I’m not having the best day. Yesterday and today I was awakened by drilling. 8:22AM and 8:12AM respectively. Now, that’s not so early, I know, but when you’re very pregnant and you finally find a comfortable position you do NOT want to be woken up. You know how they say that you shouldn’t EVER wake a sleeping baby? Well, I think that goes double for a third trimester pregnant woman. PISSED doesn’t even start to cover it.
And then, a couple hours later, I threw up.
I haven’t thrown up in a few weeks. I don’t know really how long it’s been, but it seems like a long time ago. Throwing up when you’re almost 34 weeks pregnant is AWFUL. Way more awful than throwing up when you’re 9 weeks. Or 12 weeks. Or even 25 weeks. Throwing up when you’re 34 weeks pregnant just about did me in for the day. I am EXHAUSTED! I saw stars. I had contractions (BHs – no biggie.) I pissed myself. And then I collapsed into bed barely able to move. (Before I get a million emails telling me all the horrible things throwing up might portend, I could still probably throw up every day. Usually I can let out a few small burps to contain things but today, after bending over a lot and taking pictures (see below) I think I just stirred things up too much and instead of little burps there was a big burp and when I decided I should head to the bathroom just in case – well – once I was in there – all bets were off. I have no other signs or symptoms of anything other than late stage pregnancy. It’s all good. Or tolerable at best.)
Also, while I’m bitching, the last couple of weeks have gone by SO SLOWLY! It seemed everything was on hyper speed for a while and now I’m like moving in slow motion. It’s very strange. And also slow. Not that I want to have the baby tomorrow (I’m SO NOT READY!) but still.
Okay. Let’s get to the good stuff. What else you gonna do when you’re super pregnant? Knit a blanket!
Yes. I’ve started a log cabin blanket. For the FAMILY. Anyone found to be calling this a BABY blanket will hereby be banished from the blog. This blanket is for the FAMILY. NOT the baby. Got it? Good. Anyway, a while back Elann had all of their Den-M-Nit colors back in stock and I took advantage, buying 20 balls of each color (except the white.) Don’t ask. I just did it.
At first, I thought I would do something similar to the Verde Log Cabin – only with red as the center patch for each square. And then I changed my mind. Now I’m going to do something like this:
Right now, I just want something easy. And colorful. And FAMILY oriented. 😉 For the colors, I’m using Rowan Handknit Cotton. I tried to choose really bright brights.
Of course, there are no blues, because I’ve got the blues well covered!
There will be nine squares total and I’ve got one down, one in progress and seven to go. Who knows when I’ll get it done – but I’m enjoying myself!
ETA!
I’m not worried about the denim bleeding into the colored yarn or the shrinkage factor. Or I was, but now I’m not. I consulted my denim guru and she gave me tips. First off, I’ll be washing all of the squares BEFORE I seam them. This way, if there is some bleeding, I can decide how to handle it. Also, I will be washing the blanket in COLD water – which will eliminate some bleeding and also the shrinking thing (although I’ve heard that the handknit cotton and the denim shrink at the same rates.) I will also be using a dye magnet, like Shout Color Catcher. I’m fully aware at how messy FAMILIES can be. This blanket will be washable.
Have a great weekend!
beautiful!
I snagged some of the darkest Den-M-Nit when they had it recently. Haven’t gotten around to using it yet. Love your family blanket plan.
Have you used the denim yarn before? Any concerns about colors bleeding?
Gorgeous as always. I’m a big fan of blues (my mitered squares are all in blue) and your bright colors will be loved by every member of the FAMILY.
That is going to be one gorgeous family blanket! It makes me want to go and buy a crapload of demin yarn … except that I’m supposed to be knitting from stash. Darn.
but, but,….but, not to rain on your parade, but the denim is meant to shrink a certain percentage, right, and will the rest? Not to mention the blue running will make the white part NOT white?
But if you don’t plan to wash this blankie, it’s gonna be a beauty!
Only one square done and your family blanket is already gorgeous. I stocked up heavily on the Den-M-It too when Elann finally had it in stock again. Like Diane,though, I have the same question re:keeping all that blue from bleeding on the red center.Then again, it’s not as though a family blanket needs to be laundered…ever?
Love the blanket! Everything about it is great. Looks perfect for the family to snuggle under…when is nap time?? Enjoy the weekend.
