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June 10, 2007
Trying to get back to blogging
Thank you such much for all the congratulations and the messages welcoming Lotte to the world! It really means a lot to both T and me, it makes us feel special thinking about all of you taking the time to leave a comment. So one more time: *thank you!*
Lotte and I are doing great. She's sleeping, drinking breast milk and producing dirty diapers as if she has been doing it for a lot longer than two weeks yet. I'm having to deal with this almost every day now:
Luckily, the weather has been good (no tumble dryer in the house), so I'm keeping on top of it so far. Speaking of the weather: it has been a bit too good for the past few days, with temparatures in the region of 28C/82F. So I hope you understand why I don't have any pictures of Lotte in handknits yet (though she has been wearing them - when I was too tired to use the camera). I did finish her something I started before she was born.
First, here is my source of inspiration:
Lovely cardigans from Fana in Norway. These are pictures from a wonderful book called Fanatrøyer. Fana is well known for its striped sweaters like this one:
Picture from Knitting in the Nordic Tradition by Vibeke Lind
but these white ones in garter stitch are traditionals as well, and I have always liked them. It was just the thought of knitting a full size cardigan in garter stitch on small needles that was.... well, not very attractive to me. This is where babies come in handy. Inspired by the white Fana cardigans, I made this:
I decided not to add the colored ribbon to this one. I like it like this, plain and simple, but with great buttons:
These were a gift to me from Yuki in Japan. Such lovely buttons they have in Japan! I think these go really well with the pure white yarn. I'm happy with the way it turned out. I can't wait for the weather to turn cooler and Lotte to grow a bit bigger to try it on her. You'll have to wait for a modelled picture till then!
One of Lotte's grandmothers recently spent some time in Sweden, and this is what she returned with:
Aren't they just adorable? Handmade by a Swedish woman named Susanne Tholin (no website that I could find). I *love* these! They're made from handmade felt. They were bought at the Handverkshuset Upperud. The website doesn't give a lot of information about what they're selling, but Lotte's grandma assured me it is absolutely worth a visit if you're into beautifully crafted things. I want to go to Sweden!
Posted by saartje at June 10, 2007 10:34 PM
Comments
YAY for breastfeeding and clothdiapering :-)
May I recommend something like a didymos sling as well? There are cheaper versions around, like the Kangaroo Carrier.
I had two slings when Sam was little (he's going to be 7 this year), one long, one short and loved them, I still have them and used the long one for my neighbours baby before they moved, I still love the sling! It's much more versatile than "standard" baby carriers (like the baby bjorn) and if you compare the prices they're not really that much more expensive, considering you can use them up to 3 or 4 years. Plus you get to pick you really gorgeous fabric ;-)
Posted by: nicole at June 11, 2007 1:12 AM
Oh I love that little cardi I wish that was a pattern for little ones wow so cute!
Those booties are cute as well!
Posted by: pixie at June 11, 2007 1:46 AM
Welcome Lotte! Your baby cardigan is just lovely -- and the buttons are perfect! The beautiful little shoes go well with it.
Posted by: Octopus Knits at June 11, 2007 2:01 AM
Congratulations! Glad you and Lotte are doing well.
Posted by: Ava at June 11, 2007 3:17 AM
The white cardigan turned out beautifully, and I adore those little shoes, how precious.
Posted by: Sue at June 11, 2007 3:45 AM
The wee cardigan and shoes are adorable! Was the cardigan from a pattern or something you designed? Congratulations again on baby :)
Posted by: charmaine at June 11, 2007 5:36 AM
Prachtig dat vestje, echt heel mooi. En dan die slofjes, wat een geweldig kraamcadeautje!
Knap dat je nog aan breien toekomt met een pasgeboren baby, ik kwam werkelijk nergens aan toe maar ik had dan ook te maken met een baby (mijn zoon, nu 10 jaar) die heel veel huilde en constant bij me wilde zijn. Ik had dan ook zo'n buikdrager voor hem zodat ik hem gemakkelijk dicht bij me kon zijn. Mijn dochter was wat dat betreft makkelijker, zij sliep veel meer in haar wiegje maar met haar hadden we weer andere zorgen. Ondertussen gaat het met haar heel goed, zij is nu 8 jaar oud.
Posted by: Hannah at June 11, 2007 6:56 AM
Ha Saartje, wat goed dat je alweer aan het bloggen bent en aan het breien!!! Dat had je al gezegd van te voren, zodra het weer kan, hup weer breien.
