After and before.........

I know it is supposed to be before and after but who wants to wait?  Here is my finished Berroco Modern Cotton Baby Ripple.

I finished it today on a very unexpected day off.  I have been having some pretty bad headaches lately and when number four migraine in 48 hours came roaring in while I was at work last night I knew work was not possible today.

I had planned on finishing the last three rows of this last night, but as you can imagine once I got home I went right to bed and stayed in my very dark room.  I am very lucky Mr. 18 was home, he took care of Little Buddy all on his own, even taking care of a poopy diaper.  However when I talked to my husband this morning he told me the diaper had been put on backwards which made me laugh, well it was a little chuckle because my head was still hurting. 

Here is the before, all rumply and tiny.  I had hoped that a good blocking would be perfect for this blanket because once again I could have gone with one pattern repeat more.  This is your basic 14 stitch ripple, you  can find the pattern everywhere.  Before blocking it was 24 x 39 inches, after it was 28 x 42.  I think that is a nice baby size.  The blanket is soft and even though this yarn calls for a H hook, I used an I and maybe could have gone up to a J.  It would have been more drapey if I had.  Is drapey a word?

This will be shipped out to the new baby who will soon be in our family.  I love that my nieces and nephews on both sides of the family are having families of their own now.  If you are in my family, and are having a baby, you get a baby blanket from me whether you want one or not.  It is the rule!

Of course when I am home with a hurting head and do not want much noise or light I have this going on right outside my front door, they are repaving the street.  Let me just say that trucks of all shapes and sizes have been here making a LOT of noise today.  I finally put my earphones on and listened to soft music to drown them out. 

I am glad that even in a darkened room, with gentle music on I could finish this baby blanket.  For the next few hours I will not have a thing in progress, absolutely nothing on the hook or needles.  I think I might make some Queen Anne's Lace Scarves with matching ends by Sue Perez, for therapist and teacher presents for Little Buddy for Christmas.  Remember all the dishcloths that were made last year?  Well I do and I remember that everyone thought they were trivets even though I had them packaged up with a nice bar of beautiful soap.  I think a scarf might be better.  I vowed to give only Starbucks gift cards, but you know me I have to make something.

Hope you are having a great day.