Red Oak Shire: Baby Projects!

I can't believe its been 2 years since I posted anything here. Damn Facebook!

Much has happened in that time span, most exciting of all, is we are expecting our first child in December of this year! Now that I am at the 3 month mark, I've started out making some cold-weather projects for our little ball of Winter. Our house can get mighty cold in the winter, as we only heat with a woodstove in the kitchen and a small space heater in the living room.

We have also decided that we are going to wait until December to find out what the sex is, something I can't believe I am doing as I always thought I wanted to know if ever I conceived!That being said, as much as I *really* want to make everything in hues of pink (just one of my favorite colors, not a gender preference) I'm trying to go as neutral as possible, which is tricky. Somehow, I have landed on a Sheep obsession - I can't imagine why as a knitter. ;-)

My first project was an adorable hat I had saved in my Ravelry profile for about 2 years. Its amazing to have finally knit it for MY baby!

My second project was a baby blanket inspired again by my love of sweaters and cold weather and our beautiful rural surroundings. I have been collecting many different sweaters for several years now and felted them for various projects. While falling asleep one night, this particular idea and design came to me, and I had to work on it as soon as possible the next day. I'm super thrilled with how this came out!! The entire front is made up of felted sweater squares, and is lined in the back with a cozy green flannel. At the center of the quilt is an applique sheep made from an Irish swath. This is going to be the first of many as I plan on using up the rest of my sweaters to make more and put a few on my Etsy shop, though they will all be one of a kind.