Second Time Around

 

After finishing the baby clothes, I went back to the cardigan I've been knitting for myself and finished it off. The pattern is called Rows of Lavender, by Drops Designs. I enjoyed knitting it. I like this type of lace knitting that requires just the right amount of concentration. I do think it looks better than the cardigan I unravelled. 

Bootees To Match

 

I've finished knitting the bootees to go with the onsie. The pattern I used is called Hop, Skip & Jump, by Kirstie McLeod.  It's a clever pattern, using increases and short rows to shape the bootees. It didn't have a ribbon, I added eyelets and ribbons. 

Done

 I didn't get much knitting done over the weekend, but I've worked on the baby onsie today and got it finished, complete with baby's name. I was worried about the embroidery affecting the stretch of the ribbing, so I worked each letter separately on a knit portion of rib. Lucky for me that it's a short name! I must knit matching booties now, but checked with the new mum first. She says she's happy and yes, wants the booties. Phew. I always worry at this stage that the person who ordered something won't be happy.  

Aha

 

Aha, I think the baby onsie is going to work. Now that I've made some progress, I can see where I'm going. I think I'll have enough wool too. Now I just need to get on with it. 

Confusing

 I should really have tested the gauge before I printed out 6 pages of pattern. When I came to make a gauge swatch, the instructions on Simply Sweet by Drops Designs were confusing. It says 34 sts X 32 rows in rib = 10 x 10 cm. Then in brackets, it says 24 sts X 32 rows in stockinette st = 10 x 10 cm. My swatch in rib is way too big, but my swatch in stocking stitch is fine. I've carried on with the onsie, but am making the smallest size rather than the second size and keeping fingers crossed that it won't be too huge.

The pattern is a little confusing too. This is my third attempt to get going and I've made a mistake that I'm going to fudge, after not noticing one of those 'at the same time' instructions. It's a challenge!

First Steps

 

I'm working on a baby onesie for an order. I've spun the wool, dyed it and rolled it into balls. I hope it'll be enough, I have no experience in knitting baby clothes. I looked on Ravelry for a pattern and found one called Simply Sweet, by Drops Designs. I'll have to adapt it a little to match the picture I was sent. The dark pink wool in the picture is to embroider the baby's name across the front, for instance. Since it's a multisize pattern, my first task was to mark the figures for the size I'll be making:

My next task is to check the needle size by knitting a gauge swatch. Then I'll be ready to cast on.

Getting There

 

 I'm working on the second sleeve of my go-around-again cardigan. I may have to pause it for a bit though because I have an order for a baby outfit in handspun wool. I'm not sure that's the right yarn for a baby outfit, but the mother-to-be assures me she'll be happy to handwash it, so I'm off to my spinning wheel.