Loves me some Picot...

Helena is finished. Still needs a good blocking, but I couldn't wait for it to dry to take photos. I'm not sure why, but I thought this would take me longer to finish than it did, and now I'm at a loss as to what to start next. Another baby project? Something for me? I do still need to finish a little hoodie I started a while back, but I dunno...it's kinda meh to me now.



Alrighty, mods I made; none other than doing a picot edging around the front/neck edge instead of the garter stitch that the pattern called for (I'd seen some others do the same in Ravelry and thought it looked more appropriate than the garter). Loves me some picot. It's just so sweet. Also, I did some I-cord ties, two of them, both 8 inches long and sewn on the inside of the front edging. I just can't help but sit and admire my handiwork with this one. Usually by the time I'm done a project, I cast off, block, photo shoot, do a little admiring and then away it goes and onto the next thing. But I've been carrying this little sweater around the house with me and just keep looking at it and smoothing it out and futzing with the edges. Maybe it's the colour, maybe it's the pattern, maybe it's the fact that the two go so well together. And when put together with the little dress, it's just, well, a-freaking-dorable.

I'm loving this little girl crafting gig. The only thing I truly regret is that I never got around to making her a little baby quilt. I have a sweet little pattern that I used to make a few for other babies in my life and every time I made one I was all bummed out that I had no legitimate excuse to keep it. And it's so easy to make too...just squares really. I had all intentions of knitting or crocheting my own baby blanket to go with the colours in the baby's room too, but that never panned out either. I'm pleased with what I have accumulated thus far in terms of hand made projects, but still...this quilt thing is bothering me. Maybe I'll truck up to the craft room and see if I can't make a start at least. I'd like to bring her home with it, but who knows if that will happen. Although, at my appt. yesterday, the lovely nurse (she truly is, couldn't be nicer) kindly reminded me that I could have as much as four weeks left to wait. Now, as much as I like her and as lovely as she is, I think that's just a cruel thing to say to such a hugely pregnant woman as myself. I am measuring 40 cm at 38 wks. That should count for something, shouldn't it? Please? Throw me a bone here people.

Anyhow, now that I've brought it up, I've got the sewing itch today. And there are more bloody flurries out there so the trip to the post office will have to wait another day. Until later...

Overwhelmed...

We now have a new laundry category at our house. There's whites, darks, colours and now, pink. Man I hope the UC Baby ultrasound tech didn't screw this one up and the baby ends up coming out a boy, cuz, well, it'll be one pinkly-dressed little man.

Seriously, the generosity of people just overwhelms me sometimes. I took this last night to send to my mom, the sum total of both of my baby showers and I thought I would share it with you guys. What a lucky little baby.

Wednesday night my Knit Nite ladies threw me the loveliest little potluck supper and shower. The pink tulips you see in the photo were courtesy of my host, Nova Knitter. I can't stop admiring them, as they bring a much needed burst of spring into this never ending winter (tenth snow storm of the season hit yesterday and stupid me didn't go out the day before for groceries. Made the constable come with me in the driving snow and rain yesterday. I think he might hate me just the tiniest bit).



Since this is primarily a knitting blog, here is just the knitted items I received. And since I also take fairly lousy pics, check out their blogs individually for better photos and descriptions; Heddy, Nova Knitter and Lexa (can't seem to isolate specific posts, but the most current one has the little purple tunic/dress...she also knit me a lovely baby blanket which I'm she'll get around to posting about as well :) )



And from the blog-free among our little group. I won't mention their names since I'm not sure if they want to be talked about online, but the felted booties came from one, the bolero and washcloths another and the little lovey toy and pink hat a third fellow Knitterpudlian.

Really, I'm rendered quite speechless. I'm in love with every single thing and seriously can't wait to use or play with or dress my little Pinta in her stuff :) I seemed to be on a bit of a high yesterday after the orgy of gift receiving and when at the Superstore, had a bit of a falling down at the bargain bin of shoes. I'd show a pic of that but the camera done died last night after the photo shoot and the battery needs charging. But lets see, I did acquire, um, five new pairs of shoes and one pair of slippers (not to mention four pair of mitts/gloves that won't fit her for YEARS). Everything was a dollar to two dollars. See, I'm really saving money in the long run. Thinking ahead. Okay, way ahead.

Anyhow, I'm very blessed to have such thoughtful people in my life. Today I'm hoping to get everything organized and put away in little miss' room, which will also be lots of fun for me. I love just being in there puttering around.

By the way, if anyone is in need of a gift bag or tissue paper for a baby girl's baby shower, look no further. I can totally hook you up.

Until later...

Done Like Dinner...

35 wks. along and only 35 days left...huh.


