Kitty Pi

Pattern: Kitty Pi, by Wendy Johnson

Yarn: Leftover Lanb's Pride Bulky, leftover Lopi Reynolds, leftover Cascade 220 (held double)

Needles: US 10.5

Dates: August 23 - 24, 2006

Comments: This project was a stashbuster for me. The Lamb's Pride (the bright blue and green) was from two sets of 1-hour baby booties I made, the Lopi (center circle and the grey) was from two previous kitty beds, and the Cascade (binding off on half) was from some Fuzzy Feet. It was great to get all those bulky yarns out of my stash!

I really do need to get some larger DPNs, though.

Pre Felting:

I think this will be a present for Sophie and Tuxie (my mom's cats), although Remby seems to have claimed it as her own...

Baby Yoda Sweater

Pattern: Baby Yoda Sweater

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Cotton (100% Cotton)
Color 406 (a very grape-y purple)

Needles: US 6 (US 7 for all binding off)

Dates: August 16 - August 18, 2006

Comments: I've had this pattern bookmarked for a while as something I'd like to make. Then as I was perusing my old bookmarks a few days ago, I realized I just so happen to have exactly the right amount of exactly the right yarn, hiding away in my stash (my MIL gave me some months and months ago). And as I have a friend who is expecting a baby girl in just 6 weeks... Well, I just had to make it, now didn't I?

I like the way this sweater turned out, and I like that (because of the way it wraps and ties) it should fit the baby for quite some time (the pattern says 0-6 months).

I didn't like this yarn. I didn't like how textured it was ("nubbly" is the technical term, I believe). If I'm going through the trouble of knitting rows and rows of stockinette stitch, I like being able to see rows and rows of neat, even stitches. But because of the texture of this yarn, that just didn't happen. (An attempt to show the texture is in the picture at right). (I made sure to keep very careful track of my rows and stitches, because counting rows on the finished fabric was just about impossible.) That, and I just don't particularly like working with cotton (hard on the hands).

Add to this my extreme dislike of seaming, and I don't think I'll be making this sweater again like this. Perhaps in a different yarn, and with some mods to ensure less seaming (raglan sleeves?). Because I do like the finished product. Here's hoping my friend (and her baby) do, too.

Knitty's "Leftovers"

Pattern: "Leftovers" (second size) from Winter '04 Knitty
Random stripe generator

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
2 skeins Berry Blue 9609
1 skein Sage 9705
1 skein Light Country Blue 9709

Needles: US 6, US 7, US 8

Dates: August 2006

Comments: This vest is for my mom for Christmas. She requested a vest that she could wear while cleaning, that would provide her with a little more warmth without hindering the movement of her arms.

I'm really pleased with how this turned out. I had her pick out the colors online (without telling her what it was for) and they go together very well. I especially like the random stripe generator. I don't think I would have finished this nearly as quickly without it - changing colors at random intervals kept my interest during those endless miles of stockinette stitch!

Knitty's "Fetching"

Pattern: "Fetching" from Summer '06 Knitty

Yarn: Malabrigo Kettle Dyed Pure Merino Wool in color "Pink Frost"

Needles: US 6

Dates: August 8-9, 2006

Comments: Love love love this yarn!! So soft, such pretty colors - even though it's a million degrees right now, I want to wear these all the time!

The pattern from Knitty was, as usual, quite good. I decided not to do a thumb gusset (because I wanted some instant gratification and was too lazy to do the math), but I think they're fine anyway. The only thing I would do differently is to add a cable repeat or two over the fingers - the mittens end right at the base of my fingers (as you can see in the picture below), and I prefer a little more coverage on my delicate digits. But I still can't wait to wear these.

Basic Baby Sock

Pattern: "Basic Sock" from Knit a Dozen Baby Socks

Yarn: "Crazy" (I swear, that's what it says on the label!); 75% Ull superwash, 25% polyamid

Needles: US 3 DPN

Dates: August 12, 2006 (Grey's Anatomy marathon and Red Sox game)

Comments: I feel better about this pair of baby socks - not so slippery, thicker fabric, machine washable. Of course, they're also not as soft, but I'm hoping a trip or two through the washing machine will help that.

Tiny Cables Baby Socks

Pattern: "Tiny Cables" from Knit a Dozen Baby Socks by Edie Eckman (gift from MIL)

Yarn: Frog Tree 100% Alpaca Wool - Type 2204
Color: #309 (blue)

Needles: US 3 dpn

Dates: August 9-10, 2006

Comments: Nice pattern, easy to follow, love the softness of this yarn. Although I feel somewhat guilty/foolish knitting baby items out of yarn that has to be handwashed... I think in the future I'd like to use US 2 needles on this yarn; although this was the size needles called for, I felt the fabric created was a little thin and loose. And maybe smaller guage would equal smaller socks which would mean baby could wear them before he starts walking and curses the slipperiness of this yarn.