I'm an Auntie!

My husband's brother's wife (ie my sister-in-law) had a baby girl two weeks ago.  She was 4 weeks early, had a miraculous 3 1/4 hour labour which started just two hours after she finished her last day at work!  Baby Jasmine was just over 6 lb and very cute!

But I was not prepared with any handknits!  It took a few days to find the right pattern and yarn but I finally settled on the very cute Camilla Babe (3 month size) and, because I had yarn left over, the Small Things Bonnet (newborn size).  Both patterns were lovely, the bonnet in particular was very neatly constructed.

Ravelled here and here.

FO - Baby Bonnet

I made this baby bonnet a few days ago.  I don't know why I made it now, it's sized to fit a 9 month old and I have got lots of other knits I should be doing/finishing as a priority.  I guess the unusual construction intrigued me and when I found this yarn (Misti Alpaca Tonos Worsted) I had to make something with it now!  I bloody love this yarn!  It's so pretty and soft and drapey and smells like wool (and 50% alpaca) is supposed to!  As soon as I can get myself over to Wondoflex I'm going to get some more to make a baby cardigan.

The hat turned out pretty cute but as I don't have a 9 month old to try it on I can't check how the fit is :)

Baby cap

Here on Ravelry.

Pattern:  Baby Bonnet from Purl Soho
Yarn:  Misti Alpaca Tonos Worsted in colour Silar

Nesting, nesting

I do like to be organised (thought I'm not a neat freak or anything) so I'm not sure if this a pregnancy nesting thing or not but suddenly I want to organise things.

First was my jewellery.  For the last 10 years it's lived in an old wooden cutlery box which was very attractive on the outside but inside a bit of a jumbled mess.  I bought these stackable, flock lined trays from Howards Storage World and now keep them in one of my bathroom drawers.  So much more efficient!  I can now find things, try them on and look in the mirror instead of rummaging about and walking back and forth between the bedside and bathroom to see how they look.

Next shoes!  I had them all in shoeboxes but of course I had to pull them out and open them up to see what was in each of the boxes.  These are also from Howards Storage World and are currently on sale (at least in Nunawadding they are) for $7.95 for 3 boxes.

Finally clothes hangers.  Totally un-necessary really, but I just couldn't help myself.  We have walk-in robes and our clothes are all visible from the bedroom so I will get to appreciate the matchy matchy-ness every time I look in that direction :)  These are from Pink Lily, they're pretty good hangers but the hooks are not all attached on the same angle which makes them look a little untidy and takes the shine off the matchy-ness a little.  I am being fairly picky at the moment!


Today I'm going to a Blum showroom to organise the kitchen cutlery and utensil drawers and my make-up drawer!

And no, the baby's room is not finished, nor do we have all the clothes he'll need!  I'll work on that next!

FO: Toy ball

Whipped up this toy ball this morning from the Purl Bee beach ball pattern with a jingle ball inside it.

The jingle ball came from American Felt and Craft. I've never been able to find these anywhere in Melbourne.  I know some people use a regular bell and put inside a small container so that it jingles but I've also never found an appropriate container.  So these are awesome.  I also got a few other bits for making toys :)

• squeakers
• mini rattles
• large rattles
• crinkle paper

Toy ball