Baby Makes Three #2 (this has been edited because there is another post close to the name of this one 7/6/09)

I haven't been under the gun with a knitting deadline in a long time. I see how people can freak out and I almost did. For more years than I can remember I have been friends with a group of ladies whose ages range from 30 something to 60 something. One of the women has been wanting to have a baby. So finally after knowing Catherine for over 5 years, she finally announced one night at dinner that she was going to have a baby in the fall. I was so happy for her! We only see each other once a month and we have missed the last two months of our dinner group.

I got a voice mail saying that we were meeting soon and is was going to be a mini baby shower for Catherine. I didn't know the sex of the baby. So after a few days going by and numerous phone calls it was pronounced that the baby is a girl! I am not a pink or blue person but Catherine relayed a message that she had gone nuts over pink all of a sudden. So to continue the trend, I made something for the baby in pink.

I had to find something darned fast and easy to make. As much as I love to knit, I thought a crocheted project would fill the bill perfectly. If I had more time I would have knit an afghan but there just wasn't time. I went to Ravelry and found a very simple baby afghan. This afghan would have to be durable, washable and totally low maintenance. I do love wool and other fibers but this would have to be acrylic for the ease of care. A new mother does not always have the time to hand wash and line dry a fine wool creation.

I used this pattern (if you do not subscribe to Ravelry-you will not be able to link to it). While it's not a complicated design, quickness was a huge factor in this choice. If you check my project page you will see I used Lion Brand yarn in the one pound skein. I have an extremely small ball of yarn left. I did set out to use every ounce of the skein.

I also purchased the cutest box to put the afghan in. I figured that Catherine could use the box for keeping special baby keepsakes away for later.

I fell in love with the soft pink of the box and the cute little drawings all over the box. I especially love the fact the words are in French. The box is so girly it's not even funny! I really thought who ever designed the box did a great idea. It has cute little drawings all the way 'round the box. It sort of gives it an old world look. The little boy boxes were just as cute but in soft shades of green and blue.



I was so taken by the little metal corners and the handles on each end of the box. I thought this would be a very sturdy gift box. I always hate giving those gift bags with tissue paper in them. So maybe this box will be around for a while.

Oh and then there was the afghan itself. It is a very small shell stitch. The whole afghan is one basic shell stitch over and over, back and forth. The border in the pattern was a different color but I made mine all one color. The border is still that same shell stitch turned around. It looks great and was super easy to crochet. I haven't done much crocheting since learning to knit. I have to say that I didn't realize how much I missed it until I made the afghan. I think I might have to make something else crocheted again soon. Here is a shot of the finished afghan.



The afghan is folded in half for the photo. I was pleased at how large is was with just one pound of yarn. I sure hope Catherine is as pleased with it as I am. Below is a picture of Catherine and the Simple Shell Baby Afghan. She was happy and I was so thrilled she liked it.