Happy Halloween

We had a really fun Halloween. Jonas got a little candy and was introduced to trick or treat. He definitely liked the treats. I made new costumes for Chris and me. I have always wanted to be Princess Leia. I found a pattern for a knitted hat from Bleu Arts with the classic cinnamon buns that Leia had in her hair for Star Wars. I actually found the pattern last year and decided to try it out this year. I only made the hair buns and attached them with pins. I used black acrylic yarn and stuffed it with bamboo fiber. The dress pattern is from Simplicity 4443 and the fabric is from an old recycled duvet cover. My hubby's costume is a wizard and the pattern is Simplicity 9887. I used a set of old sheets for fabric. The sheet set was originally teal and I used New Black Procion dye to make it a wonderful blue gray. Little guy was dragon to complete the family Halloween costumes. We had a dragon, wizard and a princess. Lots of fun!

Toddler longies

So it has been really cold here this winter. I am sure I am not telling you anything new since it has been really cold in a lot of places. I finally made Jonas a pair of longies out of some left over synthetic yarn that I had in my stash. I have been intrigued by all the diaper covers that I have seen online and I saw that some people make them out of synthetic yarn also. They work pretty good if you use a tight knitting gauge. The result is similar to using polartec fleece covers. So I decided to make a pair for Jonas to use as a diaper cover and also to keep his little legs warm. The pattern is very similar to the boy bloomers execept it has a lot more shaping and an extra leg gusset. In other words it is a lot more complicated. The longies fit him great with all the extra shaping so it is definitely worth the extra steps. I also really like the gusset since it gives him a lot of freedom of movement. Here are photos of the pants and the little guy in action. He really looks adorable in his knitted pants.

Fruity baby sweater

My adorable little niece is turning one this weekend. Very exciting! We are planning a road trip to see her this weekend and celebrate. Little guy is going to love hanging out with his cousin. I made a sweater for her birthday. The pattern is from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding. I made the Kai sweater. The yarn is recycled from a white sweater I found at the local thrift store. I took apart the sweater and dyed the yarn in tangerine, cherry and lemon. I am really getting into the recycled yarn and fabric. I found a cool website called Wardrobe Refashion where everything is made from recycled fabric or yarn. I hope to make the pledge soon myself and commit to using only recycled goods. Check out the blog if you haven't seen it before. There are some really great projects posted.

Green shorties

I made another pair of the baby shorties using two skeins of Lily Sugar & Creme Stripes cotton yarn. I decided to switch things up a bit and did the three needle bind off to the outside of the back of the shorts to form a ridge. I have been getting lots of nice comments about the shorties and boy bloomers so if I can get things going I may try to make them to sell. I can order natural organic cotton and bamboo yarn at Dharma Trading to dye in all sorts of fun colors. Well, something to think about for next summer. I just realized it is August already and the little guy really needs clothes for the Fall. I am still getting used to the idea that if I make something for him that he an only wear it for a limited time. Sort of funny actually. Well, time to get busy on the Fall wardrobe.

Baby knickers a.k.a. boy bloomers

Little guy just took his first few independent steps a week ago. It is really amazing to see him stand up and move around. He is still a ways from walking though and spends most of his time crawling. He has perfected a crawl run which is really cute to watch. However, it is very hard on his little knees. I like to keep his knees protected, but also want him to be comfortable since it is summer. The perfect solution is knickers. I have already made a few pairs of the boy bloomers. The pair in the picture was made with two skeins of Lily Sugar & Creme Stripes cotton yarn. The baby knicker pattern is the same as the baby shorties, but easier since you don't have to shape the legs or pick up stitches.

Baby Shorties

Size: small (medium, large). Hip size: 17 in. (20 in., 23 in.)

Materials: 175 (200, 225) yards of cotton worsted weight yarn. I used 2 skeins of Love it
by Berroco. Elastic to use for the waistband.

Gauge: 4 sts = 1 in. stockinet stitch for main body.

