Friday, September 18, 2009

New Craft Room, New Yarn, New Project

We have a bit more space, since this summer our oldest got married, and our youngest daughter moved into sister's old room. So we are converting her old room into 1/2 craft room and extra storage for my "stuff". May also end up with the treadmill in it too. But oh well, at least it is a start. This is a shelving system in a "box" that we found at Target. Much assembly was required and it is actually two different units. One with the cubbies is secured to the lower unit. Thought that would be good for yarn storage with more room in the cabinet below. Then we'll figure out a desk of some sort and more shelving. It's a work in progress, but a place to put my things! My local yarn store is having a moving sale and so I used my discount to get some needed yarn to complete a top-down sweater I currently have on the needles... and some fun new hand dyed merino wool by Mirasol "Hacho" to begin a Baby Surprise Jacket, by Elizabeth Zimmerman.
Using this yummy Inca Gold yarn, a wool/silk blend, in "eggplant" color on my top-down sweater. It is a variation on a similar sweater I have done before, based on the pattern by Cosmicpluto Knits' for a top-down raglan. The yarn is nice to knit with and I have used it before with great results. Again, I love top-downs because NO SEAMS are required!


And here it is so far on size 7 circular needles, with buttonholes every few inches and sleeve stitches temporarily on "hold". Why this color? Because it is the "new" color of the season for fall and I don't have much of it in my wardrobe anymore. It sounded fun!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Ribbed Baby Cardigan and Kaia Babydoll Dress

Kaia Babydoll Dress shown after threading in some ribbon to the ribbonholes. The ribbon is chocolate in color and was leftover from the wedding...


Using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn, about 2 skeins made this Ribbed Baby Cardigan, a Debbie Bliss pattern. Here it is shown sans the button. Still haven't picked it out yet. Could have also made a buttonhole. However, will choose a big button and form a crocheted loop of some sort. Easy pattern! Only seams are at sides and underside of sleeves. The tricky part was picking up the stitches around the neck and front evenly spaced for the wide band of ribbing. Shown prior to blocking, here-slightly fuzzy picture. The ribbed band does want to pull up some.


And less than two skeins of same yarn made this sweet little Kaia Babydoll Dress, a pattern on Ravelry. This was knit from the top down on two different sizes of circular needles; one size 9 for bodice, double stranding the yarn, and a smaller size 6 for the skirt, single stranded. It has no seams. Eyelet holes created around bodice for threading through ribbon, yet to be purchased.


Lace pattern at hem gives it a nice finish! This was my first attempt at lace, and it was fun to do. I omitted the last two rows on lace repeat since I thought I would run out of yarn.


These will go in the stash for future grandkids or baby gifts. Very rewarding and quick projects.
Good for nervous wedding knitting or waiting at hospital knitting. Which we have been doing alot lately after son-in-law's emergency abdominal surgeries. Hoping for his swift recovery...