The Sweatshop of Lovers Blog

I finished Grandma’s hat!

And I had maybe 10 yards of yarn to spare. I was cutting it close and getting nervous.

Cable Crazy

I changed my mind about it, too. I think she will really like it! She has a very smiliar hat that she has been wearing for years, only ribbed and not cabled. Cables are so much better than ribs. So, it isn’t baige. But it is a similar tint… oh who knows. I like it. I might even knit myself one of these with the left over blue yarn from my sweater jacket I put on hold for this hat.

I caught up with my friend Shannon who is about to give birth to her second child and I got inspired to Amigurumi her first child Natalie a duck.

Duck Parts

I knit a blanket for the new baby back in October for my Baby Class. I was getting ready to mail it out but figured I should throw something in the box for the unsuspecting big sister. I’ll finish him up this weekend and mail the hat to Grandma, the blanket and Duck to Shannon, and then finally get back to my sweater. It has been sitting on my work tablel for five days now, patiently waiting for another sleeve. Sleeve number two is just one duck away!

And just a little reminder to you reading procrastinators: Book Club meets Monday at 7pm! Take the weekend to finish our book! I can’t wait to talk to you all about it.

Grandma’s hat is coming along!

To Row 35

Group classes tonight and tomorrow, but I think I’m going to work on the sweater. This pattern is complicated! And we chat so much, and I help with patterns and run around like a crazy person. It is a pain when I mess this up and have to take it out. With the sweater I’m just knitting the second sleave, which is super easy. Eh, I’ll risk it. I want to show it off! And get it done.

Chinese Dinner

I’m sad this picture turned out dark, but that is veggie crazy fried rice (red pepper, carrots, broccoli, red onion, and mushrooms) and store bought egg rolls. Amazing! And only cost about $6, for four meals, $4 of which were the egg rolls. I finished it for lunch, but could eat that exact meal again for dinner tonight.

Oh! And I chatted with my mom this afternoon and she was concerned that I make her sound like a crazy person. My mom isn’t crazy. My mom is great! My mom knit that amazing sweater and started on a vest already because she is so pumped about knitting clothes now that she knit that beautiful sweater.

(I hope you are happy now, Mom)

So I had to stop knitting my sweater and knit my grandma a hat. I had this hat in mind from the 2008 Holiday issue of Vogue Knitting that I really wanted to try. Very complicated looking and intricate with the cables and ribbing, and it will all be lost on my grandmother. In fact I can pretty much guarantee that she won’t like it. So what is the point? I want to knit it.

Grandma's Hat

I always say don’t knit for non knitters, and if you do keep it simple. I’m going against my own rule in this case because it is just a hat, it will be a beautiful hat, and I’ve never knit a tam before, but I don’t think I will look good in it, but I want to knit it anyway. I might as well have someone to knit it for, even if it is someone who won’t appreciate it, or even probably like it.

One Down, One to Go

I did finish a sleeve of my sweater, though, and it is turning out really beautifully. I also went ahead and bought the yarn for my sweater dress. More Carron Simply Soft in dark red. I am an idiot, though, and thought I needed 29 inch size 4s, but I already have them! I don’t remember ever using 29 inch size 4s before. I hate 4s! They are tiny! I thought for sure I would need to buy one.

While I was home I got to scope out my mom’s sweater. Please keep in mind that this is her FIRST sweater. First sweater ever! And I practically had to scream at her until she started it. I forced her to buy the yarn, I forced her to realize she understood the pattern.

Mommy Back

And now she has a beautiful sweater.

(cute cameos in that picture? Oliver my puppy, and PT in the kitchen)

Mommy Front

The left front still needs a button band, but look at how great that looks! My mom rocked it out! I’m exceedingly proud.

Mushroom Sandwich

On a completely different level I’m also exceedingly proud of this sandwich. I don’t like slimy veggies and therefore never order veggie sandwiches when I’m out at restaurants. Why can’t the veggies not be slimy? PT and I sauteed up some onions, mushrooms and green pepper and put it on homemade bread toasted in the oven with a few slices of melted pepper jack cheese on it, with sliced tomatoes. Not remotely slimy, ridiculously delicious and easy cheesy. So what the hell every restaurant in the world? Do this and watch the happy people line up to pay you $6 for it.