Needles: US size 6 - 16 in circular needle, US size 8 - 16 in. circular needle or sizes need to get gauge.

Notes: w&t - Slip the next stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front. Turn work and wrap
yarn around to the back of the stitch. Slip the stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front.

Main Body
Cast on 68 (80, 92) sts using US size 6 circular needle and join in the round being careful
not to twist stitches. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Knit 6 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 6 rounds in knit two, purl two ribbing. Change to US size 8 circular needle.

Begin Short Rows

Size small only:
Knit 23 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

Size medium only:
Knit 26 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit 27 sts, w&t.
Purl 30 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

Size large only:
Knit 29 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit 27 sts, w&t.
Purl 30 sts, w&t.
Knit 33 sts, w&t.
Purl 36 sts, w&t.
Knit 39 sts, w&t.
Purl 42 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

For all sizes:
Knit in rounds until piece measures 6 in. (7 in., 8 in) from the purl ridge.

Split for legs
Knit 17 sts (20 sts, 23 sts). Place these stitches on a holder and knit 34 sts (40 sts, 46 sts).
Place the remaining stitches on a holder and turn work. Purl one row.
Knit in stockinette stitch until leg measures 1.5 in. (2.0 in., 2.5 in.).
Change back to US size 6 circular needle and knit rows in knit two, purl two ribbing for 1 in. (1.5 in., 2.0 in.). Bind off stitches loosely.

Attach yarn to the remaining 34 sts (40 sts, 46 sts) and knit in stockinette stitch until leg measures 1.5 in. (2.0 in., 2.5 in.).
Change back to US size 6 circular needle and knit rows in knit two, purl two ribbing for 1 in. (1.5 in., 2.0 in.). Bind off stitches loosely.

Finishing
Sew the leg seam. Sew in all the loose strings. Fold over the waistband at the purl ridge and stitch in place leaving space open to put in the elastic. Cut half inch elastic to 15 in. (18 in., 21 in) or to size needed for the waistband. Insert the elastic in the casing. Stitch the rest of the casing
closed.

Baby shorties

The little guy like many toddles his age is really adept at taking off his diaper. He is a master of Velcro so it helps to have a cover over his diaper. I found really cute examples of knitted diaper covers on the web and decided to make a pair for him out of cotton yarn to be worn over his diapers. I came up with my own version since I didn't find any simple patterns that used worsted weight or thicker yarn. I really like using worsted weight or thicker yarn these days since my knitting time is a bit less since the little guy was born. I also like simple patterns since I tend to knit in small spurts now. I can put down my knitting and pick it up later without being totally lost in the pattern. Here is my version. Enjoy!

Baby Shorties

Size: small (medium, large). Hip size: 17 in. (20 in., 23 in.)

Materials: 175 (200, 225) yards of cotton worsted weight yarn. I used 2 skeins of Love it
by Berroco. Elastic to use for the waistband.

Gauge: 4 sts = 1 in. stockinet stitch for main body.

Needles: US size 6 - 16 in circular needle, US size 8 - 16 in. circular needle, 4 US size 6
double point needles or sizes need to get gauge.

Notes: w&t - Slip the next stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front. Turn work and wrap
yarn around to the back of the stitch. Slip the stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front.

Main Body
Cast on 68 (80, 92) sts using US size 6 circular needle and join in the round being careful
not to twist stitches. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Knit 6 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 6 rounds in knit two, purl two ribbing. Change to US size 8 circular needle.

Begin Short Rows

Size small only:
Knit 23 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

Size medium only:
Knit 26 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit 27 sts, w&t.
Purl 30 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

Size large only:
Knit 29 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit 27 sts, w&t.
Purl 30 sts, w&t.
Knit 33 sts, w&t.
Purl 36 sts, w&t.
Knit 39 sts, w&t.
Purl 42 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

For all sizes:
Knit in rounds until piece measures 3.5 in. (4.5 in., 5.5 in) from the purl ridge.

