I'm going to be a grandma!

I am 46 years old and my 21 year old son broke the news to me a few months ago that his girlfriend is pregnant. I was a little apprehensive at first, because I felt that they were both too young, but it wasn't my decision and they have to live with whatever decision they make. I can only support them as much as I can and be there when they need me.

I have to admit the idea of being a grandma has grown on me quite a bit. It's actually pretty exciting. I can't wait for my little grand baby to get here. They found out last month that it's a boy and he is due to arrive in August!

I've told the kids that I don't want to be called Grandma, that I'd prefer be called Mimi (it's what my son called me when he was little). I'm looking forward to being a Mimi, When I think about it I get this happy feeling bubbling up inside me and I smile that secret smile of all grandmothers!

The best part of being a grandma is all the knitted or crochet items I can make for my grandson that I didn't get to make for my son (because I didn't know how to knit back then and my crochet skills were no where near what they are today). He will have so many cute items from his Knitter Mama Mimi that his parents will get sick of them!!!!

I already have a teddy bear that I made a few years ago (I told myself I was saving this for my grand baby when I made it - who knew I would be giving it so soon.):

And he will of course have hats and booties. I just discovered how to make crochet rattles. I have a kit that I can make my own teething rings and pacifier clips. He will also of course get a baby blanket from his Mi Mi - it's my specialty, like the one I made for a friend who had her baby in February:

Monogrammed Baby Blanket

My son already put in a request for a baby blanket with the baby's first initial (J for Jermaine). Of course I am happy to make this - he is my grandson after all and he deserves it.

I read an article on the "Do's and Don'ts for First Time Grandmas", I want to make sure that I don't overstep my bounds with my son and his girlfriend. I don't want to be alienated from them and not get to spend time with my new grand baby. I already feel like I should tell them everything I learned along the way - what I did right and even what I did wrong. I didn't have my mom there to help me when my son was born so it was hard being a single parent with only a small support group (my Dad, my brother, and his paternal grandmother). But I made it and my son is no worse for wear!

I'd love to hear from some grandma's out there and how they love being a grandma and for this first time grandma I could really use some tips to help me along the way!

Happy Knitting!!!

Summer is almost here, what are you knitting?

Now that the warm weather is getting here, many of us knitters put away the wools and wool blends and change over to the cottons and cotton blends to create lighter weight garments and accessories. What are some of the items you like to make during the warmer months?

Me I am getting ready for the my local Farmers Markets. I'm making a wide range of new items and bringing back some of my popular items to sell at the Kent Farmers Market in August and the Auburn International Farmers Market in September.

I'm looking forward to these markets once again. I took a long hiatus from doing summer shows and now I'm back. I've decided to do more items that are geared for the warmer weather, such as baby items in cotton (sun hats and booties), hair/headbands, felted dryer balls, market bags, bottle totes, cotton frisbees, hacky sacks, assorted key chains, baby rattles and bibs, pacifier clips, i-cord bracelets, potholders and dishcloth sets, cup cozies, pocket slippers, kitchen/bath scrubbers, swiffer covers, and baby blocks.

Here are some of my items that I've made so far:

Owl rattles

Crochet headbands

Froggie key chain

Owl key chain

Bunny rattle

Cotton frisbees

Hacky sacks

Felted dryer balls

Pacifier clip

Share some of your warmer weather items I'd love to hear from you and happy knitting!

On the Yarn Train to Portland

Up at 3:30 a.m. to be on time to my friend Keisha's house by 5:15 a.m., so that we can get the bus to the light rail to downtown Seattle King Street Station, so that we can catch the Amtrak Yarn Train to Portland.

This was my first foray on the yarn train and my trusty navigating sidekick was with me (Keisha - who I don't know what I would have done without her) so I knew I was going to have a good day.

We arrived at King Street station and ran into knit-buddy Carrie and her friends who were also taking the 7:25 a.m. train to Portland - FUN TIMES!

