Baby News

My thing used to be whenever I knew of someone who was having a baby, or their spouse was, I'd crochet a baby blanket for them. I got out of the habit, and even when my own grandchildren started arriving I didn't even think to make one for the first. She was three when I finished hers, my grandson was one, and my second granddaughter got hers more quickly. I think she was just a few months old when I finished hers.

Two years ago I spent six months in Iraq and met a wonderful young Air Force lieutenant with whom I became very close. She said I reminded her of a favorite aunt, which was fine with me. She was very adamant about never having children. Well, several months ago I received an email from her that just said, "Guess what?" My reply was to ask her due date. I knew she'd change her mind eventually, I just didn't realize it would be so fast.

Anyway, I'm getting better and I set about looking for a great pattern to make a baby blanket for this baby girl who is going to be beautiful if her parents are any indication. I found the nursery colors would be green and pink, so I went in search of the perfect yarn to match. I found one at Hobby Lobby. The in-house brand, I Love This Yarn, is truly soft and comes in a huge variety of solids and variegated. I chose Summer Happens, and crocheted this blanket.

The picture doesn't do the color variation justice. I have very poor lighting in my apartment, no overhead lighting outside bathrooms and kitchen. I'll need to be more creative in the future. And I can't retake pictures of the completed blanket because it has been mailed off to New Mexico. I used a pattern for a larger afghan pattern I found on Redheart.com. I just used a smaller hook than was required. I believe I used a J instead of the N suggested in the pattern. The pattern can be found here.

I'm pretty proud of myself for getting it done before the baby was born. She's going to make her appearance in July.

Now I have two more to make before the end of the year. My older son and his wife are expecting later in the year, and I've got everything bought for that blanket. One of my best friends in high school has a grandchild due at the end of the year, and I'm just waiting to find out the nursery colors before I begin.