Knitting Stuff / Cosas de tejer y nuevas medias...

Out of all places I found this magazine at Albertson's while shopping for groceries. I hate grocery shopping but the possibility of been able to check for new knitting magazines is "a little" motivating factor to go. This was actually the only one they had, I bought it because I love this orange top. I was unable to flip the picture right for some reason. This issue also has several cute... yeah... sock patterns...

And talking about socks... I casted on last Friday on these socks. It is the yarn I showed in my last post. The pattern is Double Eyelet Rib Socks from Wendy Johnson. It is very easy to memorize and I love, love the results... These socks have the potential of becoming my most favorite socks ever... Here modeled by my glasses case is what I have so far:

Aquí están unas medias nuevas que empecé, es con la lana que les enseñé anteriormente, me encanta como me están quedando, yo creo que estas tienen el potencial de convertirse en mis medias favoritas... Me encantan los colores de la lana y el diseño que estoy usando... Aquí pueden ver lo que llevo hecho modelado por mi estuche de anteojos: 

What next?

Of course I really want to make more shorties... but this bamboo blend sock yarn is calling my name... I love bamboo yarn, it is so soft !!! Perfect for a pair of summer socks. I found this one at our local Joann's. I love the colors! I had never heard of this brand before. It is called Premier Yarns in the Thyme color way. It was only $3,29. That is an awesome price for Merino Wool and Bamboo. I can't wait to see how it stripes. I am thinking waffle ribbing sock for this... 

Soaker is done

Blue Shortie 

Pattern: Tiny Birds Longie 

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool

Date started: May 7, 2009

Date Finished: May 25, 2009

This was such a quick knit. I was afraid that it would be too small but it fits perfectly! I am very happy with it. I used size 6 needles for the body and size 5 for the ribbing. I got a 22 sts gauge as oppose to 24 that the pattern calls for on a size Medium. I wanted it to be a lit bigger for a M/L size. It came out perfect! 

One skein ankle socks

One skein socks

Pattern: Generic 

Yarn: Knit Picks 

Started: February 28, 2009

Finished: May 6, 2009

I finished the one skein socks a while ago. I like them. This yarn knits very fast. I used a 56 sts generic pattern. I only increased a couple of stitches on the widest part of the foot. Like I said before, I don't see the need for multiple increases. The opening was a little bit lose, so I decided to add elastic tread to the cast off. It did the trick to make it a little firmer but still stretchy enough to open when I put them on.  

Just Ducky Soaker

We got another soaker on the mail! This one is from Just Ducky. It is a little bit "huge" but that is OK. It can be adjusted with the waist string. I just wanted to last for a long time. It is very sturdy and firm fabric. I think it probably was made with Cascade 220. I looks machine knitted to me. I used it for night sleeping last night and it was bullet proof.

Of course, Ian is loving the refrigerator and it just a matter of time before he starts getting everything out... Oh my... There is going to be trouble....

Soap Detergent

Ian has developed a rash and I have been having trouble getting the diapers clean. Usually they sun out really easy and lately the stains won't go away... So I decided to research about the soap. I purchase TIDE this time which is not the usual one... Well I was right, Tide is one of the worst soaps for diapers... here is a link to the list of safe soaps:

http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm

First Fleece Soaker

Actually, the first fleece soaker that I made didn't come out right. I didn't read the directions and I cut the fabric wrong. The fleece fabric only stretches one way and if you cut it wrong it won't stretch.

This is my second attempt, also made some mistakes but it is still wearable. At lest I got a lot of this fabric so I a going to try again.  I am a little afraid because I am not very good at sewing so part of it is getting good at sewing first, or in the process. I love this fleece soaker and I can't wait to make more...

Este pantaloncito de flanela se lo hice a Ian como covertura del pañal, es el primero que hago con la máquina de coser. Apenas estoy aprendiendo entonces heché a perder 2. Por lo menos compré bastante tela... No son difíciles de hacer, lo que pasa es que soy muy chapa con la máquina de coser... Lucre !!!!!!!!! ayuda !!!!!!

Soaker fever...

We got this new shorties on the mail yesterday. They are from Woolie Bottoms. Ther are made out of a recycled sweater. I love it! I got the soaker fever again...

So I immediately casted on for another pair of shorties this time made by me. I am using the Tiny Birds pattern.

But... I needed some instant gratification... so I bought some fleece and downloaded Katrina's pattern for a fleece soaker. 

I can't wait to finish them! It is starting to get really hot here and I would rather use soakers than plastic covers.

Cloth diaper review by Marlene

(left to right: Sugar Plum, Good Mama, ME Sandy, MEOS - Mother Easy One Size)

I have a small stash of diapers (only 16). I wash them every day. It doesn't bother me to do so, because I don't like to have too many dirty diapers accumulated anyways. I have tried several brands of diapers, not all of course because nowadays there are so many... but I wanted to review the ones I have tried.

