Tag: Knitting — Projects

Baby Irene, the child of two friends, was born in late April, about a week past due.  For my knitting purposes, that delay meant that I accomplished a rare feat – completing a baby knit item before a baby is born!

The resulting knit item was a Sugarplums Blanket, a beautiful pattern that I've had my eye on for a few years.  The pattern features interlocking wide cables, which were perfectly highlighted by the superwash wool I chose for the blanket.  I really hope Irene can use this blanket for years – it was such a treat to knit that I hope it's a treat to use as well!

Sugerplums Blanket for Irene

Pattern: Sugarplums Blanket by Danielle Chalson

Yarn:  Cascades 220 Superwash in color 392 (Spaceneedle), ~3.1 skeins

Needles:  One US 7 Circular

Measurements:  Pre-blocking measurements of 19 inches wide by 26 inches long, and post-blocking measurements of 25 inches wide by 27.5 inches long.

 

The baby knitting parade continues with two great knits for baby Soraya, who was born earlier this year.  Given that Soraya was a winter baby born in New York, I wanted to make thicker knits to help keep her warm as she grows.  

One of the projects – the baby bolero – turned out quite well and was very cute.  The other project – a bonnet – was fantastic when I first knit it, but then after I blocked it, the bonnet stretched and became comically large for a newborn.  That being said, hopefully it's something Soraya can grow into over the coming months (or years).  

More details on both projects below!

Baby Bolero

Pattern:  Baby Bolero by Leigh Radford, one size

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash, 0.5 skeins, in Color 1910

Needles:  One US8 circular (edging) and one US9 circular (body)

Measurements: Pre-blocking measurements of 9-inch diameter across body, 7 inches from top to bottom, 4.5-inch sleeves from top to bottom, and 4-inch sleeve length.  Post-blocking measurements of 9 inches across body, 7 3/4 inches from top to bottom, 4-inch sleeves from top to bottom, and 4-inch sleeve length.

Baby Bonnet

Pattern: Bonnet by Elizabeth Zimmerman

Yarn: Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino, 0.4 skeins, in color 107

Needles:  One US3 circular (i-cord) and one US4 circular (body)

Measurements:  Post-blocking measurements of 8 inches from top to bottom, 7 inches from back to front, and 7-inch i-cord tie length.

I've been on a baby knitting tear since the new year, and this will be the first of many posts focused on my 2016 baby knitting projects.  While I don't want to ruin my forthcoming blog posts on my other 2016 projects, I have to admit that this project – my first of the year - may be my favorite of the lot.  

The project was a cardigan sweater for baby Theya, who was born in fall 2015, and for whom I was very delayed in knitting a welcome gift.  As such, I had to frog (undo) my initial 2015 attempt at the sweater because, by the time I actually had time to really focus on knitting, Theya had already progressed beyond newborn size!

And so I cast on enough stitches for the 6 – 12 month size, and off I went.  The sweater took about 6 weeks to complete, and it resulted in a really fantastic output.  A lacy, detailed cardigan that was perfectly completed by the Tanis Fiber Arts cashmere/merino fingering weight yarn.

More project details follow below, but as you can tell, Theya is already a fan of her new garment!

Theya's Cardigan Sweater

Pattern: Sunnyside by Tanis Lavallee

Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label Cashmere Sock, approx. 1 skein

Needles:  One US4 circular

Measurements:  Post-blocking measurements of 11.5 inches across front bottom, 10.5 inches from top to bottom, 6.5 inches from sleeves to the bottom, 4 inch sleeve length, and 4.75 inch neck opening.

Five years ago, I blogged about my love for the Leigh Radford Petal Bib pattern in One Skein.  I think I ended up making 3 – 4 petal bibs in 2010, and I picked up the wonderful pattern again this past summer (2015) to make bibs for baby Ella.  Ella was a summer baby, so making my standard rotation of winter-friendly items didn't seem to make much sense.  I searched for year-round patterns and was very excited when I re-discovered the adorable petal bib pattern.  

The pattern was still as fun today as it was years ago.  Constructing each cute petal individually and then connecting them together really makes for a fun project to see develop.  I made two petal bibs for Ella, and both yarns were fun to work with – one a more drapey cotton-bamboo blend and the other a soft wool.  Project details follow the pictures below.  I can't wait to make more of these cute gifts!

