This I WILL blame on the hormones
On Friday I had more than enough to keep me busy. I’ve got two freelance jobs on the schedule right now, and I really needed to work on one of them all day Friday in order to stay on track with the deadlines. I also had about fifty loads of laundry to do (thanks to Sadie, but I won’t get into THAT sordid tale right now). And a house that really really wanted cleaning. And if I were, horror of horrors, to choose to shirk these responsibilities…well…there’s plenty of holiday knitting that still needs to be done.
But…see…then my brain went something like this: “The baby will be here in June. June! And I haven’t even started knitting for the kid. June! It gets cold at night in June! The baby’s going to be cold. COLD BABY! And I haven’t started knitting and the kid’s going to arrive and I’ll have to bring it home from the hospital in a paper bag because I HAVEN’T EVEN STARTED KNITTING for the baby yet. I’m going to be a terrible mother. I can’t believe the kid is going to be here in six months and it still doesn’t have a sweater to wear and…”
Yes. I know. Not only is there plenty of time, and not only will friends and family be gifting me with infant-wear that is not made from paper bags, but…um… yeah. I know. Hormones.
What was there to do but start to knit for the child, yes? When we first found out I was pregnant, I bought four skeins of Mission Falls 1824 cotton in a fabulous dark grey color. I’m not a huge cotton fan, but I am a huge Mission Falls fan and, well…June baby = cotton for first sweater, yes? So I had to use this yarn for the first sweater. Because that was how I initially imagined it. The first sweater would be a wrap cardigan from this gray cotton, and if there was enough yarn leftover there would be a teensy little matching cap. It had to be this yarn. It had to be a wrap cardigan.
Could I find a pattern in my pattern stash or online that matched the perfect sweater in my head? Of course not. So what did I do, in spite of the piles of work and housework I really needed to be doing? I sat down and wrote a pattern for the baby sweater in my head.
Yes, if it works out, I’ll share but that’s not the point, is it? The point–good sweater being the result or not–is that I think I might be losing it.
Anyway. Here’s half of the back of the Very Urgent Sweater. 
I came to my senses Friday evening and switched back to holiday knitting. (And cleaning.) I didn’t switch back to working until today, though, which is why I’ve been chained to this desk all damn day. Harrumph.
I went ahead and ordered the yarn for the sea lion sweater. I changed the colors, though. The blue will be orange, the light green will be yellow, and the dark green (trim) will be red. You know…just so people know the kid is mine.
I’ve been pulling crap like that all weekend, and I am decidedly NOT pregnant. The only thing I can blame it on is pure and simple procrastination. If I were you, I would take full advantage of the opportunity to do whatever you want and blame it on hormones for the next year, at least. There are significant hormone shifts well into the post-partum period 🙂
Posted by: Mandy
Oh dear, did Sadie indulge in fecal painting?
I blame the upcoming holidays for my weird disorganisation. I have a laundry backlog that’s just embarrassing. We’re washing and wearing out of the same basket, that’s how bad it is.
That sea lion sweater is going to look very cool.
Posted by: spaazlicious
Ditto, ditto, ditto what Mandy said. Use it or lose it, baby — the excuses are a limited time offer, and you better use ’em or…..in addition to having a cold baby coming home in a paper bag, you will lose the opportunity to use the excuses. Well, except when you’re a nursing mom. And you have a toddler. Those are good excuse times, too. Right now for me? Perimenopause. So ….. well, forget what I said and GET TO WORK!
Posted by: Norma
Of Course the sweater was urgent! It’s for YOUR baby. No other reason needed. Seriously. Me, I didn’t learn how to knit until after my son was born, so I wasn’t struck with that particular urge but I absolutely agree the hormones can and should be blamed for anything and everything. Go with it. And after that one’s warn out, ‘Mommy Brain’ gives you another couple of years. Trust me.
Posted by: Rachel H
fantastic switch of colors for the sweater and can’t wait to see your baby sweater creation! i’m scared to think of the stress-crazed woman i could become while pregnant!
Posted by: kaarin
Clearly you have the seat beside me on the slave ship as we, chained together, pull back and forth on that oar. It sure was alot harder without you on Friday and Saturday, though.
