Project Updates

Katie and I have been working on a secret project which has taken up much of my knitting time in the last few weeks. But I do have one FO and a few WIPS to update:

FO: Seamless Baby Kimono

I wanted this to be newborn size. It is for my sister’s baby, who needs a gender neutral take-me-home outfit since the sex will be a surprise.

I used the CO amount from the Bulky version of the sweater, since the smallest size was 3 months. There’s no CYC standard sizing for newborn knits, so I basically took an inch or so off of the 3 month sizes.

I’m semi-happy with this. The stockinette stitch tends to roll, and so I added crochet trim all around (with an extra row on the bottom). But that didn’t entirely fix the rolling. Since this was a quick knit I might do another version in garter stitch to see if that helps. And I kind of want more stripes on the bottom and ends of the sleeves.

I’m going to make matching pants, either another Pimp My Longies, or the “Keep Baby Warm” Leggings, which have feet. I’m trying to decide whether to make the pants green or white.

The yarn is Paton’s Country, which is okay to work with, but not great. It splits a bit. I used size 6s but I think next time I’ll go down to 5s for a tighter fabric.

Next up:

Veronique

This takes forever, but right now it is my only easy stockinette/no pattern needed project. So I’m gradually making progress.

Fifi

I’m not smart enough to figure out the front panel pattern, so I need to have a copy of the pattern on hand while knitting this, which has stalled my progress. But I’ll keep slogging on this.

And I cast on for a Leaf T-Shirt last night using the brown alpaca I got for Christmas:

It took me a while to decide what to make with this. I have 800 yards and I think it is DK weight, so most  sweaters were out of the question. I think this will be a cute layering piece for fall. If I have extra, I’ll make the sleeves longer. This is going to be a quick knit, I think. The only thing to worry about is the leaf lace pattern, which I don’t think I’ll be able to memorize (6 lines), but should be okay to bring with me for an on-the-go project.

Knit font!

Haven’t you always wanted to have a font that matched your hobby?

Here it is!

You can download it here.

Also, stay tuned for some exciting news….

FO: Handspun Baby Kimono

From fiberarts images

I've been working on this little thing way too long--I probably knit it three times over trying to get the size and gauge right. It's still not right--I knit the small size and ended up with a 6-9 month size I'm guessing. But it is still the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Pattern: Garter Stitch Wrap Top, from Erika Knight's Simple Knits for Cherished Babies.

Needles: Size 2 Crystal Palace bamboo circulars.

Yarn: I used some fingering-weight handspun that I made from “scratch," an Icelandic/Romney blend. I bought the icelandic fleece from a farm in VA, and the romney from a farm in MA. I dyed the romney a French blue and the icelandic a medium purple. I carded them together, then spun a single-ply. I then plied the single with some nylon thread for strength. Very fluffy. I hope not too itchy.

Modifications: After all seaming was finished, I made this longer than the pattern called for by picking up at the bottom hem and working down--the picked-up seam is invisible because of the garter stitch. I added an extra inch, and might add more since I have more yarn. I used buttons for closure instead of ties by crocheting two loops on the edge of the front flap. As Adrian gets bigger, I can move the buttons over to increase the circumference of the sweater.

From fiberarts images

See it on Ravelry.

Yarn Stunt

I want to know where they got all that yarn?

Katie’s Baby Shower

Since Katie and Michael’s little one is almost here, I hosted a shower this weekend. Hold on for knitting/fiber arts content. But first, the happy couple eating barbecue (the theme for the party):

 

Michael practicing with baby Madelyn:

He looks like a pro already!

I gave Katie the little striped set I’ve been working on:

 

And her mom made her this beautiful quilt:

All in all, it was a fun day! Can’t wait for the baby to get here!

(Either can his adorable cousin-to-be, Julian):

“Knitter of the Week”: Kel

We don’t really have a knitter of the week feature, but with awesome FO’s like these ones we might start! Kel has knit our two most popular patterns, Nella and Plath, and they both look great!

First up is her Nella, made in this awesome colorway of Noro Kureyon (#214):

I love how she styled this with a longer, tunic-y top.

 

She also made Plath in a great shade of KnitPicks Main Line. I have never used this yarn, but it looks amazing:

You can see more photos of Kel’s knitting here.

Thanks for letting us use these pictures Kel! Your FO’s look amazing!