2013#22 Child's Peach and White Sweater

Another child's sweater for NGH

This was very old yarn from the bottom of the stash at NGH
The white yarn has a price sticker of $1.29!!
I used 2 row white/peach stripes to underarms on body and then added 3 white stripes to sleeves to add interest.
I had a little bit of peach left and 0.9 g of white which is pretty good for using up odd balls of yarn

Size 8 years
Pattern: Andrew's Stripes from Patons website
Yarn: Sears So Soft
Colour: Peach 4318 (4 x 100g) 
Yarn: Woolcrest Knitting Worsted
Colour: white (0.9 x 100g)

2013 #21 Child's Blue Sweater

Another sweater for NGH using the simple raglan sweater pattern from Patons but modified as follows:

1) used  K1P1 rib instead of K2P2.

2)  Body: used travelling pearl stitch instead of stocking stitch
   i.e.  Row 1 K5P1, Row 3 K4P1, Row 5 K3 P1, etc.

3)Raglan: K2 decrease stitch, k to end instead of decrease stitch at row edge

note: The yarn is much darker than in the photo.  In fact so dark that it was very difficult to knit with in artificial light at night.

The pattern on the body of the sweater is also great on the wrong side.  It would make a great sweater or hat pattern.


Size 6 years
Pattern: Andrew's Stripes from Patons website
Yarn: Patons Canadiana
Colour: Blue (4.4 x 100g) 

2013 #20 Child's Green Sweater

I helped out at our craft sale at NGH last week and I was given this green yarn and asked to make a child's sweater.  So here it is.

 

 

This is a very straightforward pattern for a child's raglan sweater.  It is originally done in a series of stripes but the yarn I had was all one colour and I thought that there would be enough.  As it turned out there was almost enough yarn.  I had an oddment of reddish brown yarn which I thought would be enough to do the top of the sleeves.  There was just enough to do the sleeves but then not enough yarn to do any kind of collar so I picked up and then cast off around the neck.  I had exactly 12 inches of green yarn left after stitching this together!!!!

 

Other changes to the pattern were that I added garter rib stripes ( right side K3, wrong side K1P1K1) to the front to make it a little more interesting.

 

We need some more sweaters so I have some blue yarn that I am going to make up in the same pattern.  I may add cables or some other stitch pattern to the front again

 

Size 6 years
Pattern: Andrew's Stripes from Patons website
Yarn: Patons Beehive Canadiana Sayelle
Colour: Green (4 x 100g)  and RedBrown (scraps  approx. 0.2 ozs)

2013 #19 Raspberry's Green Hoodie

Yet another sweater for Little Miss Smiley.

I originally bought this yarn for a Bernat pattern.  When I looked at the pattern carefully , I wasn't sure that I liked the way the hood was constructed. So then I went on line and found this one and another also from Rowan. I felt that this one was more suited to the thicker yarn which I had bought.

I pretty much followed the pattern.  I just added a rib panel to each of the front pieces as I thought a completely plain front was boring.  I didn't add the pocket that was in the pattern either.  A simple pattern easy to follow.  I can see making more in the larger sizes.

I haven't used this yarn before.  It's an acrylic yarn which should wash well.  It was beautifully soft to work with and the finished garment feels lovely too.

Size 9 - 12 months
Pattern: Hazel by Sarah Hatton for Rowan Studio
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby
Colour: Fern

2013 #18 Raspbery's Coral Cardi

I am trying to get a little stash of cardigans for Raspberry. I hope to give them to her just around Christmas so that she'll have them when she needs them. 
I loved this pattern when I knitted it up earlier this year (2013#13). This time, I used the alternate pattern which didn't require a cable needle.  It was faster to knit and looks very pretty. 
I used the picot edging on the sleeves and the hem.  It  too looks very pretty but it curled really badly so I was forced to steam press it.  As this is an all in one top down knit, I felt that blocking would be more difficult. 
The yarn was just lovely to work with.  It is a beautiful coral colour and just perfect for this little sweater for a little redhead.  I think I have enough yarn left to make pair of little socks but I may save it to make another cardigan from all the leftovers I have.

 Size: 6 - 12 months
Pattern: Sunnyside by Tanis Lavallee
Yarn: Knitpicks Palette
Colour: Conch

2013#17 Raspberry's Purple Cardi

This was a very simple plain knit.  I needed a quick project as I had just 4 days to get this done.

