C's New Sweater for the Fall (and Spring)

I have been working on this sweater for Lil C for several months now. It's finally done! I got the pattern from Vintage Baby Knits and loved the diamond details in it.

I love the yarn i used (this taupe colour is my favourite colour these days) but i don't know what happened to my size. I swear i tested my gauge, but the sweater is clearly bigger than the 18 - 24 months size i chose. I guess that's a good thing as i just finished it and it's now Fall and C is 26 months!
The biggest part that i had to alter was the neckline. It was a boatneck but looked more like an 'off the shoulder look' on C that i knew it would annoy us both. I found a tutorial for 'elastic casting off' on-line and it really not only completed the look, it saved the sweater!

Our Sunday Morning - Warm and Cozy

We went out yesterday (Sunday) after another snowstorm came upon us. We didn't want it to hinder our plans, so Lil C got dressed up (again) in his winter suit. We lovingly call it his seal suit. It's a doubly knit one-piece suit that was made in Iceland. We got it locally at an amazing store, Mjolk but they only had the one for sale. Too bad, i get so many folks asking me about it! They do sell adult sizes, though...

Our Sunday Morning - Meeting a New Friend

We welcomed a new friend into the world this week, and i ran over to deliver some freshly made Pumpkin Spice Muffins (from The Joy of Vegan Baking) and this cute Owl Cozy Bag. A perfect way to get cozy when you're born in February, i think!

Knitting for the Family - Part 3

I love how friends and family have been working at knitting (and crocheting and sewing) for my wee one. Here are just a few examples of the beloved work he's gotten already.

Li'l C loves to play with his fun softies - this awesome crocheted monster doll is a new favourite. I personally love the fawn my sis made him (see it in the background?) and coincidently bought the same pear fabric for some other baby gear i'll be making him soon. Great minds...right?
My mom just finished this 1-button cardigan for him too. It will be perfect for Spring, which incidentally already seems to be here. I love how she picked non-boy colours too! Speaking if which, in response to Becky's comment on a previous post about baby clothes: i can't say i really wanted a girl but i do admit i love baby girl clothing. I just wish boy clothes were just as creative, whimsical, and playful - not just onesies and button down shirts with trucks and stuff! I think my blend of sweet French baby, homemade baby, and vintage baby is working well, and still allows C to look like the boy he is.

Speaking of whimsical, isn't this green vest lovely? And, yes that's cabled owls! My friend Kelly made it for him and i believe she found the pattern off Ravelry. It fits him perfectly already so i hope it lasts for a while yet!

Seeing my boy with the clothes and toys my loved ones have made for him warms my heart like you wouldn't believe. It truly is so precious. Thank you.

Knitting for the Family - Part 2

Good friends of ours are expecting their first baby this April. So, i happily took a break from knitting for my partner and baby in order to make some fun baby girl goodies. While there are oodles of fun patterns out there for girls - i will try not to lament again about not having the same volume of cute baby boy things to wear - i wanted to make them something less girlish. As i was looking around at all my craft porn, i knew that they would appreciate this decision, especially how we all still seem to believe girl = Peptobismal Pink.

Anyway, again i digress... So, i picked two lovely patterns from my Vintage Knits for Modern Babies book. I made the Apron Tunic Dress in a lovely muted green, using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino dk. And as my friend loves this shade of grey-lavender like i do, i wiped up these Ruby Slipper booties in no time. I am planning to make some for Lil C too.
The booties were an especially easy and straight forward pattern, that really takes just a couple of pieceful (i mean peaceful! pun intended) hours. The tunic dress was a bit more of a challenge as i could not understand some of the instructions. If anyone else has made it, let me know if you understood how to make the front without adding the pockets. The pattern calls for pockets but i thought a 3 month old would not need them, and this way J could stencil the cute doe for us to applique on the dress. I sent an inquiry email to the author for support, but only got a generic email back telling me to take the work to my local yarn store, a week after i already gave the gift to my friends. As i did not find any errata or other mentions of this pattern online, i went ahead with my plan and just made two back pieces. It worked out great! And, as you can see my 8-month old SON looks cute as a model and it fits fine.

