Wednesday 20 May 2015

Knitting and reading

I have just finished the most wonderful book: Why Doulas Matter. Anyone who has anything to do with birth or new mothers should read this book! It's a beautiful testament to the work done by doulas, but it's a lot more than that. This book gives an accurate account of the perinatal period for mothers and fathers. It discusses their needs in emotional, biological, and social terms. The book is concerned with exploring why anyone would choose to involve a doula in their experience of becoming a parent. Two of the most interesting points made are the effects having a doula have on the probability of a caesarian and breastfeeding success. If employing a doula can help you to avoid a major operation, with all the risks and inconveniences involved, and enable you to feed your baby in the way that is healthiest for both of you, what on earth could you argue against! However, Maddie makes it clear that doulaing is not about supporting any particular choices other than the choices made by the parents themselves. This is important, because I think many people consider doulas to be the preserve of the natural, "hippy" set, pursuing natural birth, breastfeeding, and other practices of this type. In reality, doulaing is about supporting the parents in their own choices and their own reality, without any other agenda.This book is not only helpful for those considering using a doula themselves, but also for those who might come into contact with people beginning their parenting journey. It gives an understanding of what a new or expectant parent might need from any supporter, and why they might need it. The tone of this book is informal and very easy to read, The informative chapters are backed up with quotations from doulas and doula clients, and Maddie's gentle caring language shines through. After my last book, with its harsh realities and unapologetic judgementalism, this book was like a stroke on the back. If you're interested in learning more, Maddie has a lovely blog. Check it out!


I got myself a fish kettle from gumtree for my yarn dyeing, and my inaugural project was this rather lovely blue/green mix. It looks like light under the sea. I'm so pleased with it! Now I have a dedicated pot I can experiment a bit more with non-food safe dyes, which I'm quite excited about. I have lots of ideas!


I finished the newborn sized snapdragon soaker and also a middle sized one with a rolling cable down each hip, which looks rather cute. I'm thinking of opening an etsy shop for a few of my handmade items, including my hand dyed yarns and soakers. What do you think?


The little hoodie for Bob is coming along. It's not gray. I don't know why my pictures always come out grey, but I never knit in grey! However, it's about to be set aside for an exciting, top secret project. I can show the knitting, but I can't tell you what it's for, that's the secret! I'm feeling very privileged to be in the know, and very proud to be knitting it. My wonderful friend has done me a great service!


If you're interested in hat other people are reading and crafting, please pop over to Ginny's and Nicole's to check out the link-ups, and do please tell me what you're working on!


4 comments:

  1. That colour is -so- beautiful! Congrats! I would pick this up in an instant.

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    1. Thank you! I'm hoping to sell it, it's going to be hard to part with it!

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  2. The soakers look great and the yarn yummy!

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