Sunday 14 October 2012

Second Year of Projects Week 16

So I've finished another baby blanket this week. This was great for mindless knitting whilst I was teaching a knitting beginner class on Monday, because it was easy to put down and pick back up every two seconds whilst people needed help. It's definitely making my eyes go funny when I look at it though! It did suffer a bit from the dreaded stockinette curl, but steam blocking seems to have sorted that out, and it's looking much flatter now. The thing that I find odd is that it's so long and thin, even though I was using the same number of stitches and same amount of yarn as the last blanket I made.
I cast on pretty much the same blanket but this time in pink last night. I did cast on about 10 extra stitches, as well as doing an extra two rows of garter stitch at the bottom, and two extra garter border stitches, so hopefully this one will be a more normal shape, and won't curl as much. Again, mindless knitting was needed, because I was attempting to stay up late so that the night shift I'm doing tonight (7:15 pm to 7:45 am) won't be too much of a shock to the system.
I've also been winding yarn for my next pair of socks. It's times like this I wish I had a swift and ball winder. I'm going to make Confetti socks, and I think they'll probably be a birthday present for my best friend, since she'll love these colours.
I've had an amazing weekend. On Friday night, Connor and I went to the beer and cider festival held every year at Nottingham Castle. I got to wear some warm hand knits, drink amazing local cider and watch a (not very good) band or two. It was great fun, and we really enjoyed it! Then on Saturday, we went to a friend's birthday party, the same friend who we had the impromptu dinner party with (which was great by the way). We couldn't stay long though, because I'm doing a 12 hour shift tonight (as I said above), and the next 2 nights as well on labour ward. I'll be leaving home at 6pm, and getting in around 9am. I did try to sleep in today so that I was prepared, but unfortunately I woke up at 12 and couldn't get back to sleep, so 21 hours awake here I come! Looking forward to delivering some babies though!

8 comments:

  1. I can't WAIT to see your socks! That yarn is fab and I'm always looking for fun ideas for hand painted sock yarn!

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  2. The blanket is great! I am so excited to see the socks you make with that yarn - it is a real stunner.

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  3. Beer and Cider Festival sounds fun, though I no longer drink beer. Somewhere along the line I developed an allergy to it. I'm with you, my eyes got dizzy feeling staring at the picture. Sometimes with variegated yarns pictures do that. It turned out nice, even if it is rectangle vs square, but I wonder why that happened...since you've used the pattern before?

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  4. love the purple and green yarn!

    From my reader the colour of that first baby blanket looked like a Chux!

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  5. I'm not sure it's possible to be on a normal schedule or to ever get the sleep you need when working nights. DH worked last night and only managed 2.5 hours when he got home this morning. We've just finished supper and I expect it'll be an early night tonight. I'll creep out of bed early and have some quiet knitting time in the morning :)

    That baby blanket is like a static pattern on an old TV. Lots of visual stimulation for the baby!

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  6. Beer and cider? I want to live where you live! I also want some of that yarn... get some rest when you can!

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  7. Love some mindless knitting and the blanket looks great in both the blue and what is done of the pink, love it. I can't wait to see the socks in that yarn! Hope the 21 hours is not to tough and that you get to deliver some babies, what a wonderful feeling that must be.

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  8. Your baby blanket is looking great, I love that colour change it´s really fun! I often work nightshifts too and always have problems sleeping in the day before. I´m lucky to have lots of hungry babies to feed, this keeps me awake during the night.
    I hope you had a great time with lots of healthy babies to deliver!
    All the best for you! Barbina

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