Oh, and a gift is not complete without proper wrapping. So, i whipped up a knit bow to use. I loosely followed the instructions here, but made it much smaller (knit 7 across instead of 13). Maybe the wee one that comes in April will be able to wear it as Lil C is modeling!

Knitting for the Family - Part 1

I have fallen in love with knitting all over again. While some projects can take much longer than i have patience for (i want it NOW), it is such a lovely, meditative craft. I am also finding it very helpful to teach me said patience, now that i am the mother of a very active and inquisitive 8-month old! I especially love it as my babe is sleeping on me, or while he is playing nearby. It is also so great to have him play with the ball of yarn, even as i'm using it! I can honestly tell people, as i'm giving them a gift of something i hand-knit, that Lil C helped me make it!

Speaking of which, here is the first of 3 posts i plan on doing where i'll share with you something i recently made. I owe my partner, J quite a few projects. So, here's a long overdue scarf he requested. I used some lovely cottons and the scarf pattern is the Chevron pattern featured in the Scarf Style book. A great technique. I didn't plan it to look so like Harry Potter's scarf, but J likes it and that's all that counts.I ran out of the yellow yarn halfway through. The original is the Manos del Uruguay yellow but luckily i was able to find one similar (and also fair trade and organic!). I didn't realize that cotton is considered a 'seasonal' yarn and hence not always in stock at stores in the winter...Lucky me that i could still finish it for this season. To be honest, the second yellow fits better on the yarn and is even softer. I doubt you can see the difference in the photos, but if you really look, you can!

Farmers Market Knits

I love all the sweet toys we have for baby C. I have to admit, i am enjoying playing with them as much as he is. Even better, i've been able to make some and have friends and family also make gifts/toys especially for Li'l C.

Case in point, these great knit and crocheted veggies. Our friend Janice crocheted the eggplant and carrot and i love them. The carrot is assumably not organic as it's pretty huge, but C loves them regardless. I knit him the strawberry following this pattern and they all have sweet little bells inside to make them rattles.

Happy Winter Solstice

I love tradition, and now that we have a wee one, we're starting a new tradition for our family. J and i have celebrated the Winter Solstice for years, but we wanted to do something that honours our community. So, we baked - correction, J baked as i was sick in bed - some festive loaves that we'll be giving to our neighbours today. Nothing says holiday like some baked goods - this year it's cranberry orange loaves. We got the recipe from our stand-by book, Veganomicon. Too bad i was so stuffed up that i couldn't smell the magic coming from the kitchen!

I also went with a woodlands theme for decor. Our tree has some new ornaments, made by me and bought. I made some cute acorns, loosely following this pattern as well as this one that i modified for an acorn.
I also bought C his first ornament and was so happy to have an excuse to buy/splurge on one of Tamar's work. We'll put it in his room afterward. I also bought this great crocheted pinecomb at a local craft fair, and the mushroom is from my favourite bookstore in the city.

Boys Can Wear Leg Warmers

I find it funny how people think leg warmers are just for girls. They are actually quite practical! I don't know about you, but my little boy's pants all ride up the leg when he's in the carrier. Also, now that the weather is turning, having that extra layer on his legs is such a nice thing. I have 3 pairs of leg warmers, to match various outfits, of course. The ones above are the pair i made, following Never Not Knitting's easy pattern!

Edited to add: It took me a bit longer than it should to make these. I am still learning how to balance 'non-mommy' time with my wee one, especially as he is such a short napper! Though whenever i do knit (or sew-even more rare!), it reminds me how therapeutic it is. So soothing for my soul. Thank goodness i have realized i can knit while walking Li'l C to sleep in his carrier!

Knitting for Baby

I knit a few little goodies for the little one. I think i am going to take a break from knitting and concentrate on the many sewing projects i still have to do. But, i'm pretty happy with the finished goods. I'm hoping that the baby will wear the wee hat and booties i just finished for him/her on their first day with us on Mother Earth.
Who knew knitting accessories for a newborn could be so much fun and detailed? I love too that my wee one already has his/her first pair of shoes - just like mommy! The booties are from the book Knitting Pretty and took no time at all. And, the hat is from One Skein. It was my forth one (the first for me, the rest were gifts for other bebes), and it was the first one that i made without any mistakes in the details around the border. Whew, now i know it's possible!

