The Hat Parade - A Post by The "Real Baby"

My mom has finally started knitting again.  I guess she's finally getting the hang of having me around.  She made me this pretty pink "Baby Squash Hat" from 101 Designer one-skein Wonders, and she says that she's making the "Pink Tweed for Baby" cardigan to match.  She better hurry up, because I'm growing like a weed.

This modeling is tough work!

She also made me this hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.  

I'm growing so fast that's it's almost too small.  I guess I will send it to one of my new cousins who will be coming soon!

Thought I'd show you my "baby blues."  Just like my dad's!

The next hat is still a little big, and it's my mom's favorite color.  Not sure where she got the pattern, but it's just an easy baby hat, knitted in the round.

My mom says I look like "Mushmouth" from the old Fat Albert cartoon.  

Sometimes when I babble, I  do sound like Mushmouth, so I guess I won't take offense.

I also got my first big girl sports equipment this week.  Daddy is so happy!

His friends at Titleist made this Bullseye putter just for me!  I'm sure it won't be the last club my Dad gets for me.  He is a great teacher, so I'm sure we'll have lots of fun together.

Poor Paddy has been feeling a little left out lately, so we've been trying to give him a little extra love.  He sure does like to lick me!

My mom will be back next week posting about her Dinner On A Deadline project.  She got off easy this week, as my daddy was only home one night!  We missed him, but I think I saw her eat a peanut butter & marshmallow creme sandwich for dinner last night!  She did have a glass of milk with it.

Have a great weekend!

The Real Baby of Sheboygan County

Baby Update and some Finished Projects, too!

I thought I would give a little baby update since I had a doctor's appointment on Friday.  Things are looking good, however, the little one is not cooperating as far as her positioning is concerned.  Both her head and her feet are up -- I guess she will be a little gymnast or cheerleader like her mama--and because of her small medical condition, the doctor doesn't want to try to get her to turn, thinking that she is remaining in this position for her own safety.  

So, I go back to Milwaukee in two weeks for another ultrasound and we will decide what to do from there.  I was so hoping for a natural delivery, but if I have to have a c-section, I guess I will make the best of it.  I know it's a common procedure, but also know that natural birth is typically better for both mama and baby.  Everything happens for a reason, so will give it some time and see how it all turns out. If I do have a c-section, she may be arriving sooner, rather than later, and this 42 year old former workaholic isn't quite sure what to do with a baby!

I did finish some baby projects over the weekend.  This is the Bear Hugs: Baby Wrap Cardigan Kit from Plymouth Yarn Co..  It was my first kitted sweater and was pretty easy.  My least favorite part was piecing it together, then finishing the ends.  

Here is the button detail.  Kind of unisex, don't you think?

I also finished this cute rolled brim baby hat that I started as part of the Baby Hat Class at Magpie's Cottage.  I would be very disappointed if her head is too big for all the stuff I've made!!!

And finally, a spring scarflet for myself made from Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton/Silk yarn in colorway Neptune.  I have lots left, so will probably make another little hat!  Then mama & baby can match when we're out getting our exercise!

Now I'm off to enjoy the beautiful day we're having in Sheboygan County!  Hopefully Mother Nature will be kind to us for the rest of the month!

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County

Simple Gifts

For many years, my Granny supplied our family with "the best" scrubbers you'll ever have.  She took time to buy the tulle net - the scratchy kind, not the kind for making tu-tus - then spread it out on the floor, carefully folded it, pinned it to the carpet so it wouldn't move, and cut it into 3 inch strips that were about 6-8 yards long.  Not an easy feat even at my age, but you must know that Granny is 91!  

When my mother told her I was learning to crochet, the first thing she said was "she can make the scrubbers!"  So, the last time my parents visited, my mom brought "the pattern" and we bought the netting, did the cutting, and had many laughs imagining Granny doing this herself while the net slipped around.  It's not an easy material to work with!

I worked the pattern, and don't you know that it looked nothing like Granny's!!   We called her to discuss.  She assured me that the pattern was correct, then at the end of the conversation, she said, "It's just 14 double crochets, or until you run out of net, then slip stitch and work in the ends...."

Light bulb moment - even though she had the pattern, she made up her own!  Now, it all made sense to me, although it always made sense to her.  

The above photo is my "pile" of scrubbers that I will be handing out to family this Christmas, and I'm sure every Christmas until I can no longer cut the net.

Here's how to do it - again, use your best judgement and play is by ear, like Granny!:

Buy 8 yards of scratchy tulle net, cut into 3 inch strips lengthwise (folding the material really helps here)

I use a size N plastic hook - plastic just seems to work better with the tulle

Ch 3 or 4, join into ring w/ slip stitch

Work as many Double Crochets as you can into this space (it's usually between 14-18 for me)

Slip stitch to finish and weave in end.

There.  It's that easy, and I'm sure variations have been passed down for generations.  

Happy scrubbing!

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County