baby leaving the nest & road trip knitting!

I will be leaving soon to take my youngest daughter to Florida for the next chapter in her life. She & I will drive to Va. to visit her sister, my oldest daughter for 2 nights and then on down to Florida, N. Miami to be exact! My husband and daughter's bf will drive seperate on a further west route to avoid the mountains as they pulling the bf's boat. Then we will help them to get settled and relax a bit, taking a few days to check out Key West! YES! I have always wanted to go there. We spent many vacations in FL visiting the in-laws when the girls were young but never ventured very far so this is my treat!!

I am packing and finding knitting to take along. I started working on this top down sweater, it's the same pattern as the one shown in July 9th post. I changed that worsted weight pattern to baby yarn and made a few other changes. I may need a few boy sweaters as we have friends that are expecting grandbabies for the first time!! I think I can knit that in the car or at the pool for sure!

I did make a proto-type baby bootee but I am struggling to put it together, it's just not what I thought, so it's on the back-burner for now. BUT that whole process gave me some other ideas for knit baby bootees, hopefully I can develop those when I get back!

Be back soon with finished knits and pictures!

Swing Sweater & Bonnet

The yarn I used was Bernat Softee Baby yarn in color " baby baby" on size 4 needles.


Changes to Baby Sweater in ASN book #1210
Learn to Knit in Just One Day

PLEASE NOTE ABOUT INCREASES that create the "flare" on both sleeves and the body of the sweater, work them as M1 ; "Make one increase" as shown on this link:
http://www.knitpicks.com/content/index.php/archive/make-1-increase/
If you work them as K1 Front & back it will leave a hole.


When you reach Row 37 of sweater (dividing row) put left front stitches on a stitch holder; for left sleeve: K37, turn cast on 3 sts and purl across sleeve, turn, cast on 3 sts , Knit across. Work 5 rows of stockinette stitch beginning with a Purl row and ending with a Purl row.
Then work 3 sets of rows 1-6 of sleeve , ending with 35 sts
K 1 row
Purl 1 row
next row K5, Inc in next st, repeat 5 times, ending K5.
P 1 row
K 1 row
P 1 row
Now work edging as written.

Reattach yarn to right side of back, K74 sts of back, K37 for right sleeve. Cast on sts, turn, purl across 40sts, cast on 3 sts, turn, knit across sleeve stitches only leaving back sts on needle as you work. Work 5 rows of stockinette stitch. Work rows 5 & 6 of pattern, Then knit 3 sets of rows 1-6.

Reattach yarn on right side of Right Front, knit across 38 sts of right front. Using a spare needle, slide left front stitches onto spare needle, then slide onto other end of circular needle( the end that will be in your left hand). Purl across all sts & begin body with Row 3.

When you have knit 3" of body, end on a purl row. The next row will be an increase row to create the flare in the bottom of the sweater.
K 16, inc in next stitch, repeat 7 times, knit to end of row.
158 sts on needle.
Purl 1 row
Work rows 27-35 of sweater on page 24; 224 sts on needle.
Purl 1 row
K 1 row
P 1 row
K 1 row
P 1 row
Work lower edging as written and bind off
finish sweater as written.


Here it is on my "model", looks cute the way it gathers across the back.


Back to bootie designing.............

Top Down in baby weight & another FO

I completed the adjustments to this pattern from worsted weight to baby/sport yarn.

here are the details:

My version worked in 3ply baby/sport yarn , With added collar

Finished measurements:
Chest: 19"
Length: 9"
Sleeve seam: 5 ¼"
Materials: I used Bernat Softee Baby 4.25oz – 333 yard ball
(This is more than adequate, you will have yarn leftover)
Gauge: 5.5 sts = 1", 7 rows = 1"
Needle: US size 6 or size you require to obtain gauge
2 stitch holders

Abbrev.
RS= right side, WS= wrong side
K2tog= Knit 2 stitches together
Note: to increase, Knit in front and back ( F&B) of same stitch (or purl if on wrong side (WS)
Yo= yarn over
SSK= slip 2 sts one at a time as if to knit, put left needle through the front of these two sts, and knit them together through their back loops

