Finished or Almost Finished Objects

I have been a busy bee with baby knits. I want to get as much done for the baby's arrival as possible. And heaven knows I love the instant gratification of baby knits! *grin*

So I have been working on knitting as much as possible.


Loving Memories Lacy Bunting

Cast On:
May 20, 2009

All Knit, Just Waiting for Buttons & Bottom Closure:
Around July 30th, 2009

Generated by Flickr Album Maker

Pattern:
Loving Memories Lacy Bunting by Lion Brand Yarn
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kwe-bunt.html

Made for:
Kiddle Due in Sept.

Needles:
US 4 / 3.5 mm
US 6 / 4.0 mm

Yarn:
Bernat Organic Cotton in white - 43006
Purchased at Smiley's Yarns in Woodhaven, New York

I looked at a number of buntings and really like this one. The lacy bits on the bottom will be lovely for my baby girl who is due in Sept.

I have decided to knit the body in the round. I loathe seaming and there doesn’t seem like there is a good reason why it needs to be done for this piece.

I subtracted 2 stitches from each side of the front & back. That means I cast on 180 sts.

I charted out the lace pattern. It is my first time converting a flat pattern into one in the round. It was definitely interesting. I should post the chart to my blog as it might be useful for someone else.

I finished knitting the body on 7/25. Added the hood which was done shortly afterwards.

Just need to add the buttons. I am also thinking about on putting a zipper on the bottom. The pattern suggests velcro. But after having some velcro get stuck to another knit item, I think having it on a knit item on purpose is just asking for trouble. So the zipper might work better.


Wave Jumper

Cast On:
May 17, 2009

Completed:
July 18, 2009

Generated by Flickr Album Maker

Pattern:
Wave Jumper by Leslie Barbazette
From from 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders

Made for:
Kiddle due in Sept.

Size:
3-6 mns - Middle size

Needles:
US 3 / 3.25 mm (I think, might have been a 2 and I didn't mark it)

Yarn:
Some Assembly Required Socks That Shine
~400.0 yards (365.8m)
Colorway - Roses Are Red
Purchased at Etsy Trunk Sale


The middle size pattern has errors in it. It should be 198 sts cast on. There are additional changes as well.

I was super impressed. I wrote to let the publisher know about the error. Within a day, the editor wrote me back with all the corrections! It was very cool.

They have posted the corrections for the middle size:
http://www.storey.com/correct_book.php?isbn=9781580176880

This was my third attempt at the pattern. The first two were in self striping yarns. I thought they would look good after looking at some finished projects. But they didn’t work at all.

I think this colorway is okay. It is still busy, but the colors relate well and I think it looks good.

I confess that there were times I thought I would never finish it. If it wasn’t that my baby will be here soon, I might never have completed it. The skirt was kinda tedious. But I did a bunch in the car which helped.


Going Home Mary Janes

Cast On & Completed:
August 1, 2009

Generated by Flickr Album Maker

Pattern:
Mary Jane Booties by Lucie Sinkler
http://home.howstuffworks.com/free-baby-bootie-knitting-patterns2.htm

Made for:
Kiddle

Needles:
US 3 / 3.25 mm

Yarn:
Knit Picks Shine Sport
~0.5 skeins = 55.0 yards
Colorway - Cherry
Purchased at Knit Picks
http://www.knitpicks.com


Figured these would be cute to go with the February sweater. It is to match my baby to come’s going home outfit.

They were a super fast knit and very easy. They look adorable. They only took a few hours to knit. Hope they fit well.

Suspect I will make others given the simplicity and the look of them. Very cute.

3 1/2” long
1 1/2-1 1/34” wide

I should have taken the pics *before* they got washed as they looked better. But they will look great on her feet!

I suspect I will make more of these. They were so quick and cute it is hard not to.

Quick Update

I really need to do a long post. I have been a busy gal. But I haven't had the time to post.

I am participating in the Tour de Fleece...mostly. I have skipped a few days. Long story but things have been happening with my cat. (I have been posting about it on my general journal - http://akkasha.livejournal.com) So there have been days when I couldn't do anything.

On the knitting front, I finished the Wave Jumper dress. I need to take pics and post them.

