Major Knitter

Well, I'll Be! It's Another Wonderful Wallaby!

Today was our 4th and final Wonderful Wallaby class at Knitting Central.  I really enjoyed knitting this pattern (as you already guessed since I knit three of them!).  

The turquoise Wallaby is a size 2.  The blue jeans color is a size 10.  Both were quick and easy to knit.  I followed the pattern exactly for the size 2, but for the size 10, I decided to bind off the hood sts using the three-needle bind off instead of the kitchener stitch.

I am quite pleased with it.  I think it will be a big hit with its future owner.

Now I just need to finish the third (and for now) final Wallaby of the month.  Thanks Lynn for a wonderful class.  It was so much fun to final discover the secrets of this superb knit.

Pink Profusion

Here are some more spring snapshots from earlier this week.  This is one of my favorites - the pink flowers contrasted against the bright blue sky

 

And here is the pink Warren Wallaby growing by leaps and bounds

 

It's a pink proliferation around my house.  One potential recipient of this latest Wallaby (but not the intended one) saw this Wallaby post with her daughter.  To no one in particular, the daughter said "Mom, I don't really like pink".  I knew that.  That's why this one is not for her.  She needs a different color.  Just not quite sure what that color is.

Tomorrow is my final Wonderful Wallaby Class at Knitting Central with the magnificent Lynn Wilson.  I can hardly wait.

Not Very Ladylike

Good morning.  I was pretty certain that you were in deep need of a Wilma fix, so I thought I'd share with you one of her favorite ways to sit.  It's not very ladylike, but it's all Wilma all the time.

  

Avert Your Eyes!

If you don't want to see the craziness in my world, please, please, please avert your eyes. You see I'm nearly done with the Washington Wallaby - and I purchased 3 more skeins than necessary, so I did the only logical thing. I returned the yarn to Knitting Central and exchanged it for 3 skeins of this lovely pink. Then before even finishing the Washington Wallaby, I cast on for a new Warren (size 8) Wallaby.

I'm already making a few changes to this, my third Wallaby.  I'm making a seed stitch waistband and cuffs.  I also plan to make it without a hood (at least that's my plan this morning).  Yes I have other WIPs and UFOs I should address, but since this Thursday is my last Wonderful Wallaby class, I thought I should actually have a WIP Wallaby in hand rather than two FOs.   I haven't decided who will receive Warren... but I have an idea.  This may eventually become a birthday or a Christmas gift for November or December.

April Showers Bring April Flowers

Well, it's almost May.  The spring garden is starting to show its true colors.

This is one of my favorite flowers in the garden.  Of course, I'm partial to all shades of purple, so periwinkle colored vinca is a favorite ground cover.  There are more pictures - but I think I'll spread them out and share them with you little by little.

We had a gorgeous weekend in Connecticut.  I hope you got out and enjoyed some fresh air and sunshine on this lovely day.  

Knitting Bag or Evening Bag?

While I was at Knitting Central for my weekly Wallaby Class, I looked over Laura Eckels newest selection of Knit Bags.  When BF and I travel, we don't check luggage, so I never bring my big clunky pocketbook.  Instead, I end up forgetting to pack something smaller, so I generally put my personal items and wallet in whatever knitting pouch I have.  Generally, it's my camouflage KnowKnits Pouch for knitting on the go.  I love my pouch, but camouflage isn't generally my idea of evening wear. 

So imagine how happy I was to find Laura Eckel's exclusive leopard print pouch - the Knitting Central Signature bag - for sale.  I quickly bought one and will be sure to take it on all my travels.  

Is it wrong that I would rather have a knitting bag that doubles as an evening bag (rather than a pocketbook/evening bag that might have room for my knitting?)

Finishing Friday - Wanda Wallaby

It's Friday again and time for Finish or Frog It.  This week I chose to finish my very first Wallaby - the Wanda Wallaby.  I made this for my friend's newborn son.  He is a big newborn baby - and since it's almost May - I decided I could get away with making something for next year - so this Size 2 ought to do the trick.

I'm quite pleased with the results.  I need some more practice with the garter stitch kitchener stitch as mine is a bit wonky on those first 5 sts on the top of the hood.  But other than that, I think it truly is a Wonderful Wallaby.

At yesterday's class, Lynn teased me about making nothing but Wallabies now that I've sworn off sock knitting (not exactly, but I did realize that I've knit 20 pairs of socks in the past 12 months, and had I focused that same energy on sweaters, I could have knit up an entire wardrobe by now!) I could probably knit, I don't know, forty-five Wallabies by Christmas.  You know, for a family reunion.  Couldn't you see an actual photo shoot of a family reunion for the next edition of the Wonderful Wallaby?  

Don't worry.  I'm not actually going to do it.  I could.  But I'm not.  

Working on My Wonderful Wallabies

Today was my third class at Knitting Central for the Wonderful Wallaby.  Today we attached our sleeves.

The turquoise Wanda Wallaby (size 2) is so small, that I'm already working on the hood.  Yippy!

I made a critical error in my thinking today.  I arrived at my LYS early so I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts and grabbed a large hazelnut coffee.  What was I thinking?  I don't drink caffeine.  I drink Decaf.  After I consumed 2/3 of my coffee, my hands were shaking.  I was traveling at about 100 times my normal speed.  That's a pretty scary thought by itself.  I usually run at 1,001 miles-per-hour - caffeine infused Jennifer is not a pretty site.  Sorry Lynn and Katia!  No more coffee before my class.  Pinky swear.

Just Call Me a Pizzaiolo

One of my friends recently told me about the PIzza Dough in the refrigerated section at Trader Joe's (white, whole wheat and garlic & herb).  Yesterday I bought some refrigerated dough, mozzarella cheese, and decided to give it a try.  I initiated my Pampered Chef pizza stone (that is nearly eight years old) and managed to make not one, but two, pretty decent pizzas.

I had some yellow bell peppers, onions and ham that I tossed on top for this yummy pizza and it took less than twelve minutes to make dinner.  My favorite part was that when I was stretching the dough, I actually pretended to be an experienced pizzaiolo and tossed the dough in the air much to Secundogeniture's dismay.  "Mom!  You're going to throw the pizza on the floor and then we won't have dinner!"  Thankfully, the dough did not end up on the floor - this time.

PS - Thanks to Kat's inspiration, I am now going to strive for this quality of pizza dough tossing.  Click HERE to check it out.

Hugs

I just read that Kay of Mason-Dixon Knitting lost her husband Peter to a brief illness.  Hugs to Kay and her children.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.