Lulu Carter

Charlie's Bonnet Tutorial

I love a baby in a bonnet and was all set to knit another for this boy but he gets itchy. I have deep seated paranoia that he will have eczema like Olie but thats another story.

So with some leftover flannel from Henrys dressing robe, I fashioned a simple bonnet.

Start by measuring your baby/ child from the hairline ( or where you want the bonnet to finish) to the nape of the neck.

Then take a measurement from just below the jawline up around the face and down to just below the jawline on the other side.

Using some scrap fabric ( I had some slubby linen) you will make a toile.

You need a centre piece, wider at the front (I find the width from the outside edge of each eye is good) and then narrowing as it finishes at the nape of the neck.

You then need two side pieces. This is where the toile is vital because when you try it on the little person you will be able to pin and adjust as necessary.

Once the toile fits, take to it with a pair of scissors. Cut along the stitching lines that were the final fit.

Press your pieces flat and there you have your pattern pieces. You will add seam allowance when you cut out the real fabric.

I chose a contrasting flannel for the lining and also because I thought it would be sweet to make this reversable.

Cut out two centre panels ( one in main and one in lining) then four side pieces (two in main and two in lining).

Pin the seams together and sew together making sure to ease them around the curve. Clip.

Now turn the main fabric the right way around and leave the lining inside out.

Position the lining bonnet inside the main bonnet.

Now measure the bottom edge of the bonnet. Cut a piece of binding 4cm wide to the length of the edge.

Pin it into place with right sides together on the main fabric. Machine into position.

Now turn it under 1/4 of an inch and fold it over onto the lining side. Pin into place and whip stitch into position just like you would a quilt binding.

Now measure from corner to corner along the front of the bonnet. Add 20cm at each end for ties. Cut out your binding to this length. Find the centre and pin right sides together on the main side starting at the centre back. Work your way around the edge from the centre. This will give you even ties on each side.

Machine into place from corner to corner on the bonnet leaving the ties untouched. Turn and fold under as you did the lower binding.

When youve whip stitched around the face of the bonnet, press and turn under the ties and whip stitch into place.

Done! I honestly made a cup of tea and sat down to make this bonnet with tea not going stone cold. Its very quick once you've taken the measurements and have your pattern pieces.

And then you get to put it on the little recipient who might go " NOooooooooo not a bonnet!! Ohhhh"

Followed closely with " Im begging you mummy-I can't go out like this" !!

Now I er on the side of "it only fits for five seconds" caution and tend to make things too big. If you make your bonnet to fit it will look more 'super spunky baby' and less 'little house on the prairie'. Not that I'm knocking that show. Loved it. But ...well... you know.

 

 

Four

Four months. Four super fast months.

He has:

-found his hands =which was hysterical to watch as he twisted and turned and unfurled fingers with utter amazement on his face.It reminded me of those scenes in "Look Whos Taking" (thats aged me hasnt it!)

-learnt to reach out and hold things and successfully cram them into his mouth

-tried repeatedly to get both his fists into his mouth.So far this has not worked for him 

-discovered the world of raspberries

-been sleeping through the night since week 13 ( Woo!!!)

-given us a taste of how much this child will use his voice once he discovers the world of words

-learnt the fun of rolling side to side and flinging his legs up over his head

-roared with deep belly guffaws as we behave like complete launatics for his entertinment

-realised we have a cat

-admitted that she is appallingly uninterested in him

-continued to stop the tears and have a little chat and a kiss even when he is extremely upset

-reminded us constantly that we are all ridiculously lucky that he is here and sweet and healthy

-cottoned onto the fact that these felt numbers his mother positions above his head once a month are quite good to gnaw on

 

Hat #3

This was super fast. The close up of the soft grey and orange from Friday? Another ( please dont groan) hat for the smallest head around here. My goodness it is so disgustingly satisfying making tiny fast things. 

I am becoming aware that these are my procrastination projects given that the things I need to get completed are huge and time consuming but phwah. Its nice.

Forgive the fuzzy.He started bouncing like a monster.

Hat details over here

And I made some pants yesterday morning to match the hat which now has a chin strap.

Yay I hear you shout. Ok I'll stop now....

*We had an amazing time yesterday working on a family photo shoot. I'm so happy with my styling and Ashleigh took fabulous shots so when he's done editing I give you a peek.

 

Improvising

Sometimes you just have to admit that you left that WIP sitting in the UFP bag far too long.

So you spend an entire evening frogging some very nice yarn ( it did not want to frog) and swearing a little.

Then you improvise. And perhaps allow for growth just a wee bit much.

So you do the same thing to a bucket hat before you race off to the park one afternoon.

You're almost convinced he could fit a pet inside that hat aren't you?

I'm all about millage. Seriously. It was deliberate.

So last night I started another one because, well, when you're on a roll...

Except I'm knitting stripes and I can tell you now I am for too chicken to cut that yarn until Ive manage to get it on his head. This is going to take some yarn tangling skill isnt it.

Happy Weekend! ( Baby happiness=no hat!)

this moment

 This morning I heard familiar words. Words that have been read a thousand times to the reader in this photo. Its a beautiful thing.

Enjoy many more "moments" over at Soule Mama.

