Purls Beyond Price

Confessions of a Cranky (Still) Pregnant Lady

So 2 and a half weeks after the doctor said, "Any minute," I'm still here, still pregnant and as cranky as ever. We've given Boo a new nickname, "Little Princess False Alarm." Thursday night I had contractions 4-5 minutes apart, 45-90 seconds in duration for about 2 hours. Just as Kevin and I decided it might be time to head to the hospital the contractions tapered off and then stopped. The same thing happened last night. It's disheartening and depressing and leaves me tireder and sorer than before. I'm officially DONE with being pregnant now, thanks ever so much.

We've done everything that the doctor and the old wives' tales suggest to get things moving and so far, dear little Boo seems not to be getting the message. It struck me yesterday as I returned exhausted from yet another walk, that perhaps all the effort to get things moving was, in fact, delaying the process. I'm laying off now and just chillin', letting the wee one take her own sweet time. She'll arrive when she's good and ready.

Lots of well-meaning people have been checking in regularly, and, while I genuinely appreciate their concern, questions like "How are you feeling?" and "Still no baby?" begin to grate on my already fragile nerves. I find myself short-tempered, tired, crabby, and increasingly hermit-like. I'm spending most of my time at home, sitting in my rocking chair and knitting to while away the time. I'm nearly finished with Kevin's socks and turning my attention to some of the older projects in the queue like Mr. Greenjeans and Swing. I also started a new Clapotis for Robin in BMFA Twisted in the gorgeous Rooky colorway.

I'm officially disappearing for a while now, to knit away the rest of the pregnancy until the little one decides to grace us with her presence. Trust that no news means that she hasn't arrived and that as soon as she does, Kevin will post from his phone. See you on the other side.

A Small Parade of Holiday Knits

This year I was determined that most of my holiday gifts would be hand-knit. This proves to be challenging for blogging, as one never knows who is reading the blog and one usually desires the gifts to remain a surprise until they're opened.

My two nieces were easy to knit for and I devised a simple cap for each of them, knit in the same pattern and the same yarn, but in their current favorite colors. Kiley's is Cascade Cash Vero in red and Kendall's the same in blue. We weren't able to make the trek to Folsom to see them today, so Karin stood in as a model when I finished Kendall's cap. Karin liked it so much she requested one for herself in lilac. I expect to finish it in a day or so. The free pattern will be up on the Purlescence website tomorrow. The picot edge is a sweet little detail and also creates a warm double layer right over the ears. 

The Papa Socks turned out to be the most challenging of the holiday knitting. Not so much for the skill required, but for the sheer perseverance needed to complete large men's socks on teeny tiny needles in black yarn. They're Dream in Color Smooshy in the Black Parade colorway, size 12-13. I began with the Garter Rib pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks, then transitioned to regular ribbing as I neared the ankles (recalling that Pop's got powerful calves and slender ankles) and plain stockinette feet. They were finished just in time to pop into the box to head off to Minnesota.

My stepmother is a lover of Victorian nightgowns and frequently gets chilled in the frigid winters in Minnesota. I had long wanted to knit a shawl to wrap herself up in on cold winter nights. The Wool Peddler's Shawl from Folk Shawls seemed just the thing. The yarn is Frog Tree Brushed Suri Alpaca in fingering weight. I bought 6 skeins, but ended up needing less than 3 to complete the shawl. It also knit up so much faster than I thought it would. It seemed I was done in no time flat.

I knit a pair of fingerless mitts for my brother Sam. He's a guitarist and outdoorsman who needs his hands to be warm while still being able to use his fingers. He declared these perfect for ice fishing and duck hunting. I improvised a pattern knowing that his hands are just a bit bigger than mine and giving them extra long cuffs so they'd stay tucked into sleeves. The Plymouth Royal Cashmere was lovely to work with, but I ran just a teensy bit short for the second thumb.

No worries. I used a second skein and knit a second pair of mitts for Katie, who until yesterday was Sam's girlfriend. He called yesterday with the news that come next June she'll be my sister-in-law! I could not be happier for them both. Now I'm doubly glad that they have matching mitts!

The Clapotis for my sister, Mateya, was finished months ago in anticipation of her Winter Solstice birthday (in yummy Art Yarns Super Merino). For Christmas I whipped up Cassidy's Cap, the new pattern from Chic Knits, in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran from stash. It was a quick but delightful knit and will keep her nice and warm as she crosses the frozen U of M campus in Minneapolis. Kaelyn liked it a lot too, so I'm knitting her one in pink Cash Vero.