The sweater is knitted from the top down, all in one piece.  It does mean that there are no side or sleeve seams but the picot edging needed to be sewn down.  I liked the look of the edging in the pattern photo but now that I have completed the sweater, it seems too bulky.  I am not convinced that it was worth the effort of stitching down all the edges.  It certainly made the buttonholes a little problematic and the ends of the button bands are not very nice.
The pattern called for Bernat Cotton-ish yarn and this is the first sweater I have knitted with it.  I don't think that I will use it again .  The yarn is just a shade too fine for the needle size and the resulting fabric feels a little loose.  It is very lightweight and does not result in an even knit which is essential on such a plain sweater. 
I would probably use the pattern again. Although if I were to do that, I would use the garter stitch borders and a different yarn

Size: 12 months
Pattern: Look Mom, No Seams by Vickie Howell
Yarn: Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell
Colour: Spinning Jenny (purple)

2013 #16 Aran Sweater

This is another hospital project.  I started it way back in April.  I thought it would easily be finished in time for our big sale in November but I kept putting it on one side to do other projects so that it ended up being  a bit of a push to get it done.

 

 

This was an easy pattern to follow.  I like the raglan sleeves and the central cable pattern.  The finished garment is actually exactly 42" wide so it would be tight on a 42" chest. The neck is a little  wide for my liking but otherwise I am very happy with the project.

 

Size: 40/42 inch
Pattern: Raglan Aran Pullover by Hayfield
Yarn: Mary Maxim Ragg
Colour: Taupe

2013#14 and 2103 #15 Socks

 

 

I am a bit late getting these posted but I am determined to keep this record up to date.

 

2013#14

 These are a pair of men's socks knitted from scraps found in the hospital stash.  I started and finished them on holiday in England.

 

Size: Men's medium
Pattern: K3P1 Socks by Chilly Knits
Yarn: Wool
Colour: Grey
  

 

 

 

 

 

2013#15

 

Another pair of men's socks knitted from scraps found in the hospital stash.  I started and almost finished these on holiday in England.

 

Size: Men's medium
Pattern: K2P2 Socks by Chilly Knits
Yarn: Wool
Colour: Red and Grey

2013 #13 Lucky 13 Raspberry Rainbow Cardigan

I was given a gift card for Knitpicks and while trolling through their site found this yarn on sale.  As I needed a small amount to get to the free shipping I added this to the basket.  It is very bright but just perfect for this little sweater.  The yarn knits up easily and the pattern is very straightforward.  I think I have enough yarn left to make pair of little socks too.  Of course they are for the newest member of the family - Miss Raspberry!!

Size: 3 - 6 months
Pattern: Sunnyside by Tanis Lavallee
Yarn: Knitpicks Felici Sport Self striping
Colour: Macaroon

2013 #12 Pink Lace Bouquets Cardigan

Another little pink sweater for the new baby. 
I found another of my pattern books hiding in a box full of sewing things.  This pattern comes from that book and dates from 1999/2000 or thereabouts as I bought it when the first of the granddaughters began to arrive.

I bought two 100g skeins of this yarn and made the Provence Cardi and this one and there is still quite a bit left.  I think I'll collect all the leftovers and make a stripey something for the winter.


Size: 18 inch
Pattern: Lace Bouquets Cardigan in Patons Sweetheart Knits
Yarn: Patons Beehive Baby Sport
Colour: Rose Bud

2013 #11 Sugar Cookie Dress and Socks

A little knitted dress for the new baby.  I had enough yarn to make a pair of socks too.

This is a very old pattern.  Many years ago (pre children!!),  I bought yarn by post from a woollen mill. It was called Falcon wools.  I don't remember whether it was all wool or whether there were some acrylics too.  Anyway, they had several pattern books to help sell the wool.  I purchased several and have used lots of patterns from this book but never the dress pattern. 

It is very simple to make. I thought about knitting it in the round but in the end I followed the pattern.  The sleeves are knit separately and then added to the body to make the yoke in one piece.

There was enough yarn left that I could make a pair of baby socks.

Size: 20 inch
Pattern: Baby Dress in Falcon More Knitting for Babies
Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly  4ply
Colour: Sugar Cookie

2013#10 Twisted Cowl

This was made by using up odds and ends of yarn.  There was worsted weight in 3 colours.  The outside bands knitted with 5 mm  needles and the inner bands with 4.5 mm needles.
I put a twist in to see how it came out. 

It makes a nice warm cowl but needs a pin to hold it.

The colours work surprisingly well together. 

Size: 10" deep and 28" around

Pattern: my own

Yarn: 3 different worsted weights
Colour: orange, brown and pink

2013 #9 Pink Maile Cardi and Hat

Another little cardi for the new baby. 

I found this yarn in my stash.  It has been sitting there since our first granddaughter was born in 1999!!

 I saw this knitted up and on display in  Little Red Mitten Yarn store.
It looks beautiful and is very straightforward to knit.

It is a lovely little pattern but  I did not like the armhole/yoke treatment.  I had some very large loops under the arm. They were easily darned in as I joined the sleeve seam but I think next time I'll try  the traditional cast off/cast on method.
I had oodles of yarn left over so I made a little hat too.