KISSALUVS: This are the best fitted diapers for newborns in the size 0. However, I did not like the low rise fit when the baby gets bigger (size 1 and 2), also I the fabric gets soaked really fast. I had several of these in size 1 and got rid of them.

 

BUMGENIUS: I got the 2.0 version and did not like that they laundry directions were very different from my fitted diapers and I had to wash them separately. Plus they kept leaking on me, maybe in part because I do use diaper rash cream and they say you can't use diaper rash cream with these... I thought that was crazy, my baby's skin is more important to me than the diaper... so yeah, I am going to use diaper rash cream! Also I found it very annoying to have to velcro them in the back one by one when there were going be washed to avoid the velcro from sticking to the material. What a pain. I don't have time for that. However, a lot of people love these diapers in big part because they are cute looking and they don't need a cover, that is, they are all-in-one diapers. Also, did I mention these diapers leaked like crazy, oh yeah I did... and these were the bulkiest of all. 

SUGAR PLUM: These are velour diapers, I got them because I felt in love with the Good Mamas but wanted to try a less expensive velour diaper. This ones are only $19 or so. The material is stiffer and thicker than the Good Mamas, but they absorb a lot! I love them. The only flaw is the elastic. I have two of these and the elastic gave up on both diapers after a few months of use, on the back and on the legs. However, they are still going strong. They are not one size, but mine are large and they have lasted for a long time. 

ONE SIZE MOTHER EASY: I have 8 of these, they are good diapers, I like the fact that they don't stained as much if you get the ones with the liner. They were OK for a while but when my son got older he started to soak them too fast so I added an organic cotton insert. They work fine now and I like the fact that they are one size so my son can grow into them. 

MOTHER EASY SANDYS: I like the material better than the OSME, these have more material, I use the insert from ME and they absorb more than the other ones. However, this are not one size. But is OK because it has two snaps placement and I like that I can adjust the leg as well.

GOOD MAMAs: This is one the most expensive diaper there is but they are worth it, specially if you plan to use the diaper with several children. They are one size so they go from birth to toddler. the material is very soft and absorbent. This is the only one that can manage to be called a night diaper. However, they are very bulky.

CHINESE PREFOLDS: I wish I had tried them at first. I got chinese prefolds after all of the other diapers. The only flaw is that you need to wash them like a hundred times for them to get nice and fluffy. Biggest advantage of these diapers is that THEY ARE NOT BULKY so you don't have to go a size bigger on the clothing to accommodate the diaper space. They are the most absorbent of all. In fact, these are the only ones I use at night, I put two together and they can go all night for up to 10 hours, of course the night set up is very bulky but I don't care. I do buy big PJ's. During the day I like to use them when I want the clothing to fit nice and slim. 

IF I WERE TO BUY MY DIAPER STASH AGAIN, AFTER EVERYTHING I KNOW NOW, THAT I HAVE BEEN CLOTH DIAPERING FOR ONE YEAR I WOULD ONLY BUY....

TADA!

C H I N E S E   P R E F O L D S (not in picture) + Snappi 

They are super cheap, so you won't worry to get them stained, they do their job better than any other diaper and... they are slim! They are the winners!!!

My favorite cover is: MOTHER EASY Airflow, never got a leak with this, ever!!!! and of course wool covers. 

How do I make my diaper lotion? I use burp clothes instead of disposable wipes. I make my diaper lotion to spray on them using water, a drizzle of Pure Castle Soap from Trader Joe's and a few drops of Pure Tea Tree Oil. Both are very antiseptic and the tea tree oil give is a great smell. I love this lotion and I even use it as a hand sanitizer instead of the alcohol gel. 

Thinking about moving the baby to another room...

I have been reading about night time parenting in Dr. Sears' website (the only one I trust), there is some great advice, I might still try to move the crib to another room, or just use the crib more because almost every time baby and I sleep together in my bed and I wake up all sore from sleeping in nursing positions. He sometimes wakes up every hour and it is exhausting, that only happens when I forget to give him his tylenol medicine for teething, before going to bed, so it I think that is why. With the medicine he sleeps up to 3 hours the longest stretch and then every 2 hours he feeds. It has been a year of this and I am getting tired of it... It does not seem to get better... So that is why I started researching about sleeping... After giving many suggestions that might help, he constantly reminds people of the fact that you are still to be a parent at night, that is just the way it is, and I love this quote:

"Babies will wean and someday they will sleep through the night. This high maintenance stage of nighttime parenting will pass. The time in your arms, at your breast, and in your bed is a relatively short while in the life of a baby, yet the memories of love and availability last forever."