Late Night Cravings

Late this past Friday night, I found myself craving a big bowl of something. But what???
Ice cream? Chocolate chips? Betty Crocker icing?

As I was making my way down to the kitchen, it was a big bowl of a little something else stopped me in my tracks.

A big bowl... of leftover sock yarn.

All of a sudden the type of craving I was having shifted gears completely.

But I knew that my craving wouldn't be entirely satisfied until I did the unmentionable... which is 'cast on'.

  

So that's exactly what I did.

And what I ended up with... was utterly and entirely addictive.

Linen Stitch Scarf by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

Normally I wouldn't think twice about casting on a new project- especially at the beginning of a weekend!

However... today marks the 'one month to go' until I walk down the aisle and say "I Do". (Yeeeeeah... so much for a Winter 2013 wedding- right?) November 17th it is! And the calendar indicates that today is October 17th... Whoops!

Between now and then there is lots to get through, and I should know better than to cast on a project like this one only because... nothing else is going to get done until I cast this scarf off. (And I'm not just talking about tasks that are knitting related that are going to be neglected).

Little flower fighting against the first frost at the shop

If my groom ends up waiting for me at the altar... tell him I just have to finish off the fringe, then I'll be right there.

He knows not to take that sort of thing personally.

That's why I'm marrying him.

To Baby, With Love

So, I think I've found it. My "go-to" baby sweater.

You know? The one that you lovingly cast on and churn through when you hear a baby announcement, or get a shower invitation in the mail? Of course you know it. Even if you don't have a "go-to" baby sweater, you will. And you know exactly what I'm talking about. Right? You think that you'll switch it up the next time, but try as you might, you just have to knit the same little number again (and again, and again) each time a new little life is announced.

There's a reason why we repeat the same sweater over and over again, isn't there?  In the case of this sweater, it goes a little something like this. I love knitting every stitch with this yarn, I find stripes entirely addictive- and adorable!, and being able to choose the perfect buttons for baby??? Pure bliss.

I like to think that the love I have for knitting this little striped cardi will translate over to my love for the little baby that will someday wear it.

Red pants were the obvious choice

Approximately five months back, an old high school friend of mine popped into the shop, and loaded herself up with some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. Since I'm a pretty nosey person, I naturally wanted to know ALL the details of who this yarn was for and what it was going to be. My questions were being dodged (in the politest way possible), until my friend finally succombed to the pressure of my rapid fire questioning, and admitted that it was HER that was going to have a wee babe in the coming months! Oh the excitement!

There was simply no question in my mind that I would knit for the babe (knitters are just the BEST people to knit for!) and there was also no question what yarn I would use. (My shop counter, piled high with this yarn was the clear indicator).

So away I went.

Since this is the third time I have knit this sweater this year, I won't go on (and on and on) about the yarn and the pattern. But for those of you just tuning in- here's the scoop.

Yarn- Four balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, two balls in shade 203 and two balls in shade 21
Pattern- Striped Cardigan from the book Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino 2 
Size- 6-9 month
Needles- 2.75mm and 3.25mm
Cuteness factor- OVERLOAD!

I'll see what I can do about getting a pic of the dear babe modelling his sweater once he makes his debut into the world this November.

Just so baby knows that is was 'Specially' hand made for him

 So, baby! I look forward to meeting you!

You're lucky to have the mom that you have.

And once you're ready to learn how to knit, give me a shout. 

I speak from experience when I say that it's not always the best idea to learn that skill from your own mother.