This was the first year that I didn't see the girls at all on Christmas Day. This being the first year with their new stepmom, I thought it was important that they establish their own holiday traditions as a new family. Instead, they came to us for Christmas Eve. My mom and stepdad, my grandmother, Kevin's parents, and his Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Vern joined us for the afternoon and a lovely dinner. It was a wonderful day and everyone seemed very relaxed and happy.

Kevin and I spent Christmas Day quietly at home. Robin and Charles stopped by briefly. Kevin and I stayed in our jammies, watching new DVDs and knitting. I worked on the Tigger Socks that I started as a Christmas present for Kevin, but saved until last for finishing so I could use his actual feet for sizing. I've got the first one finished, but not photographed yet. Kevin's working on a gift for a faraway friend. In the evening we took a long walk with Bud and our visiting puppy in residence Max the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, whom we're puppy sitting while friends K and A are away. Boo's still all cozy in my tummy. We're walking and walking, trying to encourage her arrival. Back to the doctor tomorrow to see if we've made any progress. Keep your fingers crossed that it will be soon.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Still here. Still pregnant. A visit to the doctor yesterday confirmed that not much has changed, despite some interesting contractions (a 10 minute long and very painful one on Monday!). While I'm getting tired of the lack of independence now that I'm not driving, I'm spending lots of time puttering about and making things ready for the baby.

Today the staff at Kevin's school surprised us at the staff holiday breakfast with a little shower and we got a few more much needed items from our registry. Many thanks to Kathy who organized the whole thing and had a blast shopping for us at Target!

I finished the last of the major holiday knitting last night and sent the one important box off in the mail to parts east. So far I've managed a lace shawl, an enormous pair of socks, two pairs of cashmere fingerless mitts, a Clapotis, and a cabled beret. I've got a couple more quick hats to knit and perhaps another pair of socks. None of these last three items are particularly time sensitive, however, so if they're not done by Tuesday it won't be a great tragedy. I'm mentally preparing my list of what I'd like to get knit for next Christmas, and I intend to start on some of those projects in January. So far I have "It" properly in "Its" place and I'm gliding into the holidays with ease. How 'bout you?

So Much Love

Every once in a while I sit back and marvel at what a wonderful community of friends and family I have. Last night, many of them gathered at the shop to wish me and Kevin well as we await the arrival of Baby Boo. I was indeed showered with gifts. The generosity of our friends was quite overwhelming. There are a few special things that I'd like to show you, but I haven't had time to sort them all out yet, much less take pictures. Suffice it to say, I think most of our friends had as much time selecting and/or making gifts as we did opening them.

Sandi picked out the most perfect cake, giving the bakery instructions to "make it as pink as possible." She remembered what I told everyone when we first found out that Boo is a girl - "Make it Pink!" I owe Sandi and Chloe many thanks for throwing such a wonderful party. And thanks to all who came to say hello and wish us well. We are delighted to be surrounded by so much love and support.

Feathering the Nest

I realized after posting yesterday that we haven't been very good about documenting this pregnancy photographically speaking, and that, if Boo comes early, we might not get a chance to at all. So before it was too late, I had Kevin snap a quick pic, despite my fatigue and the dark circles under my eyes. There you have it, Nathania at 36 weeks.

I'm continuing to have mild contractions, especially when I do anything other than sit or lie still. I drove around to run a few errands this afternoon and Boo objected strongly to my sitting in the driver's seat. I'm counting on chauffeurs from here on out. Of course, realizing that I am liable to go into labor at almost any time sent me into a panic about all the things that still need to be done - most of which I simply can't or shouldn't be doing. I took a few deep breaths and tried to let all of it go. I'm getting Zen with the notion that all my Christmas shopping may not be done, the packages may not be wrapped, the knitting may not be complete. The biggest, most important deadline this year is the delivery of a healthy, happy Boo, and I tried hard not to let the "should" of "It" overwhelm me.

Instead I spent the day finishing up the Tulip Cardigan (you can't see the ends that still need to be woven in, but I'll get to those later) and thinking about finishing Boo's quilt. One of my errands was to finally make it over to The Granary to pick out backing fabric. I found the perfect pink flannel. I don't think I'll actually get the quilt finished before Boo is, but at least I have all the stuff for it when I get to it. I feel a bit better knowing that these things are nearly finished and that the essentials for Boo's arrival are well in place. My job now is just to relax and wait.

For those of you planning to attend the shower at the shop tomorrow evening, we're still on. Can't wait to see you all!

