monkey madness

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If you know me, you know just how much Matt loves monkeys.  Like, LOVES.  When Rebecca Danger - whose monster patterns I absolutely love as well - made the pattern for Jerry the Musical Monkey, I knew I had to have it and make him for Matt!

I've attempted to knit him up before and it's been a struggle.  First, I used a crappy set of knitting needles and it just didn't feel right.  I also seemed to have forgotten, too, that when I learned to crochet, it was also hard at first but then I got the hang of it.  Something about knitting has frustrated me every time I've tried and tried again, and as a result, I've found myself with a whole lot of started and stopped projects with no real progress.  What gives?

Last night, I took another look at Jerry and I'm determined to start and finish him this time around.  I'm never going to learn, or even get good, at knitting if I don't keep trying and practicing, right?  I even bought a skein of blue wool yarn a few weeks ago specifically for this little guy.  So far, I'm 10 rounds in and I'm liking my progress!

I really like the way knitted pieces look and feel, all those neat little stitches and with a lot of stretch.  Also, I learned that knitting uses a lot less yarn than crocheting, go figure.  

I'm using Patons Classic Wool yarn in Royal Blue on size 5 Knitpicks Options circular knitting needles.  They're part of a set I bought that's interchangeable - and lemme say, Knitpicks needles are sharp!  Not bad enough to cause injury but they do pinch after a while.  Rebecca really advocates using the magic loop method on circular needles to knit in the round rather than using double pointed needles.  I had previously used double pointed needles on another project and they drove me crazy, having to switch between them constantly and then I'd drop stitches so often - UGH.  I wasn't sure if I could figure out how to do the magic loop method but after some Youtube videos (a godsend for learning how to do crafts, lemme tell you) and experimenting, I've learned it's really easy and simply amazing!  

I have 30 more rounds of knitting in the round before I have to start messing around with increases/decreases and other things.  My Stitch 'N Bitch Knitters Handbook is also amazingly helpful.  Knitting is actually fun again...especially as I wind down from a crazy day (of which there are many these days) and in front of the TV.  Hopefully I won't any more major snags.  *knocks on wood*

This is obviously the start to Jerry's body, I'll keep you posted on his progress as I continue knitting :)  I hope to become good enough one day to crank out endless cute things and scarves, etc.  Then I can look back and laugh at how foolish I was to give up so often now.

stitches cakes!

And this is what became of my special ingredients.  Cute and tasty, and based on our favorite sock monkey friend! :)

(I also forgot to take a pic of Matt with Stitches and a Stitches cake, and a pic of Matt with his birthday present.  Oops.  Will need to do that in the near future.)

2011 photo yearbook project day #42

San Diego Zoo animals want to say hello (and Happy Valentine's Day)!

The elusive porcupine actually woke up and showed off his quills

The (stinky) echidna thought it best to take a nap with his head buried inside a stump

Our favorite pygmy marmoset

Gabby, the white-cheeked gibbon, was high up in the trees poking at leaves but had to drop down by me when she saw me snapping her pic - look at that pose!

Matt and the bonobos, one of his favorite exhibits

Mama hippo Funani and her new baby boy, Adhama - born on Feb. 7!  Adorable.

Giant panda dad and bamboo-eating machine Gao Gao

Super giant panda mom of 5 panda babies Bai Yun....but wait, where's Baby Yun Zi?

Oh no!!  I knew that Bai and Yunior were being separated soon as a part of the final stage of his weaning process, but I didn't realize it happened on Thursday!  I was so bummed not to see him on this visit, but we'll see him again soon.  I hope he's coping well with little separation anxiety without his mama.  Maybe Bai and Gao will have a 6th cub this year?  Hoping so!

Loved the face this youngster made at me, haha

Why such a sourpuss face, big giraffe? :)

Sophia's enclosure mate, a Grants zebra

Sophia!  Named after actress Sophia Loren.  She's a miniature Mediterranean donkey and such a cutie

Spotted the baby Wallaby!  This youngster recently hopped out of his/her mama's pouch - so many babies at the Zoo this year!

We couldn't spot the new koala baby (we think it was a far away hiding and sleepy koala) but I still enjoy the koalas anyway.  The koala will receive his/her name in a few days during Koala-pa-looza at the Zoo.  Fans have been able to vote on 3 names and they'll each be posted on 3 trees and whichever one the mama chooses to climb into on that day will be the baby's name.  Cool, huh?

As usual, the animals were delightful and fun to see.  We saw our previous monkey babies who are all grown up now, too, and even spotted the kiwi bird!  That little guy is always so elusive or sleeping but he was up and about and wondering around like no other in his dark enclosure.  Super cool!  We got a late start to the day but as Zoo members, it's ok.  And I'm sure we'll be back soon and for more photo opportunities :)

2011 photo yearbook project day #28

Matt returned Friday night (a little late) for a weekend visit.  He brought me a sandwich from Mr. Pickles!  Mmm...Mr. Pickles is this sandwich shop up north (although they do have one location in OC for now) and I think it's pretty nommy.  They use freshly baked breads and have this special garlic spread they put on the sandwiches, which you can sort of see as that yellow layer below the turkey.  The sandwich was still delicious even though it was a few hours after it was made.  That's a turkey and cheddar sandwich with everything on sourdough bread.  YUM.  They even give you a free freshly baked chocolate chip cookie with every sandwich!  It was definitely a good treat.  I wish they'd open one in the LA area, I'd probably go all the time.

He also brought me this early Valentine's Day friend:

Such a big monkey!  Matt found him at Walgreens and wanted to give him to me now since he had driven down and it would be easier than trying to carry him on the plane later, haha.  He's so soft and cuddly and so cute.  I love squeezing him.  He's seriously big but looks so cute just sitting here on the bed.  I mean really, look at his little face!  And he's clutching a rose, aww.

2011 photo yearbook project day #27

When Matt's away, sometimes the most precious messages I can send are photos.  Here, Stitches and I decided to say hello from afar, via text message.

2011 photo yearbook project day #26

Lil Casanova found a new friend...

2011 photo yearbook project day #16

Clippers vs. Lakers game and the Clippers had an awesome win!  Happy day indeed :)

Then it was made even happier when Matt fulfilled his dream of interacting with a monkey.  He shook this little guy's hand on 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

This was actually the second time he shook his hand - I couldn't take the first one because a little kid with a balloon ran up right between us just as I was about to take the first one, UGH.  But Matt loved this beyond words of course.  The monkey even took off his little cowboy hat and bowed at us.  Funny stuff :)