast! His big brothers are pretty proud of him. They love making him smile and entertaining him with their antics.

Wallis Cardi

Pattern: Wallis Cardigan by Melissa Wehrle, Interweave Knits Summer 2008
Yarn: Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK, coral
Needles: US 4 and 6

This pattern comes together pretty well. This cardi has just enough feminine details without being too fussy. I like how the pleats on the shoulders and sleeves are done. The finishing on this piece isn’t bad. The biggest problem I had was getting the hooks and eyes to look OK. I ended up using 8 and spacing them just less than 1 inch apart.

If I were to make this again I’d make a few changes. I’m pear shaped. The top is fine, and would probably be too big if I went up a size, but the bottom could be bigger. I’d make a size larger for the bottom and transition to the smaller size for the top. I did block the lower portion to the size larger, but that just helped a little.

There are a few errors in the pattern. Row 43 should be knit the same as for the right front. Otherwise, you’ll get what kind of looks like a twisted stitch.

Also, on the sleeves if you start with a RS knit row you won’t end up the RS for the des row. I’m not sure what the designer intended. Probably knit 4 rows instead of the 3. Or, just start with a WS purl row and knit 3 rows.

On the “Shape cap” portion, after you BO stitches on next two rows it says to work 1 WS row even. Typically, you’d start your BO on a RS row, which means you be working 1 RS row even (as opposed to a WS row as printed) and then start your dec 1 st each end of needle on a WS row.

Spring might be here to stay

Here, in Minnesota's Twin Cities, spring has been about a month late. Tulips are just now popping open, tree leaves are finally unfolding, ducklings are making a first appearance on our lake ... AND the weather forecast shows 70s for a week out - Woo Hoo!

Yesterday evening I hosted my knitting group. I always look forward to our evenings together. We have a great group of incredibly creative, talented, and wonderful women! I think if you asked my knitting group they'd all agree that another highlight of our evenings together are the yummy desserts that are served. These women are all wonderful cooks too!

For our treat last night, I took advantage of the bounty of my rhubarb plants (always the first thing in my garden to pop up through the snow and herald in spring). I made Rhubarb Slush Punch and Rhubarb Crisp - YUM! Try the recipes for yourself. Even if you think you don't like rhubarb, I bet you'll like these tasty recipes.

Rhubarb Slush Punch
2.5 to 3 cups rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup apple juice
6 ounces frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
2 liters lemon-lime soda

In a saucepan, combine rhubarb, water and sugar; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes, or until rhubarb is tender. Cool for about 30 minutes.

In a food processor or blender, puree mixture, half at a time. Stir in apple juice and lemonade. Pour into a freezer container. Cover and freeze until firm.

Let stand and room temperature for 45 minutes before serving. For individual servings, scoop 1/3 cup into a glass and fill with soda. To serve a group, place all of the mixture in a large pitcher or punch bowl; add soda and stir. Serve immediately.

Rhubarb Butter Crisp
3 to 4 cups rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar
1.5 cups plus 3 Tbsp Flour
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup butter, melted

Directions: Spread rhubarb evenly in 9x13 pan. Sprinkle granulated sugar and 3 TBS flour on top.

In a bowl, mix together oatmeal, brown sugar, remaining flour, and butter. Crumble evenly over rhubarb. Bake 350 for 40 minutes.

Enjoy!

Vintage Bubble Bag

Pattern: Vintage Bubble Bag by Eva Wiechmann, Pursenalities
Yarn: 2 skeins Cascade 220 and 2 skeins Noro Kureyon

I recently finished this felted purse for a friend of mine who gave it to her mother-in-law for Mother's Day. Instead of attaching the handles to the bag prior to felting, I chose to add knotted handles post felting. Julie had the purse lined at our LYS. The lining really made the purse. I also created a coordinating clutch with needled-felted flower embellishment.

Julie's mother-in-law had been wanting a felted purse for some time. She was thrilled when she received her gift from Julie. And she, sweet southern lady that she is, called to thank me for making it. Both Julie and her mother-in-law were so appreciative that it made making the pieces that much more fun.