All ready for baby! Peurperium Cardigan...

Puerperium Cardigan

Well, I had a bit of a “Ta Da!” moment last night...

Fresh off my needles, I'm pleased to introduce a sweet little newborn sweater designed by Kelly Brooker.

Entitled, Puerperium Cardigan, it's a free pattern knit all in one piece on size 4 mm needles using an 8 ply/DK weight yarn. Yeah! No sewing pieces together. It does have all those buttons to sew on, however! : )  Click here to get to Kelly's website.  She has a larger version for sale, but scroll to the bottom for the (free!) newborn pattern.

This version has short sleeves but there are directions for both straight and tapered long sleeves.  

Notice how my suitcase is packed? Yes! Any day now, a new little grandbaby! I'm ready!

Happy Saturday!
Maggie

Learning to Knit? Three Easy Fingerless Glove Patterns!

Maggie's Crocheted
Fingerless Gloves

Well, Mother Nature made her point very clear this week in southern Alberta. 

Yes, she's in charge. 

Snow, sleet and a nasty temperature dip after a lovely late summer weekend.  : (

Maggie's Knit
Fingerless Gloves

My tomatoes are grumpy over my insistence that they wear sheets at night...

...and I'm grumpy about needing to wear a jacket and fingerless gloves! 

I still have (and wear) the two pairs of fingerless gloves I crocheted and knit in the fall of 2012. I love them because they're tiny enough to tuck into my jacket pockets and always have on hand (pun intended).

Link to crocheted gloves here.

Link to knit gloves here.

Looking for my gloves, however, reminded me that I forgot to tell you about a great little pattern I found this summer.  Even better, this pattern comes with a great little video from one of my favourite knitting websites, Very Pink.  Quick to complete, they were a perfect birthday treat for my sister.  If you want to learn to knit, you really need to check out this website and the mitts would make a wonderful first project. 

A great "free" pattern from
Very Pink

For wool I used Malabrigo Rios Yarn (871 Playa). I mention that because it's a wonderful pure marino superwash wool made in Peru.

“Rio means 'river' in Spanish. Malabrigo Rios is named after the four major rivers in Uruguay: Rio Cuareim, Rio Uruguay, Rio de la Plata, and Rio Negro. Each river is represented by one ply. These plies twist together like winding rivers. Rios also signifies the yarn's washability; for millennia, rivers have provided water for washing garments.”

Makes you look at a ball of wool in a new light, doesn't it? If you're looking for wool to go with demin, this is it!

Side note....

My original plan was a little hoodie for my grandson. However, by the time I got through the back, I realized I did not have nearly enough wool. Too late to buy more (and it would have cost a fortune to buy enough). Oh, well. I learned a lesson about yards vs grams and substituting yarns!

Knitting Projects: Baby Hats!!

Hello there! What's in your knitting basket?

Despite the sweltering heat, I'm all about hats these days - tiny baby hats for a precious baby girl due in October! Yes, another grandbaby!

If you're looking for hats, blankets, etc., (knitting and crochet) there are oodles of free patterns at Mama's Stitchery Projects. Directions are clear and well set out.

Basic Ribbed Baby/Child Hat
pattern from Mama's Stitchery Projects

So far, I have two newborn hats tucked away. The Basic Ribbed Baby/Child Hat has instructions for Preemie to Toddler. The Basic Baby Hat is written for sizes Preemie to Teen. For both hats I used Loops and Threads “Snuggly Wuggly”, a machine washable/dryable yarn available at Michaels.

Basic Baby Hat
pattern from Mama's Stitchery Projects

Car Seat Blanket - a perfect knitting project for a new baby!

It's always a good feeling to finish a project!

This baby blanket project was a “good one” for so many reasons. It was an easy pattern, no concentration required – perfect for times when I was watching TV or chatting with someone. I could pick it up and put it down easily – no “now where was I in the pattern” thoughts. And as a car seat blanket, it was smaller in scale, so easy enough to pack along in my bag.

A car seat blanket? Yes! Smaller than usual baby blankets that might typically be 30 – 36 inches, this little blanket is just right for tucking neatly around a tiny one in an infant car seat. There's no extra blanket dragging on the ground and it's small enough to pack away into a diaper bag.

I followed Joan's directions at Laws of Knitting for Box Stitch Preemie Baby Blanket, using US 10 (6 mm) needles and knitting two strands of yarn instead of one. 

Instead of 60 stitches, I cast on 66 and knit until I had an 18 x 22 inch blanket. A large ball of (Loops and Threads) Snuggly Wuggly Big! (947 yards / 866 m) was enough for this project plus a newborn sweater. 

The colour is Raindrops – white with tiny flecks of blue and green. I quite liked the way this yarn worked up in the blanket. If I were to do it again, however, I'd use the coordinating solid blue or green for the sweater.

Have a great weekend!

Maggie

Finished!! A spring sweater for a special baby girl!!

It always feels good to actually FINISH a project! I'm ever so pleased with my latest “little person” sweater. It's a very easy project from Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days.

