This has been the craziest week. I just feel like I can't catch up, and I haven't really done much knitting at all. Work has been super busy, I had to write a paper for my MBA class (have another one to write for Wednesday too) and I've just been low-energy. I haven't had anything to blog either. You ever have one of those weeks where the whole thing goes by as a blur, and you don't know what you did all week? If so, you know how I feel about this week.
However, last night I had a Partylite show and it was a lot of fun. I had about 14 people over, some of whom I hadn't seen in a long time, so that was great. Oh, and contrary to my previous assertion, I will be caving in on the no-Christmas-knitting and will be knitting TWO gifts for Christmas. I found out that cousin Tracy's daughters McKenna (age 4) and Mia (age 3) have been attracting LOTS of attention with their handknit gifts when they wear them to preschool.
A little bit about each of them, as they are so different.
McKenna is totally my girl; she's super smart, alpha-girl, (not conceited either - LOL) likes wearing her handknits but apparently especially likes talking about ME and how I made them for her. Here she is wearing the Fame sweater from Rowan Babies that I made for her last year:
Tracy said that she tells all her teachers at school about me and loves wearing her sweaters and telling her teachers that I made them for her. One of her teachers came outside when Tracy picked them up from school specifically to tell her that she loved McKenna's sweater (above) and jokingly told her what size she (the teacher) was for her "sweater order".
I am a really bad second cousin though (feel more like an aunt as Tracy and her brothers are more like Jim's siblings than cousins) because Jim and I don't get over to see her too often, so I am really touched that I make this huge impression on her. It is so interesting for someone like me that isn't around kids much to see what they pick up on and how they will idolize some older people so much (in my case, undeservedly so! as I haven't seen her since last month at the 50-year anniversary celebration for my MIL/FIL - her great-aunt and uncle.) Anyway, it was very sweet to hear this so now I will definitely be making her a new sweater.
So, any suggestions for cute patterns? She just turned four and I think she is tall and average to thin for her age. Her favorite color is purple.
McKenna's younger sister, Mia, is a total girly-girl with a little tiny high voice (she used to refer to herself in the third person, like "Mia wants this" or "Mia likes this" - it was cute) and so I had made her the "Dress Me Up" dress from the Yarn Girls' Guide to Kid Knits. She is a total fashionista already and loves to wear the dress all the time, in contrast to the reaction last Christmas when she received it and didn't want to try it on for us.
So I'm thinking I may make her the Bounce skirt this year as I bought this pattern a while back. Her favorite color is pink, so I will try to find a cool pink color for her.
Anyway, this is how I came to be knitting TWO Christmas gifts this year. Mia's twin brother Noah will be getting toys, as he looked very cute in his knits as well but expressed no interest in them whatsoever.
Typical boy. I'll take just turned-three-year-old boy suggestions for toys too, if you have 'em. I'm thinking totally online shopping this year so I'm going to start early.
Anyway, didn't mean to turn this into a Christmas gift knitting/kid post, but it just kind of happened that way. I'm hoping I will get the 2nd sleeve of Tree Jacket done this weekend so I'll have a FO to show you Monday, and I finished the body of Tempting, so I will start the sleeves on that after I get my size 7 16" circulars back from Tree Jacket. I tried to sew on the sushi for the sushi wallet yesterday at lunchtime, but didn't have a lot of luck with the yarn to sew with so I'm thinking I will use sewing thread instead.
Aah the kids are precious! I SO see how you got suckered in! I would have done the same thing :oD
Hope you can catch up with everything in life soon! Take it easy this weekend!
BTW - I used to do the whole Partylite thing too! So dangerous! I know only do tarts and oils when I burn scents :o)
Posted by: Stacey_CrimsonPurl | October 26, 2007 at 10:57 AM
I feel you on the crazy week! I get those all the time :) Hope you get some relaxation in this weekend! How *sweet* that Mia and McKenna love their handknits so much (and you)! I can see why you caved ;) Can't wait to see what you make them. Get some rest and have a great weekend!
Posted by: Maryanne | October 26, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Oh, I miss my children being those sizes. . . What great ages to knit for!