Buttonholes: worked on right front for girl’s at beginning of row, pattern is written for a girl sweater. Worked on left front for boy’s at end of row as follows: Work to within last 4sts, YO, K2tog, K2. To tighten up the buttonhole, on the next row when you reach the YO, purl the YO instead of knitting it.g
Sweater shown has a buttonhole worked every 6 garter ridges ( or 12 rows)

CO 69
Knit 20 rows
21st row: K4, K2 tog 31 times, end K3
22nd row: K2, (YO, K2tog this is a buttonhole), Purl to last 4 sts, K4.
23rd row: K4, inc in next 31 sts, end K3
24th row: K4, purl across, end K4

Begin yoke as follows:
Row 1: ( RS) K13, yo, K1, yo, K7, yo, K1, yo, K25, yo, K1, yo, K7, yo, K1, yo, K13.
Row 2: ( WS) K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4
Row 3: K14, yo, K1, yo, K9, yo, K1, yo, K27, yo, K1, yo, K9, yo, K1, yo, K14
Row 4: K4 sts, purl to last 4 sts, K4
Continue working in this established pattern, working 8 increases per RS row until there are 173 sts on needle. There will be 13 yo holes down each seam increase, end with a WS row.

Divide for sleeves and body:
K26 sts ( left front) and place on a holder, K35 sts ( left sleeve) and leave these sts on the needle. ** Turn, purl into front and back ( F & B ) of first stitch, purl across to last stitch, purl into F&B of last stitch. 37 sts.
Work back and forth on these left sleeve sts only until length from point of division measures 3", end with a WS row.
Work 2 pattern repeats as follows:
Row 1: ( RS) Knit
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: K2, * (yo, k2 tog), repeat from * to last stitch, K1.
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.
Row 6: Purl
Row 7 & 8: Knit
Row 9: K3, * (yo, SSK), repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 10: Knit
Row 11: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1.
This is where I changed the pattern rows to ribbing, you will begin on a wrong side row and work 6 rows of K1, P1 ribbing. Bind off loosely and leave a 10” tail of yarn for sewing up the sleeve seam.
Return to body, reattach yarn at armhole edge with RS facing. Knit across next 51 sts ( back) and place these sts on a stitch holder. Knit across next 35 sts for right sleeve and leave on needle. Finish this right sleeve as for left sleeve from ** to binding off.
Return to body reattach yarn at armhole edge with RS facing. Knit across next 26 sts of right front, Turn, K4, purl across 21 sts of right front, purl F&B of next stitch. Place the back sts on left needle, purl F&B of the first stitch, purl across to last stitch of the back, purl F&B of the last stitch.
Place left front stitches on left needle, purl F&B of next stitch, purl to last stitch 4 sts, K4. 107 stitches total.

Body: keeping the edge 4 sts in garter stitch, begin working in stockinette stitch ( knit 1 row, Purl 1 row) until body measures 3", ending with a WS row. Work 3 pattern repeats as follows:

Row 1: ( RS) Knit
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: K4, K1, * (yo, k2 tog), repeat from * to last 4 sts, K4.
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: K4, purl to last 4 sts, K4
Row 7 & 8: Knit
Row 9: K4, K1, * (yo, SSK), repeat from * to last 4 sts, K4.
Row 10: Knit
Row 11: Knit
Row 12: K4, purl to last 4 sts, K4
Row 13: & 14: Knit
Row 15: K4, K1, * (yo, K2tog), repeat from * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 16: knit
Row 17 & 18: Knit
Bind off loosely.Finish: sew underarm seams. Weave in all ends. Sew on buttons

Knitted Baby Kimono Jacket

I found this on the wrapper of Caron's new Simply Soft Baby.

you can read about the yarn here.

click on my pictures to see a close-up, the yarn has little nubbies almost like twists of a fine yarn in pastel colors. no splitting at all easy to knit & soft too!

Pattern is written for 3-6 months, 12 mo. and 18 months. This is the 12 months size. It took 3 skeins of color pastel pink, each skein is only 2 ozs and 95 yards. This one is knit in sections ---back, fronts and sleeves and a lot of seaming but it was an easy pattern and fun to knit, just more time consuming. I added the applied I-cord trim rather the single crochet the pattern calls for. Actually I had the crocheted trim on in a deep rose color and unraveled it all after I found out how to-do the I-cord.

