The need to nest | WIP {Knitting}

Finding the right baby blanket pattern for Little Baby MiH. Of course I could not use the pattern I used for Baby MiH's one. I have to knit a new Shale for Baby MiH (another story for another day involving felting the original one), so a new pattern had to be found. And it was no easy. Not that there is a lack of patterns, free or not. But I am really picky. Like seriously. You would think that my life depended on it - when, well, it is not clearly , but in my hormonal state it is. 

I suppose it is because I need to nest, and the blanket is what will keep the baby warm, even at the hospital, and it is tangible unlike everything else at the moment. Whoah, I am sounding a bit weird. So let's talk knitting patterns. 

So here are my favourite baby blanket knitting patterns.. Of course Shale by Jared Flood.. It is inspired by vintage patterns - it is full of lace work but amazingly easy to remember (perfect for those baby brain moments). You have to pay for the pattern, but there is a (very) similar free version available on Ravelry. 

Another pattern I have recently come across - through a blog I think - is the Chalice Baby Blanket - a free pattern. A lace pattern (of course) knitting in 6mm, my sort of knitting. I think it would have been a serious contender if I had not started on Little Baby MiH blanket already. 

Found on Pinterest

I must also had a great moment of madness and considered at some point to adapt Ashby into a baby blanket - it had been done, but would have still required some arithmetic to make it work. And thankfully I realised that this was NOT the time to start messing with patterns. However the shawl may be a Christmas present, so stay tune, I do intend to knit this one!  

Ravelry picture

So, what did I decide to knit? Surprise, surprise it is a Brooklyn Tweed pattern by Anne Hanson called the Hourglass Throw. It does not necessarily come into searches because it is called a throw, when in fact there is a crib pattern included (it comes in 3 sizes). 

Chunky ribbing, lace, cable work, it is all in it. It is a bit more challenging than other baby blanket patterns of course, but I am already in love with it. I am knitting it in organic Merino and Alpaca blend yarn, naturally dyed found at Swans Islands Yarn. 

I am making good progress, although a really low point was realising I had the ribbing pattern wrong (my fault, not the pattern's) and had to frog it all and start again. But we are over this now, and ready to see the pattern emerge.  

What is your favourite baby blanket pattern? Am I the only one obsessing about choosing the right pattern for baby blankets?

Joining Ginny's yarn along today. 

All we need is ... a baby {quilting + knitting}

The Moses Basket has been featured many times here, but this is the final post about it - at least without baby MiH sleeping in it (due date Sunday - if you are wondering, that is 2 days, 48 hours, and no I am not panicking at all ..). I promise I will move on from the Moses basket. But as it is finished Friday after all, I thought I should give you a bit more details on the finishing of the bumper and the baby blanket. 

Did you see the latest addition on the window seal - the little rabbit lamp from White Rabbit England 

For the Moses basket bumper {Quilting}

I used two fabrics: The blue one is from the Maya collection by Leah Duncan and the white-ish one is the Moda Grunge Sugar Cookies (with blue and green accents) - for the front, the back and the binding. 

I did not buy the fabrics for this project - I fell in love with the Maya collection, and bought nearly the whole range knowing I would find a project at some point - I was lucky to buy enough of it in the end. So note for the future, if I am that keen on a collection buy enough of it because it will sell out. I bought the Moda Grunge ages ago, and honestly I did not like it when I received it, it was less white than I expected. But it works really well with the blue of the Maya fabric. So glad I had it in the end, it really adds texture and interest to the bumper. 

The pattern is quite obvious. I cut out strips of 2 inches to make a rectangle of 68 inches. I laid the different strips randomly making sure it would be wide enough. In terms of dimensions I had the original bumper, so replicated it - down to the ties to the frame. I hand stitched in the ditch to add some ripple effect, and used some blue Aurifil for the hand stitching at the top of the blue rectangles. I wanted it to look a bit homemade, hence no machine stitching for once. 

For the Baby Blanket {Knitting}:

I did a post the night I started the baby blanket and I knew then it would be something special, but  it looks even better than I expected. I used to hate blocking phase of my knitted projects, but since finishing Umaro and this blanket, this is the step I am looking forward the most now. It just makes the blanket. The yarn is really soft, no itching for me, so perfect for a baby. 

Pattern: Shale Baby Blanket by Jared Flood

Yarn: Hand dyed organic merino silk wool, light worsted DK yarn from SixSkeins (Etsy)

Needle sizes: 5.5 mm circular

Size: Baby size (I did 47 repeats in the end because of I had three skeins)
Final dimensions (once blocked): 85 cm x 105 cm
Result: I absolutely love it. It is not as hard as Umaro, and I remembered the pattern pretty quickly - so a definite TV, cups of tea and biscuits (still 3 weeks to knit it) kind of project. If you have friend expecting a baby who does not knit, make it for her it is the perfect gift. 

 So the blanket has now moved to Baby MiH's hospital bag, and the Moses basket is waiting for one special person. Exciting times! Have a great weekend everyone!

Shades of Grey {knitting}

Apparently as part of my hospital bag I need some baby blankets, probably going to be freezing when we get to leave - so the pattern that had been left untouched for months in the hobby room is out and yarn was bought. Baby blanket we need, baby blanket we will have - and Jared had the perfect pattern calling for Vintage Texture - well I am not one to resist vintage, am I?

**Also don't forget to enter my giveaway - open until Friday evening**. 

According to Jared, the skill level required is beginner/intermediate. And I suppose it is, but those SSSSK (yes that is 4 Ss) and K4TOG ... well they are testing my patience. At least they are knitted only every 4 rows, so I have 3 rows to get myself ready for another row of them. 

I love how the wave this forming by itself

Pattern: Shale Baby Blanket by Jared Flood

Yarn: Hand dyed organic merino silk wool, light worsted DK yarn from SixSkeins (Etsy)

Needle sizes: 5.5 mm circular

Size: Baby size

I love this yarn, I wanted an organic worsted yarn for Baby MiH (nothing is too special for him of course!), and it is so soft, not scratchy at all - pure bliss to knit. And the hand-dye is adding to the texture of this beautiful pattern. 

Anyway 3 repeats done, another 54 to go...