A couple of Sweater Girls

During the long drive from Utah to Tennessee, I kept myself occupied by knitting teeny sweaters.

They're pretty quick and fun to knit, and I think they turned out really cute.

The pattern is from the website Sticka Till Barbie, which is a Swedish website that offers a huge (like over 1000 patterns) library of free knitting patterns for clothing and accessories to knit for Barbie, Bratz and a few other dolls. This pattern is a basic cap sleeve shell that is knit in the round, so there is no sewing and only two ends to work in.

The patterns are fairly simple, but they are translated from Swedish, and they assume a basic understanding of knitting, so I wouldn't say these would be an ideal beginner project unless you have an experienced knitter around to fill in the gaps.

The green sweater that Diva Midge is wearing was the first I knit. There isn't any gauge information provided, and since this is so small, I wouldn't have swatched anyway. The author provides a suggested needle size (2mm) which I used and a yarn suggestion, which I didn't. This sweater is knit from thrifted crochet cotton that looks to be size 20, but isn't labelled. This weight was absolutely perfect for this project. It fits Midge beautifully and the scale looks great.

So, my next attempt wasn't so great. I used a smaller yarn (size 10 crochet cotton) and unsurprisingly ended up with a smaller sweater. Oops. I guess Skipper gets this one...

Having learned my lesson with the white one I made a few alterations for the blue version. This is knit from self-striping sock yarn, so it is fingering weight. Since it's very close to the weight of the white crochet cotton, I decided to use that as a sort of gauge swatch, and added stitches based roughly on that. I ended up casting on 36 sts, instead of 32, and then casting off 4 sts for the armhole instead of two, and casting on 10 instead of 8 for the sleeve. It's amazing the difference 4 extra stitches makes. I also did a rib knit hem band on this sweater, instead of the garter stitch ridge called for in the pattern.

I'm pretty thrilled with how these turned out. I started another in a light worsted yarn, but managed to break one of my needles. Ooops. That's on hold until I can get a metal needle. I'm a tight knitter.

Shieldmaiden cowl

I actually knit this on the drive to Texas, so it is in fact, a 2012 project, but I only just blocked it and added the buttons a few days ago.

Isn't it lovely? The pattern is The Shieldmaiden, and you can find it here.

Here is a better look at the cable and lace pattern. This cable was a little tricky to work, but the instructions were very good, so I didn't have any trouble with it. This is my first time knitting from a chart, so I was pleased that it went so smoothly.

Not only is it lovely, it actually does a great job of keeping my neck cozy. It extends far enough down in back to cover any gaps above the collar of my coat, but isn't so long as to get in the way. It's really quite a nice design.

It comes up nice and high on my neck, too. Since the pattern is so lacy, it is very stretchy, which makes it quite comfortable. The worsted weight yarn keeps the drafts out as well.

Here's how it looked before I blocked it. The yarn is Knit Picks Chroma Worsted, which has a nice halo. I chose it because I liked the rustic look of the unplied yarn, which I thought went well with this design. All my ravelry notes are here.

FO: Tropical Punch Hat

There is starting to be a nip in the air around here, so it must be time for knitting! I'm a total seasonal knitter. For some reason, I can't convince myself to pick up my needles (or hooks) at all during the summer months, but once fall rolls around I start looking for some wool.

Myra needed a new hat, and I had this crazy pink/purple/orange variegated wool left over from last year's mittens. She loves this yarn, and she was so excited to see me knitting it for her!

After I finished knitting it, she wasn't too impressed, as it is a little plain, if colorful. So I taught her how to make a pom pom for the top. I sewed it on, but she made it. She was so proud of her handiwork!

Don't you like my hat??

Ravelry notes are here, if you crave the details.

My first socks!

I feel like there are a few big milestones in every genre of crafting. In garment sewing, it might be making your own jeans, or conquering a certain fit challenge - you know, that thing that makes you think, "Hey, I CAN sew!" For me, one big knitting milestone is socks. If you stop and think about it, socks are kind of complicated beasts. They have to fit around all sorts of crazy curves, but still be comfortable and, ideally seamless.

And so I put on my big girl pants and did it. I knit socks!! If you're a Raveler, my notes are here. Ok, they're wee socks and knit with worsted weight yarn so they went really fast, but they are honest to goodness, knit in the round with shaped heels socks. Myra is modeling them for you, despite the fact that they are actually Duncan's size. She insists that they are hers. At least she appreciates them.

