07 May 2012

when 3 + 1 = an awfully big adventure

It's ridiculously satisfying when things just add up. When the loose change in your pocket happens to add up to your bus fare. When the flour in the jar happens to be precisely the weight that you need. When your movie ends exactly as they switch off your in-flight entertainment (even though there's still 40 minutes 'til landing time - gah).

Whenever I make one of these (below), there always seems to be 90-100g of sock yarn left over. Exactly the amount required for a little tiny baby sweater.

amazing Veera Valimaki shawls, two Different Lines and one Stripe Study

I finished the lurid purple and pink shawl last winter and it's sat in my knitting bag ever since, the right recipient never seemed to appear. But on hearing about the birth of a beautiful baby called Rose, daughter to my husband's oldest childhood friend, suddenly everything added up. A little blast of hot colour for both Rose and her fabulous new Mum, to shake up the all-too-familiar avalanche of pastel pink. A perfect puerperium solution for that 100g of leftover Wollmeise.

need to choose some buttons...

My latest Veera shawl (oops no finished picture) was grey and turquoise, and was gifted last month, so while its matching sweater (below) won't become part of a set, the weight of leftover yarn added up to exactly 100g and so another tiny puerperium it will be. And here's the big news: this one (gender dependent) may very well end up staying at home...

Yup, I've donned the dreaded elasticated waistbands and I'm going to have to change my strapline up at the top there in my header (suggestions on a postcard please).


Maybe this helps explain a few things.
  • making a great big bloody mountain out of a molehill re moving in March
    debilitating fatigue + organising an international move between six and 12 weeks = complete loss of perspective.
  • blogposts filled with doubt and nostalgia
    excessive hormones + uprooting of family from beautiful paradise island = severe navel gazing... mercifully something I won't be able to physically achieve for much longer.
  • spending the past month being completely wiped out with vile lurgys
    a whole new raft of unfamiliar British Spring viruses + not being allowed to take decongestants or decent headache pills = chronic self-pity.
  • more than usual inability to tolerate chaos
    container arrival + building work + frequently absent husband + inability to lift anything = a house that looks like it's been ransacked. Sadly the schedule on the building work is already slipping well past its delivery date, so things can only get worse before they get better. I need to learn how to breathe deeply.

I'll try not to grumble too much about it over the next few months. But I warn you that I'll fail. You should know that I'm no glowing picture of abundant blooming womanhood. For me, pregnancy, with its essential indigestion, hip pain and stretchmarks, is something that I'm prepared to bungle through if that's what it takes to get to the rewarding bit. A means to an end, rather like the builders and our kitchen renovation. A kitchen in which I look forward to one day enjoying cold beers, goats' cheese, warm pate, and half-boiled eggs with soy sauce. Not that I'm grudging every mouthful you take...

16 comments:

  1. Congratulations....lovely news....I get so jealous of baby bumps, but then I'm a little weird like that;-) I guess I've faired not too badly with my three, but my waistline is a gonner!

    Love your shawls, I've just finished the stripe study and have just cast on colour affection.....I think I may be having a bit of an affair with Veera....when on earth am I going to wear that many shawls anyway?

    Love the turquoise and grey that you used for the latest shawl, looks like the colours I'm using for my CA.....hope mine turns out as nicely as yours!

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    1. I have friends who suffer bump envy, but I just can't identify with it. Given the choice I'd much rather sleep through the 40 weeks and wake up at the very end! It may come from being very short in stature, and therefore pregnancy renders me spherical - which is not an easy shape to be.

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  2. Great news! Congratulations! And your turquoise gift is beautiful.

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  3. I am totally with you on pregnancy. A means to an end. I did not GLOW either. Lovely knitting, you have been a busy little bee!!

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    1. Phew - it's not just me then! I do envy those terribly wholesome women who love every minute of pregnancy, but I'll just have to play the hand I've been dealt and focus on the fact that it will all come good in the end.

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  4. I love the bright colors in the shawl and baby sweater! Your hubby's friend will be so happy to receive that. And CONGRATULATIONS on the pregnancy!! :-))

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    1. Thanks Chelsey! I remember when my daughter was new and a friend gave her brightly-coloured gifts, it was such a relief after all the pale pink.

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  5. Congratulations - so happy for you with a little macaroon on the way.
    I so love your stripe study shawl went back and looked at past posts- that is such a lovely and clean pattern- beautiful.
    Your post cracked me up today :)
    Battle on!

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    1. I know, that Veera, she's a clever pattern maker that's for sure. In fact she's just released some new spring sweater designs which look amazing - one even looks maternity-proof! If I thought I'd manage to get it finished during the next 4 months, I'd be VERY tempted to make it in some of your yarn!

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  6. Oh what a delightful time to find your blog, congratulations mummy!! To top it off, i'm follower numero 50 too!! Everything here is knitastic!! Congratulations again & happy knitting, nesting, dreaming & pats to belly, love Posie

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    1. Helloooo! Number fifty has been eluding me for quite some time, so WELCOME and thank you for the congrats (though I don't feel like I've achieved too much so far, apart from getting round!)

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  7. Congratulations!!!

    Although it is a shame about your blog subtitle - I always thought that was very clever ;)

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    1. Thanks Natalie! But now I really feel the pressure to find something *clever* for my next strapline... a few months to come up with something I guess!

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  8. I'm only just catching up with my out-of-control Google Reader, so I'm a little late on this one, but congratulations! I hope the pregnancy goes well :)

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  9. Ohhh Camilla! I am so happy to hear of your growing bump! I have not blogged in almost a year and was catching up on my friends' blogs and how lovely to read your exciting news! Many congratulations and I hope all is well! Please email me or message me with details. Your knitting is absolutely beautiful! I still have not learned but it is on my list of things to accomplish! Hugs to you all!

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