I have the button band left to knit on the Loving Bunting. I will also make a hat to match I think. Though I am debating what to do with the lower edge. The pattern suggest velcro. But my MIL pointed out that velcro and knitting can be a bad mix. And after washing a baby blanket with another item that had velcro, I found out she was definitely right. There is an odd patch in the middle of the knit blanket where I pulled off the velcro. I don't think most people would notice it. But still kinda frustrating.

I am thinking about just using the bottom edge to make a casing, then running some yarn through the bottom. Probably the easiest route. I also thought about just adding some trim to the bottom so it won't roll. It starts in stockinette (because they figure you are adding the velcro).

Need to get back to work. Between the work conference, the cat and baby stuff, I feel like I don't have much free time. I am terrified what will happen *after* the baby arrives!

Impressed with Storey Publishing & New WIP

I am really impressed with Storey Publishing. I sent an email yesterday about the error in the Wave Jumper pattern. Today, I got email back from the editor of One-Skein Wonders series, Judith Durant. She thanked me for alerting them to the issue.

She sent me the corrections for the pattern in the middle size! Within a day! I am mighty impressed.

I wanted a baby project to work on last night. After the Wave Jumper, I decided I needed a super simple project. I cast on the Baby Love Diagonal Baby Blanket by Lion Brand Yarn.
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60241.html

The beauty besides the simplicity is that since it is a diagonal, half the blanket is increases, the second half decreases. I have two skeins of Caron Simply Soft Eco yarn. So when skein #1 is about to run out, I can start the decreases with #2. So that way the blanket will work out regardless of how big it is.

Since I have less yarn than the pattern calls for, I figure my blanket will be much smaller. But I think it should still be a nice size.

Some Projects Are Just Challenging...

I am happy to report I finished the Gothic Temptress socks. I also cast on and completed a February Baby Bonnet to match the sweater. So it was definitely a good knitting weekend. I will try to post pictures soon.

I decided I wanted another baby project on the needles. I really thought that the Wave Jumper from the 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders would be an ideal project.

So I cast it on yesterday. I decided to go with the 3-6 month size. Figured that would be a good size. Counted stitches. All good. Went on my merry way. Knit the first two rows. Third row was were the pattern repeat really started. Got the last pattern repeat. Ummm. I was either short several stitches or over a lot.

Checked Ravelry. Only one person had done the middle size as best as I can tell. She said the number of stitches were wrong but didn't say by how much. I did the math. It was definitely incorrect.

So I cast on the correct # of stitches for the repeats. Knitting along. But something was wrong.

I managed to twist it somehow when I connect it for knitting in the round. *sigh*

I frogged it again.

I think it might just be a project for a later date and perhaps another yarn. I figured the ONline Supersocke 100 would be fun as it is a self striping yarn. And it would show off the wave pattern. But I don't know if it is the best choice. The yarn is kinda splitty. Also, there is a lot of pattern in the yarn already. The plies aren't the same color in most areas. So it is a pretty busy yarn. It might be too busy for the dress. I am not sure yet. I might try again at a later date. But I think something else should go on my needles right now.

I still have a Wensleydale Lace socks on my needles. I should try to finish by the end of the month for the KAL. Don't know if that will happen of course. I have maybe 1/2"-1" done of them. So probably not in only 20 days as I am not a fast knitter. But who knows. I still want to complete them as they should be pretty socks. (And the silk and nylon in them might make them nice summer socks.)

And then there is the alpaca cardigan that is always in the works. *laugh* I should try to finish it for next fall. But I haven't really been inspired by it. So it isn't moving very fast. It is silly as I have done the sleeves & about 1/4th-1/3rd of the body. So I should just get moving on it!

The brain has been percolating. And pattern searching of course. *grin* I am thinking a simple baby blanket would be good. I picked up some purple Caron Simply Soft Eco yarn. It is very soft and machine wash. I had figured it would make a nice blankie.

There is a super simple baby blanket:
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60241.html

The beauty of the pattern is that it is knit on a diagonal. So I can just keep increasing until I am almost out of yarn & then decrease with the second skein. It should work well.

Still thinking I might want another baby project on the needles. Maybe booties to match the February sweater & bonnet?