Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Oh, snap!

I had been looking for a special critter scarf pattern for my lolobean ever since I finished Julian's slithering snake scarf last year, but couldn't find anything that I felt lived up to the awesomeness of Julian's scarf until I fell upon Terry Ross' "what a croc" pattern on Ravelry this fall...


I cast on immediately with some stash Knit Picks Swish worsted (in bok choy) and flew through it using up just 2 balls of yarn. I modified the teeth by picking up stitches around the snout and knitting a short picot hem. I also sewed on some eyes I knit (cast on 10 sts in cream, K 1 row, P 1 row, switch to blue and K2Tog across, cut yarn an pull through remaining stitches and sew to eye socket).



It looked a little plain and thin (and the sides rolled like crazy!) and since I was overdue with my daughter and looking for something mindless to do while I tried to patiently wait for labour to begin (it didn't for 5 days!) I decided to knit a striped lining using the same shaping instructions but without any features or scales. And then because I was really desperate and labour still hadn't begun, I knit 120 inches of i-cord and seamed it together with the croc and lining!


Turned out super cute and warm. And my lolobean loves it. Of course every time I look at it I am reminded of how annoying it is to be overdue (especially when you thought you'd be early), but still, a perfect toddler scarf! Here he is wearing it to "the slope" near Stephen's childhood home: a little incline (it's barely a hill) by the highway where my hubby and his sister used to go as a child (it slopes away from the highway for those who are wondering like I was - crazy).



It was the first time they got to try out their saucers on an actual hill and though I thought they were still little and might find the speed terrifying (I would) they actually found it thrilling! I stayed at the top of the hill with Abbey and could hear their loud laughter unfurling all the way down. Such fun!!


Guess this means we'll need to bring our snowpants, snakes, crocs, and saucers with us to Grandma and Grandpas on Sundays and stop by the "hill" on our way ;0)


Oh happy day!



p.s.: Thank you all for such a nice welcome back! I didn't expect anyone was still hanging around these parts so it was really heartwarming to hear from you all. I am so happy to be back and have so much to tell...

22 comments:

  1. Oh dear, third babies aren't supposed to be late! Say it isn't so...my third is due in mid-June and I have been thinking she'll come early...time to shift gears in my mind! The scarf is just so cute and the lining totally makes it. Love it!

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  2. Thanks Jennifer. My first 2 were early (2 weeks and 1 week) so I fully expected she would be too! I thought she'd be born at Halloween...turns out she was born on November 19th. Five days past her due date!! So be prepared for anything indeed ;0) Oh, and congrats!

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  3. Kate (the enabler)5:12 p.m.

    Welcome back Anny - I missed your blogging. Amusingly - my two older boys (4 1/2 and 2) also welcomed a little sister this year (september) who was late arriving.... So, my sympathies, and I look forward to hearing all your news and adventures (not to mention new patterns, yum

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  4. (um, just to clarify - we WELCOMED her in September...we didn't CALL her September..)

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  5. It looks great! Very cute pattern
    (I was two weeks late in arriving... I can just imagine how annoying that was for my mom!)

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  6. Anonymous5:42 p.m.

    i love the scarf! and i love even more how you inspire me to "knit outside the lines" and perhaps (gasp!) stray from the pattern?? :)
    christine m. east of toronto

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  7. I love it! (And since I'm a day overdue right now with a little girl myself, I feel your pain!!)

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  8. Oh I love the scarf! It looks terrific with the lining too. I might have to knit up one of those and make some changes like you did. The boys look as though they really enjoy sliding down the slope, sounds like lots of fun!

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  9. Hey, my first was a week early. 2nd on the due date. 3rd a few days late, 4th a week late! Can you say "backwards"?

    But, hey, I had labor all of 45 minutes for number 4, so I won't complain.

    Congratulations!!!!!

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  10. Love the scarf, but really love the Riders hat! Go Riders!

    Glad that you're back.

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  11. Marie-Michèle8:33 p.m.

    Are you kidding!? I checked your feed on a regular basis HOPING for you to get back to blogging! I'm so glad you're back (although I have NO idea how you find the time!)
    yay you! i'm so happy to get to read you again!

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  12. Great scarf! I'm so happy to hear about your knitting adventures again. I do understand the hiatus from blogging (I'm on one now too). Welcome back and welcome to your daughter!

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  13. This is the most adorable little scarf! It's so great to read you again!

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  14. Anonymous1:10 a.m.

    Great to see you back! I totally LOVE that scarf and have been missing your knits and stories

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  15. I echo everyone and add that we miss your smiling face at North Shore Knitters nights too! You continue to inspire Anny!

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  16. I haven't checked on your blog in at least a year, but i still enjoy reading it and looking at it (it's so visually...nice!). Congratulations on your baby girl! Adorable. Best to you and your ever-growing family.
    robyn (formerly of www.prettybird70.blogspot.com)

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  17. Anonymous1:15 p.m.

    So glad you're back and congratulations on your beautiful baby girl. I'm sure she'll inspire a whole new realm of knitting. It's lovely to hear from you and to read about your sweet family. Thanks for taking the time to share.

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  20. so beautiful kid accessory and of course for this kind of season like complement of his sweeter

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