There’s a baby due in the extended family. Gender unknown, size and shape unknown. So rather than knit something specific, I have designed and knitted a catch all, a ‘wrap-me-up’ baby blanket.
Summer weather dictates that it should not be too hot, yet must be suitable to be used for possible subsequent offspring.
To consider:
use… for every day
size… big enough to wrap a wriggly package
shape… square
pattern… simple checkerboard
colour… not white as baby skin tones are varied. I like greys, chocolate and creams
ply… 4ply in this case, cotton, bamboo, merino or cashmere.
Decision made:Cotton or bamboo 4ply. Opt for soft Cleckheaton 4ply natural cotton because it has a lovely soft ‘feel’, will be gentle on baby’s skin and easy to care for in case of spillages from either end. Such considerations ensure that the garment will be used rather than kept for best.
MBW
We spend so much of our time and energy rushing around to make money to buy stuff we think we need. We tend to want what others have and appear to have forgotten that we can often create what we need ourselves. We seem to have forgotten that as humans the need to create is strong. When we do not have the opportunity to create we become disatisfied, hungry for something, who knows what for. So we rush some more, in ever decreasing circles, looking for that elusive something. We think we find it in stuff others have and we pass our cash in exchange, always looking to buy the next thing that might satisfy.
Knitting is a slow process, it’s not something you do in a rush. Even with fat needles and fat yarn it still takes time, and in that time the busy-ness leaves, life slows down and the act of creating fabric takes on a meditative flow.
MBW
Knitting is slow food for the soul.
I like knitting. I play with the yarn, looping it over itself with the aid of needles, to create fabric that morphs into garments. I do this because I enjoy it. It calms me to create.
It slows me down and I become medatative. In this state I conjour more ideas, and am inspired to design.
I love the feel of the fabrics I create, the drape and the movement of the looped yarn.
MBW