Seamless Baby Kimono by Jacki Kelly; Lana Gatto Prestige cashmere in soft pink; started Jan. 28/09, finished Feb. 1/09: Baby Bonnet made of the same yarn...heavily improvised from a bonnet pattern I have on hand, started and finished Feb. 2/09.

Well, I think I may have finally done it. I may have knit myself completely out of commission. I was quite enjoying working on this little kimono and so knit on it steadily. Then became obsessed with the bonnet and pretty much knit it in one sitting. My hands have been paying the price ever since. They're screaming, day and night. I didn't knit a stitch yesterday, hoping it might calm them down but no such luck. They're actually so sore and numb that they are waking me up at night now. So this little outfit may very well be the last baby item I knit before miss Pinta arrives. Which, to be truthful, is okay by me. Sure, there are lots of lovely little things I have planned, but I think this sweet set is the one I'll bring her home in, so if I must stop, then this seems like a good place to do so.

I really wanted to wait and blog about them once the bonnet was blocked and trimmed with a pretty ribbon tie, but yesterday was the pits weather wise and I honestly don't see myself making my way out there today either to get what I need. I seem to be having a hard enough time navigating my own kitchen at times, forever tripping on the dog's rawhide which magically appears right under my feet, no matter where I seem to step. Seems as though I can't even see Roscoe anymore, Hanks large-enough-not-to-miss stuffed buddy. I miss seeing my feet, I really do.

I am also working on a little hooded cardi as well, which is at the sleeves but was abandoned in favour of knitting with cashmere, as the cardi is acrylic. It's okay for a while, then I just need to play with some natural fibre. If my hands feel any better in a day or so, I might pick that back up again and give it a go. But for now, even typing is irritating so I'll take my leave. Until later...

Sunny Days...

Modified Drops Eyelet Baby Cardigan by Jennifer Little knit with Tanis Fiber Arts 'Buttercup'; started Jan. 12/09, finished Jan. 24/09.


The yarn was meant for the pattern, the pattern was meant for the buttons (in the stash...awesome) and the sweater is meant for miss Pinta. I had more than enough in one skein for the sweater. I might just have enough for a simple pair of booties. Only mods I made to the pattern were plain sleeves instead of lacy ones. I like lace, but I tire of it very quickly.

Anyhow, I enjoyed this knit. I think it's a sweet, sunny little sweater. Looks to me like a 6 month or so size, which will be perfect for cool late summer/early autumn nights.

Until later...

It's a...

I've been trying to come up with some cute and clever way of doing the 'big reveal' of the results of the 3d ultrasound today, as I know there are at least a few people out there who are mildly interested in finding out what we're having (I've gotten your messages ladies).

Anyhow, all relevant immediate family have been contacted now and it's late and I'm tired, so I guess it's time just to be out with it.

We are having




a little





GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



To my Knitterpudlian compatriots, have 'atter with the pink yarn.

Pictures are amazing. I think she actually looks like me. So weird and cool at the same time.

Anyhow, gotsta sleep. It's been quite the exciting day. Until later...

Last Solo Flight...

One round trip ticket to Ontario on Westjet: Reasonably priced, with a seat sale on both ends

One rental car picked up in Hamilton: Also reasonably priced, with a ten percent discount

Being able to surprise your BFF on the day of her baby shower: Priceless.

Her husband and I had been planning it for about a month, sending super secret squirrel emails back and forth and it went off without a hitch. She was all surprised and discombobulated and I was delighted that I could be there for it. I left Friday, returned Monday so was back in my hometown area in Ontario for, what, a little more than 72 hrs., but it was a blast. The shower was a major success, if I do say so myself.

When she mentioned that she would be having a shower way back sometime in October, I went berserk and didn't stop for an entire month. Behold:



And that wasn't everything. I included another receiving blanket, a sleep sack that I had sewn, a memory book and some stuff to throw in the diaper bag. Included in this photo are a pair of Fetching in alpaca, some felted slippers, socks knit from Fleece Artist Nova Socks, a top down cardigan from Top Down for Toddlers...umm, what else...a couple of knitted washcloths. Too fun. I did actually get a few photos of the opening process, but for some reason, my computer won't recognize them on my memory card. Must print them soon lest they be lost forever.



I think this may have been the biggest hit all 'round. My Knit Nite ladies went nuts for it while I was in the process of creating it (which spawned two more like it from NovaKnitter) and it seemed to resonate with the shower attendees as well. It's Debbie Bliss' Cabled Tank Top knit with DB Baby Cashmerino. I have two balls of deep indigo in my knitting basket waiting for my own little version of this. It's so so sweet.



