Baby Theme

I am back from a short holiday to Toronto. It is always nice to see old friends and live in new surroundings. But I am also so glad to be back--locating and relocating always wipes me out. I am a certified wimp.


Dinner at Amy and Robin's home





Make your own cookies at Sweet Flour!


One of the most photographed buildings in Toronto


St. Lawrence Market


Vintage Sale at St. Lawrence Market


Lettuce Knit



During my time away, I braced myself, wove the ends, and buttoned this otherwise long finished baby cardigan. (Weaving and buttoning--how much I dislike you). I was done under an hour, and as always, I asked myself why I waited so long (!)



As most top down sweaters, this pattern is very straight forward. I initially wanted to make the cardigan in one color, but since I am stash busting, I used two.



The buttons from Downtown yarns made my day. Suketu yelled with pleasant surprise when he saw the cardigan. We are planning to design the baby section (we live in a teeny weeny NYC apt, so the baby will have a "section" in our bedroom) around an elephant theme. More details about the theme as we figure it out ourselves. Of course, we would love your suggestions/advice.



Pattern: Garter Yoke Baby Cardi (can be downloaded for free at Ravelry)
Yarn: Rowan Purelife Organic Cotton DK in Oak Bark (0.5 skeins) and Natural (2 skeins)
Needle: US 4
Size: 6 - 12 months
Modifications:
1. Worked the yoke until the chest was about 21-22 inches.
2. I wanted to keep the neck a little more open, so I didnt work the button bands right from the beginning of the neckline.
3. Worked the sleeves until I ran out of yarn.

Law & Order Addiction

There is no way this kid is getting away without a Law & Order Blanket. I designed the first one last year--as a wedding gift for my best friend. And I suppose Cupcake should also have one. And hey--there is no scope for any complaining. There is no scope for anybody disagreeing with Law & Order TV addiction.



I came across Berreco Comfort by chance--at a big sale at Skein Attraction. In my on-going simultaneous effort of destashing and cost-cutting, this was a good buy. The yarn is 100% acyclic and has a super luxurious feel. And bonus--I got skeins in Suketu's favorite colors--brown and orange. I was concerned that it might pile, but the (over handled) sample knit at the store showed no such sign.

And yes, before you ask, I promise that I working on writing up the pattern.





Pattern: My own
Yarn: Berreco Comfort (four skeins)
Hook: 5mm
Size: 32 inches * 32 inches

Pulli

We went on a weekend vacation, and I was determined to finish this pullover for Cupcake. Started in mid May, it was high-time it was done. I have a big finishing problem, but it is getting better.



Again, another top-down pattern and this one is from Knitting Pure and Simple. Mine was supposed to look something like this (Ravelry link), but I made my own concoction (!) I was worried I would run out of yarn, so I shorted the sleeves. I also made a split roll neck--see details at the end of this blog post.



One sec. Didnt I just say I was worried of running out of yarn? Then who is the peeking behind Pulli?



Its a hat. In the beginning, I was so bummed out that I had underestimated the yardage. Pulli's sleeves must be pissed. Anyway, I decided to make a hat.



I might be exaggerating due to sheer joy, but this hat pattern gave the best crown decreases ever (use Version I of the pattern). I hate it when baby hats turn out like couch potatoes. All lumpy and shapeless on the top. And of course, for extra flavor, I added buttons from stash. I am glad I did--the project was looking a little lifeless without them.



Pattern for Pulli: Baby Pullover #214
Pattern for Pulli's Hat: Purple Baby Hats (Version I)
Size: 6-12 months
Yarn: Filatura Lanarota Chaco
Needles: US 8 and US 6 for ribbing
Modifications for Pulli:
1. Shorted the length of the sleeves--I knitted until I finished decreasing four times.
2. I read on Ravelry that for some, the neck was too tight. So I decided to make a split neck by picking up stitches at the neck, but not joining in a round.
3. Added buttons for extra accent interest.