Coral Sanquhar Bonnet & Mitts

Christmas gifts for MRR

I decided to try some Fair Isle knitting to make a winter hat and mitts. I found a book of baby knits with a variety of stranded/intarsia style patterns. The hat is from the Fair Isle section and the mitts are of Norwegian origin.

I am hoping that these will be warmer than regular knitted hat and mitts.

There were quite few problems with the hat. I found that the stitches kept slipping off the dpns. The knitted fabric was very stiff and the yarns which I had chosen from my left over boxes, did not have sufficient contrast.  The pattern was written for 2.25 mm needles.

The smallest circular l owned was 3.25 mm which meant I had to make major modifications to the pattern. It took several attempts and a change in yarn to get anything like an acceptable fabric.  I think the hat is more open than I would like .  After l knitted the mitts, I realized that 2.75 mm needles would have been ideal.

Size: 132 sts
Pattern: Sanquhar Bonnet by Elanor  Lyons in Baby Knits from Around the World
Yarn: Knit Picks Palette
Colour: Conch
Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks
Colour: Muslin


The mitts are knitted according to the pattern on 2.75 mm dpns. That fabric is much stiffer and therefore probably warmer.

I love the look of these patterns and would like to try adapting them for adult size mitts and maybe hat too!

Size: 36 sts
Pattern: Mittens for Seven by Kate Larson in Baby Knits from Around the World
Yarn: Knit Picks Palette
Colour: Conch
Yarn: Patons Kroy  Socks
Colour: Muslin

D's Fingerless Gloves

I made these for D  to go in her box of beer for Christmas.

They were a very quick and easy knit.
I am pleased with the way they turned out.

Size:  43 sts
Pattern: 41andHappy by Emma Fassio
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes
Colour: Gosling 25986

Sand Aviatrix Hat and Puppet Mitts

Little Miss R needs a hat that she can't pull off.  I saw this pattern some tine ago and thought it might fit the bill.  I went through my stash to find some yarn and came up with this from 2010.  It's acrylic but very soft.

Sand Aviatrix Hat

It was a quick an easy knit. I made 3 buttonholes on the strap and added 2 buttons so that it is adjustable.  She is coming for a visit next week so we'll see if it does the trick.

The pattern is written for three different yarn weights.   If it is a success. I'll probably knit one in thicker wool yarn

Size:  55 sts
Pattern:Aviatrix by Justine Turner
Yarn:Mary Maxim Mellowspun
Colour: Sand


I made a pair of little mitts to match. She doesn't like wearing them either!!

Size: 29 sts
Pattern:Easy 2 needle toddler and child mittens
Yarn:Mary Maxim Mellowspun
Colour: Sand



As a further attempt to keep mittens on hands I knit these little puppet mitts.  The pattern is from an old leaflet which I remember my mother using to make mitts for my younger brother and sister.

These turned out a little small and not very easy to get on little hands.  I'll try again for next winter but up size them  quite a bit

Size: 24 sts
Pattern: Patons Leaflet
Yarn:Scrap box leftovers in Fingering/4 ply
Colour: Various

Small Taupe Hat

The last of the Taupe yarn
I had enough to make a small hat

Used the same pattern as before.  This time I just used fewer stitches but followed the pattern. 

Decreases were done faster



Size:  78 sts
Pattern:Knit Toboggan Hat by Red Heart
Yarn:Mary Maxim Ragg
Colour: Taupe

Taupe Cable Hat

Still need to use up that yarn.
I thought a hat would do it.  The original plan was a hat to go with the swetaer but it turned out to be adult size so that won't work and it didn't finish the yarn either.  I still have 39 g. of yarn left!! 

So here we have one Cable hat.
Used the same cable pattern as the child's sweater

Taupe Cable Hat

Many mods from the original pattern. I used the pattern for the structure the design is completely different.