A tiny sweater for a special someone!
Pattern from Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days

Not only is it a “top down” sweater (Yeah, no seams!), it has no sleeves – faster to knit, less wool and just right for spring. I chose to make the 9-12 month size. The pattern is also available in newborn, Age 1-3 and Age 4-6.

The directions are free, easy to follow and I found I only really had to pay strict attention for three or four of the rows. The rest was very relaxing “TV knitting” : )

I did make one change. I moved the buttonholes up slightly and also put them on the conventional side. The pattern has them reversed as if for a boy's sweater.

Thanks, Marianna, for a great (free!!) pattern.

Jean Greenhowe's Rainbow Baby

Maggie's Rainbow Baby
designed by Jean Greenhowe

Look who moved in.  

A Rainbow Baby!

This little fellow was designed by Jean Greenhowe.  

Scroll to the bottom of the "Free Patterns" page of her website to find the Rainbow Babies.

He was amazingly quick to make - part of an afternoon, a movie that evening and some finishing off the next morning.

The only part I didn't like was sewing up the seams.  In fact, by the time I got to the hat, I used double-pointed needles and knit in the round.

Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice

Jean Greenhowe is from Aberdeen, Scotland.  She has produced all kinds of original toy designs.  This bagpiper was given to us a few years ago as a thank you gift.  He's part of the MacScarecrow Clan!  Last year I picked up a secondhand copy of the pattern book - way too difficult for me to knit bagpipes!!

I do think the little dog, Scamp, is sweet.  Maybe one day... : )

A Knitting Journey... The Humble Dishcloth

My knitting career began with a "my mother made me" baby sweater - a horrible, ratty looking little thing -  that I knit many years ago when expecting my first child.  That sweater was not a success!

I didn't pick up needles again until my first grandchild was born in 2012.  It was a bit of a challenge, but things began to click and I started making bunnies and puppies, tiny sweaters and hats, and Christmas ornaments.

Maggie's Christmas Bells

I have two rules.  The projects have to be tiny (greater satisfaction when I complete something fairly quickly) and each project needs to teach me something new.  I still consider myself a beginner!  

This past week I decided to make some dishcloths.  I wanted to experiment with patterns and texture.  Making dishcloths also gave me a chance to figure out if I wanted to tackle a bigger project.  The yellow dishcloth and the variegated dishcloth are actually baby blanket patterns.  

After the first two, I was on a roll.  I discovered Laws of Knitting.  Not only are there some excellent video tutorials for a beginner knitter on this website, I found five more dishcloth patterns!  The green dishcloth is "Noni's Favourite Pattern".

Anyway, if you're embarking on a knitting journey, perhaps some of the links above will help!

Happy knitting,

Maggie

P.S.    I made all three dishcloths using Size 4 (3.5 mm) needles and Bernat Handicrafter Cotton.  When I crocheted (two rows of single crochet) around the green cloth, I used a 4.25 mm hook. 

How did I make the baby blanket patterns dishcloth sized? For the yellow one, cast on only 32 stitches. Don't worry about the variegated dishcloth. You knit on the diagonal, so when your triangle looks big enough, follow the decreasing directions.

Little Christmas Ornaments to Knit and Crochet

Jingle Bells

My little stack of bells is growing!  

I love little projects!  Easy to carry around, simple enough to do while watching a movie, quick to finish... : )

Last year, I knit little toques and stockings to give away.  I also tried a few bells - here are the directions.  

This year, I've also been crocheting little stars.  Lucy from Attic24 has a free pattern you can try. 

A Tiny Star - from Attic24

My first little stars were made with the same wool I used for the bells and toques -

Vanna's Choice by Lions Brand.  I then experimented with some finer, gold yarn (3.5 hook) and then the Winter Red Lustre-Sheen by Red Heart.  

I'm pleased with how these little ornaments are turning out!  

Maggie

Baby Sweaters

We're anxiously waiting for a phone call and my bag is packed!

Grandchild #2 is expected in the next few weeks so my knitting needles have been busy!

This first sweater was made some time ago, but it's so tiny!  It's been passed along already and the expectant parents have been given strict instructions to take it to the hospital - probably won't fit after the first week!

I finished this second sweater a few days ago and just sewed on the buttons.  It's a free pattern by Carol Barenys who has an excellent website featuring free baby patterns, including ones for preemies.

A few notes about this little outfit...

The sweater pattern is the "Preemie Cardigan".  Since we're expecting someone a little bigger, I used size 3 and 6 needles instead of 2 and 4.  Measuring under the armpits, it is 16 inches around.  I used Bernat Softee Baby yarn.

The little hat is the "Tiny Baby Cap" (size: "Small Baby").

Next up?  A very pretty (and really easy!) crocheted baby blanket...  

Sitting by the phone,

Maggie

Learn to knit... more (free!) Christmas tree decorations

After knitting quite a few little stockings and hats, I've moved on this week to Christmas bells.  This has to be the easiest, quickest project yet!  

I started with this free pattern, but have made a number of adjustments (needle size, yarn, etc.) along the way.

Needles: 4.0 mm or size 6 (US)

Yarn: Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand 

Cast on 15 stitches then knit one row.

