Time flies...

I can't believe it's been a year! My wee one isn't so wee any more... The year has flown by like you won't believe. I'm so proud of my little boy, he makes me laugh every day and because of him there's always an extra twinkle in my days.

We celebrated big time with a felt birthday crown made by mum (he actually kept it on his head for quite some time...)

There were little pals;

A bright red and loud present,And home made banana cake!! (Banana is his favorite, he calls it 'naan naan') Turns out he only ate the whipped cream (sweatened with fruit sugar instead of regular) and the slices of banana on top. To be honest, I completely understand, the cake wasn't that great, I went wrong where I go wrong in patterns all the time. I read... act out what I've read and then read the following part that says; 'AT THE SAME TIME.....'. OW!! So it was more of a banana biscuit than it was a cake. Hey it's the thought that counts right?A year ago my friend Yvon gave me a couple of her home dyed skeins, named after Iep. A great birth present! I've been casting on an off about five times, but could never decide what to make. The yarn was a bit too bulky for a small baby, but now it's great for a big boy sweater and so I made him a very basic but bold sweater.

The colors are fantastic, it's brown and fluorescent yellow (pictures tone it down way too much)!

I used one and a half skein of chocolate Phildar Partner I had lying around for the edgings and arms.
The buttons (closed in the back) I found in a supermarket in France this summer. I used them on a coat for Iep first, but they were too big. I'm on the lookout for smaller wooden buttons for that one now...

Gotta go, my big boy wants naan naan!

Making it Happen!

I've been waiting a long time to tell you about this, because I had to be sure first...

I'm making a total career change. I never thought I'd have the guts to go for it, but ever since my old employer didn't renew my contract and the birth of Iep, it's become more and more of a realistic thing to start my own business.

To be honest, at first I planned to just take care of Iep for the first 6 months and steadily ease into my new self and new life as a W.F.H.M. (work from home mom). But I just can't help myself. Even before my pregnancy leave was officially over, I already contacted some people to see if any of my ideas could go anywhere.

And they could...

As of march I am starting to teach knitting at Caroline Vogel's Naaicafé in Rotterdam. I'm still working on the details, but the idea is that I'll teach beginners and intermediate knitters how to knit using different kits I design myself. If the idea proves succesfull I'll try to sell my kits in other places too, like lifestyle and fashion shops. I have some other plans but I'll keep those to myself for now. ;-)

So the last couple of weeks I've been working on designs for beginners to knit. Three types, for children, teenagers and adults. I need about 6 patterns to complete the kits so I've been buisy. I'm still fairly new to designing so designing for beginners is a good way to start.

It's been a real adventure so far, it al seems way more simple than it actually is, it's like a mathematical question with loads and loads of variables. To make it affordable and still be able to earn some money is a challenge to say the least. But I'm getting there. I've thought of a cool way to package the kit, the patterns are almost done, I've ordered the materials (that made it seem so real 'hi, I need 10 skeins of so and so, 14 sets of #7 bamboo needles'...) flyers and e-flyers have been sent into the world, it's official...

I am my own boss.

It partly scares the sh#t out of me. Not because I'm afraid it'll only cost me loads of money, not because I think I forget how to speak as soon as I'm in front of my first class, not because we'll have to manage with one less income, but because I have to get a class first... What if no one's interested.... What if I'm in the café all dolled up and ready and noone is showing up.... what if I think there's a market for my stuff when there really isn't...

Better cross that bridge when it's in front of me...

I've worked in marketing/communication for the last 6 years so I know how to sell things, the thing is I'm used to work at least 8 hrs a day and now -beeing mom first of all- it's 4 hrs max. Then the designing takes up a lot of time so I have to do most of the 'selling' after the first workshop is over when I have more time. That is a big contradiction, but I'm counting on the flyer, e-flyer and word of mouth to get me the first group of wannabe knitters.

Big news huh?

Well that's not all. I'm also going to continue my communication work. Small projects that I can do from home. I just really love to do that stuff, make sure everything has been done to get people to know about a certain show, play or festival. The really cool part is getting as much as possible done within the -always- tight budget. I've already had a conversation with one potential client so that's business number two ready to take off.

I'm overwealmed with the possibilities, I'm drowning in inspiration and I'm really really happy. The next thing I need to do is get ajusted to the new way of working. My little boy comes first, everything else is extra.

Ok, just because he's so cute, here he is...

Copy Cat

I saw Saartjes post of her daughter Lotte in her new hat and it was exactly what I was looking for. I'd seen these hats before, perfect for little baby's it keeps ears and forehead covered, and was looking for a pattern. So I did a little copy cat-ing! Hey Saartje, what a cute couple huh? Want to plan a blind date in 2025?




Iep was tired so I didn't get a good picture of the back, but look at Saartjes post for a great picture.
I used Drops Alpaca and knit with 2,3 (mm) needles for the edging and 3 for the rest.

Here you can find the English pattern. There's a Norwegian version too, but I don't have too many Norwegian readers so I think this will do.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Our son is a sucker for knitted toys,


But he's a bigger sucker for watching soccer with dad, *



Come to think of it he's a sucker in general....



* (don't worry, it was only a minute or two to take a picture, I won't harm my son by exposing him to soccer, my boy is going to be a skate/snowboarder or at least a surfer, let that be clear! ;-)

You can't always get what you Quant...

I finished Quant! About two weeks ago but I can't seem to get myself to blog. Between taking care off and playing with Iep, starting my own business (more about that later) and that darn fantabulous Ravelry... I just can't seem to find enough time.
But here it is. Knitting Frog surprised me with a skein of really soft yarn and beads to match, luscious stuff. Thanks again Froggie! :-)
The colours are no way near natural, I tried all the buttons and handles on my camera and I can't get it right. It's brighter, more yellow and more green and not so grayish in real life!


Somewhere in between I managed to finish Iep's sweater. It's from Marie Claire's 'Knitting for Baby's' (sorry no link, can't find it online...) and I ran out of yarn right at the last sleeve. I decided to make it a patchwork sweater and added some Phildar pure laine in two threads to sort-of-match the gauge. It works!

'Help mommy, I flew up onto the ceiling!!'


'Mom, listen, this blogpost has loads of spelling mistakes in it, you better get here and fix it!'

Little Columbus

While practising sit ups with daddy...

I discovered my feet...

'Well, I'll be darned...'

'Hmm, what do you suppose they're for?'

Oh and did I tell you...

I moved from my crib (I'm not even stretching my legs on the picture) to the big bed (can you see me in there?)

PS

Mommy wants me to let you know she's working on one of her 6 UFO's and hoping she can show you something soon.

Gotta go, my toys are calling!

x,

Iep

edit: There's been a lot of interest in Iep's sheep blanket, to be expected of course. The blanket and the fabric for the crib are imported from Sweden from this factory. What can I say, I'm a sucker for Swedish design...

Start early

Iep's first S'nB night. I'm sure sleeping is that more relaxed to the sound of loads of ticking needles, he didn't lift an eyelid through the entire evening.