The count down is officially on for the arrival of the
new baby bunny - and it seems I am refusing to slow down. I had planned that I would spend these last few weeks as a 'resting' period. Where I could curl up on the sofa, watch movies, generally pamper myself and the large bump I'm hauling around - most of all stacking up on some extra sleep that I won't be getting for the next 3 months. However it seems that I am still running around doing things at full tilt, brisk doggie walks in the park - like the most energized pregnant person you have seen - occasionally I might pass out for a quick 'nap' (of a couple of hours or so .... hum.)
This week, ignoring all the baby orientated things I should be doing, I spent a day pulling together my first knitting needle organizer. Before I could begin on my pattern I had to first sort through the pile of knitting needles I kept loose in this bag.
The bag had done a sterling job for a while - but as my knitting needle collection has grown it has become harder to find needles quickly - or even know what needles I have. For example I had completely given up on trying to find my beloved chunky cable needle and my naff blue plastic needle I love to use to sew knitted pieces together. But once the bag was emptied properly I discovered that they had been hiding in there all along! Some time ago my mother had also given me a large collection of old knitting needles. I did discard the bent ones but I was still left with a whole array of different lengths and sizes. How would I measure all these strange unmarked sizes? Luckily I had an antique bell gauge in amongst the collection as well ...
... which I soon learned was not that helpful as many of the old UK sizes do not really exist anymore. So I have learnt quite a lot about old knitting UK needle sizes and in the process I discovered the crazy (yet impressive) art of
miniature knitting.
I decided to make my needle organizer from some left over pieces of
Amy Butler's Lotus fabric, some left over cotton batting and some left over bias tape
(I tend never to throw any fabric bits away - believing it will come in useful at some point!) It was a super easy and fast project.
Unrolled it measures 21"h x 23"w. Rolled up it measures 15"h x 4.5"w (depending on how many needles you have stuffed in there of course!)
It has 4 layers of pockets for different length needles.
The bottom pockets are extra wide to hold your circular needles. In total there are 50 different pockets.
There is also a crafty 6" flap at the top of the organizer that folds over and secures with cute side ties to stop the needles falling out once it is all rolled up.
This all means that now I have a full inventory of my needles and I can waste yet more hours, put aside for baby stuff, on the
Ravelry needle page! Being able to deny that your life is about to change in a momentous way can be a fabulous thing!
I haven't achieved as much as I would like crafting wise - but the year been SO fulfilling in many other ways. I was so scared of becoming a mother - but now I can't imagine life without (what I consider to be - although I might be biased) the most lovely, peachy cheeked little girl ever (no no - I'm not biased at all!)
I'm really trying to write down my knitting patterns as I go but I find it really hard to be totally happy with them. I so want to be able to communicate clearly with someone how to make the pattern - but we all think/work so differently - I worry that my directions will frustrate or confuse.
The border on this blanket is made using a a simple cable pattern.
I joined the border to the blanket by knitting into stitches along the sides of the blanket and I joined the two ends of the border together using the three needle bind off technique.The same principle can be used with any pattern you care to use for a border. And the bonus is - no sewing is required! 
Do you like my fancy corners?
... I hand tied the quilt with tiny little crosses, it has a double layer of batting - so it is extra soft for Baby Ella's tummy time ...
... I used beautiful velvet ric-rac given to me by Anne of Bunny Hill Designs, ...
... the gift bag has felt letters ironed to it using that super sticky stuff.
I think (hope) the mummy-to-be was pleased with it too.
I just love knitting cables.I hope to post the patterns on my Ravelry page soon.
What master pieces the baby bunny has made ...
Once trimmed and signed they make the most adorable cards. 
We are SO proud of her first crafting project I'm not sure if we will ever be able to use the cards!!
... and our 3 little sewing projects in February, July & October.
There are many wonderful crafters in the calendar - I was really honored to be asked to be a part of it.
2) Sew your bias tape to the outer edge of the hood
3) Pin the hood to one corner of your square and sew in place
4) Sew your bias tape around the entire square
...or a friendly bath buddy ...
We have used our little super simple baby blanket so much. We use it to put down on the floor for some wriggle or tummy time, out in the car or stroller, wrap her up for a cosy cuddle ... the uses seem to be endless and the ease of washing and tumble drying essential. I hope these two little scrappy quilts are useful too!
I obviously wanted to document the little quilts ... but my little model was a little shy and uncooperative.
How can something so small wiggle quite so much!!
It is the most beautiful blue and white quilt. Each picture is hand embroidered. It is impossible to pick a favorite picture - they are all so utterly cute.
The detail is just amazing - I can't imagine the hours and hours and hours it took. I secretly suspect Nana must love her great grandchild a great deal already to have poured such effort affection into such a piece!
The quilt has two matching cushions as well! Perfect accessories for that toddler bed in a couple of years time.
And the dearest blue bird backing material with my favorite kind of label - hand stitched and made with love.
Charlotte is so very lucky to have such a talented Nana.
Charlotte Emily
... which I soon learned was not that helpful as many of the old UK sizes do not really exist anymore. So I have learnt quite a lot about old knitting UK needle sizes and in the process I discovered the crazy (yet impressive) art of miniature knitting.
Unrolled it measures 21"h x 23"w. Rolled up it measures 15"h x 4.5"w (depending on how many needles you have stuffed in there of course!) 
It has 4 layers of pockets for different length needles. 
The bottom pockets are extra wide to hold your circular needles. In total there are 50 different pockets.
There is also a crafty 6" flap at the top of the organizer that folds over and secures with cute side ties to stop the needles falling out once it is all rolled up.
This all means that now I have a full inventory of my needles and I can waste yet more hours, put aside for baby stuff, on the Ravelry needle page! Being able to deny that your life is about to change in a momentous way can be a fabulous thing!