Shaping for leg openings
Knit 34 sts (40 sts, 46 sts). Place these stitches on a holder and work only on the remaining stitches.
Bind off 3sts (4 sts, 4 sts). Knit to the end of the row.
Bind off 3sts (4 sts, 4 sts). Purl to the end of the row.
Knit 2 sts, k2tog. Knit to 4 sts before the next maker, k2tog, knit 2 sts.
Turn and purl one row.
Continue to decrease 2 sts every right side row and purl every wrong side row until 16 sts
(18 sts, 20 sts) remain.
Knit in stockinet stitch for 1 inch.
Knit 2 sts, inc 1 st. Knit to 2 sts before the next maker, inc 1 st, knit 2 sts.
Turn and purl one row.
Continue to increase 2 sts every right side row and purl every wrong side row until 34 sts
(40 sts, 46 sts).

Join the back and front leg openings by doing a three needle bind off or by grafting the
stitches together. You can also bind off the stitches and sew the seam together. I use a
three need bind off and have a seam in the back of the pants.

Ribbing for the legs
Change to US size 6 double point needles.
Pick up and knit 40 sts (44 sts, 48 sts) around one of the leg openings.
Knit rounds in knit two, purl two ribbing until leg measures 2 in. (2.5 in., 3 in.).
Bind off all stitches loosely.
Repeat for the other leg.

Finishing
Sew in all the loose strings. Fold over the waistband at the purl ridge and stitch in place
leaving space open to put in the elastic. Cut half inch elastic to 15 in. (18 in., 21 in) or to
size needed for waistband. Insert the elastic in the casing. Stitch the rest of the casing
closed.

B-day gifts

My little guy's sweet little friend had her first birthday also. They are actually five days apart which is very nice. I made a few little items for her birthday including a pair of purple hemp shoes and orange cotton knitted bell bottoms. It was really fun to make a few girly items. I hope to post the pants pattern soon.

Pink knitted headband

Yay! I am finally getting a chance to post a knitting pattern. The first project is a knitted headband. I am a big fan of headbands and if I didn't think they were essential prior to having my little one, I definitely think they are now. I find taking a shower these days is quite the luxury, so headbands are definitely a bonus. I made a few simple knitted headbands by knitting a ribbed tube. However, I wanted something a bit cuter and thought short rows for the top. Here is what I came up with after a few tries. I really like the shape of the headband and how it is wider at the top and fits nicely around the back. The pattern is quick and fairly easy to make. The only part that is a little tricky is the short rows, but not too bad with a little practice. Hope you enjoy the pattern and if you don't get a chance to make one, then I will be selling these through my business soon. Happy knitting!

Pink knitted headband

size: headband is very stretchy. It is 16 in. unstretched but will stretch to about 22 in., so should fit a variety of sizes.

materials: about 50 yards of cotton worsted weight yarn.

gauge: 4.5 sts = 1 in.

needle: US size 6 - 16 in. circular needle or size to get gauge

notes: w&t - Slip the next stitch purlwise with the yarn in front. Turn work and wrap yarn around to the back of the stitch. Slip the stitch purlwise with the yarn in front. I just found a great blog that explains wrap and turn very well with photos, so check out The Knitting Friend if you need more help. Very cool info about how to make the w&t disappear. I will have to try that next time.

Main Body
Cast on 80 sts and join in the round being careful not to twist stitches. Place a marker for the begining of the round.
Knit 6 rounds in knit two, purl two rib.

Begin Short Rows
Knit 20 sts in knit two, purl two rib. Knit 24 sts, w&t.
Purl 8 sts, w&t.
Knit 11 sts, w&t.
Purl 14 sts, w&t.
Knit 17 sts, w&t.
Purl 20 sts, w&t.
Knit 23 sts, w&t.
Purl 26 sts, w&t.
Knit 29 sts, w&t.
Purl 32 sts, w&t.
Knit 35 sts, w&t.
Purl 38 sts, w&t.
Knit 39 sts. Knit two, purl two to the end of the round.

Knit 5 rounds in knit two, purl two rib.
Bind off the stitches loosely and weave in the threads.