Gearing up for a lot of baby makes

As we get ever closer to our 20 weeks scan, and by that, the mid-point of my pregnancy, I am more and more itching to make stuff for the baby.

We have settled on a loose "owl" theme for the nursery and I've placed an order for a load of fabrics from Fabric Rehab. I'm hoping to turn those into a baby quilt, a cot bumper, some cushions and whatever else I can think of. Aren't they cute?

Inspired by the Make Lounge and their brilliant screenprinting workshop, I've also ordered a Permaset screen printing kit. Expect some pictures soon of printed baby grows and T-shirts!

I already own a couple of baby knitting and crochet books which I'm really fond of, namely
Crochet for babies and toddlers by Betty Barnden and Baby knits for beginners by Debbie Bliss. Both have great projects in them, really well explained and generally easy to make, I highly recommend them.

I've now ordered a few more books, The ultimate book of baby knits by Debbie Bliss, which I'd been eyeing for some time now as it's full of really beautiful and practical projects and I trust the author, and Cute and easy crocheted baby clothes by Nicky Trench, which I've only just discovered but like a lot already.

I'd also ordered the Big book of baby afghans but promptly decided to return it. I couldn't find one single project in the book that I liked. Every single afghan looked like something that would have been popular when I was born, in the late seventies. It's all a bit frilly and lacy and the stereotypical pastel palette made it even less palatable. It's the first time ever I have returned a book but I really couldn't see any point in keeping this one and couldn't think of anyone that might have liked it instead of me.

Now I just need to find the time to make all these lovely things!

Granny shawl

Back in April I got fed up from being cold when sat at my desk and I decided I needed a shawl to wrap myself in. After a quick search on Ravelry, I found a pattern that was not only nice and easy but also quite practical as the shape and size of the shawl allows it to double up as a scarf.

After days of debating which colours from my humongous stash I was going to use, and using the random stripe generator to know which order I was going to work the colours in, I took my yarn and my hook to craft night and made a start. The shawl is made in a simple granny stitch so it's really easy. But for some reason, it's taken me this long to finish it. Maybe it's because I started it there but this project only ever seemed to make progress at craft night and we only meet every three weeks for a couple of hours or so. I'm glad I've actually joined two different craft clubs otherwise I fear the shawl would not have been ready for the return of winter! 

Even though the weather has cooled a fair bit, it's too hot at the moment for me to wear my latest creation. I might never get the chance though, my cat is very fond of the new shawl!