FO: Christmas sweater

Pattern: Owlet (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/robink/owlet)

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in "frost gray"

Love this little sweater! So happy with it. I think I'll make one in each size so E can always have one to wear. :) This one is size 6 months, and used just shy of the full skein of yarn.

Love the yarn, too. So soft. It's not machine washable, but I don't mind.

I planned on adding one pair of buttons to an owl off-center, but decided I liked it without any buttons. Plus, I didn't want to give anything for E to grab/pull. 

Maybe I should cardiganize the next one...

Also, happy 4 months to Baby E! Aside from some lingering congestion, she's back to her usual state of health, thank goodness!

FO: Unoriginal Hat for a big head

Pattern: unoriginal hat (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/robink/an-unoriginal-hat)

Yarn: Punta Tarns Meritwist Hand Paint

For the first time in a long time, I didn't make Christmas gifts, except for E's Christmas sweater, and this hat which I made for a friend in Iowa. The yarn had been in my stash since NYC, I think; glad it finally got used.

This pattern was easy enough; I basically knit this hat twice. :-/ I didn't do a gauge swatch, and was working crown decreases on the first attempt when I went to try this on--WAY too tight. So I frogged, added another chart repeat. I also changed the crown decreases so that the hat would be long enough to cover my ears. It's still tight on me, but my head is big, so hopefully it'll fit my friend. All details of my modifications are on my ravelry page. I would definitely knit this again, though either with bigger needles and bigger yarn, or repeating the mods I used for this one. 

Mission accomplished!

Baby E's Christmas sweater was under the tree this morning. Unfortunately, Baby E has her first cold, and is not in modeling spirit, so glamor shots will have to wait. 

Xmas sweater update

(drafted Sunday evening) With only about 2 days left until Christmas, things are coming along with Baby E's sweater. Here's hoping I can finish it tomorrow, let it block overnight Monday so that it's ready to be packed up when we hit the road Tuesday morning. 

Monday update: finishing up the knitting now, then to graft underarms, weave in ends and block. Yea!

FO: Twinkle Cardi

Pattern: Twinkle (ravelry)

Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock in "magnolia leaf"

An autumn cardi for Baby E. Charming pattern. I made a few mods, which I detailed on my ravelry project page. I did plan attaching 2-3 buttons and using little crocheted loops to secure them, but ultimately I don't think this cardi needs a closure.

The yarn was purchased in Cannon Beach while on a visit there with my mom and sister last Memorial Day weekend. 

All in all, a great little cardi pattern; I would certainly knit this one again. Fits 3-month-old Baby E perfectly. This pattern is only for one size, but would be easy enough to size up by using different yarn or adding stitches.

Operation: Christmas Sweater

Today, less than 2 weeks until Christmas, I decided that Baby E absolutely must have a handknit sweater for Christmas. I want this to be a tradition: a handknit sweater each Christmas. And when we have another kid, they can match!

I've recruited Rose into this crazy endeavor. We're going to have a 2-person knit-along! 

My mission: turn this pile of beautiful yarn...

Malabrigo Merino Worsted in "Frost Gray"

... Into a cute little sweater adorned with owls. I knew that if this crazy mission would be doable, worsted weight yarn would be a must. Back in my pre-baby days, I could have probably whipped out this sweater in 2 days. But now, knitting moments are few. 

Wish me luck!

FO: baby jeans

Pattern: Blu from knitty (ravelry)

Yarn: Rowan Denim

One year ago today, I found out I was pregnant and the first thing I wanted to make was these little baby jeans. The knitting was super quick, but I procrastinated doing the finishing on these for a few months. All the finishing on these was really fiddly, and I'm not pleased with how it turned out. I made these once before, for a kid who is now 6, and I guess I forgot how annoying it was in the intervening time. 

I added short rows to the bum area to make extra diaper room--and so glad I did! I made the 6-12 mo size, but Baby E fit them at 2.5 months. :-/

FO: bonnet and booties

Pattern: Bonnet by Elizabeth Zimmerman (ravelry project page)

Yarn: Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in "tangled up in blue"

A few weeks ago, I picked up a skein of Spincycle Yarn. I love their gradual color shifts. The label said sport/heavy fingering, and after a little search on ravelry I settled on this bonnet by Elizabeth Zimmerman. A clever pattern as usual from her. 

A couple of notes: I worked the back of the bonnet in the round, alternating knit and purl rounds. For the ties, I crocheted a chain the appropriate length then worked one row of slip stitches and used the starting and ending yarn tails to secure the tie to the bonnet. I'm really pleased with this method of doing the ties; it was much faster than working i-cord (for me) and the resulting ties seem seem perfect for tying under a wee chin--not too bulky. 

This bonnet is just a tad big for Baby E, and she has a big head. I think it'll last us through the season just fine. Maybe I'll make her one with heavier yarn next year. 

Pattern: Bootees by Elizabeth Zimmerman (ravelry project page)

Yarn: Spincycle Yarn Dyed in the Wool in "tangled up in blue"

Decided to make these booties which were on the same page as the bonnet pattern. They were quick and easy, though beginner knitters may have trouble with the pattern as it seems targeted at more experienced knitters. There are parts of the pattern where the instructions are a bit vague. These barely fit Baby E. I have not yet made the ties called for in the pattern, and haven't tested out how well they stay on. 

I really liked this yarn--great to work with. I have a skein of their worsted in my stash and I'll definitely be looking for more at upcoming craft fairs. 

Nap-time holiday craft: photo ornaments

Trying to think of use for the crumby photo prints from the two groove books I got before canceling my subscription, I glanced at my Christmas tree and decided it could use some baby pictures. 

While fantasizing about having a circle cutter, I traced the inside circumference of a roll of masking tape (about 3") with a sharpie onto the photos then cut them out quickly (read: a bit sloppily). I affixed two photos back-to-back using double stick tape; planned to use a glue stick but I couldn't find one and didn't want to wake the baby by rustling through my craft stuff too much. Anyways, the double stick tape seems to do the job fine. 

For hanging, I tried 1/8" ribbon and baker's twine. I like the look of the ribbon better, personally, so I'll be using that for the rest of mine. I'll be mailing some of these out to family, so that their trees can have Baby E's face. These would also make cute decorations on wrapped gifts. 

FO: Whole Cloth Quilt

Way back when, I planned to blog the process of this project... Oops! When I found out I was pregnant I pulled this quilt out of hibernation and finished it off.

I still think that the whole cloth quilt is a great idea, though I would pick a print with fewer short lines to quilt. I'm also thinking this would be a great technique for practicing my free motion quilting skills. If I ever pull out my sewing machine, I'll give it a try!

For now, I'll just keep playing with this little lady and hoping she starts napping better someday.