While I wait for Baby #2 to arrive, I'm in a weird state of starting small projects (a pair of newborn socks, anyone?) and finishing a bunch of others. And by finishing I mean a flurry of weaving in ends, blocking, seaming and sewing on buttons. It's tedious work and my least favorite part of the knitting process... but if I don't do it now, I may never do it once the baby gets here. And I already missed the boat with two sweaters and a pair of booties I'd started and never finished in time for Nathan to wear when he was a baby, so I don't want to make that mistake again. (It's mostly the seaming that gets me, but I ask you this, how is it that someone who loves buttons so much hates sewing them on? What a cruel twist of fate.)
That's mostly why I haven't posted a stash-busting update recently... it's hard to say, "look at all this stuff I've made from my stash" when it's a heap of unseamed, buttonless knitting with yarn tails all over the place. But I'm planning a photo-heavy update for Friday, so please check back to link up your progress on knitting from your stash this year.
Despite all the finishing, I've recently cast on a pair of mittens for Nathan from Zoe Mellor's Adorable Knits for Tots. It's my third pair from this book -- when these are done I'll have knitted a pair in all three sizes. Baby #2 will get Nathan's hand-me-downs, but lucky Nathan will get a new pair every other year or so. These are knitted with Knit Picks City Tweed DK in Toad and Jacquard, leftovers from Nathan's Milo vest and placket-neck pullover. Don't the colors look great together? Another stashbuster to add to my list!
I'm still enjoying James Herriot's well-written All Things Wise and Wonderful and am finishing up Dr. Sears' The Birth Book. Despite how long ago it was written -- and the fact that it was written by an M.D. and his R.N. wife (who gave birth to at least seven babies at home, I believe her eighth was adopted), it's full of the best and current information on having a natural birth in or out of a hospital setting and avoiding needless interventions. I'm finding it even more useful and practical than Ina May's Guide to Natural Childbirth, which I also enjoyed.
That's mostly why I haven't posted a stash-busting update recently... it's hard to say, "look at all this stuff I've made from my stash" when it's a heap of unseamed, buttonless knitting with yarn tails all over the place. But I'm planning a photo-heavy update for Friday, so please check back to link up your progress on knitting from your stash this year.
Despite all the finishing, I've recently cast on a pair of mittens for Nathan from Zoe Mellor's Adorable Knits for Tots. It's my third pair from this book -- when these are done I'll have knitted a pair in all three sizes. Baby #2 will get Nathan's hand-me-downs, but lucky Nathan will get a new pair every other year or so. These are knitted with Knit Picks City Tweed DK in Toad and Jacquard, leftovers from Nathan's Milo vest and placket-neck pullover. Don't the colors look great together? Another stashbuster to add to my list!
I'm still enjoying James Herriot's well-written All Things Wise and Wonderful and am finishing up Dr. Sears' The Birth Book. Despite how long ago it was written -- and the fact that it was written by an M.D. and his R.N. wife (who gave birth to at least seven babies at home, I believe her eighth was adopted), it's full of the best and current information on having a natural birth in or out of a hospital setting and avoiding needless interventions. I'm finding it even more useful and practical than Ina May's Guide to Natural Childbirth, which I also enjoyed.
Yes, the finishing is never fun. I think that might be why I rarely knit things that I need to block...and I sometimes even cheat with the weaving in of ends. I think I am just too lazy :-) Good luck finishing everything!
ReplyDeleteHow I adore Zoe Mellor. Her books are always crammed with inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for your upcoming birth!
I'm not a fan of finishing, either. Wouldn't it be great if you could pass that job on to someone else - a finishing shop or something and then pick it up again all ready to wear?!
ReplyDeleteI'm working on a crochet motifs blanket at the moment using up stash yarn and there are about a bazillion ends to weave in, I know how you feel.
ReplyDeletemost finishing doesn't bother me too much---except the button thing! I have jars and jars and jars of buttons--I LOVE buttons; but I so HATE sewing them on!
ReplyDeleteI get tripped up in the finishing too. I'm not sure why I despise it so much. What an exciting time for you! I wish I had been a knitter when my daughter was born 17 years ago.
ReplyDeleteOooh, a fall baby, how lovely! Mine have all been spring babies so I haven't gotten to indulge in many tiny baby knits yet... I love the colors of your stripes! I found you through the link up, I'm sharing toddler leg warmers and my mama scarf this week. Happy knitting! I'm your newest follower btw!
ReplyDeletei really love the sears book. those mittens are really nice.
ReplyDeleteI agree, finishing is the worst bit. When I know I won't finish, usually I just force myself to sit and do it, no matter what else needs to get done.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous blog you have!
ReplyDeleteI hate weaving-in ends, but there is no better feeling when it's done :- )
Cute mittens--great colors.
I've read both of those books--James Herriot's when I was a young girl, and The Birth Book whey I was expecting *my* second baby 17 1/2 years ago! That book stands (along with Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth) as my favorite book on the topic.
Oh yes, I agree ... flurries of weaving in ends, blocking, seaming and sewing on buttons are tedious indeed! I love the James Herriot books and it is probably time to read them again. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete