Last year, back when da Little Brother was personally trying out the patient-care in several hospitals around town, we got some nifty family news.
We were going to be gifted with another Great Nephew in November! (2012) So I got all sorts of inspired to try out knitting baby stuff!
As I recall, the baby arrived and I was nearly done with all the projects I'd started so I quickly washed everything and shipped it off a week or two late.
I started out with the "Easy Peasy Baby Jacket". 'Cept I made the vest version:
The Yarn is a Wool-Ease Tweed from my stash.
Next on the agenda...I wanted to try a "Baby Surprise Jacket" by Elizabeth Zimmerman.
This project was also part of my 2012 Ravellenic Games knitting and earned me Synchronized Stash Busting and Baby Dressage Medals.
{Medals can be viewed lingering on the right hand side of the blog page.} ;-)
 |
| CooPurr "helped". |
 |
| And posed like an experienced Cat Model. |
So - directed by EZ's pattern, I knitted the interesting shape:
 |
| The seaming took me a couple of tries to make the neck large enough and the shoulders even. |
{Cat Statuary courtesy of the DH's Paternal Grandmother - who I didn't get to meet, but I think we would have liked each other.}
Last project - and the most challenging.
I'd picked up a fancy kit {I found out how fancy at the checkout counter {sigh-shame on me} at the LYS across town: the Lamb's Ear Cardigan.
But I have to say - the organic cotton in this kit was very yummy and I think there might be enough yummy yarn left over for another cardigan (hoodless).
I knit all the sweater pieces...
The sleeves confounded me a bit…the instructions were a bit light on construction guidance and didn't mention seaming up the sides.
I checked the internet for errata or clues…nothing specific but the manufacturer’s website does say “pattern is written for a advanced knitter”.
A more experienced knitterly friend answered my unformed question just as I had started knitting the sleeves in the round and I commented on the “light” finishing section of the pattern. She said the traditional way to seam up a baby sweater is - after you’ve knit the sleeves flat, to seam the sleeves from the cuff and then on down the sides of the sweater. Ohhhh. Ok.
Apparently I’m not an “advanced” knitter with traditional pattern background knowledge. Good thing my friends are!
 |
| I discovered that long cast-on tails are really useful during the seaming-up process. |
The seaming up went pretty well.
Nikoli, the DH, & the ceramic cat helped helped me take pictures.
I consulted with an expert, Shepherd Susie, to find out if the ears I knit truly resembled a lamb's ear.
She said they were "Perfect". {grin}
I didn't knit anything for a newborn so timing wasn't much of an issue. I understand my youngest great-nephew was able to wear the Lamb Ear Cardigan last winter but it is more likely he'll might be big enough this year to wear more of the items I knitted. Some might even work for a couple o'three years. {grin}
Whups - belatedly, there were also some wee socks knitted for my newest great-nephew. The first pair his Grandmother asked if she could give to...hmmm...to his new 2nd cousin {I think that's the relationship} so I knit this pair to send along with the cardigans & vest I've already described:
Oh, these are so tasty! How I would love to see these being worn by the babe himself. These pieces satisfy my long-held desire to see baby things done in earth colors, rather than the conventional pastels. Beautiful hues in these yarns.
ReplyDelete