Finished objects! And some news...

Roll up, roll up! We got finished objects here!

And some news... but I'll leave that to the end...

First up, we have my little yarn monster, inspired by Henry Watts, Esq. His adventures with the humans he lives with with may be followed here, at "A Little Bit Of Happy". I can recommend tripping over there to catch up on Henry's exploits, and urge all and sundry to put a vote in for the fabulous "Henry" t-shirt being modelled as of June 30. I'm certainly not pretending that young Ruby-Lou here is even in Henry's league, but I certainly did try with this striped hussy! The original post where I documented starting her can be seen here.Next on the chopping block (literally, I think), we have the hat I knit for WonderBoy. As I mentioned, I'm a little unhappy with the way it turned out, or more specifically, unhappy with the somewhat gargantuan size of my son's beautiful head. I still haven't washed and blocked it, so you'll have to see it as it stands right now, so to speak. I am happy with the yarn I used (a good, basic, cheap, 100% wool from my local craft chain shop), and I do like the way the colours worked out...And then... the hat I was working on for WWKIP. It's a little larger than I'd have planned, but let's face it, I'd rather a hat be a bit big rather than a bit small! I used a lovely pattern on Ravelry, called "Robin's Egg Blue Hat", by Rachel Iufer. The only thing left to add is a big button on the brims where they overlap, but since I haven't yet got around to finding a suitable button, I'm just wearing the bugger anyway. Meh.We also have a new sock, started so I'd have something to knit on a Preschool excursion to Sydney a couple of weeks ago. I'm using Regia Galaxy, and knitting the Yarn Harlot's "Plain Vanilla Sock Recipe". No issues with the sock and the pattern, but I'm a little disheartened with the fact that it just doesn't seem to be knitting up in the beautiful Saturn's Rings type pattern that I was anticipating. Ah, well... we'll see how we go.Since the Drape Cardigan and I are having a trial separation, I've taken up with the beautiful, gorgeous, almost edible Handmaiden Casbah 'Paris', and started the "Branching Out" lace scarf by Susan Lawrence. This is how far I'd got as of June 28.Then WonderBoy decided to bring it to me. "Look, Mummy... big ball!" My heart sank as my eyes followed the thread of yarn as it left the kitchen, wrapped around his little table and chair set as it wound its way into the family room. Bless him, it wasn't his fault; he was just bringing it to me... but the needle had slipped about half the stitches and I just couldn't salvage it and get them back on... so we took a trip to frogsville, just me and the scarf. sigh. When I cast on again, it will be the third time I've attempted this scarf. Someone up there doesn't want me to get this done!

Some stash shots:

This delightful raspberry concoction (modelled by a cranky-looking Luna) is merino/cashmere sock yarn, handpainted by 'The Knittery' in Victoria, and purchased through the lovely people at the Wool Shack. With this yarn, I shall be joining the Clapotis club - I was feeling a little left out!And this is be a ginormous ball of my own handspun! I *think* I've worked the weight out to mean that I'll need 5mm needles (yes, I swatched!!), and I have a cabled scarf planned for this stuff. I figure now is a good enough time to try learning to cable!

And the big news?

Pete and I are expecting another wee knitter in the family! I'm twelve weeks gone, with a due date for our little friend set on or around January 13 2009. Should be fun! I'll add a ticker to the blog in the next couple of days... should I actually drag my lazy butt back here to get it done!

Birth is a lengthy, difficult process

My poor, poor yarn monster. There is a body - I should say she has a body, ready to go, arms and legs are knit and awaiting stuffing. I know it sounds indelicate, but it is quite necessary for a well-rounded and functional Yarn Monster appendage. All these essential parts are ready to go, and yet, she is still sitting in the bottom of the paper bag from whence her yarn came.

I'm a bad mother, aren't I?

I decided she will be a she. I'm aiming for her to be a potential Antipodean internet-yarn-monster-love-interest for a young, dashing Yarn monster known as Henry Watts, Esq. Pressure much? You may read of Henry's exploits here, at A Little Bit Of Happy. I'm nervous for her, though. What if he never realises she even exists*? Her little woolen heart might break.

Ah, but what to name the wee lass? I'm getting the feeling with the flashy, 'come hither' stripes that this Yarn Monster girlie will be a bit of a hussy, so I've decided to figure out a way to knit her some big, lolly-pink lips. These two planned characteristics have had me thinking of potential names. Ruby is the standout for me at the moment, but I wonder if there will be something more suitable? When she is complete, I may post a list of suggestions and let it come down to an online vote.

And along the somewhat dubious segue that is the topic of 'birth', now would be a good time to say Happy New Year! (see where I went there? Birth of the new year? 2008? Good, you're on the same page. This is encouraging.) I hope everyone has enjoyed the celebrations - I know I did; we took Wonderboy down the coast to Austinmer today for a swim. Conditions were too rough to go in properly, but the weather was lovely and he enjoyed digging in the sand and paddling in the "Big Bath" as he described it, until the poor little bloke was knocked base over apex when a larger wave whooshed up the sand. I hauled him out, spluttering and yelling, but when he calmed a bit, he asked to be put down in the water again. Back on the horse that threw him. Here he is, expressing the patented Wonderboy 'sheer joy of existence' that he does so well:

And, before I leave you all; here is the reason for the birth of the young Yarn Monster being put on hiatus - Secret Baby Project. I'll just show some nondescript shots here, so as not to give the game away... I'm motoring along with it - literally; it's car knitting (read: plain boring garter stitch knitting) at the moment so I can GET IT DONE!!!



*I do see the irony in me being upset that Henry Watts, Esq may never know she exists, since right now, she as an entire 'Yarn Being' literally doesn't exist.