Counting to Six.

I finally found a rhythm with the cabled baby blanket. Turns out, it's just about counting to six (which I can manage to do most of the time :-)

The blanket features columns of paired cables twisted in opposite directions. The pairs are separated by six stitches of reverse stockinette. Each cable is six stitches and they're twisted every six rows for a six-row repeat. Last week, I started tracking the repeats in my planner... I'm sure you can imagine how much I enjoy all those tick marks! I finished 13 repeats last week (and if I continue at that pace, I could finish the blanket next week - woohoo!)

It wasn't until somewhere around the sixth repeat, though, that I started hearing the 1-2-3-4-5-6 in my head as I worked across the rows. There are 34 groups of six stitches per row; I'm surprised it took me that long. But it wasn't until early last week that I knitted an entire repeat in one sitting and I think that's when the rhythm started. Now that I have the count going in my head, I don't have to look at the rows and that's definitely faster!

It also makes it better for TV, audiobooks, getting together with friends, drinking wine and waiting - pretty much all the times I like to knit. So far, the blanket has listened to Barbara Pym, watched Star Wars and The Martian and been to bible study and knitting class. This week I hope to take it out for coffee and for lunch and I'm sure it will hear another book and see more TV. I started watching Inspector Morse and I think I'll finish the blanket before I finish all those episodes.

I hope I don't get any more practice fixing mis-crossed cables.

(but if they do happen, I hope I notice them quickly.)

What good experience(s) do you hope to share with your knitting this week?

New Favorites | Baby Boy Edition.

Have y'all used the new Bundle feature in Ravelry? I love it! I started a New Favorites to help me keep up with all the projects I want to knit, including two (more - the blue blanket still has a l o n g way to go!) for the baby.

you can see the details on Ravelry here

That Star Blanket is in the same book that the blue blanket is. I'm thinking about knitting it in Berroco Vintage (the pattern calls for a DK weight yarn) so it ends up a little bigger (and it comes in a beautiful gray that I know Katie loves).

And I want to knit a bear. I don't think I've ever knit a toy before, but I've helped a few of my students with Ysolda's patterns; that's her bear Otto on the right. I recall it being a bit fiddle-y to get all the pieces seamlessly attached (in other words, we picked up lots of stitches) in the right spots and the face took a couple of tries. I found Vera this morning and based on the project gallery photos and comments, I think it's a winner. If any of y'all have knit bears, do share! (or even if you haven't, I'd still love to know your thoughts on good bear patterns!)

Introducing Little Charlie

Charles Clay Tieman | born September 13 at 10:22 pm | 7 pounds, 7 ounces | 20 inches

...and everyone is doing fine. They're expecting to go home today, a little nervous, but ready to start being a family on their own.

Saturday was a long day. Thank goodness for college football, coffee and knitting. Marc and I finally got to meet little Charlie just before midnight. Love at first sight for sure!

Then Marc came home (someone needed to take care of Holly and I'm grateful he did!) while I helped Katie get settled into her room. And finally, I got to hold him.

 

Charlie slept most of yesterday in spite of Katie's best attempts to wake him to nurse (I smile thinking how she's going to look back on that afternoon when he peacefully napped away the hours) and a parade of visiting family.

He did open his eyes a few times

but mostly he peacefully slept.

I've been delighted with all the wonderful good wishes in response to Instagram and emails. Thank you!

Two questions have popped up over and over. First, his name. He's named after Rob's grandfather (Charles is also Rob's middle name) and my dad (his middle name is Clay, after his grandfather Clay Sheffield). I love the family tradition and it's wonderful to see that he really is a Charlie!

Second, I hope to be called Marmie - a play off my name and the mama in Little Women; she's one of my favorite mama characters, especially as portrayed by Susan Sarandon! We'll see how Charlie handles it. His other grandma is Nana; Charlie is her third grandchild, so I expect that will "stick".

Oh, and yes, I did finish the blanket. We had planned to take photos on Saturday morning in the nursery. I kind of love that he'll get to be in those photos now. A beautiful, perfect FO!

September 11.

...the long-awaited due date has arrived, but so far, no signs of the baby actually arriving. We're ready and waiting. and trying to be patient.

It's weird having a joyful event to (potentially) celebrate on this day. There's still so much sadness and loss fresh on our minds. Certainly those feelings won't fade for anyone who remembers that terrible day 13 years ago. For me, the words "nine-eleven" evoke those memories.

When I started sharing Katie's due date, I purposely said "September 11th". A few people commented about that being unfortunate timing. I replied that I thought it was wonderful to add some happiness and joy to the world on that day (I'm not sure any of those commenters were actually friends...in fact I'm pretty sure they couldn't have been, right?!)

And now, after eight or so months of practicing "September 11th", it's a habit. It appears we won't be celebrating a birthday today, but I'm still going to keep saying the date that way. To me, it's an acknowledgement that there is much to celebrate about our country, on this day and every day. This morning, I shared the photo above on Instagram with the caption "11. how I feel today #proud #hopeful #grateful #American".

On a somewhat lighter note, and I hope Katie won't feel too "out in the open" if I share, here's a snippet of the text message exchange we had early this morning.

She was headed into the office for a meeting; thankfully, much of her work has been from home these past few weeks. And with a little more luck, this will be her last in-person appearance until next year!

 

A Super-quick Drive By.

...I "found" this photo when I opened my photostream; I must've taken it Sunday evening when Holly and I managed a quick walk in between "severe thunderstorms". A definite happy accident because I certainly don't remember spinning around like that!

Katie and I walked this morning, starting from my house instead of the park, which afforded us this lovely view of the lake just about 7:30. Tomorrow we'll be back at the park and I can only hope we see something watercolor-worthy. (or the baby comes... actually, I think I probably hope the baby comes!)

...because I am now only six rows from finishing his blanket (plus a few ends and blocking). I'll share photos once it's done but I have to say...it's been a lot more knitting than I thought it would be (and I thought it would be a lot!) I've been on a monogamous infatuation with this project since Friday. Thank goodness for my DVR; I'm now caught up on Outlander and The Honorable Woman. Completely loving both (and sorry they're both nearly over).

That's it! back to knitting!

(I did have a great list for Ten on Tuesday today...maybe another day when I don't have much to share, but time for a real post!)

 

A Different Kind of WIP.

...Y'all were so kind to indulge me five days in a row of knitting WIPs. I am happy to report that one of them is off the needles and blocked and hopefully I'll have another one (or two?!) to share before FO Friday. But today, I have a completely different kind of WIP to share. This one is about my grandson to be ...due in *just* 17 days.

 

The wonderful girls in my Monday night class threw a Grandma Shower for me and the other "expectant" Grandma (this one will be her second grandchild, but her first granddaughter). So. very. special. 

Several of them are already Grandmas (a few several times over) - and one of them is a cake decorator! - but they are all supportive and have practical advice about high chairs and swings and toy boxes. And they are all genuinely happy for us. also cupcakes. and popcorn. and wine. and gifts. Cute. fun. maybe just a little tear-provoking...  and all very special. 

I am so excited to meet this little one. He and I will be two WIPs together ... along with his parents and Marc and everyone else growing into having a new generation in our family. This is one project I don't want to ever finish.