Tag Archives: Magnus

An uncanny likeness

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Magnus & Grampa

An uncanny likeness

This weekend I got to spend lots and lots of time with my nephew Magnus, who is growing like a weed! He’s 6 months old now and really got some personality.

The Stratford Garden Festival was fun but it was WAY too busy. It was wall-to-wall people and that is just not enjoyable. It was held at the Stratford Rotary Complex which is a nice new facility but they really could have used more space. I did however manage to pick up some more seeds. I officially have to cut myself off. Even with the raised beds, I’ve got way more seeds than I have room to sprout, let alone grow. Coming soon: a seed inventory… and hopefully a plan.

For more photos of Magnus, visit my Flickr page.

The Force is strong with this one

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Magnus in the Baby Yoda Sweater

Magnus in the Baby Yoda Sweater

It’s time for a FO! Actually I finished this project quite quickly, back in October, but I didn’t want to post it because it was a Christmas prezzie for my not-so-wee nephew, Magnus (almost four months old). I searched around for a pattern for a baby sweater that would have some room to grow with him, since it’s kind of one of my golden rules to avoid knitting anything too rigid in the way of clothes for kids, because it just doesn’t last. The Baby Yoda Sweater by Cari Luna seemed like the perfect match. Not only is it designed to “grow” with the child, it looks just like Yoda’s robe. How cool is that?

What he really thinks of his new sweater

What he really thinks of it

Now I give kudos to all knitwear designers, because I have trouble writing out instructions for even the simplest of designs, even if I get it straight in my head what I’m doing. It has to do with the whole translation of what I see in 3D in my mind’s eye to written instructions on paper – I get myself all turned around, every time. But I think this design could use some improvements. Firstly, the back and the two front panels are all worked separately and need to be sewn together. And then the sleeves are worked flat and seamed. Overall, I think all the sewing really causes the garment to lose some real estate, and in the end, this sweater, which is supposed to fit up to 6 months, is already too small. Especially in the very narrow sleeves, which I widened at the wrist (but forgot to write down how much).

Baby Yoda Sweater

Baby Yoda Sweater FO

Baby Yoda Sweater details

The Baby Yoda Sweater FO

Anyhoo, it was still a hit and even if it is too tight on Magnus, it will work for another bambino down the road. I do have to say that this was the first time I used the superwash Dream in Color “Classy” which is a delight to knit with, and I just adore this colourway, called “Cocoa Kiss”.

We’re off to Portland and Seattle for the week, so blog posts will be minimal, but I’m sure I’ll have lots of yummy photos when I get back!

Made with love

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Magnus’s stocking is all done and I’m making a trip to the farm this weekend to make the special delivery. I really wanted to add a personalized tag to the stocking, so that later when my wee nephew is older, he’ll know who made it for him.

Personalized label

Personalized label

I did a little searching online thinking I’d order something and stumbled across Grumperina’s instructions for making labels out of t-shirt transfer sheets you can print with your bubble jet printer. I’ve used these before but it didn’t cross my mind at all to use them this way. She uses satin ribbon for hers, which I like, but all I had handy was some light cotton, so in a pinch I made that work.

Stocking for Magnus

FO: Stocking for Magnus

The stocking is a bit wider than I’d like but in all I’m very happy with the modifications I made to make his name work.

Stocking for Dan

Stocking for Dan

On the other hand, since Christmas is still a few weeks away, I got started right away on the stocking for my brother (aka “Dad” – to Magnus that is), but of course there is a lot more distance between the stitches for the name to be carried across both sides. I tried this, but had some terrible pulling happening and the blue yarn was showing through the front – a shadow of sorts was appearing on the right side. So I ripped it all back and tried a new idea, keeping several yards of yarn going for the blue stitches on either side with a tapestry needle on the end so I could weave it back to the beginning for each row. This was better, but you can still see some squeezing of the stitches happening. But I can live with that. I’m hoping I can finish this one up this weekend while I’m still at the farm, so I can give it to them before I come back to the city.

It’s raining babies

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We had very a family-filled weekend with house guests and two baby events on Sunday. Chris’s niece, Sydney, was baptized and on Sunday afternoon my brother and sister-in-law arrived in town for a few hours to catch a show, and I got to spend some quality time with my seven (wee!) week old nephew, Magnus. He was a pretty happy little guy and it was such a privilege to get to babysit! We live about two hours apart so I don’t get to see him as often as the rest of my family.

Sydney's christening

Sydney, in her gown

Dude!

Who are you looking at?

You aren't my mama!

You ain't my mama!

Magnus & Auntie Sarah

Magnus and auntie

More pics…here.

I have a nephew!

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Word came last night at about 11:30 that my new (and first!) nephew has arrived! Magnus Daniel Mulholland was born at 10:18 pm on September 3, 2008, weighing 8 lbs 4 oz. This has been a difficult pregnancy for my sister-in-law due to blood pressure problems so the delivery was induced after some stress tests this week. Magnus, which is a very old name meaning “great” in Latin, had some breathing problems so he’s been in the ICU. I hear he’s breathing on his own this morning, and doing very well, as is the whole, tired family. I hope to go visit him this weekend! Pictures to come!