Making Hank's Blanket

Once we know Amber was having a baby, I had decided early on that I'd like to knit the baby a blanket, one way or another. I've knitted many scarves in the past, but wanted this baby to have something special made by Aunt Marissa. After watching many youtube videos trying to figure out if I could use my "regular" knitting needles, I picked out the material for the main part of the blanket and started it at the end of February.

I used my regular needles, and squeezed the entire width of the blanket on there (lol). It worked though! Typically for blankets, people use circular knitting needles from what I learned. Doing it this way made it take a bit longer since I had to keep it all squeezed on the needles:)

Finished blanket earlier in April:) No makeup and after a long knitting day...

Next up? I wanted to add a border and his name. I thought I could knit this, as knitting is what I know. After seeing a few videos, I realized knitting it was out and I may be able to sew his name with yarn sewing needles. 

I was quite intimidated when I realized the only way that really made sense to make his border is to crochet it. I've never (ever ever) crocheted before and I was scared. Nick can tell you how nervous I was about messing up the blanket and figuring how to make it look nice when it's my very first attempt. 

Thankfully and amazingly, after learning by watching youtube videos, I figured it out and the entire border was finished within two hours or so. I was SO proud, let me tell you:) In case you find yourself in need, this website of videos was very helpful from basics to tricks and neat stylistic things to do with knitting and crocheting. 

I think the fuzzy yarn helps cover up any mistakes I may have made and is so playful looking. 

I was torn about what yarn to use for the border and what color to use for his name for quite some time and I think we nailed it, I love the look! Nick helped me pick it out too. 

As scared as I was to do the border, I was equally nervous about messing up the letters of his name. Thankfully, his name is short (thanks, Amber and Zach;)). I had to use a crochet hook to crochet into the blanket and after drawing out a few ideas (all caps, which "a" I liked better lowercase, etc.), I started in. The nice thing is that you can easily rip out any mess-ups and start over. I did a line to practice. 

I wanted to keep the back of the blanket as "clean" looking as possible, so I stopped crocheting after every line and basically wrapped the yarn around the back of the blanket's white stitched line to get my crocheting point back to where I wanted it. 

For example, I crocheted up the left line of the H and to get back down from the top left to the middle left, I wrapped the yarn around the back, so I wasn't double crocheting to get back down. 

In the end, I'm so proud of this big project I took on and completed. I love the blanket and knowing some of the things I learned, I have more tools in my belt for future projects. 

It was time consuming to make, so I estimate that If I tried to make these to sell for example, I probably wouldn't make much money per hour ;) They are so fun and rewarding to make for loved ones though, thinking of them every stitch of the way. 

Finished product!

Here are the materials I used (this blanket is SO soft, I love the softness for a baby blanket):

Body of the blanket: Bernat Baby Blanket in Baby Blue (I used two big skeins from JoAnn's)

Border: Bernat Tizzy in Blue Skies (I used less than 1 skein)

Name: Bernat Baby Blanket in White (I used less than one small skein)

The most fun thing was to see Hank on his blanket, just as I envisioned many times while I was working on it. So cute to watch him check it out;)

I'm pretty sure he likes it. Oh my melted heart. 

Cubby likes it too:)

Today's Pinspiration - I'm LOVING finally feeling some Spring! 

(Source via Pinterest)

Meeting Hank

Prepare yourself for lots of photos of our new nephew, Hank Joshua! He was born Tuesday, April 9th after a long labor and some complications with his mama (Nick's sister, Amber) - and both are doing well now. Amber's physical healing (from attempts at natural birth and from the c-section) continue, but she's so strong and is doing well. 

This is one of the first photos we got to see of the little guy and with some rearranging of our schedules, we were able to make the 9-hour drive to St. Louis to meet him and spend an extended weekend with family just a few days after he was born. 

We weren't sad about leaving the snowy mess happening that week back home either.

I like cool bridges - this one is near St. Louis

Uncle Nick holding Hank for the very first time:)

We fell in love with this little guy long before we ever met him, but seeing him and holding him was such a great moment. 

Flowers we brought for the new parents, Amber and Zach.

Kissing his soft newborn cheeks is one of my favorite things.  

Uncle Nick and sweet morning cuddles

 "Look how strong I am, Aunt Marissa"

He had some jaundice when he was born, so the docs wanted him to get some sunlight to help it. He loved relaxing in the warm sunlight.

He loves having his hands by his face too - it's so cute to get to see his personality and tendencies come through. He's already rolled from his back to his side within just a handful of days, shows some little smiles, and has great eye contact. We think we have a genius on our hands ;)

Slightly blurry family photo with Hank's mom and dad along with the first time grandparents

He fell asleep in his new swinging chair one night

He also seemed to enjoy the blanket Aunt Marissa {yours truly;)} made for him. More to come on the process of making the blanket, but in this photo, I think he's admiring the work I did crocheting his name;)

Then, in typical newborn fashion, he fell asleep. It warmed my heart. Making the blanket, I pictured him laying just above his name looking so sweet and seeing this made the work on the blanket all worth it. 

Once Hank went upstairs to eat, Cubby thought he'd try out the blanket too - ha! We all got a good laugh when he made himself at home there. 

Not much else better than holding a newborn baby - especially our first nephew. 

He's so tiny and precious. 

Hank loves his Uncle Nick (and vice versa:))

Sweet sleeper

The morning we had to leave our sweet Hank - until next time, sweet boy (don't grow up too fast, k?). 

Green grass in St. Louis, snow covered ground we were headed back to in Minnesota.

The morning we left was rainy, but we got to see the arch on our way out. 

Now fast forward to this week (Thursday - Friday), we got more snow! 8-12 inches across the metro. So crazy for this late in the season and it has us all craving for spring to come soon.

More of our snow this week (April 18th).

Today's Pinspiration:

(source)