The Blanket Conundrum

     The other day, I was searching through a closet looking for a shawl I had made. It was in there, but I also found a bag of my favorite baby blanket yarn. And inside the bag? A nearly complete Pastel Rainbow Baby Blanket.


     I've been making this blanket for years. So many years that I don't need the pattern for reference any more. I've changed it a little bit over the years, usually in the last round. Originally, the last round had the holes that are in the rest of the rounds.

    So the one I found, almost complete, was one I remember starting. I wondered where it was! It was different that all the others. I did the color sequence in reverse. Usually it starts with white, and ends with green. I made this one starting with the green and ending with white.

 

    Yesterday, I finished it. There were only three rounds left to go. Well, four including the one that was partway done. It took me all day, as my shoulder would start hurting from the crochet position. But I eventually got it done. Today I took some photos of the both of them, so you can see the difference.

    I will present them both to Sara and let her choose which one she prefers. I'd like to know what you all think.  Here are the photos of close ups of each of them.

 

 

    It's funny, I looked at the blankets in person, but it wasn't until I saw the photos that I decided I like the original one better.  Looking forward to some input!

My Cat Has Lost His Mind

    Ever since Ozzy came to live with us, I have trained him to leave my yarn alone. We had a little talk. I told him that if he wanted to live here, he would have a very easy life, and in return, all I asked was that he not use my yarn as a plaything.

    In all these years, he has pretty much stuck to our agreement. He got a little confused when I started knitting, as opposed to crocheting, but he soon caught on that yarn was yarn, no matter what I did with it.


    This morning, I was sitting here, drinking my coffee, when I looked down at the cat, who had been running around and howling. Now, this is not normal behavior for him. The only times I've seen him act anything close to this, is before a really bad snow or rain storm.


    Anyway, I look down at my cat, and he's got my big center pull ball of animal fiber yarn in his mouth! The ball is hanging out of his mouth! I don't remember which animal it is, it's really soft, so it might be Alpaca. I had been watching him, since I caught him pawing playfully at the knitting attached to that ball, just yesterday.


    After my coffee this morning, I made a run to a craft store for more yarn for the next pastel rainbow baby blanket. When I got back, there on the floor was a ball of Sugar n Cream, which he had obviously used as a plaything while I was gone. It was all messy, I'm sure you can picture it in your mind. It was not a full skein, but less than half of one, that was leftover from the madness of the skull potholders.


    News on the blanket front! I finished the circular pastel rainbow baby blanket last night. Yippee skippee! Now I can take a well deserved break to work on other baby blankets, for the same babies. For your information, the circular blanket is 39 inches across. The star shaped one was 49 inches. I'm thinking I will be sticking to the star shaped one, in the future. Unless Sara likes the circular one better, that is.

Randomness

    There are so many thoughts running through my head tonight, it's hard to keep them straight. I have no idea which one, or ones, will decide to come to the forefront to be heard at this time.


   I believe I'll start with a pastel rainbow circle blanket update. It's darn near finished. Three more rounds to go. And of course, they are the three longest rounds, they seem to take forever. But it's very satisfying, all the compliments I'm getting on  these blankets. One more blanket to go, for Sara, then I'll be done. I believe I can take a break before beginning the last one, I probably should wait for an announcement of impending parenthood.


    Babysitting went very well today. Miss Malia was in a good mood, even though she was pretty tired. Within 20 minutes of her mom leaving, she had fallen asleep for her nap. Lately her naps have been lasting about an hour and a half, yesterday's was very unusual at three hours.


    Today, as she sat on the floor surrounded by her blocks, I told her to find certain numbers on them. She got every one! "Find a 3!" She looks around at the blocks, and picks up one with a three on it. "3!", she hollers. I kept going with some different numbers. She got every one.


    There is also good news. My legs aren't hurting as much these last couple of days. It seems to be worse in the evening, especially after a long day. I was getting a bit concerned.

