This morning I finished the baby blanket. Ah...such a great feeling. For the border, I used some pale pink yarn that I had left over from a baby hat that I made years ago. I wasn't sure how it would look. I like the contrast of the pale pink on the powder blue. It's nice, because all of the yarn that I used was just sitting in my stash. I still have have enough baby yarn to make another one! This one is going to a friend of mine's new baby grandson. She is from a family of knitters.
This morning I took an early morning hike to beat the heat. Later on, I sat out on the porch with a cup of coffee, my crocheting, and the dogs. I love the shell stitch. It looks so pretty, yet it's very easy and repetitive. The shape of it is so soft against the clustered crocheted pattern. After weaving in the ends with a tapestry needle, I filled my bathroom sink with water, and plunged the baby blanket into it. I let it soak for about twenty minutes.
Once I had squeezed out the excess water, I put it into my Nina Spin Dryer. I love this tool. It saves me so much time. It really sucks out a tremendous amount of moisture from your hand knit and crocheted items. Look at all of that water in the bowl! It always amazes me. I feel like having this spinner has really made me able to produce like a professional knitter. Things dry so much faster, and I don't have to leave them laying out in my cottage for days. I can get things mailed off to my customers so quickly.
I shaped the blanket and laid it flat to dry on an old towel. The dampness evaporated very quickly, in an hour or so. I always wonder if it's necessary to block acrylic. I do it, anyway. I smoothed my hands over the top, and adjusted the corners. I'm really pleased with how it turned out; the colors work well together. This can be given to a baby boy or baby girl. What do you think?
I love the idea of the blue with the pink.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diva Farm Days. It was an experiment, but I like it, too. It's a nice way to use up leftover yarn from the stash.
DeleteIt's a lovely blanket and I think the colours look good together.
ReplyDeleteThank you, shazza. I think so, too. I used to make these blankets in either pink and cream, or blue and cream. Now I can do it this way if I don't know whether the baby is going to be a boy or a girl.
DeleteFirstly I think you are so fast. I'm sure you only started this blanket a week ago.
ReplyDeleteI agree it can be used for either a boy or girl. Your friend will be so happy, it's lovely.
Kylie
Thank you, Kylie. You're right, I started it a week ago. Crocheting moves quickly, and I know this pattern. My friend showed the photo to her daughter, and she was thrilled. I am going to post it today.
DeleteThat is just darling~ they're sure to love it. You are checking those UFOs off your list:-)
ReplyDeleteHi Lady Locust, Thank you. I think the pattern is so sweet. Yes, I finished the cotton sweater yesterday, too! No more incomplete projects!
DeleteI always love buying things from people who obviously care about what they do. It's clear to me that you do. When I see quality work, cleanly presented, folded and wrapped, it's the next best thing to me doing it myself. I'm sure you have a lot of very satisfied customers. Your work is just lovely.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Rhonda Jean. I started knitting after reading your blog and seeing your beautiful dishcloths. Back then, looking at them made me feel so wistful. Now I am knitting madly...and I just love it. Thank you for your help, kindness, and inspiration.
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