Rose Trellis Shawl

It is knit, blocked and photographed. In the end, I did not have enough yarn in the end for an elaborate edging so I did a simple garter st border with a (k2tog, yo) row in the middle, for both ends. It turned out quite respectably proportioned at 27 X 81 inches, blocked. I am very happy with it, looks prettier than I had hoped. Now, on to look for a new project.

Shawl In Progress

As I mentioned in a previous post, I opted to resume knitting the Rose Trellis Shawl during Ramadan, to keep me from starting any new projects (that has been mostly successful, except for a pair of baby sandals :)).

 

Knitting lace has been my way of winding down after a long day. I work on it after the kids are in bed and Isha and taraweeh prayers are said. I am happy to report that I am now at the last section of the shawl. If I have enough yarn, I might add an edging at each end to lengthen the shawl.

Ramadan Mubarak

Ramadan moon has been sighted here in Pakistan. This year finds me a little ill prepared for this holy month-  what with a new baby (who is currently running a post vaccination fever), a bit messy house, inadequate pantry and all. But I still feel more motivated to make the best of this blessed month, than last year, inshaAllah. Meanwhile, I won't be posting much as the crafts take a backseat.

May Allah make this blessed month beneficial for us all!

Basic Ribbed Socks

For once, I feel a little sad on completing a project. These socks were so much fun to knit. So relaxing to sit down and knit a few rows in an otherwise hectic routine. The regular color change also add to the fun.

I had knit this pattern earlier _ Sassy Stripes Socks. This pair is for my husband. The yarn is Aktiv Effekt

Steinbach Wolle.

Now, I have resumed knitting the Rose Trellis Shawl I had started last year. It's about time too. No new project for now, Ramadan begins in a few days and I do not plan to knit much during the month.

Little Things

 Lately, I have been sticking to small and simple knitting projects, so that when I do get some knitting time at the end of a long day, I have something mindless and relaxing to work on. Besides, it is simply too hot to handle any bigger projects.

   I managed to complete this pair of pants for the baby. I used this pattern earlier to make a pair and loved it enough to knit another.

And also a pair of ribbed tube socks that use up leftovers.

Next on the needles is a pair of socks for my husband, using self-patterning yarn. It has been the most relaxing knit I have done in some time, very therapeutic.

Of Baby, Sleep Deprivation and Knitting Lessons

They say, "A woman's work is never done". That has to be especially true when that woman has a newborn baby, one who wants to be entertained all the time she is up and refuses to sleep anywhere except in her mother's arms. That baby is our Ms Cuddles and I being that proverbial woman, find it extremely difficult to start my daily work around the house, let alone complete it. Add to this baby busyness, two older kids currently having their summer vacation, who need to be fed, clothed and supervised with their homework, and the most mundane household tasks like cooking and cleaning feel like ill-afforded luxuries. And then the baby gets her vaccination and develops fever and colic as side-effects. That meant little sleep for us during the next few nights. The week passed in a drowsy blur. Alhamdolillah, Ms cuddles has got better now. She is almost two months old now and starting to coo and smile back, mashaAllah.

Needless to say, there has been little time for knitting. However, in my foolhardy way, I offered the older children some knitting lessons. They must have been bored out of their wits, because they jumped at the chance and we have had a couple of introductory lessons. They have learned knit st so far and even managed a few rows.

 

I am so proud. My son continues despite his father's teasing and my daughter has been impressive. She shows skill equal to her older brother and better attention span. They are eager for more lessons but I have been fending them off for now. And interestingly, the first project they both want to do when they are able to knit is socks!

Pepita

I started this pair of baby overalls in order to use up some odd balls of fingering weight. I thought it would be a quick knit, but I must be overconfident of my knitting speed because it took me almost a month to get done. The facts that I got lesser time to knit this month due to the new baby and all, and that I found this pattern a bore, did not help with the progress.

I drew a heart motif over a grid and knit a row of these across the chest. The rest of the onesie was done in 2(red): 3(orange) stripes. It was a bit tricky, as the start of the round shifts at waist and then again on starting the legs. I opted out of knitting the feet as I could not be sure of having enough yarn. So, I am glad to finally have it off the needles.

I am not sure how it has turned out, though the crotch and butt shaping seem odd to me. Just happy it is finished.