Looky! Heel flaps and gussets! You have no idea how exciting it was when I turned the heel and it actually was a sock. Actually, maybe you do have an idea, if you've knit a sock. It was like magic. Sort of like when you are stitching in a lining, and you turn it in and all of a sudden, you have a finished dress. Magic.

So, you've probably noticed that they are two different colors. That is because the pattern I used was the Sample Sock from the book, 2 at a Time Socks. The book aims to teach the knitter to knit socks two at a time. You probably figured that out from the title. Apparently it is really easy to get your two socks mixed up during the knitting and end up with conjoined socks, so for the first pair, you knit them in two different colors so that it is obvious if you start knitting one sock with the other sock's yarn.

Although I managed to get through these with a minimum of giant mistakes, they are far from perfect. The most glaring goober is at the toes, which should be grafted with Kitchener stitch. Mine is a sad, loopy mess. My next knitterly task is to learn Kitchener stitch. Then I have several skeins of sock yarn that are actually going to fulfill their destiny and become socks.

FO: Pink Waffle Knit Sweater

Two knitted FO's in a week! This one has been on my needles for over a year, so its time really had come.

I'm just glad it still fits her! The pattern came from a ball band, so I can't link to it, although this one is very similar. Here are my Ravelry notes. It is a top down raglan knit in the round with curled edging at neckline and hems. The waffle pattern is a basic k2p2 rib with a row of purl stitches every fourth row.

Here is what it looks like up close. That acid pink yarn was so freaking hard to photograph! This is pretty close to what the color look like in real life. Naturally, Myra loves it. The yarn is KnitPicks Swish DK in Lotus. It was very nice to knit and the finished sweater is quite soft.

This sweater was knit on size 3 needles, so the fabric is quite dense and cozy. It should keep her nice and warm, just in time for a big snowfall on Monday.

FO: Gap-tastic cowl

My first knitted FO of 2012 is done!

This is the Gap-tastic Cowl by Jen Geigley, which was inspired by a large seed stitch cowl she spotted at the Gap. It's been a popular pattern on Ravelry (), and I can see why. It's trendy and cute as well as an easy and quick knit.

I modified mine by knitting 130 stitches in moss stitch rather than seed stitch. My yarn (Wool of the Andes Bulky) isn't as thick as the Lion Brand Chunky used in the pattern, so in the specified gauge, my knit was a bit less firm. I like the way it drapes, but in order to get the chunky, sturdy look I thought moss stitch would be better. I do like the way it turned out.

It's a good thing I like it, since after a few rows, it bored me to tears to knit, which is probably why it took me nearly two weeks to finish it. Endless rounds of k2p2 needed to be interspersed with more interesting knitting. Per the pattern, it should have been 15 inches wide, but at 10 inches, I just couldn't knit it anymore, so I cast off. I'm glad I did, since it is just about the perfect width for me. Any wider and I think it would be too bulky around my neck.
In the sewing room, I'm still plugging away at the coat. It is completely amazing (if I do say so myself) and very close to being finished, but the hand work is starting to burn me out, and I've found myself thinking of taking shortcuts, which I don't want to do with this coat, so I may take a little break, whip up a quickie and then come back to my coat ready to don my thimble and sew away. Want a sneak peek?

Oh, I can't wait to show you the whole thing!!

FO: Not-Quite-A-Baby hat and mittens

My little mannie was well equipped for the winter chill last year. My sister and I knit him many hats and mittens, but as this year started to get colder, I found myself unprepared. All of last year's gear was too small, but knitting patterns seem to be sized for newborns or toddlers, and Duncan is in between. So, I hitched up my big girl pants, and adapted a pattern for mittens. Then I got crazy and wrote one for a hat. So, lest there be other wee one year olds in need of headgear, I'd like to share my pattern with you.

The Not-Quite-A-Baby Hat

Yarn: Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller Washable Ewe

Needles: US size 6 and 7 circular, 40 inch for Magic Loop or dpns

Gauge: 5 1/2 sts/inch & 8 rows/inch in stockinette stitch on size 7 needles.

Size: Intended for Duncan's 17 inch noggin

CO 104 stitches onto your size 6 needle and divide in half for Magic Loop or arrange evenly over your dpns. Join to knit in the round.

