Despite the fact that I already have several crochet projects on the go, when my parents brought me the new issue of Crochet Today on the weekend I just had to start another.
I crocheted my first ever gauge square and because it was about an inch too small, I added 10 chains to the initial pattern. I know that I should have gone up a hook size and done another gauge square, but I don't have anything bigger than a 5 hook.
Two rows after the armpit, I realised that it was getting too full too fast, so I stopped increasing.
In the craziness that was the weekend, it was great to have a two row pattern that I didn't have to think much about.
The yarn is Jo Sharp Desert Garden Aran Cotton in Dew,that I found at an op shop a while back. Lucky because this dress is using plenty of the stuff. In fact, I might have to stop in another four or so rows because it is starting to get a bit heavy.
I'm feeling a bit foggy today. Miss Pepper woke me up at 4.40am for a cuddle and wouldn't go back to sleep. I started to get impatient with her and then remembered being awake for hours and hours with Indi when she was this age.I think I have to remind myself now and then that she is only two and not to have the same expectations of her as the big girls. When they were her age I organised my life around their playgroups, dancing classes, story times and nap times, now I think I expect Pepper to fit in to my life until they get home from school.
For some reason now I identify myself as someone with school aged kids and expect to achieve more but the truth is that Pepper is still so little and still so needy.
The first day of winter is probably a good time for this realisation as things are about to slow down here on the farm and I will have more time to play.
Happy Tuesday!
It's so easy to pile the guilt and expectations on ourselves-enjoy the cuddle time....they soon become to old to want as much snuggle time and I miss it.
ReplyDeleteJana
Such beautiful crochet work. Miss Pepper is really very lucky to have such a talented mum. I hope you find much snuggle time with her over the coming winter.
ReplyDeleteMiss Pepper looks so cute and they are adorable at that age arent they. I still wish sometimes Isabelle was little again! I love the crocheted dress, how very cute although it would look great just as a top too. One day when I come to visit you at your farmer's stall I will have to drop off some goodies for you that I have!
ReplyDeleteYes, love Miss Pepper's dress....very cute....I spent this morning going off my trolley at my poor Max expecting him to get himself organised super quick for school because I slept in!!! Totally unbelievable....when am I going to learn this parenting thing & stop expecting him to be an adult!!!
ReplyDeleteI understand expecting too much from a 2 year old. My oldest is 2 and sometimes I forget how little he is because sometime I need him to be older. My youngest is only 4 months and needs me sooooo much more since he is a booby man. I try my best to stop and show my oldest more attention and hold him some so that he doesn´t feel left out.
ReplyDeleteThat is going to be lovely lovely. I might try and find that pattern here for Annie-Rose. I so know what you mean about the little ones. I have a similar problem except I have teenagers, a primary child and a baby. I except baby to keep up with them all, lol! And mostly she does with a smile :) but today we are staying home for cuddles and kids TV
ReplyDeleteI forget sometimes that its nice to just play with the kids. Me and Ella played Super Heros this morning (I was Wonder Woman and she was Cat Woman), she just loves any type of role play. I hope you and Pepper get lots more time over Winter to just play, I always feel guilty about not doing it more. xx
ReplyDeleteCute start - I thought of making it myself....
ReplyDeleteI love the pic with the glasses!
Love the top, it's going to look adorable over jeans! It happens with the youngest, you just 'forget' how little they are, she wouldn't be hard to cuddle though :o)
ReplyDeleteLizzie
xxx
I think another four rows and it will look the perfect length anyway. What a cute pattern! And a cute girl to wear it as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly a hard job to be the youngest of the family at times. I have to really try and slow down for Sophie too sometimes. And it's nice to sometimes just sit at home when you can.
Cute crochet- so goreous....I am having a day of mother guilt... a day of completely feeling selfish and not wanting to play and feeling crap about it....
ReplyDeleteKate, I'm loving that crochet dress, it is a great not so overly girly colour.
ReplyDeleteKnow what you mean about expecting the little ones to fit in with everyone elses routine. I do it too which is probably not fair when I spent my days leisurely attending to my son's every whim when he was that age. But then again my daughter is very independant & seems none the worse for it.
I remember my son saying to me, when he was about 3, "Mummy, don't you know its very hard to be a little boy." That pulled me up with a jolt. We often expect more of them than they are capable of.
ReplyDeleteI love the dress, but if you run out of yarn it's a really nice little top. You can't lose.
The dress is gorgeous Kate and I love that you have Pepper holding the rest of the yarn in her hands for the photo shoot. It's pretty tough coping with the days when you've had so little sleep. Pepper sounds like she's a pretty independant kid like my Eloise. I think the younger siblings in families don't always need so much attention from Mum. I'm sure you'll enjoy the chance to spend more time with her now the farm work is quietening down. Have a great day (it's bucketing down here in Auckland!). Sarahx
ReplyDeletei really know what you mean, i catch myself feeling like this pretty often with my 2 year old. i have such high expectations of how life should be!!