Prachtig is het vestje geworden!! En dan doe knoopjes, zo mooi!!
Succes met het op peil houden van de was : ) wat kunnen ze poepen hé die kleintjes!! Maar ja Borstvoeding is dan ook geweldig goed! En fijn om te geven als het lukt.
Zelf heb ik alle drie de kinderen tot een jaar gevoed met borstvoeding en vond het erg makkelijk:altijd voorraadig, altijd goede temperatuur altijd goede samenstelling. En dan na een half jaar steeds een voeding vervangen voor iets anders (brood,fruit e.d.)
Posted by: Tijm at June 11, 2007 7:20 AM
Ha Saartje, wat goed dat je alweer aan het bloggen bent en aan het breien!!! Dat had je al gezegd van te voren, zodra het weer kan, hup weer breien.
Prachtig is het vestje geworden!! En dan doe knoopjes, zo mooi!!
Succes met het op peil houden van de was : ) wat kunnen ze poepen hé die kleintjes!! Maar ja Borstvoeding is dan ook geweldig goed! En fijn om te geven als het lukt.
Zelf heb ik alle drie de kinderen tot een jaar gevoed met borstvoeding en vond het erg makkelijk:altijd voorraadig, altijd goede temperatuur altijd goede samenstelling. En dan na een half jaar steeds een voeding vervangen voor iets anders (brood,fruit e.d.)
Posted by: Tijm at June 11, 2007 7:21 AM
Lovely cardigan!
There are lots of lovely places like Upperud in Sweden, if you come here, be sure to let me know and I cen help you find some!
Posted by: Marika at June 11, 2007 10:05 AM
Congratulations on the birth of Lotte! I can't believe that I have been so out of the loop that I missed this happy event! :-)
Glad to hear you are doing well, and yay for breastfeeding. I'm very impressed that you are using cloth diapers - I had all the best intentions with our bean, but so far I've only been using them occasionally (and he's 8 moths now!!).
Also, the cardigan is adorable!
Iris
Posted by: Iris at June 11, 2007 11:14 AM
Ooooo, wat mooi... Moet even mijn kin oprapen. DIT WIL IK OOK MAKEN!!!
Ik ga mezelf dus echt klonen... heb amper genoeg tijd om te doen wat ik nu al doe...
Nog een keer gefeliciteerd met Lotte!!! Ik zie al dat de routine met de luiers er al in zit ;-) Heb je al zelfgemaakte luiertjes? Staat zo schattig bij die kleine pukjes... Which reminds me, ik moet er voor onze Samuel nog een paar maken, hoewel hij ze door het BZC-en weinig draagt, eigenlijk alleen 's nachts... En wolbroekjes... en...
Groetjes,
Ammerins
Posted by: Ammerins at June 11, 2007 2:57 PM
Makes me want to have more babies! I'll have to settle with looking at your lovely baby knits and knitting for family. I have big stinky boys and a 'stylish' girl. - not so into cute little knits. sigh.
Enjoy that sweet pea!
Posted by: Rani at June 11, 2007 4:16 PM
congratulations on your beautiful baby - lotte is a lovey name :)
the simple cardigan is beautiful. thanks for sharing it!
Posted by: lekkercraft at June 11, 2007 5:21 PM
Oh, me too!
Beautiful, beautiful cardigan. Lucky Lotte!
Posted by: Philippa at June 11, 2007 8:26 PM
Glad to hear you and Lotte are doing so well. Those are the most adorablwe baby shoes!
Posted by: Barb at June 11, 2007 8:35 PM
You have made and been given some beautiful things for baby. It is a wonderful time.
Posted by: Marie N. at June 11, 2007 10:08 PM
Those little booties are heartbreakingly sweet. And see how well they go with the new sweater! :-)
Posted by: Beth S. at June 11, 2007 10:54 PM
oh, die slofjes,,,,GEWELDIG!
Posted by: Irma at June 11, 2007 11:26 PM
fantastisch vestje, fantastische schoentjes. geniet ervan!
Posted by: claudia at June 12, 2007 12:29 AM
Hello Saartje,
what a wonderful cardigan you've knitted. I love those plain things as well and this turned out so beautiful.
The tiny shoes are really adorable. I must check out the link and than look at Marika because I will spend my holidays sailing in scandinavia.
