Hooray for me! Not to be tooting my own horn or anything but I have finally finished this baby boy blanket. I have a wee little grand nephew who will be entering this world in the late Spring. I have been working on this blanket for a while, starting in the beginning of January. I got sidetracked with all those fun pink hats, nine in total. But once they were done I forced myself to get back at this before the little one is born.
Sorry for the weird optical illusion in this photo. As you know every baby born into my family gets a blanket whether the parents want one or not. This is the first boy born into my husbands side of the family in 16 years. I think it will be fun to have a boy with all the little girls running around.
Made with Berroco Modern Cotton, 3 skeins of color 1163 (Hope) and 2 skeins of 1626 (Mackerel). I used a size I hook and a 16 stitch ripple. I like the 16 stitch ripple as I think it flows nicely, less abrupt than the 14 stitch ripple. You can find ripple patterns everywhere on Pinterest and Ravelry if you need one. This was all the yarn I had left at the end of the blanket. Each stripe took about 200 yards.
Final measurements are 32 in by 42 in. Sort of smaller than I wanted but still good for a baby. 1,000 yards of yarn used, yarn especially bought for this blanket.
This sweet boy of mine has recently turned 12 1/2. At this stage we count every half year. Max is still doing well. He has days where it is more difficult for him to get up, those hind legs of his are pretty atrophied. He is still happy, wants treats, to smell around the yard and of course loves to be fussed over. We are so blessed this boy is still with us.
And just to make you smile here is Little Buddy. Who could resist smiling when they see this special boy?
Hope you are having a great day.
I've now got the crud that you had. Feeling miserable and I have to commute into the city tomorrow. Love that photo of Maxie. Please give him a kiss from me. And, of course, one to Little Z, too!
ReplyDeleteMy friend lives with a geriatric large dog, and recently purchased a harness to help her dog. http://helpemup.com Wondering if this would make your dog more comfortable moving around? How loving of you to make an Afghan for each new baby in the family! And it's always a treat to see a photo of happy LB.
ReplyDeleteLovely blanket! Lucky babies in your family that get a sweet cuddle blanket.I didn't knit any pink hats but I went to a march and was surrounded by them!!! Nice to see a picture of Little Buddy!
ReplyDeleteBravo on the blanket finish.. I think it's classy and fabulous! Give your big furry boy a pat on the head from me.. and Z is sure looking grownup and handsome! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteLove you saying all the babies get a blanket whether wanted or not. LOL
ReplyDeleteBoth your boys melt my heart. So much love. How blessed you are....
Mr. Max and Little Buddy always make ME smile!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that baby blanket!
How Wonderful that you manage to whip one out for every single baby in the family!!!
Such sweet pictures of both of your boys. They both melt my heart. Our Chloe is 10 1/2 and I know exactly how you feel with Max. Your baby blanket turned out beautifully. That was quite a game of "yarn chicken" you were playing wasn't it? :-) How fun to have a little boy around. Have a wonderful day my friend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
LB is one of the most cheerful people on the planet!
ReplyDeleteHere's to many more years with Max!
I should knit more baby blankets. They just take SO long. Yours in adorable.
Who indeed can resist a LB smile?!? I feel miles better already. I love the baby blanket. You've reinspired me to finish the one I'm working on!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful tradition and a lovely blanket love the colour combination. Always a joy to see Little Buddy with his beautiful smile that lights up his whole face. Max certainly looks to be doing well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Meredith for the great photos today - love seeing Max (my Peaches is 12 + and stiff too and much loved). And a special hug for Buddy for saying hi to everyone.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Isn't it WONDERFUL when you finish a project and have so little yarn left? The blanket is beautiful and just PERFECT for a spring baby!
ReplyDeleteAlways love seeing ALL your boys! Max is such a happy looking pup! Wishing him a very happy 1/2 year birthday.
Hugs to LB and to you too!
Oh give your boys big hugs from me. How special Max is - he knows he is loved and obviously loves being with you all.
ReplyDeleteI like your baby blanket. I always think of beaches when I see blue and yellow.
Regarding ripple stitches, I have a book on my shelf which is a collection of ripple stitch patterns for both knit and crochet. "200 Ripple Stitch Patterns: exciting patterns to knit and crochet for afghans, blankets and throws" by Jan Eaton, Sally Milner Publishing 2006. It's a great resource for fans of ripple stitches!
I liked that you gave your reasons for choosing a 16 stitch pattern over a 14 stitch pattern. It's all useful information. Thanks for the lesson!
Great blanket and lucky baby!
That's a handsome blanket for a new little fellow!
ReplyDeleteMax and Buddy made me smile-and not much does these days, I'm afraid.
LB's smile brightens every day and a great way to start any morning. Beautiful blanket and how exciting to be welcoming a boy after 16 years. Perhaps all the little girls will want to 'mother' him. I have just completed a baby blanket but not posted about it yet so really should get on with it!
ReplyDeleteHi Meredith,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say hello, I keep reading your blog but cannot comment most of the time. I am sending you lots of hugs and best wishes from this part of the world.
