Can you guess what I've been doing lately?

Three pairs of soccer gauntlets all in navy and white (the white does have silver sparkles).
Can you guess where I've been hanging out?
One was for my LittleOne and then her two team-mates. {This pattern did come from polarknit.com--their web site is a little wonky today.)

Just some hats I knitted recently...the green one and the pink one are the same pattern and super quick easy to make.

This one's from the book Knitted Gifts.


And this one's the Peek-A-Boo Cloche from Lace Style.

Wait...It's Still February!

The mountains behind my house in the clouds!

Wow! Time really flies! I mean, I know that it does when you're busy, but, Wow, it's really flown this month (seems like I say that all the time, now, doesn't it?). Anyways...I've been working on my XO Cardi (from Vogue Knitting) and am at the sleeves. My goal is to finish the sleeves, doing both at once, today, block tomorrow, and seam by Wednesday/Thursday. I also made an armando hat--check this one out! I like it a lot better than it's sister the amanda hat!
This week is Rodeo week here, so the kids don't have school at the end of the week. Out here the Rodeo is a big thing! It's 85 years of tradition! Also, we've got our spring sports starting this week, both mine play baseball/softball, and true practices start this week. But wait...you say...winter's still here. Yes, but out here we rarely get snow, more rain this week, and the kids can play with sweatshirts on and they're fine 'cause they're running around; I, however, freeze, but wear my lovely collection of hats (armando, owl hat, beanpole beanie, utopia, and stella's hat) to name a few! So...if I don't check-in in the next couple of weeks, it's because the Cactushousehold is back living on sports fields! {I'll try to post my fo when I get there!}

Two Knits and a BobCat

This bobcat and baby were right outside the fence the other day! Ella was very curious. The link here: bobcat, shows a better picture of one. These two roam the wash behind the house and sometimes are where I walk Ella in the morning. Quite scary up close! Not too bad with a fence in between!

The Oldest's new Winter hat. He picked out the yarn himself. {sorry it's sideways, didn't realize until ituploaded} I did follow the pattern as written, but when he tried it on, it was way too big, as it lenght-wise. So...I did what any knitter would do, I ripped back to where it would fit him, and re-did the decreases for the top. Fits him better and works great under his bike helmet in the mornings when he rides to school.

And my Owl sweater! I love this. It looks more pink here, but it's actually red. I did make the s/m size, I wanted it not as fitted and the sleeves, of course, are longer. I tried to put a hood on it, but didn't like the way it was looking, so I made it per the pattern.
More pictures to follow (most likely tomorrow)!

Ella, Hats and Socks

Poor, poor Ella. She has such patience! The LittleOne had her birthday party with her girls over on Saturday, and they proceeded to use their science skills of static electricity to stick the balloons all over her. Isn't she cute!


Our outside Christmas tree got put up on Saturday as well. We re-did the backyard over the last month or so. It was all concrete and dirt, and we put pavers across the entire back and made sort of an outside AZ room-- we now have an outside living room/dining room.

My new hat! Owls! Owls! The hat pattern is the Who? [rav link] pattern. This is a great warm hat. The little bumps on the side are short rows (an idea taken from Cameron's Cap), to cover my ears. I love this hat! It's warm without being too heavy. I used 1 1/2 skeins of Lite Lopi in grey and made the ribbing longer and the top a little longer, too. (I'll wear it this morning to walk Ella as it's blustery and raining.)

And my socks! Took me over a year, but I finished them! Don't know why! They're socks, small, portable and easy to finish, but took me a long time. The second one only took, like 5 days to finish! Yay! These are spring pools [rav link], but I think in this picture, I look like I have Grinch feet --sort of fitting with the season! These are great. My first toe-up and magic loop socks. Yarn: Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock yarn, 2 skeins in bright green. I did make them longer, did 4 reps of the leg.

There's my update for now! My kids have only two more weeks of school and then they're off for Christmas break for about 3 weeks! So, I'm going to be running around trying to get all my stuff done and knits knitted!

Now that it's November, Here's what I did in October

Lot's going on in October, and now I can't believe that it's November. Okay...here goes...lots of pictures and patterns for you guys in this one!

