Doll Blanket or Heirloom?

Over 20 years ago I knitted.  I mostly did blankets and a few sweaters.  I was self-taught through books and experience.  My mother did not knit.  She made beautiful crocheted items, mostly dollies and pot holders.  But she approved of me spending long amounts of time learning to knit. I guess she liked the solitary aspect of the activity.

After many years of marriage when all the things I had knitted for my daughter was over and I had knitted enough blankets or afghans for the two of us to use, I stopped knitting. So when a knitting class at church started up, it made me want to experience knitting needles and the feel of yarn pulling through my fingers again.  When the first wave of church projects was over, I decided to see if I would like to knit again.  But what useful thing should become my project?

I have a granddaughter, Nola, who was soon to turn four years old.  So not needing any more blankets for us, I decided to knit her a doll blanket.  It would not take as much yarn or time as an adult size afghan would take so I got two colors of yarn and started to knit the birthday gift that I hoped she would love and keep well into her grown-up years.  I had about four weeks of on and off again time to put into the blanket.

To keep things simple, I used only the knit stitch.  I changed colors after four rows were knitted.  I just twisted the yarns together each time I changed the color and avoided the knot tying issue until the binding off process.



Finished Blanket Showing Twisted Yarn End

I have to admit I was happy to feel the yarn again and happy to see something come together in my lap.  I dropped stitches a couple of times but a church friend got me back on the right track when I did.  Thanks, Susie.

As I was knitting I was also thinking of Nola.  I hoped that she would like my efforts and would snuggle up in the soft blanket that I was making for her.  I thought about how she might "mother" the doll I was intending to buy her and if she would wrap the doll in her blanket.

She has mostly "all boy" brothers and cousins so she has had to learn to defend herself and play by their rules for the most part.  She is a beautiful girl and I hope she will like the gifts and girlie play with them.

The Rows Line Up Nicely

I was able to knit smoothly so that the blanket kept a rectangular even shape.  Sometimes my projects would not have straight sides but this one did.  I used a large circular needle too.  By using the large needle, the stitches had a loose feel to them which I thought made the worsted weight of the yarn seem softer.

The Back Side of the Blanket

Because I changed color every four rows, the back side of the blanket took on a distinct pattern too.  The delicate loops of the stitches showed better from the back side.  At times during the knitting I thought I liked it better than the front side.

Folded Blanket Shows Both Patterns Made by Knit Only

Softly Draped Blanket

Doll and Blanket Together Showing the Size of the Blanket

I finished the blanket when I thought it was large enough to cover and wrap the doll.  Somewhere in my heart I also hoped that the blanket would cover Nola too when she laid down for her nap.

Nola Playing with Her Doll and Blanket

A few days ago, her mother sent me the above picture of her holding her doll and the blanket.  I think she liked her birthday gifts.  It looks like she enjoys the back side too-just like her Grandmother!

Gift Wrapping for Males

Gift wrapping for males in our family can be challenging.  Small gifts don't look good in large patterned wrap and I don't want to make them look like Christmas gifts either.  During one of my sessions reading other people's blogs, I found a unique way to wrap small gifts.  The idea was to use the inside of those business envelopes that come with an overall design on their inside.

Some of them have designs that are small and repeat over the entire paper surface.  You just have to turn the envelop inside out and cut it to the desired size.

Stars and Bars on the Inside of a Business Envelop

Then you have a rather sturdy yet proportional patterned paper for the small gift.  Most all of the envelopes have a design that would be a good pattern for a male.

Tie-Tack Gift Wrap

So when it came time to give a gift that could be wrapped in the envelop, I used one that I had saved for just that reason.  We have had four male members of our family be baptized in the last year.  Walter and I bought tie-tacks for each of them to commemorate their choices.

Name and Stars Create A Sharp Patterned Wrap

I wrapped the first one in the envelop paper.  It turned out so nice that I copied the idea of the project by printing computer paper in a pattern using their names as the design.

Another Ribbon Style Choice

My daughter, Patricia, suggested the ribbon and seal trimming for the masculine touch.

Names on Computer Paper, Ribbons and Seals Were Used to Decorate the Gifts

I thought they turned out very nice.  I love to make a thoughtful presentation of any little gift I am giving.  For me, it adds to the enjoyment of giving.

Busy with Alijah

What do I do each day as I enjoy my retirement?  Sometimes I ask myself this.  Should I find something to do that gives me a sense of fulfillment and gives back to the community?  Some days I just want to stay home and am content to not speak to or see anyone else.

I am blessed with so much but in no way do I give charitably anywhere near to the proportion as I have benefited.  Walter and I have had a few discussions about this lately.  The subject comes up now as we are in this stage of our lives.  With no job commitments we are now able to spend time in activities that will improve the lot of others less fortunate in our neighborhood.

So we will be continuing our discussions and I am content that we will find our ways to help out in our community.  In the meantime we are doing things through our church.  I have believed for some time now that helping through an organized effort is the best way to affect change.  But the hands on effort is also an immediate gratification too.

Alijah Closes in on the Camera

Recently we kept our grandson, Alijah, while his mother went through several sleep tests.

He was a joy to have overnight with us.

Getting Too Tired to Sit Up for Play

We took him and his brother, Colin, to the playground at the park and to McDonald's for dinner and more playground time.  Walter and Colin had to get up very early to be sure Colin got to school on time.  Alijah and I slept in, but we were up by the time Walter returned.

Sweet Dreams for Alijah

 Alijah caught up on missed sleep for a good portion of the next day.  Seeing that sweet sleeping baby made me feel, at least for that day, that I had found a fulfilling and needed job.  Nothing beats rocking a willing and sleepy baby!

God is good!