Another Blanket, With a Twist

    I know, I know, I normally wouldn't make another blanket out of the same yarn, so soon. But with my daughter having two pregnant girlfriends, I really had no choice. The finished pastel rainbow star made it's way to Sara's house, for her to gift at baby shower next month.


    I will admit to my heart skipping a beat, watching her caress the beautiful softness of the blanket, while asking if she will get one too when she has a baby. Of course she will! In the meantime, pastel rainbow #2 is nearly done. I wanted to do it a little differently than the usual one, so I made this one a circle. It has the exact same color progression, just not in the twelve pointed star.

    This is what the whole thing looks like ^ , and here's the closer view:

    In case you've noticed, I haven't written a whole lot in the last few days. I have not been feeling all that well. My legs hurt, it's hard to stand up and walk, at least at the beginning. Once I get moving, I'm usually OK. But I do feel like I've pulled muscles in the calves of both legs, so I'm like double limping. Strange, I know.


    And, so you know, the circle afghan pattern is from the Lion Brand Yarn website, the free pattern section. It's the same pattern I used as the basis for my Jeep tire cover.

It's Finally Done, With Photos!

    I finally finished the pastel rainbow baby blanket, just a little while ago. I wove in the last few ends, and laid it out on the floor for photos, then I measured it. I can't get down on my knees too easily, but I did the best I could. Believe it or not, it's about 49 inches, point to point.

     When I'm working on blankets of this size or larger, I occasionally get bored. That's when I take a break, and sew in the ends that I have accumulated so far. It works pretty well for me. By the time the project is finished, there are usually only a few ends left.


    As a point of interest, I always, always, launder whatever I make, before gifting, or selling. That way I can let the recepient know exactly how I washed and dried it, and that it came out OK. Not only that, but it's always so much softer after laundering!

    Only once did a blanket not come out ok, and that was for my own use anyway. I dried it on too high a heat, and it kind of melted the yarn a bit. It wasn't soft anymore. We still use it, though.


    Now, it's on to the next one!

Stitch n Bitch Report!

    Today was our first official Stitch n Bitch session since June, and school let out for the summer. We had a blast, as usual. In attendance were myself, Kim (OFL), Jan and Cheryl. It was especially nice to see Cheryl, since she comes the furthest. All the kids got off to a good start on their respective school years.


   Kim is working on a sweater for her Cherub, a lacy, short sleeved, cropped cardigan. Jan is still working on her beaded shawl. I am almost finished with the pastel rainbow baby blanket. I was worried it wasn't going to be big enough. HA! I shouldn't have worried. I will measure it and have that number and a photo tomorrow!


    Cheryl cast on some cotton, and looked like she was working on a dishcloth or washcloth. It was a pretty colorway.


    We had breakfast first, then broke out the crafting, and got down to work. The nice ladies at Cranberry's told us how much they missed us this summer. Ah, but it's nice to get back into our regular routine!


    

Switching Gears, New Project

    Talking with my daughter the other day, she pointed out to me that she has another friend who is also pregnant, and due before the first friend. So I thought I'd better put away the first blanket for the first friend, and start on the blanket for the second friend! Whew!


   The good news is that the blanket is taking hardly any time at all! I've made it so many times with so many different yarns, I'm having fun with it. I do realize that by the time it's done, I will want to kill myself. It happens every time. But that's OK!


    So here is how far I've gotten since I started last night:

    And here is a close up, just so you can see it.

    This blanket is so pretty, it's a pastel rainbow, blending from white in the middle, to green on the outside. I am currently on the first of two rows of solid pink. I can't wait to see photos of it wrapped around the new arrival!


   And by the way, my bracelet finally arrived today. There was a surprise inside the package, they had sent me two more bracelets for free. I am still pretty upset about the whole shipping thing, and I think an apology would go a long way for me. I don't see that happening. Excuse me while I go unfavorite their facebook page....