First of all. Meet the new addition to the Cactus family (well, the Cactus parents). Here's Tully the pug puppy. Isn't she cute?? Ella's not sure what exactly she is yet or what to do with her.







Now, my Dashing mitts and hat to match. Love these mitts! They are very warm and as you can see, come almost up to my elbows. Yarn: Patons SWS in gray mix.
The hat, it's my own pattern, using the leftover for the mitts. I love it! It covers my ears! And, yes, I have worn them both last week at the Munchkin's baseball game.























































A Norwegian Star Earflap hat from tiennie knits. I love the way this turned out! It's huge, but as it's for C in Colorado, she's got a big head (it's true!), so it will fit her great. Yarn: Vanna's Choice in turquoise, cream and Wool-Ease in brown.

From top to bottom: Simple Braided Cable Rib Hat [rav link]; Sutro Heights Hat [rav link]; and The Boy Hat [rav link]. I don't know the yarn used for these last three, don't have the ball bands in front of me anymore, but they are all machine washable as C tends to shrink wool hats. These were all sent off today (except for the dashing hat/mitts) to people in Colorado who definitely need them more than I do this week!

Vacation Picts

Hi All!! I've been on vacation for about a week or so, and been home for about a week! Finally able to sit down and show you a few pictures. For some reason, blogger put them all in backwards, so...just like the backwards Seinfeld episode (look this one up! very funny), the images are backwards (from what I intended). So...here's an overview of the Cactus family vacation for this summer. Ta Da!

I did get to knit a little. It took me all week to make this hat for my friend C. She picked out the yarn, and wanted a big, giant, humongous, plain and simple hat! So...that's what I made her. (If anyone wants the pattern, I'll gladly give it to you...just let me know!)

The Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, Colorado Springs, Colorado. If you're ever in the Springs (as the locals call it), this is a wonderful day trip. The Academy is located just outside the city off the highway and it's free! This will be, I guarantee, the cleanest college campus you've ever, and I mean ever, seen (or will see) in your life! I have some shots of the inside, I'll post them a little later.

Seven Falls. Also in Colorado Springs. This was really neat. It's one waterfall that has 7 spots where the water lands, then moves on to another fall (thus the name). Walking up to the fall was very steep, and there's stairs that go along next to it that are way steep. Good for your calves!

Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. We stopped here on the way up to the Springs (see why I wanted these pictures first?). This is the famed market spot where you can buy some great Native American treasures. I, however, did not buy anything (a first for me!).

This is the courtyard of the hotel we stayed at in Santa Fe. Gorgeous isn't it? It's right downtown, you park and walk everywhere!

So there you go. Just some of the pictures. I'll show a few more in the next couple of days. I did get to one of the local yarn stores and bought yarn for hats, socks, and a sweater [this one]! When I start it, I'll take pictures to show off the yarn!

Anyway, hope all are having a good summer. We're gearing up for school around here in the next couple of weeks!

Two-Hat Thursday

A Complimented lace hat [rav link]. In this lovely safety orange (it may even glow in the dark)! I don't know exactly what the yarn is, a cotton/acrylic blend I think. Everyone will see her coming down the street in this one!

An owl hat. This one is who? [rav link]. I did go up one size in needles as this yarn was a little thick, but I have no idea what this yarn is, only that it feels like a cotton/acrylic blend (I think it's the same as the orange) and is hot pink!

Both these hats are gifts for my friend C. in Colorado. She loves all my hats, but since she shrunk...uhm, washed....uhm, felted...two wool ones I made her (even after I told her to hand wash!), I don't give her anything that can't be thrown into the wash machine!

Also, these were both knitted in about a day...so they are a very quick knit and I highly recommend them when you're looking for a quick project to finish!

Ella (Dogs on Thurs.) and a Hat

a sleepy ella with her fox

Love this hat!