I was really pleased with how this one turned out as well. I wasn't so sure in the early stages of knitting if I would like how it turned out, but when it was finished, I thought, and still do think, that it's as sweet as can be. Top Down Cardigan from Top Down for Toddlers (Carrie, you should seriously get this book, you'll love it) sized for one year knit out of Bernat Jr. Jacquards in the Country Kid colourway. Acrylic and nylon I believe, but quite soft. Perfect for early fall weather over top of those denim overalls!

So that was my stealth knitting for most of the autumn. What a blast it was to get it all together and keep it all a secret...whee. I had a few comments that perhaps a nearly seven month pregnant lady shouldn't be travelling in the skies and on the roads alone at this time of year, but I figured, as the title suggests, that this will be my last solo flight for a very long time. Plus, the baby is easier to lug around like this than any other possible configuration. Less stuff to contend with. Only my own.

Now it's time to settle into the long dark winter and wait for the excitement of the spring. Tomorrow we find out what this little bean will be and perhaps even what he/she might look like (one of those funky 3d ultrasounds). I'm quite excited. Pinto seemed to enjoy flying (or perhaps not, as the case may be...one never really knows) as I was kicked all the way from Halifax to Hamilton and back again, the most active in one sitting that the baby has been. It's hard to believe that there is only 90 days or so left...it's gone by rather quickly. And with Christmas and New Years and then my b-day tacked onto the end of that, I'm sure this next little while will buzz by as well. Exciting times.

I've been tagged to do a meme as well, and I will get to that in another post but for now I'm still a bit knackered from the trip and I have some Christmassy type things to attend to, ie. get packages ready for sending. I'm forever dragging my feet on this and end up paying dearly for it, literally, in the end. Last year I decided to let myself off the hook with any sort of Christmas related knitting, except for perhaps myself and the constable, so that's a relief. No pressure there. Just looking forward to enjoying the holiday with my feet up.

Until later...

Did you watch last night? Did you see the crowds? I'm kind of a cynical, skeptical person, so witnessing a quarter million people gather in a park after dark not to see a rock star, not to be entertained, but to hear one man speak, to be inspired...well, wow...it was really something to see. It was inspirational. I can say it was truly like nothing I've ever seen before.

I stayed up till 1:30 am to watch it all and I'm glad I did. History in the making. A real and sincere feeling that change is afoot. Very very cool.

That being said, thank whatever powers there be in both heaven and earth that the freakin' election campaign is finally OVER!! BAH! May we please return to our regularly scheduled programming? And if I hear the words Jean Shaheen or John Sunnunu one more time I might lose it (candidates running for...senate?...in the great state of Mass.)



Right, knitting. Much less complicated by comparison. This here's a Ribbed Baby Jacket, Debbie Bliss pattern (found online for free...I'll link if I can find it again) with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn, dark brown. Only took 1.75 skeins. Which is brilliant cuz I only had three. Great great stashbuster project, and one that I've been dying to make for years now. It's a great little pattern, super easy, only took me two evenings to complete (though I must admit I knit so much the second evening my wrists paid for it in spades the following day). Love. Might make more.



Next up, a little rolled brim hat of my own devising knit out of some leftover Noro Kuryeon that I had kicking around. Not sure the colourway, but you can clearly see that it is blue. For some reason, the little i-cord decorations at the top of hats (re: Umbilical Cord Hat) amuse me greatly, so I got a little (very little) creative and went my own way with it. Kinda Celtic-y. Anyhow, another one evening project that also busted some stash which I must tell you, is highly addictive. I've been hunting for other projects with the same MO as cranking out an FO in a day or two is making me feel rather euphoric.



I'd love to say that I knit this in a day also, but I'm not that insane. I did finish it last night though, as I was watching the election results roll in. I had it half completed with a heel flap, and decided to rip back to do a garter stitch short row heel, the way I learned it in the Lucy Neatby workshop I took in Mahone Bay on Oct. 31 & Nov. 1. My Knitterpudlian compatriots blogged about it some, so I'll just hit the highlights. Friday; socks. Saturday; Lace. She's a great teacher, super knowledgeable, very colourful and I had a good time. I would so go back to school if I could just sit there and learn about knitting for six-eight hours a day.

The pattern; Flying Arrows. The yarn; Tanis and I can't find the tag otherwise I'd tell you the colourway as it totally deserves full disclosure. I'm having such a love affair with this yarn at the moment. It's damn near perfect. The colour is so layered and intense, the fibre itself is squishy and bouncy and well spun, the resulting item is totally warm and it's an absolute dream to knit up. What more could you ask for? Well, just plain more, that's what!! No second sock syndrome here, I'm dying to cast on and finish so that I can get to the pink skein that I have sitting waiting patiently for me to give it some love too. I want a skein in every colour that this comes in. So if you're looking to buy me something for Christmas, well, you know what to do.

Now if you'll excuse me, this is taking away from some precious knitting time. Must finish something!!!