Res Completae: Baby Gifties

So back in September, I actually forgot that I knit and sew. I had been invited to the dedication of a dear friend's baby around the same time that her other baby had turned 2 years old, and I completely agonized over what to get them for days. What would be special enough for the little one, what would be fun enough for the older one, etc. etc. I finally called my mom for her advice on what to do about gifts for these two little boys and she responded, ".......Couldn't you make them something?" I don't know if in the back of my mind I was thinking that I had already knit them things when they were born so I couldn't play that card anymore, or that they were boys and there was nothing to make them, or what. But.....yeah. Not sure why that was so hard to figure out.

For the little bebe, a blankie:



Pattern: Sumptuous Ripple Afghan, from Lion Brand Yarns
Yarn: James C. Brett Marble Chunky, about 3 skeins of color MC10
Needles: US 10
Start to Finish: September 20-26, 2009
Mods: I really just used the ripple stitch pattern from this pattern and didn't follow much else. I did 8 repeats of the pattern and worked until I had a 3ft square blankie.
Notes: I cannot say I adored working with this yarn, but as acrylics go, this one was pretty soft and squishy. I do love all the blues, though.

The 2-year old got a sewn stuffie:



Pattern: Peanut the Wee Elephant, from Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts
Fabric: Some leftovers of a fat quarter for the body and some of an old shirt of Neill's for the insides of the ears.
Start to Finish: September 23, 2009
Notes: This was a great, quick project! But I have a question for the sewing experts out there: how is one to press the seams of something when the space for said pressing is much smaller than the width of ones iron? For example, the seam that runs along Wee Peanut's head and nose? Or the space between his little feet?

In the end, I believe the little ones liked their gifts. The baby actually wasn't present for the opening of his blankie, but his mama assured me he'd love it. And the 2-year old (who was thrilled to be getting a present in general) opened Peanut then promptly threw him across the room. I think that's a good sign.