My momma poncho is done

I have always worn my children. It's something I believe in. I started with Charmie from the beginning and it's become somewhat an addiction for me. I love all of the different kind of cloth carriers out there for helping us to be able to bond and care for our little ones. After researching different slings and carriers for Charmie I came across outerwear for mommas and babies who are slung. I really wanted one then, but could not and would not afford the $100+ price tag. . . so alas I had no sling wear.
That is until now!
I had found a knitting pattern on Little Turtle Knits for The Babywearer. It spoke to me, but I couldn't get the motivation, etc. to make one. I decided I needed one though for Zuri and I to wear. She's a little to small to be in it now since she can't hold up her head so Mardie makes a great model. I still sometimes sling him anyway.

It's reversible so here he is on the back.

Here's the poncho flat

And Mardie on the front.
I can see that the opening gapes a little more than I'd like so I will devise some sort of closure probably with either a drawstring or knit on ribbing. I have to decide.
I started this 3 knit nights ago so it's been about 7 weeks in the making. I took plenty of breaks for nesting, having a baby, finishing up other projects, etc.
I'm very happy with how my color combinations in the yarn worked up. I wanted a variety of color, but nothing too bright, loud, etc. I used a single strand of chocolate brown wool held together with one of 4 different hand painted yarn and changed colors every two rows. I had a main handpaint that was used every 4 rows. So the color went like this: always one strand of MC, row 1-color a, row -2 color b, row -3 color a, row 4 color c, row 5 color a, row 6 color d, repeat. This gave me continuity of my main strand and main handpaint, but then tastes of the other variations.
This was a great experimentation for me in mixing various handpaints/varigated yarns. Without the main color they didn't match each other and didn't go together, with out repeating the main handpaint the color would have jumped around more than I would have liked. This effect produced a mottled look, there isn't really any pooling and there are subtle stripes. All things that I love.
I'm am looking forward to Zuri and I getting a ton of use from this garment, it was definately worth the knit.
My only regret is that I didnt' get it finished in time to wear as a maternity poncho.

I altered the baby neck opening. I added 4 rows of 2x2 ribbing in size 10 needles and then bound it off in the original size 13 needles for stretch. It's stretchy enough to fit over Mardie's head still, but acts like a moc turtleneck and tapers in nicely. I'm sure with Z it will still be large for a little while.

Yesterday's fruit

I've been laboring over organized storage for this armiore. Zuri will be room/bed sharing with us for the first 16 mos. of her life as her brothers did. Since her eventual bedroom will be what is now my sewing room and the sewing room will be relocated into a bonus room to be built she not only needs a place to sleep but also a place to house her things.
Thankfully we had this armiore, and it was mostly holding miscelaneous things that could be relocated elsewhere.
We have had the wicker/reed baskets for a few years but the lower shelves had no organization. Tiny baby things don't do well just floating on shelves. I have had several ideas running through my mind, but kept coming back to this type of bin for a quick affordable solution. I had purchased some others but they had a horrible chemical smell, and not only did I not want to breathe it, I didn't want my infant daughter's clothes and things smelling. So after a week of trying to offgass them back to the store they went.
On a quick run to BigLots I found these 6 bins for $2.50 each! I couldn't beat the price, the color goes with our room and they work perfectly for what I was trying to achieve for now!

I needed a new wrap/tie sling since I sold my Ellaroo. I purchased 5 yards organic bamboo knit fabric and have been wrestling with what to do to finish it. . . I ended up just choosing a simple rolled hem in a similar color wooly nylon and organic cotton thread. I am still deciding as to whether or not to add a pocket, toy loop, and where to add my label. I tapered the ends for less bulk and ease of tying.
This sling is so soft, comfy and yummy to wear.
I am horribly out of practice though and after 3 attempts to sling Mardie over my swollen belly and on my aching back I realized that I'm so glad that newborns don't move much and don't weigh much!
I'm sure Zuri and I will learn quickly what we need to learn to sling happily just as I did 4 years ago with Charmie!

Here's a swatch I worked up to determine gauge and also find out if I could take some yarn I love, (4 varigated colorways) have been saving for just the right project that is super bright and make it into something I would love to wear! ( I normally don't wear super bright)
I found some dark brown and knit with the two strands together. This makes almost a heathered tweedy look that is just fun enough for my tastes and a bulky knit that is growing on me. Luckily the pattern is written for multiple gauges and yarn weights.
I'll be starting this probably at knit night tonight! Here's the pattern (scroll down to The Babywearer), but I plan to make some changes to the bottom part to better suit my shape/size/height. I'm looking forward to wearing this in a few weeks!

Finally here's what a momma does when she has 2 boys and then a baby girl on the way with the boy's baby clothes. . .
My take on an ensemble for Zuri. The fox hat and booties were gifties from my sis for Mardie. I love them and am happy to use them again. The soaker just happened to go with the kimono, I really didn't plan it that way! And the legwarmers are just part of Zuri's stash. It's neat to have a variety to draw from for various looks.
On another note, my dumb dog ATE a matching fox long sleeve onesie that I had sunning to remove some spit stains when it blew off the deck, clothes pins and all! I barely found the remaining threads later, but the poor onesie is beyond repair. I'm just thankful for the dog's sake it wasn't one of my handknits that he ate or I don't really know what I would do to him!

You knew this was coming

My sis got around to snapping this self portrait with Jada in tow and I had to snag it for my blog. I hadn't seen them actually use it, thouh I heard many tales of the use in the airport and even attempted use by my bil. I must say I'm so glad that it's working well for them, and I absolutely love this front facing cary that Janet is using. I wouldn't have tried it. I guess I have my mind already set. . . but it's awesome! Way to go J and JC3!