Don’t you know that absolutely no reason is needed to purchase yarn, no matter what the amount is? =0)
I love the blanket, I have been wanting to make one for a while. But as we are a family of six it will definitely be fought over and I’m not sure I can be bothered.
Love the blankie. I’m going to assume you mean to wash it in cold water and then let if air dry, correct? That way you don’t get the difference in shrinkage problem.
Does the Den-M-It bleed in cold water?
If it does, my MIL swears by the Bounce Color Catcher sheets that you put in the washer with clothes/fabrics that may bleed. She’s a quilter, and gives a box of them with every quilt she gifts to people. Just a thought.
PS: I’m making a log cabin blankie too. I’m using the Rainbow pattern out of Mason-Dixon Knitting using mercerized cotton. I figure it will be a great FAMILY blanket to put on the floor and let baby explore his colors when he gets a little bigger. (Today is 39 weeks for me, but if I keep having contractions, I don’t think I’m making it to 40.)
As I recall, the last month feels like it takes longer to get through than the previous 8 combined. Of course, it doesn’t, it just feels that way.
Beautiful family blanket.
Ooh, that blanket layout looks like a stained glass window. Love it lots!
Best of luck to you on your last 6 weeks. They do seem interminable; at least they did for me.
Oooo, I want to make family blanket, too! Cute idea and I love the colored centers. It looks like a wonderful distraction.
Wait… You bought 20 balls of each color???? OMG. That’s a lot of yarn. 😉 I love the stitch definition of that blanket. I think it will look fabulous! Best of luck for getting some uninterrupted sleep!
I LOVE the colors you chose for the family blanket, it’s almost neutral but then there are bursts of colors.
I really really hope you stop throwing up soon! You freaking need a break already : )
Another log cabin for me to look at in envy. sigh. It’s going to be fabulous. Enjoy the knitting and the last weeks of pregnancy!
Love the new blanket! I just love the way you put colors together. The bright spot in the center of all those blues is inspired.
Love it! My advice: Throw in a couple of those catcher cloths, the first time, instead of just one. Just in case!
That will be so nice for the family to snuggle with, on the couch, or in bed, or where ever. And, such nice colors for anyone. I have a boy to knit for, and in thinking of a blanket for him, I keep thinking of, would he want this in his dorm room in college. When my answer is yes to the question, I will start knitting a blanket for him.
looks gorgeous! i love this layout immensely. hope you’re doing a little better this afternoon! i also had a very sh*tty morning (and night..)
Your inspiring me. I have barely knit for a week now. Every project I pick up is too much of a brain drain. This however, might be just the thing to get me back in the groove.
As for bleeding. You can wash for the first (and few times) with synthrapol to keep the dye (if it bleeds) from transferring into neighboring colors. I’m pretty sure AC Moore carries it with their fabric dyes (if you have AC Moore in NJ?) Or you can buy it online at dharmatrading.com
Throwing up this late in the game does suck, just be prepared that you could throw up the whole way through. I puked 4 or 5 times the day I went into labor, talk about milking it to the end! I don’t really mean to be a Debbie Downer, just letting you know what could happen. Believe me, as soon as you see that baby, you won’t remember the zillion times you threw up. Ok, maybe you’ll remember, but you won’t care!! 🙂
I love that it’s not all roses and sunshine when you talk about pregnancy, every time. I feel like everyone goes on and on about the glowing skin and thick hair and great fingernails, but they never talk about peeing their pants.
Plus, the word pee is some sort of trigger for me and I can not say it, write it, or read it without laughing.
Might I add? Add some salt (like 1/4 cup) to your cold water wash and that’ll help the colors stay true… and not run so much. The color grabbers work well, but adding the salt helps a little bit more. Nice family blankie…
That is a really nice color combo. I have about a thousand greens, and you know, pretty much everything goes with green (look at nature), and that would be a really neat way to use them all up. Thanks so much for the inspiration. I think I may bookmark this date for future reference. I love the garter stitch too. It’s really lovely. Just for reference, how big are your squares, approx? I’ve never made a “family blanket” before, so I’m not real sure on dimensions.
