I’ve joined ripplemania (here’s some inspiration, and some more), I actually started it just before E was born , I’d run out of things to do, so thought I’d give it a go to keep me occupied. I ended up having to go buy more wool the Saturday before she was born, so I’m now making a ripple blanket. It’s great for keeping us both cosy while I work!!!!
I go along to a knitting group every month with a few friends (just at each other’s houses), and before christmas my friend Beth from www.fibrespace.co.uk inspired by the Alterknits book set us all a challenge. She’d wrapped up a load of balls of wool (50-100g), and then some smaller accent parcels. I originally picked a couple of balls of Iceland wool in grey, but I was very ungracious and asked to swap (I find it hard to be inspired by grey). Here’s what I picked
A ball of bluey/green boucle type cotton, not completely sure of it’s content, but it was very thin 2/4ply, and a little bunch of pale green roving. What would you have done with this selection? The boucle was so thin, that I decided I’d have to crochet it, or it would take forever to grow. So I started to play around with swathches adding other wool to bulk it out, using two strands, anything really to get some ideas.
And after lots of fiddling around something began to take shape, I really enjoyed the way it sort of formed itself, a ‘freeform’ amigurumi appeared, and here she it (minus nose and mouth!!)
I’ve only got about a month to go before this little nippers born, so I’m packing in the baby projects before it arrives, partly to keep me busy and to stop me dwelling on the labour.
Here’s a few things I’ve got on the go, or plan to do in the next month.
I’m trying to keep up the crochet practice, although I have just realised I’d been learning american crochet (Stitch n Bitch Crochet – the happy hooker), so I went to the local library and borrowed a couple of books with English crochet (First Crochet, and Cute Crochet for Tiny Tots). Not much difference, but the stitches have different names, I had a go at these ‘Baby Brogues’ from the First Crochet book, they’re so cute, one is bigger than the other but nevermind!!
I’ve also started knitting a little cardigan, it’s a pattern from this months Simply Knitting Magazine, the pattern is by Kokobino, I’ve modified it slightly, I haven’t tried stripy knitting yet, and I had a spare ball of self striping 4ply sock wool. If it goes well, I think I’ll buy some nicer wool, and have a go at the striped version.
I’ve been buying some nappies in preparation too, I used reusables with L (prefolds), but not at nightime as they leaked, so I bought some lovely bamboo terry shaped nappies from Babeco, the terry is so silky and lush. I noticed they sell the fabric so I’ve been having a go at making some baby towels (I’ve finally got to grips with the overlocker), what a breeze, I found the bias binding a bit tricky (if anyone’s got any tips, they’d be welcome), but I’m so pleased with it. I’ve just got to wash it before I have a go at another one, and I’ve got enough terry to make a load of washable wipes!!. Here’s the unwashed, overlocked version, with Sleepytoes baby modelling (she’s not very photogenic). I’ll post a pick of the washed, finished one later.
I’d really like to have a go at Heather’s Bitty Booties, it looks like an easy pattern to follow, I’ve got loads of bits of fleece lying around, a prototype might be in order.
As I make baby slings for a living, I’t would be nice to make some custom made ones for this little one, but I can see I’ll end up grabbing one or two from stock. I’d love to make a fancy ring sling, I’ve got some lush pistachio green stretchy cotton, that would be stunning with a bit of embroidery or something added to the tail. Maybe that caould be a project to save if I become overdue!!
I made an extra Origami bag at christmas and gave it to my daughter.
But of course now she wants a dolly or something to keep inside it!!!!! So I’ve set myself a bit of a challenge, I’m a complete crochet novice, but love the little amigurumi figures I’ve seen about, so I’m gonna have a go at making one. Here’s some links to some nice ones I’ve found, still need to decide which one to make.
Neko Cat, Bunny, Dude, Bear, Bird, Egg Babies!!!, Another Bunny, Mouse, Sprite
