Are you ready for some football????

Well, football HAT. :)

Modified this slightly to fit a 9 month old baby, although I didn't modify the height, so it was a bit tall for the little guy. I guess that makes it look more like a football on his head though. His mom loved it so I am glad!

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in brown, and something random in white :)
Pattern: Football Hat

I am currently making some fingerless gloves for some kids I know, and working on a christmas project! Hope everyone is enjoying fall... I love the leaves falling and hot chocolate at night! :)

Hi!

Just checking in to let you know I am still alive. I've kind of fallen out of blogging lately but I don't think I'm ready to stop altogether! :) Lately I've been sporting pants and cardigans (even in the heat), baking pumpkin things, and seeing hints of the leaves beginning to turn. Bring on Fall! I love this season!

I will post more when I can (I hear the kids waking up), but here is my little guy sporting his winter hat I made him back in July!

Pattern: Farmhouse Baby Hat
Yarn: Patons Roving

Happy fall!!!!!!!

Little hats and blankets

I decided it was time to do something with this box of scrap skeins I have been keeping forever. My first thought of course was baby hats! I pulled out some colors I liked and came up with these:

(Side note: WHY does blogger turn my photos like this? so annoying!)

(I give up... everyone just tilt your heads to the right. thanks)

So anyway! The first one is geared towards a baby boy but doesn't have a recipient just yet. The second one I had enough of the green to make an entire hat, and then I had the idea to go buy a flower hair clip (tarjay) and clip it onto the stitches. I gave that one to some friends/former coworkers who won't find out the sex of their kid until they are born in Sept. It works out great though: if they have a girl, the hat is fine! If they have a boy, they can remove the clip and give it to their daughter! Perfect :-)

In other baby knitting news, I started some baby blankets. I'm not sure if I should post them just yet because I want them to be a surprise... so hold tight people! I am making them stroller sized, so the first one is almost done and it's only been a week! Woot.

It's July???

Whoops it's suddenly July! I guess I should do a wrap up of anything that came off my needles in the past few months! I haven't worked much on that blue cowl (surprise surprise, because it's for ME).

OK this one is actually from April?!? I made a cowl as a birthday gift for my friend Natalie. I used some yarn I had reclaimed from an old navy sweater and it's really nice... has some wool and I think even a touch of angora? Anyway I had fun modeling it for my project photos :) I really want one for myself now!

Pattern: Columbia Cowl

I also made some preemie and baby hats, and a ballband dishcloth (which pulled me out of a knitting funk where I was not in the mood to do anything! Scary!!!)

Then after finding out the sex of my cousin's baby-to-be, (Boy!) I got to working on a few things:

Pattern: Baby Sophisticate

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore

I liked the pattern but I made the 6-12 month size and it came out newborn.... yikes. So keep that in mind if you want to make it. The arms were long enough for a 6 month old but it would barely button around my friend's 2.5 month old kid.... sooooo thats why it is going to my cousin (was originally making it for a baby who is already born, oops).

I also threw together this "Phoenix Suns" hat - I hope the basketball button makes them realize it is in team colors! hehe!

Whew - Still more to share!!! Hope you guys aren't getting tired :)

My friend from college (she's the one who made those cool knitting cookies!) is pregnant again... with TWINS! She found out they were going to have 2 girls (woot!), so along with passing on some of Norah's old clothes I made these hats:

Pattern: my own, notes here

Yarn: Leftover Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride bulky (they knit up so fast!)

And last but not least, mom's birthday present:

Pattern: Ilene Bag

Yarn: Sugar & Cream kitchen cotton

I followed another user's mods to make it slightly smaller than written, I think it turned out nicely. I think if I make it again I might make the strap a few stitches narrower, but it is comfortable on the shoulder. Anyway I think mom liked it! Happy birthday! :-)

Flying helmet

Last winter my friend had a baby boy, and also had a plan to make him a hat. Well she never got it finished (something about being a WORKING mom, I can't imagine the lack of knitting time!!!) Anyway I told her as a late christmas gift this year that I would knit that hat pattern.


