Out of this World Blanket

Out of this world baby blanket

N and V are pregnant, and expecting a baby boy in April 2016. It’s an exciting time for them, as this is their first. My friend Steph organized a really great baby shower for them, and everything was themed “Out of this world”. There were rockets, stars, planets, NASA and even some posters from the Jet Propulsion Lab.

Baby shower for Nathaly

Baby shower for Nathaly

There was a cake with the baby astronaut in marzipan, a diaper cake with stars and a rocket on top…

Baby shower for Nathaly

and plenty of games – including one where we had to taste baby food and identify it, another where we had to write on diapers (late night messages for the parents), and plenty of laughs at the “pacifier straws”.

Baby shower for Nathaly

There were also plenty of gifts for the little bundle and the new parents.

Baby shower for Nathaly

For me, because I can crochet, I do my best to make sure that the gift is handmade because it’s always a nice gift to get something where the time is spent making it -just the same as the ‘mom’ has been spending time making the baby. 🙂 This time, I made a baby blanket in a ridged vine pattern that reminded me of the rockets taking off into the sky. It’s in James C Brett Marble DK in blues / greens shade. It took me about a week after work to make the whole thing including the edges.

Nathaly's baby blanket

Nathaly's baby blanket

Nathaly's baby blanket

Nathaly's baby blanket

I think it was a hit – and I can’t wait to see little V using it!

Nathaly's baby blanket

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Blue Boy’s Sweater

Completed crochet boy's baby hat & sweater in cotton. 9.2015

One of the girls at work is having a little boy around Christmas. She left on Maternity leave this week, and this being her first baby, naturally, she needed a little something to celebrate. Thus, I made her a hat and scarf for a newborn out of cotton thread. I think that it turned out ok. I used a different pattern than I usually do – and it called for a size 4 hook. I think that I like the pattern (it works up fast) but it needs a larger hook (the sweater was so tiny I’m not sure it will fit!).

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The first part of the pattern calls for making the body as one single piece. From here, you make the sleeves:

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And then add in a collar:

Completed crochet boy's baby hat & sweater in cotton. 9.2015

And then it’s done:

Completed crochet boy's baby hat & sweater in cotton. 9.2015

While I’m not normally crazy for cotton thread, I did find this turned out quite heavy and it should be relatively easy to wash. The hat and booties were also made from cotton thread – just a different color.

Completed crochet boy's baby hat & sweater in cotton. 9.2015

Overall, I think my colleague liked the set, and she was quite surprised I made it from scratch. I always love that reaction – you made this!?! It must have taken you hours! (No, actually I did both in about 2 hours). It really brings it home just how much times have changed from the days when everyone made something handmade for a new baby – to today where everything’s store bought. I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

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Variety Stitch Green & Violet Crib blanket

Variety Stitch Crib baby blanket, completed 8/2014. #phoenixrosedesign #crochet #handmade #handwork #sold #etsy #craft #craftylady #yarn #wool #creative

Back in August of 2014, I completed a variety stitch baby blanket. We weren’t sure what the gender was going to be, so it was done in semi neutral colors of green violet and yellow. The key with this blanket is that it came off of someone seeing the one I had made in July for someone else and really liking what I did there. They wanted something similar – but in bright colors. The end result? I think it turned out great!

Variety Stitch Crib blanket

The blanket itself had lots of texture, having some shell stitches, some wave stitches, a few honeycomb stitches, and then a few V-type stitches. I think it turned out really nice for a little boy or girl.

Variety Stitch Crib blanket

Variety Stitch Crib blanket

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