Amelie Dress

Amelie Dress from the book Natural Knits.

I used Cascade Arcadia, that is a dream to work with and machine washable to boot. I may add few more flowers, still undecided about that.

Lu

that other little project

It's not just all baby sweaters and baby hats around here. I'm making an actual baby! Time for another belly shot:


week 30

And this belly's moving! Check out the video:


click on picture for Windows Media version
(click here for RealPlayer version)

Dance, baby, dance!

--Alison

Julian's Christmas Sweater

I knit this cardi (inspired by Kate Gilbert's A cardigan for Arwen from the Winter 2006 issue of Interweave Knits) for my 18 month old this Christmas.



More details (and the pattern!) on my blog at www.annypurls.blogspot.com.

Cheers!

Wrap-around Newborn sweater

We have a finally finished object. Just in time too as the intended recipient- Chloe Marie- was
born today.

Pattern: Judy’s Grandmother’s Baby Sweater from Greetings from the Knit Cafe
Yarn: Aracaunia by Atacama
Needles: No. 5 Addi Turbos
Started: Sometime in October
Finished: 12/27/2006
Impressions: This is one of those genius knits where there is nary a seam, although you do have to pick up stitches in several places which takes me just as long. The benefit to a seamless baby sweater though is that there are no lumpy seams. It seems like a good way to use variegated yarn as well since it’s such a simple stitch. I personally don’t like multi-coloured yarn in things that are too complicated and am always searching for good patterns to highlight the colours in the yarn. I might try doing this again in something lighter weight or more cottony as I think this sweater is going to be really, really warm. It is soft though. This is just one of those really freakin’ cool patterns. Cause it’s seamless folks. Cross posted at my blog.

First finished baby item

I've never been a bootie fan, they're just too froo-froo for me. But the socks, they're just mini's and they are just way too cute! And damn quick too. They're so easy and quick, I even weaved in my stray ends!

So here they are, all alone, and sitting on the feet of my pregnant teddy bear at my desk:







Aren't they adorable!
Lesha

Alex's Labrador Diamonds

I loved this pattern and can't wait to put them on him. Details are on my page.

Some long finished items

I finishe dthe Surprise Baby Jacket a couple of weeks ago, but just never got around to posting. I really enjoyed making this pattern. EZ was truly a genius!
The best part of it is that I used some incredible Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn and didn't have to cut it at all. The whole hank is in there. I had to use a little bit of another yarn for the last 3 or so inches of bind off. This means that when the baby use is done, it can become socks for me! Hooray!
The second picture is of the bib that I converted from crochet to knit. I finished this before November but again, never got around to posting it. I like the yarn, and I like the pattern, but I don't like the yarn and pattern together. I hope to redo it with a regular kitchen cotton.
Ann

Snowflake Sweater

Hi, this is my first post and the first time I ever put pics up in a blog! I just finished this Easy Baby Cardigan. I'm really excited about how nice it turned out. I don't know if I'm having a boy or a girl, and I don't like all the yellow clothes (especially in winter), so I used black Cascade 220 superwash. Yay, now the baby has something to wear home from the hospital!

One Sweater Down...

one to go!
I finally finished my nephew's sweater, just in time for Christmas...
More details on my blog!

Rhonda

Lacy Bonnet

Presenting the Lacy Bonnet from Knitting for Two by Erika Knight! I made it as a gift for a friend who is due in March, a week after me! The bow looks ridiculously large in this photo, but no instructions were included for how big or small they should be, so hopefully it will be okay. Perhaps they look so big because there is no baby to fill out the hat yet?


I used Rowan Wool Cotton in Tender, which the pattern called for. It says that you will need 2 balls, but I found that I used less than one. I used the recommended needle size but came under gauge and therefore the hat is a little smaller, probably 3-6 months instead of 6-9. I plan on making one for my baby as well, so I will go up in needle size.


