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)
Don't worry about your baby not having 25 knitted things. You can make it by giving 25 cuddles and kisses. A baby can't have enough of that!
Brand new pattern by a norwegian designer: "Little seed vest"
Not tried but it looks simple and pretty.
Baby booties... they're quick, cute and too precious. Or maybe a headband for Shamrock... or maybe, and call me crazy, you should make a little something pretty for you... like a matching headband even.
I just finished the Lillie Baby Cardigan (pattern here: http://knitforyourlife.blogspot.com/2009/10/free-pattern-lillie-baby-cardigan.html). It was very fast, and I think it's adorable!
Tummy Warmer from Knitty. Cute, easy, short sleeved so quick.
So glad to hear you are feeling better! I really like this pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/like-sleeves-for-babies although when I knit it, I did it in the round and cast on fewer stitches. It is on fingering but really knits up quick. I also second the Cozy Little Toes socks, super cute and they really do stay on!
I made a mistake - the Like Sleeves for Babies pattern calls for sport not fingering!
Socks. Tiny and quick. Good for those really bone chilling Duluth winters.
I love, love, LOVE that colorway! Such a cute sweater for baby Shamrock.
Hopefully you are 100% all better now - but total bummer about being laid out so thoroughly.
I just did my first baby knit and loved it, I even loved working with 8ply/DK which I generally find to be the bane of my existence (bigger or littler I can take, that middle weight - ugh) - it was the free infant version of Puerperium Cardigan. One piece, easy as. I did shorten the arms, since they looked too long, but you are tall, maybe you have very army/leggy babies and it'd work as written.
I hope you are better now!
I have a feeling your baby will have 25 knitted things, but I think she's lucky because she'll have hand-knitted things as long as you're around! Babies grow so quickly - maybe you should get started on toddler things!