…that there are two FOs today — just in time for Ali’s baby shower this afternoon!

• Project:  Chunky Hoodie – Comfy Hooded Jacket by Lion Brand Yarn
  
• Yarn:  Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in “Barley”
  
• Needle:  US 13
• Start to Finish:  September 10 – November 28, 2013

Katie left this yarn behind when she moved to Scotland, so I looked for a project. I loved the color and sometimes chunky looks so cute on little. I knit the jacket in the 12-month size, and found the buttons in my stash.

• Project:  Vintage-Style Baby Bonnet – Modern Baby Bonnet by Hadley Fierlinger
• Yarn:  Make.Do Essence DK Superwash, <1 skein (leftovers from Le p’tit mousse)
• Needle:  US 6
• Start to Finish:  August 21 – November 28, 2013

The bonnet is knit flat with a small seam up the back; the chin strip worked separately and attached. It’s apparently both vintage & modern! I like that. Either way, warm baby head.

Happy St. Andrew’s Day!

NaBloPoMo is a wrap!

OK! I’m off to make final preparations!!

• Project:  Chevron Baby Blanket from Whit’s Knits at The Purl Bee
  
• Yarn:  Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller “Washable Ewe” (discontinued) – 2 skeins each of Dragonfly, Robin’s Egg, and Duckling
  
• Needle:  US 8
• Start to Finish:  July 29 – November 27, 2013

I suppose that if I was the very best Nana in the world, I’d give Parcheesi to Zim; instead, we’ll snuggle under it together at my house.

The overall size is 28″ x 38″ — basically “stroller” size. It’s shown atop my queen-size bed.

I knit an entire skein each of Dragonfly (dark teal), Duckling (yellow), and Robin’s Egg (light teal) to begin; I then knit up another skein of both Duckling and Robin’s Egg in a random stripe pattern; finishing with another skein of Dragonfly — two skeins of each color.

I’ve already washed it and dried it — using cold water and the Permanent Press cycle in my front-loading washer, and medium-low heat in the dryer. It softened up a little and even has a little bit of halo.

 Beanie Baby giraffe for scale. And because he’s my favorite.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my U.S. family & friends!

Happy Thursday to "the internationals."  :)

 

The process is not for the squeamish, but I channeled my inner Julia Child and muscled through. A good, sturdy kitchen shears is a must. That's the turkey right out of the oven. I transferred it on the rack to another pan and tented with foil, as directed, and after a :20 rest began to carve.

I will never cook a turkey any other way again. It was SO quick to cook, with none of incessant basting & worrying — and I didn't get sick of it while it was still in the oven — and it was SO much easier to carve, as well. Unless you're a family that makes big show of the carving-at-the-table (and we never ever were), I can't think of a good reason to roast a turkey any other way.

A co-worker told me today that he spied spatchcocked turkeys for sale at a local grocery chain; I have previously seen spatchcocked chickens available there.

In other news, I've begun the last color/section of Zim's knitted blanket and should have it finished just in time for the baby shower on Saturday afternoon!

 

Would you be surprised if the parade of finished baby knits carried on?

• Project:  Garter Yoke Baby Cardi by Jennifer Hoel
  
• Yarn:  Make.Do BE Fingering/Sock Superwash
  
• Needle:  US 4
• Start to Finish:  August 25 – November 14, 2013

I love the sophisticated, vintage buttons that  Alison chose at Soutache.

This little sweater is a free download on Ravelry, and I’m sure I’ll be knitting it again!

The color is called “Grandpa’s Jeans” — old, faded, dark denim. Comfy.

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I’ll be taking Ann & family to the airport this afternoon, as their impromptu, unscheduled, week-long visit comes to an end today… or, for them, tomorrow when the plane touches down in Rio.

So much bittersweet.

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Once a day: VoteLoLa.com!