I also made this great kicking bag for baby to sleep in. I loved seeing Soule Mama's and found the pattern via Ravelry. It took a few months, but was a lovely project to work on in the car and watching TV. I used remnants of soft cotton yarn, but i'm happy with the patchwork it creates.

Now i can go back to sewing burp cloths, a mei tai wrap, bloomers, and a baby quilt!

For the Baby From My Mom

We're getting busy stocking up on things for the Gumball, and J has been even busier renovating our old and cold study into the baby room. I'll post pictures of that soon, but for now, i'll just say it's been a lot of work - he's insulated the walls and re-finished the floor (all with my dad's help).
Speaking of help from parents, my mom has been busy getting ready for her first grandchild too. She's knitting, sewing, and buying on a regular basis! Here are just some of the things she's worked on. Pretty cute and unbelievably small, but precious and i can't wait for my little one to wear them! The blanket is a lusciously soft cashmere knit blanket that is stitched in Moss stitch. It's a perfect size to either swaddle bebe or have handy for the stroller.

Thanks mom and dad!

The Season of Knitting

With the cold and wet parts of Fall upon us again, i am busy at work knitting. And, so is my mother. She has whipped up a bunch of items for my sister and i (aren't we lucky?). I am slowly moving along with the Kimono sweater for J, but was able to whip up a hat for me in no time. Of course.

The green sweater above is from my mom, and it's all from one kind of yarn - the stripes and colours i mean, because it required a lot of BALLS to make. I'll ask her the name of the sweater soon, but it's lovely and just oodles Spring for me. Thanks mom!

For some reason, this photo uploads sideways, so i hope you can see things alright - the baby blue hat is one from my mom. It's from Twinkle's Big City Knits. The deep grey is using the Daisy stitch - i'm a big fan! - and is from Debbie Bliss' Como book.

I am hoping to get on a couple more projects soon, including some chunky mittens with cable stitch, but have yet to find a pattern i like. J's sweater better be done at least before Spring rolls around!

All Dressed in White

No, i'm not getting married (already did that), but i couldn't help pick that title - so i can share some of the new white things in my life!
First up, here is a pillow i stitched together. It's made up of square donations from my knitting group at a local eating disorder support centre. I've been facilitating a group there for a while, and just love how knitting has helped bring out people, and help them find their creative selves, all by doing something so therapeutic! I took it home so i could finish it - it's it sweet?
And, tonight, when i was out front for a bit of a breeze (it's about 40 degrees here, don't you know?! Celcius), i realized my rose bush was flowering. I inherited it and had no idea what roses i would get. And the best surprise of all was revealed - my favourite roses - white!

Oh, and just for you to know, i will be away from Blogland for the next couple of weeks - i'm off to the West Coast (it needs capitolizing doesn't it?!). I can't wait to visit friends and see Vancouver, Portland, and Seattle! I'll share all, especially the vegan strip mall in Portland, when i'm back!

Day 12 - Merry Christmas Tree

Every year, i look forward to decorating the tree, and have fallen in love with using a real tree. This year, i brought out the ornaments and used a 'craft' vibe. I also have a collection of ballerina ornaments as well as mermaid, so i mismatch and play with the theme each year. I annually add a new ornament to the tree, whether it's something i bought, or more appropriately, make.This year, i made some birds out of knitted squares. Here are the simple steps to make your own:
1) Knit a small square, and fold in half on the diagonal.
2) Mattress-stitch 3/4 of it closed, and add cotton batting as the stuffing. Can also insert a small stick of pipe cleaner to mimic legs.
3) Close the seam and then add outside features: some wings, beak and eyes. For the wings, i knit even smaller triangular pieces. And, for the beak, i cut a small diamond shape out of felt, and i cross-stitched the eyes on. I also added a tail from the left-over yarn. Once done, i added a piece of ribbon to attach to to attach the tree.

