Saturday, February 21, 2009

Knitting little

I love knitting little things, especially baby things. This little sweater is for the new grandbaby, Parker. It was my airplane knitting on my recent flight to Florida and back. The pattern is the garter stitch cardigan from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies by Erika Knight. I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino instead of the called for Rowan Wool Cotton. The yarn was bought before we even knew if the baby would be a boy or girl. I had seen a dark brown baby sweater trimmed in pink that I loved simply because it was not the usual pastel colors assigned baby things (not that there's anything wrong with that---it's just nice to be different sometimes). So I bought the dark brown, 1 skein of pink and 1 skein of blue. I started the sweater right away, but then got distracted (imagine that!), put it down and just recently picked it up again. I'm not totally happy with the buttons, but the trim shade of blue turned out to be difficult to match. Finally, it seemed best to just get on with it so Parker could have it before he outgrew it!

Speaking of airplane knitting----we had the grumpiest security people I've ever encountered at the Ft. Meyers, Florida airport. I thought one of the agents was going to grab a guy up in front of me because he wasn't moving fast enough. There was a large crowd going through and the agents kept yelling at us to keep our boarding passes out for inspection, take off our shoes, put things in the tubs a certain way, to not come through the metal detector until they tell us to. (I did not like having to walk barefoot on the airport floor!) Frankly, it was very intimidating and the rudeness seemed unnecessary. Maybe there was something going on that was causing them to be extra stressed, but still..... My philosophy has been that I would rather go through security and be safe rather than sorry, so I try not to complain about the indignities (I got pulled aside for a pat-down on this trip, too! Maybe I looked threatening??) Of course, my biggest fear was that they would take my knitting needles! I usually have a stamped, self-addressed, padded envelope with me, just in case, but had forgotten it this time. Boy, there is nothing glamorous about plane travel these days.

Anyway, back to knitting. I finished another little sweater that will be going into the Christmas box (I'm so proud of myself for actually doing this!) It's being blocked right now and I'll show it in a few days.

4 comments:

  1. I totally agree with you on anti-pastel baby knitting. The brown with blue/pink is a great idea. Love the sweater. Parker will love it too.

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  2. Your little grandson will be a handsome fellow in this little sweater. I always get padded down at the airport...they tell me it's the metal in the bra. All I know is...my family cruises through and there I am getting the wand treatment. I want to make a quip that they owe me dinner and the show after such, but I have learned to keep my lips sealed:) I really enjoy your blog.

    Amy

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  3. What a cute sweater and I love the non traditional colors. Great choice. I also enjoyed the last post with the peacocks - they are just gorgeous. Good for you and a Christmas box -seems like since Chritmas everyone in my family is wanting a hat - by the time I get them all knit it will be summer -so I'm staring this week on next years hats.

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  4. The little sweater is lovely, and baby will look so delightful wearing it.
    I am surprised you were allowed through with the knitting needles. I have stopped taking anything like that with me. I seem to recall reading on the TSA website that they were banned - however, they do keep changing the requirements so maybe it is alright now. I fly quite a lot in and out of the country and I find the TSA people can often be quite unpleasant. But they also have a difficult job. Taking the shoes off is a requirement now so better to have some nice socks (or you can buy some expensive flying socks - isn't that like selling coals to Newcastle?). Truly flying isn't anything like it used to be - now you have to have stamina just to get through to the gate. But the reward is you get to make a lovely little sweater and have a happy baby.

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