29 August 2012

37 weeks expectant acrophobe stands on a chair

A few weeks ago I joked that I was making a baby blanket big enough to swaddle my coffee table. As the accompanying photo proves, this is now a reality

Definitely no longer a baby blanket. You'd lose a baby in that thing.

Anyway, these are the final three balls of yarn, so the epic 99,000-garter stitch project is at last nearing an end. It'll look all kinds of chi chi on the end of the (double!) bed in our spare room, recently painted in fancy schmancy shades of grey.


I'm at that point where I'm pretty sure I'll go in to labour as soon as the final end is woven in (hope I haven't jinxed that now). Mind you, to get this photo I had to stand on a chair (and I consider standing on a chair cause for having my mobile set to 999 even when I'm not at full-term). I shan't be doing that again. Promise. Anyway, hope that explains the slightly out-of-focus squinty photo. Give me a moment while I wipe the beads from my brow...

So, time for a new project for after the baby arrives. It'll have to be something for The Boss. She's pretty nonplussed about all her handknit garments (to a five year old a jumper is a jumper is a jumper after all, blissfully ignorant as they are to those evenings of cursing and frogging) but I need to make something for her just so that I know. Do you get what I mean? If there's a metaphorical kiss in every stitch and all that, then the dragon baby's been hogging a lot of the stitches, and it's not even born yet. So I need to remedy the imbalance for my own state of mind.

Yarn Along saves the day again with Greer's photos of this edible little sweater (and edible little girl) which have completely whelmed me over. In another browser window, I'm searching Loop for just the right shade of worsted yarn as we speak. Quince Lark stock is running low but there is enough of some colours left. Cascade 220 would work out cheaper. Or should I stick with the Brooklyn Tweed stated by the pattern? Tweed isn't always a favourite look for little girls.

I've never used any of them before - any advice?

And for reading, there's another something you can maybe help me with. There's a been a book doing the rounds and mentioned on several Yarn Along posts over the past few months that I am longing to get a hold of. I've commented to that effect on lots of your posts... and then promptly forgotten to write down the details (blame baby brain). It's non-fiction about organising/simplifying family life (I don't mean 7 by Jen Hatmaker, but Tracey's post about that today made me think of it...)

If you have any idea what I'm babbling on about, please let me know.

Oh, and it was Tracey who won my giveaway last week of the lace-weight shawl kit - hurrah! Couldn't go to a nicer lady, and I do so like making brown paper parcels :-)







23 comments:

  1. Wow - that's a lot of knitting. I am in awe of your blanket (and perseverance!).
    I can't help with the yarns but I hope someone comes along with some advice.

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  2. Gorgeous blanket, but no more chair standing, k?!

    I'm not sure about the book, but I'm all about YA fiction. Is it a Hunger Games style on you're thinking of?

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    1. OOps - Nathalie, you've just prompted me to clarify! I meant YA = Yarn Along - ha ha!

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  3. Oh dear, I don't think I would use tweed on a little girl, too stuffy! I have used both Quince and Cascade, loving them both, but Quince really does win my heart. I like that it's a small company, there is personal one on one service and the yarn in just plain yummy!
    And hey, no more climbing! :)

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    1. Ooh, choices choices! Thanks for your recommendations. I think, this time, i'll have to go for Cascade because it's working out at half the price (mainly due to 200m per twist rather than 123m). I read so much about quince &co, and other divine-sounding brands like Madeleine tosh, but I just can't justify the expense.

      One day!

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  4. Is the book Organized Simplicity? I just remembered I had that in my Kindle last night...

    I love that sweater... good luck finding yarn!

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  5. i am not sure about the book, although i think i know what you are talking about. not that this is the book but "simplicity parenting" is a good one.
    that blanket is awesome! i can't imagine making something that massive! great work.

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    1. Haven't heard of simplicity parenting, but having looked up Erin's spot on identification of 'organized simplicity', guess what's on a double offer if you buy both?!?! Hang on, amazon buying non-strictly-necessary texts is probably thoroughly against the ethos of both books, right? There's a tricky irony there...

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  6. I just had to get up on a chair the other day when we managed to burn a toast and set the fire alarm off. Not that I managed to stop it or anything. Uahh.
    The blanket is brilliant; all the better it's big, it'll last that much longer then.
    And the book: Organized simplicity?

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  7. p.s. I was just thinking, if you decide to go for the cascade: I don't know how partial you are to ordering from that lovely loop shop, but there is also www.nuttyknittingsupplies.co.uk. (The website is not as pretty) I have ordered cascade from them before, they will have all colours back in stock next week, and they are £3 cheaper per skein. Can't remember about shipping though..

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    1. And this is why yarn along is so fabulous!!! Thank you SO MUCH for the link!

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  8. I think cascade is a nice wool! But I do like both companies :) Be careful as you balance on top of a chair :) Any day now that the blanket is done!!!

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  9. You crack me up! (that means makes me laugh, in case there's a translation issue ;) ) I did the Rubble in an 8ply, if it means anything. Happy knitting xx

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    1. Oh, thanks, that give me some more options too :-)

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  10. Cascade 220 is one of my all time favorite yarns. I don't think you could go wrong with it. And what are you doing standing on a chair in your condition?

    This post had me laughing out loud (as most of your posts do). If you wrote a book I'd read it...in one sitting.

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    1. Oh blush! Real life = crashing bore, bad glasses, worse hair

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  11. Oh my Dear, we are still neck in neck. I will be 38 weeks on Friday!! Please, stay off of chairs for now...OK? By the way, I LOVE those tie died pajamas!!!!! So cute!! Praying for you and your little one : )

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    1. Thanks Crunchy Momma! The full story behind the tie dyes is here (http://littlemacaroon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/the-light-at-end-of-tunnel-is-rainbow.html)

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  12. What a beautiful blanket!

    Take good care and all loveliest of wishes for the coming of your new family member :)

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  13. Holy cow you are a machine ! Goodluck with your baby!

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  14. I can think of worse thinks to lose a baby in! That blanket is rather smart.

    I can also thinking of more sensible things to do at this stage in your life than stand on chairs!

    I have that book. Maybe take a gander at the 'Look Inside' on Amazon before you buy. Mine was a gift, from someone who clearly doesn't know me very well!

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