At the King Street Station with some friends (me in the middle)

After arriving in Portland (Union Station), Keisha mapped out our travel for the day. And off we went.

First stop was Northwest Wools. Nice little shop and I bee-lined it to the big display of Madelintosh - I didn't buy any but it was nice to just feel the softness of the yarn and see all the beautiful colors. I did end up buying some Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton in red and orange and a discounted notions bag by the Knitting Bee.

Next stop, Pearl Fiber Arts. Really liked this shop, ended up buying some Cotton Classic Lite from Tahki Yarns in white for the penguin bag charm/keychains I'm making.

Lion Brand Amigurumi Penguin

Next stop, Knit Purl. I bought a new knitting bag, which I love, but it was more out of necessity than wanting a new bag - the bag I brought along to carry my belongings was on the verge of ripping, so new Knit Purl bag it is! Also, here I was eyeing this really beautiful yarn that was super soft (Alpha B Yarn - Sexy B) I didn't see any colors that I was in love with, so I noted the yarn and decided I would maybe buy some at a later date.

Last stop, Dublin Bay Knitting Company. I talked myself out of buying the Cascade Superwash that was going to use for a gift for my brother and his wife who are having twins. I really liked this shop. It was very quaint and I really loved their displays.

We made it to 4 out of the 7 shops on the tour, because I was just too pooped to go any further, so we went to Powell's Books instead. And this is what I call a bookstore, we didn't spend too much time here because we wanted to make sure we made it back in time to catch the 6:50 p.m. train home.

So on our way back to the train station we thought we would stop for some doughnuts - Voodoo Doughnuts of course!

Me (left) and Keisha (right)

But after seeing how long the line was we decided it probably wasn't a good idea, we didn't want to miss our train. We walked back to the train station and settled on ice-cream instead, yes I know, not the same as a Voodoo Doughnut but what could we do. No sooner did we sit down to enjoy our ice-cream, we both received a text message on our phones that the 6:50 p.m. train was delayed to 7:30 p.m.! We were so upset, we could have totally waited in the line at Voodoo and got a doughnut instead - Oh well maybe next time!

Our train left and we headed home - I didn't reach my lovely bed until 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning! All-in-all a great trip, I can't wait to do it again next year....with my trusty navigator Keisha of course.

Getting Down to the Wire

It's only 7 days until Christmas and I haven't finished hardly any of my gift knitting. I will definitely be late again this year.

I'm currently working on a pair of socks for my niece. They are the cutest socks I've made so far:



I Heart Toe Up Socks by Wendy D. Johnson

My list includes this year:

Washington:
Sister - hasn't decided what she wants & Boyfriend - purple beanie
Nephew - black hat and scarf
Niece - socks (above)

Maryland:
Sister - cowl
2 Nieces - maybe socks or slippers
2 Nephews - hats

New York:
Sister - scarf
Nephew & Girlfriend - stockings (personalized with names)
Grandniece - matching stocking
Grandnephew - matching stocking

Virginia
Brother & Girlfriend - matching stockings (personalized)

Texas:
Sister & Husband - socks
2 Nephews - Texas Longhorn headband and socks

As you can see my list is long and I've only started on a pair of socks for my niece last weekend.

I did see this cool wrapping paper of a knitted Santa, that is being shared on Facebook which is only sold in the UK. I liked it so much I made my own chart from it and I'm sharing it with all of you. I hope you can get some use from it. I think I will be making some stockings with it.

 

I'm jealous of all of you who have finished your gift knitting, for those of you who are still knitting, good luck, I hope you get done in time!

Happy knitting, and if you get a chance come share your gift knitting here or on my Facebook page.

Giving Handmade Only This Year

I've decided to go all handmade this year. I pledge to not buy any store bought gifts this year. All my family and friends will get a knit or crochet item from me.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I made my list of who I'm giving gifts to and ideas on what I could make for them. I'm finding it fun to try to figure out what would be a good gift for each. I'm trying to base my selections on the person's personality and what I know of them from what they wear or shown interest in when I post on my Facebook page.

