indieknits

Still Waiting

We're still waiting for baby's arrival... in the meantime here is an FO!

Pattern: Lace Beret from Designer Knitting, Fall 09

Yarn Used: 1 skein of Zettl Sockenwolle Treviso in dark grey

I've also started some gloves in the same yarn.

Oh and I completely forgot to blog about the hat I knit for my sister's birthday!

Pattern: Hurricane Hat from String in Motion

Yarn Used: 1 skein of Filatura Lanarota Puno, shade 625

This is quite possibly the softest yarn in the world. It was sent to me in a swap but I think I may need to buy some more!

Gift Knitting

Not much to report - we have 8 days to go until my due date so are playing the waiting game now! I am very aware that life as we know it will change very very soon... it is an odd feeling.

I'm trying to get lots of knitting done whilst awaiting the arrival of Emma! Here's the Christmas present I knit for my mother in law:

Pattern: Fallen Leaf Frilled Triangular Scarflette by Cotton & Cloud

Yarn Used: 1 ball of Crystal Palace Yarns Kid Merino in Painted Iris

Surprise Shower!

Yesterday I arranged for Emmms and Sharon to come over for the afternoon - or so I thought. Turns out that they had been plotting a surprise shower for me for the last two months! When I opened the front door, it wasn't just Emma and Sharon standing there but Mel, Tricia and Jen too! They brought the most gorgeous blanket and pillow ever:

 

Thank you to all the knitters on Ravelry that helped put these together. Ross and I are touched by your generosity! Emma will be so warm and cozy wrapped up in the blanket during those cold winter months.

They also brought over some other handmade gifts:

Tricia and Charlotte made Whirligig Shrugs:

 

Mel made a snuggly hooded cardigan:

and Jen made me a cute little project bag!

 

I had a fantastic afternoon :)

Wanida Socks

I've just completed my Wanida socks!

Pattern: Wanida from Sock Innovation by Cookie A

Yarn Used: Old Maiden Aunt Merino Superwash 4ply in Bluebells

These socks just flew off the needles - the combination of a great pattern and gorgeously soft yarn made them a real pleasure to knit. 

I'm 35 weeks today! I think we are about as ready as we can be. Just waiting on a delivery from Mothercare and then we'll have pretty much everything. Ross and I are keen to use washable nappies, so I have ordered a bumGenius 3.0 to try out once Emma arrives. Once I felt the difference between a cotton nappy and a disposable, I knew straight away which one I'd rather put next to my baby's skin. We'll order 20 or so more once we've given the tester a go. 

Right, I'm off to work on some secret Christmas knitting!

Another FO For Baby

Here's another little knit for baby!

Pattern: Topaz from Knitty, Spring 2009

Yarn Used: Dream In Color Classy in Cool Fire and Fyberspates BFL in Purple

Not long now until I finish work! Next Thursday is my last day and I can't wait. I will not miss getting the Tube in rush hour. I have a list of things I want to do before Emma arrives and can't wait to get stuck in!

Multnomah

Another scarf to add to the collection!

 

Pattern: Multnomah by Kate Flagg

Yarn Used: This might be Kauni, but I'm not sure. I received a massive centre-pull cake in a swap. It's lovely, whatever it is!

Secret Pal 14 Reveal

Yesterday I went to the post office and picked up the final package from my Secret Pal!

She sent me Sock Innovation by Cookie A (been on my wish list since it came out!), sock yarn, incense, shower gel, a handy crochet hook necklace and some adorable baby booties!

 

Also included in the package was a wormwood plant (great for keeping moths away) and a fab Wilkinet baby carrier!

Thank you Vera, you have been a fantastic secret pal!!

Baby Blanket

I finished my baby blanket on Sunday and finally got round to taking pictures last night.

 

Pattern: Reversable Basketweave Blanket by Chrissy O'Malley

Yarn Used: 6 balls of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Daffodil

I'm very pleased with this blanket. It is so warm and soft! I bought the yarn over a year ago when I went to the US to visit my dad - I have no idea why I only bought 6 balls because that isn't enough for a sweater or cardigan! It was the perfect yarn for this project though, and because of it's gender-neutral colour I will be able to use it for baby number 2 (which, incidentally, I am not planning on for a good few years).

Autumn's in the air

I love this time of year. There is something about the crisp bright mornings that brings back memories - my wedding day, going back to school, and this morning I realised another - going to Ally Pally for the Knitting and Stitching Show. I've been for the last four years in a row and I am feeling a bit sad about missing it this year. However I think that there will be too many people and it's probably too long to be spending on my feet. :(

Anyway, I think it's a combination of the nesting instinct, the change of season and my visit to the Socktopus shop on Sunday that has got my fingers itching to knit. I am holding off from casting on anything new until my baby blanket is finished though! It is just a basketweave stitch pattern with a seed stitch border so is very very easy and I should in theory have it finished in a week or two. Then I will take great pleasure in rummaging through my stash (or buying some yarn!!) for the next project.

Norwegian Woods Scarf

Finished!

  

Pattern: Norwegian Woods Scarf

Yarn Used: 2 skeins of Knit Picks Gloss Lace in Aegean

I adore this scarf! Unfortunately I only had one skein of yarn and ran out about 10 rows before the end...luckily a kind Raveller sent me a spare skein so this scarf was finally blocked this morning!

Over the weekend I also completed a small baby knit:

Pattern: Elfin by Woolly Wormhead

Yarn Used: Small amount of Fyberspates BFL Aran in Purple

A gorgeous stretchy hat for baby Emma :) Here's a quick snap of her blanket too!