Knit k2 p2 ribbing for 9 rounds.

Switch to size 7 needles and knit even in stockinette stitch (knit all rounds) for 2 1/2 inches. If you want to extend the wear of your hat, knit for 3 3/4 inches and fold up the ribbed section. Then as not-quite-baby grows, you can fold down the ribbed section for more length.

For the decreases:

1) *k11, k2tog, rep from * to end (96 sts.)

2&3) knit

4) *k10, k2tog, rep from * to end (88sts)

5) knit

6) *k9, k2tog, rep from * to end (80 sts)

7) knit

8) *k8, k2tog, rep from * to end (72 sts)

9) knit

10) *k7, k2tog, rep from * to end (64 sts)

11) knit

12) *k6, k2tog, rep from * to end (56 sts)

13) *k5, k2tog, rep from * to end (48 sts)

14) *k4, k2tog, rep from * to end (40 sts)

15) *k3, k2tog, rep from * to end (32 sts)

16) *k2, k2tog, rep from * to end (24 sts)

17) *k1, k2tog, rep from * to end (16 sts)

18) *k2tog, rep from * to end

Break yarn, leaving a 6-8 inch tail. Thread your tail through remaining 8 sts and pull them tightly together. Weave in ends and lightly block.

For Duncan's little mittens, I adapted the excellent Baby Mitts pattern by Susan B. Anderson. I love this pattern because it is easy to knit, cute and very useful. I knitted a few pairs of these for Duncan for his first winter and they really came in handy. This year, they were all too small, so I sized up the pattern. Here is what I did.

Not-Quite-A-Baby Mitts

Same yarn and needles as the hat

Size: Fits my 1 year old as well as my 3 year old.

CO 32 sts onto your size 6 needle and join to work in the round.

Knit k2p2 ribbing for 9 rows.

Switch to size 7 needles and work even in stockinette stitch for 2 1/2 inches.

For the decreases:

1) *k2tog, k15, rep from * to end

2) *k4, k2tog, rep from * to end 

3) knit

4) *k3, k2tog, rep from * to end 

5) *k2, k2tog, rep from * to end

6) *k1, k2tog, rep from * to end

7) *k2tog, rep from * to end

Break yarn, leaving a 6-8 inch tail. Thread your tail through remaining 8 sts and pull them tightly together. Weave in ends and lightly block.

I hope this keeps your little Not-Quite-A-Baby warm and cozy!

Here is the Ravelry button -

FO: Norobi

Myra's not the only one knitting around here! I finally finished a project that I cast on before Duncan (who is now 10 months old) was born.

And it wasn't even a very complicated or large project either. This is Norobi, a knitted Obi style belt. I alternate between thinking that this is a really fun and funky idea and thinking that it is just odd. Since I wasn't sure how I felt about it, I used some leftover RHSS, so if I hate it, at least the yarn wasn't dear.

The main reason I decided to knit this was the way the edges and ties are constructed. The edges are finished with an applied I-cord and the ties are stand alone I-cord. I wanted to learn this technique, and this seemed like a good way. As you can see if you compare the top (uneven and loose) edge to the bottom (tighter and more polished looking), it was a learning process for sure. It didn't help that I put this project away for months while in the middle of the applied I-cord and when I picked it back up, I had totally forgotten how to do it!

Here it is from the back. It looks quite sleek and cute on Sandra Dee, but then everything looks good on her. I'm not even sure how I will wear this. What do you think? How would you go about styling a knitted obi? Or would you??

In the sewing world, Rapunzel is coming together. We had a final fitting this morning and measured the hem.

I still need to set in the sleeves (that one is pinned in place), hem the underskirt and overskirt and apply the trim to the overskirt hem. Myra loves it and I had to fight her to get it off. At least this one looks like a win! It better be! It wasn't difficult to construct, per se. It was just tedious. And I hate sewing polyester organza.

Some knitting and more Simplicity 2403

Now that Duncan is a little better at playing on his own, I've picked up my knitting needles again. I have a few projects in the works, and I was knitting away at a scarf for Myra the other night when she asked if she could help. I asked her if she knew how to knit, and she said, "Can you show me?" Yes, please!!

She's determined!! I think these needles are too big for her though, since she quickly gave up on actually making stitches and started just wrapping the yarn around the needles.

