Finished With Time to Spare...

I just finished Silas' baby blanket a few nights ago and wanted to share pictures with you all! :) It's crocheted, and I took a picture with my foot at the very end so you could get an idea of the relative size. It's the longest baby blanket I've made, but I'm pleased with how it turned out... and I kind of like the idea that he'll still be able to wrap up in it when he's 10 years old if he wants to.

Here's a close-up of the detail work (a dark blue "post" stitch") and the border:
He's due in 10 days, on Easter Sunday, so I'm glad to have finished it. I've made a blanket for each child, and (heck, why don't I just post a picture of all of those too?)... I don't think I've ever shared my crocheting with you guys, so why not take this opportunity? They've been lovingly used so they're not as in pristine condition as Silas' currently is. But here are pictures nonetheless.

This was my first blanket to make- for our oldest-- Ethan:

I took the quilt-ish crocheted squares idea from a Martha Stewart Baby magazine... and adapted the colors for my gender-neutral needs (we didn't find out gender with our first pregnancy). Here's the detail for that one:

Here's Baxter's blanket... we DID find out we were having a boy our 2nd go-round, so I chose fun, bright colors and just made his blanket from an idea in my head. It's no longer "blocked" (even on all sides), but that's all right-- it is well-loved. :)

And the detail for his:

When I found out our third child was going to be a girl, I went off the girly deep end. I was so ready for a break from navy, denim, bugs, and dinosaurs. I went shopping and bought dresses and sweet things galore. She also got a totally girly, totally frilly blanket, and for the record-- she totally loves it. She wraps herself up in it at night, uses it like a queen's cape, and it really suits her. Here's Maranatha's fru-fru pink blanket:

Here's the detail. Hers is the only blanket that I have used varying styles of yarns for, and it works in this case. It was worth it for her, but I'm not sure I'd attempt it again.

I was having contractions last night, but they went away after about an hour... bummer. :-( I'm hoping to still get around to a "how all my different labors have gone" post... we'll just see. I'd actually be quite pleased if he decided to arrive and didn't give me time to do such a post. But now, regardless of when he comes, he'll have a blanket from mommy to be bundled in. Hooray!

16 comments:

melissa said...

such a special treasure for each little one to have their own mommy-made blanket!

have a great last few days of pregnancy! :)

Renee said...

BEAUTIFUL work Jess!

I can't wait to your little bundle arrives. Try and rest!

Love,
Renee

Rebekah said...

These are so beautiful! I'm impressed!

Anonymous said...

Those are gorgeous blankets, Jess! How special for your children to each have their own blankie from you. I'm all thumbs when it comes to crochet...

Elspeth said...

Beautiful blankets, Jess. You do good work!

K said...

Beautiful blankets and such a treasure for the children to have forever.

Johanna said...

Jess, those are beautiful blankets! It is great that your children still love them. Mine have given up the ones I made for them already...I'm looking forward to hearing that your little one has come!

Elizabeth said...

The blankets you lovingly made are gorgeous. I've never made one for any of my kids, but my sister in law and some friends have, so I'm off the hook.

I am due exactly a week after you, and I am just as anxious. In fact, today's a good day. It's 75 degrees and sunny in Oklahoma.

Kim said...

I really love Baxter's brightly colored blanket! I love all of them - his just struck me as really cool!

I was hoping that you would have had Silas by now...I am praying that you are able to go into labor on your own!

Brenda said...

Goodness, I'd almost forgotten you were pregnant and here you are nearly due! The blankets are all wonderful.

A friend of mine had 2 boys followed by a girl. We were standing downstairs and she asked if I wanted to see the nursery. I kid you not, you could see the pink glowing down the stairs in the sunlight. I said, "I think I already do!" They were really excited about girly things too. :)

Unknown said...

what a beautiful blanket!! and how wonderful that you were able to do this for each of your children!!

Hope Silas arrives soon....

Amanda said...

These are fantastic! :)

I'm in the midst of about 3 crotchet projects that hopefully I'll finish...well, in the next 5 years would be nice!

Bethany Hudson said...

What sweet baby blankets! And, I'm so excited for you beginning labor. Ah...remembering eight months ago when I was there :)
Blessings,
Bethany

Anonymous said...

Ahhh! I love them! Great work! I'm a knitter and can't even imagine crocheting...it seems difficult even though I've heard otherwise.

Jess Connell said...

Oh, Britt- you ought not be too impressed, then, since you're a knitter. Knitting (from what I hear) is SKADS harder than crocheting! I don't have to worry about dropping stitches... if I mess up, I can just pull it out or keep on going, whichever I prefer. Crocheting isn't tough at all!

:)


Thanks, Kim, for your prayers-- that's exactly what I'm praying for too.


And to Laurie, who wrote me privately and asked how I have time to do all this amidst homeschooling and child rearing and cooking and all the rest, I'd just say this--

It is SUCH a blessing to have kiddos who have a routine and are all in bed by 7:30/8pm and have that time each night for Doug and I to curl up and hang out together. That's the time that I use for projects like these. I don't know WHAT I'd do if we didn't have predictable sleep and meal routines in our home. ;) So that's how I do stuff like this.


Thanks, everyone, for your kind words. I've enjoyed making these for the kiddos... I'm so glad to be able to share them with you!
Jess

Anonymous said...

All the very best to you, Jess. Be good to yourself these last few days. I pray your labor & delivery are not too difficult.

warmly, Brenda