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Babies! Babies! Babies!

Since August I have had my hands FULL of knits/crochet for babies! I've been busy creating 4 baby blankets for baby showers, 2 blankets for a fundraiser, and playing around with boatload of baby yarn to try some new projects with...

The gift of something handmade in my opinion is far more valuable than anything store bought. I'm pretty predictable when it comes to baby showers - a handmade blanket, cute bag, simple card, and MAYBE a little something extra like birth month stickers or a reusable bag. Baby registries these days are quite extensive and sometimes difficult to navigate through. Who knew there were so many bottle rack choices? or wash cloth combo packages? Some of these baby stores are nuts! In the end though, you probably will not find a hand knit or crochet blanket... which is exactly what I have to offer! Made with love and especially picked out for the mom-to-be and baby duo.

The gift of handmade comes with a small price - materials, time, and presentation. It's hard to know exactly how much to spend on making a gift. What is the occasion? What would you normally spend if you weren't making something handmade? Who is the recipient(s)? How long will this project take? Do you have a pattern already picked out? One of the most important things for me when I knit or crochet a gift is to keep in mind what the use and practicality of the item will be. When it comes to baby blankets I'm very choosy about what the end product will be. First, I pick out yarn-- It has to be soft, easy to knit with, and most importantly - machine washable! Most of the baby yarns in commercial stores are machine washable, and some are even dryer safe! Also, it has to be the right colors for the right person. If they are a traditional type of person then maybe the funky bright yarns aren't the right one for their baby. Second -- I pick out what pattern I want to use for the blanket. Many I have chosen from the free pattern search or I have created a pattern of my own based on bits and pieces of many others. Timing is tricky and there is no concrete guideline to finishing a baby blanket. It depends on how experienced at knitting you are, If you are a fast or slow knitter, how far in advance have you given yourself, and also how much time in your schedule allows for knitting. This all seems like a lot to consider when contemplating your next baby shower gift, but trust me, it is all worth it to give a gift that is meaningful and heartfelt.

Pictures to come soon, but if you can't wait and are interested in my selections of baby blankets, check out my creations on Etsy.

Back to the waffle check!

Still Happily working away at the Waffle Check Scarf! It is a long scarf and looks like it will be comfy and warm when the time finally comes to wear it!

This Fisherman's Wool is a dream to work with. It is sturdy but not so much that it isn't soft. A few color variations when knit gives it a little feel of originality, not the commercial knit feel. As you may have noticed it is a Lion Brand Yarn product. I have listed the link for Lion Brand on the left side of the main page. It is well worth checking out! If you register to be a member (Free.99!!) you have access to lots of awesome patterns. I have many times gone through the pattern search just to find some inspiration, as well as used the patterns directly, as this scarf is (although I think I've renamed it).

Almost done!! I'll update when finished.

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Who couldn't possibly love this face?! She is absolutely adorable and perfect... when she is sleeping!! This is Maizy. She's a 14 month old English Lab who was the perfect Christmas present last year. She is a Daddy's girl and likes to have her way. She is incredibly loving, sweet, and all around good dog.... except when she has a case of the naughties as she seems to lately. What better way to spend your time than to play with her?! That's what she thinks anyway... Maizy does NOT approve of knitting as a quality use of time. She in fact is almost fully opposed, but alas, the balls of yarn are such a great size to play with!

Resident yarn thief!! I turned my back for just a quick second while I THOUGHT she was sleeping!! I learned my lesson though, always always always store your knitting projects properly! Even if it's just going to be laid down for a little while!

The Art of Waffle Check

I am recently in LOVE with the waffle check stitch (self titled, not sure what the rest of the world wants to call it)! This pattern has great texture to it and can be applied to a variety of yarns and projects. I have recently used the waffle check for a large scarf and a baby blanket... who knows what's next?! It is simple and easy to work with once you have a few rows going in the established pattern.

Pin It Waffle Check -cast on even number of stitches -Row 1: K1, P1 to end -Row 2: K to end -Repeat until desired outcome!!

Cast On...

I love to knit for my friends, family, and sanity! Knitting is a daily ritual for me. I find it relaxing, productive, and beautiful all at the same time! Everything from scarves, to baby blankets, and maybe even a pending dog sweater. I consider myself a yarn snob (read: I like finer yarns) but I am not above the run-of-the mill wool & acrylic blends... so long as they still feel good! I occasionally dabble in crochet when I am looking for something different, or perhaps more traditional. I have recently become 100% addicted to Pintrest and wanted a way to share/pin my own creations with a resourceful link!

A little bit about me as a knitter: Rest assured that I am no fair-weather knitter. I knit rain or shine, extreme cold or extreme heat, in sickness and in health, and through all stages of life. I learned to knit as a child when my grandmother taught me at age 7. I had my own little knitting basket stored at her house for every visit. When I was in high school I started to become the avid knitter that I now am. My neighbor was a knitter, and I loved the things she was making, so I picked up where I left off and started with a warm tan-colored shawl (not practical in this Southern heat, but it was pretty). I knit lots of scarves and hats during this time... When I went off to college, I didn't take a large knitting stash with me. Big mistake! I quickly was making trips to the local Michael's Craft Store for yarn and needles! I even taught my roommate to knit (and she made a gorgeous afghan!). Knitting was comforting to me while I was away from home, and since I wasn't as social as most college students on Friday and Saturday nights, it gave me something productive to do. Post grad life did not slow my knitting... in fact, it might have even picked up more. I began to crochet, knit, and search for more complicated stitches and patterns. Then, we come to today. I am constantly searching for new patterns and saving them for later. I have knit 3 baby blankets in the span of 1 month (all for expecting friends) and have made 3 trips in 1 week to buy even MORE yarn for a current project.