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They’re so nice to do ahead of time, and then have on hand for when you get the shower invitations.  Of course, even if you don’t have them done ahead of time, they’re quick and usually easy, so still “doable” for a last minute scramble.  I have two recent knits and one stash item for a shower I’m attending today.  They don’t match, but since they’re techincally in the accessory category, I’m hoping the baby will have something they do match, and if not - babies really don’t worry too much about such things.

The stash item is the February sweater from Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann.  Love that sweater.

The bibs are the quick knits added this week.  I think these bibs are just the neatest idea, I hope mom likes them. They should be practical as well as cute, because cotton is nice and absorbant, and if all else fails and mom needs a washcloth, just run it under some warm water and instant face and hands clean-up.

The pink bib is made with the same pattern as the red one, but I used a smaller gauge yarn, so I added two extra repeats in the seed stitch portion, and one extra stitch to each side of the cable - so instead of a CAB4 it’s a CAB6.  I also tapered the end into a leaf shape, which I think for a girl is a nice touch.  Maybe wouldn’t do it for a boy’s bib, although I’m not sure I’d make this bib for a boy.  I like my entrelac one for a boy.  I, again, used hook and loop for the closure instead of a button.

Tags: Elizabeth Zimmermann, Entrelac bib, February sweater, Knitter's Almanac, Life, dishcloth, knitted cables, knitting for babies, lazy kate by EllyMae
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I can see these becoming a “staple” amongst the knit-ahead baby shower stuff. [Read more →]

Tags: dishcloth knitting, knitting for babies by EllyMae
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Apparently, I’ve become enamored of cables now.  This sock in progress is called “Twinkleberry.”  Sounds kind of funny to me, but I didn’t chose the name.  The pattern is free from Knitzi.com.  Although, I (of course!) found it on Ravelry.

It’s a very simple pattern too, so lots of bang for your buck.  You get “pretty” without too much concentration!  I had the Regia silk sock yarn in the stash, so someone’s getting pink socks.  Not sure who just yet.

I am going to try the short-row heel that’s in the pattern, mostly because it seems like it’s explained so well it will work this time, however, if I have any trouble with it, I’ll be substituting my favorite heel flap/turn.  I know it looks more “store-bought” with the short row heels, but I actually like the old fashion way of building the heel on a sock, so either way I think will look fine with this sock.

And, if this foray into easy cables, and Coronet were not enough - next up (or perhaps along with this project since I have a baby shower to attend in a couple of weeks) will be the cutest baby bib - that has a cable along one side that also ends up being the “collar” part of the bib.  Here’s a Ravelry link to it.  Designer’s blog is here.

So, apparently I’m in to cables here these days.  Hadn’t planned it, but I’m enjoying the nice results I’m getting with “beginner” cables as well as lace.

Tags: Lace knitting, knitted cables, knitting for babies, sock knitting by EllyMae
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This hat is a bit small for me, but it isn’t for me, so that’s fine. I just put it on to photograph it. As it turned out, it was a very easy project. The yarn isvery “splitty” so that was kind of a pain, but overall it was easy and fun.  I made it with a facing under the cable though.  I was showing a friend of mine, and we got to talking about it, so we both thought it might give it a more finished look on the inside to just switch to a few rows of reverse stockinette, then fold everything to the inside, and finish the crown.  Worked great.  See, here’s the inside.  You don’t see the inside of the cable, and it gives an extra layer right there around that part of the head.  I made the size small, and I have a pretty good size head, so it’s quite stretchy.   It took about 3/4 of a skein of Berrocco Comfort.  It’s a nice acrylic - but, you know - it’s acrylic.  I really much prefer wook for myself.  But to give to a busy mom for one of the kids, acrylic makes more sense.

The instructions said to Kitchener the band closed from the “inside” - but that gave me an ugly row of purl bumps on the outside of the cable band. Next time, I will follow my instincts and graft it together right-side out.  That seemed odd to me, but I went ahead and did as I was instructed, and wished this time I hadn’t.  Oh well.  The kids are easy to please and they won’t be inspecting the graft.

Project specs on Ravelry.

Tags: Hat by EllyMae
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Isn’t this neat? It’s a “Wordle” and is based on words in the blog. Yeah. Sillness. But it was kind of a fun little side-track. Gives you an idea of words you seem to use more frequently than you thought! If you click on it, it will take you to the full size version. If you have a blog, you can make one there too.

Tags: Uncategorized by EllyMae
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