Show up with these guys ...

My coworker went off on Maternity leave yesterday so on Friday, her last day, we had a little get together at the office in her honor. So as with most knitters and crocheters I can't pass up the opportunity to make cute things for babies (and their big sisters) and show off my skills in front of an audience.

Ultimately I decided on a two-part gift. One part for Kristen/the baby and the other for their 2-year-old daughter, T. For Kristen/the baby I made a blanket. The pattern is an improvised/single Granny Square blanket. I had four skeins of KnitPicks Biggo in my stash and they worked perfectly together for the blanket. It's binky/lovey/carseat sized and with its super wash merino and nylon it should have a nice long lifespan and it is incredibly soft. I've ordered more at the big Knit Picks sale going on this week. Because of the sale colors I'm not going to be making crocheted blankets but test out a knit pattern I've been working on in Billow (also by Knit Picks).

For T I made the two amigurumi owls. As an older sister myself, it was important for me to give something to this future big sister. Kristen has mentioned that T loves owls so I picked the Stacey Trock Nelson the Owl patterns (full sized and mini). I love the chance to make two sizes of the same critter, because it doubled (or tripled) the cuteness factor.

So, these gifts have made their way to their new home and I hope they are as loved by their recipients as there were by me as I was making them.

The big takeaway for me is that amigurumi make a great gifts and will get you lots of custom order inquiries (so if that's your thing it's a great way to get interested buyers, I myself am not interested in doing commission knitting or crocheting).

Project Details

Owls
Projects: Big Sister and New Baby Owls
Patterns: Amigurumi Nelson the Owl and Nel the Tiny Owl - both by Stacey Trock of FreshStitches
Yarn: KnitPicks Brava Worsted in Cobblestone Heather, Dove Heather, Caution, Peacock and Fairy Tale

Blanket
Projects: Not So Grannie Baby Blanket
Pattern: Improvised - I'm planning on writing it up in the next couple of months
Yarn: KnitPicks Biggo in Dove Heather, Calypso Heather, Golden Heather and Cobblestone Heather.

Meet Huggy.

He is the new friend of my boss's son. I know this because my boss texted me a picture of her son holding Huggy (as the monkey was named as soon as the son saw it). Apparently since getting the monkey the night before he hadn't let the stuffy go and was planning to bring it to school later that week for sharing circle.

The picture of Huggy at his new home warmed my heart. This little boy, who is in Grade 1, and his whole family have been having a long spring. Without sharing details that aren't mine to share, the family has been having a tough time and there was really nothing I could do to help them, (other than be an awesome employee). But I wanted to do something more and this is what I came up with.

I love when the things I make are loved. Whether it is a dishcloth for my Grannie or socks for my mom, it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to see the things I make in tatters because they have been used and appreciated. I think that is part of what appeals to me about knitting/crocheting/weaving/spinning is that the art I make is usable and is ultimately consumed by use. I can't imagine what amateur painters, sculptors, and others do with all the things they make.

Well Huggy, welcome to the world; I'm so glad you are so well loved. And if you want I will make you more bowties in other colors.

_____________________________________

Project: Huggy the Monkey and Huggy's Bowtie

Pattern: Owen by the Monkey by Stacy Trock of FreshStitches

Yarn: KnitPicks Brava Worsted in Umber Heather, Camel Heather and Red