What I've Been Up to Lately: Future Auntie Edition

In which my sister's pregnancy inspires me to make a million adorable baby things.

My sister knows exactly what she likes and I envy that about her, since my indecisiveness can be very time consuming.  When she told me she was pregnant, I compiled a list of things I wanted to make for my future niece from which she could theoretically choose, saving me the stress of putting a lot of work into something she might not like. Much to my surprise, when I showed her the list she just said "yes please" instead of choosing, so I've been crocheting my little fingers off ever since.

Mermaid Cocoon pattern by Shannon Kilmartin/The Hookeraholic Crochet

The first thing I made was this mermaid suit.  It seems kind of big for a newborn, but it's meant to be a photo prop, so I guess it can just be cinched and squished long enough to take pictures.  Or maybe my niece will be a big giant baby.

A better look at Mermaid Cocoon tail

Hoot the Owl Pattern by Being Spiffy

I made this sleepy owl hat for the baby's part in a hypothetical future Harry Potter themed group Halloween costume.

Chevron Baby Blanket pattern by Bellus Threads

Watching the Pinterest board for the nursery evolve has emphasized the difference between my tastes and my sister's.  Everything I decorate is full of bright bold colors, monsters, glitter, and vintage miscellany while she chooses more conservatively, with a lot of neutrals, rustic details, and class.  My usual rainbow explosion just wouldn't do for my niece's understated, grey, pink, and white room with subtle gold details, so I fought all my instincts and made her this blanket.

So, back to Harry Potter.  Even though the nursery will be carefully decorated with a tasteful but girly sophistication, there will definitely be little hints of fandom thrown in, like this mobile inspired by a similar one we found on Pinterest.

The keys are from amazon and I found the metal hoop in the leather working section of Michaels.  I had to spray paint it, though, because it was silver.

I used this template for the wings, printed on translucent paper I found in the scrapbooking section of Michaels. They're attached to the keys with hot glue.