Size:  110 sts
Pattern:Knit Toboggan Hat by Red Heart
Yarn:Mary Maxim Ragg
Colour: Taupe

Taupe Cable Sweater

A simple cable sweater for the Craft Group at NGH.
 I needed to use up the yarn left over from the adult sweater I knit last year

I still had one skein left after this was done

Taupe Cable Sweater

Made a lot of mods from the original pattern

Changed the cable panel and added some plain panels for contrast

Used only one colour yarn

Saddle shoulder pattern.  The armholes look small to me but that maybe because I have been making a lot of raglans lately

Size:  28 inch
Pattern: Turtleneck Cable Sweater from NGH Library
Yarn: Mary Maxim Ragg
Colour: Taupe

Little Trees Hoodie

 This is a little hoodie to go with the hat I made earlier.  It is for my nephew and his wife's first baby.

I bought a onesie and some jeggings to make a whole outfit

The hoodie is actually rather small.  It just measures 18 inches.

  

Baby Hoodie

The pattern is easy enough. I am not sure that I like the point on the hood.

I added a garter stitch edging all around in the same solid green as the hat.

 I integrated button bands with the front pieces by adding garter stitches at the front edge.  I would probably make these a little wider if I were to do this again. 

The pattern says it is made in moss stitch but the stitch used is not what I think of as moss stitch.  It is very easy but I found that it twisted so that the pieces looked to be stretched along one side.



Size:  6 months
Pattern:Hooded Baby Jacket by Bernat
Yarn:Bernat Softee Baby Ombre
Colour: Little Trees
Edging
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby Solid
Colour: Fern

Green Hat for Little Ears

 My nephew's wife is expecting their first baby in December.  I know that my Mum has made them a quilt so I thought I would knit a jacket and hat.  

I found a pattern on a ball of yarn for a hoodie which looked really cute.  The yarn was a pretty variegated one with some green in it. so I bought it.

 My mother mentioned that they were going to have a green nursery and then I remembered that I had this green left over from another project (baby hoodie) and thought it would make a nice border to the jacket. Then I thought I would make a solid colour hat.  

To be sure that I had enough for the hat I knit the hat first.  I needn't have worried there is still plenty of yarn.  I may even make the sleeves a solid colour  We'll see how that goes

The colour in the photo is very washed out.  The hat itself was easy enough to knit.  Not sure that the ear-flaps are clearly defined or even worth the trouble.  It is rather large.  I think it will wind up as a toddler hat!





Size:  3/6 months
Pattern:Hat for Little Ears by Bernat
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby Solid
Colour: Fern

Green Gray Cardigan

Time to get to knitting for the Hospital.  We have a big sale coming up at the beginning of November and then we have taken a booth at the December Craft Fair in town so we need some pretty special things to sell.  

I loved this pattern when I saw it in the book and now I have had a chance to make it, I still love it.  It is clear and easy to follow. I did change one thing. I made the rib on the sleeve 6 inches deep instead of the 8 inches called for in the pattern.

I had a limited selection of yarn in sufficient quantities to make an adult garment.  I liked the colour of this yarn but it is an old acrylic and fairly stiff.  On the other hand it gives the cables nice definition.

Green Gray Cardigan

I will make this pattern again but I will use nicer yarn. I may also make it a little longer but not much. Part of its attraction is the way it fits the body rather than hangs.

Size:  Small (37")
Pattern:A Gray Cardigan by Sally Melville from Mother - Daughter Knits
Yarn: Zellers Sayelle Worsted
Colour: Green

Springtime Sunnyside Cardi, Hat and Socks

Sunnyside Cardi, Hat and Socks

Here is the second set for the new baby.  This time I used a wool sock yarn which should be really warm for the winter

Cardi
Size: 3 - 6 Months
Pattern: Sunnyside by Tanis Lavallee
Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks Jacquard
Colour: Springtime Jacquard

Hat
Size:   Large Baby;  used 3.5 mm needles instead of 3 mm or 3.25 mm
Pattern:  Rubber Baby Bumpers Hat by Happy Girl Studios
Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks Jacquard
Colour: Springtime Jacquard

Socks
Size: 6 Months
Pattern:  Baby Socks by Kate Atherley
Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks Jacquard
Colour: Springtime Jacquard

Blue Baby Hat and Socks

Once I finished the two baby blankets I went back to knit the hat and socks to match the Blue Baby Cardi

Blue Hat and Socks

Both of these were very quick straightforward knits.

