This was EASY. I highly recommend this pattern for that reason. You can whip one of these babies up in about 5 evenings. I modified the pattern a bit - the sleeves are stockinette with garter cuffs instead of all garter.





Pattern: Simple Hooded Cardigan (The pattern is free, but you need to sign up at the Lion Brand website.)
Yarn: Wool-Ease Chunky, about 3 skeins
Needles: 10.5

Here's a little something that took me, uh, forever:





and for a proud little man action shot:


I love it. It's a grandpa sweater for babies. The only shame is that it will only be worn for a little while

Pattern: Knitty's Trellis - http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTtrellis.html
Yarn: Rowan All Season's Cotton (This stuff is fabu)
Needles: us 7

Holy cables.

I made these cupcakes for my son's 1st birthday. I got the idea from the cover of a Wilton magazine, but it was inspiration only. I made the animals on top out of marzipan with royal icing eyes, the cakes are golden and the frosting is buttercream.

This little guy is speechless (and a little blurry) with excitement:



Here's the total package:





And a little closer:



The Birthday Boy approved:



Thanks for looking!

Just so everyone knows I am not a criminally bad mother, I did not give the baby soda. Seriously. I know it's next to the cake, but it was for the grown up guests. It looks BAD though, doesn't it?

This hat is from a baby knitting pattern book I got from the library.



I forget who wrote it, but it is called the Earflap Hat and, on a baby, is cuteness in its purest form. I found the pattern really easy, although I modified it so that I knitted in the flaps instead of sewing them on later. I love that it ties: this boy does not let stuff stay on his head, no matter what the weather!

Everybody's doing it, it's the Drops 103-1 Cardigan, here shown in Rowan Plaid:



I think it turned out pretty well. The stitch patterns show up better in real life. I think this is one of those patterns that everybody does b/c it is cute, easy and adaptable to so many different yarns. Love it! Also love the yarn!

My son's first birthday is next week and I decided to use a jungle theme for his party and make cupcakes with marzipan animals and such. But, wait, I thought, you have never made marzipan you crazy woman! So I needed practice. Inspired by the lovely fall weather and some really old Martha Stewart web content, I made leaves, pumpkins and chestnuts to top the cupcakes. Here is the result:


Here they are a little closer:







I think they turned out pretty well for a first effort. Marzipan is pretty fun, even though it took about 4 hours to make it. I feel like I may be able to pull off jungle animals . . .

I finished my Coachella. It is not blocked yet, but I don't think blocking will change it too much. Please excuse the shiny face. Sometimes I overclean.



It was fast and easy and I used 4 balls of Berroco suede, which I really like a lot. People say they hate man-made yarns, but some are so great that it's no sacrifice to give the sheep a break.
I think it's on the large side. Also, while I really like the drape in the front, from the side looks a little weird and I don't know if there is a way around that with this design. I am pretty sure that once I finish nursing and the boobs go back to their smallish selves this top will not look so great, but for now, yipee!