Standing on a little soap box made of acrylic yarn...

I think this time of year just makes me tired. My version of seasonal allergies has kicked in. My eyes feel sleepy and watery, and my face/nose itches. An itchy face always makes me a little grumpy. To add to this, my poor Brodie Cat has an eye infection again. We affectionally call him The Bionic Cat because we've spent so much in vet bills for him. I found some ointment in the back of the cabinet and used that on him last night. (Yes, it's made for cat eyes.) It seems to be some better today. The husband has said Brodie is on his last life. We just won't be able to swing the huge vet bills again if some crazy, random infection sends him back to kitty ICU for another week. I wonder- can cats can take echinacea? Maybe that would be helpful, since his immune system seems to be in the dumps because of his allergies. I don't know. Anyways, the whining and complaining is over now. On to the good stuff!

All the kinks are hopefully worked out of "Go Team!" I'm very happy about that. Last Saturday, I was no fun. I spent the better part of the day reworking stitch counts. The issue was towards the beginning of the pattern, so all the counts after that point had to be reworked. I felt like such a ditz for not having caught the issue myself, but I guess that is why we test things. I'm so pleased by all the comments and positive feedback I've gotten from the pattern. It's super great seeing it knit up by others.

I finished up the little sleep sack I was making for a co-worker. It was a race to the last minute, but it is done.

I LOVE an I-cord bind-off. It makes me very happy. The picture doesn't show, but the bottom is slightly tapered and has an I-cord bind-off, too.

I'm still working on my Arch-Shaped Socks. I'm almost finished with the cuff of the second sock. I haven't made pictures of my progress. I'm taking the 3x2 rib all the way to the toe. I really love the arch shape and how it hugs my foot- especially with the ribbing. This is also the first time I've worked with Malabrigo Sock. It is so nice. I pick these socks up every time my hands start hurting from all of the acrylic I've been working with lately. Every time I tell someone I'm working with acrylic, I feel like I should hang my head in shame. Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn really isn't that bad. It doesn't have that crunchy, plastic-y squeak. The recipients appreciate it much as they would the finest wool. It is washable and it's very inexpensive- especially when you're trying to make a little money from your craft. I know it isn't natural, and a part of me feels quite guilty about that... will someone please kick this little soap box out from under me now?

I'm also working on the endless Grrlfriend Market Bag. I'm using a discontinued cotton sport weight yarn, Lane Borgosesia Colle. I still have a ton of it in my stash. I used it for my Decimal cardigan. I still haven't replaced the ugly buttons on that thing. I really like the cardi, but don't know what I was thinking when I sewed those buttons on. I really should put that on my things to do list.

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I love a good deal, so I feel like I must share this. I found Formaggio Cheese Triscuits at Big Lots for $1 a box. I also got a box of Kashi Autumn Wheat cereal for $1.40. Big Lots is my favorite!

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Quote of the week:

Sky: I finally figured out the catch with the FunRun at school. We actually have to pay the $2 pledge for EACH lap that I ran. Momma, I'm sorry I ran 35 laps.

I had wondered why she looked at me so strangely when I told her we didn't need to pledge more than $2. She must have thought we were at the end of our rope! Poor kid-

We changed Bean's crib into a toddler bed today. That was way sadder than it should have been (for us, of course). She was so excited about her big girl bed. She getting us up once or twice a night to go to the potty. We decided to move the potty into her room and fix her bed. Tonight is our first diaper-free night, so we'll see how it goes. If it goes well, I'll be visiting diaperswappers.com to destash some diapers. Yay, Paypal money!! I've been eyeing several FSOT yarn stashes on Ravelry for quite some time now. It's so funny/sad that even when I just tried to talk about my children, I still landed on yarn. I took some cute pictures of her in her new bed. I'll try to get them up next week.

That's all I have for now-

The release of "Go Team!" for testing

I have decided to return to blogging. I'm just so excited that I have the need to share. I have released my first pattern for testing! I have agonized so much over this that I've actually developed a strange rash on the inside of my lip. It's happened before, so I'm not worried. It's just one of the random things that happen when I work myself into a tizzy. Anyway, enough about my neurosis and back to the shameless promotion of my pattern!

For those on Ravelry, you can find it here.

I must say, I'm pretty proud of it. BTW, the team logo isn't included. It is listed as a cheerleader-style dress to be made in the color of the little one's favorite team, but it also makes a pretty fun little dress for the non-sports fan.

When I was developing the pattern, I was knitting in the break-room at work (shhhh!) and everyone who walked though asked about it. I mentioned that I was going to make several sizes to work out the pattern. I almost instantly had 4 orders. This was super awesome, until I realized I was going to be knitting the same pattern 6 times. I am finally finished with all of them and happy to be moving on to my next project.

I've just cast-on a sleep sack for a co-worker. The deadline is less than a week away. She placed her order with plenty of time, but Go Team has really been a creative vortex for me. I'm really going to need to get moving to finish on time. I hate it when I get myself in these situations. I'm happy to have the orders though. I have a pretty long knitting queue, so I need the work if my yarn habits are going to stay self sufficient. I have plans to release my sleep sack pattern at some point in the near future. I want to play around with different stitch patters first, and I just won't have the time on this one.

Ok, I'm closing up the computer for now. The little one will soon be up from her nap and I've done nothing that I had planned to do!