A New Star in Our Constellation

Is it summer already? After an unusually mild winter, Brooklyn’s transition from spring into summer seemed rather unceremonious. But our extended family has much to celebrate. Meet the new star in our constellation of friends, Luna Benjoya—what a beautiful little girl she is. I finally delivered my Ea Z. Baby Quilt to proud parents, Dave and Deike.

Their cat, Ann Richards, took a liking right away, and so far Luna seems to like it too. Here she is stretching her legs after feeding and a long nap. Don’t you just wanna pinch those chubby legs?

I used a combination of luxury yarns to make this feather-light quilt: blue and gray in Lang “Zoom,” a merino cotton blend; green in Aslan Trend’s “King Baby Llama & Mulberry Silk.” It’s ultra-soft, perfect for a newborn’s delicate skin.

The modular design was inspired by single-celled organisms called “diatoms”—microscopic phytoplankton encased in walls of glass (silica). Each have qualities that are as distinct and beautiful as cut gem stones.

This modular quilt grows with the baby. Next year I’ll add another row.  I wouldn’t call this quilt reversible, but I did carefully weave in all ends to make the back more presentable.

Although we’re already into summer Weather or not, I think they’ll get some use out of it. Our evenings have been so oddly chilly after blistering days. Congratulations to Dave and Deike on their healthy, new beautiful daughter.

The Ea Z. Baby Quilt

“Dan, how long is the  baby?” “15  inches, why?”  Washed, blocked, and pressed — this baby quilt is done and done! I wanted to make make sure it was big enough before I caught the G train for a visit. Ea Zarathustra Davis is the man of the hour and what a handsome little fellow he is.

This is the “Ea Z. Baby Quilt,” a modular hexagonal knit that’s surprisingly simple to make, although it took me a few collective weeks to design and knit. It’s soft and durable, made from Lang Cashmere Tweed and Cascade 220 in shades of pumpkin and tangerine. It’s about 30" at it’s widest point, but since it’s modular it can be made larger.

Wardrobe is very important to a growing baby. As soon as he outgrows his AC/DC T-shirts, he’ll have a new Pantera onesie pressed and waiting for him. I'll also have some hats ready for him by then.

More late nights are ahead for Dan and Carrie, and there will be some adjustment for Casandra the cat. But this little trouble maker is worth all of that. Maybe Casandra needs her own quilt.

A Quilt for a New Womb-mate

I better get more coffee going, I have to get this thing out sooner than later! The baby arrived a week early and I’m a few weeks behind. Two days before Christmas, Dan and Caroline’s son, Ea was born, You might say they gained  a new womb-mate.

This baby quilt is a hexagonal modular knit made in varying shades of Lang Cashmere Tweed, a very soft, warm cashmere and fine merino blend. I made it a bit larger than infant size, Carrie can use it as a lap warmer as he outgrows it. This would also make a great pillow sham.

At 6 lbs. 12 oz and growing, he's a handsome little guy. Just look at that smile. I think orange will suit him fine. Christmas has passed, the New Year is here, and I'm still picking broken glass ornaments out of my foot. Hang in there kid, Uncle Tony is already half way there.

A Well Earned Cat Nap

Poor Sockey, he never stood a chance. His little red eye blinked neath the weight of this vicious sweater-clad killer. A long drawn out pursuit of stalking and hunting stuffed critters has left Phillip worn out. It’s time he took a well earned nap to recharge his batteries... until dinner of course.

Off the to cat quilt he went with a blue mouse in tow. I have to say this cat quilt was a brilliant idea. Phillip now prefers this to napping on my sweaters.

This tough guy is getting sleepy, his big cats eyes are getting heavier and heavier. Time to tuck him in.

Yawn.. stretch... he’s out. What do you suppose he dreams about anyway? Sweet dreams my Brooklyn beast, there will be more things to chase tomorrow.

The Quilted Cat

This will be Phillips the Cat’s second winter here. No longer a shy cat reclaimed from a Brooklyn street, he’s claimed our couch, two chairs, the bath tub, and the foot of our bed... and he’s also brazenly claimed my bulky raglan sweater. I think it’s time to make him a cat quilt to ease up on his apartment expeditions.

The yarn is a gift from my friends Dan and Caroline from their trip to Morocco. It’s has a very rustic character — twigs, straw, and all. I love the natural color of the wool with flecks of gray and brown. This yarn is quite durable, it’s spun for the rug making trade.

This fractal-based knit is inspired by Nora Gaughan’s book, “Knitting Nature.” Much like an actual quilt, it’s made with modular units that are picked up from adjacent edges. It’s an excellent use of left-over yarns of the same weight.

Ms. Gaughan might cast a raised eyebrow on this sort of feline finery, but I need my sweater back. Winter is fast on it’s way. So far Phillip seems to appreciate woolen fractals.