With all the sample knitting going on around here, I haven't really had a whole lot to share recently. It seems as though my summer has flown by in a whirl of samples, summer school, and job searches. It hasn't all been for naught though, as I've landed a full-time teaching job! I'm really excited about this even though it means a 45 minute commute this school year (the school is in Cleveland) and taking me out of my element (it's 5th grade!). I've spent the last ten years with preschool and kindergarten aged students so it's definitely going to stretch my teaching in a new way. I'm up for a challenge though (and hey, I can teach 5th graders to knit, right?).
So with no new yarn related content to share, I thought I'd share an finished project from last year.
I started working on this crocheted baby blanket last year for a friend of mine from high school who was expecting her first child. I had an idea in mind in regards to colors and construction but couldn't settle on a pattern. I was thinking simple, modern, flexible. I couldn't find anything that fit my mental picture, so I did what any yarnista does: improvise.
And voila! This baby blanket was born. I used five different colors of one of my favorite yarns for a baby, Berroco Comfort. This yarn is a superfine acrylic/nylon blend which makes it machine washable (babies have a really bad habit of spitting up on nice things and the tendency for explosive poop). Another issue I took into consideration was the fact that baby Andrew was due in August and the family is living in my hometown of Fresno. August is Fresno is otherwise known as Face-of-the-Sun month with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the majority of the month. (Quick side story: my first car was a vintage VW Beetle with no air conditioning. I used to drive in the summer only in the early morning or at night. If I drove during midday it had to be with the windows all down. I would compare it to being inside a blow dryer. I also remember my first day of college, walking to class in shorts, tank top, and with my shoulders and back drenched in sweat from my back pack) Anyway, my point is, no wool for this kid.
The blanket worked up pretty quickly and was sent off to live with its new family. The best part of gifting projects is when you get a picture sent to you with the baby actually using the new blanket.
I have the pattern written up and it will be available soon!
wwwooooww it's so nice!!
ReplyDeletecongratultions
Love it! Berroco Comfort is such a great inexpensive yarn. The blue border is a very fun choice.
ReplyDeleteI think you will be brilliant teached 5th graders. Their little brains are so absorbant at that age. Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteBTW- blanket looks great. :)
It's lovely! I can't wait until the pattern is up!
ReplyDeleteI was moved to 5th last year after teaching 2/3 for 12 years...it wasn't as big a jump as yours, but maybe we can do something together? Get settled and see how the year is? I also teach in an urban school...
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely blanket! I particularly love the colors you chose and the crochet border!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute blanket. I love the edging on it.
ReplyDeleteI love the blanket's colors! Yeah, I hear you about Fresno. It's my hometown, too, and I do not make any trips there from June until August.
ReplyDeleteI know Fresno! My parents live in Oakhurst, just an hour north on 49! They go to Fresno all the time for everything. You're right; Fresno in the height of summer is as hot as I've ever been. I'm living in West Virginia now, and the humidity kills me. I think I'd rather have Fresno's hot dry heat than this oppressive humidity.
ReplyDeleteNow you've made me homesick! =)
That is super cute! I love the simplicity, and it looks nice and cozy too. :) Great job!
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