68 days of baby knitting
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 3:58PM My baby will never have 25 hand knitted things.
Because mama has fallen woefully behind schedule. Maybe someday Shamrock will be able to forgive me. How did my other babies make it to the ages of 9, 7, and 5 without having 25 knitted things before they were born?
It's a mystery.
I was sick, did you know that? Like, really sick with the flu. I had to cancel a teaching assignment I had been looking forward to for a year. I have never done that before, and I won't lie: tears were shed.
Knitters, being some of the nicest people in the world, made me feel less despondent. When people heard my classes were canceled because I was too sick to travel and my doctor forbid me to leave my bed, I got many messages saying, "I can take your class another time. Your health and the baby's health are much more important."
While I was sick, I was too sick to knit. Do you know how awful it is for someone who never has idle hands to sit and do absolutely nothing? Consequently, I am even more behind on my knitting.
But I am making progress on this sock yarn sweater. I adore the way Vivien Leigh knits up (this is Springvale Sock). ADORE it. But as it turns out, sock yarn sweaters take much longer to make than worsted weight sweaters do. Imagine that.
And at this juncture, I'm going to withhold the pattern info because I am very annoyed with the pattern, and don't wish to steer you towards making it. And I also don't want to upset the designer.
I hate the way this underarm and mid-back is looking. I have, however, ripped it out three times, and this is exactly how it is supposed to look if one follows the pattern directions.
The beauty of baby knitting is that babies don't care. And someday I will probably look back on this project and laugh about how worked up I was getting over the underarm of a sweater that a tiny person with 20/400 vision will be wearing.
So I'm going to let it go, rather than redesign it, since it's modular, and I would also have to rip out the sleeves in order to fix the back.
I think I need a nice, quick baby project after this one. Suggestions?
Reader Comments (31)
Socks! Sweet adorable little socks.
Another fav seems to be blocks. Squares with the letters of their names, one lettered square per one antique frame to hang in a baby room has always been my most commented on gift.They're fast, cute and make you feel accomplished in a short amount of time. Voila!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/small-things-sweater I like this one. . .and it's by the wonderful Carina Spencer so you can't go wrong, right? It was fast. . .and I just really love buttons :) I did it in Driftwood :) with funky teal buttons!
I have made a baby hoodie sweater that zips in the back that is very easy. Maybe a little stuffed animal?
PS -Your knitting is beautiful... even if you are frustrated with it!
PPS - So glad you are feeling better! :)
I don't have any suggestions at the moment for baby attire, but can I just say Vivien Leigh is just about the prettiest little girl color ever?? LOVE. And I am so glad you are no longer sick. :-)
i did EZ's February Baby Sweater for my BFF's baby born in March. it worked up quickly and beautifully.
Amy K, I made the Small Things Sweater for Baby Ceci back in December, and it was SOOO cute! :)
Keep the suggestions coming!
I'm working on this one right now, it's great!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twisty-trousers
Glad you are well again. Sometimes goals just need reset to save our sanity - I'd advise it. As for baby knitting... I love Pippin. It's my all-time fav baby sweater now. Pieapod Baby Set is cute. Knitter's Stash has an adorable Sophisticated Baby Jumper, but I've never made it. Hand knit socks are fast and wonderful on baby feet. There used to be a pattern by Patternworks called the Scandinavian Stoy-On Sock I LOVE that sock. It really did stay on.
Oops. That's Scandinavian STAY-ON Sock.
How about the Top Down Bonnet by Adrian Bizilia (with or without Anime Character decoration)? I've made about half a dozen of these, they're quick, easy but not boring, and always look darling. Glad you feel better!
I'd go with the My Honey pattern by Elena Nodel, Sharon. I did one in Kells ( Full of Grace) and it is so quick and so cute!
I have made small socks for my kids and I really loved having them. What about these? With cute little matching mittens? http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cozy-little-toes
Hope you feel better soon. I love knitting baby things, too, even though my "babies" are now teenagers. Booties are a huge favorite and there are so many on Ravelry that I won't link them here. Another cardigan that you might like to try is the concentric circles cardigan -- it's quick and simple.
any of EZ's patterns for babies--but I was especially thinking of a Baby Surprise--it's so cute for a little baby, and perfect for your yarns!
I personally like my own baby patterns (heh), but you can't go wrong with a Baby Surprise. (Probably you *could* but I never have.)
How about Christine's stay on booties to match?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christines-stay-on-baby-booties
I made my pending baby (well - not MY pending baby - but the baby of my sister - who is also much like MY baby - I was 10 when she was born) a tiny little Cascade sweater. It was in Petite Purls and it is JUST LOVELY - and was very fun to knit. I also just finished knitting another baby girl (born on May 3) Nellie - which is very pretty - but size 12m - so would be a little large for little Shamrock - but it was a pleasure to knit. Baby sweaters are my favorite thing to make. The BEST one was Eloise Eyelet Cardi - that is a free Lion Brothers pattern and was just fun and fast.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#remembered=121619|145368|159993|174902|2209|210998|171471|128586|4892&sort=best
This is 9 patterns I think are super cute. Some I have knit before, some I had planned to knit if I was having a baby girl. It looks like I will be blessed with another boy, so I pass on the cute to you.
One of my favorite baby patterns is "In threes." It's a little cardigan in worsted wool and has sizes from itty bitty to preschooler. I've made three so far, it's my go-to sweater when I want something quick and pretty for a baby girl. You can find it on Ravelry. Happy Knitting and I'm glad you're feeling better. :)
I like these:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribby-wrap
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/milo-3
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribbed-baby-jacket
Also, I hear this is super speedy :)
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fraggle-hat