I've gotten a few orders from a few friends and co-workers, like four hats for my friend Judith who needs them for her three boys and husband. Two co-workers want a Seahawks 12th Man hat that I designed.

Another co-worker wants a pair of the Pocketbook Slippers for her son. I made a pair as an example to see how they were made and how they would fit and brought them to work to show off to friends and immediately got a request for a pair. I really liked the ease of which these are made so I've decided to give them as gifts this year.

What are some of your handmade items this year? I'd love to hear from you.

Where has the time gone...the holidays are here again!

Do you find yourself wondering where the time went? I do, I feel like I was just enjoying the long hot summer and now already we are days away from Thanksgiving and a few short weeks away from Christmas! It's amazing how fast the time flies.

I did a lot of knitting this year, but I only signed up for a few shows. I'm hoping next year I will be able to get into more holiday shows. After taking a year off from the craft show and farmer's markets, I think I'm ready to get back into it. I will spend the next few months knitting/crocheting even more so that when spring and summer roll around I will have a nice selection of items to sell.

For this holiday season, I participated in the outdoor Renton Fall Festival in October, and it got completely rained out within a few hours. The rain and wind was so bad, I thought my canopy was going to blow away, even with the weights holding it down.

I also participated for the first time this year in the Emerald Downs Holiday Gift Festival on November 14th and 15th. It was a good experience considering it was my first time there. I didn't make as much as I thought I would, but I figure I'll try again next year and see what happens. My biggest seller were my lip balm key chains. I made a few in the Seahawks colors and I sold almost all of them.

On Saturday, November 21st I will be at the 6th Annual Pre-Black Friday Holiday Bazaar at Renton Technical College from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Some items you will see at this event are:

Skull and Crossbones Headband 100% Acrylic

 

Flower embellished headbands
Grey 100% Acrylic
Maroon 75% Acrylic, 25% Wool

Hat & Fingerless Mitts Set
100% Merino Wool

Pint-Sized Pine Cone Ornaments

Holiday Ball Ornaments

So come on out and get your holiday shopping done early, there will be handcrafted items that will make wonderful unique holiday gifts. Check out the list of vendors that will be there. Also, go to the Facebook page for more information at Pre-Black Friday Holiday Bazaar.

Holidays are over, what are you knitting?

The holiday season is over and what are you knitting? Usually around this time, I'm taking stock of my inventory, but since I didn't do any production knitting last year I really don't have much stock to inventory.

A few weeks before Christmas, I sent out an email letting friends and family know that I had product that I wanted to let go of and so I let them pick through the items I still had on hand and let them take whatever they wanted so they could give them as gifts to their friends and family. Whatever was left over, I decided I would give to charity. I spent a few hours scouring the web to find charities that would take hats and cowls that I didn't sell. I found one on twitter that actually contacted me last year, called Emily's Hats for Hope. Emily is trying to reach a goal of 25,000 hats this year and I am happy to help her with her goal.

Now I'm starting fresh with my inventory and I've already began stocking up again with new items:

Hat/Cowl 2-in-1. Made using Lion Brand Heartland
in colorway called 126 Sequoia

Malabrigo Neck Thingie and Malabrigo Hand Thingies by
Anne Sahakian. Made using Lion Brand Landscapes

Baby Set (0-3 mos.) Apple Blossom Cardigan by Sarah Franklin,
Fleegle's Seamless Saartje Booties by SusanGlinert Stevens,
and Eyelet Baby Hat, by Brigitte Lang

These are few of the types of new items I will have available in my Etsy store. I'm looking forward to this coming year because I am also gearing back up to get into some new shows. I have been checking online to find local shows that I can sign up for. Once I have my applications submitted I will announce here and on my Facebook page where I will be for 2015.

Leave a comment to tell me what you are working on now that the holidays are behind us. And here's wishing you a happy new year and happy knitting!