and for once I can actually show you why

My Principal at school surprised us all earlier in the year by announcing that she was expecting – at 43 that is pretty earth shattering, but then she also found out that she was carrying identical twin boys!

Well I am pleased to say that on Monday last week she was safely delivered of two very healthy young men ( 6lb 13oz and 7 lb 1oz) Lawrence and Teddy

Of course there was no way that I was going to miss such a knitting opportunity and so back in September I ordered a heap of Cascade 220 superwash in non traditional baby colours ( we had talked about this – though she has no idea what I’m up to) and started knitting

First up was these

Brooklyn Tweed’s famous Tweed Baby Blanket

5.5mm and 6.5mm needles & Charcoal, scarlet, royal blue and Lime green Cascade Superwash 220 – which I find knits up more like a DK than worsted which is fine because once these were done I used up the oddments on

These

Based on the Springtime baby cardi   with contrasting sleeves and buttons to make it like a college jacket. They also have their initials Swiss darned onto the breast.

knitted on 4.5mm needles

There was still yarn left so next came

These

Based on the Ballerina Cardigan pattern in the Sirdar Hearts and Stripes book I just reversed the closure on the fronts and used buttons instead of ribbons

Knitted on 3.75mm & 4mm needles

This pattern looks lovely , but like most English patterns is knitted in pieces so that meant 2 backs, 4 fronts, 4 sleeves, 4 edging bands….. yawn. Just as well they were so diddy

If I ever made it again I think I will alter the pattern so at least the body is made in one piece.

Finally with the little yarn I had remaining I made these

T-bag hats from the same book knitted on 3.75mm & 4mm needles

I can see me using this book again for anyone else having babies – it is full of basic, but good patterns for cardigans, vest tops, kimonos, and lots of hats

the book is written to showcase their stripy yarn range, but as you can see they look equally good in plain colours

Right I must away now to get on with test knits and designs that have taken a back seat while I have been knitting on these.

I can’t wait to see her face when she sees what I have for her