Post-Olympic Stress Disorder

During the Olympics, I had a one track mind. As I'm certain was the case with most of my Olympian counterparts. I was completely devoted to AC2, and only AC2. I wouldn't even allow myself to think about, let alone plan my next project. Once the Olympics began to wind down, I realized I needed to get my butt in gear for my second time-sensitive project in a row: baby shower gift for B's sister, S.

Although the baby is due around the second week in July, the baby shower is in, oh- 4 weeks. Oy! I was holding out on planning what to make her until they learned the baby's gender. We recently found out that B will soon be the uncle of a niece, named Sarah (Sara?). I'm pretty excited. Babies are always exciting, of course, but also- I haven't had the opportunity to knit a baby gift for a girl yet, so this will be really fun! I kind of wish I had more time, but if my Olympic experience has taught me anything, it is that I can focus (get crazy obsessed) and follow through on a single project in a relatively short amount of time. Still, I can't say I'm not a little worried. Put a time constraint on me, be it in the SATs or in knitting land, and I immediately tense up.

Anyway, after much contemplation, I decided to make her a sweater and bootie set. Why would someone fearful of time deadlines decide to knit not 1 but 2 pieces (3, really), you ask? Just to challenge (stress) myself, I guess. For Sara(h), I am making the Garter Stitch Wrap Top and Garter Stitch Silk Slippers from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies by Erika Knight. Despite the stress factor, I'm enjoying working on this project. Both patterns seem pretty simple (famous last words?) and look like they will go together really well. And to add to the happy factor, I found a lusciously soft yarn to use, which I am loving- GGH Tajmahal (70% merino, 22% silk, 8% cashmere) in petal pink. I will use matching organza ribbon on both the sweater and the slippers, to tie them together (no pun intended). I think this set is going to be really sweet...at least I hope so!

In the big scheme of things, I guess it's good that S's shower in this month, because next on the agenda will be a baby gift for...my sister, LA! LA and Rex are also expecting their first baby (lovingly referred to as Peanut for the time being), also in July. Goes without saying that I am nothing short of overjoyed about this! We will learn the baby's gender next week, so I guess that means I have another week before I start planning what exactly to make for Peanut. This will most likely spawn a brainstorming session, so start gathering up your ideas, if you have any- I'll be hitting you up soon enough! :)