😉
Posted by: claudia
you mean your child will not have a mane of bright red curly hair when it is born?
I was thinking we’d be able to see it on the next sonogram photo 😉
Posted by: Steph
Grey baby clothes–I love it. Makes me think that stripey number in your last post would be pretty sweet in black and white…
I think if the hormones are telling you to consume lots of folate, then they must be smart hormones, so you might as well listen to them.
I can’t wait to see that sea lion!
Posted by: keli
Aw! I can’t wait to see that sweater. I’m actually working on a tiny sweater for a tiny person out of Mission Falls cotton that I got at Thrift Town! $2.99 for six skeins – not bad.
I can wait to see the little guy/gal and all it’s Very Urgent outfits.
Posted by: Phia
Dude. Time to eat some Very Urgent Chocolate.
🙂
(red trim so they’ll know it’s yours…hehehe…)
Posted by: Lee Ann
Oh, you’re good. I haven’t even imagined a single item that I would handknit for my June baby. I think it’s part of the “don’t tell anyone too soon” fear. Now that everyone and their grandmother knows, I should start knitting, huh? Uh oh. There are only six months!!!
Posted by: Karma
I’ve been pulling crap like that all weekend, and I am decidedly NOT pregnant. The only thing I can blame it on is pure and simple procrastination. If I were you, I would take full advantage of the opportunity to do whatever you want and blame it on hormones for the next year, at least. There are significant hormone shifts well into the post-partum period 🙂
Posted by: Mandy
Oh dear, did Sadie indulge in fecal painting?
I blame the upcoming holidays for my weird disorganisation. I have a laundry backlog that’s just embarrassing. We’re washing and wearing out of the same basket, that’s how bad it is.
That sea lion sweater is going to look very cool.
Posted by: spaazlicious
Ditto, ditto, ditto what Mandy said. Use it or lose it, baby — the excuses are a limited time offer, and you better use ’em or…..in addition to having a cold baby coming home in a paper bag, you will lose the opportunity to use the excuses. Well, except when you’re a nursing mom. And you have a toddler. Those are good excuse times, too. Right now for me? Perimenopause. So ….. well, forget what I said and GET TO WORK!
Posted by: Norma
Of Course the sweater was urgent! It’s for YOUR baby. No other reason needed. Seriously. Me, I didn’t learn how to knit until after my son was born, so I wasn’t struck with that particular urge but I absolutely agree the hormones can and should be blamed for anything and everything. Go with it. And after that one’s warn out, ‘Mommy Brain’ gives you another couple of years. Trust me.
Posted by: Rachel H
fantastic switch of colors for the sweater and can’t wait to see your baby sweater creation! i’m scared to think of the stress-crazed woman i could become while pregnant!
Posted by: kaarin
Clearly you have the seat beside me on the slave ship as we, chained together, pull back and forth on that oar. It sure was alot harder without you on Friday and Saturday, though.
😉
Posted by: claudia
you mean your child will not have a mane of bright red curly hair when it is born?
I was thinking we’d be able to see it on the next sonogram photo 😉
Posted by: Steph
Grey baby clothes–I love it. Makes me think that stripey number in your last post would be pretty sweet in black and white…
I think if the hormones are telling you to consume lots of folate, then they must be smart hormones, so you might as well listen to them.
I can’t wait to see that sea lion!
Posted by: keli
Aw! I can’t wait to see that sweater. I’m actually working on a tiny sweater for a tiny person out of Mission Falls cotton that I got at Thrift Town! $2.99 for six skeins – not bad.
I can wait to see the little guy/gal and all it’s Very Urgent outfits.
Posted by: Phia
Dude. Time to eat some Very Urgent Chocolate.
🙂
(red trim so they’ll know it’s yours…hehehe…)
Posted by: Lee Ann
Oh, you’re good. I haven’t even imagined a single item that I would handknit for my June baby. I think it’s part of the “don’t tell anyone too soon” fear. Now that everyone and their grandmother knows, I should start knitting, huh? Uh oh. There are only six months!!!
