Knitted Baby Afghan & Puppet

Spring brings so much new life to my world, and for 2011 that includes a new grandbaby, "Elias Jose" (named for his Nicaraguan grandfathers)--due later this month. I just finished knitting him a crib afghan, using my Jacob (gray) and Tunis (white) millspun yarn. For additional colors, I dyed some of the white yarn with indigo for blue and marigold flowers for the earthy yellow.

Friend of mine said, "Babies like blankets with texture and little holes to put their fingers into". This afghan does both, so I hope Elias will like it. I used #9 circular needles, 126 stitches, and a 4 row pattern repeat called Old Shale Stitch, also known as Old Shell, or Feather and Fan which I found in the winter 1993 issue of Spin-Off magazine. If you would like the pattern specifics, email me.

Also knit a kitty puppet for Elias' six year old sister, Cuba Linda, who loves to play with our cat, Boots. Used the gray and white yarn to make a Boots puppet for her. Meow,  Linda Dee