Sunlit Sunday: Piece by Piece

This one's just for scale- I have normal sized hands- I think...

N thinks they would also make good party hats

I wanted to do a granny square blanket- but I can't crochet- and I'm not really accepting new skills to my hobby list at the present time- so I looked for a Knitted pattern- for squares that I could work on little by little- while using up my stash of yarn so that I can just be done with Knitting. I know, I know, Knitting is awesome- and I live in a climate where knit goods are actually essential and all that- but really I just don't have the time. I'm hoping that by cutting back on hobbies I'll actually accomplish more art making. (I'm somewhat skeptical that this will work- probably the void I'm creating will just fill itself with more and more obscure hobbies- like grafting trees, or weaving cloth out bark, then dyeing it with native plants.)

Anyhow- back to the blanket- I usually don't like Knit squares- they look too dishcloth-y to me- but this pattern is perfect. It is really straightforward and easy and quick and just great. I wasn't sure how big they would be and so I was worried they might be these giant unwieldy dishcloth like things- but they're actually perfectly sized- cute- wee things- which will make the most awesome blanket- and will also take me years to put together.

It's a great way to make these Kandinsky-esque colour circles too- because the pattern is knit from the outside in- it takes about an hour to knit one square- and I'm not getting at all sick of my colour choices yet- so it seems like it will be a great stash buster. Also I love the feeling of accomplishment I get after one hour of work- it could be years before I finish some clay pieces- so I'm loving the instant gratification feel of these hexagons- plus they're so cheery in all this white snow.

Linking up with Sunlit Sundays- it's a great group of bloggers over there- lots of  friendly Canadians- slip over to check it out over at My Little Home and Garden

Sewing- Faux Chenille baby blanket

Baby Blanket and Kicking bag-
stuffed animal meant to demonstrate- otherwise it looks like a fancy hot water bottle cover

So despite being extremely practical when it comes to handmades for this new baby, I did make a couple of special items just for it- every baby needs at least one new blanket right? I saw this tutorial and fell in love. I made mine with an old flannel sheet I had kicking around because darn it flannel is expensive- and I could not justify spending 8 bucks a metre on something that I wanted to cut up and fray. I was a little concerned that the old sheet wouldn't have the right weave or the bias cut would somehow not work- but it did- so if you want to try this using an old sheet- go right ahead.

I also really love the idea of a kicking bag for this baby- though who knows if we'll need it at all- if it stays this hot here I'll probably just let it roam in diapers. I didn't have one for N and I think it will be handy this fall and winter. It's a pretty loose pattern- the one I read was meant to be knit in the round- but I used straight needles and just sewed up the bottom and sides. I added a little bit width after the ribbing as well because it seemed tight otherwise- and then to hide my yarn over increases, and add a bit of interest I did a row of a miniature leaf pattern with a contrasting yarn. It looks exactly like a large hot water bottle holder (and actually has me thinking that a hot water bottle cover might be a good gift for Christmas- especially out of hydrophobic wool), but once there is a cute baby to put inside it it will make sense- I hope.

Wee Knit Jumper

This little jumper has been sitting in my knitting basket for about a month waiting for the most minuscule of finishing until it can be worn. Thankfully (almost) the summery weather we've been having broke yesterday, and a fine spring day-with lovely smelling rain emerged. It was a perfect day for a chunky knitted dress.

The dress is adapted from this pattern by Blue Sky Alpacas. I used Bernat Chunky Twists, the colour is fantastic- bright and tulip-y cheerful- we got several pleasant comments on it yesterday- which the girl met with the stony faced seriousness she reserves for strangers.