Since I'm on a newborn knitting kick, I'm adding starting to add x-small sizes to some patterns that should fit a newborn head (about 12-13" circumference). First up, Elvish.
I just finished up this little sleeper for Squirt.
I do plan on writing this little guy up. So far the main charts are done, mostly just need to write out the top section. Pattern will include a matching hat and possibly a sweater if I'm ambitious enough.
So I had this gorgeous fluffy handspun BFL that was just asking to be something special for my little squirt coming in May. This is probably the softest wool I have ever felt so it will be perfect next to newborn skin.
I spun it fairly thin and then did a Navajo 3 ply which, by the way, is super fun and easy to do. This is a great video (not by me) with slow motion to really show how to do it. I like how the Navajo 3 ply makes it more of self stripping yarn than a normal 2 ply. It's exactly what I wanted for this bunting.
Using Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ) design, I simply added a bottom section to make it into a bunting.
The instructions for the BSJ can be found in her book "The Opinionated Knitter" or from Schoolhouse Press here.
Follow the instructions up to the final bind off row. Instead of binding it all off, bind off just the edges along the left and right side, leaving the bottom stitches live. On the side you choose to put the button holes on, also bind off the bottom edge of the button hole section.
Cast on 12 sts, turn and knit across newly cast on stitches, across the bottom section and then cast on 12 stitch on the other side. Mark the 12th stitch on both sides. This will mark where you will do the decreases for the mitered squares.
Knit to 1 stitch before the marked st, slip 1, k2tog, psso. Repeat with the second marked stitch. Turn.
Knit 1 row.
Repeat the last 2 rows until you can't decrease any more.
You should have 12 ridges of garter, a section of live stitches and 12 ridges of garter. Pick up 12 stitches along the 12 ridges, knit across the live stitches and pick up 12 stitches along the next 12 ridges. Work in garter stitch until desired length is reached. I did a 3 needle bind off to finish the bottom, but you can easily just sew it together. Sew up the mitered corners to the button holes.
*Optional: You could just skipped the mitered squares at the bottom and just join the piece in the round and work in garter stitch until desired length.
I've been wanting to do this tutorial for a while now. Instead of just putting it in my Adorabubble Britches Pattern, I thought I'd share it with everyone. This technique can be applied to most anything that needs and elastic casing. Best part, no sewing!
Start with a provisional cast on, second video from the bottom. Instead of using a piece of waste yarn, I like to use another circular needle (same size or smaller).
Work back and forth (do not join in a round yet) until piece measures just slightly longer than the elastic you plan on using. End having just worked a wrong side row, right side should be facing you.
Purl the next row. This will make a ridge that makes it easier to fold and keeps things neat.
When you get to the end of this purl row, you'll join your piece in a round knitting the next round.
Knit even in a round until the ends match up when you fold at the purl ridge.
Fold at the purl ridge and line up the provisional cast on edge to the working edge. You will now knit the cast on edge to the working edge.
Insert the right needle into the front stitch (working edge) and into the back stitch (cast on edge), draw loop through and pull both stitches off. You will now have 1 stitch on the right needle.
Just a note, every other stitch on the provisional cast on edge will be twisted. On those stitches you can just insert the needle through the back loop or if it bothers you, before knitting the edges together, you can rearrange the cast on edge so the stitches are all mounted correctly. Honestly though, if you just knit them as is, no one will know. It's on the inside edge anyway.
Voila! How nice does that look?!
At this point, if you patterns requires it, you can switch to larger needles and do your increase row for the hips. Once the whole piece is finished, measure out a length of elastic about 1" longer than the waist. Pull through the hole in the back, secure and sew shut. Ok, I guess it isn't completely no sew but mostly.
This also works for enclosed drawstrings as well.
A good friend of mine, Kelly, has started a crafting blog (my favorite kind!) She is doing a drawing to gain a following, her goal is 100 followers by the end of January.
http://www.anappleandatree.blogspot.com/
She makes some super cute stuff, seriously tempting me to dig out my sewing machine. I just wish I had room for it. It's not just sewing either. My favorite so far is her tutorial on binding a cute Upcycled Journal. I love putting "trash" to new uses. I actually bought one of these journals from her as a present for my mother-in-law and love it. She sells them from her etsy store here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelly824 where she also sells cloth swim diapers and other upcycled goodies.
Now that we've found out that #4 is indeed another boy (shocking, I know), I've been knitting up a storm. I think this kid will have a wardrobe completely comprised of knit items.
