Baby

Yesterday was a trip to one of our favourite places, Coldspring. It is a tiny town in Hudson Valley, NY--filled with unique stores and beautiful homes. We loved this one particular house, and Ami and her husband Nihar (who is visiting from Houston, while Ami works in NYC until October) looked all prettied up in front of it.

Ami and Nihar

I am especially in love with the red doors. Red is one of my favorite colors.

Then we heard some disappointing news. The really cool, fun yarn store in Coldspring, Knitting Smith, is going out of business. Sniff. I don't mean transition so quickly from sad news to sale news, but everything in the store (I mean everything...including buttons, books, notions, Addi Turbos!) is 50% off. Crazy or what!

Ami hogged up some serious yarn for a sweater for Nihar and a lace shrug for herself, while I caught Nihar petting some yarn (actually, I made him pose for the shot. He is a good model). He is so amused with Ami's new addiction.

This is what I bought.

For the past three days, Suketu has been thinking aloud (very aloud...actually, yelling aloud) about how much he would love a knitted tie. I am planning to make this (any other suggestions are very welcome), but he has been told that it aint going to happen in the next couple of months or so. The news does not make him happy, but the yarn purchase has temporarily calmed him down.

Another purchase.

I have been looking for a crochet hook case for the longest time. I did have big plans of making a felted holder, but it fell through the cracks of general crafting plans. This case was so pretty (and cheap), I had to get it.

Now for the real stuff. Baby stuff. Umesh, who has been working in my Dad's firm in India for many years, and his wife are expecting their first child anytime this week. I made these three little things for the baby. All of them were super easy, super quick--they have been my "one-the-move" projects for the past couple of days. I would have loved to make something more elaborate but I just had to tell myself that there will be no dearth of future opportunities.

Cow Baby Hat

I could have easily spent another hour at M&J Trimmings, trying to find the perfect accessory. I decided on the cow, and am totally happy with her. I love the little things about Ms.Cow, especially her nose and tail.

Pattern: Real Simple Swatch Cap; in-house pattern from Gotta Knit
Yarn: Tahki 'Baby'
Needle: US 13
Cow Accessory from M&J Trimmings, NYC

Peanut Baby

The green ribbon is an unexpected but pleasant choice. Though I did not have anything particular in mind, I didnt think I would pick green to go with the brown and cream.

Pattern: Single Crochet Beanie
Yarn: Acrylic, light-worsted yarn from a craft shop on Commercial Street, Bangalore, India
Crochet Hook: 4mm
Ribbon from M&J Trimmings, NYC
Modifications: About three rounds before binding off, I made eylets in one round (*one dc, one chain stitch, repeat from * throughout) for the ribbon.

Big Button Baby Bib

I like "larger than life" accessories, especially buttons, on little crafts. I am not crazy about the yarn though. After working on this bib (and currently finishing a poncho for a little niece of mine), I have decided not to use it again. I fear that it is pile a lot in the future and not hold up well.

Pattern: Simple Baby Bib
Yarn: Bernat's Satin
Needle: US 8
Button from M&J Trimmings, NYC
Modifications: Casted on 27 stitches instead of 25.