One to Two

I just got back from my appointment with the OB/GYN. I told her I was starting to have mild contractions and was feeling like something might be happening. Sure enough, she checked and Boo's head is at -1 station and I'm 1-2cm dilated. All this is only to say that labor could begin any time now. Dr. Shin doesn't think I'll pop before 38 [d'oh! sorry for the typo. Yes, Cara, I meant 38, not 28] weeks (2 weeks from now), but all bets are off at this point. Good thing I have my hospital bag packed and I'm ready to go at a moment's notice!

Actual Knitting to Show You!

I have been at the holiday knitting in earnest, and finished one of the ginormous socks. The other is on the needles and nearly to the heel flap. Then end is in sight! Then there are only 2 pairs of fingerless gloves, two hats and a couple other small secret things to knit and I'm done.

Of course, holiday knitting isn't the only deadline I'm working on. It's now less than a month until Boo is due and I am anxious to get a few other things knit prior to her arrival. I cast on the Tulip Cardigan on Saturday evening whilst at Kevin C.'s for our annual holiday feast. This is a super fast and easy knit. Had I a day to just sit and knit, I could easily finish it. Meanwhile, I knit a stripe here and there and it's growing very quickly, just like its recipient. I'm thinking I might make a pair of pants to go with it in similar stripes....

And then there's Twist. Since we're Twisting Along at the shop, I've put in a row or two on this too. I'm loving knitting with the Plymouth Royal Silk Merino. It's a challenge to photograph, though. The shine of the silk obscures the cables in photographs, though they're lovely in person. And the color isn't quite right either. It's somewhere in between pumpkin orange and tomato red. It's a lovely shade and I'm looking forward to knitting more on this as the holiday projects reach completion.

Because I Don't Have Enough to Do

I went to the new Winter Knitty as soon as I got the email from Amy yesterday and fell head over heels in love with Jeanie. Can you blame me? I've started a knit along. Same deal as with Twist, send an email to info@purlescenceyarns.com to receive an invitation as a Guest Author on the blog.

Getting My Domestic Goddess On

One of the things I miss most about my SAHM days is the baking that I used to do on a regular basis. It isn't such a big deal to kick out a batch of cookies or brownies now and again, but these days I rarely have time to do the kind of baking I really love - homemade bread and pies and cakes. When this morning dawned rainy and cold, I knew it was exactly the kind of day I like for baking bread. After I got the various family members off to their daily tasks, I dug out the flour and yeast and whipped together my Milk and Honey Bread.

I learned how to bake bread at my nana's elbow and by and large stick to her methods. The one concession I make to modernity is to use my stand mixer for the beginning of the process. As precious as my hands are to my profession, I can't risk the strain on my wrist of stirring with a wooden spoon for 20 minutes to build the gluten in the dough. Once it's all mixed up I knead the heck out of it and then let it rise for at least an hour. My trip to Costco this morning took a little longer than I thought, so the dough rose for almost an hour and a half. It's all punched down, kneaded again and rising in loaves now. Soon the scent of baking bread will waft through the house and I'm sure I'll miss Nana more than ever.

With bread on the rise, I'm turning my attention back to my quilting. All the blocks for Sammo's quilt are finished now (I had to cut a few more pieces out when I ran mysteriously short), and I'll spend the afternoon experimenting with settings. Perhaps I'll even get the top sewn together. I also need to spend some time knitting on the socks that are eating my brain. I'm seriously questioning my sanity in choosing to knit socks for a man with exceptionally large feet. It is an act of serious love, especially at 9 spi!

I have progress to show on Twist too, but that will have to wait until I dig the camera out of hiding. So much to do and only 5 more weeks until the baby's born. Oh, and lest I forget, Sandi and Chloe are throwing a bit of a baby shower for us next Thursday, Dec. 13 from 7-9pm at the shop. It's a casual open house kind of shower (no silly shower games or activities). Please come by to celebrate with us if you can.

Three Down....

I finished the shawl yesterday. I cast it off just as we were closing the shop. That makes a total of three of my holiday gifts complete! Now knitting on those socks takes the fore, as they're the biggest, most complex project left on my list. I'm thrilled to have so much done already, before December even began!

I cast on a swatch last night for Twist. The Twist Along kicks off today and I wanted to have my needles revved up and ready. I got the requisite 4.75 sts/in on the first go on 5.0mm needles and my chosen yarn, Royal Silk Merino from Plymouth Yarns. If you want to join the fun, send us an email at info@purlescenceyarns.com and we'll send you an invitation to the blog, where you can post about your progress, upload pictures and more!