“How?” You may ask. The answer is by studiously and strenuously committing myself to a schedule of avoidance. All useful and required chores were set to one side. Quite enjoyable, really.

This is Henry’s Sweater, a Petite Purls pattern.

My Ravelry notes on it are here. The pictures were taken pre-blocking and, thankfully, I’ve managed to get a bit more length in the body and sleeves. Still, as knitted, I think it turns out a jumper to fit the 12-18 month end of the 1-2 year spectrum.

On my off hours from Henry’s Sweater, I’ve also set about bringing the hexagon blanket back into existence. I like it so much better than the original.

Thank you so much for your yarn suggestions. Last year, Mr Spitting Yarn brazenly stole my Chickadee Cowl and wore it to death. I am hoping your leads will turn up a good match for Cowl 2.0.

Mr Spitting Yarn is *very* particular.

A proper post to follow, with knitting in and everything!

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.

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.

]]> http://www.spittingyarn.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=366 0 http://www.spittingyarn.com/blog/?p=362 http://www.spittingyarn.com/blog/?p=362#comments Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:53:15 +0000 Administrator http://www.spittingyarn.com/blog/?p=362 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.

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!

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?

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.

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.

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…