Saturday 12 July 2008

FO: Princess Grace

We've all had those WIPs that seem to linger on and on, and take forever to finish even when you finally knuckle down and get on with it.

Let me tell you, the last few weeks of working on this particular project were hard yakka. I was totally over the whole thing. If I could have, I would of put it in the time-out corner. But I guess I was kind of attached to it and felt compelled to see it through.

But then, 2 weeks ago today, I finally cast off and admired my work. I decided it was well worth it, and that I'd probably even contemplate making another one. Perhaps.

Introducing Princess Grace, born 440am (AEST) on June 28th:

Pattern: Human Baby, designed by Evolution. Although I've personalised my version, Evolution has been working on this pattern for tens of thousands of years. The design is so elegant, allowing for a myriad subtle mods to get a perfect fit. There are lots of clumsy workings behind the facade, but all in all, the outcome is rather nice. This is my second attempt, and Ive been rather chuffed with how the first is wearing. I get compliments on him all the time.

Sticks and string: I used the recommended DNA double helix, and split the strands initially before recombining strands from two different dyelots as called for in the pattern. Beloved was a big help with this.


Mods: many, but very small and probably barely noticeable. It has been noted she has lovely eyebrows; I like to think I put a lot of effort into those in week 32 or so.


Time: September-ish until June 28th 2008. (Damn it, missed the Federal Government's increase in the FO-bonus by two days!! )

Now, there are one or two rumours swirling about regarding the arrival of the Princess that I'd like to take a moment to address.

1. Yes, I did knit in labour. Much to the amusement of the midwives and obstetrician. I was laying there, strapped to a machine and with a doodad in the back of my hand and antibiotics going in - may as well put the time to good use, working on another WIP!



2. Yes, I did buy yarn online when I was (technically) in labour. I blame Tinkingbell - if she hadn't called me to tell me Wollmeise had stock in her shop, I wouldn't have even contemplated any impulse yarn purchases. Quilting Mick was my partner in crime, but she redeemed herself by looking after Pirate Jim when Beloved and I went to the hospital.

I say "technically" because even though my membranes had ruptured a few hours earlier (on the kitchen floor - thanks for jinxing that Kuka!!), nothing was happening.

That's Farn on the left, and Red Hot Chilli on the right. No photography can do the colours justice - they are quite breath-takingly beautiful and jewel-like.

Does any one have a problem with either of those things? Hmmm, thought not.

And finally, it is my great please to announce the winner of the Arrival of the Bump Competition is Jan, who was only an hour and forty minutes early in her guess! Email me, Jan, so I know where to send your prize. Well done!

Oh, one last thought (the hormones make me a touch philosophical) - perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself in calling Princess Grace an FO? It's probably much more accurate to consider her still a WIP....

Edited to fix incorrect link to Jan's blog!

27 comments:

Michelle said...

Is there a Ravelry link to the Princess Grace pattern?

m1k1 said...

you are one amusing mama

Jan said...

She's beautiful and I love the picture of big brother and baby sister.

Jan said...

PS. Email sent. Thanks so much.

happyspider said...

it's been said that a true artist is never content that a work is completed...
So proud of you knitting in the face of all (and ten extra points for simultaneous stash acquisition!)

TinkingBell said...

Such a gorgeous wip too (you could think of her as an FO to this point - like the under bit of a twin set!) And such a star = knitting in labout and buying Wollmeise while - otherwise occupied! Lovely work on everybody's parts!

Anonymous said...

I love your knitterly post!! And Princess Grace looks very lovely!!
Nice green wool too!! I am glad you are all well and happy!!!

Rachel said...

Congratulations and welcome to Grace. She's beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I've been waiting a little to proffer my fondest to you and Miss Grace - well done - the girls were rather miffed that you made Quilting Mick catch the waters instead of them.....

She's just lovely....congrats!

MadMad said...

Oh, what a wonderful post! And what a gorgeous little girl! And look how proud the pirate looks! Worth every bit of the wait, I tell ya'. Congratulations!

Bron said...

Ohh congratulaions George - your princess is just beautiful!
And you are hilarious!
Lots of love to you, your Beloved and PJ =)
xo

Bells said...

Oh she's a FO. She's cooked, as they say.

And she's lovely.

Stash enhancement while in labour adds another element to your legendary status as a yarn buyer.

Anonymous said...

Yarn purchasing and knitting?! You are a trooper!

Congratulations George, she's beautiful.

Alwen said...

Congratulations!

And not only did you knit in labor, you have pictures as proof. Wow, I'm in awe.

Em said...

Oh, congratulations to you and the menfolk. Nice work making that little one, your months of effort are very much visible--she's lovely! And thanks much for not letting us knitters down, we knew you'd knit in labor. The stash-enhancement is just the icing on the cake.

Neet said...

Congratulations George!! She's beautiful :) (great write-up too!)

Rose Red said...

Congratulations George! Great write up too (and I am so jealous of that Wollmeise...!!)

Monique said...

Congratulations to you. Princess Grace is lovely an PJ looks very proud of his new little sister

Kate said...

Congratulations, she's absolutely beautiful. You and your Beloved do very good work together. So nice to see that all has come out well. Hopefully the visitors were lots of help with PJ and helping him get used to the idea of being a big brother. Lovely to see you back and impressed with the stash enhancement and knitting in labour - go those beta endorphins!

Denise said...

You are one funny lady, George! Infinity congratulations on the safe arrival of The Princess, and best wishes with both young WIPs!

Donna Lee said...

She's lovely! You do good work. Nice job on weaving in the ends. Not a one in sight! Congrats to all of you. I played cards while in labor. That part's not so bad. The bad part is that PK cheated every chance he got knowing I wasn't paying full attention.

DrK said...

rather impressive achievements all round, FOs, knitting/stash enhancement in labour, blog post combining knitting and baby making. well done! and she is, as everyone says, beautiful. how cute is PJ?! obviously taking the whole thing very seriously!

Lisa [strickerin] said...

Congratulations! What a beautiful little princess you have.

Five Ferns Fibreholic said...

If that's the quality of newborns you produce, I'll gladly take them off your hands to give you more crafting time.

Congrats, she's beautiful.

Mary said...

Congratulations, she is beautiful!

Lynne said...

Congratulations on a job well done. She's very beautiful. It's the blocking them into shape that takes the longest time! LOL

Anonymous said...

I haven't blog checked in absolutely ages, but Grace is just gorgeous. A total princess. Congratulations lovely George!!!