I recently completed my ninth blanket, since taking up yarn crafting. For this blanket, I returned to my classic crochet ripple, but this time it is a bigger blanket in bolder colors. The little turquoise lines add extra pop to the pattern and it is all done in super-wash merino wool, for machine washability. Looking back on previous blankets I can see how my skills are improving and my aesthetic is developing.

The blanket is for the first child of the Crazy Rosie household and it needed to be vibrant just like their family.

Miss Lola had an accident this week at the dog park while racing down a hillside at top speed. When she came to a screeching halt for no reason it wasn’t apparent at first that she’d been stabbed through her chest skin by something very sharp. When she came limping back to us we noticed the two inch tear exposing her tough muscle. I grabbed her in my arms, SB ran for the car and it was off to the emergency room for eight staples, pain killer and an Elizabethan Collar.

Now she’s on two weeks rest with absolutely no running. So far she has mostly slept but I fear next week I will not have it so easy. Lola gets a good amount of running practically everyday, just to take the edge off her energy. Without the exercise she may drive me out of the house or we both may need sedation.

In other news of the month, we are trying to buy a house in our neighborhood, right around the corner from where we live now. I know a month ago I had sworn off house buying for at least another year, but it is an obsession and when this house came on the market we couldn’t just walk on by. So, we have an accepted offer and the inspection is done. We are just starting the remediation phase of the negotiation. If all goes well, we will close in early June which is very pleasant time to move. I’m sure I’ll be writing more about it in the coming weeks.

Finally, I completed my first two cable knit projects and I learned that cabling is easy and also that working with super chunky yarn makes it all go fast. I’ll have to wait until next winter to really enjoy this set.

Thank you for all the comments on whether I should keep the blue argyle blanket or give it away. I decided to keep it and it has become my constant couch companion. I’ve enjoyed how it continues to soften the more it is used. Since my last post I finished two more knitting projects to give away.

The first was a scarf made for my sister’s boyfriend as a Christmas present. He lives in San Francisco so I wanted a light-weight scarf with lots of texture.

The second project was an op art spiral throw for SB. He loved the first one I made and requested one of his own. I made it slightly larger than the first. While I’ve been snuggled under my blue blanket, he’s been cozy under his spirals.

For my ninth knitting project I wanted a preppy design in a masculine color palette, something that would age well as the intended recipient grew-up. I think I succeeded with this diamonds on diamonds pattern in navy and gray. It also turned out huge! It is about 3′ x 5′ of fantastic superwash merino wool. This pattern had a stitch guide that I had to refer to for all fifteen square feet of knitting. It took me forever and has already logged a ton of miles, flying with me to Oregon and Utah.

Which all brings me to the rub. I’ve grown attached you see. This seemingly simple pattern was actually a ton of work and I’m so happy with the results. I don’t know if anyone but me will appreciate the hours and hours that went into this thing. But can I just keep it?

It wasn’t for any specific event, just a nice, good will present to be given at no particular time. I could always make another blanket, maybe something I’m less attached to? But then I don’t really need another throw and I was intending it to be a gift. Will it be more satisfying to give it away or to snuggle under it myself?

This summer I undertook three baby blankets. I missed the deadlines (birth dates) on all three and so far have only completed one. I blame my poor timeliness on two factors: my inability to order the right amount of yarn and my new plan to make all baby blankets in adult throw sizes, which means somewhere around 3 feet by 4 feet. That’s 36 square feet of stitches!

I’m really happy with how the first one turned out, the green one below. All three use the same super-wash merino wool from Knit Picks. I love the saturated colors that this yarn comes in and I also think super-wash merino is fantastic. I just need to keep on knitting and knitting and knitting.