Gaia.
Lovely blanket, the best present for a new baby I think - something that can be used for a long time and always treasured. Other things are grown out of SO quickly, but blankets are perfect. And how exciting to be having a boy, fun, fun, fun. So glad that Max is keeping going and still interested in life. Having a little man around probably helps. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteAnd what a fantastic rocking chair this sweet little boy of yours has! I am glad the blanket is ready in time for the baby boys arrival. Mind you, those hats were pretty important and gorgeous, too. I see that your hats are worn all across the continent :-) Lots of love. xx
ReplyDeleteThat blanket is really nice - I think it would be a lovely thing to receive!
ReplyDeleteHappy 12 1/2 birthday to sweet Max! I love seeing him, and think good thoughts for him every day. Please give him a kiss and a cuddle from me. xo
Little Buddy is such a happy boy, I hope that he is actually happy at least most of the time. :-)
Little Buddy's smiles have to be one of the best things in this world! And Max, so sweet - happy half birthday!! Congratulations on a beautiful blanket finish.
ReplyDeleteThe colors in the blanket complement each other so nicely. Love seeing a photo of Max, sweet boy! Hope your week is going well, Meredith.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
ReplyDeleteThe blanket and yarn choice = perfect. I'm glad you enjoyed creating it. Hug that amazing GOLDEN for me. and LIl buddy too. Hug you. Big hugs from me
The baby blanket is perfect. Love the navy and yellow. Oh your sweet Max, love him all you can. Little Buddy is looking good. It is trying to be Spring here and so maybe everyone is on the mend from the flu now. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteLovely blanket .A really special present which I hope will be treasured.Little Buddy ,what a great kid.His smile makes my day!!Barbaraxxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Max! the blanket is lovely Meredith and I'm sure that it will be well received. Little Buddy looks so sweet bless he looks so content and happy, hope you're having a great week. :) xx
ReplyDeleteI love your baby blanket and the colors you chose together. It is cool how it looks like the stripes are moving when you scroll down. Congratulations to you and your family on the new baby! that is exciting! and I am sure he'll be so cozy in the blanket. Aw Max looks like such a sweet dog, and I hope there are many more happy years for you and your family with him. It is so hard when pets get older and you can see them with health issues. Buddy looks so happy thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLisa
That is a pretty snazzy little rocker Little Buddy is sitting in. It brings me such joy to see his happy little face. Good job on the baby blanket and how fun it will be to welcome a little boy after all those years of girls. Your Max sure looks like a sweetheart. Goldens are such a gentle and loyal breed.
ReplyDeleteI'm really liking the strong colors in the baby blanket. Unique. So great to see Max is still doing well and it is always wonderful to see sweet Little Buddy. Hugs to you and enjoy the rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteI liked the sentence about your baby blankets: '...whether the parents want one or not'. You're so right, I feel the same way too :-) The blanket is perfect for a little boy!
ReplyDeleteYour dog Max looks like a true friend, soft and sweet... I hope he will be around for a long time, and in good health.
Nice to see that Little Buddy wears a shirt of Thomas Train, my daughter also liked that train when she was his age :-)
Have a nice day,
Sigrid
The ripple blankets are fun to knit, too. Pickles.no has a free pattern for one. I'm impressed that you had almost no yarn left over. Good job!
ReplyDeleteDear Sweet Max!!!Do enjoy every day with him!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the colors you used for the baby blanket!!!
And what an awesome rocking chair that Buddy is sitting in!!
Awesome painted flowers!!! We would call that the Happy Chair : -)))
The blanket looks great!
ReplyDeleteLove the blanket Meredith!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to learn that stitch for a long time!
Hugs~
What a beautiful baby blanket! I'm sure it will be well loved and treasured.
ReplyDeleteI have a cat that's old, too. Zippo will be 18 in April. He has glaucoma and a cataract, some arthritis in his back leg, and is a little senile, but otherwise healthy. Max is a beautiful dog.
I always smile when I see Little Buddy. :-)
Gorgeous blanket, Meredith! I'll bet it feels so good in that cotton. LUCKY baby! Max and Little Buddy are so sweet!! I know they brighten every single one of your days! blessings and hugs ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteHooray for the blanket! You actually made that pretty quickly you know. It will be a much loved present. I gifted one this year to a work colleague and it is amazing how people love them because crochet to others who don't do it is a womans/mans magic! Jo x
ReplyDeleteLove the blanket ! Modern Cotton is such a nice yarn- it's so soft and drapey and has such a great sheen. It's a terrific gift and everyone loves a blanket !! Aww bless Max , he's hanging in there as best he can .His job is not done yet, keeping his family well guarded and supervised! And that smile of that lovely little man ! Have a great week d, and rest that neck !!!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely blanket, love the colour combo. Max and little Buddy always make me smile xx
ReplyDeleteNice work on the blanket and great colors, too. Love the photo of LB; did you decorate the chair? It's really cute.
ReplyDelete