Rompers

The April Baby Shower event of the Knitting Guild was over.  After the previous failure, I chose a different pattern: Angela Turner's Premature Romper with Bunny Slippers.

The pattern was beautiful and classic, and almost scintillated when I was looking for patterns.  So sophisticated.  As a mother, the design made sense too because these rompers had wide openings, which would make it easier to put on, take off, and change diapers.  I was thrilled to come across with the pattern, and I had enough yarn.
 
Babies look great in them.  I hope whoever pick them up from MGH enjoys them on her/his baby.

The pattern has a simple bunny embroidery.  It was for me the first time to embroider on knitted garments.  I think he embroidery made the rompers from ordinary to spectacular.

The below is the photo from the Guild meeting.  I loved how baby items were displayed.  Mine displayed like this.    I did not get honorary mentions, though.  If I had knit matching booties, it might have...?

April Baby Shower

The Knitting Guild meeting is just around the corner, and we are going to have this wonderful event: April Baby Shower, which is a contest on knitted baby items.  Some will be for display.  Others will be donated to the MGH Newborn Family Unit. 


Every year, approximately 3,500 babies are delivered at MGH.  There are a number of families who have babies at MGH (or any other hospitals) going through difficult times and cannot afford baby clothing.  April Baby Shower is to be held to encourage the guild members to knit baby items for such families, so when families go home, they can have some clothes in hand which will keep babies warm.  I do not mind knitting baby items to donate.  They are adorable and quick.  An instant gratification! 


My plan was knitting two rompers: pink and lavender, and probably attach white angel wings.  I did a massive research for rompers, and finally chose one pattern.  Very satisfying.  Do I have enough yarn?  Check.  Do I have necessary needles?  Check.  Do I have all the knitting accessories?  Check.  Most importantly, do I understand the pattern?  Check. 




I started to knit a pink one.  It all went well from the beginning to almost to the end.  I was almost there. 

I finished the body, then I started edges of neck, arm holes and finished one leg hole.  And the yarn ran out.  Yes, that's it.  I have no more yarn. 

When I was knitting, I thought the body came out strangely large.  It was weird because my yarn was thinner than the pattern suggested, and so were needles.  Needless to say, I had a plenty of yarn. 

I was confused and wanted to investigate why, but I really do not have a time to do so right now.  The guild meeting is next Thursday.  I want to participate in the competition badly because whenever the guild has similar events, having my effort recognized is so nice. 

Luckily, I found another pattern last night.  This one is significantly smaller.  I started this one in lavender.  I still hope to make two.  If the latter pattern comes out good, I will rip the pink one above, and make the latter pattern in pink.

Necessities for Long Cold Winter

 

This winter is substantially longer, wetter and colder than usual due to the polar vortex sessile above us.  I do not dislike winter, though.  In the past, I was miserable, but not so much lately.  Particularly this winter, I have chose to fully embrace the cold temperature and snow and rather enjoy it. 

 

It is true that winter is bothersome in many ways; not mentioning suffering from perpetual stiff shoulders from being cold, it takes enormous time to cover ourselves with numerous winter gears before walk out of the door.  I do not bother to wear gloves when I walk Missy, but I have to make sure to put a down jacket and rubber booties on her.  Because she does not like rubber booties and runs away and hides herself, preparing her for a walk has become abysmally time-consuming.  Somebody like me who was born to be lazy, the whole extra work could be unbearable from time to time.  Winter is frustrating after all, but I can make it comfortable at least...

 

When it comes to spending winter comfortably, I have realized not many things are necessary.  For me, there are four things which I cannot live without.

 

First, a very good pair of boots that keep my feet warm and dry.  This criterion is obvious, but there are so many winter boots that claim themselves waterproof but they are actually not.  Also, knee high boots with insulated materials are a must.  I wear Canada Pajar now.  I think my boots are water resistant rather than water proof despite the fact that I was told at the store the boots were perfectly water proof.  If I do not walk in the puddle long, they do the job.

