The Boys of Summer

This is the summer for baby boys. Nearly every expectant cousin/friend/friend-of-a-friend is expecting a boy. Now there is nothing really wrong with boys--my baby brother continues to delight me over and over again---except for one thing: pink and frilly doesn't suit them. Now I'm all set for breaking gender stereotypes--I just try not to inflict my tastes on others.
In an effort to satisfy my need for "ooh, pretty!" I have started knitting stuff for the older kids in families expecting babies. Not just close relations either, I knit this frilly little hat from Itty-Bitty Hats for my brother's daycare teacher's 1 1/2 year old daughter:
and these two for the new baby (she's still not sure if the baby is a boy or a girl):
The baby bootees are from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts and the hat is the bunny hat double knit in acrylic and mohair (same as the bootees) from Itty-Bitty. I love the way the bootees turned out--then again it is a great little pattern. I think there might be a typo in the directions for the cuff--one too many turns or something--I just keep going until it looks right. The ears for the bunny hat don't look very even, so I may need to be more careful counting the rows next time.
If anyone has any easy to knit sock patterns for young children, I'd love the link. My brother has been asking for me to knit him something, and I think socks might work, at least until hat/scarf/mitten weather kicks in.

Recently Completed

Thanks to my wonderful skills as a procrastinator, I finished a whole bunch of dyeing over the weekend. But as a procrastinator shouldn't I have trouble finishing things you ask? True. I finish what isn't as urgent. Let's look at my list of things to do:
1. Return portable DVD player--check.
2. Exchange my sister's ipod--check.
3. Dye some yarn for Etsy--check.
4. Find a new book to read--check.
5. Find a job that pays more than $8 an hour--uh...still working on it.
On the brights side I have managed to sell a couple of skeins--which is really cool. Here are some of the new colors.
Pumpkin Patch-when my sister saw this she yelled out the name from across the room--she was rather adamant that it had to be named pumpkin patch.
Sherbet--Lots of orange, pinks and purples
Blue Summer--I'm still not sure this name does the color justice, but nothing else seems to fit.
I think this is it for now. I'll try to post some of my finished knitting projects in the next couple of days. Plus I need to start knitting for all the new baby boys joining my extended family in the next couple of months.

My Introduction

I know the world probably does not need another blog about knitting. But as my family is starting to think I'm slightly insane--I've got to reach out.

Uh...hi.

I'm a yarn addict and I know I'm not alone.

Aside from that rather AA sounding introduction, I'm in my mid twenties, have been knitting for a few months and dyeing yarn for slightly less than that. I'm the only knitter in my family and am self taught thanks to some books and the ability to extrapolate.

While my family appreciates receiving handmade goods they seem to be confused by my "odd" (their words) behavior:
The horrors of my...knitting in public---gasp---or spending money on sock yarn---isn't it cheaper just to buy a pair?---or driving an hour and a half to a yarn store having a really, really good sale---how much money could you really save?---knitting and talking at the same time---how do I know you're listening?

Admittedly my life could be worse--I could be denied access to yarn and locked away. But come on, I don't make fun (much) of their habits---what's so hard to understand about mine?
Anyway this is my little intro and I hope you enjoy my continuing troubles through the world of a knitter trying to convert her family.