Getting ready for NaNoWriMo

     Friday marks the beginning of another NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), where a bunch of people try to write a novel, or at least 50,000 words of it, in a month. I first participated in 2011 and was able to write enough words to be declared a winner. However, that novel is still not done. I have approximately 6 more chapters I would like to add to it. I recently reread it and parts are a lot better than I thought and others need some serious revision. I'll save that for 2014. 

     I joined Camp NaNoWriMo in June 2012 and once again wrote over 50, 000 but this time with a complete novel. I started revising it last fall/ winter but an exhausting pregnancy prevented me from completing the revisions I wanted to make and from participating in NaNoWriMo last November. Even though I am now busy with an almost 6 month old I decided to do NaNoWriMo this year. I was on the fence about doing it until a couple weeks ago when an opening line for a novel came into my head and wouldn't leave. I thought about trying to write something then but instead have held onto it and will write it down for the first time on November 1st. I'm really looking forward to where the line will take me. I haven't really decided on a direction for the novel yet so next month should be interesting.

My biggest hurdle for November will be this little guy getting between me and my computer.

Created my novel today on the NaNoWriMo website.

And printed myself off a calendar to help keep me on track. I also plan on posting an update on the blog every Wednesday. Hopefully by next Wednesday I'll have made some progress and will have more than the opening sentence.

A lot of pictures for one little hat

The other night I started knitting a hat for the little guy. It's almost winter and he doesn't have much hair. He'll need lots of hats.

Two evenings later, finished hat.

Had to add the red stripe since I didn't have enough of the grey. Just grabbed some yarn from the leftover scrap bin. I actually finished this hat twice. The first time I still had a bit of the grey leftover so I frogged it to just before the decreases, somehow picked up all the stitches again, knit a few extra rows and then decreased again. I probably had enough grey leftover to do one more row, but I just threw that bit out. I've never frogged a piece like that before and picked it back up. It was a little scary but definitely recommend doing it on something so little the first time.

Adorable. I think he needs more hats. I may have a few more yarn combos set aside for him. We'll see what I can get done.

See, he wears hats a lot. Both hats are the same pattern. I added 6 stitches and some length to the grey one so it would fit a little longer. I think next up he needs a hat with ear flaps

FrankenSocks, Zombie hat and other projects

I took the plunge and started my first pair of toe-up socks. I used a recommended pattern and on an evening when my husband was out, I tried it (I didn't think he needed to hear me swear if it didn't work). I loved it. I knew I would try toe-up eventually but had been nervous. 

These will be what I am loving calling FrankenSocks. I am using leftover yarn from other pairs to make myself some new socks. I looked at my current socks and 2 pairs are incredibly close to having holes so I need to replace them. Plus the first 2 pairs I ever made should be replaced as they aren't as long as I'd like them and are starting to thin.

Went through some of my leftover sock yarn and made some more FrankenSock combinations.

My bin of other sock yarn bits. Hopefully I'll be able to make a dent in it. I'm giving myself 2 months to focus on these socks - so I can buy myself some new yarn for Christmas?

Zombie hat. My friend's cat took a bite out of the hat I  made her. She brought it back so I could try to fix it. I've never fixed anything like this before but I gave it a try.

I tied all the little ends together, then tried to pick up all the stitches that had been affected and knit them again. When weaving in the ends, I went along the sides of the repair to make sure it was all connected well. Above is the front view.

Here is the inside of the hat. Doesn't look great but better than it did.

I washed and dried it before giving it back to make sure it stayed together. It also shrunk a bit which should help. The repair job just looks like I'm really bad at weaving in ends and my friend's still willing to wear it.

And I haven't forgotten my sewing machine entirely. I pulled some fabrics to make the baby some new bibs as he will be starting solid food soon. Using a free pattern from Purl Soho.

Here is my new little crafty area. I love having all my favourite things around me. Still have a few things to put away but I could use my desk if I really wanted/needed to. 

Took this picture of the baby and I the other morning. It was finally chilly enough to wear a knitted item. I have my Labyrinth shawl on under my coat.

And I'm almost done my self-imposed maternity-leave. I read parts of the above book this summer and think I want to use it to try editing one of my NaNoWriMo novels this fall. Speaking of NaNoWriMo, I plan to participate next month (still coming up with an idea), only because I want the t-shirt which you can see here. 

Little finishes

Last week I was able to complete a few little projects. I made a hat  from the leftover yarn from the Abilene cardigan for my friend. Here the baby is modeling it.

Got my daughter to model it as well. She's a little better at keeping still.

Side view. I really like the hat and the pattern is easy to memorize. Thinking of making one for myself.

Spiral at the top. On a sad note. Shortly after gifting this to her, one of her cats took a bite out of it. She's bringing it over today to see if I can fix it. 

Crocheted a bib for the baby. He'll be starting solid foods in just over a month. I basically made a washcloth and added some straps to it.

Back. I made three holes on the right side for the button, so he can wear it as he grows. It shrunk a little after washing. I have plans and fabric set aside to make him some more this month.