 

Second, a nice long and snuggle down coat.  Mine is a three year old Kenneth Cole.  It was not expensive, but what is good about is tight around my hip and extends as long as my mid-calf.  I feel if I fall in the coat, I may not be able to get up by myself, but the tightness truly prevents cold air from coming inside. 

 

Third, a thick tight cowl which covers my ears and a lower half of my head, preferably, knit with a super bulky single pry yarn such as Lopi.  I have a cowl which I knit a while ago exactly like that.  It is thick and snuggle (because I did not have enough yarn).  It is wide enough (means a miscalculated gauge), so it covers a sizable part of my head.  I always think it looks like a neck brace but I receive complements on it so often.

 

The last one is sweaters that do not irritate my skin.  I used to have many gorgeous heavy wool sweaters, but no more.  They were so itchy and drove me literally crazy every time I wore them.  I sadly needed to get rid of them, which was very difficult for me who is a hoarder.  I ended up learning sweater materials good for me are not wool but merino (a kind of wool but) or softer such as cashmere, alpaca, silk, cotton.  Not being a yarn snob but after learning all of the things about what are in fleece, my discovery makes a total sense. 

 

I finished the knitting part of a baby blanket that I have been working on.  I only need to weave in ends. 

 

 

So many ends!

Blanket in Garter Stitch



 

I keep knitting the diagonal blanket.  The first half is done.  I am pleased how it is turning out despite the simple garter stitch that I am using.  Was it Bon Point who sold garter stitched baby outfit in beige years ago?  Or was it Jacardi?  I remember it was very chic.  I also like the edges.  It is nice and tapered.  I am thinking about adding crocheted edges in pink.  I am not certain if I should do it or not.  Of course, it will not look bad, but could it be more sophisticated without extra edging? 

 

 

 

Of course, Missy claims it to be hers.  What a strange dog!

 



"Mine."

She has been barking, and I do not know what she wants.  Look at her face.  She looked so determined.  Does she wants treats?

I started to wonder if she is looking at something.  She is practically staring and barking at the upper kitchen cabinets.  There is nothing that she can eat up there.

 

 



 

Yesterday

I went to a meeting of Boston Knitting Guild yesterday.  This is where we get together once a month.  It is Trinity Church of Boston.  Isn't the building beautiful?

The meeting was a lot of fun as always.  We had in-house workshops, and I took a diagonal knitting class.  My teacher who is also a guild member was absolutely fantastic.  When it comes to diagonal knitting, I think it is essential to understand the concept.  It is not hard once you get it, but if you don't get, it is very confusing.  Especially first four rows or so, you have to have a faith to what you are doing.  I found diagonal knitting theraputic.  It is a good project when you cannot follow an instruction, like when you are on a train or watching TV.  Would you check out what I learned?

I enjoy looking at how the garment grows.  This will be a baby blanket.  I think the combination of cream and white look really good.  I plan to donate this when it is done.  It will be beautiful.  I also use this as a decoy.  When my husband comes in a room when I am working on the scarf for him, I hide the scarf and pick up the blanket and knit.  This way, I pretend as if I work on the blanket all the time.

When I came home, guess what I saw?  My amaryllis took a nose dive because it was top heavy.  Our condo is very shady and there is no place where plants get enough sun.  The amaryllis grew white and as tall as 75cm.  It is a monster!

"!!!"

Three plump buds were gone, but it still has one remaining.  Hope it blooms beautifully soon.

Day One

If someone asks me if I like winter, I say yes.  I like snow and extreme cold temperatures as long as it is not too windy.  After living in New England for quite some time, I am well-geared up for the climate.  It looks like the snow this morning is about to end.  It will make a dog walk pleasant and picking up my kid later today easier.  Because it is in the mid 20F, it would be a perfect day to roast beef for supper.

I started to knit Julie Hoover's Doux scarf for my husband.  I have perfect alpaca yarn, and it will look great on him.  St. Valentine's Day is a little over one month away.  If I am diligent, I can finish it by then.