baa baa black sheep

I posted these blankets in progress on Instagram and I thought I’d write a little bit about them here, because, well, I’m proud of them! My baby gift game just got a bit tighter. (Also hilarious to me that my last post was so sexy and this one is about baby things.)

This is basically a PSA for learning how to knit because right now I am really in love with it. I will always be thankful to Tara-Lynn for putting out those Good Night, Day patterns which encouraged me to teach myself after years of saying it just wasn’t for me. Of course, it can be so frustrating and I’ve probably taken more knitting apart than I’ve finished. But I still love the act of knitting, and I love the tactile pleasures of a super soft yarn. Plus when you’re doing a bunch of simple knit rows, you can read a book at the same time. I read The Goldfinch as I knit the pink blanket.

I haven’t knit things for people other than myself and Geoff, but I suspected that knitting for babies could be really enjoyable since everything is tiny and adorable. And what better way to honour and celebrate the arrival of a little baby than something made with care? We have a few sets of friends who have babies on the way, and while there are certainly no shortages of baby clothing and baby accessories available to buy, I was never very satisfied with the selection in my price range. Anything I made myself would be made under the most loving circumstances, and I could control the materials used (I know why so many baby items are made of polyester and acrylic, including most baby yarns, but... ugh). I found the source of the pattern for this blanket at the public library: the book Precious Knit Blankies for Baby by Jean Adel. The sheep blanket pattern intimidated me at first and it took me a few tries to get the hang of the intarsia, but it ended up being easier than I thought, and that seed stitch border is so sweet.

You can go your own way, little baby. I made the sheep out of roving wool but next time I might try using something with mohair for added fluff. 

This dusty pink one is for Megan of Summerland who happens to be expecting a girl, but dusty pink is just so perfect for Megan anyhow.

I didn’t like how the back looked, just a little too messy, and Hollie, who was making the same blanket, suggested that I line it. I used organic cotton jersey and it gave it an extra substance and softness. Good tip, Hollie, especially since these are both blankets for winter babies. Once I finished the pink one I went right into making the blue/grey one; I was really determined not to let them sit unfinished in a pile for too long.

Finished this one last night, and the little dude it’s for should be making his appearance any moment.