The Last Component

We are going to my Mother-in-laws work for a Halloween party tonight and I will wear my costume in all it's glory.....

These are....

part of my costume :o)

the kids were playing around in the dress up bin.....

cowboy ninja (not his "real" name)

fire officer samarai

one "cool" dude

Fabric

This is the fabric I chose/made for my costume....

The kids don't even know what it is!! HEE HEE

Halloween Costumes

This year the kid's Halloween costumes are super easy. The girls just put together a hodge podge of things from the dress up bin. I offered and tried to bribe so that I could make them something, but they had a great time together picking and choosing and trying things on. It was so much fun to watch them together. 9yo boy just wants to be a cat burgler (like in the original Pink Panther movie) - black sweats (got 'em), black t-shirt (got it), black sweatshirt (got it), black tennies (yup, got those too). He has everything he needs except a little black mask for his eyes and a mustache - stuff already around for that. 4yo boy will be a teenaged mutant ninja turtle - already had that one too. So all in all a score for us just out of what we had.

So......what is this??? This is my costume. For the first time in many years I am dressing up. My costume is kind of a spoof on my life as it is today. It is something that I do just about everyday and provide for many classes, sports teams, for birthdays, etc........

The pattern was made from recycled paper and I used a garment I already had for the pieces...........more later on the fabric that I have chosen.......

Through the Loops Mystery Sock

I joined a mystery sock group hosted by Through the Loops. This is my 3rd sock ever to knit. Awhile back I made my first pair of socks and love them. When this group came around, I decided it was the perfect excuse I needed to pick up the needles to knit another pair of socks!


I chose this yarn at JoAnn Fabrics (EEEK! I know, probably not the highest quality). I like the color and it feels soft. I will most likely like the socks that come out of it.

The band on the yarn said I could use needle sizes US1-US3.....well, I decided to swatch. I really like the fabric created by the size US1 needles, but the swatch turned out too small.

This swatch on size US2 came out almost the right size, but still too small.

This swatch is just about the right size so I chose to cast on with the size US3s. The fabric is a little to floppy for me, but it's ok.

Here is my sock up through clue #3. I really like the colors and the pattern is super easy. I really can't wait until clue #4 comes out on Thursday. It is the perfect soccer knitting!

Here it is on me. This is the whole thing. I like the pattern, but it is a little too loose for me. I like my socks super tight - the next one will be knit on size US2s and then I will decide which size needle to use for the 3rd sock :o) For some reason, I am not all that worried about trial and error this time around. I do not feel that great need for speed and to FINISH it. I am more just enjoying the process and letting it go slow. Am I mellowing???? Probably not!

More shots - trying to get a good picture of the pattern. The pattern is really pretty, but this variegated yarn does not do it justice. If I do knit this pattern again, which I am thinking I will, I will choose a solid yarn.

A heel shot!

Santa Cross Stitch update

I'm not sure how much of a difference can be seen between the two of these.

The before is above and the after is on the right. I am diligently working on this just about every day. It just doesn't show.

This project has now reached "slog" state. I feel I am "slogging" along and it is a chore to start stitching on it each night. Once I have taken out the fabric and started stitching, I have no problem. I still like the fabric and the pattern - I love that it will be almost entirely covered in floss, no places without stitches - but it is taking FOREVER.........................................