It took me quite awhile to figure out how to tie the bows. I'm a knitter, not a bow person! Eventually with a needle and thread I got something that resembles the photo in the book. Instead of sewing the bows to the hat, I sewed little buttons on the ribbon. I then buttoned the "earmuffs" using one of the eyelets as a buttonhole.

Overall it was a fun knit and quick. I will definitely make it again!

Wool hat and mittens

I've finally gotten around to making my little guy (9 months old) a decent winter hat and mittens. The poor kid was really looking like a ragamuffin in his mismatched, ill-fitting hat and mittens. I got the inspiration for the mitts from Laura's post on this blog on December 11. The original "pattern"/recipe comes from Lisa's blog here (scroll down to November 19). I changed things up a bit and did a crochet/slip stitch chain instead of an I cord for the connector. The hat is from the Bernat pattern booklet called "Baby Love." Both were knit in Patons Classic Merino, color Bright Red. Both were really quick, easy projects that I was able to complete in a few hours. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to try them on my babe. Let's hope they fit! (Sorry for the dark picture. I didn't feel like waiting for sunlight to get this posted. Maybe I'll replace it with a nicer pic later. Or not . . . )

--Kelley

Baby Bib!!

hi all! just finished a baby bib. the pattern is from the Mason Dixon Knitting Book. it is an incredibly easy pattern and tons of fun to make. the yarn is sugar and cream, key lime pie colorway. i just love making these-the colors of the cotton are so much fun! i will hopefully be posting a blanket to go with this soon!

orange snowflake

I recently finished a toddler's hat for my niece, she is 2, but it fits my son (who is almost 9 months old), so I think this counts as a baby knit...


It was a fun knit, it was my first colorwork project so I enjoyed watching the pattern form from row to row; and it's without a doubt the brightest thing I have ever made...kids like bright colors (well, at least my niece does, her favorite color is orange!).

There is more information than anyone really needs about this hat on my blog if you are interested.

Fruit Roll Up Hat

I've knitted another Fruit Roll Up Hat for Cara. The pattern is by Laura Sanchez for LL and I bought it on eBay. Cara has outgrown the baby one I did for her in Lorna's Laces Worsted in Bittersweet - I never got a good photo of it on her because the colours are so bright, but that's the swatch in the lower photo; Bittersweet is the most mouthwatering colour.

The new one is the largest size and is in LL Worsted again, this time in Iris Garden (top photo; I can't persuade Blogger to rearrange them). It's the same yarn as the Debbie Bliss Hooded Top but I don't suppose she'll wear them together, they'll just fill out her wardrobe of purp and pinkle. I didn't do all the bobbles on this one, because I was worried about running out of yarn, but I probably could have done another row.

I'm giving her a picture book called 'Shall I Knit You a Hat?' (by Kate Klise) for Christmas, so I'll give her the hat then too. Photos may follow.

Quick Pair of Mittens

I just finished up a quick pair of mittens for my little girl (I know, I know, not really girly colors). I was inspired by a pair I saw on Lisa's blog and followed her directions (second post on this page) for mine as well.

Anyway, they were a quick knit and have already come in very handy!

Happy knitting,
Laura B

Hi! I'm a very beginning knitter and a new mama. I made my first sweater recently. It's the garter stitch baby sweater from the Yarn Girls Guide to Kid Knits.

Here's my darling girl checking herself out in the mirror. The yarn is Manos del Uruguay agate.

I'd love to attempt the child's placket neck sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, but I'm feeling intimidated by double pointed needles. Any suggestions for books that might explain how to do it?
Happy knitting!

Laura

Smiley Baby Cardigan

Hi all! This is my first post, and I know I'm pushing it. My little girl is 19 months old (my son is 4), but I take a look at this blog every day and hoped I could contribute a few things before my daughter turns 2. She's still very much a baby, but then all of a sudden not. It's hard to describe this age.

