Where it all began...

the first smitten blanket!

As I mentioned in my last post it all began when I was pregnant with my eldest daughter, Ruby. I wanted to knit 'Moomin' (as she/he was lovingly referred to for 9 months) a patchwork blanket that would be totally unique. So I picked up my knitting needles and started click-clacking away! As we were leaving the flavour of our baby a surprise I was careful to use colours that neither sex would find offensive! Wanting to steer clear of conventional baby colourways, I chose white, stone, duck egg and red yarns to knit the 24 patchwork squares.

To make the blanket more contemporary I decided to back the knitted patchwork in a printed woven fabric. I felt this would add to its individuality as well as enabling the knitted front to keep its shape through the endless washes it would inevitably go through. Having always been a fan of Cath Kidston, she was my first port of call. Despite cowboys not being the most unisex motif, the mini cowboy print has always been a favourite of mine so seemed the obvious choice, especially as it complimented the yarn colours so well. 

After many hours of knitting, pressing, sewing, backing tacking and more pressing, Moomin's gift from her mummy was ready, all we needed now was our little bundle to snuggle in it. So we waited, and waited, and waited...