I will be tucking this little sweater away for future gift giving :)

Dream In Color Baby Sweater a FO!

Back from camping and ready to show you my newest FO! I know mine isn't as colorful as the original but I think it's soft & "summery" looking.
I truly enjoyed knitting this pattern and HIGHLY recommend it, I ordered my pattern here.

Details about the yarn used in my June 25th post.
The sweater only required 1 skein each of pink and soft yellow but I needed to use part of the 2nd skein of cream. Loved the yarn, it's buttery soft and easy to knit with. I've read on line some complaining about this yarn splitting but I had no problem with that.
and the applied I-cord, so easy! I'm finishing a different pattern now and plan to use that same technique around the edges, more pictures & details to follow!

4th of July projects

Click on the pictures to get a closer look!


I created 3 of these wreaths using an old idea from a Home Bureau project. I found the American flag all cotton fabric at Wally World a few months ago at only $2.00 per yard with this pattern idea in mind. I got busy and made them today. Here's the scoop:
Cut 2 strips of fabric each 12" wide x 45", with right sides together, seam the short ends together. with right sides together, fold long strip in half lengthwise, ( it's 90" in length!)sew a 1/4" seam. turn to right side, press with seam on the side. Measure 3" from seamed edge and sew down the entire length of strip. This is the hem/pocket that will be threaded onto the 12" styrofoam wreath.




Cut thru the styrofoam wreath using a serrated knife. Carefully thread the fabric hem onto the wreath, distribute the ruffles evenly. I used hot glue and patience to glue the wreath ends back together. You can use a strong strapping tape if you like. Turn raw edges under and hand stitch closed. Add a hanger for the back, such as a bone ring or pop can tab. I made the bow with a strip of coordinating fabric 45" long x 6 1/2" wide, with right sides together fold in half lengthwise. Begin at one short end and sew at a 45 degree angle using a 1/4 seam allowance, contine down the length of strip using 1/4" seam, leave an opening for turning (somewhere in the center). Turn right side out and press. Blindstitch opening closed. Tie strip into bow and hand sew or hot glue to wreath. Add flag or flowers for decoration.

2 of the wreaths were donated for fundraisers and one is for my side door.

Next is a decoration on my front door I crocheted using this pattern from Maggie's Crochet. Fun to crochet using worsted weight yarn, the flag is all crochet with pearls sewn on for the stars. The flag pole is a 1/4" wooden dowel with a small wooden bead glued to the top. The red and white crocheted striped skirt took the longest, (that is what hides the broom). Maggie's patterns are always easy to follow and well written. I love this book and hope to make a few more of the dolls!

Have a Happy & Safe Holiday everyone!

Dream In Color Baby Sweater progress

This is all I have been able to accomplish in the knitting world so far this week. Luckily I had ordered 2 skeins of each color so I should have plenty to finish the sweater. I had no problem with the attached I cord technique, easy but slow going. And I love the look, nice finish to to any project! Now if I can just master circular knitting on 2 needles....

sweater I started this weekend

"Tulips" from the Dream In Color yarn designs. Of course the yarn is sold out and instead of waiting I swatched some Filatura Lanarota Summer Soft I had in the stash from Smiley's. My gauge was perfect on the size 7 needles, so away I went! Knitted top down ( my favorite), you can see how fast this knits up, in only 2 evenings, I made it to the bottom border. It will be my first time knitting an applied I cord, I hope I can work on that this afternoon.

Oh, I ordered my pattern from here , only $1.50 shipping and very fast service!

Matinee Jacket

I've had this finished, it's Suzanne's Matinee jacket from the babysweaters yahoo group. Yvette had designed this version using 2 colors and I loved it when I saw one on her blog, so just had to try it!
I used Bernat Softee Baby in prettiest pink and antique white.

Yes, I have been knitting, working on a baby/sport weight version of the Plymouth Yarn Co. fantasy natuale Top Down Baby sweater and it's coming along nicely! I will post a picture soon, my new Dell computer is sitting here but the transfer of files etc. from the old computer didn't work. My computer wiz daughter will be home Friday to help with that. In the meantime I'll keep knitting!