Size:  0 - 4 months
Pattern: Sock Yarn Baby Hat
Yarn: Bernat Sox Solids
Colour: Faded Denim

Size:  0 - 4 months
Pattern: Baby Socks
Yarn: Bernat Sox Solids
Colour: Faded Denim

Blue Rainbow Blanket

Baby #2 needs his own blankets.  I used the same pattern as I did for MRR with different colours so that they will be easy to tell apart.

Blue Rainbow Blanket

I couldn't find the same yarn as it has been discontinued.  I looked at several cotton and cotton blends but couldn't find one that felt right. I ended up using a 100% acrylic which is perhaps not a bad thing as he will be a winter baby.

Size: 30" x 30"
Pattern: Colour your Own Story Baby Blanket by Kate Atherley
Yarn: Patons Canadiana
Colours: Grape Jelly,Cedar Green, Cherished Blue, Tangy, Crantini, Cherished Yellow, Royal Blue

Blue Baby Cardi

Well Baby Number 2 is on his way.  I thought I should make him a few things which aren't pink even though his sister is done with them.

So here is the first little blue cardi. 

Baby Boy Cardi

 I found this sock wool in the cupboard a while ago and wasn't too sure what to use it for. It feels a little rough but I know that it will wear well.  It is the perfect colour for a little boy.  I have enough left over that I can make a hat and socks too but I must get on with his blankies first. As he is due in October he is going to need some warmer things.

Size:  0 - 4 months
Pattern:V - neck Cardigan from  Falcon More Knitting for Babies
Yarn: Bernat Sox Solids
Colour: Faded Denim

Charity Knitting

We were clearing out the storage room at the hospital Craft group.  We found a number of unfinished projects.  I ended up bringing home those that we thought were worth finishing.

So I have completed four sweaters and a pair of socks for the Craft group

Sweater 1:  Plain pink Adult size XL.  
Someone had started a duplicate stitch design but it was not clear what it was meant to be or that it is currently fashionable.  I unpicked it and ended up with a rather nice looking sweater

Sweater 2:  White circular yoke with pink and black design  Adult size XL.
This one was knit up to the arm holes and a couple of rows of the yoke.  No pattern and no yarn!!
I found a chart in my Handy book of sweaters which gave the schema for decreasing the yoke.  I manged to find some pink yarn which coordinated so I knitted a pink yoke with some white and dark pink designs similar to the ones around the wrists and waist.

Sweater 3:  Striped Cardigan Adult Size 42 inch
Completed except for the button bands and sewing up the armholes.  Came with a  small ball of yarn
Picked up and knitted K1P1 button bands and added buttons.  Luckily there was enough yarn for the bands.
This sweater is very dated looking and is far longer than the current fashion.  It will need to be priced accordingly

Sweater 4:  Red and white Nordic style Cardigan Adult Size 40 inch
Completed except for the button bands and sewing up the armholes.  Came with a  very small ball of yarn
Picked up and kitted 2 rows garter stitch.  Just enough yarn for this.  So decided to use a zipper as the closure.

Socks:  Beige yarn Adult size L
One sock had been started but the leg was so narrow that it would not fit an adult.  Decided to rip it right back, up sized needles and  re-knitted from scratch

Orange Fa Fa Fa Socks

Here are another pair of socks.
I took these away on holiday but they didn't get started.
I think this is the end of the sock wool and patterns which I pulled out in 2012.

Orange Fa Fa Fa Socks

I started the Paraphernalia socks with this yarn but it was far too busy for that pattern.  

