Knitting for the newest member of the family

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Before last christmas we found out that we were expecting another member of the family in august. And now we are halfways there. I had several skeins of Drops Baby Alpaca Silk in my stash which I just couldn’t find the right project for. Well, I found it now. The yarn is so soft and lovely, and it makes the softest fabric for baby clothes.

A pattern I have had laying around in my ravelry-queue for ages is the Pepita by Martina Behm. I just fell in love with the cuteness of the garment, and not to mention the cuteness of the pics featured in the pattern.

I used 2,5 mm needles and about 2 skeins of Drops Baby Alpaca Silk in grey. I alterated the patterns slightly. Instead of knitting straps in the front AND back, and then button them on the top of the shoulder I rather wanted just straps in the back which would button in the front. I made two buttonholes in the straps which allows the overall to grow a bit with the baby. I also skipped the feets, although they looked adorable, and just went for a 2x2 ribbing for 25 rows, which can be folded up when the baby is little, and down when the baby grows. I bought the cutest buttons on eBay a while ago which are now coming into good use.

Then I really wanted to knit a onesie, but couldn’t really find a pattern I liked so this one was largely improvised. I wanted short arms and a raglan sleeve as I think they are pretty and fits well.

I used almost 1,5 skeins of Drops Baby Alpaca Silk in grey on 2,5 mm needles. I am thinking of putting on a pair of buttons a bit higher up in the crotch so the onesie can become a bit smaller. I guess I’ll wait and see when the baby is here.

I have been putting down notes on how I made this, so I guess I will put them out here and on ravelry soonish.

On an impulse I bought some lovely Sublime Extra Fine Merino DK on a sale which have been waiting for the right project. Out of two skeins of this hot bubblegum pink a small overall appeared. I started out thinking I wanted to knit the little one a dress (yes, it is a girl), but midway changed my mind seeing that the little one will spend most of its time on the back or being carried for the first 3 months, and dresses tends to roll up and gather up under arms and whatnot. So, decided to make it into an overall.

The overall has extra long straps with two buttonholes. When the baby grows the straps can be uncrossed as well, making the garment last even longer. This overall is tiny, only 45 cm from top to bottom, but I am hoping it will last through the whole first winter because of the long straps and the long ribbing on the legs.

The overall is pretty much based on my Grumpybum Monster Longies pattern with a few alterations to make it more suitable for a newborn. I used 2 skeins on 4 mm needles (20 stitches per 10 cm). This size is about newborn to 3 months, but I guess you could get 3 more months use out of it because of the long straps and ribbing. I will put out my notes on how I made this soon as well.

I am so happy with this overall. Both the color and how it ended up looking are just so darn cute. I can’t wait for the little one to be here so I can dress her up in this one with a white onesie underneath. Ah, the cuteness is killing me.

Growing me a garden day 21

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My garden is growing. Almost thriving. Almost. I planted 10 Early Cascade tomato seeds, and so far 3 has sprouted. Out of 10 Arctic tomato seeds, only 2 has sprouted. Most of the strawberry seeds has sprouted, although not all, probably about 2/3 of the seeds. And I have 2 sprouts of my bell peppers. But, it is all good. I am pretty sure that I had too many plants crammed into too little space last year. I had 6-8 tomato plants in each big pot (it is big, but not that big), and about 20 strawberry plants in my strawberry pot. And it only resulted in me having to water the plants several times a day, as it wasn’t enough dirt to hold any moisture, and the plants growing slow and producing fruits really really late.

Although I planted the seeds in january and planted them out in may, most of the tomatoes were still green in september.

So, this year I am planning of having fewer plants in each pot, giving each plant more space and room to grow. And hopefully we will be able to enjoy both the tomatoes and strawberry before the first frost. I am aiming for 10 strawberry plants, 2 bell peppers, and 4 of each type of tomatoes.

I have also planted some basil seeds. They were quite old, as I bought them over a year ago. I have had them laying about in my cupboards in the kitchen, although for the past month they were moved into the fridge. So, I wasn’t sure whether they would sprout or not. But they did. The basil will stay indoors though, but it’s such a lovely herb to have on hand for the summer so I had to grow it.

I am also planning of growing carrots and spring onions. But those I will grow outside from the beginning.

A hard enough life...

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Freshly made bread, still warm, with butter and Norwegian brown cheese. Enjoyed out in the sun on the deck. Life isn't too bad.

Pink flying over the mountains

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A tiny lady in the west is soon to turn 1 year old, so a small pink and grey dress is making its way over the mountains. All ready for spring, but made in wool for still chilly spring days.

I’ve used 4mm needles, and about 1 skein of pink and 1 1/2 skein of grey in Viking Superwash.

I am so pleased with this pattern, and I think the dress is so beautiful. I have made this dress several times before. The pattern is called Littlesister’s dress, and is originally knitted on 2,5mm needles.

And big sister who turned 4 years old in January were also getting something. So this hot pink shrug are also making its way over the mountains.

The color is a vibrant hot pink, which is so dark it almost looks red in certain lights. It’s an absolutely gorgeous color, but also impossible to capture on film. It would turn out too red or too dark.

The pattern is Slipped Stitch Kiddo Cardigan, made into a shrug (made shorter). It is originally knitted on 3mm needles, but this yarn begged to be knitted on 4mm needles, so I obliged.

Avocado shake

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I first had a Vietnamese Avacado drink when I was about 12 years old or so. I thought it so weird, mostly because of the colour. I'm not even sure if I even knew what an avocado was at the time. On the menu it was listed under drinks, but I remember it being very thick and creamy and I ate most of it with a spoon. Anyway, it was love at first sight!

It took me a few years to realise i could make it my self. The original one is usually made with sweet condensed milk, but i usually use normal milk and sugar. I also make it a bit more liquid so it can easily be drunk through a straw. As I only had the original drink that one time at the restaurant, I am pretty sure my version might not even be close to what it is supposed to taste or look like. I have tried to order it when living in Asia, but unfortunately I haven't been in Asia in avocado season.

But, I do enjoy it a lot. And my 3-year old will come running to get some as soon as he sees the green drink.

Yummy yummy avocado shake (pint glass)

1 ripe small avocado
4 dl milk
sugar to taste

Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit and scoop out the flesh. Pour milk on top and sugar to taste. The drink is supposed to be sweet. I use about 2 tbs for a pint glass.
Mix thoroughly in a blender. If it becomes very thick, pour in some more milk or water. Pour the drink into a tall glass with lots of ice cubes. Drink with a straw. Enjoy.