ReplyDeleteeasy to get caught up and forget.
your crochet dress is looking very cute :)
Love it..Looks adorable just as it is too...With the three older runs pretty much independent it catches me off guard with the 2 smaller ones at times. Hope you can find some "you" time to recharge. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, when a periodical screams "CROCHET TODAY!" at you - you really have no choice.
ReplyDeleteLook'n smick my dear, I like it as a top, actually, but I'm sure the dress will be amazing. I've not done a gauge swatch ever... what a waste of time! (..'cause you know, spending hour upon hour knitting up something a size too small would indeed be a much better use of my time...)
I don't think I realised Pepper was only 2? I thought she was a bit older than Le Punk, actually - cut yourself some slack Sweets... like I often whinge to you, I only have one so far & bugger me if I can figure out how you get anything done at all! xo
My clock ran according to my first child but when the second baby came she had to fit in with us , it's still a constant juggle with kids even now they are in high school .
ReplyDeleteYou're very clever miss Kate!!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean - it's easy to forget the small folk are small.
My mum once said that the thing she regrets most about our childhood was not putting down the cleaning or cooking a little more often to play with us when we asked her to.
I remind myself of this on the days when I am getting dinner and the girls say 'dance with us Mama', and I join in.
It's so lovely! I know what you mean about expecting the younger ones to be older than they actually are. I do that often, before realising!
ReplyDeleteoh that looks fab, what a crochet tease you are!
ReplyDeletewe still have late night early morning wake ups but he cuddles up next to me & I LOVE it.
ReplyDeletethey are soo innocent & little & as you know, it all changes so fast.
enjoy the squishy little cuddles.
happy winter my friend
♥
That is super dooper cute, what a lucky girl. I love the colour especially.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I find my expectations of my little guy's behaviour are incredibly high. I have resolved to enjoy him more for where he's at and not expect him to behave like an 8 year old and it's working. So hard to do that though.
Geezer, we should have called each other up this morn, I was up at the same time with Hazel! And yes I will take you up on that offer to cuddle her at the sk8 park while I crochet, I have serious withdrawals and am so looking forward to my Mum visiting for a week so that I can get super crafty!
ReplyDeletePretty much everything that Vic from Punky and Me said apart from the fact I have four to her one.
ReplyDeleteI was awake last night into the wee hours with hubby just thinking of our next move with our lot and not knowing whether to get up for the day? I lay there for an hour or more longing for a cup of tea and ended up with Horlicks, x
I think it's super cute - happy day to you
ReplyDeletevery cute - but your little modell is the cutest of all (my girl is lovin' the glasses =D)
ReplyDeleteOH Kate!! So much to love in this post your gorgeous crocheting for one and your honesty most of all. I find myself struggling with the balance between getting the day to day stuff achieved.... finding time to fulfill my creative side and giving my babes all they need. thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteLovely model, and the crochet looks great too. I think it will make a lovely top. It is easy to forget how little the little ones are - especially with older brothers and sisters they seem to act older faster.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a little ray of sunshine! I wish I had a two year old again to snuggle up to in bed :-)
ReplyDeleteI understand when older ones are at school that things start being organized around them and time is more structured that you forget to sit, play and be still. I really miss that time with my girls especially since my youngest is now in Grade 1. Enjoy slowing down and playing with your little one. xo
ReplyDeleteIt's looking utterly gorgeous Kate! Sheesh 4.30 am wake up for cuddles. I'm all for cuddles but well I'm not feeling too cuddly after being woken. Unless it I dunno Brett Kirk. And well Turtle ( my cat) is quite partial to the 4am snuggle ( and the 2am) xo
ReplyDeleteOh - she looks lovely (and the dress is quite good too!). Your post reminded me that I bought a Jo Sharp book and yarn last year - I think my stash needs sorting out!!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how we forget from little one to little one, isn't it? At least your "neglected" kid is exceptionally well-dressed...
ReplyDeletei received my package of goodness today. i am filled with delight. thank you again.
ReplyDeleteIt's really sweet, and it'll make a gorgeous overshirt if it doesn't make it to dress length! Are you planning to keep the colour as is or overdye it? I think the current colour is great, especially with red, but I can't help wondering!!
ReplyDeleteThis is perfectly sweet!! The best colour choice too!!
ReplyDeletexo Steph
I've just started learning to crochet and am nowhere near attempting an actual garment yet! I'm truly in awe of yours - love the pics!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute dress - I will have to keep my eye out for it next time I ventue to the newsagency.
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