Pattern: Flying Helmet, with mods
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool

The pattern only went up to the size "6-12 months" and the recipient is currently 13 months old, so I knew I would have to modify the size a little. I chose that size and then used regular worsted yarn on size 7's. I also modified the pattern to knit in the round... basically once I had the front flap and ear flaps knit, I winged it. Turned out okay, although the decreases at the top are a bit more lumpy than I wanted (should I have skipped using any knit rounds between decreases?) Anyway I am sending the hat to my friend tomorrow so I hope that it fits her little boy!!!!

Also in the works: I have cast on for the Owls sweater, but I think I might need to go up one more size (using worsted yarn instead of bulky that the pattern calls for). Waiting to get some more measurements of my friend (the recipient)

Aaaaand Mare and I divvied up the yarn for our blanket and we both cast on. The yarn is sooooooooo soft (see last post for pics, it's Knitpicks Biggo). I even did a provisional cast on (first time?) so we can join our blanket halves together seamlessly (I hope!).

OH! Also I got a wonderful picture of my friend and her little girl that I knit the Cheery Scrap Cap for! It is big on her but looks adorable.... look at her little face!!!

Slightly bigger hats and more

I had originally written my Basic Toddler Hat pattern while making some hats for a friend's 2 young boys. Ultimately I decided the hats were a bit too small for the recipients, because the hats seemed to fit Norah and her friends pretty well (and the recipients were older).

Anyway I decided to try them again with an extra inch of width. I am going to go ahead and send them off and see if they fit... if not I will report back and try AGAIN! Good thing I know lots of little boys being born this year I can send them too!


Modification: CO 72 sts

Right now I'm working on a hat for my friend's little boy... she had started working on it last year but never got it done, so I told her as a christmas gift THIS year I'd knit it for her!

Coming eventually: a blanket project that I am co-knitting with my SIL! Wound up the yarn today:


Yarn: Biggo from Knitpicks

It's super soft and squishy and I am very excited to knit with it! Anyway hope you all are having a great week! I had fun going out to lunch today with Cynthia for her 28th birthday! ;-)

Jewelry and Vikings

What do those things have in common? I knitted them!

1. Jewelry:
I was trying to think of something to make my mom for Christmas... something I haven't knitted her yet (see: 2 sweaters, scarves, gloves, slippers, dishcloths, felted bowl, etc etc). Mom always wears really nice jewelry that matches her outfit. I thought... maybe I could knit a necklace???


Pattern: Knit Your Pearls
Yarn: Wilkinson Fancy Yarn Lustre (gifted from a UK friend)


I still need to find a button or clasp to close it up, but I like it! I think having the shiny metallic yarn helps it feel more like jewelry.

2. Vikings
A friend and coworker of my husband is expecting his first child. He is a fan of Lord of the Rings and dwarves and such. I was trying to come up with a cute geeky baby gift to knit for them, and this is what I ended up with:


It's technically a viking hat, but I think its close enough to something dwarvish. The horns are kind of huge compared to the hat/baby head size, but I think it's going to be extra adorable that way!

Pattern: Viking hat, followed some mods for a newborn size and horn mods (see rav page)
Yarn: Various basic wools, I think mostly patons!

Coming soon: a bear!

P.S. Check out Courtney's blog... she did her "Ravelry links" post and included some of my favorites :)

Round 2

After finishing up the baby legwarmers and hat for my hubby's pregnant cousin #1 (having a girl), I moved onto the second couple, who are having a boy! I thought this pattern would make him look like a cute little baby elf boy:


I am missing the button in the photo, but it's a cute little brown one!
Pattern: Vintage Pixie Cap from Vintage Knits for Modern Babies
I used worsted yarn so I only cast on 60 sts (trying to make a 0-3 month size)

And I whipped up some bootie/socks to match:


That is probably one of my fav baby sock patterns. (Link: Layette from Itty Bitty Nursery)
It's constructed just like a regular sock, but on worsted yarn and in the tiny baby size it goes SO fast! I knit the foot a little shorter than the pattern specifies (probably like 2.5 inches long instead of three before the toe).

