busyland, it's my home

Things have been busy lately.  I am sure you have all been there, Busyland.  I won't bore you with the details of my job, Little Sir's new stubborn streak and the extracurricular professional stuff that is trying my patience.  Instead let's talk about the things helping to maintain the happy.  Like knitting.

People have been talking about posting more work in progress posts, so here is mine. 

After using some of the Beaverslide McTaggart Tweed in the stash on hats for Little Sir's funky bunch for Christmas, I thought I would use the leftovers with the the red-orange left from my Sienna cardigan.  Little Sir looks good in bright colors, and I thought, "he isn't even 2 yet, he isn't going to argue with me."  So I started the tomten.  I asked Little Sir if he was excited about his new sweater.  His response: "no.  Pockets, pwease."  It was clear to him that I was taking the easy way out by omitting the pockets.  So yes, afterthought pockets.  Fun.

I like the stripes; and, the garter ridges with this color combo reminds me of a rug my grandmother used to have in her kitchen; but, I think it's good.  What's not good?

I have only gotten to the armholes, but I am pretty sure that weaving in the ends is going to be the worst (read: most painful) part of this project.  But that is okay.  I am venturing on, because I want to play with some other yarn.

Last year, I ordered some Farmhouse Yarns Andy's Merino online and the vendor accidentally sent the wrong shade of green.  She told me to keep the first skein and then sent the shade I ordered at no extra charge.  So yes, free yarn.  I really like this yarn.  It's rustic and there is all kinds of vegetable matter in it, but the color is so vibrant and fantastic.  And really, the wool came from Andy.  What is not to like?  I feel like I need to finish something so I can cast on for something new with the yarn pronto.  I am thinking fingerless mitts for a certain friend who likes green.

And because it is Wednesday, and it makes me happy, there must be pie.

 

Chocolate Cream Pie using the recipe from Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook.  I was going to make a Banana Cream Pie this week, but my bananas weren't ready to be pie (or anything else for that matter, still green).  I generally like to use recipes from the internets so I can link to them for general consumption, but Rangsiwan inspired me to use a book from my collection.  The pie was good, it was really messy because the custard seemed resistant to firming up, but it was pretty tasty (I mean, really, it's chocolate).  Next week, banana cream pie.  For reals this time.

Comments

[stacey]

cute jacket - those ends though - that is a lot of ends!!! funny how even youngsters know exactly what they want in clothes!

[Emilee]

That Tomten will be adorable. Especially now that it will have pockets ;)

[Stella]

Hey, I live in Busyland, too! We can be neighbors. I'd throw a block party, but you know... too busy.

I love the colors on your Tomten -- and you're right: choose his colors for him while you can!

[Brenda]

Wow, a lot of ends, and the colors look too far apart to carry the colors up the sides. It will be a cute jacket though, whether Little Sir realizes it or not. The colors really look great together.

I hope you get to leave Busyland soon.

[Opal]

Little Sir is getting demanding, isn't he? I have to admit that gave me a chuckle.

As always, your baking skills make me drool and turn me green all at the same time. :)

[Kristy]

Cute! So many ends, though!

I love that color green, and I don't like green. I can see why you're itching to knit with that yarn. Is Andy the name of the sheep?

[katie]

oh, that pie! i will have to try the recipe. and the yarn! love, love, love that green! my favorite color.
I hope you like the chili...let me know!

[SpiderWomanKnits]

Ya! My eyes hurt from all those ends! Ooch. Oww.

[Heather]

That Tomten is going to be so cute!! And I can why you're excited for that green, it's amazing!

[amanda]

Beautiful colour combo! And, wow, those ends. My heart hurts a little for you. You're a trooper!

PS: just noticed, from your about page, that you're an archivist/librarian. Hey, me too! Cool beans :)

[Valerie]

Wow, that is a lot of ends! But I'm sure it will be all worth it when you're done with the jacket. I love the stripeyness of it.
I've moved blogs, you can now find me at http://knittinginpink.wordpress.com

[Sarah R]

That is a mess of ends. (Hey...great name for a dinner of left-overs! "What's for dinner?" "Oh, Mess'o'ends.") I would have been tempted to run all the yarn up the side, but then I'm sort of sloppy that way. Weaving in ends can be sort of calming and therapeutic, though. (Keep telling yourself that.) Love the colors.

And man, you're evil to post that link to Farmhouse Yarns...I hadn't heard of them before.

[Kara]

Delicious post as usual!

I love the stripes. The colors are so perfect together.

[Sarah D.]

Hurray for knitting to preserve the happy! By the by, you do know that National Pie Day is the 23rd! I'm going to make pie for the first time since November! Probably apple, but I'm looking forward to seeing your banana cream next week!

[tiennie]

That color combo is so awesome! Yummy yummy pie.

[Beth]

OMG! Those ends would do me in. Just the sight of them gives me the shivers.

That green yarn looks almost as yummy as the pie. I think you've inspired me to make a pie for my husband this weekend.

[leslie]

i haven't seen the talk about posting wip's....but i like it. i am always so unsure if people want to see them or not.
i love your wip. the colors go together so nicely!
and pie. oh beautiful pie. you tease me everytime i come over here with just my coffee. i think i should go get a cookie. :)

[Jen]

woweee, you are brave. Those are a lot of ends. I love the colors in the Tomten and it's going to be fabulous.

[jody]

oh dear, those ends! but it's cute, and if ever there was a person deserving of all that ends-weaving, it's little sir.

oh, and then there's your most awesomest green yarn! i can't wait to see these grow up to be something woolly and good :)

[Amy Artisan]

The stripe combo is beautiful - it does indeed remind me of some vintage rugs.

The bright green is a nice punch of color in the midst of winter grey.

And chocolate pie - really you can't go wrong with that! :)

[yaiAnn]

Oooooh, chocolste cream? Man, I might have to do that this weekend. No lemons for pie last weekend =(

[Felicia]

I'm loving that tweedy yarn. And yum, that pie! I'll send some happy thoughts your way :)

[christine]

that pie looks delish.

by the way, the cdr asked me the other day, in a petulant-yet-adorable tone, "do you think that, maybe next year, i could get something 'novamade' for christmas, too?" i told him he'd have to ask very nicely, and maybe send you some good pie recipes. :)

[Mintyfresh]

Is it possible to spit-felt the yarn? When I was knitting the shocking skirt, I managed to figure out just where to do the spit-felt so the overlap of colors spanned just one stitch at the edge (in the transition from red to gray). Because wow, that's a lot of ends.

And I totally love your weekly baking!

[interlacings.blogspot.com]

Have you tried allrecipes'"Banana Cream Pie III"? I made it last week, albeit with real heavy cream whipped up (!!), and it came out fabulously. I used 1 Vanilla pie filling and one Banana flavor--instead of all vanilla. My family flipped over it. Julierose