Easter Weekend

Over Easter we took a trip up to see my SIL and her family. This was our first time meeting Ella and, as always, Jack is so much fun. He's attached to his uncles right now, so it is boy time! PK and Jack played horse and hung out.

 Uncle Patrick holding Ella for the first time.

Jack and I were laughing and yelling, "Cheese!" Ella didn't care at all...

Ella's first outing to the Easter egg hunt.

Pete helped Jack find the candy for us...um, for Jack. :)

Check out this cool hat! I thought it was really fun and reminded me of the yoke of Shalom. I didn't see anything in Rav, online, or in my books so I'm going to sit down and write my own creation. There are few adjustments I'll make, too. Wouldn't Eco wool be great for this?!?

After several days she finally opened her eyes!

This was my favorite picture from the weekend. So cute.

It was a really nice trip and so good to visit with Meg and Pete. I hope they are getting some sleep. We clearly aren't used to be around kids as we crashed both nights and when when we got home went to bed early and slept longer hours than normal!

Little Ones in Their Knits

I always love to get photos of the boys in their knits. (I'll have to get used to adding "and Ella" onto that phrase!) It is just super special to me when they get some actual use out of my work. I try really hard not to be "that aunt" who sends the bunny outfit from A Christmas Story--always a danger for the crafty auntie! This is why I stopped making too many things for Aidan when he reached grade school age. I'd rather not torture the poor kid. I figure when he is a little older he'll want some hats and such again. Thus, there are no pix here of A, but one of my favorite photos of Aidan is him playing with the crocheted Spidey afghan.

So, here are a few recent shots of Jack, Raleigh, and Ella in some objects you might remember from previous posts.

 Baby Ella in her flower headband. This pattern inspired me and I will be releasing my own pattern soon with headband sizes from newborn to adult and a multitude of flowers. Perfect for shower gifts or a gift to yourself! Stay turned all your crocheters!

Raleigh in his Easter hat. Not a knitter? Let me make it for you. This is a simple knitted cap that shows off the fun yarn changes. These can be made in any size (newborn to adult) for boys or girls. Have an idea of a color scheme you want? Want a specific fiber to be used? You can custom request anything from Brownie Knits and I will customize it to your needs. For example, this is a super light-weight yarn that is perfect for rainy spring days.

Jack...our little puddle jumper...modeling his Salute Hat.

Blocked Shawl

I recently blocked a shawl for a knitter friend. She knitted it out of Kauni yarn, which is full of color and is perfect for large shawls.

This first picture shows the pre-blocking version. While it is still really pretty in that state, you couldn't get the full effect of all the lace work and you missed the little points on the edging.

 Here is the shawl on the blocking board. I soaked it in Euchalen for 20 minutes, rolled out the excess water in a towel, and then pinned it out on the board/floor. Each little point was pinned to pull out the detail. Whenever I block lace, I pin it and then pull the work out even further and re-pin it moving each pin out separately. I find that this duel pinning method helps me to gain extra inches and really show off the lace.

One of the great things about this yarn is how the color always seems to change just right. Debbie did actively decide to put the color she wanted by her face at the top (cast on) edge. Otherwise, those great color changes are the yarn working for you. Beautiful job!

Follow Brownie Knits & Win!!!

There is still time to sign up as a follower and enter our drawing! Sign up between now and 5/16/2011 and you will be entered into the blog followers drawing. To become a follower, click the follow button along the right-hand side of the main page.

We will draw on 5/17 for the winner. The winner will be mailed a set of Brownie Knits patterns and yarn for at least one of the projects. Fret not, existing followers, you will also be entered.

Sign up!!! (Should a non-knitting/crocheting follower win, you will be sent a knitted BK garment of your choice.)

April Unique Sheep Block

Each month I anxiously await the arrival of my Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month kit. Within a day or two of getting it, I have it all crocheted up. I just can't help myself from putting everything else on hold and knocking the latest block out. They are SO much fun!

