I've been itching to start something new, something for the baby, something that would be a tangible demonstration of optimism about his condition. I got a gift certificate to my favorite yarn store for my birthday this year.I took a quilting class with part of it (and finished Sam's birthday quilt - his birthday was in September and mine in February). I used more of it to buy some really summery, boyish mercerized cotton yarn that I just love. It has been calling to me from my knitting bag for weeks now.
I have forced myself to ignore those calls. Instead, I made myself finish the Christmas stocking I have been making for my niece Millie.(Yes, this 5-6 months late thing is becoming a pattern. Let's not even mention the baby gift I still haven't finished because I totally screwed up the armpits for a sweet little girl who is 7 months old this month.)
I finally finished the knitting last week. It was May.
I still need to do some light blocking to keep the edge from rolling up. I also need to add the essential bell to the toe -- all Christmas stockings in my family have to have at least one jingle bell.
(Any bets as to how long it will take me to actually get this to a mailable state?)
The second, and I do mean the second, that I finished weaving in my yarn ends on the stocking, I began my swatch. (Brooke, aren't you impressed? That's an actual swatch! I'm determined to make this fit.)Friday, I cast on for my baby all-in-one for Luke, the little boy we're expecting mid-July this year. I've been knitting every chance I get, so my progress is stunning... for me.
(This is just a few days of dedicated knitting. I can't hardly believe it. But stockinette does move quickly, even when striping.)I actually considered saving this to work on in the hospital (we're expecting at least a 1-week stay in the cardiac care unit after he's born -- longer if he needs surgery right away), but the folly of that thinking quickly smacked me across the mouth. He might outgrow it before I completed it if I waited that long! Wisdom dictated that I cast on months in advance so that he will have a chance of still fitting it when I actually finish.
I love the way the colors are working together. I love the blues and greens after working with Christmas red. I love the feel of mercerized cotton and the smooth textured fabric this is creating. Variety is a beautiful thing!
