Knitting Update

In answer to Spinning Fishwife's question, yes I have been knitting some baby things, I've just been really crap about taking photos of them and putting them on Ravelry. So, there are various jumpers and cardigans. 2 in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, which despite being inpractical and expensive is possibly my favourite baby yarn. Patterns from the Baby Cash 2 book. The darker one is a chocolate colour. I had trouble getting the colours right in the photos. I'm wondering if the greenish one is a bit girly in colour. It might yet become a present.

A couple more from Natural Knits for Babies and Mums, by Louisa Harding. One in blue Jaeger Matchmaker Merino and the other in stripped mystery yarns, costing £1.50 from the John Lewis bargin bin (we suspect this is Cathay, but they had no labels).

I also knitted some booties and a hat from the same book, in Washed Haze.

This Owl Vest in Jeager Matchmaker Merino DK.

I also crocheted the blanket below (being blocked) from left over sock yarn and some blue Hermit 4-ply crepe that I inherited from Graeme's Auntie Irene. I was actually looking out my sock yarn ends to give to people at Tuesday Knitting for their own sock yarn blankets, but when I got it out I felt like I had to make something with it myself. Each little ball had it's own memories and I didn't want to part with them completely. Don't worry ladies, there's lots left.

So yes, I have knitted some baby things, and before anyone says anything, don't panic, they're all in different sizes, from newborn to 12 months. I'm not a total looney.

I also made a difficult decision last week. I was knitting Vivian by Yosolda, in Rowan wool yarn, but it's been waiting for sleeves since I became pregnant. I haven't been able to bring myself to finish it because I know it won't fit any more. I know the bump will go but I'll be stuck with the bust for a while, so I decided it was destined for the frog pond. I loved knitting the bottom section and I could have kept it, but I hate that feeling of projects that have been hanging round half finished for months or years.

So as a quick knit I decided to make a Liesl for myself (another Ysolda pattern). It only took a few days and it's a nice spring item to have to keep my arms and shoulders warms, since it can't seem to get about 12 degrees C here. I can't decide whether it makes me look fat, but as G points out I'm quite large anyway.

Finally the money shot. A profile, for people who keep asking me if I look big yet. I know it's got a way to go, but it feels pretty large to me. I used to have a waist.

Boating

Last weekend we joined Graeme's parents for a long weekend on a canal barge on the Coventry canal. I'd never been on a canal boat before and it took me a while to get into the swing of things, or rather the saunter of things. Fortunately they had already had the boat for a couple of days and knew what they were doing. Graeme drove the boat for some of the time. I spent most of it sitting at the front.

As holidays go I don't think I'll be queuing up to spend a week or more on a canal (some people said they were out for months at a time), but it was very relaxing. I managed to finish a pair of plain socks and one of my fruit loop socks (I'll take some photos this weekend). It was good to catch up with my in-laws, and I saw plenty of ducklings, goslings and moor-hen-lings while doing this. I also saw a kingfisher at one point but even my lightening photographic reactions aren't up to catching that.

Mercifully the weather was sunny, so we were able to sit out. People were friendly and helpful. Working the locks was welcome exercises, although I did get chastised by a few people for cranking the handle in my enlarged state. If I followed everyone's advice I'd be in bed for 9 months, and I've seen plenty of pregnant women with toddlers under their arm or in a pushchair with a couple of bags of shopping. All in all a good experience, even if it wasn't a life changing one.

Just to make up for the pitiful lack of knitting content over the last few months, here of a photo of the Last Supper, depicted in full knitted glory, from Tamworth Cathedral, which was quite beautiful.

Wedding Number 2

I'm a bit behind again. What a surprise!

A couple of weekends ago we went to Kay and Ed's wedding in Sheffield. Kay and I have been friend's since Mr Boulter's maths class, or was it school orchestra? Though we probably haven't always kept in touch that well. It was nice to see her and her family so happy. It was a relaxed affair, with a jazz band (loved by babies), bacon sandwiches and a disco later on. Continuing along the theme of being a bit crap about taking photos at events, the best one I got was this.

This is the second wedding I've been to since my enforced sobriety. I must say it is noticably more difficult to get up and dance in front of strangers when you look like a beach balls and you're stone cold sober.

I hope Kay and Ed had a lovely honeymoon (part I) in Barcelona and they have a long and joy-filled life together.