Sweet Things

 I haven't gotten to knit baby items in the past few years, but things are changing...as long as my kids give me enough notice!  Lucy requested an item for her boyfriend's brother's wife's baby shower coming up. It was a great opportunity to go through  my pattern books and vintage booklets. Lucy felt something classic was the best choice. I ended up using a free pattern on Ravelry for the sweater; Garter Yoke Baby Cardi. I used some vintage Pinquoin "Confortable DK" in a cream, and leftover Debbie Bliss "Baby Cashmerino" for the trim.

The bear is another Bill & Ben Twin Bears (link to a corrected, easier to use, pattern HERE).

The hat (bonnet) is from "Beehive for Bairns" (#505), Special Anniversary Edition. It's in the very first set in the booklet. I thought it was a bonnet, as it was called, but it's more of a toque with a chin strap. I altered it a bit because I wanted garter stitch as the trim, and I added the i-cord bindoff to match the sweater. I also made chin ties instead of a button strap.

Buttons came out of my collection; I have no idea where or when they're from. 

I actually did the button loop side twice. I had finished it, woven in some of the ends, and I just wasn't happy. It was pulling and the yoke didn't line up. I could see that my gauge on the i-cord had gotten significantly tighter. So I pulled out that side and re-did it, lining up the loops better too. Much happier.

I also altered that pattern so the i-cord went all the way around the sweater. 

What a sweet little outfit for a new baby. I love making tiny things!

Yarn In:   4397gr

Yarn Out:  11,969gr + 164gr = 12,133gr

Balance: 7736gr more OUT than in

Costs: $436.34

The Last Red Scarf?

 I needed a purse project quickly one day. So, a red scarf got on the needles. 

I used the same size needles as the previous one, and a 2x2 rib. For some reason, I really struggle with a 2x2 rib!

The needles were perhaps a little too small. The resulting rib was more sculptural than I expected!

The yarn was from Dollar Tree or Dollarama. It feels very soft! I would definitely NOT make mittens with it though!

It weighed in at 107gr, which means a little more than 2 balls. This was all I had left and it was a touch on the short side.

Yarn In:   4397gr

Yarn Out:  11,862gr + 107gr = 11,969gr

Balance: 7572gr more OUT than in

Costs: $436.34

Pass The Pumpkin (or, a Significant Case of Startitis)

 I usually limit how many projects I have on the go at once. One or two portable, easy projects to take anywhere, and 1 or 2 more complex projects. Recently, I saw a video where a woman was saying it brings her joy to have a lot of WIP to choose from. Some people find it stressful, but not her. 

I decided that I was cast on/start a few more things! October is pumpkin season in the music room, and I needed more pumpkins! I gathered up every little bit of orange yarn that I could find in my stash, and got to work. I crocheted a rectangle, using HDC in the back loop to give a vertical pattern (once seamed, it's vertical). 

Then I got creative and added some short rows.

When I was securing the ends inside, sometimes I'd pull them tight and knot together, to create a little dimple. I wasn't looking for perfection, or identical!

I did go and buy two balls of yarn. One chunky, Loops & Threads "Charisma" which I used entirely, and one "Impeccable" which I did not finish.  I spent $13.91, and the two weighed 327gr together.

Yarn In:   327gr + 4,070gr = 4397gr

Yarn Out:  11528gr + 334gr = 11,862gr

Balance: 7465gr more OUT than in

Costs: $422.43 + $13.91 = $436.34