And I couldn't help noticing the baby doll --- all naked and looking lovingly at Mia. Knit layette, anyone?
Posted by: Kim | October 26, 2007 at 11:29 AM
I am madly in love with this pattern, and if I can find enough colours of an appropriate gauge of washable yarn, I'm making two for a friend who's adopting twins:
http://www.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=138024
It might work for your little purple girl.
As for two-turning-three, I've found that across the board, they don't yet "get" presents, but they love opening stuff. For my youngest nephew's third birthday, I went to Wal-Mart and bought a random assortment of balls, cars, a cowboy hat, a punching-bag clown and odd little stocking-stuffer sorts of things. There were a dozen items, they cost me $20 and he's never been happier.
p.s. -- if you run across appropriate, washable, many-colours yarn for the pinwheel, please let me know.
Posted by: Marin | October 26, 2007 at 12:03 PM
I have no clue on pattern suggestions but if I run across something I will certainly let you know! :-)
Posted by: adrienne | October 26, 2007 at 12:34 PM
I second the pinwheel jacket recommendation. Very diva-ey. And, since I love to enable the enabler, I think you should make Noah a Wonderful Wallaby hoodie. Don't leave the poor boy out!
Posted by: Jenny | October 26, 2007 at 01:17 PM
That is so sweet that they love their hand knits! Have you thought about Starsky Jr.(at http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTstarskyjr.html) for the older girl? It would be really cute.
Glad to hear your doing well this week, I was getting worried about you!
Posted by: Monica | October 26, 2007 at 02:20 PM
If price is no object, the kids sweater kits from Morehouse Farms are adorable. Also, the yarn is a treat to knit with. I've made a couple of special baby gifts from those kits, but the sweaters/scarves/hats for older kids are just as cute. These aren't cheap, and you can't throw the garments in the washer (but they're handwashable). The instructions are very clear. I have problems with measurements for kids, so I've relied on theirs.
Do something relaxing over the weekend.
Posted by: marjorie | October 26, 2007 at 04:15 PM
Have you ever thought about the classic cat sweater from Vogue Knitting; my kids who are now in college still recollect their sweaters. It's a rather timeless design.
Posted by: Cathy J | October 26, 2007 at 07:12 PM
My daughter loves her 'Bounce' skirt, and she also adores the 'Skirtsicle' Pattern over at MagKnits. All the girls at Pre-school want one! Have you checked out 'Drive-Thru' over at Knit and Tonic?
Posted by: Shannon O. | October 26, 2007 at 09:24 PM
What cute kids! The way you knit, you could totally knock out the kids knits so quickly!
Posted by: tiennie | October 26, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Seems like you wound up with good post anyway! You always do;) I remember that sweater well, and you don't have to see the kids every day to make an impression! They felt the love from the handknits! What a great story :)
Posted by: Carol | October 27, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Yup, I caved too!!
Posted by: Heather | October 27, 2007 at 02:04 PM
i KNOW EXCACTLY HOW YOU FEEL! I had the same kind of week myself and next week will be more of the same! I too am only knitting 2 Christmas gifts, both for my little niece!
Posted by: Michelle | October 27, 2007 at 02:32 PM
no suggestions for knits sorry, but they are sure cute!
I totally know what you mean by time flying by and not even being sure what you've been doing! Glad you're back!
Posted by: Bobbi | October 28, 2007 at 09:21 AM
I LOVE that Rowan sweater! Did you blog about it? I don't remember it....but it is so cute! That is so sweet that McKenna adores you. Doesn't that feel good? It is funny to see how you (or others) can make such an impression on children. They really are drawn to certain people and certain personalities. The little dress is cute too. I thought about knitting it for Sophie but I think the Stockinette would drive me nuts!
Posted by: Lara | October 28, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Hey, while your at it...knit something for the naked dolly in the tub!
** and little boys loooooove finger puppets, especially hand knit finger puppets.
You're sucha good Auntie :)
Posted by: Susan | October 28, 2007 at 11:05 PM
Yeah you caved. But at least they are for little bodies. So they should go fast!
Posted by: Jeanine | October 30, 2007 at 09:06 AM