Lost

So knitting time, despite being on mat leave, is still kind of scarce. I've decided to stop worrying about it so much. Afterall- this is my HOBBY and something I supposedly enjoy doing... so I need stop treating it like my job, where I'll get fired if I don't knit.

I've finished the first color block on Jr's blanket and I have concerns. A lot of concerns. I don't think the owls are showing up. And so it just looks like bumpy squares with a white border. Here's the pic.... what do you think?

It's just not showing up well- is it?

I think it's time to admit defeat, frog this and start again, with a less ambitious "design" and going with an existing pattern, still using the yarn colors. It'll still be a beautiful blanket- but maybe a little less themey? If I do- I'm looking for suggestions. So far I'm hovering over these ideas: (Vote for your favorites!!)

1) Baby Dots

2) Baby Bricks

3) Doing a different take on classic stripes

4) Princess Squares (or in this case... PRINCE squares)

5) New Life Baby Blanket

My ennui with the current blanket status means that I've been picking up the easier project to knit on it and attempt progress. Without meaning too- I'm actually pretty deeply into the Teddy Bear blanket... might even finish that one soon! (It helps that it's all one color and it goes FAST!) Oh well- blankets in the "ready to go" bin are NEVER a bad thing!!

Progress has been slow because Halloween distracted me a bit this year. We had a Halloween party to go to on Saturday night and I needed the right costume for the baby belleh I'm carrying around these days. So, putting the needles down, I hunted down a cheap blanket outfit and cracked out the fabric paint and made me a costume!

Before you give me any credit for being clever... I blatantly ripped this idea off from elsewhere on the internet. (Done much better here) It's a rougher, less detailed idea- but it turned out pretty cute and I got a lot of compliments at the party. (But maybe that's just because people were scared my water was going to break on them!)

And... because my dear husband was suddenly struck with the need to "capture the belly" before the baby comes out... I'm also including a picture of me, on Friday night. This is me 38.5 weeks pregnant in case you were curious....

I'll be spending the rest of the day crossing my legs now- willing this kid to stay in for one more day. (I just don't want him to have to share his birthday with Halloween and Trick or Treating.) So- any mojo you can spare my way, about keeping Jr. away from Oct 31 birthday would be most appreciated!

**Poll closes Nov 3- so vote now... invite your friends to vote too! I need to know what direction to go in next ASAP!**

Blocking Unblock

An intervention was held. MiL stepped in and saved me, and my sanity. The blankets are blocked and are finally, READY to be admired by the public!

Behold... the Welsh Blanket

Pattern: Welsh Blanket by Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Berroco Comfort Solids and Heathers in navy (9763) and white (9702)

Needle: US Size 7

Notes: This is a stunner! The actual knitting part isn't difficult, but it does require careful attention to be paid to the pattern, as reading the wrong row could really mess up your pattern. (Ask me how I learned that lesson?) I found it helpful to retype out the pattern on my computer, highlighting every other row so that I didn't mix them up. That tended to keep me on the straight and narrow.

The yarn was a PERFECT choice for the pattern as it really made everything pop quite nicely!

I had hoped this would have been my Stampede entry this year, but instead it's going to go to some little person born this winter. (One of the many little persons being born this winter!)

This last photo is a shot showing how the blanket looks from behind. The yarn carries over lovely in the back and didn't require a backing at all. Make this project if you're looking to impress anyone!

Behold Also... Moving Mountains

Pattern: Moving Mountains Baby Blanket by Aimee Alexander

Yarn: Rowan RYC Cotton Jeans in "Batik"

Needle: US 8

Notes: Another great baby blanket pattern, this one had the added benefit of being FAST. It would be a great project to knit if you were looking to whip something up in a hurry! What was even better is that I used just about every last drop of this yarn, completely clearing it out of my stash.

When I first bought this yarn I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but the color was lovely and the price was right (thank you Pudding sale) but now, it is also going in the pile for all the expected little ones popping out this fall.

Just another glam shot... because I can.

I couldn't believe how quickly the blocking process went when MiL was here. In just a short time we had both projects laid out, pinned and wet. I would have never done this had she not helped me, so thank you x a million to Phyllis!!

Not only did she help me move past these projects, she also got me on the road to a new one, but winding all of the yarn I'd need for Junior's blanket. I've still been pretty errand-y/busy this week, despite being on mat leave, but I was finally able to at least start this project with her help.

That is one snazzy border... isn't it?

This means that all other blanket projects are on hold, until this one gets some progress. I'm doubtful that I'll finish this project prior to Junior's arrival, my schedule seems to be fuller than I thought it would be on mat leave, but getting a good chunk of it done is probably doable.

Are you as relieved as I am about FINALLY having these done?!

THIS JUST IN...

... GUESS WHAT IS CURRENTLY BLOCKING RIGHT NOW!?

Stay tuned people... it's finally going to happen- FINISHED OBJECTS coming your way very soon!

(Millions of thanks to the Mother in Law for getting me over this block!)

Finishing Up

Firstly, you'll be happy to know that MiL is staging an intervention on the blocking process. Maybe it's because she wants her blocking board back (:-)) but we've planned a day this week to stay in and knit, watch Pride and Prejudice and she's going to help me block those blankets. I think I speak for everyone when I say "THANK YOU PHYLLIS".