Size: 0 - 3 months

Pattern: Maile Sweater by Nikki Van De Car

Yarn: Yarn Craft Baby Sayelle
Colour: Pale Pink

2013#8 Purple Boa Scarf

We had a grand clean out of the storage room at NGH. That seemed to mean that lots of oddments came home with me. among them 3 balls of Bernat Boa.  This is not so fashionable as it was but there really was little else to do with the yarn except knit a scarf.  It ended up at 6'' by 60''.  A pretty decent length that will wrap around a couple of times.  The yarn is 100% polyester and not nice to knit.  It was very difficult to see the stitch pattern but as it was simple stocking stitch it didn't really matter. The yarn was a pretty purple-red but I don't like the feel of the fabric.  Hope it appeals to someone at the sale.

Size: 6'' x60''

Pattern: Boa Scarf by Bernat Yarns
Yarn:Bernat Boa
Colour: Parrot

2013#7 Pink Provence Cardigan

Another baby knit ready for the May arrival

This went together really quickly with no problems. 

It took less than one 100g skein.  There's probably enough for a little hat or bootees but as I bought 2 skeins I'll probably just knit another little sweater.

Size: 6 - 9 months

Pattern: Provence Baby Cardigan by Cecily Glowik

Yarn: Patons Beehive Baby Sport
Colour: Rose Bud


2013 #6 Kim's Pink Cardigan

I really love this sweater!  The yarn is just so bright and pretty and it knit up really easily.  The pattern was clear and easy to follow.  I think I may make one for me too.

I finished knitting this sweater and then left it waiting to be sewn up.
I went out and bought the buttons yesterday which gave me the required nudge and so now it is finished.
I don't always get things sewn together as well as I would like but this "seamed" to go together well.

The buttons are a pinky orange and match perfectly. How lucky is that!!

Pattern: Anne's Cardigan by Kathy Broughton
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Hand Painted
Colour: Summer Blooms Tonal

2013#5 Baby Hat

I had some yarn left from the first Rainbow blanket so I made this cute little hat. It took about 35 grams of yarn and one evening to make!


Size:  newborn
Pattern: Hunter's Hat by Kate Atherley
Yarn: Bernat Babycakes Cotton
Colour: Pink

2013#4 Baby Skirt

Very simple little baby skirt for the new baby.  I decided to make the 12 month size.  It is quite big and needs to be put away for later on.  No problems atall.  Very straightforward

Size:  12 Month
Pattern: Baby Skirt by Bernat Yarns
Yarn: Bernat Baby Floral Jacquards
Colour: Petunia

2013 #3 Baby Blanket

I saw this pattern sometime ago and thought it would make a different but interesting baby blanket.   When K said she wanted all bright colours for the baby I thought of this. 
Our local Zellers is closing so when I saw the yarn on sale it seemed like a bonus.  When I started we didn't know it was going to be a girl.  Once we found out I ran over to get the pink and there it was.  This baby was definitely meant to have this blanket.
The pattern uses 50g balls and this yarn comes in 100g balls.  That means that there should be enough for 2 blankets so I’ve divided the balls into two.
This is an easy peasy pattern to follow with no problems.  Well may be measuring the yarn needed a little forethought so that you finish on the wrong side but really it's very simple.
I added a pink border all around by picking up stitches and then knitting in the round for 3 rows before casting off. I think it looks more finished that way.
This is the first blanket . I have some other projects on the go but then it will be on to blanket #2!!

Size: 30" x 30"
Pattern: Colour your Own Story Baby Blanket by Kate Atherley
Yarn: Bernat Babycakes Cotton
Colour: Red,Vanilla,Turquoise,Gold,Green.Orange,Vanilla,Pink

2013 #2

The first pair of socks for 2013.  These were requested as a sample of men's socks for the hospital.

There were four 1 oz balls so I was sure that I would have plenty.  In fact, I almost got them out of 1 ball each. There were just a few rows on the toe from the second ball. I should be able to get a second pair if I use some contrast striping in the rib at the beginning and then have a contrast toe to match.  I'm pretty sure that I have some black yarn that would do the trick.  Another project!!

We were tidying up the craft room at NGH and a whole pile more yarn came home as well as some fabric for quilts.  I must learn that I have a lot of other projects I want to do too!!

Pattern: K3P1rib Sock by Me
Yarn: Bouquet Sock and Sweater Another donated yarn of unknown age!!

Colour: Grey

2013 #1

This year I am not going to set any hard and fast goals as I seem to find that too confining.

This is the first completed project of the year:  A little boy's sweater from an old, old pattern that belonged to my mother. I think it still looks great today.

I had just enough wool to make the 5 - 6 year old size.  It'll go in the pile for the hospital craft sale.

Pattern:Robin Wools Pattern # 1083.  The price on the front is 6d  Yes old pennies!!!
Yarn: Patons Canadiana All Wool Worsted.  From the labels probably much the same date as the pattern!!
Colour: Blue-green.  There are no dye lots or colour names on the labels