Ella Petal Bib – Cotton Bamboo

Pattern: Petal Bib by Leigh Radford 

Yarn: Lion Brand LB Collection Cotton Bamboo, approx. 0.4 skeins in color 098 Magnolia 

Needles:  US4 circular

Measurements:  Post-blocking measurements of 9.75 inches wide by 5.5 inches tall

Ella Petal Bib – Wool

Pattern: Petal Bib by Leigh Radford 

Yarn: Shelridge Yarns Soft Touch DKW, 0.3 skeins in Spring Green

Needles:  US4 circular

Measurements:  Post-blocking measurements of 9.5 inches wide by 5 inches tall

Belatedly rounding out my 2014 cooking and knitting projects, today's post features a completed baby blanket for baby Falan, who lives in cold Michigan and therefore is in tremendous need of a knit blanket!

For this blanket, I scoured the web and my knitting books until I found the Lattice Carriage Blanket pattern by Dori Kershner, which featured both a pretty motif and beautiful finishing in the form of a crocheted border.

The pattern was relatively easy to follow, and the only major modification I made is that I completed 5 rows of single crochet to get the border to lay flat before adding the decorative shell stitch border.  Given that there is still curling on some of the blanket edges despite the extra rows of single crochet, I am not sure how the original pattern could have kept flat edges with only row of single crochet!  Full pattern details are below.

Baby Blanket for Falan

Pattern:  Lattice Carriage Blanket by Dori Kershner, one size

Yarn:  Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino color 107 Sky, 2.5 skeins

Needles:  US 7 circular needle, and US 7 crochet needle for the border

Measurements:  27.5 inches wide by 30 inches wide, post-blocking.  The crocheted border added 1.5 inches to each side.

 

With the weather getting noticeably colder during this past September, I knew I was going to have to hurry to finish a baby blanket for Noah, a little baby boy who was born this summer and lives in Chicago.  Thankfully, I found not only a great pattern for this latest baby blanket, but also was able to use more of the fantastic, natural yarn-blend Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo.

The pattern knit up extremely well, though the repeated purl-three-togethers were definitely difficult with a cotton blend yarn, which doesn't have as much give as wool yarn.  

I really liked the final product and the use of thinner US4 needles, which created a thicker blanket with a nicer, firmer drape than the looser blankets I made earlier this year.  More details follow the picture of the full blanket below.

Blanket for Baby Noah

Pattern:  Holding Hands Baby Blanket by Yasemin Ersoy, modified by casting on 119 stitches, reducing border to 10 garter stitch rows at beginning and end, and ending pattern with a row 22 to maintain symmetry with beginning of blanket.

Yarn:  Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo, approx. 2 skeins in color 174 snapdragon

Needle:  US4 circular

Measurements:  Post-blocking measurements of 22 inches wide by 21.5 inches long

UPDATED:  Baby Noah loves his blanket!

I recently designed a new baby blanket pattern for baby Violet, who resides in Chicagoland.  The pattern relied on my trusty Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo – a wonderful yarn for baby blankets, as it is both comprised of purely natural fibers and machine wash/dry proof.  

To make the pattern, I combined two stitch patterns from the 365 Kniting Stitches a Year Calendar, the Vandyke lace panel (April 29) for the border and repeats of the Tulip Lace (May 1) for the center body of the blanket.  I wanted to design a blanket with a floral theme because of Violet's lovely name.

After some trepidation from designing a new blanket with a large center motif, unlike the multi-stitch panel repeats from Sonali's staggered fern blanket, I finally cast on and was quickly pleased with the results.  The pattern was drapy and with a pretty main pattern, and I really liked the way the border turned out as well.  And despite the 48-row stitch repeat, I finally got the hang of knitting the pattern toward the end of the blanket!  Full details, including the pattern, are below.

Violet's Baby Blanket

Pattern:  Full design is below.  Cast on 121 stitches.  Repeated pattern 3.5 times, with each full repeat measuring 6 1/4 inches.

Yarn:  Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo, 2.15 skeins in color #098 Magnolia

Needles:  One US 6 circular

Measurements:  Post-blocking measurements of 27 inches wide by 25 inches tall.

Full Pattern:

Rows 1 – 4:  seed stitch for border

Main Pattern:

Row 1:  k1, p1, k1, p1; *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; k1 to last panel; *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 2: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 3: k1, p1, k1, p1; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; k3, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 * repeat until last 4 stitches in panel, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 4: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 5: k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; k1 * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k3 * repeat pattern between * * until last 6 sts, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 6: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 7: k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; k3, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 * repeat until last 4 stitches in panel, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 8: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 9: k1, p1, k1, p1; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; k across to last panel; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 10: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 11: k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; k7, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 *, repeat pattern between stars until end of the panel; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 12: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 13: k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; k5, * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k3; rep pattern btwn * * to last 2 sts, k2; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 14: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 15: k1, p1, k1, p1; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; k7, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 *, repeat pattern between stars until end of the panel; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 16: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 17: k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; k1 to last panel; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 18: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 19: k1, p1, k1, p1; *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; k3, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 * repeat until last 4 stitches in panel, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2; *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 20: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 21:  k1, p1, k1, p1; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; k1 * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k3 * repeat pattern between * * until last 6 sts, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1; *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 22:  k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 23:  k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; k3, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 * repeat until last 4 stitches in panel, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 24:  k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 25: k1, p1, k1, p1; *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; k across to last panel;  *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, * k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2, repeat pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 26:  k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 27:  k1, p1, k1, p1; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; k7, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 *, repeat pattern between stars until end of the panel; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 28:  k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 29:  k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; k5, * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k3; rep pattern btwn * * to last 2 sts, k2; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 30:  k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 31:  k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k3, yo, sl, k1, psso, k2, rep pattern between * * once more; k7, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 *, repeat pattern between stars until end of the panel; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k3, yo, sl, k1, psso, k2; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 32:  k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 33:  k1, p1, k1, p1; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; k to last panel; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; p1, k1, p1, k1.