Posted by: Karma
Please do keep us informed of other feats of logic that you achieve- it’s very entertaining and reassuring!
and Phew- my moment of surprise that you’re knitting “it” something in grey (I’ve got you mentally pegged in the same colour queen category as Valentina) subsided when you described the colours for the sea-lion sweater. sounds wonderfully vibrant!
Posted by: di
I know: get some of that newfangled paper yarn and knit a bag to put the baby in!
Posted by: alison
“Here is a practical suggestion: make baby things in darker and less delicate colors, so that they visit the washtub less often. A soft heather-grey outfit is well-suited to a baby’s complexion…” –Elizabeth Zimmerman, Knitter’s Almanac.
Maybe you’re just channeling EZ. SHE pulled off being a Great Knitter AND Mom. Why not? You’ve got the first part down and are headed in the direction of the second.
Congratulations, by the way.
Posted by: Siri
Hoo, boy. I cannot wait to see you at 7 or 8 months.
Posted by: Iris
Its a good thing you came to your senses, because I was almost yelling at the computer screen that you had to be nuts, thinking that the baby was going to be cold. With all your knitting friends? ummm…. I don’t think so.
Posted by: Cassie
I’m due a few weeks after you and I’ve been similarly stressing about what to knit for the baby–I’m thinking cotton sweater or blanket but I just haven’t found the right thing yet. and cotton? I don’t have hardly any cotton in the stash… yikes I should really get cracking…
Posted by: Megan
Nice choice — my baby girl wore a handknit gray wrap cardigan home from the hospital! And you should definitely do as much of your knitting now as you can! I expected loss of sleep, but somehow, I thought maybe I’d actually be able to get more knitting done than usual since I wouldn’t be working for her first 4 months. She’s 15 weeks now, and I have finished exactly one pair of booties since her birth. (OK, I’m almost done with a sweater and an adult-sized scarf.) And don’t forget to knit _yourself_ something before your kid arrives.
Posted by: Maria
Nice logical progression there. And I know this will have no effect whatsoever on your sense of urgency, but don’t forget that there are a bunch of us already casting on stuff for the baby, too. 🙂 Love the color changes you made for the sea lion sweater!
Posted by: Sneaksleep
I love the Sea Lion sweater! You know, you ought to check out Debbie Bliss’ Baby Knits Book. Someone gave it to me as a gift and I thought the patterns were sort of plain but I have to admit, add baby and they are adorable. I just finished some baby sweaters from the book: http://exercisebeforeknitting.blogspot.com
Cheers,
Elinor
Posted by: Elinor
Aw honey. Listen, don’t shun me for saying this, but you might consider making friends with (whisper) Lion Brand Wool-ease. It’s soft, it’s durable, and it’s (all together now) machine washable! Babies are so lovely, but they’re a world of barf, too.
Posted by: Bettina
i am so behind! CONGRATULATIONS! you are going to be a fantastic mother, i just know this.
sending big hugs, smiles, and jumps for joy.
Posted by: mrspilkington
Oh, Cari, I am woefully late to this party but I gotta say I am so happy for y’all! Congratulations! Gonna be some fun baby knitting happening all over blogland ~
Posted by: Maggi
Hey, sorry to have a 1-track mind, but…
Surely Oscar is doing cute things! Kitty pictures? Pretty please?
Posted by: Anne
Omg, I love the sea lion sweater!
I’ve squealed at that pattern before, when helping a friend choose a pattern for a baby gift.
I imagine you’ve seen the Debbie Bliss pattern for the little kimono-looking sweater?
I always wanted to make that one for some little somebody.
Baby Ull rocks my world. I make grown-up socks from it all the time. The colors are yummy.
Posted by: pippy
I just want to give you the biggest hug right now. And then agree with what Iris wrote.
Posted by: Em
You know how you make a hormone?
Don’t pay her.
I feel for you. One night, late in my pregnancy, I was sleepwalking and woke my husband up urgently telling him that we needed to get the spare dog out of the linen closet. Nevermind the fact that we only have one dog; in my mind, we had two and we kept one in the linen closet and switched them out every couple of days, only we had forgotten to switch them.
I have a pattern for a very cute kimono-style baby sweater if you want it.
