In the WORLD of crochet

Oh Baby, Oh Baby: Labors of Love Continue!

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The sequel to my In the World of Crochet article, “Wedding Canopies: Labors of Love,” in the OCTOBER 2019 issue of Crochet World can now be told!

My son and daughter-in-law visited us in December 2019, and brought the best gift ever: a framed photo of their baby’s sonogram!! Our first grandchild was due in JUNE!

After shrieks of joy, tears of joy, jumping for joy, and hugs and kisses all around, I began to think about all the items I could make. Christina and I discussed a crib blanket and after they went home, the swatching began!

My sewing patterns and crochet magazines were spread out the next day in my workroom. My fabric and yarn stash was carefully evaluated for its baby worthiness. With my crochet hooks and sewing machines ready for some serious work, it was quickly apparent that I didn’t have the fabric and yarn I needed for the many projects I wanted to make.

Buying supplies locally isn’t always easy or convenient. I live in the Grand Strand of coastal South Carolina, where big box craft stores and one LYS are 45–90 minutes away. The process is challenging but my determination won out. With the help of an Ebay seller (for the pattern), a very kind employee in the Charleston, S.C., Joann store (for fabric), and a close friend who shipped said fabric to me, I sewed this bathrobe in a 12-month size (see Photo 1).

Yarn is a little easier to buy at the closer stores, but the distance isn’t conducive to spur-of-the-moment or “I need only one more ball” purchases. So what’s a Grandma-to-be to do? What does anyone do who lives in an area lacking in easily found supplies?