Another Sundara yarn, another birthday present

My sister's birthday is four days after what is being called 'B Day' in our house. I'm pretty sure all my nesting energy is being channelled into crafting, because I managed to churn out this Tudora in Sundara's Blooming Fuschia silky aran. I'm inordinately pleased with it - and am thinking that I'll have to have one myself. Its warm and buttery against the throat, soothing without strangling. Hmmmm mmmm! (Although its probably not meant to be worn with a v-neck.)

Gust

Oh Gust. I wanted you to look like a breath of wind on the ocean, and neither your pattern or your yarn disappointed me.


This is for a special person's special birthday in the next couple of months. I thought I should seize the uninterrupted craft window that I currently have and try and get a couple of winter birthday presents out of the way.


Specs: Gust - by Anne Hanson. Is there anything this woman cant design? Yarn - Sundara Seasons silk lace in cornflower. Is there anything this woman cant dye? No mods - although on reflection I probably would add a couple more pattern repeats for a little extra length.

Conversation with a friend's three year old

Went to a friend's bbq last night and had a most entertaining conversation with her three year old, Tom. It went like this:

Tom: You are _very_ fat.
Me: That's because I'm about to have a baby.
Tom: How many babies?
Me: Just one.
Tom: Are you sure?
Me: Yes.
Tom: Is it dead? [Tom's mother mouthing 'Sorry']
Me: No, I can feel it moving.
Tom: How will it come out?
Me: Through my vagina.
Tom: Can I have a look? [Tom's mother puts head in hands]
Me: Not right now, because the baby isn't coming out yet.
Tom: Ok. Would you like my sausage? [Holding out pre-munched sausage sandwich]

Indulge me

One last shot of the Babette. I really am so pleased with this project!

Stash addition + best baby name ever

Despite my best intentions, the stash is still growing. Heres one of the latest additions - some beautiful 50% silk, 50% merino aran weight Sundara yarn.

Its destined to be a dazzling version of Kim Hargraves Haven, for my sister's birthday. Hopefully I'll get it done in the ten days or so before the baby arrives.

Speaking of which, a friend has suggested a new baby name that works well with Lowe. Jigger. The neighbours have become alarmed at my laughter. I love how the spelling even looks Aussie. Thanks Drew!

Babette! Done!

Phew - the final double crochet edging around Babette has finally been done! Heres the last set of granny squares waiting to be sewn up. It really was worthwhile blocking them. Made sewing up much, much easier, and while the final outcome could never be called square, it has a pleasing eveness that soothes the inner pedant.


Babette in situ. Reminds me a bit of Klimt.



I can have a baby now.

What's in a name?

We've been getting quite a few questions about what the Wriggler's name is going to be. The Wriggler will take the Squeeze's last name, which is Lowe. This has lead to the following suggestions: Mel, Hal, Will, Layla and a personal, thigh slapping favourite, Eamon* (thank you Uncle Tim). My favourite in the nominative determinism stakes is Digby, who will clearly become a world famous archaeologist. Then there are the Squeeze's suggestions. He is a huge Star Wars nerd, and so it keen should the Wriggler be a boy to name him Hanso. If the Wriggler is a girl, he is keen on a stand alone Star Wars name - Chewbecca. Hmmmm. Note to self - do not let him fill in any forms unsupervised.

*NB Eamon is good name, just not combined with Lowe.

Swatching and crochet - who'd thunk it?

Madge aka Knit Devil has discovered a new knitting deity. Swatchii, has 8 arms, blue skin and around her waist she wears a belt of 1,000 ill-fitting knit garments. Swatchii has been smiling on Madge as she casts on new projects with complete abandon. It is sensational to see!

Alas I have not been properly observant in my duties to Swatchii, and the Stern One has not smiled on me in relation to the large twelve row squares in Babette. In a fit of enthusiasm, these were the very first squares I made for the blanket, and didnt even think of swatching. Its crochet, right? It just slips perfectly off the hook, right?

Of course, now its come to seam up the sections, I'm realising that gauge applies just as much to crochet as to knitting, and for reasons of shapeliness a twelve row square really should be pretty much the same length and breadth as two six row squares, or six two row squares. This simple mathematical discovery has lead to this:


I've now almost redone the 12 row square. Heres a comparison of the old and the new, my gauge has changed considerably, and for the better I think. Its now much tighter, the stitches are more even, and even more importantly 2 x 6 = 12 no matter how I arrange the squares!


Post script - after blocking the new 12 row square, it appears I've still not pleased Swatchhi as its now that bit too small. I cant be arsed doing it again, so I'm just going to do another round in the same colour as the current last round. That should plump things out to about the right size.

And just so things dont get too claustrophobic and granny-square oriented, I noticed this nice reflection of the new rice paper light shade on the swallow.