 

quilty love

I finished Charlies quilt the other night. Putting the top together was fast if you remove the enormous indecision (if I put this print here,will that over-ride this one and does that blue really work against this one and are there too many rabbits). Hmm. Stitching all those rows was not so fast. I am SO pleased with it though and glad I quilted more than I had originally thought I would.

I'm waiting for the big boys to ask where their baby quilts are. In my head??  They were seven before they got their first quilts. I always thought a baby quilt lifespan was too short to justify the fabric usage. Perhaps more a fear that I would use loved prints, the quilt would become too small in break neck speed, and then I would be unable to get much loved fabric anywhere at all. This time around I intend to make all the things I wished I had for the other two. Charlie is in danger of being swamped in handmade motherly love. Mel made the beautiful remark that this quilt is so very "me" that it will be as though he is all wrapped up in a mummy cuddle. Isnt that the most gorgeous thing to say? For me thats exactly what a quilt is for. Something to keep someone warm and safe and wrapped in love.

The big boys are now at the stage of more mature quilts for their beds. Especially Henry although he disagrees. Maybe I'm the one ready to make a more mature quilt?

I really find fabric turnaround waay more stressful than trying to keep up with fashion. Ive learned my lesson-if you see a top you love buy it. Fabrics I'm a little slower to remember not to wait. But it and but several yards because when its gone-poof. Gone. The back of this quilt is AMH garden party.You might remeber that I was hunting desperately for it last year to finish off our quilt? Well theres a discount fabric store that I didnt know existed! Isnt that always the way? Amy seems to know where to find pretty much any fabric i think. 

This quilt is also less gender specific. I couldnt help but think that it will never be used again once Charlie's done with it so I'll put it aside for his babies. Thats the Aquarian in me. Its diabolical this 'over thinking' business.

Next on my list is a hexagon garden quilt for my niece, then the Swoon quilt. Yes I will actually be following a pattern with that one. A miracle.

Are any of you swooning? Katy has a Swoon-along going if youre interested.

How are you enjoying my other blog? Anything youd like me to hunt for sepcifically of see less or more of?

If you need me I'm here.

I cant believe I just put this photo on here. It makes me realise how desperately I need to go to the hairdresser!

xxx

3 Months

Its like hes always been here. Chuckling in his sleep, frowning when he chats or coos in the most delightfully earnest way. The way he loves us all so blatantly and gets loved back tenfold. The little dents in those thighs and arms that you can hide your fingertips in and the way he has worked out that the kisses being bestowed on his feet or his tummy belong to the person who then plants one on his forehead. The helicopter arms when he's really excited and the legs racing on the spot as he tries to get up closer. How he has begun stopping mid feed for a grin and a chat before finishing. He is joy all over.

My greatest wish is that he finds a life path that allows him to remain as excited and as happy and as loved. 

 

And that he will grow up most forgiving of his mother for her gratuitous use of toadstools...

 

patchwork my way

Random squares in two different sizes. All colours in as usual. I must admit this was meant to be more of an 'aqua and red with splashes of orange' quilt. Somehow that green grabbed me and pulled me along. And the yellow. I should not sound suprised should I? Always happens.

Have a wonderful weekend.

xx

stickers and babies

Firstly the stickers.

Just after christmas we took a drive up to Brisbane and spent the day at the galleries. They are set along the river with the library in between and it is so beautifully laid out I instantly wanted to live there. Just so I could sit on the grass by the river and step inside a gallery. Priorities in tact I'd say.

We went up to look at the Matisse exhibition which was wonderful. The exhibition is of his drawings which was quite interesting to see with the boys. We were counting how many lines he could draw a face in at one point. When you come out, they have a drawing space set up with life models, violinists seranading everyone and people everywhere sketching. They also have drawing tablets which is a terrific idea for our digital age children. Everywhere you were you could draw a still life or a model and, for those who had not brought their own sketching equipment with them, they had clipboards, paper and pencils around the room. I have honestly never been to an exhibition so well thought out before. Even the cafe was set up for sketching, reading his books and sipping a coffee. Magnificent.

Afterwards we wondered into this room by Yayoi Kasuma. Every adult was instantly transformed back into a child as we grabbed sticker sheets and set about covering every surface we could find. Tall adults were happily popping stickers on te ceiling. We had to be checked at the exit though for stickers as you werent allowed to remove them from the space. Even if they were stuck to your bottom from the piano stool as Henry discovered.

The childrens book illustrators exhibition was on at the Library too so we had a full and inspiring day.

When we came back outside to the real world, we were greeted by this cloud mountain rising above the Art Gallery. We had never seen anything like it. It was thick and solid. Quite fantastic.

And now our baby who looks so much fuller than he did that week away. These photos were taken over the last few days. His last days as a nine week old I might add. Today he hit double digits. 

I honestly have not taken his ten week photo yet as when he's awake I spend that time pulling faces and singing and being a completely smitten mother. Its a miracle anything gets done around here with this little bug of ours.

And he would sleep anywhere. Yesterday he had an entire nap being held and passed around by my friends up at the park. Any cuddle is a good cuddle clearly. And he is getting squishy bits! He's over 5 kilos (about 11.7 pounds) now so it wont be long before he is literally twice the baby we brought home from hospital.

I'm knitting another Milo. The lovely grey one is a little bit like trying to put him in sausage casing now.

xxx

un be lievable

God I love him to pieces. To the moon and back Charlie

XX