I am participating in the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup at Ravelry.www.ravelry.com/groups/hp-knitting-crochet-house-cup It is so much fun and full of awesome people! Here is my silly Mandrake, with my even sillier son. It is my completed assignment for Herbology. If you haven't joined the House Cup, come and check it out.

I am in love

I am in love with this guy and his voice. It won't led me embed the video, so please follow the link. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1KHRf02ups

Unfortunate Pooling

I was in a lecture yesterday and the woman speaking had on this beutiful knit sweater coat thingy. It came down to her knees. It was lovely except for one part (and I found myself distracted by it and wishing I had my cell phone to sneak a picture). It was done in a blue and brown variagted yarn and basicly made blue and brown striped throughout the garment . . . but, on the butt, it pooled in such a way that it looked like huge brown and blue verticle stripes. It was just on the butt. What was the maker thinking? It kind of look liked this: Not my best drawing, but you get the idea.

Snowy days

I have several pics of knitting that I want to share, but for some reason, my computer is not recognizing my memory card. I am not at all computer savy, so it will probably be awhile before I can get someone over here to help me.

We have finally gotten enough snow here to have fun in. School has been closed for 3 days in a row and we have enjoyed sledding and building snow forts. I am keeping my fingers crossed for one more day off (I teach, so I get the days off too). I just wish we had more food in the house. The kids have been snacking like crazy. :)

Ron's Blanket Square Swap

I'm participating in a square swap at Ravelry. Our goal is to make a blanket like Ron Weasley has in the Harry Potter series. The original due date has already past, but luckily, everyone agreen to extend it to the end of the month.
I have four squares made of this Noro Kureyon. Its a 1x1 rib on #7 circulars. 44 stitches across. For some reason, it has taken me forever to get these squares done.

I switched to Pattons Classic Wool Merino and a simple stockinette knit. I like the tweed because it reminds me of the Weasley Sweaters. These are 32 stitches across and I am able to get them done a lot quicker. I am completing my 5th one of these. Just one more to go and I am done (for a total of 10). Here they are pre blocking.

Blocking . . .

Post blocking. I really like how these are turning out. Simple, but pretty. I can't wait to see the squares that I will be swapping these with.

Christmas knits

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! My pictures uploaded in the opposite order of how I wanted them to, so we will start out with a pic of my sweet boys. Rarely do they all sit still and look forward long enough for me to snap a picture!

On to Christmas knits. I started a new teaching job this year and work primarily with 3 other teachers. They received their first of many hand knitted items from me. Unfortunately, two of the scarves were gifted before I took a picture, but they were all just like this one, just different colors. I used Vanna's Choice yarn, with#8 circulars. The pattern is just a basic 2x2 rib.

Lastly is my sisters scarf. She asked for a "black scarf" with no other requirements. I didn't want to give her just a plain old back scarf, so I found this pattern on Ravelry and attempted cables for the first time! It wasn't hard at all and I enjoyed learning a new skill. The pattern is Irish Hiking Scarf . Again, I used Vanna's Choice yarn (money is tight this year) and#7 circulars and random kneedles, hair pins and even straws and cable kneedles.

She did ask for tassles, which is another thing that I had never tried. I followed instructions from my Charmed Knits book. They were not hard to do, but I think I put in too many. My sister liked it, so that is all that matter.

Sick, sick, sick :(

The stomach bug has hit my house. All the boys have had it and I thought it was over. Well, one started again last night at dinner and then I started around 2 am this morning. I haven't even felt well enough to knit. Luckily, I am almost done with my gift knitting and will hopefully have some pics up soon.