Green/Teal dots baby blanket

It was my friend Amy's baby shower today, so now I can show you my most recent baby blanket. Another version of the shell blanket that I liked so much in pink.

Tension

I used to think that I had no issues with tension when knitting or crocheting, but I was wrong. Depending on how cold my hands are - or not - can make a really big difference when making something so small as a baby bootie. In one of the first pairs I tried there was quite a bit of differece in the sizing. Not good enough at all, really.

But I'm with the program now as I am knitting then both at once - with two balls of wool.  While you can't whip one up quite so quickly this does answer nicely to my enormous issues of making two things exactly the same.  This green pair in Vanna's choice wool worked up very nicely and I just love the kitty face buttons - which are on there very securely.

And this is another pair for a slightly older child.  I am no expert but I'm guessing about 12-18 months.  The mottled wool is actually quite a lot nicer than I think it shows in the photograph, and I think they're sweet with the matching polka dot buttons.

I've washed and dried the green ones to test and they wash up lovely.  I always wash in cold water and use a delicate setting for wool in the drier.  No fuss - just what a mum needs.

Note to self:  From now on buy two balls of each colour.

Valentine Card Kits

Valentine's Day Cards

I've been making up a few more Valentine cards- this time with a view to "kitting them up".   This way I get to assemble the supplies and see what comes together.  I have always loved making things - but if I break it down  - one of my favourite aspects is gathering all the "bits" that I know I'll use some day.  The fun for me is when it all comes together.

WIP Wednesday - Burgundy Christmas Tree Skirt

 Woohoo, I've made it ... for my first "Work in Progress Wednesday" posting.  It's never a problem to find a project that is "in progress" as there are altogether too many of those, but it has proven quite the challenge to remember that it is Wednesday - and then get organized enough to photograph and post about something.

Crayola Childrens Blanket

Do you remember when Crayola crayons came out with the 64 pack?  That was such an exciting day.  It was a good day for my multi-coloured crochet childrens blanket today.  Especially good considering I have, for a few weeks now,  been contemplating taking it all apart for either a different stitch or different project all together.

Good news though, it survived, and I've persevered and added a few more 'layers' since the first posting.  All the colours I'm using are in now - a total of 24 - so it's time for their second appearances.

I plan to follow a similar colour wave, but not an identical repeat.  I'm hoping it will look more interesting this way.  This should make a really fun play blanket for a young child, and one thing is likely ... they'll be good at their colours.

Freddie is doing his very best to learn the new "DON'T TOUCH!!!!" policies, but he sure likes to push the limits.

I "Heart" Christmas Ornament Hooks

Well now you know ... what happens when two holidays collide?  You end up with an "I Heart Christmas" line.   Some of the Valentine kits that I have been purchasing recently - for the card stock mainly -  came with these little heart beads.  I didn't think they were that great for card making purposes ... but they're just the thing for these "I Heart Christmas" ornament hooks.

More Valentines and getting sorted

 Goodness me ... this isn't a good sign.  Only half way into January and I'm already thinking "where is this year going?"  I don't know about you, but I feel like Christmas was just a few days ago. I suppose with all the post-holiday-clear-away activities it's small wonder.  I have been busy - while I have many of the paper craft supplies taking over the dining room - making a few more Valentine cards.

Foam Hearts & Gems Valentines Day Cards

 I've been on a bit of a crafty roll lately, and far be it for me to want to get in the way of that. It is fun to make things - and a nice break from the computer to get back to traditional "making" methods.  I'm finding ways to to turn my attention to things I haven't done before or in ages.

Cat wool?

Freddie is VERY pleased ... he has a new ball of wool.  And it MUST be okay to play with as there's a kitty on the label!  As for Freddie's mum, she's busy crafting things with hearts on them - which is wierd because there are still Christmas things about.  Silly Freddie's mummy ... although they do give her lots of ideas for "I Heart Christmas" decoration styles.

Slipper Style Bootie for 6-12 months

This is another pattern winner in the great bootie experiment - I found it here on the hipknitized blog.    A more moccasin style slipper that looks to be ideal for the 6-12 month old.

  The first pair I tried in a simple colour and just added some buttons I had on hand for embellishment. I like this concept and I've ordered some lovely baby buttons - teddy bears, sailer anchors, cats, ducks, hearts, polka dots, stripes and etc.  It should be fun and inspirational when they start arriving.

 This is a variation I think is rather cute - inspired by a bit of a running shoe look.  You could do narrow stripes, 3 or 4 colour options, full stripes or etc.  I have been experimenting - in the form of single edition booties - with quite a few variations, but this is one of my favourite so far.

The little laces, which are crocheted, should help to give them a nice snug fit, and add a bit of whimsy.  Of course this style would also look cute with fancy buttons.

I love simple patterns like this that allow you to get really creative with variations in execution.  I'm thinking the kitty cat buttons would look really cute on that red and cream stripe ... and maybe white bunnies for the pink jacquard.  The slipper in the middle I thought I'd really like ... but it turns out I don't.  You don't know until you try.

O Christmas Tree(s)

Ugh, it really is a chore putting all the Christmas things away.  Let me tell you, six trees stripped of all but a few straggling ornaments is really not too festive - unless you're a forest creature perhaps - but we're nearly there (I tell myself and the cats) and I am discovering more and more hideaways for all this stuff.

At the moment though I am procrastinating with a cup of coffee and sorting out some photos to catalogue some of the craft room things that I can then put away for sale. Yes, I do attempt organized.  I'm experimenting with the new dynamic blog formats and although for me there are some severe limitations, some of the possibilities are quite fabulous.  The wreaths are done - check it out. 

I had to giggle at finding this photo.  Mum and Dad taking photos in the living room.  Mum thinking there are a lot of Christmas trees about but she is wearing them on both her top, her cardigan, earrings to boot and probably her socks as well ... so you could say the apple doesn't fall far from THE TREE! lol (and everyone thought Dad was the Christmas one - a double whammy!)

Super Cute Baby Booties

Happy New Year everyone! I hope the holidays were wonderful and not too stressful.  I have been taking a break from the never pleasant chores of putting all the Christmas trimmings away - and questioning my sanity as I do every year - to experiment with something new.

These are my very first ever pair of baby booties!!!  Yes, I am rather pleased.  And these little guys are so cute I am already thinking about adapting the pattern for a pair for myself.

 The two rows of knit, two rows of purl gives you a lovely soft and bulky ridged result that should both fit snugly and stretch easily for the growing foot.  While I have never been one to be very caught up by baby things, I must say that holding these little guys in the palm of my hand solicited a surprising "ooooh".  They are super cute and I give this pattern 5 stars.

 They're done on 3.25 mm needles and I find they work best with the thinner baby wools, but a sport weight will produce a good size for a toddler.  You can find the pattern at Knitting-Crochet.com.  As a good newborn baby bootie, no doubt they would also look cute with ribbon or other embellishments.  Soo many possibilities with a lovely simple pattern.  You can imagine them striped can't you?