love's labor's, ruffled
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 6:58PM It took me an entire extra week of furious ruffling, but my spiral baby blanket is done.
Here it is, pre-blocking.
I used two skeins of yarn for the center spiral, and about 90% of a third skein for the ruffle.
And after a nice bath and smoothing, things are looking much nicer.
I am a huge proponent of wet blocking.
I also like how serendipitously this turned out -- the skein I used in the middle was obviously a bit lighter than the other two, and I love it.
The finished size is about 33" across, and it's perfect. Not so huge that it will drag on the ground, but large enough to wrap a baby in or to use as something comfy for her have tummy time on. By the time I was done with this, I was scrunching one hundred million stitches onto a 40" circular, which slows down progress considerably and does things like break your interchangeable circular needle clean off in the middle of a round.
I am done with interchangeable circulars from a certain company who shall remain nameless. My fixed circulars handled the heavy load just fine.
I will put together some simple directions so you can make your own spiral blanket if you want, and will put that up soonly.
After I finished this, I was ready for something quick and easy, and this was the balm my frayed knitting nerves needed.
It's the Rosy Scalloped Hat from Tot Toppers, and I made the 0-6 month size in one movie and one cup of breakfast coffee.
I followed your advice and knit this out of Parisienne on Springvale DK. I love how it gently spiral striped around the hat.
And you couldn't see it in the above pictures very well, but isn't the edging just the cutest? And it's really not that hard to do, thanks to the easy to follow directions in the pattern.
(Blocking on a happy birthday balloon, of course.) The details make this hat. The rosettes, the scallops, the little pixie top.
When I was done, I immediately wanted to make another, and I could, because I have plenty of yarn left. This only took about 1/4 of a skein of Springvale DK.
I have 82 days of knitting left, and 23 projects left to finish, which means I have about 3.5 days to make each project.
I've decided the next colorway I'll be knitting with is Vivien Leigh, which has been a favorite of mine since it was released.
And for everyone who messaged me telling me to stop wasting time knitting and to hurry up and make your orders, I say phooey. I already work about 12 hours a day, and I promise your yarn will be be headed your way as soon as humanly possible. Emphasis human.
The Yarnista is allowed to knit now and then. Especially when she is 82 days away from having a baby and sick with a sinus infection that's been hanging around for two weeks.
Also, I'm bigger than you. Moreso now than ever. So there.
Reader Comments (35)
Awww, who would want to deny that sweet baby beautiful handknits?
I say you enjoy yourself!!
The yarn will dye itself!
The blanket and hat are absolutely gorgeous!!!
That's right, Rhonnie! THE YARN WILL DYE ITSELF!!!!
I loveLoveLOVE the blanket!! That turned out so beautifully! And oh, the hat - I'm so glad you used that colorway, it is just perfection. Absolutely precious. Can't wait to see the Vivien Leigh project!
And my goodness, people's rudeness to you never ends! Now it's not your hair, your dress, or your height, it's what you do with your leisure time?!? (I personally am shocked you *have* any leisure time, you do so much, but certainly you deserve it - and you deserve to spend it as you wish!) Every expectant knitter should be able to knit tiny sweet things for their babe, and knitters of all people should know that. So there. :)
Those of us close to you know how long and grueling your job can be, even though you love it and are brilliant at it. Your mama thinks that after working sometimes 12 hours a day, a little relaxing knitting time *at home* is what all avid knitters would understand. :) xxoo
The blanket turned out beautifully! And the hat is beyond adorable!!! I'll be stalking the blog to see what you make with Vivien Leigh since I've been hoarding my double skein since I received it!
How beautiful!
Loving the posts as you knit during the final days before delivery. As a mom of three boys....this cheering corner can only add...
go little mommy GO! :)
I need "like" or "agree" buttons for everybody's comments. We want more yarn, of course, but we've got plenty to tide us over while you knit for the Shamrock!!!
I love the blanket. I love the hat. The whole thing makes me think a wee thing to knit for would be fun. The feeling will pass, or I'll get another puppy. Though I can't knit for a puppy. Well, not as cutely anyway. Adorable work! Now put your feet up, and knit some more, cause I want to see more cute baby type things :)
Here's the new rule: anyone who gives you crap about taking time for yourself when you *should be* working on their order, their order automatically gets shipped to me whenever you have the time to do it!
The blankey is beautiful, and the ruffles are cuh-ray-zee! Love it! Knit on, Mama!
Oh, good plan, Jen L.! I'll put up an auto responder on my email system saying, "If you're writing to chastise Yarnista about knitting, I'm sorry, but your yarn has been permanently rerouted to Jen L."
Give 'em hell, Sharon!
When you didn't blog for a while, I was a little worried about you. I was wondering if you were feeling okay. I should have known better! Not only were you okay, but you've been churning out baby stuff like nobody's business. And that's exactly what it is! It's nobody's business that you are spending some time knitting stuff for the new wee one! So cute! And I can hardly wait to see what you make with Vivien Leigh - I've been dying to know what it looks like knitted up.
The blanket is absolutely beautiful. Can't wait for the directions. Please take care of yourself, hope you're feeling better soon.
Are these the same people who complain that you don't show your fabu yarn knit up enough, too? Just askin'...and gorgeous knitting.
Oh my goodness!!! I love, love, love the blanket and the hat!!!! You are amazing!!! I can't wait to see what Shamrock's Vivienne Leigh wants to be.
I love the rule about Nobody Chastises the Yarnista About Knitting!!! Jen L will be happy to take their yarn on any schedule. so would I.
Also, well said Yarnista's Mama. You are wonderful. :)
The blankie is wonderful, ruffle and all. I can just picture Shamrock wearing the adorable wee bonnet while kicking and waving her arms because she is happily watching the 2 horsedogs gallop about the room.
The yarn can wait. Take time for you. I worked crazy hours right up until I went into labour last fall (during a teleconference call a week before I was due) and I was exhausted the entire 40 hours. I can't believe people are grumbling.
Sweetie, if you need more knitting time, you just go ahead and let my order sit. I can wait, but the joy of knitting for your own sweet Irish baby can't.
Genia
OH! And the blanket and bonnet are both so, so beautiful.
Well, I am looking forward to being surprised one day to receive yarn in the mail (actually I kind of like the surprise part) but I will simply squish it, show it off and put it atop my stash basket as a visual treat until I finish some wips. So keep on knitting 'cause I have babies to knit for too!
P.S. Adore the knits and your Mama's comment. Get well!