Thursday, January 29, 2009

Hat for Chandler


Chandler has been asking for a hat and I finally found a pattern that I thought he would like. I made him a Dean Street Hat which is a pattern I found on ravelry. The pattern calls for Malabrigo worsted weight and I happened to have some in my stash in a color he liked. The stitch pattern is a mock cable created by doing a front cross. Very cool stitch, easy to do, and requires no cable needle. I started this hat on Saturday and finished it last night while watching American Idol. He is thrilled with it and even wore it to school today! I bet I'll be making this pattern over and over again.

Here are the details:
Pattern: Dean Street Hat by Nina Machlin Dayton
yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Paris Night
needles: US 6 for brim & US 7 for body of hat
mods: none

Monday, January 26, 2009

Master of "The Cube"


Remember the Rubik's Cube??? I do. I spent hours and hours turning and twisting and turning some more when I was a kid. And just when I'd think I almost had it...... well, not so much. Chandler has become obsessed with the Rubik's Cube, and with some help from You Tube has figured it out. He can solve the 3X3 cube in under 2 minutes. The 5X5 cube takes him about 30 minutes now. We mess them up on him just to be funny, but at this point, I think the joke's on us.
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Friday, January 23, 2009

Buddy...His name said it all

It's been a tough month for the pets in our family. First we lost Abby very unexpectedly, and on Wednesday this week we said goodbye to Buddy. Buddy's passing was not a surprise. His health has been declining since last summer and in October he was diagnosed with Cushings Disease. Although that explained the changes we were seeing in him, it also meant that there was no chance he would improve. The blessing was that he did not suffer, had no pain, and we had time to make peace with the process.

He was an unexpected addition to our family 8 years ago. He touched our hearts deeply and will be remembered fondly. Rest well little man. You were loved.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Gift Knitting






I spend a LOT of time at ice arenas taking Chandler to practice, lessons and games. What do I do to pass the time? I knit. So far this season I have completed 4 hats, 3 pair of fingerless mitts, 2 pair of socks, and made some great progress on a sweater. Here are a few of the projects I have finished so far this season.

I plan to include more of my knitting projects here in the future. I've joined a great on-line knitting community called Ravelry. I've met great people form all over the world and been greatly inspired to try new yarns and techniques.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Forever in our Hearts


Today we lost our dear Abby, aka Miss Wiggle Butt. She has been a constant and faithful companion for the past 11 years and we will miss her dearly.
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Thursday, January 1, 2009

First Snowmobile Trip of the Season!

Justin and his buddies Justin and Terry headed north for a day of fun. They found snow and had a great day riding.

Christmas 2008

Starting out the Christmas season by picking out a tree. The family went down to High Meadow Christmas Tree Farm where Matt works to pick out a tree.

It was a cold, windy day but we found the perfect tree in the front field.














Neal wanted to help out too...














Even Buddy participated by taking a bath with Dad's help...
















Hancock Family Christmas





Back Left to Right:
Tom, Justin, Matt, Mike, Angel, Annie

Middle Left to Right:
Dianne, Grandpa Ed, Grammy Cora, Jen, Mitch

Front:
Chandler & Zack






For Christmas this year everybody participated in the second annual Hancock Yankee Swap.

Aunt Angel with the hat and mittens that Mom knit.