The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Knitting for baby is in the air
Every spring, a new mama bird takes over the previous year’s nest in the corner of my bedroom window, and makes it their own. Peering through the window, I can spy the addition of new grasses and twigs, as well as thumbs up from their human neighbors with the occasional oddment of plastic or twine.
Each year, noisy little sparrow parents and their noisier-yet babies commodore my window, making sleeping at 6 a.m. impossible.
This year, for the first time a robin has made its way to my window. I knew something was amiss from the lack of cheeping and the only noise was the occasional rustling of nesting materials being arranged against the window frame and air conditioner.
In the shop, another type of nest feathering is occurring — of aunts, grandmothers, and friends, all knitting for expectant moms. This season there seems to be quite a run on motherhood.
Many a blanket are being knitted and crocheted, as well as hats, booties and sweaters. It is agreed that most moms appreciate a cardigan sweater as opposed to pullovers, which babies resist having pulled over their oversized noggins.
Dreambaby, a very popular self striping baby yarn, has been in constant demand for both its softness and washability. Gone are the days of 100 percent wool, since moms simply do not have the time or inclination to handwash them, let alone having to deal with a possible wool allergy.
The thought of hours and hours of loving stitching coming to a shrunken end is simply more than any knitter can bear, so acrylic or washable wool it is.
This is where Dreambaby yarn has won over knitters. Many knitters are yarn snobs, so the thought of acrylic yarn is a sacrilege of sorts. Dreambaby is quite unobjectionable to the yarn snob to knit with, since many acrylics feel, well, a bit nasty. Add the lovely colors and patterning, and the knitter is totally won over. The featured sweater is knitted using Dreambaby yarn. Virginia (Ginger) Balch knits, weaves and spins in all things “fibery” at her shop In Sheep’s Clothing at 10 Water St. Torrington www.in-sheeps-clothing. com or phone 860-4823979.