Mackenzie's Baby Surprise Jacket

I forgot to post this last month upon finishing it. My son is due in 61 days (hoping to not make it that long)!

I present to you, Mackenzie's Baby Surprise Jacket. The information is as follows:

Specs:
Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman (Ravelry Link)
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport Multi in Devon #407

Purchased: Online at Yarnbow
Needle: US 4 / 3.5 mm
Size: 0-3 month size
Timeline: Cast on February 23rd, 2008 at the Montreal Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets game - Cast off March 16th, 2008. Added buttons & seamed on April 10th, 2008.
Modifications: None really. Followed pattern as published.
Opinion: Sport weight is not 6 month size. Thank goodness Mackenzie isn't born yet. This way, he'll fit into it when he does! But regardless, I love the finished project!

I am just loving this finished project! It's a fave piece of mine right now. And the buttons are just awesome. Nothing fancy, but look great.

I had my son Sean's friends' little brother model for size the sweater. He barely fit into it, and he's in the 50th percentile for 5.5 months old. Hmmm. Sport weight is supposed to be 6 month size according to the pattern. Apparently not. I think it's around 3 month old size, if that. Anyhow, it's a good thing it's for a baby that is not born yet, so he can wear it until he outgrows it. If he was already born, and didn't fit into it - I'd be upset! LOL. I am really happy with it's finished results.

I blog here. I'm currently in progress of a matching Sweet Baby Cap, since I had plenty of leftovers.

Happy Knitting,
Robyn

Not technically babywear but...

... I was told I could post up to size 3. Well this is possibly the last piece I make for my son that fits into this category! Boys grow up soooooo fast these days!! Maybe I'll have to start baking another, just so I have a baby knit excuse!






Made from a Sirdar pattern in the "Cheeky Chino's" leaflet (a gorgeous pattern book from which I will be making many more things!). I used 8ply "Colour 4 Me" as I much prefer real wool on children and will put up with the extra care wool requires knowing that their skin can breathe properly and they are nice and warm. It knitted up nice and soft, which was very necessary since the collar comes up so high. It mustn't be too scratchy as the little guy wouldn't let me take it off him to stitch the zip in after I tried it on for size. And all he had on was a singlet!

Stitching the zip in was a frustrating process... you can read why here. Seriously, if anyone has any zip stitching (into knitting) advice, I would love to hear it. I have a little pink baby jumpsuit that has been sitting in the WIP box for several years now, rolled in a ball with a pretty pink zip all ready to be stitched in, but it seemed so difficult to get it neat and tidy AND sturdy for lots of nappy changes.

Baby Cardigan #2, Ruffles!

Stats:

Pattern: Reynolds Utopia #82260, Ruffled Cardigan
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Brites, color: Rose Violet
Needles: US 8s, 13 inch straights
Made for: I don't know yet, just wanted to make it
Timeline: it was about a month and a half

this project was totally out of my stash. the yarn, the pattern, and even the button! i am so proud!

The Un-Tiramisu Baby Blanket

I found myself recently in a desperate place - far away from home with no yarn, no needles/hooks, no project. A quick surf through Ravelry and a dash to the nearest Wal-Mart craft aisle yielded the beginnings of this blanket. The pattern is the Tiramisu Baby Blanket. I used about 3.5 skeins of Caron Simply Soft in Soft Yellow and a size H crochet hook. I decided to use my favorite crochet stitch, the half-double crochet, for the body of the blanket rather than the one from the pattern, but I used the edging as written. It's bigger than the pattern suggested, measuring approximately 36" x 36." I seem to be absolutely incapable of creating a petite baby blanket. Oh well, that just means it'll be useful longer, right? I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Candy Frill longies!

I just love how quick newborn longies are! These were such fun to make, with bright happy wool I dyed myself with a bit of kool aid and a few packets of jelly crystals. When I first dyed the wool I thought it was hideous and shoved it in the back of the cupboard. But I had no time to dye more as the bub had arrived, so out it came and I dipped it in jelly once more (there were a few white patches between colours which I didn't like so I mixed up some blue and pink top make a delightful lavender to fill in the gaps). Then when I cast on, I started loving what I had thought was a dying disaster! These are picky pants, knit in 8ply (so some adjustments were made to the pattern) with the ruffle edge. Blogged here.

Cuddle toy

I'm on a bit of a toy kick these days. First I made a Big-foot Bunny (from Knitted Toys by Zoe Mellor):



and then one of Oat Couture's Cuddle Toys:



This one is a bit of a mutant ... I embroidered a kitten face, but the ears are more bear-ish. I don't suppose my 7 month old will mind ....

(Big-foot Bunny is Raveled here; the Cuddle Toy here)

Completed Project: Mossy Jacket

The Mossy Jacket is complete! Here for more details.

I Didn't Make This Sweater

I didn't actually make this sweater, but I did make the baby. This is our little guy, Henry, born exactly four weeks ago. I've been very busy, hence slow on the posting and on the making anything new myself. The second baby is definitely more laid-back than the first, but juggling the two kids doesn't leave much time for mama stuff. It gets better, right?

Anyway, more Henry love over at my blog.

Baby Legs

I have bought Baby Legs for my daughter, which are so cute. I figured that it couldn't be too hard to come up with my own design. These are knit using Maizy in the colorway Miami Nice. The stitch pattern is a diagonal rib. She has skinny legs, so I measured her thighs and cast on 60 stitches. I think they turned out pretty cute!

My personal Easter bunny

yarn: Rowan Cashcotton DK (color #600)
pattern: "Bunny Tails" from Itty Bitty Hats

more pictures on the blog.