Now for pregnant cousin #3.... I have cast on these pants: Kanoko Pants
We will see if I can get them done by Saturday! Go go go!

Knitting: a strenuous sport at times

Not this weekend but NEXT weekend I am attending a baby shower for THREE of Greg's cousins who are expecting. THREE! Yikes... let's just say it is full on baby knitting time!!!! Luckily Norah took a really long nap this afternoon and that combined with time in the evenings I whipped these out this week:


Baby legwarmers and a hat, my own design. 2x2 ribbing and then 2 rows of each color. Quick and hopefully cute! The hat came out a tad bigger than I planned, so I will call it a 6 month sized set.

Now... what's next!!!!

Basic toddler hat

A reader asked the particulars on the boys hats I finished the other day, so I thought I'd write down what I did. I'm sure there are a million patterns like this out there (it's pretty basic) but I know sometimes it's nice not to have to sort through them all!

(This pattern is the property of Lauren Estes and may not be reproduced except for personal use. Please do not otherwise print or distribute this pattern without Lauren Estes’ express written permission. Thanks!)

Yarn: Lion brand Wool Ease, or other worsted weight yarn (Patons would be fabulous). Can use one color or as many as you'd like!
Needles: US7 dpns or a long circular needle for magic loop.
Sizing: 12 months to 2 years, depending on head size. This fits my 11 month old surprisingly well, but her head is in the 98% range!

Pattern:

CO 64 sts.
If using dpns, divide evenly on needles. I used the magic loop technique on a long circular.

Join to begin working in the round and begin K2, P2 ribbing until piece measures one inch.
Switch to stockinette (knit every stitch). Here you can stripe your hat as you wish, using as many colors as you want. For my hats, I knit the following pattern using 2 colors:

Knit three rows with the main color - "MC" (the color you used for the ribbing)
Knit one row in a second color - "SC"
Knit one row MC
Knit 5 rows SC
Knit one row MC
Knit 1 row SC
Switch back to main color and knit every round until piece measures 6 inches from cast on edge.

Decreases:
*K2tog, K6* repeat till end of round.
K all stitches.
*K2tog, K5* repeat till end of round.
*K2tog, K4* repeat till end of round.
*K2tog, K3* repeat till end of round.
*K2tog, K2* repeat till end of round.
*K2tog, K1* repeat till end of round.
*K2tog* repeat till end of round.

Cut yarn and pull the tail tightly through the remaining stitches. Weave in all ends and block if desired.

Preemie hats

One of my good friends just started a new job working in the NICU at one of our local hospitals. She knew I was a knitter, and I jumped on the chance and asked if they needed any knitted preemie hats/etc. She said YES and that the hats they did have were a bit "ugly" looking. I think I knew what she meant (pastel red heart yarn, anyone?) and immediately set out to whip up some cute more modern hats. Of course I asked my designated knitter Cynthia to join, and she even got one of HER friends to knit up some as well!!! I just delivered the first batch of about 8 hats (i think) to my nurse friend!!!! Of course I forgot to get pics. Jeez.

I am still making more though, so here are a few of my "round 2" batch of hats!

Attack of the flowers

Finished the commissioned hat by adding another flower!


And I finished some slippers for my MIL.... by adding a flower! lol

Almost done!

I have the pink hat done and a grey flower sewn on!


Last thing I need to do is make and add a smaller pink flower inside the grey one!

Swatchin'

I was asked by a college friend of mine if I could knit her a hat for her almost one-year-old niece! So far I've knit a couple swatches to help us decide on the style and colors. Here is what we decided on:


It's just a simple ribbed brim hat but with a 4x4 cable thrown in for interest! To top it off we are going to add a flower. Most likely this grey one I knit up:


Still thinking about a smaller pink flower in the middle or maybe a button? I will keep you posted on how it turns out!

Quick hat for a growing boy...