I especially liked the April month. The colors are a beautiful spring pink and a brown that has flecks of green and pink in it. The Luxe yarn is a Superwash Merino that is fingering weight and really nice to work with. In the past, I mostly crocheted with worsted weight yarns. I'm finding that using a lighter weight yarn is much more enjoyable to me. I never would have thought about that being so different because I don't find there to be such a drastic feel when I'm knitting.

This fun little block uses crocheted popcorns. Fast and fun!

Yarn: Unique Sheep Luxe in Spring Pink and Light Bark

Hook: C

Pattern: Blooming Beauty by Melinda Miller

The Throw Has Landed

Remember that afghan I saw and loved and had to have? Well, I ordered it and waited and waited while it was on back order. I came home Monday to find it on the front porch. Here are some closer up pictures than before. It is a no dog zone in our house. They don't seem to like that very much!

I have determined that it is all crocheted and that the long areas are elongated double and triple stitches. The entire blanket is worked with a fingering weight yarn held double. It is an inspiring piece. I've started crocheting my own flowers in various shapes and plan to put them onto an afghan in some form. Maybe a new pattern in the works! Such a lovely blanket and it looks great on my funky colored couch!

Balloon Elephants

This cute little lady will be one of Ella's welcome to the world gift/Easter gifts. What an interesting concept to knit a tube of increases and decreases and then fold it into the shape of an animal--just like a real balloon animal. I love the cute little detail all of the animals in this pattern packet have with the little balloon tie section.

Pattern: Balloon Tying Creations

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Sock in Lorna's Purple Mustang

(Blanket yarn was scraps of some other sock yarn).

US Needle: 1

Spring Flowers

Every spring I struggle with the fact that I love fresh flowers in the yard, but I have a black thumb instead of a green one. Over the years, we've found a few plants and flowers that can survive my death trap--mostly hostas and the normal spring bulbs that pop up year after year no matter what. The flowers on our porch are always a trial.

We have one plant that did really well last year and PK kept it alive over the winter in his office. For the other side of the porch I thought, "What if I knitted some?" Sounds strange, right? But this would mean no worrying about watering and heat and on and on. I went digging around in the studio and found some Pick Up Sticks kits I had picked up on a 40% off sale with a free $25 gift card. Meaning, I got them FREE, basically! I knitted them up in few days and here they are awaiting the next step...

These little kits have the pattern, all the yarn, stuffing, and flower wire. You knit them on size 10 needles because they will be felted. I'll post pictures after felting and when I place them in their little pots. I'm hoping it all turns out super cute. I need to do a third one, so I'm going to wing my own design for the final flower.

Ella Grace

My niece was born on Wednesday! She is so cute and, judging from the pictures, her big brother thinks so, too. Mommy Meg had her modeling some of the hats I made on her first full day in the world. I'm so glad they fit. Newborn hats always look so tiny to me, but it always works out.

Welcome to the world, little Ella. I can't wait to spoil you along with your big brother!

What's Been Going On?

So I dropped off from blogging regularly for a week because life got a little in the way, but I'm back in full force now. AND...I have some exciting news. After lots of consideration, planning, and thought I am making the official jump to Brownie Knits full time!!! It is scary and exciting.

After working at a company for 16 years, I can tell you it wasn't an easy decision to make. I've learned so much from my job and built so many valuable relationships. Everybody has been so supportive of my leap of faith into my knitting business. The first few days I was super freaked out by the thought of the decrease in a regular pay check, the daily interaction with people, the "what your supposed to do" with your life, etc. After about a day and half, that voice of fear was replaced with full on excitement.

Right now, I'm in the planning stage and have all these ideas to explore. I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to follow my passion. Without the support and encouragement of PK, this wouldn't be possible. I thank the world every day that he came into my life and believes in me so much. I hope you will all continue on this journey with me, too. HERE WE GO!!!!!