Fuchsia Sweater

I finished this last night, it's a free pattern from the Plymouth Yarn Co. site using their Fantasy Naturale. I used Red Heart Soft Yarn in fuchsia.


I started out with a collar and here is the pattern:





Cast on 61


Knit 14 rows ( 7 garter ridges)


15th row: K4, (K2tog) 26 times, end K5.


16th row: K2, (YO, K2tog this is a buttonhole), Purl to last 4 sts, K4.


17th row: K4, inc ( knit in front & back of stitch) in next 26 sts, end K5


18th row: K4, purl across to last 4 sts, K4.





This eliminates the neckband portion of the pattern. continue on with Row 1 where it reads "begin pattern as follows".


I just realized you might want to place the buttonhole on the other side so just remember which end to do that!





I also eliminated rows 13-18 of the sleeves and worked 6 rows of K1, P1 ribbing.





This is the 1 year size.

I would like to try this same pattern using baby weight yarn, just have to work out the numbers and lengths.

I have another sweater almost done( Suzanne's Matinee Jacket) I'll post a picture of it, hopefully tomorrow!

A few more finished!

Well, with the recent holiday weekend, I was able to knit and finish up these 2 projects, YAY!
First is the Cabin Fever Homecoming Layette, this one I made with TLC Baby Yarn in a pretty multi-color, blues, greens and lavender.



Second FO is this crocheted layette by Maggie's Crochet, a lovely pattern and loads of FUN to work up, quick too! Ripple Rosebud Layette, here's the link. You will notice I didn't add the rosebuds, I couldn't decide what color to make them so maybe on my next one I'll add the roses.



I again used Bernat Softee Baby yarn in antique white and prettiest pink. I added 2 rows to the length of the sleeves, they just looked a tad too short. I of course didn't make the blanket and I wished the pattern had included a bootie.... of course I could try to design one, any ideas?

I have not had a whole lot of knitting & crocheting time, life has been hectic here but in a good way!

Newborn size Leaf Sweater,Bonnet & Booties

This is all I have been able to knit and finish lately. There is a lot going on here so I haven't had as much knitting time, darn it!




Sweater and hat are from the same pattern as the previous post. This one I made with Lion Brand Baby Soft white pompadour. One ball made everything shown with a few yards leftover. The booties I snagged from this book



A Dozen Darling Baby Booties by American School of Needlework

The link to order the sweater & hat pattern is here.




This is a close up of the pattern in the yoke, which is where you start the sweater and work down.

finished the knitted dishcloths

I have had these finished but unable to get into blogspot due to server problems in my area. I haven't had email or internet access thanks to Time Warner! I am checking in here while using a friends computer ( who uses a dial up server) Sure hope this works!

The pattern is the petal dishcloth pattern found here.

I worked one color row 1 to 6 and then worked the 2nd color back on row 7. I carried both colors right along, easy. 3 colors would be pretty too!

These are great for knitting when you can't concentrate on a pattern, like waiting rooms, traveling etc. Or you're just in a brain fog and want mindless knitting!

I have more baby sweaters in the works, nothing quite finished yet. So hopefully Time Warner will get this fixed and I can post my progress again in the near future, like tomorrow!

Leaf Pattern Sweater Set

Here is the pattern from Designs by Jeannine
#41 her Leaf Pattern Sweater Set, oh what fun to knit! And the pattern is written for preemie, newborn or 3-6 months. Preemie requires fingering or baby yarn, newborn- sport weight , 3-6 months is worsted weight.
Which is what I made using Red Heart TLC Lustre from the stash, the shade is true in the first 2 top photos, a nice bright lavendar shade. To me it looks like the color of lilacs!
Top down with all garter stitch except for lacey leaf. And there is an option to make the bonnet (which I made with crochet ties) or a skull cap. I will have to see if I have a bootie pattern that would compliment the set.

I am working on some petal dishcloths in between, I'll get a picture of those and post soon.

Time to put the sneakers on and go for a walk!