From my obvious break again, you can probably tell I've been quite busy. Baby is due in just 23 days (I will now write the rest of this blog hyperventilating into a paper bag) and we've really amped up the "get ready" process- which has left me with drastically little knitting time. When there's such little knitting time, one can only make progress on little things.

Little thing #1: Final December Hat

I thought it would be best to get my knitting obligations out of the way before baby, so here we have the final hat in the "One Hat A Month" pact I made with my knitting group. I had a lot of purple yarn to use up this year, so these 12 little hats did a good job at stashing down.

Little Things #2: Hat and Socks for my Kid to Come Home In

In the strangest turn of events ever... up until last week I had not knit anything for my impending arrival. I know... it's silly... I've knit for a million and one babies but not my own. I've received some unbearably adorable things, but I did want Jr. to come home in something his mama made him and this seemed like the right choice.

Hat Details

Pattern: Easy Peasy Newborn Sock Hat by Keri McKiernan

Yarn: Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk 4 Ply in "cream" (or dyelot 0005)

Needles: US 2

Notes: I wanted just a simple roll brim on this hat with a short little "umbilical chord" at the top. I'm a little worried that the hat is going to be too wide for Jr. right after he's born, but I guess we'll see.

Sock Details

Pattern: Garter Stripe Baby Socks by Jennifer Hoel

Yarn: Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk 4 Ply in cream (0005- see above for link)

Needles: US 0

Notes: It is impossible for these to be cuter. IMPOSSIBLE. I can't wait to put his little cashmere sockies on his little feet!!

Bigger Thing... and Possibly a Reason to Stage Yet Another Intervention....

I also bought yarn and swatched for Jr'.s blanket.

As of today, I am on maternity leave. And, aside from impatiently waiting for my nursery furniture to arrive, (*commence hyperventilating again*), I have somehow decided that with perseverance I could probably crank out, or come close to finishing a blanket for Jr. I'm sure I'm essentially I'm delusional at this point.

I swatched the pattern in white so it doesn't show up very well in this photo, but I'm confident that once it's knit in a darker color and blocked, you'll see the owl very well. (Pattern is "Whoooo Loves Ya? Baby Cloth" by Elaine Fitzpatrick, the same woman who also designed the cow pattern from my much loved "Baby Beef" blanket.)

Yes, this means that other blankets and fancy sock will go in the "waiting" bin, as this project will take precedent. BUT, it's my own kid, I think I'm probably allowed to make the exception. The good news is that I might update here a little more so you can see how my "madly knitting" is progressing.

Stay tuned.... it's about to get REAL interesting over here. :-)

Busy Busy Busy Busy

Oh blog, I feel so guilty when time stretches more than 7 days from my last post. But it just can't seem to be helped anymore. Knitting and blog time is being eaten up running errands, pre-natal yoga classes, birth and babies classes and training my replacement at work. I wish I could tell you that there was a reprieve from all of this but when Jr. arrives there are probably going to be more gaps here. Please stick with me! I know that my life seems to be insanely busy but I do hope to keep this blog up- even after I have my little someone.

Progress is slow because knitting time is limited. (And don't get me started on the guilt I have over not even starting anything for my little guy yet!! Thank god I have knitting friends and MiL who's knitting up a storm!) The good news is that there is progress and mat leave approach-eth, and I hope to squeeze in some last few hours of uninterrupted knitting time before SOMEONE makes their appearance. (Oh please give mommy at least one week of mat leave before you come.)

So where am I at these days??

Pink Baby Dots is just at the half way mark. I'm still totally charmed by this project and I'm not even bored by the simple pattern. It's a great project to just pick up and knit.... hopefully I can get it done before baby arrives.

Teddy Bears is also seeing slow but steady progress, another row of bears is just starting to end and open itself up for a whole bunch of seed stitch again.

And, I've even squeezed in some "quickie" projects to take advantage of the "I've only got 10 minutes" times.

I've got the November hat knit up- and just have to knit one for December and my hat commitment will come to an end. (You bet your butt I will be dropping that I knit those hats when I deliver at Rockyview... I'm totally wearing my "100 Volunteer Hour" pin to the hospital in hopes that maybe I get "private room priority". I doubt it- but why not try for that angle at least!? I might have to call MiL in to flaunt her 300 hour pin!! haha)

And- if that weren't enough, I also squeezed in a side project for a friend who will absolutely have her baby before Halloween.

It wouldn't be right to be a knitter and NOT knit her little one a pumpkin hat. I think pumpkin hats are a right of passage for all knitters who know babies born close to Halloween. (I'm tempted to knit my own pumpkin with the leftovers.... just in case I also have a pre-Halloween baby.)

So yup- still knitting... just not as much thanks to the many distractions going on. I had my shower on the weekend and was "showered" with many great handmade items and purchased items. It was nice to be reminded how lucky I am to have such amazing friends- I felt very blessed. (I only hope that I can keep up with my own hand knit giving once I have a baby!)

Thanks for hanging in there with me, and I promise to try an update a little more.

PS- it's probably best NOT to ask about how I'm doing on the whole blocking thing. FAIL.