Rose Baby Blanket

Hi Friends!

Did I warn you I'd be knitting like a fiend, or did I warn you?? :)
This blanket has been most of what I've been working on for the last 10 days or so... and I loved it!

Garment Data:
- Type: Baby blanket for a crib
- Date made: December 2016
- Pattern: My own, invented as I went. 25"x36", or so.
- Fabric/Materials: 100% acrylic yarn. Fairly soft.
- Trim: More of the same yarn
- Time to finish: About a week and a half

First I crocheted a rose. This was by request, since it's for a baby girl. I then used white to make it square, and then picket up stitches along one side, increased, and started knitting. This became the top edge of the blanket.

Here you can see the finished top edge. To complete it and even out the sizing and shaping, I crocheted around the whole thing once, and then picked up stitches to create the side that would become the rest of the blanket. I went for plain knit, but added purled stripes accenting the stripe of color, and then went back to plain knit. I'm using a size 10 (6mm) round knitting needle. I prefer knitting on round needles even for flat items, because the needles are smaller and you don't get as much bunching of the project.

Mostly done. I added a 3-wide, 4-long square checker pattern toward the bottom. This visually balances the sideways top edge of the blanket. Then I added a pink border, including scallops. This picture is in progress on the scallops, as I worked with crochet to adjust sizing and shaping again.

Finished, but I still have some stray yarn tails, and it's got some weird rippling going on that will disappear once I block it.

The completed blanket, pinned out for blocking (after washing the blanket, you pin it down in the right shape and dimensions while it's still damp. Then it dries in the right shape). The crocheted scalloped border is complete.

I'll be posting projects I complete to sell, as well as those I make for myself and my friends, so watch my Etsy page if there's something you like!

Most sincerely yours,
~ Sarah

Tiger Christmas Stocking

Dear Friends...

Yes, another knitted project! This is a Christmas stocking in the favorite colors for a special little boy I know.

Garment Project Data:
- Type: Christmas stocking, meant to be hung
- Date made: December 14th and 15th 2016
- Pattern: Made it up as I went
- Fabric/Materials: Cotton yarn in orange and brown
- Trim: black wool yarn
- Time to finish: 2 days

The first decision was the yarns. The idea was to do tiger stripes, but to use yarns I already had in my stash. I came up with a cotton orange, a cotton brown, and a wool black. I was wary of using the orange with black because of the different materials and thicknesses, and I was worried it would be a very stark look. But just orange and brown seemed a little pale. With the help of some friends, I settled on the brown for the stripes and black for trim.

Here goes! I'm free handing the pattern, so I really didn't plan or gauge. It actually ended up being a little larger around than I'd pictured, but it'll work. You'll notice that despite not working in the round, I'm on round needles again. Here I'm using a size 3, since I wanted a really tight look.

And the heel is turned! I actually goofed a little and one side slants a bit more sharply (a few more rows) than the other side, but I can fix that when I seam up the back. You can see I'm tapering the stripes by doing uneven amounts in each row.

The finished knitted portion.

And done seaming up the back! Since this is going to be a Christmas stocking and not worn, I seamed up the bottom/back (which would be uncomfortable when worn) and didn't worry about actually making the heel a full 90-degree turn. Also, the foot portion is proportionally short, which makes it easy to get things out of the bottom.

And complete! A crocheted scalloped border at the top, and a crocheted loop to hang it from. Weave in the ends, and voilá!

Most sincerely yours,
~ Sarah

Baby Set

Dearest Readers,

I made this earlier this year. After I finished it, I put down knitting, and even other crafts and sewing, for a long time. I didn't realize that I hadn't posted pictures! I am now experiencing a knitting renaissance, and will likely be posting many more knitted items :)

Garment Data:
- Type: Sweater and bonnet set
- Date made: Early 2016
- Pattern: See picture below of the book
- Fabric/Materials: Wool yarn, bought at a local yarn store
- Trim: none
- Time to finish: A few weeks, if I recall

This is my all-time favorite pattern book. I bought it as a complete splurge once, and have used it successfully for many, many different events.

My supplies. Wool, and 4 sets of needles: Size 3s and size 5s, in rounds and in DPNs (double pointed needles). I like using round needles even when doing flat work, because my work can't "fall off" of the other end of the needle. Also, the stiff portion can be shorter than a single pointed needle, so I feel like it's not unbalanced and "end-heavy" like I feel with long needles. The DPNs are super useful when doing something very small and circular, where you can't get a good angle with only 2 needles.

The finished jacket/sweater. The pattern only calls for a single color, but I wanted the contrast, so I just used dark blue and white for the first and last few rows. I love how it came out!

Finished bonnet. I simply twisted yarn multiple times to create the strings.

The leafy back of the bonnet. SO CUTE! Can't wait to see this on a little one!

Most sincerely yours,
~ Sarah

Leafy Baby Hat

Dear Friends,

I recently had the opportunity to give to a family in need, and one of the things they needed were clothes for a newborn, who they are currently expecting. I can't give baby clothes without at least something handmade! So I pulled out my go-to pattern book for super-cute baby knits, and here we go.

Garment Data:
- Type: Infant hat
- Date made: November 2016
- Pattern: See picture below of the book
- Fabric/Materials: Acrylic yarn, worsted weight
- Trim: none
- Time to finish: 2 days

My favorite pattern book. Clear, easy to follow, and beautiful.

In progress. It works up really fast! It is knitted "flat" from the top, and then seamed to finish.

The finished hat, prior to adding the seam.

Finished! I actually forgot to switch to the larger needles after the leaves were done, so it's a bit straighter and narrower then intended. Oh well!

Most sincerely yours,
~ Sarah