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)
Ahahahahaha. Yes, you are allowed to knit now and again, especially for your baby! Keep at it.
The blanket did come out lovely.
Congrats on the blanket! That colorway is gorgeous, and I love the ruffle. And that sweet little hat!! That colorway is gorgeous also. I think I have to add that hat to my queue.
As far as people making negative comments about your leisure time, tell 'em to pound sand. What you do in your free time, what little of it you have, is your business. Get well soon.
The blanket is stunning! I'm also in love with the sweet hat done in Parisienne. Vivien Leigh is beautiful too, I need some! Baby Shamrock will be gorgeously adorned from head to toe, as she should be!
I can't imagine anyone complaining about the time you took for Shamrock's goodies! They are just gorgeous, Sharon. Thanks for sharing!
You should consider yourself the bard of blankets. It's stupendous! Thanks so much for taking the time to give us the directions -- I know I'll be making one for my first grandchild (Amelia, due in August). And the little hat is so lovely. I voted for that colorway, and I think it's perfect. (I suspect I would have thought the other colorways were perfect, too; it was a close call.) And, finally, I can't imagine how anyone (especially a knitter) could have the temerity to comment on how you spend your private time. Knit away!! I can't wait to see what you make with Vivien Leigh (one of my favorites, too).
I hope you feel better soon.
I like the Yarnista's Mama!! I think she is a wise woman who should be listened to :)
(and if the yarn doesn't dye itself, cause perhaps you can't hold your magic wand and hold knitting needles at the same time, then we will wait...this is too special a time to not be able to enjoy it for all it is worth, as I'm sure you know)
Knit, knit away, yarnista! Our yarn orders will be done soon enough! You can't get the time back to knit before Baby Shamrock gets here, however, so take advantage while you can. And hope you feel better soon, too!
I agree with everyone--keep on knitting for your lovely new babe. My yarn finally did arrive, and it was worth the wait--I would have waited longer for it. Please take care of yourself. Yarn can wait, babies can't. Christine G.
The blanket & hat turned out adorably, of course. Nicely done, Yarnista. I've knitted a ruffly spiral baby blanket myself during which my circular needles broke. I feel your pain.
I'm also chiming in with support for you getting to knit & enjoy your life without just dyeing yarn all day, every day. I say this because I already received my most recent order. KIDDING! I KID! I'd say that even if I had an open order. :)
That color would make a gorgeous Pebble Vest.
I do love the edging on the hat, as well as the little bobbins! Also - stick to yours guns and keep knitting!
I live vicariously through you. In my fantasy world I have your brilliant color sense, you great sense of humor and your awesome job!! We all need some some knitting time - even if (in my case) it is YOUR knitting time. And I must say - in my fantasy world I am a fabulous knitter!!!
I love the blanket and I can't wait to meet baby Shamrock! You are one of the hardest workers I know. You are free to knit in your spare time (which is minimal)...free indeed!! I give you permission. : ))
That skein of Vivian Leigh made me swoon! You knit on!
And the blanket and bonnet are both so, so beautiful.