I'm pregnant, I am allowed to complain.

Ok, so this has nothing to do with knitting. I'll try to come up with a knitting photo to throw in somewhere...

I complain alot, especially lately...pregnancy brings that out in you. I just have a hard time understanding people and how their brains work. People make really bad choices...and then you would think that others would learn from these mistakes...but no, they don't.

Take for instance fireworks. I don't get the whole "let's go set off some fireworks" thinking. I don't understand why they are legal to sell to anyone who wants to light one up...doesn't make sense. Are people not injured while doing this...especially because they seem to always have a beer in one hand and a lighter in the other. The Canadian memorial day holiday was this past weekend, better known as the May 2-4 weekend. Evidently this is when everyone stocks up on their fireworks to annoy all their neighbours. Here in my lovely neighbourhood, they set them off in the back AND front yards. Daylight or twilight...doesn't matter...the bigger the bang the more enjoyable. Especially when you are trying to watch the final episode of LOST...I love the background noises of gun shots out your window. Those of us who are not drinking beer don't seem to find these fireworks as entertaining.
Why don't you save the money you would have spent on the beer and the fireworks and fly to Disney and see real pyrotechnics...instead of annoying your pregnant neighbours from 8pm until midnight.

Just in case you have more faith in people than I do...here is another example of complete and utter stupidity.
I was on my way into the bank yesterday morning when I notice a car parked in the handicap spot with a baby seat in the front seat. Yes, very stupid. It has been proven that children in car seats are safest in the back seat. Well, that wasn't even the stupid part....THERE WAS A BABY IN THE CAR SEAT! Yes, that's right. Some complete idiot left an infant in the car, in the heat, with the windows done up (not that a cracked window would make them any smarter) in the mall parking lot. I couldn't believe my eyes. I did a double take and when I realized what I saw, I walked back to the car in complete disbelief. The baby was sleeping and I saw it move it's head. I knew exactly what was going on...some idiot went into the bank machine area and left their child in the car. I run to the mall doors and there was no idiot at the bank machine. I run back to the car and pull out my phone and start to dial the police when the IDIOT comes out of the mall. He was starring me down so I knew it was him...and started screaming at him...yes, picture the pregnant lady throwing a fit in the middle of the parking lot. He didn't care. He actually was getting pretty upset with me telling me to mind my own business and "he could do whatever he wants, just like I can do whatever I want." Yeah, that was what I was dealing with. I suddenly was fearing my safety...this guy was pretty scary looking. He sped off in the car...and in all that I never got his license plate. I feel so guilty about this, I could have taken a photo of it...but it was just all so unbelievable. I spotted a mall cop and gave him a description of the vehicle, in case he was going to park somewhere around the mall...and go shopping while the child is in the car.
So, not only am I writing this to voice my complaint in regards to some idiots who live here...but to inform those of you who do not know what the consequences of doing this would be.
15 minutes is all it takes to kill a child left in a hot car...window open or not.
Here you can find the Canadian public safety warning.
There are actual laws against leaving your child in a car unattended for even a minute. Hot or cold weather, it is illegal.
Lock your vehicles because many unattended children get into unlocked parked cars (no joke, search it online) and get seriously injured or die.
Install your car seats correctly and in the back seat of your vehicle. (many people I see driving around with the baby car seat handle up, it usually needs to be in the down position to lock it into the base)
Be smart...and more observant as I...I should have called the police anyway with his plate number...he will probably do it again.
I need to move.

FYI mall parking lots and casinos are the most common area where people leave their children in cars...can you believe that!

Rowan Kids Jackson

Denim yarn. Love it or hate it.

It's sometimes hard enough to figure out size and get gauge for your project...adding in shrinking the finished garment to size is enough to scare off most knitters.
After all your work, you then have to put the finished garment in the washer AND dryer and hope it comes out in one piece.
Well, this knitter is here to tell you that it is not as difficult as it sounds.

I won't lecture you on the importance of swatching. I will be the first to admit I don't swatch for things like socks...but sweaters are a must. ESPECIALLY if you need a before and after washing gauge. I did have difficulty getting gauge on my swatch, but that was all my fault. I should have cast on more than the 4" because my gauge does loosen up on larger pieces. Knowing this, I went with the tighter gauge (yes I made two swatches and washed both) and was fine. I am quite satisfied with the finished garment...



Started: April 6, 2010
Finished: May 3, 2010
Yarn: Rowan denim colour #65 dark blue. I knit the 8-10 size which called for 8 skeins, but ended up needing a 9th to make the neckbands.
Pattern: Jackson by Sarah Hatton in the new Rowan Kids book.
Adjustments: None. I knit as written. The pattern is easy to follow.

The style of the sweater is longer sleeves...but I think they are a little too long. I also knit the 8-10 size for Lucca to wear in the fall...but it fits now. He is average size and wears a size 8...so you may want to knit a bigger size than the child wears.
He looks so cute in this sweater. The denim really softened up after washing and feels quite comfortable. (no complaints from him, and trust me he would have told me right away).



I haven't knit anything for the boys in a long time. He picked out the pattern and the yarn colour, so I know he will wear it.

He is especially excited that it is off to Shall We Knit for display and will most likely make it to the Downtown Knit Collective this weekend in Toronto!

Thank you all for you kind comments on my sewing and the little garter yolk cardigan. To answer a question, the bag does "stand up" on it's own due to all the interfacing and the peltex!

Blue buttons!

There has been lots of knitting and sewing for me lately. I wouldn't say my mojo is really back in full force, yet, but it's trickling in. I've just been really lazy about blogging it all!

First up is a little sewing.
I've done some sewing back in the day but with little knowledge or skill. I get by with following pattern instructions and the sewing hints given in them...usually accompanied by lots of frustration.
In surfing the net I came across this Amy Butler sewing book. Such cute patterns for babies. I decided to tackle a diaper bag. Luckily many knitters have interests and skills in sewing...and luckily I have a great knitting friend who not only has these skills but she also has a plethera (yes, many, many, many) of sewing machines:)
Off to a local quilting store a few of us went...to find that perfect fabric.

I treated myself to some Amy Butler fabric, in gender neutral colours. I bought everything on the list...not even knowing what half of it was...and made plans for sewing!
Under Lise's watchful eye and learning some of her skills, I came out with this:



It is the perfect size for baby things...and some knitting things! Some nice big pockets to hold diapers...and yarn.



To finish it all off...I had left some extra fabric lying around Lise's house...and the next time I was over I magically had a set!



She made me a matching little knitting project bag! Thanks Lise!

I have also managed to finish up a little baby sweater. A simple knit in a basic colour. Every baby needs a neutral cardigan in their wardrobe.



Started: Feb 25, 2010
Finished: March 2010
Pattern: Garter Yolk Baby Cardi by Jennifer Hoel
Yarn: Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino in beige/stone. I made the 6 months size and I believe I used a little of a third ball.
Adjustments: I chose to knit a garter button band, which worked out perfectly. Of course you noticed the buttons...



Cute little blue bus buttons...yes blue. Another boy!