Baby's Here!

Lovely little boy

Just in the nick of time!  My nephew arrived on Thursday and he's a healthy--albeit sleepy--little boy.

Completed hats, bib and booties

I hope he'll get some use of the booties, hats and bib (although I wish I had made more bibs).  His parents appreciated the gifts.

Finished baby booties

Although everything was completed when my nephew arrived, I was still finishing off Friday evening--mostly weaving in those pesky little ends.  I'm somewhat pleased with the booties, although they look a little big.  Maybe when I use the same worsted weight yarn (it was Bernat Handicrafter Cotton), I'll use a smaller hook (instead of using 5.0 mm, maybe 4.00 mm would been a better choice.).  I'm a loose knitter, so I may very well be a loose hooker (that doesn't sound right, but you know what I mean, LOL).

Off to finish some readings for my classes.
Later,
 :)

Babies and Small Things

Some small things were finished and some small things were started.  Yay!  Crafting on a regular basis energizes the spirit, invigorates creativity, and gives a sense of purpose.  And finishing small projects provides a break from bigger projects as well as enough motivation to push ahead on those bigger projects (I'm looking at you, Rainbow Bedspread.  Someday you will be finished).

Meanwhile, I can derive satisfaction from these simple, but pretty, baby items.  This free basic beanie pattern can be found here on Ravelry.  And truly it is a good basic pattern.

Basic Beanie

Sadly the final item seemed rather small--as in freakin' wee!  The above photo doesn't really give a sense of its size until you compare it to something else--like a doll.

Above is my 18" American Girl/Maplea wanna-be and the beanie fits her melon perfectly. Me thinks this is proof that the beanie is too small for a baby--although it might fit a preemie--and I used the 0-3 month size (Worth noting that since my SIL is well into her 8th month, the baby should have a bigger head circumference). To be fair, the pattern included instructions for bigger sizes up to adult size, so I would have found the right size.  Instead I tried my hand at something else.

This second beanie pattern came from Baby Crochet by Lois Daykin.  It was the same book from which came the rainbow baby bib.  Unlike the bib, these instructions were easy to follow and I had no issues with it, other than minor modifications.  Since the original pattern called for yarn thinner than worsted, my mods included:
1) using a 50 st chain instead of the 60 st chain called for in the pattern.  Thankfully this mod did not mess up the decrease rows.
2) using five 30-st chains for the tassel instead of the twenty 30-st chains called for in the pattern (although I need to trim my ends on the tassels a little more).

I also started some booties.  It's a free pattern from Bernat (aka Yarnspirations--whose website is currently being "updated" so I used the Rav link above.  It will take you to the appropriate link at Yarnspirations--once their website is up and running again).  Since the pattern is one I've made before (see here and also here.  Or you can check out my meager notes on Ravelry), I know two things: the directions are easy to follow and the final item is of acceptable size and dimensions.  It's win-win. ;)

With variegated yarn, there's always the danger of bad pooling, but it's not too bad--at least on the side visible in the photo above.  

Whatcha think?  What's in your project bag?

About the Baby Stuff . . .

Almost done.  The hat was already completed when I'd started on the booties(the link will take you to the pattern links).  The booties were actually quite easy to work and to stitch up.  

Bernat Baby Booties

With those items finished, I decided to add some baby socks (they're just so darn cute!).

Baby Sock

The sock pattern comes from a discontinued booklet from Bernat (Rav link).  I'd actually made the socks a few years ago (old Bernat blog's archive at Yarnspirations.com) using the now discontinued yarn Bernat Baby Stretch.  I'd hoped my non-stretchy Red Heart Smoothie would work with the pattern.  And it does!

Almost done . . . 

 This is gonna be a cute set when its completed.  Just need to start the second sock . . .  ;)

Cheery and Bright

Amidst the gloom of wintery grey weather, I'm working on bright and cheery baby stuff.

The hat went rather quickly--worked on it mostly during naptime whilst my toddlers slept.  I've made this hat twice already--hard to beat a practical and equally cute pattern.  Its Berry Baby Hat (Rav link).  The only 2 mods were to include a ribbed brim( instead of a rolled one--personal preference) and addition of  8 extra stitches after the ribbing.  I used Red Heart Smoothie which feels like a silky cotton but is actually 100% acrylic.  The spring-like colours have a nice sheen and a soft hand. 

Right now I'm working on some matching booties.  I'm using Bernat Baby Booties (Rav link) which has easy-to-follow instructions.  The plan is to add some green trim 'round the cuff so the items will match.  The recipient isn't due till April, so I hope to add either a second hat or matching socks . . . not sure which yet.

Later,