I can’t help but wonder, though, why everything that comes out of my crock pot ends up looking exactly the same?

Potato and Vegetable Curry (too much cumin seed)

Well it was bound to happen. And I know that I almost did it before, but…

but…

But it might be time for me to knit a dress.

I blame my mother, actually. She got me looking through all these old magazines I’ve collected over the years; I’ve got stacks and stacks of Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting Magazines and Knit Simples. She wants to knit a vest after her first sweater success. (I don’t make this shit up! My mom wanted to kick me out of her house when I wouldn’t her knit anything but a sweater. She yelled. She hit me a few times. And now? Now the woman can’t get enough. Pictures to come.)

So I’m glancing threw magazines and I come across this cute little dress. I flip by it because it is a dress and not a vest, but I keep thinking about it. I go back to it. I look at the pattern. I have my reservations – the skirt part of the dress is knit in a very annoying K1P1. Not as annoying as seed stitch, but you know. But the cowl is pretty. The sleeves are pretty. It would look really cute with tights. I could knit it in Carron Simply Soft.

But it is a dress? Who knits dresses?

The Sweatshop of Love knits dresses. So bring it on. As soon as I’m done with this:

Bottom Done!

I’m about to bind off the bottom section! I think I need one more skein of the Homespun and one more skein of the Carron Simply Soft in Blue, but I can get that this weekend and then see where we are. Its cute, right? I like how the Homespun stripped subtly. I love the blue with it! It is going to be a cute one.

This weekend PT and I are jetting off to Michigan for the weekend, before my weekends are spent sweater knitting with you all on Sunday mornings and my mom starts calling me to say that she forgets what I look like. I hope to get some good car knitting done. Because, and I hate to say it! but I’m excited about the dress. Gah!

Oat A Licious Bowl O Fun

And you know when I’m getting anxious for warm weather because I start throwing fruit into everything. Here is oatmeal with frozen peaches, grapes and cherries, oranges, raisins, almond slices and a sprinkle of brown sugar. If I squint I can’t see the snow on the ground and can imagine eating this fruity bowl on the back porch in my sweater dress.

First of all, PT got an Amigurumi Lion for Valentine’s Day!

PT's Lion

Look out for him to make an appearance on the website later today! My Amigurumi Class coming up in March, Mondays 16 and 23, needs a mascot, and as everyone knows Lions make great mascots! … right?

…right?

Valentine’s Day this year felt a lot like I imagine Thanksgiving does for normal, meat eating people every year. You eat until you want to die and then eat as much dessert as you can?

Peach and Raspberry Topped Pancakes

Making pancakes isn’t remotely special for us on a Saturday morning. No picture would be able to capture the amazing flavor combo created on the top of those clove, cinnamon and nutmeg pancakes. Sauteed raspberries and peaches! With potatoes, of course.

We ran out to Target between fatty fests, at least. And by ran I mean strolled, burning no calories in preparation for this:

Pizza Fondue Picnic

We toasted french bread and sliced veggies to dip it into hot pasta sauce and melted pepper jack cheese. I had a 3 month old food baby after that pile of bread and spicy cheese.

Peanut Butter Fondue Tummy Explosion

Note the empty plate behind the scene. We baby crock potted peanut butter, soy milk, brown sugar, and a few chocolate chips to create this hot fudgey peanut butter mess to dip marshmallows, graham crackers, and pretzle rods into. I had a food baby well into its third trimester by the time this plate was clean. PT had a three hour food nap while I finished up the first season of Friday Night Lights and felt my baby kick.

I also started over my sweater jacket. It was too holey. I started it over holding two strands together and am not very far. I’ll work on it tonight and report back this week. I like it better already, though.

Leftovers

Sunday we used the leftovers for good – trying to avoid another food baby. We made very delicious french bread pizzas! Velma didn’t move all day; Valentine’s took a lot out of her, too.

