Squish-alicious!

Some projects are just pure pleasure, right from the get go. This little handspun baby sweater is one of them. I'm knitting it in my own 3 ply merino/kid-mohair/silk handspun. The fibre was hand dyed by Jude of Ewesful Creations. It spun up very soft and, combined with the stitch pattern, makes a lovely squishy, bouncy fabric.

The pattern is "Purl Textured Cardigan" by Jacqueline Gibb. It's only available in the newborn to 3 month size but I like it so much I may try to work out an adult version for myself some time in the future.

Is there a new baby expected in the family? Nope. Just felt like knitting something that would tick a few boxes. My criteria were:

1. Requires no purchases other than the pattern. 

2. Uses some of my growing stash of handspun. 

3. Fits a category for submission at the Chilliwack Fair in August. 

4. Can be sold at the Chilliwack Christmas Craft Fair in November.

The pattern didn't call for it, but I've gone to the extra work of starting the 1x1 ribbing with a tubular cast on. Fussy and time consuming, but so worth it. I love the way the ribbing runs right up to the edge. So polished looking!

Buttons Can Wait

Since the pandemic has closed all stores in this area that sell a good variety of buttons, and my huge button jar has produced nothing acceptable, the baby cardigan I just finished will have to remain buttonless for at least a while yet. That's okay since the baby it was made for isn't scheduled to make an appearance until May and the cardigan is a one year size anyway.

The little hat I made to coordinate with it is finished too.

I based the hat on the "Tiny Tot" hat pattern by Kristen Rettig, but made changes to accomodate my yarn choice, gauge, and preferred size. 

I'm particularly proud of my seaming efforts.







And since I don't know the gender of the expected baby ---

--- I also made a set in blue, but on that one I accidentally sewed the striped sleeve to the striped front. Ah well, I don't think it really matters.

The little fellow I made a set for last June has now grown into it.

Penny is Feeling Neglected

Flame found Penny hidden away in a box a while back and thought it was high time she came out for some air.

She's cute as ever but I don't do much with her. If I'm offered a decent price for her she might decide to travel to a home where she gets more attention.



I'd even part with her gorgeous crib, dresser and toy box for the right price.



Her clothing and shoes would be up for grabs too. Open to offers.

Edited to add: Asking $350 US for Penny and her furniture. Extras like clothing and accessories can be negotiated.

A Gift Prepared Early

I've been super busy lately, but haven't been taking many pictures. When that happens I end up not blogging at all for what is a story without at least one picture?

Here's just one of the projects I've been working on lately. I finished it up today and the weather cooperated for photos.

It's a newborn sized layette for my hairdresser.

She has found out that her baby, due in early February of 2016, will be a girl. 

She had been told that she would never be able to have children, so she's very excited about becoming a mommy.

It felt right to welcome her miracle baby with a hand knit gift.

This is the "Nouveau-né"pattern by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka The Yarn Harlot.

It's a fairly gender-neutral pattern so I pushed the femininity with a bright pink yarn and added, lacy embellishments.

As with all new born sized layettes I'm sure it took longer to make than the baby will actually spend wearing it.

But perhaps it will be something special to bring the baby home in and then tuck away as a keepsake.

Hand-me-down Knitting

Way back in March of 2005 I posted this picture of my Great Niece Isabella on my blog.



She was the recipient of the "Beribboned Eyelet Baby Sweater" and the matching accessories that I designed myself. Of course babies growing as they do, she wasn't in it for long before it was outgrown and had to be tucked away.

The outfit is enjoying a second go-'round, this time on Isabella's baby sister Olivia.



Isn't she sweet? And looking so much like her big sister did as a baby!

Now That It's Safe

Several months ago there was a lull in my knit related blogging as I was working away on a baby gift that I wanted to keep a secret.

This is a pattern (named, simply "Blanket"), by Amanda Griffiths from the book Luxury Knits: Simple and Stylish Projects for the Most Desirable Knitwear . I adapted the blanket to be more baby sized by using less repeats.

And here she is, our sweet little grand niece wrapped in the blanket.

(reverse side of blanket showing)

Anouk Interrupts

I don't really like to have more than one project on the go at any one time, and I really don't want to set my Honeybee shawl aside, even for a few days, but Anouk insists it must be knit first.



I'd tell Anouk to wait its' turn and to quit butting in and being so rude, but I'm afraid it is right. For a few days anyway, I'll have to give Anouk some attention. A deadline is looming.



