The saga of the blanket...

It's a tough world out there! Logan Gabriel

It has been a very active two weeks. My grandson made a premature arrival on March 20th. All 3 pounds 12 ounces of him. For a detailed saga of the blanket's construction, deconstruction, redesign and final completion please pop over to Ravelry and check out 'Logans baby blanket" in my projects. Oh, my ravelry name has changed to "Susanlacewing." There was another Susanknits (I was Suzanknits) and it was confusing so I changed my moniker.

Brittany and "The" blanket

I took the blanket to the NICU yesterday and we got this picture.This is as close as he is going to get to it for a while. We took it off after the picture taking and put the dark cover back on.

My baby boy and his Baby Boy

Star baby blanket

This fall we are expecting another grandchild!! and a playmate for Logan. I am going to get the new baby's blanket done in plenty of time!. Meanwhile I haven't got a stitch knit on my In Dreams KAL since Logan's arrival. Now that he is doing so well my concentration should have returned.

Crochet time

I started this, ohhhh, probably 8 years ago..sheesh Now I am finishing it for my new Grandbaby. It is wonderful yarn. Sirdar Denim Tweed DK. Of course now I am in a panic that I will run out. Some of these colours have been discontinued. I sent out about 10 emails on Ravely begging to buy or trade whenever I found any of these colours in someone''s stash. So far I have heard from 2 people. Keeping the good thought here.

I am one row away from the half way point. This is my TV watching project. This yarn is the best, it is a cotton acrylic wool blend that loves the washer and will tolerate the dryer as long as you don't cook it.

At present I have 4 lace shawls on the go and I am lusting after another. Mario Knits pattern "Spanish Armada." Five is the max (really) and then I have to finish one (believe me) before I can start another. Non knitter's do not understand the concept of having more than one project at a time. If I get tired of one or it becomes difficult I switch to the easy one for a respite. Then when refreshed I go back to the challenging one. Makes sense to me. Same reason why I read more than one book at a time.

 This is my "Icarus Shawl." I am almost finished the second wing. Intriguing knit I must say. Look for the pattern on Ravelry by  the name "In The Pink" by Izzyknits.

Feyrhi's Wings Shawl

 Clue #1 finished. Susan Pandorf's Lord of the Rings "In Dreams" KAL on Ravelry

Creating a Plush Teddy Bear...Step One

tracing the pattern

 When the children were young and I was a stay at home Mom I had a craft business called "Thimble Enterprises." I used to go to Craft Shows in southern Ontario At one point my hand made teddys, bunnies,squirrels etc were sold in stores in Windsor and Leamington Ontario. 

It is important to cut the backing NOT the pile.

My youngest used to sit by my feet while I was sewing. He would drive his hot wheel cars around the shelf at the bottom of the sewing machine stand. He will be a Papa in May and I asked him if he would like a bear for his son.

the seams will be hidden by the long pile at the edge.

 He quickly said, "Yes." This pattern is named after my dad. "Grampy Bear" is an original Thimble Enterprises design and came with glasses, a pipe and dressed in a tweed vest with a watch chain. Sorry no pictures of the original.

tedious job cutting out each piece

 I sold these bears as gifts for Executive's. They were very popular. 

Still have to cut a contrast for the paws, and probably will use a contrast for the inner ear, instead of the pile

 All cut out and ready to be sewn. He has a head gusset, which is tricky but makes a lovely shaped head. The body is in four parts. I will have to make him a satin heart to sew inside. He will be fully jointed with a hand crafted leather nose.

Much better picture of the actual colour of the pile. My hand is sore from all that cutting so I will take a break. Next step sewing up all the bits.
Back to lace knitting for a rest.