Monday, March 17, 2008

Come Sail Away

Gift knitting is exempt from my vow of monogamy to Death By Cables. I have no proof, but I am inferring that this is the case since nothing awful happened during the production of the Knitting For Peace messenger bag. Had I offended the Knitting Goddess by working on a project other than Death, I am sure she would have let me know. I have the world's ugliest knitting project stuffed behind the sofa as proof. I am sure if I had cast on for something else for myself, my yarn would have burst into flames. There will probably be a lot of gift knitting around here for a while.

Last night I picked up Death, gathered my glasses and charts and a pencil and my tools, sat down to work on it...and cast on for a baby blanket for the friend I told you about back in December who is having the unexpected blessing. I had lunch with her last week and she is nearly seven months along, making the knitting of a baby blanket a matter of some urgency. I've been having trouble finding a pattern I like. I wanted something with boats, or waves, or some watery theme. She lives in a house overlooking the marina, her husband owns Boat Depot, they love to go out on their boat, and she's decorated the baby's room in a nautical theme. I had already bought this lovely, dark heather blue superwash wool (KnitPicks Swish Worsted) for just this purpose. I swatched a few times with different patterns, but nothing appealed to me. Then, inspiration struck. All by my little self, I did this:

And, people...I am proud. I know you washcloth knitters are scratching your heads and thinking, "So?" But I've never made a washcloth, and this is my first attempt at this type of embossed pattern. And it turned out so well!

See the sails? The mast? The little flag on top? What new mommy wouldn't love a blanket like that for her baby boy? [Yes, it's a boy. Nicholas Andrew. I can't tell you how relieved I am that this child has a name I can say without cringing. My friend is a free-spirited sort, and exactly the type who would be likely to name her son Walnut, or Rocky, or Betelgeuse. Don't look at me like that. We have friends who named their new arrival Jesse James. And that's what they call him. Not Jesse, or JJ, or Stinky. Nope. "Jesse James." They're not from New Mexico or Texas, either. They live in New Jersey.]

But I digress.

I have been taking notes on exactly how I made those little boats so that I can duplicate them. See?

Once I'm done, I will make it available here as a free--and hopefully more legible--pattern, so if you just have to have those sweet little boats, you can. I'll even try to figure out how to get a chart into electronic format, but no promises there!

22 comments:

Lara said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

well done you! your friend will love it!

Maureen said...

So cute! Perfect for the new addition to your friend's family. I've started the Debbie Bliss ABC blanket for a co-worker and his wife and it's driving me crazy. Looking at those cute sailboats is making me wish I was foating away on one.

Anonymous said...

I've never made a dishcloth either. Do people even use them for dishes??
Good work with the boats, they are really cute.

Lydee said...

That is so nice; it looks really good!

sophanne said...

And as an added bonus- that Styx song is in my head.

The blanket is going to be beautiful.

I think the Knitting Goddess smiles kindly upon gift knitting. -one of my first thoughts when I opened that package. : )

Punkin said...

Nice pattern!

Anonymous said...

The sailboats are darling, and the little flag is the crowning touch. Well done, you!

Sarah said...

Those sailboats are awesome! It's such a perfect design. If you need help putting it into a chart, let me know, I'd be happy to help!

Anonymous said...

Love it! Great job and can't wait to be able to steal - I mean, legally download or copy - it for my own use.

Mommyleek said...

Oh! Where were you 4 years ago when I was making a nautical nursery for my son?!

Of course, I wasn't even knitting then, so what am I moaning about.

The blanket is lovely, and the mom-to-be will certainly treasure it. I'd say you get a pass from the knitting goddess, for sure.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful gift! Your friend will love it. I commend you for knitting a blanket. I cannot stand knitting blankets but you have inspired me:)

Life's a Stitch said...

Sweet blankie, a very special gift.
Li

Diane said...

That is tremendous! They will totally appreciate it - and I'm impressed by your "tinkering" - love the swoop of the sails.
Bravo!

Anonymous said...

Very cool!

Kim said...

You should be proud! Those boats rock! It's too bad I'm done birthing babies because I love the name Walnut. Can I rename my son Walnut even though he's 8 years old? haha

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine putting all that effort into something I would use to wipe up spilled spagetti sauce. Much, Much better as a baby blanket. Get another finished picture. I think this blanket is going to have some mileage put on it and you don't want to lose the original.

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Get on back with your bad sail boat knitting self!! Love it.

I shipped off the yarn today, I'm sorry I didn't put a nice note in or anything, I was just desperate to mail it, so please don't think I'm impolite. Thanks!;)

Senja said...

Cute! I love it and he will too!

Anonymous said...

http://www.celta-celta.blogspot.com/

Khalila said...

Nice blanket! It seems like you were able to get through the first repeat rather quickly so you'll be able to get it done in time for the baby.

TheBlackSheep said...

Love the blanket! Very, very cute. Are you going to publish the pattern? (I'm a dab hand at Excel if you need help with the chart) That's a blanket pattern I would love to use.

I also quite like Death. Of course, I'm partial to cables. Can't wait to see it finished!