We had the crock pot rocking all day yesterday! We cooked up a spicy black bean soup that is delicious, and a butternut squash lentil soup.

Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup

It certainly doesn’t look like much, but I’ll be eating this all week! So good. The carrots got a little too mushy because this cooked overnight and I let it go about 10 hours. Next time I’ll add the carrots half way though the normal 8 hour cooking time so they keep their crunch.

Sweater Club Participant #5 signed up today after the newsletter went out! Three weeks! The Sweater Club makes my schedule look like it is out of control. March is going to be busy! I can’t wait!

I just got done sending out my latest newsletter, including the March class schedule! Check it out here.

I love writing newsletters! I would send one out every other day if I didn’t think it would annoy the crap out of everyone on my mailing list. If you aren’t on my mailing list email me and I’ll put you on it. And as always, email me to sign up for a class!

Wednesday night at toy class I got started on my Fitted Knits Sweater Jacket!

Lionbrand Homespun and Carron Simply Soft

It is knit yoke down! Which is interesting and something I’ve never tried before. I originally wanted to use two strands of the Homespun held together to get the fuzzy yarn look of the original yarn, but it was expensive. It is a little hole-ier than I would like it to be, so maybe I’ll knit more and decide to spring for the extra 3ish skeins of yarn. I’m going to keep going this weekend and see how it looks.

I mailed out the Valentine’s Day presents yesterday morning, of course forgetting to take a picture of Grandma’s bears. I think it is safe to post my mom’s duck!

Mommy's Duck

She doesn’t check the internet at home and that is where she is for Valentine’s weekend! I hope the packages get there tomorrow! Its cute, right?

Fried Rice

I made some fried rice for lunch this afternoon. SOMEHOW I had a lot of broccoli stalk. SOMEONE doesn’t like the stalk and I’m too crazy to throw it away. Thus, veggie fried rice with carrots, broccoli stalk, and tomato. Thanks, Lori, for the hot tip! Use cold rice! I put it in some butter and stir fry sauce and it was a great lunch. It gets me looking forward to summer when all I do is stir fry huge mixes of vegetables and eat them on my porch. Sigh.

PT and I, despite our apathy towards Valentine’s Day, have some special food on the menu for tomorrow that I will share with you soon. I don’t know how good it is going to look…(hint!)… but it will taste amazing and that is all that matters, even if you have a blog half dedicated to food.

Yay!

Done! It is slightly bigger than I would have liked, like maybe 10 stitches around too big, but other than that I’m in love.

Pretty

Not that I’m complaining, by any means, but of course I finish the sweater and it decides to be 65 degrees. But I’m going to wear it soon! It is very warm and soft and will be perfect for another two months, I’m sure.

Since finishing the sweater I’ve been working very hard on Valentines presents that I’m almost done with. I don’t want to ruin the Valentines Day surprise for anyone (PT and Mommy), I’ll save the pictures for next week. I’m also fashioning a class around what I’m making! Stay tuned.

I feel like I spent the entire weekend in the kitchen! Slaving over the crock pot making chili and curry.

Veggie Pot Pie

We knocked it out of the park with an impromptu veggie pot pie on Saturday night. I made a quick pie crust, and we threw in all the vegetables laying around in my fridge with a can of cream of celery soup. Don’t let the portion fool you! PT and I ate all but two pieces that night.

Toy Class tonight! I’ve got to print some patterns and get needles ready. I think I’m going to start knitting my Fitted Knits Sweater that I was supposed to knit for sweater class, but that I’m going to get a head start on. I love it and am excited! It has taken everything in me to get these Valentines presents done and not just tackle that sweater. Pictures to come! I ended up getting some fun yarn at Joann that I’m excited to show you.

Ok class time! And now all I want is a huge pot pie to stick my face in.

I’m really excited about Sweater Club! Starting Thursday, March 5th, every Thursday night and Sunday morning will be dedicated to sweater knitting! When you sign up for this class you get two months worth of classes – the full Sweater Club is $120, Thursday nights and Sunday mornings, the half Sweater Club is $75, one day a week.

