Spitting Yarn

Urgh.

A few weeks ago, I was inspired by Attic24’s* lurid and gorgeous hexagon blanket, to make a slightly tamer version for myself using the colours you see below.  I was progressing very nicely until some recently written words came back to haunt me…

I must check that the yarn I am using hasn’t been discontinued as I’m fairly sure I don’t have enough of it.  It would be a major bummer if I found  couldn’t get hold of more

Clearly, my id had a fair idea that the hot fondant pink centres of my throw-in-progress were Jaeger Aqua, a lovely lightweight dk cotton yarn which has been wiped from existence.  Come on, id!  Let’s have a bit more communication with the ego.  This failure of my conscious mind to pick up on the bleatings of my subconscious has resulted in…an ex-throw.

Sigh.

I was progressing very nicely until this little catastrophe set-back.  I don’t want to dwell on the number of hexagons I had already crocheted (so, so many).  Actually, I found myself suprisingly zen about the unravelling.  I feel a little unravelled myself at the moment so, in many ways, it seemed a natural development.

Having completed the disintegration of the throw, I had a rummage in my yarn cabinet, sketched an idea or two and picked up my crochet hook.

So, here we are again.  At the beginning.

: After-thought :

I have never considered myself a patient person, but I think I have steadily undergone the transformation from product knitter/crocheter to a process knitter/crocheter.  I don’t think it is a coincidence that this has occurred at the same time that I have become a mother.  If finishing was my primary goal, I don’t think I would ever pick up a yarn wrangling instrument again.

* If you enjoy colour, do check out Attic24’s blog.  There’s so much colour there it will make your eyes bleed.  In a good way.

Today, a friend reminded me that I blog, so in the spirit of carpe diem, let me show you a little crocheted cot blanket/rug I have just finished for a new baby called Ivy Rose.  I’m hoping her parents will be too tied up to notice this post pop up!

It’s mainly  Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton, which I just love working with.  So soft and fluffy and delicious.  I just need to find a spare moment in the day to post it!

As my monumental silences will attest, I am having a little trouble finding room for non-Spike-centric activities.  To be expected.  Some people seem to manage to squeeze more into their lives when they have children, but I’ve never been a good multi-tasker.

The few knitting projects I have started have fallen by the wayside – Spike does not respond well to “Let me just finish this row…” and not being able to put down knitting easily has disincentivised me.  I have, though, managed to find some solace in simple crochet projects.  I can put it down mid-stitch without fear of forgetting where I am.  If Spike gets a hold of it, the worst he can do is unravel a motif.  It’s quick, so I get the satisfaction of finishing something.  All good things.

I’ll post some progress pics soon of a bigger crochet project I am working on – a turquoise and hot pink hexagon throw for our bed.  Our decor is still very neutral post-build, so the room could do with a pop of colour.  I must check that the yarn I am using hasn’t been discontinued as I’m fairly sure I don’t have enough of it.  It would be a major bummer if I found  couldn’t get hold of more.

Actually, after all the recentish kerfuffle with building and moving houses and getting married, we’re in a quiet spell at the moment (if such a thing exists with a 16 month old).  I should make the most of it and eke out some more time for craft.  Did I say “married”?  Here’s a photo* of Mr and Mrs Spitting Yarn (made official).

We had a glorious, magical and memorable day.  The weather was beautiful (this was back in April, so that was a real boon).  I’m sure you’d like to see cake, wouldn’t you?  Who turns down cake?

I recently wore my dress again for a black tie ball celebrating the 450th anniversary of Westminster School.  It was so delightful to be able to wear the dress again and to think about that happy day.  The dress has an elasticated waist (SSssshhh!), so I’m hoping I’ll get a lot more wear out of it, even if my waistline expands!

You may claim to visit here for craft but I know you really want pictures of Spike…

This is a rare sighting of him in a hat.  I doubt it will happen again this side of 2010.

Apologies for showing you photos in lieu of a real post.  Must try harder.

* Thanks to Pete Le May for for the beautiful wedding photos.

