Kneedled!

Oh dear blog, how I have missed you! 2008 was not a good year, and I got very little, if any, crafting done.

While I will be working on a quilt later this summer, my current project is a baby blanket--I'm going to be an Aunt! I have not been knitting in a long time. My dear Mother-in-Law, who taught me to knit, passed away last year due to cancer. And I just couldn't bear to knit anything, because before she died, we were going to work on gloves, fingerless, since my hands often get cold.

I wasn't sure I'd even remember what to do, so I found my knitting book. I'd bought the yarn today, a lovely variegated yarn in blues and greens (this photo does not do the yarn justice):

It's called Country Stripe by Lily Sugar 'n Cream, 100% cotton. There are softer baby yarns out there, but I loved the colors and really wanted a natural fiber.

Before I could knit my first stitch, I cried, missing my MIL so very much. I hadn't moved beyond basic knitting and trying to read instructions on harder stuff is like trying to read another language. I learn best by someone showing me. And she's not here.

So this will be a basic garter stitch, and I think the color of the yarn (which matches the baby's room) will make the simple knitting look lovely. I can't wait to wrap him up in it (he's due in September)!

More photos as I make some progress....