Row 34: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 35: k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; k3, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 * repeat until last 4 stitches in panel, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1 

Row 36: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 37: k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k3, yo, sl, k1, psso, k2, rep pattern between * * once more; k1 * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k3 * repeat pattern between * * until last 6 sts, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k3, yo, sl, k1, psso, k2, rep pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 38: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 39: k1, p1, k1, p1; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; k3, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 * repeat until last 4 stitches in panel, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 40: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 41: k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; k to last panel; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 42: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 43: k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k3, yo, sl, k1, psso, k2, rep pattern between * * once more; k7, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 *, repeat pattern between stars until end of the panel; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k3, yo, sl, k1, psso, k2, rep pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 44: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 45: k1, p1, k1, p1; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; k5, * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k3; rep pattern btwn * * to last 2 sts, k2; (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 46: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1 

Row 47: k1, p1, k1, p1; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; k7, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6 *, repeat pattern between stars until end of the panel; * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso,* k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, rep pattern between * * once more; p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 48: k1, p1, k1, p1; p1 across; p1, k1, p1, k1

Ending Border:  

Row 1:  Knit side border, one straight row, knit side border

Rows 2 – 6:  Seed stitch

Row 7:  Bind off in pattern

Baby blanket knitting has arisen anew!  My latest blanket was made for baby Adela, a northern California-based baby.  Given the moderate climate in the Bay Area, I decided to knit a lacy blanket with my new favorite lightweight baby blanket yarn, the Lion Brand LB Collection Cotton Bamboo.  

I found a great pattern on Ravelry, and modified it to make an approximate two-feet by two-feet blanket.   The pattern knit up extremely well, and although I don't usually repeat blanket patterns, I may do so with this great construction.  More details follow the pictures below.

Adela's Lacy Blanket

Pattern:  Red Heart's Lacy Chevrons Baby Blanket by Julie Hines, modified to 112 stitches cast on

Yarn:  LB Collection Cotton Bamboo, approx 1.65 skeins in color 098 Magnolia.

Needles:  US 6 circular

Measurements:  Pre-blocking measurements of 22.5 inches tall by 21.5 inches wide, and post-blocking measurements of 22.5 inches tall by 23.5 inches wide (machine washed and dried).

First, I can't believe I haven't put up a post in almost three months!  

Second, I can't believe I haven't put up a post in almost three months when I completed a really wonderful adult-size sweater (for me!) well before my last post was up!

To now get to the sweater post itself, I completed a sweater in April (2014) after casting it on a year-and-a-half prior, in October 2012.  I paused work on the sweater at various intervals, mostly to complete baby projects.  And even before I cast on the sweater, the pattern was at the top of my projects queue for at least a year, but kept getting delayed for reasons that ranged from lethargy to the intended yarn being stolen out of my car (who knew that vandals would take yarn from a car trunk?).   

As the sweater was slowly coming together, I also went through a few distinct periods of self-doubt, including that the sweater wouldn't fit, I wouldn't have enough yarn, and that the proportions would be off for the arms/neck line/etc.  Thankfully as I blocked parts of the sweater as they were knit, almost all of those fears were erased.  

The final result was really great – perfect fit, great cable pattern, and a nice weight for the fall through spring months.  The color was also great and I am happy with the discount yarn I bought at Smiley's for this project – definitely a solid sweater yarn for future use.

Full project details below.

Beatnik Sweater for Me

Pattern:  Beatnik by Norah Gaughan, size XS directions

Yarn:  Filatura Lanarota Wool Heathers, 9.7 skeins in color 170/Wine

Needles: US 7 circular

Measurements:  Body of the sweater – 29 inch bust circumference, 25 inch waist circumference, 31 inch circumference for bottom edge, and 17 inch neck opening.  Sleeve length from underarm of 12 1/4 inches, and circumference of 4.5 inches.