Baby in Wool!

The Best I Ever Made

Baby Knitting for ME!

I am expecting a baby.
I am due in about 10 days, and am excited but mostly nervous. The first 5 months I was
sick, but otherwise, I have been lucky and healthy throughout the pregnancy. Since I dive for a living, I had to essentially stop working as soon as I found out. This has been financially difficult, but restful at home, at least. I have been very blessed to have my DBF home most of the time with me as well.

But I haven't done too much knitting. I made a hat and bootie set for my friend (last post) and then finally made one pair of booties for Cletus the Fetus. (Socks that Rock leftovers from the River Rocked pattern. These are yet more of the Stay-On Baby Booties).
Then, in early May, I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, and my life became daily worries and medical details, with carb counting, blood sugar testing, and this horrid fear that I was hurting the baby with my every move. Knitting cute baby things just seemed like the most superstitious thing ever. What would happen if something went wrong? So I worked on my brother's Christmas socks, now vastly overdue. For months. Okay, I was going to run out of yarn, so I had to rip back and re-do his first sock, but still: MONTHS! (I just checked. It took me 7 months to finish his socks. Sad.)
And so it went: The months went on, the worry and paranoia continued, the knitting of non-baby socks occurred. Then, slowly, I started making the Star Trek Bibs. I did the yellow, then the blue, then I worried some more. Perhaps armed with knowledge of my worry and exhaustion, my friends threw me a surprise baby shower, and they brought beads for one of those strung-together labor-bracelets. I got excited about knitting them together instead, and added some more beads, buttons, and jewelry to represent people not at the shower. The simple icord bracelet broke the knitting spell, in a way. Maybe having all those thoughts and prayers behind me?

Then I was on a roll. I finished the Ensign Redshirt Star Trek Bib, then, continuing the Sci-fi theme, used the remains from a Jayne hat to make a baby Jayne hat!
The watermellon hat came next, then pieces for a sweater, and parts of a bunny hat (still in progress). I am still nervous. I am still scared. But he will come any day now, and at least he will have good hats.

Baby Stuff! (Not for Me...YET!)

Tomato Hat!
Stay on Baby Booties!
I used leftover STR in the Garden Daze colorway: It is supposed to be like heirloom tomato colors? But then they just looked like Rasta Booties. So the Tomato Hat makes it a set... Sort of. And the recipient owns a headshop, so Rasta Booties are fitting...
If the Bootie fits?

Half a Year's Knitting... Pretty Slim!

My favorite hat ever: I thought it was time for a nice slouchy hat, and when the STR arrived (I obviously did not make the club selection with this!) I knew it had to be DBFs. Now, DBF is allergic to wool. I know, I know... but I love him anyway! And he loves subdued, military colors, and this olive drab yarn was so perfect for him. So I plotted! What I needed was an irresistible hat, versatile pattern, in the perfect color. And if all else failed, I would get to wear it around and he would get to look at it? But he loves it! Although he usually wears a cotton kerchief under it because of the wool...

These are two socks I made and gave away! Not even on Christmas! The Purple is a STR color and pattern- but a color and pattern that didn't belong together. Swing Sets out of Pepe La Plume. These went to a friend in trade- She made me an octopus diving hood!
And finally: Knetted by Cat Bordhi in River Rocked. These are a perfect color and size for a friend, and I hand delivered them when I visited her in November.
Not very impressive stash busting between August and December, is it?

Next projects: Tons of baby stuff!