This pattern was easy enough if you have knitted socks before.

The stripes are very bright and it does distract from the cables pattern.
 As this is an all over design it is OK with this yarn but I would choose a solid colour if I was to knit these again.  

The cable design goes all around the sock and is easy enough but it was a little tricky manoeuvering all the needles, especially when there was one stitch on the needle prior to the cable!


Size:  80 sts
Pattern: Fa Fa Fa Socks by Lois Leong from Get it Knitted
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Multi
Colour: Vintage 13689

2014 #6 Orange Paraphernalia Socks

I needed an easy portable project to take away on holiday .  Socks always seem to fit the bill and I still had this wool and pattern from my 12 in 2012 challenge.

It proved to be an easy knit once I realized that my original yarn choice was not right and that the socks were not going to be comfy in my fat legs.  Of course I had almost finished one sock before I decided enough was enough and ripped that one out and started fresh with this yarn.

Orange Paraphernalia Socks

Size:  76 sts
Pattern: Paraphernalia by Taina Antilla
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Hand Painted
Colour: Foliage Tonal 10516

2014 #5 Gosling Raspberries Sweater

This is a sweater for me!!  I wanted a neutral and natural cardigan that I could throw on with just about anything.  I loved this pattern when I saw it on Knitpicks website.  The pattern was clear and easy to follow.  I knitted to gauge but the sweater is on the small side.  I guess I didn't measure me properly.  The colour is browner than I expected but still pretty.  I think the button band is a little deeper than I would like.  The pattern called for 15 balls of yarn but I have 4 left so I can make a baby sweater with that.  I noticed that this time I can see the line where I changed to DPNS on the sleeves.  There is either a tension difference which I can't find when I measure or I  am rowing out when I use the circs.  I think the latter is the most likely.  Another reason to go for straights.  The big plus with this pattern is that there was no seaming.  Even the armholes were picked up without holes.
If I knot it again which I might, I would add more cables up the fronts  and down the sleeves


Size:  40 sts
Pattern: Raspberries by Marjorie Dussaud from Tricotbec
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes
Colour: Gosling 25986

2014 #4 Raspberry's Seraphim Lace Cardigan

Another little sweater for Miss R.  I bought the yarn intending to make the Baby Belle Cardigan but I really wasn't that taken with the pattern so I dived into my pattern files and found this one.

It is a very simple pattern and knitted up very quickly.  The body is knitted all in one from the bottom up.  Then the sleeves are knitted flat and seamed together afterward.  this has the advantage that it is easy to sew the underarm together without any gaping holes. Very neat.

The colour was a little duller and darker than I expected but I am still happy with the result.

Size:  18 months
Pattern: Easy Lace Raglan Jacket by Nazanin S. Fard from Creative Knitting July 2012
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted
Colour: Seraphim 5073

2014 #3 Raspberry's Tranquil Baby Cardigan

This little sweater is for Miss R.  I saw the pattern on Knit Picks website and thought it looked cute.  I thought that there were cables but it turns out just up the button bands.  It has a flare to the body and linen stitch bands.  A simple pattern that was easy to follow.  I added extra length to the body so that it is more coat length.  I omitted the pockets as I thought they'd look silly at the bottom of a coat.

Size:  12 -18 months
Pattern: Baby Belle Cardigan by Bekah Knits
Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Colour: Tranquil 25710

2014#2 Child's Blue Sport Sweater

Another sweater for the hospital .  This pattern is a good standard raglan sweater so I used it again. 

This time I modified by:
using 4.5 mm needles throughout
changing to K1P1 rib
adding scraps of coloured yarn to add interest
knitting body on circs to arm holes so that stripes would match

Size 8 years
Pattern: Andrew's Stripes from Patons website
Yarn: Patons Canadiana
Colour: Blue 3515  (5.5 x 50 g)
Yarn: Scraps of  white, orange, teal