Emmett

So, he was born a month ago today... all was great, he was 9 lb 2 oz and I am relieved to have him here in the world safely.  We're all settling into our new ways okay... there is a fair bit of yelling going on, but I'm confident it will pass.

Apologies for the absence... I fear it may last a little longer!

Too small and too big

A little while back I finished Mil's jumper.  Ravelry link here. The first thing I have knitted for my lovely boy.  I am fairly happy with it.  I love the yarn (Stylecraft Pure Luxury Merino DK)... so so soft, but I made a bit of a mess of the neck... not thinking very clearly about how the two-tone was going to work.  And then... the damn thing ended up being way too small!  Good old Mil wore it for a while, insisting that it was 'fine' but really it was way too short in the arms and in the body. 

I'm knitting him a new jumper now... a tank top, which will be the right size!  And, luckily there is a cousin this can go straight to, and then it can come back for our next.

So, too big?  That's me.  I'm too big, way too big.  Going for the op on Tuesday... wish me luck!

Backstitch pattern review series

Over at Backstitch, we've started a series of pattern reviews by lovely bloggers. The idea is to give you a useful resource for when choosing patterns from the shop. 

The first of our pattern reviews is by Helen of Angharad Handmade. You all know Helen don't you?  She has a great blog as well as an Etsy shop where you can buy all the nice things she makes.

The review gives you some valuable information about the pattern, as well as some inspiration... who could not be inspired by this lovely spotty number?!

Read the full review here within the articles section on the Backstitch website.

 

Clickerty-clack

I can't get enough of knitting at the moment! I am seriously missing sewing but just can't get my backside off the sofa. I think B is getting a bit bored of me saying 'I know what I'm going to sew next' and then not doing any of it... I have masses on my 'to sew' list and zero motivation for it.



But, those knitting needles? Click, clack, click, clack. I'm in heaven!

I've finished this unborn childs second pair of shoes... I know, daft. I am fully aware that babies don't wear shoes, but those cute little bootie patterns - irresistible! (Saartje's Booties, ravelry link here). That's it though. I've moved on to some serious functional knitting.



I really wanted to knit the boy a cardigan. He likes cardigans over jumpers really, but I couldn't find a pattern I was happy with, so I have opted for the placket neck jumper from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I am knitting it in this super-soft Stylecraft 100% merino.




But, anyone have any ideas how to get me off this sofa and up into that sewing room?

Baby Knits

Today I finished two projects. A red jacket and some booties. Both for the baby. Some might be forgiven for thinking that this baby is going to be born in December, not May, but hey, you know the what the British summer is like.


I am loving knitting at the moment and now feel quite lost that I have nothing on the go... not sure what I can get click-clacking on next? Perhaps something for the boy... poor chap has not been knitted anything yet.



Both projects are in my Ravelry. The jacket here and the boots here. Both projects are free ones, the jacket from here and the boots here, and both were really great quick knits... highly recommended. The only concern I have is that the booties really are tiny. I think if I made them again, I would make them longer in the foot. They currently measure up at 7cm heel to toe... I know babies are small, but 7cm? Besides, it looks like I'm cooking up a nine and a half pounder in here.

And, how are you all? Enjoying this sunny spell?

Backstitch: Free Alphabet Embroidery Transfer

New blog post over at the Backstitch blog: Download a free alphabet embroidery transfer.

Knitting for the bump

I haven't done any knitting for ages. I have been slogging to get Backstitch up and running and craft-wise I have been beavering away on some projects that will be for the Backstitch blog.

But a couple of days ago I picked up the needles again.

I am 31 weeks pregnant and really getting quite big now. Getting to the stage where I am not just moving slowly, but trying to move less too. And although this goes against my nature, I have realised that moving less and knitting make a winning combination.

Now, this poor little baby that is wriggling away inside me hasn't been crafted anything yet (actually that's not exactly true, but near enough) so a small red cardigan is on the needles.

The pattern is a free one (God bless Ravelry), and is available here. This is the link to my project in Ravelry.

As we don't know what flavour this baby will be I am knitting it in a nice universal red, and shall be using a big brown wooden button, yet to be purchased, as the feature. I think the cardi has a pretty unisex shape too.

Hooray for knitting!