My Own Little Fantasy
On my last couple of days of bed rest (when I was thinking that they were just in the middle of my bed rest period) I decided that I wanted to start something special just for myself. When I was in Toronto, I purchased on skein of Handmaiden Silk/Cashmere 2 ply lace weight yarn in a lovely purply magenta colorway. It made me happy just to take it out and touch it since it contained my two favorite fibers and some of my all time favorite colors. And it seemed like it might be the perfect thing to help me chase away some boredom.
But what to do with it? One skein, 300-400 yards... not enough for a shawl. Not enough brain power to design something myself. I needed a good pattern to follow. So, since I could wander around on Ravelry I started looking for lace projects, and I started looking at the yarn section looking for things people had already done with the yarn, or lace projects that looked like they might complement the yarn.
Which is where I found Sivia Harding's Diamond Fantasy Scarf/Shawl pattern. This is one of those patterns that I've seen all over the place, but never had a good reason to get started on myself. But since I was anticipating nursing (and nursing tops and bras and so forth and dealing with easy access) I thought that a scarf that could be worn over the top of something else made a lot of sense.
So I spent an evening before dinner hand winding the ball (it was something I could do easily while listening to a podcast and it was a nice tactile experience) and the morning I headed off to my final OB appointment I cast on the first couple of stitches, thinking I'd be home in the early afternoon to work on it a little more. Wishful thinking, that, I guess. But since I've been back with the baby, her naps have given me time to make some progress. I have to admit that I am in "blind pattern following mode" and am just reading through the line by line instructions (easier for me at this point than trying to keep track of a chart). The instructions are excellent and I'm making good progress -- although I've had to learn not to start a complicated lace row without checking to see how Zosia is doing...
I love the color you have chosen. It's interesting to me that the chart would be easier for me to keep up with amongst interruptions than written instructions. It is nice when a pattern includes both to please more knitters.
I LOVED this pattern when I did it earlier this year to donate to a silent auction for my husband's school. Did mine in two skeins of Koigu since I couldn't bear to part with the Fleece Artist, LOL. Was thinking about doing one of my own quickly for a nursing cover-up, though honestly I'm anticipating using something a little more, well, washable ... breast milk is FOUL if it sours and with all the extra laundry in my near future (wish me luck -- got an appt today), I'm not sure I can handle an extra hand-wash. :)
I love the color, Theresa. This is going to be gorgeous!
Wow, that is beautiful!
Oh, I love that colorway, too!
I'm impressed that you're getting knitting done. I remember I was in a muzzy fog for weeks after The Child was born. Go you!
The best advice I got, when I was an old knitter and a new mommy, was (from my mother)-Fer God's sake- when the baby sleeps, you go have a sleep! It works!!!!!! By the way- isn't that FA silk and cashmere to die for!!!!!!! Love it(just haven't gotten past the fondling stage yet!)
Beautiful yarn! That pattern is one I've wanted to do for awhile (actually, I'd like to do many of hers!). I went to add it to my favourites list one day, and it was already on there. I started a nursing shawl for baby #3, but realized when she was about 8 months old and it was sweltering out, that a mohair nursing shawl was not a good idea (velcro on my nursing pillow), so I packed it away, unfinished.
With baby #2, before I knew about babywearing, I started a simple blanket to knit while I held her, or while going places. It was a rectangle version of the garter st. square dishcloth. It's a fond memory of the first 6 weeks of her babymoon.
I totally disagree with the bm is foul if soured. I suppose if you left it indefinately, but really, compared to the grossness of soured/spit upped formula, bm is not bad. Doesn't stain (unless you're blessed with really fatty hindmilk, but there are laundry solutions) like formula either. I really fond, even with refluxy babies, that I didn't have a whole lot of extra laundry; although I'm not obsessed with changing their clothes every time they got a little dribble on them (bibs help).
How lovely! I love Fleece Artist, and I think that pattern is particularly suited to handpainted yarn.
That will be a perfect nursing accessory.
Awwww, you're going to have a nice memento of your early days with Miss Z.
What pretty yarn. And a very pretty pattern too. I love silk and I love cashmere and I can't believe I don't have any of this yarn. Must go shopping right now!
Sounds like things are going well with you and your new little one. The scarf looks lovely.
Looks beautiful so far! (And BTW, Target makes a pretty good basic nursing camisole that's very easy to use -- I bought several and have been pretty much living in them for the past couple of months.)
Love the colour of yarn you chose.
Oooh, that's pretty yarn! Perfect for that pattern. Can't wait to see more of it!
The colour is amazing! When I knit my DFS I used lifelines after every pattern repeat and found that very helpful (had never done that before). I used one skein of Schaefer Anne and ended up with a fairly big shawl so I think you'll be good with the yards you have.
Beautiful color! I made a DFS last year, and am planning to make one for myself in the fall.
I love the Diamond Fantasy pattern. One of these days I'm going to get a copy of it for myself and start a-knitting.
Silk/cashmere yarn must be quite luxurious to touch!