Cabin Fever Homecoming Layette

This is a new pattern from Cabin Fever 615 Homecoming Layette
Only took a few days to knit and I really enjoyed the knitting!
Yarn is Patons Astra in a pretty peach using size 5 needles, the construction is top-down- knitting the sleeves before you finish the patterned body section. Of course I had to do-it-my-way and use straight needles for the sleeves, no double pointed for me! The hat comes with the pattern but it's not very visable either on their website or on the actual pattern. I was surprised the lacey pattern wasn't used on the hat but the garter stitch rolled up brim compliments the sweater, don't cha think?

I have another sweater and hat almost done, this one is from Designs by Jeannine. I hope to post a pic tomorrow.

My finger is healing nicely and I'm staying away from sharp objects!

another new project

I have started this vintage style baby jacket from the Spring/Summer issue of Vogue Knitting magazine, see the cover here. What you see is the back and one sleeve. This is a little slow going on size 2 & 3 needles but I really like the project! It's a Debbie Bliss design calling for her baby cashmerino yarn which I don't have access to and didn't want to mail order, so I found Lion Brand Microspun in my stash, I swatched and got gauge so here we go!

Of course I have 4 or 5 ( I've lost count) other projects on the needles and I'm jumping around planning on finishing them all so I can get to my stack of to-do patterns and books.

Note: Yesterday in the kitchen I shredded the inside of my middle finger on a mixer blade, stupid move , I don't why I stuck my fingers in there!! so for now my knitting has been slowed down!

Basket Weave Newborn Set

click on the photos for a close up view

While looking for the March 2006 issue of Creative Knitting magazine I came across the Premier Issue September 2004 and remembered making this baby set. Well, I found it in a knitting bag of UFO's! All I had left to do was set the sleeves and add the button, done!

I used Bernat Softee Baby..............yes, my favorite baby acrylic.

But there were a few mistakes in the pattern and I emailed the magazine back in 2004 and they sent the corrections , you can find them here.

I made the sweater first but as I continued to knit the set, I discovered a problem with the booties pattern.

rows 14-20: Beg with a purl row, work in stockinette stitch

rows 21-24: Knit

rows 25-28: K 3, P3 rep across

rows 29-32: P3, K3 rep across

rows 33-36: Knit

I don't remember exactly why I had to change the row sequence but it worked!

In the meantime I finished these booties a few weeks ago while I had to sit and wait for someone. They are from the book 50 Baby Booties to Knit by Zoe Mellor. Page 109 Lacey Leaf Booties. I used Bernat Softee Baby ( again! ) in the color "prettiest pink", great pattern, I love the edging!

I started another new project, I'll post my progess soon!

Petal Sweater & Hat to match

I finished this set that I started last Saturday. It's a fun knit that requires a worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles. I used discontinued Red Heart TLC Lustre in color Butterscotch. It was a leftover in my stash from a baby blanket I made a few years ago.

You can find the hat pattern here

And I managed to knit even more bunnies last week. they just seemed to multiply daily!

I came up with the idea to make a chocolate knitted bunny, see below.

This is a butter lamb from the holiday & as we used the butter we discovered they actually start with a whole stick and then build around it. This one was made by a Polish woman who sells them every year at the market. I didn't actually see her working but would guess she uses a cake decorating bag and a round star tip to do the piping. The eyes were peppercorns, how unique and it was delicious on our homemade bread!

cute bunnies!

I have made a few things in between outpatient surgeries and tests.

I'm getting back on track now and so happy they are over!

Hopefully what was done will correct my severe anemia problems.

The bunnies are little plastic egg cozies! Fun to make and great for using up those odd ball stash amounts.

This is the right angles dishcloth found here http://www.geocities.com/blossomknitwear/rightanglesdishcloth.html

I used the new Sugar n Cream Twist in Rose Twist

I think mine came out sloppy, I will have to try this one again.

AND I got this in the mail today!

Nashua Handknits Bloom spring summer 2007, new book, beautiful designs!

I ordered the book from yarnandfiber.com, only $13.50 and free shipping! arrived in 3 days, awesome service! You know us knitters we are impatient when we are waiting for yarn or patterns! Ha!

14 patterns for newborns and small babies , they range from 0-3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months . There are yoke down designs and some are bottom up and of course front, back, sleeves versions too.

They are all just darling, can't wait to start one!

I must go now and drool over my new book!

Happy Easter everyone!