Kris, have you started on your part?

In Praise of Charity Knitting

Along with the baby pictures and grandma-esk bragging that are sure to become a regular feature on this blog, I want to let everyone know how appreciated the little, hand knit, newborn hats anonymously donated to hospitals are.

I've never knit a charity hat for a newborn before but that might change now. I just wasn't aware how much the "little touch of handmade" would mean to the new parents (and grandma!). I figured that because the recipient didn't know the knitter there would be no "bond" with the item and it would just be "another hat", not special in any way. Boy, was I wrong.

The very fact that the knitter does NOT know the baby and parents they are knitting the hat for makes it extra, extra special. From the perspective of a grandma who was there for the labour, birth, and hospital stay, let me tell you it means a LOT when they open that big drawer of little knitted hats and let the mom choose the one she will keep as a memento of this special day, and baby's first bath.



While my daughter and I looked through the drawer finding just the right hat for newborn Kaylen, still damp from her first bath, it struck me that the little hat was a symbol that the baby was not only loved and welcomed by her family, but by the community as a whole, and by the particular knitter who selflessly knit that lovely little hat.



How wonderful the community of knitters are. So generous, so loving, and so willing to spend their time knitting with no thought of thanks or praise. In the case of the hospital hats, there is no opportunity for the mom to thank the particular knitter so --- Thank you kind knitters. Your work IS truly appreciated.

Kaylen also received another very special hat. This one was knit especially for her by her Great Grandma, my mom, and will always be a cherished keepsake.



Sorry mom that we did not understand that the intent was for her to wear it during her hospital stay. It was packed away in her dresser drawer with the pretty little things waiting for her home-coming. She is wearing it now though, and she looks like a little angel in it. So sweet. Thanks SO much. We love you.

While We're Waiting

So far no grand-baby. While I'm waiting for the call I'm knitting inappropriately colored soakers.



Our daughter would like to use cloth diapers but we couldn't find any first size rubber pants so I'm hoping a few old fashioned "soaker" diaper covers will help "contain" everything until Baby is large enough for the 3 month size. The colors are not very baby girl-ish, but they are all I have in my stash. A quick trip to my nearest LYS was not fruitful. Amazingly enough they don't have any pastel colors in knitting worsted wool.

Oh well. I'm not sure that they will work or fit anyway.

Constant Baby Watch

Only 5 days left until our first grandchild is due, so it could be any day now and Constant Baby Watch has begun. I'm carrying my cell phone with me whenever I leave the house and still there is a strong temptation to phone our daughter to double check.

In other news, although I won't make it to Prince George by April first as originally planned, that doesn't mean I've ditched the faux journey altogether. I'm still making about 30 miles per week divided into 5 runs of around 6 miles each. 150 Mile House and Williams Lake are now behind me.

Romper Buttons

It took a bit of searching but I finally found the perfect buttons for the shockingly bright baby romper I've been knitting.



I found cute little floral buttons in exactly the right colors in the beading department of Micheals. It did require that I rip out and reknit the buttonhole band with larger buttonholes, but it was worth it. Ironically they are now the size they were supposed to be in the first place. I had purposely knit the holes smaller as I usually prefer a smaller button and a YO, K2tog buttonhole.



This is my version of the "Rugby Romper" a free pattern from the Lion Brand website. I knit the smallest (6 month) size and substituted "Patons Astra" for the "Lion Brand Baby Soft". I used nearly 2 - 50 g balls of black as the main color and 1 ball of each of the contrasting colors: Hot Blue, Electric Blue, Hot Green, and Hot Pink.

Alterations: Between each band of bright color I added a 2 row garter stitch stripe of black to make the colors "pop". I used six buttons instead of eight and knit the sleeves from the top down, I cast on the leg cuffs with tubular cast on and I bound off the remaining ribbing edges in tubular bind off.

Time Ticking By

With the latest update to my "exercise ticker" I've passed 70 Mile House on my way from Chilliwack to Prince George. I lost a little time last week due to a knee strain and it has set me back. If I don't miss ANY of my scheduled workouts between now and the first of April I'll still make my deadline. Problem is, we have a grandchild due in the next few weeks and I'll be darned if I'll miss that for a workout. HA!

Hmmm --- maybe if I add a minute or two to each workout? Workout on an occasional Saturday?




And while we are speaking of "tickers" have you seen the "grand-baby ticker" at the top of my blog? Getting close now. Less than three weeks! SO exciting. This will be our first.