Best wishes for you and sweet Lotte.
Susanne
Posted by: Susanne at June 12, 2007 7:41 AM
What a lovely sweater and the booties are adorable!
Posted by: Monika at June 12, 2007 4:59 PM
I was away from only one week and so many wonderful things have happened in the mean time. Warm congratulations from me to you and your new family member. She looks very cute!
The white baby cardi is lovely and you are right about the buttons - they are really beautiful.
Posted by: kaisakaisa at June 12, 2007 6:37 PM
Wat is het weer een feest voor het oog! Prachtig.
Posted by: Jolanda at June 12, 2007 10:57 PM
Ja, zo'n waslijn had ik ook. Dan is het fijn om een voorjaarskind te krijgen...
Wat een adorable vestje voor Lotte en idd: de knoopjes zijn geweldig. Nou vallen ze mooi op.
De slofjes zijn superrrrrrrrrr. Wat een schátjes.
Fijn om te horen dat alles goed met jullie gaat.
Posted by: monique at June 13, 2007 3:28 PM
I love the white sweater. Next time I have to knit for a baby I'm going to try that. And great that you both feel good.
Posted by: yvonnep at June 13, 2007 11:58 PM
hoi,
ik ben niet alleen nieuwsgierig maar weet ook graag het idee er achter.
12 jaar geleden is mijn eerste ook in de katoenen luiers begonnen en geeindigd de 2e ook maar toen ik 2 pleegkinderen tegelijk in de luiers had en het om ging rekenen met papieren luiers werd mijn beter voor de natuur reden overschreeuwd door het meer werk en bijna gelijk in financieen. dus ik ben benieuwd wat iemand in deze tijd beweegd om een van de weinige(?) te zijn die gebruik maakt van katoenen luiers.
bewonderswaardig!
groetjes.
Posted by: corina at June 14, 2007 9:34 AM
allo!
U blog is zeer moei! Proficiat!
Ik zal tergug komen!!!
Groentjes,
milouson
Posted by: le chat qui coud at June 14, 2007 9:48 AM
Whilst searching for the Dutch word for pipe cleaners I found your blog and you have inspired me to take up knitting. I've ordered a second hand copy of "The Knitter's Bible" and I can't wait to get started. Thank you!
Posted by: Romy at June 14, 2007 5:11 PM
Congrats from me, too!
She is too cute and I love the name you chose!
Have fun with her! And have fun knitting for her!
Take care!
Posted by: Tina at June 14, 2007 8:11 PM
Glad to hear you and lotte are doing fine. I love your baby cardi so as those booties. They are just too adorable. Are they felted by any chance?
Posted by: vanessa at June 15, 2007 9:24 PM
I'm not sure if I've offered my congratulations yet or not, so consider it said now.
What a beautiful and comprehensive post, full of so many things, from your daily life of diaper washing to historical information to your own handwork as well as that of others.
The baby sweater is stunning. I never realized there was "another" Fana style of sweater before now.
Posted by: Siri at June 16, 2007 10:12 AM
Nydelig jakke! Og skoene var bare så søte!
Ha en flott lørdag :)
Posted by: Hege at June 16, 2007 5:57 PM
Hoi Saartje, wat een massa luisers heb je aan de lijn hangen. Je doet het nog op z'n ouderwets met katoenen luiers? En wat een scheetjes van vestjes!! Die jezelf gebreid hebt (de onderste) vind ik erg lief gerworden. Gelukkig gaat alles goed met jou en de baby? En de pappa?Die wordt nog wel eens vergeten hé!
Posted by: Marijna at June 19, 2007 12:00 AM
Mazel Tov to you and your Hubby and Lotte! And your white sweater is a gem.
All the Best,
Peg
Posted by: Peg at June 19, 2007 10:12 PM
Wat ontzettend schattig! Die truitjes zijn prachtig, en ik 'love' die slofjes ook! :)
Posted by: knijn at June 20, 2007 6:44 PM
Those incredibly cute booties will look amazing with the sweater. Love the blue and white combo!
Posted by: nicole at June 27, 2007 12:25 AM
No wonder you have much response. Beautifull page.
Posted by: Ida at July 2, 2007 1:37 AM
Amazing post, truly!
http://www.fengxiong119.com/
Posted by: Leslie at June 12, 2011 1:50 PM