I'll be off from blogland for a few days, so have a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year. See in in 2008!

Fall Means Knitting

Now that Fall has definitely crept up to us (even though it'll be 30 degrees C tomorrow), i am organizing my knitting supplies for another full season. After a month or two of a hiatus, i am already excited about some new knitting projects. I also can't wait to knit by the fire on a chilly Sunday afternoon; nothing is better in my books. A hot cocoa by my side and some soothing music adds even more of the ambiance i so cherish.

On my needles now are 2 projects: one of me and one for J. I am long overdue on making him a sweater, or at least something more substantial than a hat or scarf. So, for him i'm making a cardigan that's features in the Spring 2007 Special Issue of 'knitscene'. It's called the "Kenobi Jacket" and is on the cover of the magazine. Detailed work, and i have no due date, so the pressure's off, of sorts.

My own project is a free pattern by Vogue Knitting International (Fall 2007) Special 25th Anniversary Issue - a gorgeous cape made with thick yarn and i plan to have it done and ready to wear for the end of the Month...I'll share the finished piece then. If you want to see it now, it's featured on this page, along with other free patterns - all in the customary silver/grey colour to commemorate the anniversary. The cape is on the second top row, on the left.

Summer Knit Sweater - Finally Finished!

I seem to slow down with my knitting projects in the summer, but since i started this project months ago, and it really is meant to be a nice summer sweater, i was determined to finish it. That, and it was a group project with some good friends of mine who also wanted to knit it. We compared notes along the way, but since we all live far from each other, our 'knitalong' project was stalled a little.

I'm proud to say that i finally finished it, after a month of sitting in my knitting basket with just the sleeves and neck to finish. I have to admit that, while i did test the gauge, the sweater turned out bigger than i wanted. It's supposed to be more fitted, but i think because i used a cotton that changes in depth (what's the called anyway, the 'fat worm-like' yarn?), that might have impacted on my overall stitch count.

Nonetheless, i just added a thin ribbon to act as a belt at the bottom and voila, my sweater was worn to work the other day! The lace pattern on the front is lovely, and pretty easy to follow (though not so well when distracted by my favourite summer show, So You Think You Can Dance - yeah for Sabra for winning!!!) and i think i'll incorporate it into a nice scarf for the winter.

The pattern is for sale here, and the site has lots of great patterns to choose from. It was easy to follow and pretty straightforward, so i'll definitely go there for another pattern in the future.

Now that fall is coming up, i already have plans for my upcoming projects. Up next for knit projects: a cable cardigan for my honey, J.

Knit in Public Day!

I love any excuse to try and get my knit sweater done in time to wear it this summer, and the great idea of "International Knit in Public Day" is a perfect answer! While i had to work this morning, and i have dinner plans with friends, i'm sure i can bring my work with me and knit when i can. There is an organized effort, and if you want to join in (though my post may already be too late), click here to see where the knitters are at here in Toronto! Oh, and it's today!

In other knitting news, here is a sneak peak to the baby sweater that has taken me months to finish. I am giving it to my baby friend tomorrow and will share with you the full spread after that, but for now, here's a glimpse. I followed the Baby Tattoo Sweater in the Stitch n Bitch Nation book but i didn't end up embroidered the pattern in - too hard to follow and too abstract for me to clearly see what i did. I also ran out of the baby blue yarn 1/2 through the last piece (egads!) so i added a strip pattern on the sleeves. Which, in my humble opinion, makes the sweater 'pop' a bit more - more colour and pizazz.

I typically slow down my knitting projects in the summer, so i really hope my own sweater gets down faster than it took the baby one - it was to be a birthday present in April! I'm also knitting this sweater along with two friends, both of which who live far away from me, and it's our own take on a knitalong. We're all using different yarn but i can't wait to see what there's looks like! And, even if we all wear them at the same time, they will all look unique!
Editted to add this photo - and the verdict is in, our baby friend Leo loves it and it should fit for the fall/winter of 2007!