Also, about the puking, think of it as the last February blizzard before spring come barreling in. Maybe barreling in is the wrong terminology. Maybe sliding in comfortably while you’re napping would be a better picture for the mind, if you know what I mean. “Wake up, Cara, your baby’s here.” Wouldn’t that be great? One more thought, I know it’s not quite the right way, but puking IS exercising those ab’s some more in preparation for labor! Sorry, I had to say it.
would I be an ass to ask what happened to the mitered square blanket and babette? if so, please disregard.
Now I know have mentioned at least 2 uses for white vinegar here before and I’m really not a nut but I think that if you add white vinegar when you wash the squares it will set the dye and minimize bleeding. I am thinking I saw this on grumperinas blog when her red scarf bled like crazy. I believe dyers even use vinegar (or some acid) to help set colors. looks like a gawjus composition you have there.
I’m a big fan of the Shout Color Catcher!! Sometimes I don’t even recognize it. Yep, I stop and wonder about the origins of the rectangular bluish-gray (sometimes reddish) square when it surfaces in the laundry basket.
That blanket is going to look great.
Love, love, LOVE!
Because every FAMILY needs a blanket!
Hope you get sleep this weekend!
I like your knitted log cabin blanket. I’ve done some quilting and traditionaly the middle square is red to represent a fire. I supposed that comes from the days before furnaces and represents the home fire.
you could wash your beautiful log cabin blocks with some synthapol. it acts to remove excess dye from fabric. (although perhaps washing a sample first would be best, since denims are meant to fade. that makes the dye not really excess, merely expendable over time)
i just love quilterly knitted things.
Hey Cara,
Lovely blanket! Makes me *almost* want to try knitting one, but I know it’ll take me a decade, so nope, I’ll just live vicariously through you.
I wanted to second the advice to use vinegar – my mom would always wash her cross-stitch items in a vinegar solution to set the colours before the *real* wash with soap and they never bled after that.
That is going to be a spectacular FAMILY blanket! 🙂 I have the itch to do another log cabin type blanket right now and that might just send me over the edge.
That is a beautiful fambly blanket – I’m sure you and G will be quite cozy under it. I read the first part of your post in abject horror. I am so, so sorry. I physically hurt for you. This kid better be an angel!
I love your FAMILY blanket
LOVE the blanket! The choice to make each center a unique color is perfect!
Hang in there!
Another fabulous blanket! Did you ever get your green one back? Time must be slowing down cause you feel crappy, isn’t it always the way? At least you’re doing something great with that time, a blanket!
Great idea for the blanket!
Your squares and the design look beautiful. I love the colors together and I look forward to seeing it all together! Have fun.
Fabulous blankie colors… I WILL NOT give preggo advice, but I do empathise with how slowly those last weeks can seem to go!
You are SO not alone. I threw up yesterday morning, half-way through breakfast. I was only wearing my thigh high compression stockings (to prevent the NASTY vericose veins in my left leg from getting worse), undies, and a tee shirt. I peed. That meant the stockings had to be washed. And the kitchen floor had to be cleaned. Oh, and my toddler was standing, STANDING, in his high chair yelling “MAMA!!!!” the whole time.
The blanket looks awesome. I started a 30 square log cabin blanket for m hubby on size 4’s a while back. Trust me, husbands can be SO MUCH messier than kiddos… 😉
Your “family” blanket is going to be gorgeous! And it looks like loads of fun to knit.
I also was sick through nearly my entire pregnancy with my last child, vomiting into and through my last trimester and having other gastro-type symptoms that will not be named! The docs did all kinds of gastro-ish tests and came up with nothing except maybe lactose intolerance.
It’s tough, and I know it’s slow going at this point, but it really is just around the corner! And whatever isn’t done before the baby comes will get done after the baby comes if it’s really important. It’ll be great, you just wait :).
I love the colors. I was just curled up on the couch all wrapped up in a most wonderful blanket that my grandmother made long ago. I was thinking how warm it made me feel, not only because it’s chilly in the apartment. I know your blanket will do the same for your family!
I love your plan for the family blanket. Just a pop of color and lots of blue…perfect!
really beautiful. i love it!
Love the blanket. The colors are going to look great. I’ve been tempted to start a similar style blanket for some time. How big do you think the finished size will be? Tempted….very tempted!
I think the FAMILY blanket design is perfect and it looks so soft and cuddly. I can’t wait to see the finished product- in use even?
Your FAMILY blanket is looking gorgeous! Is there a tutorial for theses squares on Ann & Kay’s blog or is this pattern from their book?