The Hourglass Baby Blanket | A Finish {Knitting}

It is finished and that is before the baby is here! I am having so many (fake) contractions at the moment, that it is a wonder that I managed it. To be fair I only finished and blocked it yesterday - so I am not leaving myself a lot of time. 

This is one of my favourite knits. The pattern, the yarn, the way it blocked - I cannot actually believe I handknitted this beautiful blanket. I am so glad I spent some time finding the right pattern and match the yarn. 

Pattern: The Hourglass Throw by Anne Hanson

Yarn: Swans Islands Yarn organic Merino and Alpaca blend yarn, naturally dyed 
(I used 3 skeins, as per the pattern)

Needles: 5.5mm
Final Dimensions: 29' x 41' (after blocking) 

Modifications: None - do not have the brain for it. But I reckon that it would make a great jumper pattern if someone wanted to take on the challenge!

The yarn - an organic naturally dyed yarn - is amazing to knit with. I am so glad I gave it a try. I have washed it - to block it - and the colour did not change at all. And it did block it beautifully (I used blocking wires and it worked amazingly well). 

So I am finally going to pack that hospital bag as I feel the end is near. I am reading 'The Woman I wanted to be ' by Diane von Fustenberg - it is really good already, so I cannot wait to keep on reading. 

I am joining KCCO and Ginny's today.

Feeling the pressure | WIP {knitting}

This week is my last week at work, and more importantly my last week commuting to work - I cannot actually believe that as from Thursday night, this will be it, but I am delighted about it, commuting has really taken its toll on me. So much so, I was worried I was going to give birth on my way home last week . Not ideal when you are an hour away from your hospital and your husband, who happens to work near said hospital. Thankfully we are all fine. But I am definitely feeling the pressure - and want to finish the baby blanket asap. If I have the hand knitted blanket, all will be fine and will go smoothly (in my head). 

I have made progress - a whole repeat of progress to be precise. I am getting the hang of the pattern, even though I still need the paper next to me at all times, but it makes more sense. By the third - and last - repeat I am sure I will know it by heart. 

It is not a hard pattern, just a lot of cable and yarn over work, and you need to be careful (no late knitting for me!) - this makes a beautiful effect of course. I am in love with this pattern, really. 

I think the colour of the yarn is probably as close to the real thing as can be - and really shows off the pattern. I am always worried that the yarn colour will overwhelm the pattern - but it does not (totally worth that customs charge I had to pay, oh I hate customs charge). 

Pattern: The Hourglass Throw by Anne Hanson

Yarn: Swans Islands Yarn organic Merino and Alpaca blend yarn, naturally dyed

Needles: 5.5mm

Modifications: None - do not have the brain for it. But I reckon that it would make a great jumper pattern if someone wanted to take on the challenge!

I believe we could see a finish soon - cannot wait to block this blanket! There is already a finish at MiH, Slable is finished and has been photographed - but more on this later this week... 

As for the reading, I am finishing Inferno by Dan Brown. It is not the Da Vinci Code but it is surprisingly fun to read, and I do love all the additions of historic details about Florence and Venice. 

Will be joining others over at Ginny's today. 

You can also see my choice of baby blanket patterns here, if you are interested.