Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Yarn Along: Starting and Finishing

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.

11 comments:

  1. 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!

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  2. How I adore Zoe Mellor. Her books are always crammed with inspiration.
    Best wishes for your upcoming birth!

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  3. 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?!

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  4. I'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.

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  5. most 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!

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  6. I 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.

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  7. Oooh, 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!

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  8. i really love the sears book. those mittens are really nice.

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  9. I 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.

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  10. What a gorgeous blog you have!

    I 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.

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  11. 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!

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