Anyway..on with the knit. This is a modified Easy Baby Cardigan (free!) made with Henry's Attic Kona Merino. This was my first experience with superwash, and while it wasn't entirely unpleasant, it wasn't very special either. It's nice to have washable garments for children, but I think next time I'll stick with cotton if I really want to be able to get away without hand-washing. This was also my first time knitting from the top-down! I *adore* this method of knitting garments and want one of these for myself. The sweater practically knit itself. Was really fun.

Modifications include seed stitch collar and button band. I knitted the button band as I went, so when I was finished, it was done. I should have made the arms longer--M is going to be tall like her father and me. This will not fit her next year, unfortunately, even though the body will be long enough, the arms will be too short. - Jen

Baby's First Tattoo!

Here is Baby's First Tattoo from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation by Deb Stoller. Ok, it's only 99% finished, I haven't added the snaps yet. It's going to take me awhile to get them though, so I figured I'd go ahead and post! Yarn is Rowan Cashsoft, which was very nice to knit with! I wasn't so crazy about the pattern, as I think it could be done with less seaming. I also made some very wacky mistakes - the neckline is more of a "v" and I made some decreases right at the neckband that look....wack. I am thinking of ripping out...but otherwise I like how it turned out and blame any mistakes on a good ol' case of "Placenta Brain"!

Tiny Cables

This tiny little sweater has been finished for quite some time now... I just hadn't found the right buttons. Mom and I searched everywhere for buttons that would compliment the sweater but not distract from the cables. No luck in any of the sewing or department stores... Mom eventually found some perfect buttons in a little sewing kit from the dollar store! Yay Mom! :-D
So, here it is!

This first pictures gives a pretty good idea of the soft lilac colour....



while these photos (with the camera's flash turned off) show the cables better.





This was actually really fun to knit. All those tiny little cables.
The pattern came from one of those little booklets you find hanging on a rack near the baby yarns. But now I can't find it anywhere! It is lost amongst the chaos of my craft supplies right now. I will let you know where the pattern came from as soon as I can find it!

Baby hats

Hi there!
I am very good friends with the girls from my prenatal yoga class (I strongly recommend you to join one!) and I am going to knit hats for all their babies. Robin and Lisa will give birth in December, so here are their hats. I used Bunny Hop from Crystal Palace yarns. It's very soft and easy to work with, and there is a whole variety of nice colors. As I will be knitting 12 hats I am going to use the same yarn for all and will try to come with a good idea for the leftovers. I have published the patterns on my blog. I just created the patterns as I was knitting, so they can probably be improved, but the result was very nice and the moms liked the hats.
Have a nice weekend! Here in the Northeast it's snowy, perfect for knitting.

Prenatal Yoga

So, we have heard all the buzz about knitting being the new yoga. Well, let me tell you, it isn't! I just went to my first prenatal yoga class and it was fun, but a little tough. I don't think I have stretched out these muscles since highschool softball practice. Knitting is calming, soothing, and you don't have to worry about falling off a ball. Not so with real yoga.

Jackie

tea time

The Tea for Two sweater from Louisa Harding's Miss Bea's Rainy Day. I used Rowan Cashsoft DK, which is soooo soft, I think I want to use it for everything now. This baby sweater is long overdue for a friend's baby (born in the summer) so I have to give it away, but I think wee one needs one of these for sure!

--Alison

Seaming Time

I finished knitting the pieces of the sweater I'm working on and need to block and get to seaming. Question is: what works best for seaming? Use the same yarn or find a matching embroidery thread or something of the sort? I haven't made too many things that I've had to seam so I'd appreciate your help!

Not So Busy Lizzie

I have finished the sweater I was knitting for my friend's new baby. This is her fifth child and first girl, so something Very Feminine was in order.

pattern: Busy Lizzie from Rowan's Tadpoles and Tiddlers
yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (#07 "Fuschia")

As written, the pattern has intarsia flowers on the hem and collar (they're impatiens, the "Busy Lizzies" the sweater was named for), but I thought they were a bit much, so I left them off.