Life is so full.

Since last writing, we have still not managed to unpack.  Despite the slightly chaotic/frenetic quality to our lives at the moment, I am enjoying this wonky existence.  Spike is waking often at night, not a great eater and reluctant to give up the breast milk, but he is happy, we’re not totally sleep deprived and we’re working on all these things.  We’re full of optimism.

We have planned a wedding, though and that’s set to happen on 17 April.  So exciting!  I finally get to marry the incomparable Mr Spitting Yarn.

Oh, and look…

There has been a tiny amount of knitting.  A slouchy beret in luscious, springy Koigu.

It’s slow going with such fine yarn, but it’s mindless and pretty and I can pick it up easily.  That’s all I ask of knitting these days.  I don’t think it’s going to be finished until next winter, but I’ll just think of it as getting started early.

Spike is now a year old and is blossoming with the spring.  Such a dear, smiley, clever boy.

I have just moved into the long talked about Project.  I am recovering from food poisoning in a house with no internal doors – even on the loos.  I am trying to keep my 9 month old to the tiny bit of routine we have which keeps him sane, despite having builders in the house every day, all day.  I am desperately failing to unpack, mainly because the builders have not relinquished one of our rooms yet.  And Christmas?  Yes, well.  Christmas.  As I was saying, unmitigated chaos.

BUT.  We’re in!  It’s still somewhat of a building site, but a wonderful home, nonetheless.  I’ll post some pictures when I get the chance.

Before we moved, I managed to do my first real bit of knitting since the little man was born.

The Baby Sophisticate cardi (found on Ravelry).  It took several goes, because it is very undersized as written and only just fits him despite extensive sizing mods.  I love the finished article, though.  Grandpa chic!

Hasn’t my boy grown?  He is pulling up to standing and saying “Ra! Ra! Ra!” a lot.  If he’s desperate, he can drag himself along the floor like a beached baby seal, but I think he’ll be walking before he crawls properly.  I walked at 10 months, I think, so I had better brace myself!

A vase full of custard yellow roses from the garden.

Reading The Bog Baby to Spike.  A wonderful introduction to the nature of wild things.

Finishing my first (full-length) book since Spike arrived.

The Ask and the Answer is a sequel to The Knife of Never Letting Go which I thought I had blogged about before, but I cannot find a reference to it (must have been dream blogging).  The Knife of Never Letting Go is possibly my favourite book title of all time.  I don’t know why I like it so much, but it compelled me to read the book, which was excellent (the winner of two children’s book prizes).  I find the title of the sequel just as intriguing and the book turned out to be even better than its forerunner.  I heartedly recommend them both and will await, with shredded fingernails, the third in the series.

Do you have a favourite book title?  Did the book live up to its title?

Isn’t the weather glorious?  A little bit of sunshine goes a long to way towards making a new mama feel human.  It’s great to be able to stride out without too much fannying about (except slapping on some SPF).

We’ve had a lovely, social couple of days with Spike receiving visits from both of his ungodparents.  I, in particular, am not religious at all, but we did want Spike to have some other significant grown ups in his life.  His ungodparents were carefully chosen for their very special and inspirational qualities.  We have chosen wisely, I think.

In honour of the visit from the ungodparent (male variety) for afternoon tea and cake, I baked.  I tried a new recipe, a Rhubarb Crumble Cake, and it was *very* good.

Crumble of any sort is right up there with my favourite puds, but it isn’t very summery so this recipe appealed.  I think other soft fruits would substitute well, or fruits which bake well like apple.  My top tip would be too pulse the crumble mixture in a food processor, if you have one, and sprinkle the crumble on the cake without packing it down at all.  It makes for a very crisp, crumbly crumble.  Next time I think I might use strawberries and rhubarb, add a smattering of ground ginger to the crumble and a spot of vanilla essence to the sponge.

