Socks and Baby Dress

First up, as promised, socks! Here is the panda wool that I am using to knit the first set of socks. Panda Wool is 46% bamboo, 43% wool and 11% nylon and oh so soft with a little bit of sparkle. I am using 2.25mm needles and a pattern called double eyelet rib found in The Harmony Guide to Knitting Stitches. An old book that my mom gifted me when I was in college -- ages ago!

I am trying to knit two socks at once on two 24" circular needles and am not sure that I am liking it. It seems like a lot of fiddling with the needles but I am sure I will like it when I am done and have a pair of socks to wear (or gift, I haven't decided yet).

Next is the preemie dress I was working on last post. It is complete and I knit a bonnet to go with. The Heart2Heart dress pattern is by Mary Glynn and I knit it with Bernat Softee Baby on 3.75mm needles. I couldn't find bonnet pattern with the gauge I was using so I made my own. It looks like it will be about the right size to fit a 2-3lb preemie. This outfit will be going to HAIN but first I want to knit one more preemie outfit for a boy using this gown pattern that I found by Libby Wilson.

Happy Canada Day on Sunday to all Canadians!!

Happy Wednesday

My kids are happy anyway! It was sunny and warm here today, a great day for their first day off for summer holidays. They had a friend over to occupy them. Hopefully this is how the rest of the 8 weeks will be :-) The kids are happy and I get to knit, knit, knit (and maybe sew)!
Socks are finished. Yeah!! These were knit with Plymouth Classics Sockotto yarn on 2.25mm needles using Deby Lake's Tidal Wave pattern. I have to tell you that this yarn is not very soft. It is 45%cotton, 40% superwash wool and 15% nylon. It must be the cotton content that makes them a little "harsh". Not that I don't want to wear them ---

But I ordered some other sock yarn from Little Knits and it is oohhhh soooo soooffftt!! I got to touch and feel it today -- 4 balls of panda wool (40%bamboo, 43% wool and 11%nylon) and 1 ball of Fleece Artist's basic merino socks in Lily Pond --- Yummm. Of course I had to start knitting a pair of socks with the panda wool. I will show you a picture next time

Also started on the needles is a preemie dress. This is just the skirt so far (almost done). This is Mary Glynn's Heart2Heart pattern. I have made one before and her pattern was very easy to follow and the dress turns out adorable. I am using Bernat SofteeBaby yarn in a mottled pink and white colour

Til next time, keep on knitting :-)

Today It's Knitting

As promised here are some finished (and not so finished) knitting projects. As an aside I have one of the star quilts layered and ready to quilt and the other two star quilts are now pieced into tops. Yeah!!

First up, some knit baby hats. These hats will be given to our church's caring ministry for families of new bundles of joy. I hope it is a blessings to them.

From bottom left going clockwise ---
* Blue and white hat pattern from P2Designs and is knit with James C. Brett Kool Kotton (very soft cotton yarn);
* My own pattern knit with Paton's Astra yarn;
* Hat pattern by Lenore English knit with Paton's Astra yarn;
* And last, very cute hat by P2Designs and knit with the Kool Kotton. There is a sweater and cute socks that go with this hat.

And on the needles for myself (what a concept) is a sock. Knit in Plymouth Classics Sockotta colourway Sun Kissed. I am using Deby Lake's Tidal Wave Sock pattern. You can see the pattern much better on her picture than mine. These are short socks to wear in the summer. Did I ever say that I am always cold. It needs to be about 75F before I can take my socks off so they will definitely be worn (if I get them done in a timely manner that is).

Are you looking for sock patterns?? Check out Knitting Pattern Central. There are tons of free patterns there -- so many you would never need to buy another pattern or book (unless you like the eye candy all in one place)!

Actual Quilt Making

I have been inspired -- I am not sure by what but I have been working on some quilt tops.

The first is from donated fabric with cute pigs on the farm fabric. I had meant to make sawtooth star blocks but ended up sewing the wrong colour corner squares onto each flying goose. I wasn't about to rip it all out so I changed the pattern. I think it turned out very nice. I have the backing washed and am ready to layer and quilt. Maybe today! This quilt will go to ECEAP preschool program at Encompass in North Bend, WA.

The second quilt has blocks that were donated to me by Kirsten about 2 years ago. Am I slow or what!?! She had started this gorgeous quilt and had about 15 star blocks, 10 alternate blocks (don't know what to call them) and then quite a few pieced setting triangles. It looks like the blocks would have been set on point. Anyway, this quilt took very little time to put together and I have 2 others (a little bit bigger) with stars and alternate blocks to still put together. These will turn out to be about baby size so will go to Heavenly Angels In Need when I am done.

More finished knitting items next time :-)

Just Popping In

Just wanted to post a quick note that I finished up the dress and bonnet outfit for Heavenly Angels In Need. It is small newborn size (6 -7lb baby) and the pattern was from BW Creations which doesn't seem to be available anymore. Barbara -- where did you go? I really like her patterns! The yarn is Softee Baby.

I finally had to make a list of things I want to knit. I found myself coming up with new ideas and kept getting off track.

Question for you: How many charities do you donate to?

I am currently donating to 4 and find myself overwhelmed occasionally. They are all great causes with immediate needs which initiates the problem for me -- which one is the priority? Anyway, just some food for thought and I would enjoy hearing your comments on the topic! Have a great Monday!

Helping the Afghan People

Want to help the Afghan people? Check out Afghans for Afghans or Bev's Baby project.

A Finished Quilt

Wow ... this is a momentous occasion. I actually finished a quilt that was worked on only by me. A couple of years ago I would have finished 4 or 5 by this time in the year but knitting has really taken over from my sewing. Not that I am complaining! Knitting is more portable. And I can finish baby items much quicker than a quilt --- ahhhh, instant (almost) gratification!

Also finished and off the needles is the pair of socks I was knitting for the Dulaan project. And started is a sweater. I am hoping to have the sweater done in another week so I can box up my items and get them off to F.I.R.E. If it isn't done then it will be a good start on next years items or may get donated to Afghans for Afghans if they have a need. It will definitely be used somewhere to keep yet another child warm --- there is such a great need on this planet for warm clothes!

I am still working on the newborn dress. The skirt is almost finished and then I will start the sleeves (I will post a picture next time).

I have about 10 yards of fleece that I want to cut into baby blankets and then edge in crochet. That will be my next project, as well as some newborn hats for our caring ministry at church. I have a never ending list!!