This was a great knit ... add another to the "make again sometime" category.

Hat and Booties

I love this pattern ("Baby Basics" by Fiber Trends). The booties were so easy to knit, and the little button on the top of the hat is a really sweet touch.


The Rowan Wool Cotton ("Tender") was a happy choice. It's very soft ... squishy, even ... and was quite easy to work with. I'll be using it again.

New member plus baby stuff galore

Hi there! I just joined. I'm Dove, and while I'm not expecting any time soon, for some reason I've found myself in the midst of a baby boom -- five babies born this month alone, including my niece!

Needless to say, I've been making baby stuf like crazy (in fact, besides a few socks, I think that's ALL I've made since late August), and thought this would be a good knit-along for me to join. I wish I'd found out about it sooner, because, like I said, there's been alot of babies and alot of baby stuff. I already got so many ideas.

Anyway, I wanted to share my latest with y'all: two sweaters and two toys. If you're interested, you can see my baby clothes and toys galleries on Flickr.

I hope this isn't too many pictures to post!

First up, a fish from Knitted Toys, for a friend's baby boy:



It's in Caron Simply Soft acrylic. It was an easy and quick knit, except there was some sort of huge error in the way the instructions for the lips were written.

And a sweater for him:



The chunky cabled sweater from Adorable Knits for Tots, and it's made with Wool-Ease. Cute pattern, but lots of mistakes in the pattern (the cabling panel's row 6 should read "work as 2nd row," and the sleeves come out too narrow when done as written). It's the 6-12 month size.

Next, a turtle for another friend's baby girl. From the same toy book, also in Simply Soft. Cute pattern, with no errors that I remember!



And a sweater for the same girl:



This is Robin Hood from Adorable Knits for Tots, in Knitpicks Swish, which I adore. It's soooo soft. I had concerns about the machine-washability of the yarn, because when I hand-washed the sweater to block it, it left alot of fuzz on my hands as I was working with it. However, I just ran a swatch through the wash and dry last night (cold wash, high setting dry), and it came out only very lightly fuzzed. It did not shrink at all width-wize, but lost a bit of length, which I could repair by lightly tugging on it. I'd recommend machine wash, air dry for this yarn.

Phew! That's it for now. I'm done with baby knitting until after the new year, but I look forward to seeing y'all's lovely creations!

Me too!

I have been so absorbed in being a new Mom that I was remiss in updating! Pictures aplenty and a few knits in the archives.

Switch Me!

Switch me over to the "new moms" category... Tali arrived 11/27!

Check out my blog for a picture...

:)
Bethany

call for help

This isn't knitting, but I'd like you all to look at it because it means alot to me.

There is a family that I came across in my travels at work who was in need. The husband is away in Iraq, leaving his wife at home alone with a 3 year old and 3 month old twins. The account was in a bad way and she was going to be without money for about a month. I'm having trouble getting the larger business to donate to an individual family rather than large charities so what I decided to do was to offer my services to the women at work as a manicurist for a 30% discount. All the money goes to the family and the checks are being written out directly to them. One of my friends works at the grocery store so she's going to "pay" me with gift cards to the store.
So here's the part where I ask for your help. I'm looking for any help you can provide to the family... diapers, toys, giftcards, etc. I don't know them personally so I have no idea the sex of the children but at their ages it's easy to get gender neutral toys and clothes. I know that it's tight for everyone this time of year. I'm struggling myself with a family of 4 to support, but this is important and I've been the recipient of the aid of strangers many times. I just wanted to try to do something for a mother who's worried about how to pay bills with her husband gone let alone providing a Christmas for them. All of you new moms know the panic that comes when the new baby comes home. If anyone wants to help, send me an email and I'll provide the my mailing address. Thanks for considering this!