Rainbow's End, New Beginnings

log_cabin_rainbow
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


log_cabin_mandarins
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


belly_cast_blanket
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I've been trying to get my year-end post together about the holidays and some fantastic swap goodies, but sickness invaded our house for a third time in December. So, I'm going to wait until I have more time for that one — maybe combine it with my blogiversay, which is coming up January 6th!

Since today is a new beginning I wanted to post this blanket I made for my friend Sara's new baby, born December 24 at about 2:20 in the afternoon. Now, this isn't just *any* new baby. This is a baby that I got to see come into the world — a first for me! Sara made it look so simple. She's truly an amazing birther — it's her special power. Me, I take up to seven hours to push out a baby; she took FIVE MINUTES! I heard Silent Night on the way to the birth and it made me all teary about mothers and babies.

Sara's a relatively new friend, about a year and a half. We were destined to meet. We have about ten different ways we are connected (husband, brother, craft fair, homebirth, etc.), but it took about 35 years to get together, even though we grew up and live in the same town. If I had known her just a little bit longer she would have been at my son's birth last May. She did fulfill the special job of making my belly cast for me. You can see the belly cast in the photo with the rolled blanket. Thank you, Sara, for all the good birth juju. I really didn't mean to invite myself along to your birth. ;)

I started the blanket back in August or September. It's definitely the longest knitting project I've ever worked on. I'm sure you all recognize it from Mason Dixon Knitting. I knew Sara wanted rainbow colors for her blanket, and, just happened upon the MDK book while I was with her. We both loved the example of the garter stitch log cabin that had the rainbow divided by warm and cool colors. What could be easier than an all garter stitch blanket? Ha!

The Mason Dixon book gives the basic instructions for how to make the knitted log cabins and leaves it up to you to choose the yarns, size, layout, etc. I picked all washable yarns: Superwash wools (Bazic Wool,Primo, Cascade 220 superwash, and a couple others); Wool/Acrylic blends (Lion Brand Wool-Ease; Plymouth Encore); and a couple of thrifted acrylics because I wanted the bright colors.

I finished the blanket a few days before the baby came. I'm really happy with it. It's got a nice drape. It feels snuggly. Welcome to the world Avalon.