I have cake so often these days it is less of a treat and more of a staple food!  Mind you, I burn off so much energy looking after our little one that I think I can afford to indulge.  I present exhibit B…

I can’t claim to have baked these.  They are from the wonderful Hummingbird Bakery on Portobello Road.  I don’t know what their secret is (perhaps corn syrup?), but their cupcakes are always gorgeous.  Clock from top left we have a red velvet, carrot, lemon and coconut and a black bottom cupcake.  Mmmmm!

Spike has started smiling madly which delights us no end.  In fact, his expressions are a source of limitless entertainment: they pass across his face like the weather.

He’s such a lovely little man.

While there has not been a lot of crafting going on in this house, others have been sewing up a storm.  The very lovely Kirsty dropped by recently to drink tea, eat cake and meet Spike.  She came armed with the most adorable trousers for the little man which she had whipped up that morning!  Check them out…

Aren’t they cute?!  I can’t wait until he fits them.

In the absence of actual craft, I have had to get my fix by buying unneeded accountrements.  Designers Guild were having a warehouse sale near me, so I popped along to see what bargains might be had.  It turned out to be an utter bun fight and with relatively new baby in tow, I couldn’t tolerate more than a quick scuttle round.  I did manage to pick up some beautiful trimmings.  Who knows how or when I will use them, but they are nice to have in the stash.  I particularly love the coral lace – so cheering on a grey day like today.

I promised you more photos of the small one and, of course, there’s nothing more cheering than my little Spike.  Look how he’s grown.  He’s actually more chubby now than in this photo, if such a thing is possible!

Speaking of baby photos, it turns out at Spike’s age, I was a bit weird looking.  I had a ton of dark brown hair (I’m totally blonde now) and, you know how some people are recognisable from their baby pictures?  Well, not me.

I adore this photo, mainly because of the amazing romper suit I am wearing!  I look like a little green elf baby.

Just a quick post to show that – gasp! – I managed to achieve one of my craft goals: to make some little cards.

This flock were wholly inspired, “ripped off” even, from some cards I saw on Etsy, but I can’t find a link now.

My latest news is that I have also done twelve – count ‘em – twelve rows of knitting!  There’s no point me showing you the project until it’s finished, because it’s virtually all garter stitch, so it doesn’t look like much at the moment.  Having been away from the needles for so long, I am finding the garter stitch very therapeutic.

Spike is doing brilliantly.  He’s well on the way to doubling his birth weight.  We love our little chubber!  We’re also getting our first responsive smiles and coos, which is exciting.  More pictures next time…

Wow!  Tiny babies are time consuming creatures, aren’t they?!  I’m snatching five minutes to poke my head above the parapet and say “hi” and “we’re fine” and “Wow!” (again).

Spike is doing wonderfully.  He’s putting on weight and sleeping pretty well.  I am hugely fortunate that Mr Spitting Yarn is off work until *June*, so Spike gets plenty of opportunity to bond with his papa, and I am able to have showers and get changed…silly things like that(!)

We have just celebrated Spike’s red egg and ginger party, which was tremendous fun and had the added advantage of making me feel quite human.  Look!  We’re having a party!  Look!  I am having conversations with people!

While, contrary to Chinese tradition, I have been out and about since day one (and I have washed and consumed only moderate quantities of ginger), the party still felt like a watershed for us.  We have the nappy changing, feeding, sleeping and playing sussed, which leaves a tiny bit of time for other things, like writing this post and going for a coffee, and the occasional party.

Spike was very chilled out and was soothed by all the activity around him (quietness seems to unsettle him more than hubbub).  I dressed him in his best sweater (mama-made, of course).  I think he looks very fine in it.

Anyway, how have you all been?  I must visit your blogs and find out…

A very quick post to say that our dear baby Spike arrived safely on the 18 March 2009 at 4.30pm.  He weighed 7lb 2oz.  He’s a little jaundiced, but otherwise sleeping and feeding well.  I am in surprisingly good shape too, although having to contend with some wear and tear to the milk dispensing equipment.

And if you were wondering, the blooms and the baby arrived on the same day.

How’s that for a delightfully fitting floral tribute to our new arrival?