Serendepity and Knitting

Grandma's Dishcloth Baby Blanket

What do you do when you are nearly finished with a project, it's past midnight -- and you are about to run out of yarn? A fast run to the yarn store is not an option when you live 30 miles from everywhere. 

I did what any good knitter does -- I went shopping in my stash. The baby blanket in progress was made from a Peaches and Cream yarn from Walmart. 100% cotton (good for babies.) The background was off white with flecks of color throughout.  I bought an entire cone of the yarn, expecting to have plenty for one baby blanket. However, I used size 8 needles and made the blanket large -- 36" per side. That takes a lot of yarn.  Now -- did I have a remnant of that yarn from some other project in my stash?

After rummaging in all the nooks and crannies where I stash yarn, the answer came up: No.  Now what? Fall back and punt!

I found a ball of Lily's Sugar and Cream in red. Quickly ripping back the blanket in progress, I inserted a series of red stripes across one end. That gave me enough "cushion" to finish the blanket, and even have a bit of the original yarn left over. You know, I rather like it. It gives the blanket more character than a plain blanket would have had.

That's Serendipity -- or what Artists call "a happy accident."  Hm... Maybe I planned it to be this way all along. Do you think I can convince folks of that? :)

Baby Projects

I have finished Sandy's blanket and Jaime's baby kimono. All I have left to do is to sew up the kimono and add the ties. I'd like to make a bib or burb cloth for Jaime, too. Have to get more yarn, first. The blanket took a lot of yarn. They are both made with Lily Sugar 'n' Cream cotton yarn. Figured that was better for summer babies.
Jaime had her baby on July 2. Dominik Anton Prideaux, 7 lb., 10 oz, 20 or 21 inches long. Congratulations, Jaime and Dom!

Sandy's due date has come and gone and she is still coming to work each day. You know it's got to be hard on her. She's so tiny to start with, but she's keeping good spirits. Pat and I are traveling to Texas for a few days, leaving tomorrow. I do hope to learn Sandy's baby has come before we get back!
Sandy had her baby on July 18! It's a little girl, 8 lb., 2 oz. They haven't decided on a name, but I heard they were leaning toward Amelia.