Row 2: Purl 5; knit 10

Row 3: Knit 15

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have about 38 - 40 rows.  Note how the rectangle begins to flare and the five knit stitches begin to curl.  Finish at the curled end (bottom of the bell).  

Leave a 2 foot tail when you cut the yarn.  Use that tail to sew the sides together (a tube shape).  Continue by gathering the stitches around the top and pulling tight to close off the top.  Now that you have a bell shape, put in a few stitches at the top of the bell to secure the yarn.  

But don't cut the tail.  : )

With a crochet hook, use the remainder of the tail to crochet 15 single crochet stitches to make a loop to hang your bell.  Stitch to secure the end of the loop at the top of the bell.

But don't cut the tail.  Not yet!  : )

Use the remainder of the yarn to sew a jingle bell inside.

NOW cut the tail.  : )

Since these little bells are just one colour, you can add a yarn "bow" (2 rows of 15 single crochet stitches), a ribbon bow or a Christmas button to add some extra Christmas colour.

I'm quite excited and looking forward to giving an assortment of these little knitted ornaments to two young families just starting their Christmas tree traditions!  If I have time before Christmas, I would also like to try the little mittens and bags pictured below.

Link here to Tiny Mittens

Link here to Little Bags

Have a great day!

From Santa's workshop,

Maggie

Check out Craftaholics Anonymous (Christmas Craft Linky Party) 

for this project and many more.

# 72 Learn to Knit...free Christmas tree decoration patterns

The hats are from Knitting On the Net - the simplest, quickest project imaginable!  I made the brim 10 rows so it looks a little fuller.  I'm using this pattern to learn how to use multiple colours of wool and create patterns.  The hats fit perfectly on top of a bottle of wine, beer or gourmet ______ if you want to dress up a hostess gift.

The stocking pattern from Little Cotton Rabbits is also free. I'm using it to learn how to follow a pattern chart and make heels.  It's a perfect size for some Hershey Kisses or a Matchbox car!

# 71 Knitting...Santa hats and mini-stockings

Yesterday I finished this little project - a Santa Beanie!

It's based on the baby hat I knit last month...

...with a few modifications.  

The red is "Scarlet", Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand and the white is "Natural" Bernat Soft Boucle.

I followed the directions and used the two sizes of needles as outlined in the original pattern. The end is stuffed with wool scraps and tightened to create a pom-pom effect.

Notice the "laddering"?  I didn't know what that was until I discovered this video at VeryPink.  Lots to learn!!

Next project?  Perhaps these mini-stockings.  Aren't they sweet?

# 48 Need a baby gift? Here's a darling little hat to knit.

I've just finished this sweet little project.  Isn't it cute?  I love the little knot at the top!

This was a free pattern I downloaded from www.craftsy.com

Called "Baby Hat with Top Knot - Tegan", it was designed by Julie Taylor from the U.K.  It's made with double pointed needles (two sizes) and actually should look like this:

My hat doesn't curve in at the bottom because I only had the larger size needles.  That's why I rolled up the brim.  For wool, I used Bernat Softee Baby.  The directions were so simple - good for working on while watching TV, etc.  

# 37 More Wrist Warmers...this time, knitted!

YARN: Half a 3.5 oz. ball of Vanna's Choice (LionBrand.com), 100% Acrylic.  

NEEDLES: 4 size 6 double pointed (4.0 metric; 8 UK)

Same ball of wool as yesterday, but a very different effect! 

Knit a tube (12 stitches per needle / three needles = 36 stitches). This version has 6 rows of grey, 14 rows of a variegated wool, 25 rows of grey. 

I made the thumb hole on row 12: knit 3, finished off 6 for the hole, knit 3.  The next time around I knit 3, added 6 stitches, knit 3.

Single crochet around top to finish.

PS Check yesterday's crocheted version to compare.

Check out Link Party # 21 at

Create Craft Love

for more crafts and recipes!

# 36 DIY: Crochet a Pair of Wrist Warmers!

For a bit of a change (after bunnies and puppies), I felt inspired by Sandra Juto's Wrist Worms! 

YARN: 3.5 oz. ball of Vanna's Choice (LionBrand.com), 100% Acrylic (makes two pairs). 

HOOK:  G/6; 4.0 metric;  8 UK.

Basically a tube of 13 double crochet rows, I started and ended with a row of 22 single crochet.   

The thumb opening was started on row 4. Instead of joining onto the first stitch of that row, I single crocheted back  along the row.  I did that three times before continuing with my tube.   I finished by crocheting around the thumb hole. 

#28 Knitting for Babies: Bunnies and Puppies

I am NOT a knitter, but this summer I discovered Craftsy and tried some quick, inexpensive  projects to build up my skills.

The bunny was a paid class, "Wee Ones: Seamless Knit Toys" that included:

● video lessons 

● very clear patterns (bunny, hippo, elephant, little sweater)  

● you can post questions (the instructor replies promptly)  

The puppy and beanie were free patterns. 

In addition to knitting, there are DIY and gardening classes, sewing projects, quilting patterns, cake decorating lessons, etc.  One night I watched "Modern Buttercream" (free).  I'm not interested in trying, but it was fun to watch.  

Craftsy - worth checking out!