So far three people have signed up! As added motivation for you to join us, here are their sweaters:

Brijeet's Sweater

Brijeet has chosen this cute cabled tunic-y sweater knit in a round tube, then picking up the sleves seperately.

Laura's Sweater

Laura is knitting this cute tunic sweater which also has picked up sleeves and bottom panels, with button sleeves.

Lori's Sweater

And Lori’s sweater is this beautiful patterned cardigan. She wants a hood so we are going to extend the neckline up for a big, roomy hood.

We are picking out more inexpensive yarn to use as well. Brijeet’s sweater calls for baby alpaca, for instance, and god knows she isn’t buying 14 skeins of that. Laura found a great yarn on Knitpicks.com that is less than half the price of the yarn her sweater calls for and is very close to the same blend.

My sweater for sweater club?

My Sweater

Also out of Fitted Knits (where Laura found her sweater, and one of my favorite knit pattern books), this fun cardigan just has to be mine. I’m probably going to end up starting it early, since my lace and colorwork sweater is almost finished! I’m seaming the arms today! I’m going to use Lionbrand Homespun Yarn for the fuzzy inside, I think two strands held together, and Carron Simply Soft for the contrast yarn. I’m going to take advantage of the 50 degree weather tomorrow by walking over to Joanns and picking it all up! I’m excited to get started.

I also came to a realization yesterday. I’ve been trying to eat my pasta and veggie meals out of my biggest bowl, and it just doesn’t work anymore. I put in too many vegetables. I finally gave up.

Mixing Bowl

I used my smallest mixing bowl for my lunch. Normally I think it is bad to have to eat out of a mixing bowl, but when the problem is that I can’t decide which vegetable to mix with my pasta so I chose all of them – carrot, broccoli, green pepper – not to mention black beans. Maybe I need bigger bowls? Just so I don’t have to say I eat out of a mixing bowl.

Breakfast for Dinner!

And my favorite thing, breakfast for dinner, happened last night! I mixed up some amazing veggie filled omelets – corn, tomato, green pepper, onion, and black beans – with very crispy, onion and garlicy potatos. My mommy sent me home with a dozen eggs after our Michigan trip last week, and it was about time we used some up.

So sign up for Sweater Club! I’ll help you pick out a sweater and the less-expensive version of the yarn you need and we will knit it in two months. Email me with questions!

I really can’t think of a better way to start off the new Sweatshop blog than by knitting Happy Poos.

Happy/Sad Poos!

Please note that this pattern is my knitted version of the crocheted Happy Poo Pattern by Puchitomato.

Finished Measurements: Height 3 1/4 inches, Width 2 1/4 inches

Materials: Any brown worsted weight yarn

Size 4 double pointed needles

Fiberfill

Extra yarn for face

Directions:

Be sure to stuff Happy/Sad Poo as you go!

CO 6 sts and divide evenly.

Rnd 1: Inc 1 st around, 12

Rnd 2: [K1, Inc1] around, 18

Rnd 3: [K2, Inc1] around, 24

Rnd 4: [K3, Inc1] around, 30

Rnd 5: K all sts

Rnd 6: [K4, Inc1] around, 36

Rnd 7: K all sts

Rnd 8: [K4, K2tog] around, 30

Rnd 9: K all sts

Rnd 10: [K3, K2tog] around, 24

Rnd 11: [K2, K2tog] around, 18

Rnd 12: [K1, K2tog] around, 12

Rnd 13: [K1, Inc1] around, 18

Rnd 14: [K1, Inc1] around, 24

Rnds 15-17: K all sts

Rnd 18: [K2, K2tog] around, 18

Rnd 19: K all sts

Rnd 20: [K1, K2tog] around, 12

Rnd 21: K2tog around, 6

Rnd 22: Inc 1 st around, 12

Rnd 23: [K1, Inc1] around, 18

Rnd 24: K all sts

Rnd 25: [K1, K2tog] around, 12

Rnd 26: K2tog around, 6

Rnd 27: K all sts

Finish stuffing. Cut yarn and pull through remaining sts, secure. Make up the face on the bottom poo lump with scrap yarn of embroidery thread or googly eyes or whatever!