Saw this hat here, and couldn't resist. I had this yarn in my sock stash. It's Opal, neon, a very springy color! (Pardon the wrinkly look, I haven't blocked it yet as I wanted to wear it right away!) I did have a couple of modifications: used #2, #3 and #4 needles, and did one extra repeat of the lace pattern. I'm glad that I did, because I do like a hat to cover my ears. It's been unseasonably windy and cool here in the desert, and I have worn this to a late-evening, windy little league baseball game!
Here's the Ravelry link: Springtime in Philidelphia Canopy.

And, last of all, Ella looking particularly cute posing for the camera. Shows her grey muzzle. (Her tail's blurry because she's wagging it! Her tail never stays still!)

The hat helped me get back on track of my sloooow knitting. I'm still working on the whisper cardi, but it's going a little faster now! And still working on my skirt!

oh my goodness, cactus actually took pictures!

The hat: beanpole beanie. A great hat! I reach for this more than any other hat I've made. The pattern calls for bulky yarn worked with smaller needles, but I used worsted (patons classic wool in grey mix), and used (I'm guessing here) #6 or 5's for the brim and #6's or 7's for the body. It didn't take that much yarn. Try it! It's fun!

The skirt: here it is! I've knit a little more than this now and I really, really think it's going to come out great! This yarn is really interesting to knit with. It feels a little, hmm...rough...when I'm flinging it around the needles, but once it's knit up it's really soft and fluid. It is a perfect yarn for a skirt for the Arizona desert.

The mitts: I don't have a picture yet. They're both done, but they're giving me some trouble at the thumbs, so I've put them aside for now, or until I have the patience to sit and fiddle with them. It's not like I need them here now!

I know I have more picts to take of past projects, and I'm going to try and get them taken and here assoonasIpossiblycan! It's been busy around here and I've been trying to grab knitting time when I can and baseball/softball starts this week out here for the kids, I'll be running yet again!

Special thanks to (not-so) cynical knitting gal for her nomination! Go on over and check her out (say Hi to Gracie while you're at it, too).

And one last thing-- Happy Groundhog's Day to all and to all, sorry to have to say this, six more weeks of winter!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...

Ella getting ready for her walk one morning.

...well, Christmas.





Been a busy, busy week(s)here trying to get all the Christmas stuff done as well as some knitting.





I made an ear flap hat for my Hubby, and then of course, the Munchkin wanted one and then I got caught up in some mittens, which I've cast on 3 times for (once because I used the wrong color, second time too small and not anywhere close to gauge, and third, and hopefully all will go according to plan). {all pictures subject to when I actually get to take them}

And then...the kids are out for the break tomorrow so I'm running all my errands that I need to finish up before they're home for two weeks!

So...I hope all have a happy and productive weekend!

Yet Another Hat

Pattern: Norwegian Star Earflap Hat by Tiennie
(thanks Tiennie! It's a great pattern!)
Yarn: Cascade 220, olive/sage green and winter white/cream.
Modifications: I knitted extra rows above the snowflake section to fit my Hubby's head and make sure it came down over his head. I also added a red fleck in the middle of each snowflake (not pictured) and I think it makes the snowflakes pop!

This was a great and easy hat to knit! My Munchkin wants one too! (he's modeling it and has been wearing it around the house even though it's too big for him)
I think I'm on a hat kick because I already started another one! This one's a father/daughter in a yellow tweedy wool/silk/cashmere blend!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

I love hats. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll probably already know that fact. So, when my LittleOne (whose birthday was actually on Thanksgiving this year) wanted fingerless mitts, well...I had to make a hat to go with them! She's very particular about the knitted things she wears (as most 1st graders are), and will not wear anything remotely scratchy. So...what's a knitting mom supposed to do? Whip out all that acrylic she's got hiding in the stash, that's what!




A purple floppy hat.

Pattern: My own (if anyone wants it let me know).

Yarn: Caron Wintuk in violet.

And the mitts that started this whole adventure. (I love the fingerless mitts, too. They're such a useful knit for those early morning walks to school when it's chilly, but I can still hold Ella's leash and do the dog owner thing {ie: pick up after dog}.)

Pattern: Evangeline.

Yarn: same as above.

Modifications: went down a couple of needle sizes to fit her small hand. Otherwise worked the pattern as stated.

Now....this next item is probably my most favorite, favorite, favorite (can I say any more?) hat I've ever knit and worn.