So, now that I'm back to knitting, a few things I've been working on:
#1: The Baby Bag! Yes, I will get this done. I finished up prototype #3 and am very pleased with the results. It's knit with a more bulky weight yarn for a much quicker knit, phew. I actually whipped this beasty out in under a week. Silly me knit it a week before the ultrasound hoping we might be capable of make a girl. I'll have to make another in a different color now. Anyway, the new pattern will be much much easier to follow than the last one. It will still include charts, but the more experienced knitter should be able to work it without relying too much on them (or so I hope). All that's left for me to finish the pattern is working out the charts. Knitting the item is easy since supervising children while knitting isn't too hard. Writing up the charts takes more brain power than I have to offer right now. It'll have to get done in small doses.
#2: A soaker and wrap pattern. This one will probably get done after bambino arrives so I can test the end results. What's in my head may or may not work out in real life. I'm pretty excited about the features I've come up with and am hoping they are as good as I hope they will be.
#3: A coverall and sleeper pattern. This will most likely be a new feature on the Adorabubble Baby Britches pattern, good news for those of you who have the pattern. All upgrades are free!
#4: A fairisle sweater/pants set. I'm working on a set for a take home outfit for wee one. We'll see if I can work up the whole pattern. It's time consuming, but I think it'll be worth it. This will be my first time steeking, eeee!
Arm Warmers
Since I know everyone is going to ask, yes I am pregnant again. Due May 6th. Yippee!
I got some cute shirts this summer and wanted to be able to wear them through the winter. Since temps can reach -42F here in the frozen tundra of North Dakota (that's actual temp not with the wind chill), short sleeves are out of the question. My simple solution... arm warmers!
The med size will fit someone with an upper arm measurement of about 11" and a wrist measurement of 6". The large will fit an upper arm of 12" and a wrist of 7". If you need more room, just add a few more stitches to your cast on row. Customizing instructions will follow (maybe tomorrow). It's made with 10% negative ease for a tight fit.
Materials:
Noro Silk Garden Lite or any sport weight wool.
US #3 and #6 needles or size needed to obtain gauge. Dpn's or 42" circulars for Magic Looping
Gauge: with larger needle 5.5 sts per 1"
Abbreviations:
KLL: Knit left loop. Use any increase method you prefer.
KRL: Knit right loop. Again, any increase you prefer.
Directions
With smaller needles loosely cast on 28 (32) I prefer this tubular cast on, video by Ysolda Teague, for a neat and stretchy edge.
Switch to larger needles. Join in a round place a stitch marker to mark beginning and work k1, p1 ribbing for 1.5". If you prefer a k2, p2 ribbing, any ribbing works fine. Choose your favorite.
Row 1: Knit even.
Row 2: KRL, knit to end, KLL.
Rows 3-7: Knit even.
Row 8: Repeat row 2.
Repeat 2-8, increasing at the beginning and the end of every 6th round until you have 54 (58) sts. You can try your arm warmer on as you go and stop increasing or add more increases for a perfect fit.
Knit even until piece measures 16.5" from the cast on edge. You can adjust the length here, just knit even until the piece is 1.5" shorter than the length you would like.
Switch to smaller needles and work k1, p1 ribbing for 1.5" (or whatever ribbing you did at the beginning).
Bind off as loosely as possible. The best I've found is a tubular bind off: 1x1 grafted bind off. It matches the tubular cast on.
To help keep the arm warmers up, I like to duplicate stitch elastic thread into the inside of the upper arm ribbing.
I knit this pair of socks in just 6 days!
It's Maelstrom by Cookie A. I wish I could claim credit for this awesome design, she has some great ones. I love how she worked the spirals into the foot. Most spiral patterns just end there.
The pattern repeat is simple enough to memorize but hard enough to keep it interesting.
First off I want to thank everyone for their kind words of encouragement. As much as I hate to hear others have gone through similar things, I found comfort knowing I'm not alone. I'm honestly doing much better now. Losing little Daniel was the hardest thing I've ever gone through, but I am getting back on my feet.
I didn't realize how much I actually work until I took my little break. It was much needed, but I think I'm ready to get back to business. To celebrate my return, I'm releasing the Sideways Britches pattern!
Sideways Britches instant download $8
Lots of hem choices and waistbands. Knit completely seamless and even includes a gusseted crotch.
I don't recommend this pattern for beginners because it is so strange. You can't really see it take shape until you're almost done.
Techniques needed:
Provisional Cast On. Instructions can be found at www.knittinghelp.com
Grafting
Complete trust in the designer :-) It's hard to do sometimes, but just follow the directions, read through the steps and it'll turn out.
Materials:
Worsted weight wool, Doodlebirds is of course my favorite.
Gauge is 20 st and 28 rows per 4" square.
I have made a yahoo to specifically address questions for this pattern. After purchasing, you can go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sidewaysbritches