It's still fun though! We've started a little nightly tradition of knitting together. She picked some Barbie pink yarn and I got her some smaller needles. She sits in my lap and holds the needles while I maneuver them for her and she wraps the yarn. Not bad for a three year old!

I've also started work on the Simplicity 2403 dress from my last post. Thanks to everyone for the input!! I tried out a few things with the muslin, and found that I did need the wearing ease provided in the upper back. I loved the idea of moving the ease to the sides. Mitch has several RTW shirts that are pleated that way, so that was what I did.

Here is how it looks! Nice and flat without any pouf at all. I love it!!

Here is the front. I have some gold half ball buttons to put there, and the skirt (which is a tangerine sateen to match the flowers in the print) and lining to attach. I'm not 100% sure how I'm going to insert the side zip around the waistband and lining. I'm hoping for a flash of insight as I construct.

FO: Evangeline fingerless gloves

I've had a hard time finding time to knit, since any time I'm not nursing I'm sewing!  But I recently discovered that nursing and knitting are not mutually exclusive, so I finally finished these mitts!

My hands get cold easily, so even though it doesn't get all that cold in Texas, I wear gloves a lot.  But it's really hard to use a touch screen with traditional gloves.  I've missed a few calls, so I decided I needed some of these.  I decided to knit long ones so that they'll cover my arms when I wear my Simplicity 2808 jacket, which I do all the time.  The cable makes me happy.  It's beautiful and was really fun to knit.  Rav notes are here.

I've got a few irons in the fire right now sewing-wise.  I'm doing a few things for a pair of weddings - making a bolero for a bride and adding sleeves to a bridesmaid dress, so that's been keeping me pretty busy.  I'll share the bolero muslins with you when I get to fit the bride!

Ottobre 03/2010-6&7

I think this might be my favorite of the Christmas gifts I made this year.  Little girlie outfits are so fun to create!

The outfit is completely handmade - knit and sewn.  I even crafted the flower clip!

Both dress and bloomers are from the 03/2010 issue of Ottobre.  The dress pattern is for a short summer tunic, but I wanted this to work for winter wear, so I lengthened it considerably.  My niece, for whom this was made, isn't yet mobile, so long skirts won't get in her way.  I love this bloomer pattern!  As with all Otto patterns, it is really beautifully designed, with a higher waistline in back to accommodate a diaper bum.  The sleeves and leg openings are gathered with elastic shirring, which is easy to do and cute.  The zip is an invisible zipper, which I would put in anyway, but the pattern actually did call for it.  I love Ottobre.

The knitted items are the Joyful cloche, and the Confection Baby Shrug, both knitted in Red Heart Shimmer yarn.  Rav notes are linked for the knitters.  It's hard to see in the picture, but there is a metallic thread running through the yarn that gives it a sparkle.  It is so cute in person!!  Both hat and shrug pattern included decorative eyelets, which I threaded with a sheer green ribbon to coordinate.  The flower on the hat is actually a removable hair clip, so the wee princess can wear it or not, as she (or her Dad and Mom!) choose.

FO: Cloud Bolero

I knit my first grown up sweater!

Admittedly, it is knit on giant needles and is a short sleeved cropped bolero, so it wasn't a terribly complex project, but I am still excited and thrilled with how it came out.

The pattern is the Cloud Bolero by Ysolda Teague.  My Rav notes are here.  It is a top down raglan design, so no seaming.  The sleeves are knit in one, so no stitches to put on holders and pick back up later.  I'm not overjoyed with the skinny brown ribbon.  When I wore it Sunday, I got a little more creative with the closure, and used a hair barrette.

I'm thinking a wider sheer organza ribbon in solid brown or black would be nicer though.  I love that the closure isn't affixed, so it is a great opportunity to get creative with brooches and pins.

You can appreciate the lace pattern better from the back.  I love the way the lace shapes the hemline.  The raglan shaping is done with yarn-overs, which I think works really well with the feather and fan pattern.

I also really love the picot edge bind off.  I knit it with Lion Brand Wool Ease, which I initially bought thinking it would be a good option for the Wee Professor cardigan, but it is a bit rough for baby wear.  I think it works really well here.  I like the contrast of the rough, tweedy yarn and the delicate lace pattern.  It also makes for a pretty cozy sweater!