knit halter

knit halter
Originally uploaded by hmsohly

This little halter has served our Sugar Lump well. She wore it as a dress over a onesie as a toddler and now as a tunic as a bigger girl. I used this basic pattern: Katja and modified it to make it longer and add the eyelets and a-line. I knit the ties in garter rather than i-cord. Oh, I also knit it in the round, but you could easily seam it as the pattern suggests. It was asuper fun way to use up some stash scraps!

Hope you're enjoying your summer a busying your fingers with relaxing little projects.

Mother's Day Ideas

Last year, I made my mother a monogrammed hankie. She loved it. Now, I'm in search of another handmade goodie for her. These are some of the ideas I'm considering. What are you making for your mom?

Embroidered Scarves from Purl Bee

Lacy Scarf to Knit from Purl Bee

Something Special Envelope and Note from JC Handmade

Fabric Basket from Orange Flower Sketchbook

Puff Daddy Stool from Pickles

Clothes Pin Holder from Blue Bird Studio

And here is the link for the little hankie I embroidered for mom last year, just in case that strikes your fancy. You could also make a lovely set of monogramed sachets, if you like.

Purple Knit Cowel

purpleknit2
Originally uploaded by hmsohly

Orange Flower Sketchbook provides all varieties of crafting inspiration. This oversized cowel is based upon her simple ribbed cowel. My sweet mother was kind enough to model for me. I think our big girlie will enjoy this for Christmas. Now, if I can just get her quilt top and back ironed, sandwiched, quilted and bound. Ahhh. If that were the only project on the list.

This cowel was super easy! Using a #15 needle, I cast on 80 stiches. I followed OFS's stitch pattern---knit three, pearl through the back stitch one and repeat. I did knit it in circular, but you could knit it flat and seam it as easily.

Hope you're staying warm.

Knitting and Sewing. . . in Preparation

Since as of next Monday, I'll be on waivers as far as any right hand use is concerned, I've been wrapping up some projects. I've finished a blanket and a quilt (photos to follow this week) and have knit up a variety of things for little people I love.

Here is our Sugar Lump in one of the hats. I'm an impatient knitter, so I worked up this little hat with chunky yarn, size 11 needles and a twisted drop stitch. Super fast! I find the larger needles bother my hands less, too.

I'm hoping to get my Gail Pan Bom last block stitched this week and get a couple more things made. I'll get some photos up for fun. Hope you enjoyed a nice holiday weekend and that you're ready to greet the fall.

A Variation on a Cocoon

Oh, how I wish I had a friend with a baby to cozy into this little bowl. So here is my version of the Baby Bowl. My photographer friend, Christine, was so sweet when she received these little knit goodies. This one works up super fast!

Materials:

1 skein of something soft and yummy

Size 11 16" circular needles

Yarn needle

Cast on 60 stitches loosely with your prefered method

Place stitch marker and join

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2 - 6: Knit all stitches twisted drop stitch (tds)

Row 7: Knit 8, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 8 - 12 Knit all stitches twisted drop stitch

Row 13: Knit 7, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 14: Knit all stitches twisted drop stitch

Row 15: Knit 6, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 16: Knit all stitches tds

Row 17: Knit 5, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 18: Knit all stitches tds

Row 19: Knit 4, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 20: Knit 3, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 21: Knit 2, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 22: Knit 1, k2tog to end of round using tds

Row 23: K2tog to end leaving you with six stitches remaining

Cut an 8" tail and thread it through the final six stitches.

Weave in ends and trim.

Have fun--this knits up super fast!

Baby Cocoon

Ah, summer. . . and I'm knitting. That may seem strange, but it is portable and lets me be outside keeping an eye on the kiddos. My friend, Christine, is an amazing photographer who showed me some of the props she had purchased for infant sessions. She told me she was coveting some of the cocoons she had seen, but not enjoying the prices. I thought I'd try to work one up for her and share the pattern with you all--just in case you have a newborn who might need to be extra cozy. I wish I had a baby to show you how sweet they can look in these little cozy, cocoons, but my babies are too big and I haven't yet talked my sister-in-law into having another.

Materials:

Size 11 16" circular needles

1 skein of yummy, soft yard you adore

A little time.

Cast on 35 stitches using the long-tail method

Place space marker and join.

Rows 1 - 5, knit in stockinette

Row 6, knit all with twisted drop stitch

Row 7, knit all rows

Repeat rows 6 and 7 until your cocoon measures 15"

Begin decrease on a knit row:

Row 1 Dec: k2 tog, k5 to end

Row 2 Dec: knit all with twisted drop stitch

Row 3 Dec: k2 tog, k4 to end

Row 4 Dec: knit all with twisted drop stitch

Row 5 Dec: k2 tog, k3 to end

Row 6 Dec: knit all with twisted drop stitch

Row 7 Dec: k2 tog, k2 to end

Row 8 Dec: knit all with twisted drop stitch

Row 9 Dec: knit 2 tog, k 1 to end

Cut a 10 " tail, and thread through remaining stitches.

Weave in ends and you have your baby cocoon.

Pie Beret

My Aunt Arleen is a pie baker. As a child, she would deliver any of her wonderful pies for our birthday gifts (my favorite was peach). The yumminess and the fact that it was all ours made those pies extra special. Of course, we shared. She saw me knitting up a cupcake for my niece's 1st birthday. She love it.

I thought her latest granddaughter should have a little cream pie hat. So this little beret is simple and fun. The ribbing is the crust and keeps it on the baby head while the top, fringe and flowers are the filling. I love it and hope she does, too. Now, will baby Grace keep it on her pretty little head?

Handmade Holiday Discounts and Freebies

These links all have discounts or freebies this holiday season. Who doesn't love crafters who share their lovely talents and vendors who offer discounts to help us keep our budgets? Also, Pacrific Fabric and Craft has holiday discounts running now, too. They offer on-line sales as well as sales at their Northwest stores.

Boy's Christmas Sweater Pattern Dilemma

The pattern is in this house--somewhere. It is here, unless the dog ate it, the baby shredded it or I threw it out by mistake. So here I am with the front, back and one sleeve of the boy child's Christmas sweater complete and no pattern to finish it. I know I can noodle the second sleeve using the first as my guide, but then there is the collar. hmmm. I don't remember the name of the pattern. I didn't find it on Ravelry. I think it was a Debbie Bliss Freebie from a Canadian magazine. Hmm. So knitters, I may need some help once I get to the collar. It was a modified rolled collar--4 row rib followed by 6 rows of stockinette. I'll muddle through if I don't find it. The mommy brain thing is wearing thin this Sunday morning.

If he had not asked me to make it (what a sweet little boy, and only 3) if I were not so close, I'd move on to another something fun to make him like:

http://blueskyalpacas.com/pattern_detail.php?patterns_ID=125

http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTlc.html

http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70204A.html

http://knitandtonic.typepad.com/knitandtonic/2006/11/drive_thru_aka_.html

If you find you love any of these and need to make them for your kiddos--remember to save the link so you do not find yourself in a scramble. Lesson learned.