Rainbows

At my childhood home I used to have a gigantic rainbow painted on my bedroom wall. I’m not sure how old I was, but I remember my mom painting it, so I must have been 3. I don’t think I have a picture of it anywhere, but I remember it being really impressive, and always making me happy. I’ve never met a rainbow that didn’t make me happy.

One of my dearest friends had a baby in January, and shortly thereafter lost her mom to cancer.

She confided in me that she was hopeful her mom would knit something special for her baby before she passed. She didn’t have the energy to.

This woman means more to me than words. I’ve lived a multitude of life with her, traveled to faraway lands with her, been chased by masturbating castle dwellers with her, climbed, fallen and showered with her. We are sisters, soul sisters I suppose.

I had a project in the works, it was my breakup project, my first intended creation after my shop closed. Vicky, Evangeline and Rachel showed me where it was going.

After a slow commencement last winter, and a summertime hiatus, I’m happy to say the honeycomb rainbow is in a box, en route to its intended destination.

Life begins, changes, ends, and sometimes throws you down a tunnel. We hold one another close and build one another up and sometimes rescue one another from the depths.

I’ve never met a rainbow that didn’t make me happy.

The pattern is simple. Redheart has it available for free. With only a few modifications you can make a rainbow. I cast on 142 sts. I knit 7 rows to start and end my border. I knit 5 stitches (garter stitch) of the khaki colored yarn before and after the honeycomb pattern to create the border along the sides of the throw. The honeycomb itself was simple, each color consisted of 6 rows and 2 rows of khaki between. k1, slip 2, *k6, slip 2; repeat from * across to last stitch and k1. Purling on the backside (same pattern). And the next color, to offset, would start with k5, slip 2, *k6, slip 2, repeat from * across to last 5sts, k5. Purling again on the backside (same pattern). I really loved watching it come into fruition, switching colors made it exciting!

I used this yarn, and love it. And, I really appreciate knowing how to care for my handmade goods, so I generally send a label with my gift. I forgot. I washed and dried the blanket before I blocked it (gentle wash, tumble dry low). I probably didn’t need to block it, but I took a quick trip around the edges. This yarn was very easy to work with. It is a Knit Picks Swish DK, superwash wool, so it should be easy for a busy Mama to care for. I used US #7 24″ circular needles, instead of the recommended #5 on the yarn or the #10 recommended on the pattern. The blanket ended up being approx 31″ x 25″, the perfect size for a wee one.

This post happens to merrily coincide with Rainbow Friday, which I feel fortunate to be a part of this year. My friend Dig this Chick so generously offered her blog as a landing place for 20 small businesses to giveaway some goodies, offer discounts and advertise their products. This is an amazing alternative to shopping on Black Friday. I’m happy to say that I spent today in my pajamas, sledding and watching movies with my family. Thanks Dig! Check her site to see some amazing products and feel good about who you are supporting this holiday season. Hey, maybe you’ll even win something awesome (like a Peppermint Oil). Mama Loves Oils (and my family) definitely appreciates the love that Rainbow Friday has strummed up.

Specials through the holiday season: If you place an order with me of $50 or more, you’ll be entered in a drawing for a free ultrasonic diffuser, and if you spend $150 or more you’ll also get a free reference guide! Happy Shopping!