Posted by: Liz
Please do keep us informed of other feats of logic that you achieve- it’s very entertaining and reassuring!
and Phew- my moment of surprise that you’re knitting “it” something in grey (I’ve got you mentally pegged in the same colour queen category as Valentina) subsided when you described the colours for the sea-lion sweater. sounds wonderfully vibrant!
Posted by: di
I know: get some of that newfangled paper yarn and knit a bag to put the baby in!
Posted by: alison
“Here is a practical suggestion: make baby things in darker and less delicate colors, so that they visit the washtub less often. A soft heather-grey outfit is well-suited to a baby’s complexion…” –Elizabeth Zimmerman, Knitter’s Almanac.
Maybe you’re just channeling EZ. SHE pulled off being a Great Knitter AND Mom. Why not? You’ve got the first part down and are headed in the direction of the second.
Congratulations, by the way.
Posted by: Siri
Hoo, boy. I cannot wait to see you at 7 or 8 months.
Posted by: Iris
Its a good thing you came to your senses, because I was almost yelling at the computer screen that you had to be nuts, thinking that the baby was going to be cold. With all your knitting friends? ummm…. I don’t think so.
Posted by: Cassie
I’m due a few weeks after you and I’ve been similarly stressing about what to knit for the baby–I’m thinking cotton sweater or blanket but I just haven’t found the right thing yet. and cotton? I don’t have hardly any cotton in the stash… yikes I should really get cracking…
Posted by: Megan
Nice choice — my baby girl wore a handknit gray wrap cardigan home from the hospital! And you should definitely do as much of your knitting now as you can! I expected loss of sleep, but somehow, I thought maybe I’d actually be able to get more knitting done than usual since I wouldn’t be working for her first 4 months. She’s 15 weeks now, and I have finished exactly one pair of booties since her birth. (OK, I’m almost done with a sweater and an adult-sized scarf.) And don’t forget to knit _yourself_ something before your kid arrives.
Posted by: Maria
Nice logical progression there. And I know this will have no effect whatsoever on your sense of urgency, but don’t forget that there are a bunch of us already casting on stuff for the baby, too. 🙂 Love the color changes you made for the sea lion sweater!
Posted by: Sneaksleep
I love the Sea Lion sweater! You know, you ought to check out Debbie Bliss’ Baby Knits Book. Someone gave it to me as a gift and I thought the patterns were sort of plain but I have to admit, add baby and they are adorable. I just finished some baby sweaters from the book: http://exercisebeforeknitting.blogspot.com
Cheers,
Elinor
Posted by: Elinor
Aw honey. Listen, don’t shun me for saying this, but you might consider making friends with (whisper) Lion Brand Wool-ease. It’s soft, it’s durable, and it’s (all together now) machine washable! Babies are so lovely, but they’re a world of barf, too.
Posted by: Bettina
i am so behind! CONGRATULATIONS! you are going to be a fantastic mother, i just know this.
sending big hugs, smiles, and jumps for joy.
Posted by: mrspilkington
Oh, Cari, I am woefully late to this party but I gotta say I am so happy for y’all! Congratulations! Gonna be some fun baby knitting happening all over blogland ~
Posted by: Maggi
Hey, sorry to have a 1-track mind, but…
Surely Oscar is doing cute things! Kitty pictures? Pretty please?
Posted by: Anne
Omg, I love the sea lion sweater!
I’ve squealed at that pattern before, when helping a friend choose a pattern for a baby gift.
I imagine you’ve seen the Debbie Bliss pattern for the little kimono-looking sweater?
I always wanted to make that one for some little somebody.
Baby Ull rocks my world. I make grown-up socks from it all the time. The colors are yummy.
Posted by: pippy
I just want to give you the biggest hug right now. And then agree with what Iris wrote.
Posted by: Em
You know how you make a hormone?
Don’t pay her.
I feel for you. One night, late in my pregnancy, I was sleepwalking and woke my husband up urgently telling him that we needed to get the spare dog out of the linen closet. Nevermind the fact that we only have one dog; in my mind, we had two and we kept one in the linen closet and switched them out every couple of days, only we had forgotten to switch them.
I have a pattern for a very cute kimono-style baby sweater if you want it.
Posted by: Liz