Our friends had a baby boy in late December. I had made him a cute little stripey hat and socks (post here), but it was definitely sized for a newborn! I thought since we surely would have a few more weeks of chilly weather (if not more) that he needed a slightly bigger boy hat :-) This was quick and easy, I love how it has the bold stripe in the middle of the hat!

Here is the adorable model (wearing it upside-down, but still cute!)

Lots of knitting!

Whew, my needles have been busy lately. I keep getting distracted by small quick projects and procrastinating on my sweaters! Sheesh :)

First, I had a commissioned project for my friend Larissa. She had a mess of knitting gifts to get finished by a set date, and wasn't sure that she was going to make it, so I jumped in and knit up this "batman" mask on her behalf! She paid me for the yarn, and it knit up in 2 days!

Pattern: Zsa Mask  (Rav link)

My friend Candace said her and her mom were knitting preemie hats for charity, and I wanted to help out. I just finished knocking out 4 teeny tiny hats to contribute!

Those are from my own pattern:  Baby Cables Preemie Hats

These are modified versions of this hat: Pixie Hat.  I CO 46 stitches to make it more of a preemie size!

I also got in the mood to make a little something for Norah. Well actually Greg saw the tiny pixie hats I was making and said Norah needed one too :) So here's the "big girl" version for her! (CO 66 sts)

I added an applied i-cord tie to keep it on her head. I also had to make matching mittens to go with the hat!!!

So cute :) I improvised the pattern, just some 1x1 ribbing, then some stockinette, then decreases like at the top of a hat.

Next post: I finally knit something for MYSELF!!!!!

Back in the groove

It's nice to be back in the groove of knitting again! After getting Christmas stuff out of the way, I have had several baby items to make (so many friends having babies! Must be something in the water???)....

For my friend from high school Sarah, who is having a baby girl ANY DAY now, I sent her this hat and bootie set:

 

Pattern:  Hat pattern   Bootie pattern (Rav link)

Next up, one of my coworkers and his wife were also due to have a baby girl (she is born now!) so Cynthia and I collaborated to make a hat and booties (she did the booties) out of some fun orange yarn:

Pattern: Aston hat

Third in line is another one of my high school friends, Becca, who is having a baby boy in March! We just had her baby shower this last weekend, so I got these things together:

Booties:   Garter stitch booties  (used some mods from ravelry)
Sweater:  Felix's cardigan

I also threw in a couple of bibs for Becca as well:

Pattern: Sideways Garter Stitch Bib (rav link)

Pattern: I love stockinette baby bib  (rav link)

WHEW! I have a couple other bibs but I haven't gifted them yet (for 2 other friends who have already had their babies). It's the same garter stitch sideways bib as the solid blue one above, only I cast on less stitches and used small scraps of different colored cotton I had lying about. It makes for a cute bib and a good use for all the tiny balls of cotton I have!

Anyway I think that's enough for now! Will post again soon with some charity knitting and something I just cast on for Norah :)

4 weeks and a return to knitting!

My lil girl hit 4 weeks old today!
.

She's pretty much the cutest thing ever! Bib knit by Jess!

Annnnd in exciting news I have finally picked up the needles again!!!

This is for a friend's baby boy who is due to be born in Jan! I've cast on some baby socks to match!

Side project!

Sometimes a girl has to take a break from making a cabled sweater for her baby to make a cute lil newborn hat for her baby! LOL!

Basically I wanted something that would fit her as soon as she came out... I had this sock weight yarn from Jessica that had lovely pink and brown shades (sorry the color in the picture is a little bit off), and I thought it'd be perfect for a delicate little hat! I started with 2x2 ribbing, and then decided to keep going with it so that the hat would be snug no matter what! Turned out pretty well :-)

Supa cute!

The other weekend my SIL gave me an adorable outfit for my babe, and ALSO this really cute knitted HAT!

AND we got the yarn that we're going to use to jointly knit my baby girl a blankie!!!!!

I need to cast on soon because I love those colors! :)

Hope everyone else is having a good week and as beautiful weather as we are right now!