Greetings dear Unraveler’s!
We have arrived at the final Wednesday of October… sigh. Is it just me or does it feel like this month was set to warp speed? And before I know it, it will be the end of December… yikes!
Another really good way that I have to note the passing of time is another finished baby blanket!! Woot! I cast on this blanket on September 24 and cast off on October 22 and I really am very happy with it. I did wash it in the machine and I then tossed it in the dryer! I ignored my inner voice screaming Danger, Will Robinson!! at me and walked away from the dryer. I am relieved that washing and drying worked! (And that will be a boon for my daughter’s busy days!) But, I confess I was a bit disappointed in the amount of pilling that the yarn did (A reminder, it is Daily Wool from Purl Soho) This might be okay for a blanket, but if you are contemplating a sweater for an adult person… I think it will wear poorly. However, for a sweater for a small person who won’t be “a size” for long… I think it will be okay, but it might need a visit from a de-piller on the regular! The yarn was a delight to knit with… it is multiple plies but it was not at all “splity.” I did have to make sure I did not leave it laying on the sofa because Frankie loved it. If it was out, he was lying on it! So I am counting this blanket with having “double the love” in the making! Ha!
One freshly washed (and dried) baby blanket!
The last Welcome to the Flock sweater is underway… I had a bit of a detour because I really wanted to get caught up on my October Stitching. BUT!! The sleeves underway and almost done! A phone conversation with my daughter on Monday lit a fire under me for speeding up the baby knitting… her doctor is not letting her go until her due date, which is November 8… if nothing has started this week they will induce her this weekend. The doctor foolishly thought Friday would be a great day but she does not think having a Halloween baby is in the plans!)
On the reading front, it was a bit of a slow week for me! I finished the incredibly poignant story by Sam Wachman, The Sunflower Boys. It was so incredibly moving and, at times, heartbreaking and I loved it! It is a bit of a coming of age book, but really it is about how life was and is no longer for the people of Ukraine. I fell in love with Artem and Yuri… and I will be thinking about this story for a very, very long time.
I also picked up a book from the library last weekend and I have been snatching moments here and there to read it and, so far, I am really enjoying it!
And there you have my making and reading this week. What about you? How are you feeling about these final days of October?
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I think this may be my favorite stripe sequence and I’m glad you successfully washed and dried the blanket! I know you don’t like the pilling, but it could possibly be a plus. It took me a while to understand it, but Justin really liked blankets that pilled. He called them “nubbies” and I even bought an old blanket from Goodwill that was “well-pilled” as a backup. I hope you are able to get the sweater done soonish. I’ll be thinking about your daughter and hoping that everyone is happy and healthy!
I’m happy to hear that the blanket did so well in the wash. I’ve come to the conclusion that if I want to knit with soft yarns, I’ll just have to deal with the resulting pills — it’s just a feature, not a bug. I can’t believe Heidi’s doctor wanted to induce her on Halloween! In any case, I’ll be keeping her in my thoughts this weekend and hope that everything goes smoothly.
I just love the soft colors in the baby blanket, Kat. It looks perfect in every way. And . . . like Sarah says . . . soft yarn = pilling. Always a trade-off. I’ll be keeping Heidi in my thoughts. I do have a nephew who was born on Halloween. His mom didn’t choose the day, though. He did that himself! XO
Love those bold stripes and good luck on finishing the little sweater in time! You can do it!
What a beautiful blanket! Maybe the pilling will be worse the first wash? The loosest fibers are gone now? That’s my hopeful theory. I do think superwash yarns are less sturdy that way. I will nope for a non-Halloween birthday for this baby. But OTH my son has a near-to-Halloween birthday and his “cousin party” usually involved pumpkin carving for young and old, which was pretty fun.
Perfect blanket Kat – love the colors and your sequence of colors. Looking forward to your book review on the “weaving” book – it looks really interesting.
What a sweet baby blanket. How nice for your daughter that it can be washed and dried in the machines. Really it is a must for a baby blanket. You have some exciting and nerve-wracking days ahead as you watch and wait for the new little ones. Sending all good thoughts for a safe delivery.
I think the blanket looks great and pilling isn’t a big deal, honestly! I’m so excited that it’s baby weekend, I hope all goes perfectly!
omg what a beautiful blanket! I am knitting little hats and little socks upon request. I am in my happy knitting zone.