I finished this little blanket up last week but finally got around to washing it and blocking it. I had been disappointed that it came out like more of a diamond than a square when knit on the bias but it worked itself into a square when all was said and done. I think I'll try to crochet some flowers to put on one of the corners but I kind of suck at making flowers. Again, another one of those - the process of learning is more important than the results - kind of endeavor.
My maternity leave has officially begun and I'm a week in. It has taken a while to decompress and wind my way down into the transition much like going on a long vacation out of the country. It just takes time to settle into a groove and unplug your brain from another lifestyle. My body is grateful for the break but my brain is still having a hard time slowing down. All in good time. There is nothing like a newborn baby to change your pace to a near stop. My pre-baby to-do list seems a mile long and growing but I do realize that it's all fairly unnecessary things that can always wait. I started knitting this blanket a few days ago as a way to force myself to quiet my brain and sit still. It's a lovely organic cotton I bought on a whim several months ago. Not like we really need another blanket in the house but that's not a reason not to make one.
I've been indulging in a few restaurants that have been on my must try list for far too long, like Bake Sale Betty and Ici. We are so lucky to have a pool of talented chefs who have worked at Chez Panssie opening up shop around here. Not to mention trying new found restaurants like Gather with friends.
Then of course there is sewing in between all of the house cleaning, organizing and prepping. I made this vinyl tablecloth from an Anna Maria Horner oilcloth, simply trimmed with some carrot bias tape. And while I originally bought it for easy clean up from kid art projects we use it all the time. We wondered why we didn't do something like this sooner to protect our table at meal time instead of messing around with place mats.
No too much success on the crafting front lately - no time, no energy.... I did finish this hat for the Chickpea but again I'm a bit flustered with knitting patterns and sizing. What was supposed to fit a small child fits me! Well I learned something at least, novice knitter that I am. Plus we have one extra hat in the house now. But the original pattern is so adorable I think I may try it again.
What would I be working on if I had the energy....
This tree pillow which I have already cut out. It's a great knock-off of an Anthropology pillow I love. I've been toying with the idea of making pillow's from their place mats for cheaper alternatives.
I'm making some doll bibs for Chickpea since "feeding" her babies is one of her favorite activities. I'm also on the prowl for the perfect doll highchair. I also want to make her some proper doll bed quilts with the vintage squares I have. I'm a little tired of finding tattered washcloths and hankys scattered around the house tucking in all sorts of babies and animals.
I want to make Christmas place mats but that seems a little optimistic this year.
I'm sure there is more too...
I finished knitting this adorable top for the Chickpea. The good news is I’m happy with the way it turned out and so glad that I chose a good quality yarn (80% bamboo, 20% wool) to work with, it made all the difference. The bad news is that it’s so small she’ll grow out of it in a week. So perhaps it will be a gift for a future babe, and perhaps I need to make another one for my own babe but for now I can say it’s a job well done. I finished the other one I started too but it’s a bit too big for now. I get a little flustered when the finished product isn't exactly as I had imagined it would fit, oh well. I'll get better at judging fit I hope.
Essential Knits for Kids: 20 Fresh, New Looks for Children Two to Five
I picked up this book for some more projects. I’m trying not to be too daunted by all the intricacies. But if it wasn’t challenging it would be a little boring right.
I'm seriously in love with this happy little knitted top over on JCasa handmade. So with my Aunt Ann (an expert knitter) in town over the weekend, I got a little tutorial and a start on this project. I've been ready to take the leap from scarves into bigger projects and this one didn't seem too complicated. Now I've found the joys of knitting in the round and it really doesn't seem too daunting. I think I'm finally getting why people enjoy knitting so much. An with so many video clips showing techniques, it's easier than ever to pick up the skill. I've never had that much luck reading diagrams in books either. So we'll see how this project finishes up. I'm happy to report that I made it through the armholes without incident last night. I'm not that happy with my yarn choice since it's reminding me of that Fruit Stripe gum I used to eat as a kid but oh well, I already had it and free is good for a first time project. It may be too big for the Chickpea this Spring but that will give me a chance to make another one for her this year once I've honed my skill a bit.
Any suggestions on good basic knitting books preferably with some kid's patterns?
