Knitting for Little Girls

Three years ago when we found out Noah was going to be a boy, I immediately started knitting for him.  A few hats and some sweaters.  Twenty-one weeks ago when we found out we were having a girl, I went a little crazy in the knitting department.  Bonnets, sweaters, blankets, dresses, booties.  You name it, I made it.  At the time, however, I hadn't been diagnosed with IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), and didn't know she was going to be so small.  So, everything I made for her to wear is way too big.  It might fit her in time for cool Spring weather, or maybe even next Autumn.  I did want to show you all what I've been working on, though.  It's been killing me not to show it for all of these weeks!!

Now, I've already shown you this dress (the bottom edge is just scallop crochet that I made up quickly),   but I wanted to share the sweater with you.  The pattern is from this Ravelry page, and it's made in some organic cotton leftover from a wrap I made for Noah.  

This was the first item I knit up after we learned we were expecting.  I made it a little longer than the pattern calls for, so over a t-shirt and some tights it will make a cute tunic.  It's made from a wool tweed.

This little shrug is my own design, and I made it from a super soft wool leftover from a sweater I knit for myself a couple of years ago.

This yarn is just about the softest thing in the world.  It's Berroco's Weekend, which is cotton, and it works up beautifully.  The pattern is from here, and since it's a simple gull lace pattern it's a breeze to finish.  

This little bonnet is made with the same teal cotton as the blanket, and I used this pattern.  I didn't make my strings the same way the pattern author did, and I also made it a little smaller.  When I finished it and blocked it, I realized the knit was so loose it probably wouldn't be very warm or hold it's shape well, so I lined it with white fleece I bought a few years ago and never used.  

These little booties are my own design, but since I didn't write anything down or make any notes, I'll probably never be able to duplicate them.  I made them from a cotton yarn with little white flower buttons from Joann's.  

I have a couple more clothing items finished that I'll share with you in another post.  I'd hate to overload you with too much cuteness all in one day.

Just Knitting

Here's a little taste of some of the knitting that's been going on here lately:

Leftover wool from a sweater I made for myself.  It's so thick and soft.

Leftover organic cotton from a wrap I made for Noah when he was a baby.  A little fuzzy, but oh-so cozy.

Navy blue acrylic from a project I started and never finished.

 Someone's sweet fingers pulled my needles out of this sleeve.  It's a good thing I don't mind picking up stitches.

Light green cotton purchased by my mother-in-law.

The overcast day didn't do this yarn justice.  It's a lovely blue/gray, and I can't wait to knit it up.

Knitting for little ones is so much fun.  You can start a sweater in an afternoon and be done with it by the next evening.  They simply fly off of the needles, and it's a good thing, too, because I still have several things to make before the end of January.

Surrounded by Projects

There's been much knitting, crocheting, and crafting in general here over the last few weeks.  Most of it is for Christmas, so pictures of those goodies will have to wait until after they've been opened (and hopefully enjoyed) by their recipients.  However, I bound this off the needles last night, and couldn't wait to show you.  The pattern is from here, and is just a bit fiddly (it has been translated into English), but if you've ever done any sweater knitting, all you have to do is follow your instinct.

This is for our little one, and I used a super soft alpaca that I bought several years ago.  I've been hanging on to it (and moving around the country with it) waiting for just the right project.  I finally found it.

Resting

Resting.

This pregnancy has been so different from the one I had with Noah.  I know that they are all different, but this one has had so much mandatory rest.  I don't do that well.  Fortunately, autumn is here to the rescue, and with it has come cool rains and the need to stay in.  We're filling our days with crafts, pumpkin songs, reading, and knitting.  Knitting lace is the most restful of all knitting I do believe.    The rhythm of the pattern much like a song, the counting that busies the brain.  Unfortunately, I jumped into this scarf with the impression that I had all the yarn needed without actually putting much thought into it (rest may very well be my mental detriment).  Since I bought it five years ago, I'm sure I won't find any more of it.  

Resting. 

However, as we snuggle and drink hot chocolate (thinking of the much cooler days to come), I'm doing my best to enjoy this time alone with my sweet boy before our next little one gets here, because there's nothing else quite like a little boy looking up at you and saying, "I had a good day!".  And I do believe that that sweet new baby will need some mama-made hand knits (winter babies always do), so I'd better get busy on that as well.  

Busy resting. 

Today: Slowing Down

We've taken a little summer hiatus around here.  With temps already in the upper 90s, all we've felt like doing is sitting around in minimal clothing with the blinds closed being very, very still.  And maybe knitting a little.

Blair's been working little by little on a project for the garden, and when he completes it, I'll see if I can find the energy to drag myself outside to take a picture.  

Today: A Little Laziness

Despite the numerous projects we have in the works and all of the activity in the garden, it really doesn't feel like we're accomplishing much these days.  We have four rooms to paint, more bookcases to build, some fun projects here and there, and a garden to tend and yet at the end of the day I find myself asking myself if I've actually done anything at all.  Yesterday, I washed three loads of laundry and hung them out to dry on "the line."  We sold our dryer a year ago because we never used it.  Today, I need to water all of the plants, do more laundry, and answer the all important question of "What's for supper?"  

But there's just something about summer days that makes me want to stay inside and be still and knit.  All day.  I guess those other projects can keep holding off for a while.  It will be autumn enough soon, right?