Isn't it great?



Pattern: Selbu Modern.
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca in navy and winter white.
Modifications: went up to a size 3 for the body of the hat (and the ribbing was done on #2's) to accommodate for the bulkier yarn.
Note: I did knit the color work inside out on the circular -- keeps the floats from pulling too tight! Try it! It works.

Love, love, love this hat! It's warm, but not overly so. The alpaca/wool yarn is lofty and has just enough fuzziness to it to hide any imperfections of the color work. I did wear it here on Friday morning when Hubby and I hit the stores at 5 am! It was drizzling (yes, it does rain here in the desert) and damp for the weekend. Now we're back to the coolish mornings and warmer afternoons. Once that sun goes down though, the desert gets cold!


(And, yes, this was the hat that inspired the LYS owner! She wrote down the pattern name and was going to look it up on ravelry!)

Green Bobbled Tam

Finished this over a week ago and finally uploaded the picture! This is the bottom.


And the top.

Pattern: Bobbled Tam, Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2008
Yarn: Cascade 220, light green mix.
Modifications: went up a few needle sizes (8) and was running out of yarn, so did not do as many repeats of the pattern at the top (not that you'd ever know). This was also the larger size from the pattern, so it's more floppy/slouchy than the picture in the magazine.
When I blocked this, the yarn bloomed a lot! I used a plastic plate to help it keep it's shape as it dried.
Haven't had a chance to wear it yet, as it's still way too warm here for hats. Not to mention socks...gloves...sweaters...well, you get the picture.
Hopefully I'll get off my butt and take a picture of the canopy cardigan one of these days!

On the Needles

From left to right [all links are Ravelry links]: grey yarn (yes, it's recovered from it's rude treatment) to be this hat: here; purple yarn (top left corner) fingerless garter gloves (picture here), have two fingers and a thumb left, then weaving in ends; green yarn in middle a headband that was originally for me, but now will be for the LittleOne; orange/rust (looks red) yarn is the Canopy Cardigan, have just the sleeves left, the other bit is the fronts and back; and the bottom purple is the skater's overtop.

Goal: Now is just to finish something! (Then I'll probably immediately cast on for something else!)
Hope all have had a great weekend and great week last week! (I was out of touch there for a while, don't know why, I just was. It happens sometimes!)

Hats on a Hot Day

For some reason, whenever it's the hottest around here I knit hats. I think I just know that it's going to get cold soon! Or rather, I try to convince myself that soon, one day, it will be cold enough to wear a knitted wool hat in the desert!
Anyway...here are two!

I love this top view!Pattern: Cabled Rangoli hat (yes, this is the second one I've done and with the same yarn). Ravelry link: here.

Yarn: Wool-Ease, color is chestnut heather (sort of red tweedy brown).
Modifications: made the bottom ribbing longer to cover my ears.

Don't you just love these colors?

Pattern: Perpendicular Hat. Ravelry link: here.

Yarn: Cleckheaton Tapestry; color is pastel multi.

Modifications: I don't think so. I made this hat back in June/July and I can't remember! I do like the way this fits even if it looks like a muffin on top of my head!

Hats Off! (or On)

As promised, the pictures of the hats!

See below for details!

Pattern: Garter Stitch Hat with Square Raglan Crown. (Ravelry link : here.)

Yarn: naturally caron.com, Country; black. Not even a half of a skein!
Modifications: I cast on 74 stitches, worked garter stitch for about 6", then decreased back down to original cast on of 64 and then followed the directions for the crown.

Pattern: The Amanda Hat. (Ravelry link: here.)

Yarn: Sensations, Bellezza Collection Dolcetto; cream. Used about 3/4 of the skein.

Pattern: The Boy Hat Pattern. (Ravelry link : here.)
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, blue (has a tweedy blue/black look).
Modifications: Knit the rib for about 5 1/4" then did decreases.


Enjoy! Hope this inspires some of you to whip these up! They don't take long at all!!! Tune in (hopefully) tomorrow or by early next week, for a few more small projects that I finished but haven't shown off yet! (special thanks to my model -- oldest munchkin!)