Pardon me, for today I take a break from crafting to enjoy one of the greatest gifts anyone can make. A new life…
My oldest and dearest friend had a beautiful and amazing little girl this past weekend. I couldn’t stop staring at her angel face and tiny tiny hands. Who knows where those little hands will take her, but I can’t wait to find out!!!
I had four skeins of Premier Serenity Chunky Heathers in Aqua Glass just hanging out in my stash. I fell in love with color and just had to have it.
I have been in a sweater fixation lately. But I find that I need a mindless project to have on the side for when I need a break or timeout. So I introduce to you, Stashbustin’ #34 or One Row Blanket De La Harlot!
I have made this pattern three times before and it’s awesome-sauce for easy knitting. It’s a four stitch repeat across the row. And then the same row over and over again. Not to mention its a bulky weight blanket so it goes crazy fast!!
Based on the yarn I have this will undoubtedly come out to a lap blanket or receiving blanket size. I don’t have a recipient in mind yet. Just knitting for the fun of it!
Wahoo!!! My sweaters are done!
I give you Stashbustin’ #30 or Little Coffee Bean sweater #1
I used Knit Picks Dishie cotton and this first one is made in the 6 mo size. I chose to knit a solid body with the collar and bands in accent. I ended up using 85.5 yards or 45 grams of the Creme Brûlée (yellow) and 180.5 yards or 95 grams of Jay (blue).
And by popular demand the blue buttons won!
And Stashbustin’ #31 or Little Coffee Bean Sweater #2
For this sweater, I used the same pattern but knit a 12 mo size to use up the rest of my yarn. I also followed the instructions and knit the stripes. I used 104.5 yards or 55 grams of Creme brûlée and 199.5 yards or 105 grams of the Jay.
And the yellow buttons were the obvious choice!
Two more stash burning projects in the books and three less skeins in my craft room! Not to mention two more adorable FOs for my emergency baby gift stash!
Happy Friday!!
While I am deciding on the buttons for my first Little Coffee Bean Sweater, I couldn’t keep my needles silent. Now that I was comfortable with the construction of this garment, I wanted to try the color stripes the pattern is written for. And I had enough Dishie cotton to make another sweater.
So here is Stashbustin’ #31! I have already divided for the sleeves and I am working down the body.
In interest of reducing the number of ends to weave in ends, I am not breaking the yarn at each color change. Since I only work two rows for each color, I decided to “float” the non working strand down the side. So far it’s working pretty well. And since I will go back and knit the button bands, my floats will be hidden on the wrong side of the fabric….I hope…
Looks pretty good to me so far 🙂
I am running lowon yellow, here’s hoping I can finish! My sleeves may have to be solid blue. Just going to roll with the punches with this one.
My second attempt at Snug is done!! This pattern is by Hinke.
This is not my first swing at this pattern and it won’t be the last! I used 212 grams or 288.3 yards of Knit Picks Brava Bulkly in Peapod. That’s just about 2 skeins plush a little of a third skein. The body is worked flat. The sleeves are done on DPNs. And the hood is knit flat and closed withe Kitchener stitch.
I was not has happy with this sweater as I was with my first sweater. The shoulders are ugly to me. For whatever reason, I didn’t get the arm decreases placed very well. They are visible along the top. And the the sewing I did on the seams on the shoulders is not as clean as I would like. But I am assured by my husband that he can’t see it. Oh…#knitter problems
The part of this sweater that I really love is the buttons. I spotted them at JoAnns and I was in love!! The watermelons really save this project for me. I deviated from the pattern a bit and added four buttons instead of the pattern request of three.
Into the FO stash this one goes. I love having some cuteness hidden away for a rainy day! Happy Friday to all!!!
My Snug #2 is coming along swimmingly!!! I am now in the hood section. How can you not go fast with bulky yarn on size US 10 1/2 needles, lol? This Knit Picks Brava Bulky really works up fast and is easy care for momma and baby. I just need to finish the hood and seam it closed. Then it’s just a few flicks of a crochet hook to add button loops and sew on the buttons.
This is Stashbustin’ #29 in my 2013 projects. It doesn’t have recipient yet. I think I’m going to stash this one away for a rainy day or a special baby.
I found the CUTEST buttons at Joann’s the other day. I think they are an adorable match to my green sweater! What do you guys think?
Cast-on-itis Day #3
Awhile back, I fell off the destashing wagon and picked up some Knit Picks Brava Bulky. I seriously love this stuff for baby knits. It’s really soft for acrylic and it knits up crazy fast. Not to mention is washable and easy care.
For my Stashbustin’ #29 project, I’m making another Snug!
(my first go round with this pattern)
Snug is a great pattern, The construction is ingenious and the bulky yarn knits so fast! The hoodie portion is beyond adorable. Not to mention the finished garment has great stretch that really adds to the longevity of the garment. Which is important when babies grow so fast!
This colorway in Peapod and my Grandma’s kitchen table just doesn’t do this yarn justice. It’s so lovely and vibrant. Maybe this is a last ditch effort to hang on to the green of summer. Fall is just around the corner and I’m both sad and excited. So many things to knit!!
And the last sentence really highlights my current state of too many WIPs…I should get back to knitting!
Happy Wednesday!!
Look familiar? I introduce to you, Stashbustin’ #28 or Baby Sophisticate #2. You may remember my first attempt from last week!
This pattern was a joy to knit and beyond adorable. I honestly couldn’t wait to cast on another, way to go Linden Down!
(Apologies for the terrible picture! I was rocking knitting at Grandma’s kitchen table this weekend)
I am using Caron Simply Soft again, this time in Berry Blue. And this was a partial skein I had floating around in my stash. So to be safe I am going to make the smaller 0-3 month size. The 0-6 month size used slightly over 3/4 of a skein so I should be safe. I hope this a great way to turn a partial skein into a great project!
This one should be off the needles again in no time!! I highly recommend this pattern to everyone!!
Happy Labor Day!!!
I had a fit of “Cast-on-itis” this past weekend over labor day. Even though I spent all weekend with family having fun, I had yarn urges that could not be satisfied. I may or may not have cast on three more projects….oops!
So this week I thought I would take you on a walk of shame tour of my newest de-stashing efforts!
Today I introduce to you, One Piece Baby Pullover from Lion Brand! This will be Stashbustin’ #27 effort of 2013. I was in the mood for something cheery, fun, and baby adorable. It’s only a start but I feel sunny already!
Eventually, it will look something like this….
(Photo courtesy of the Lion Brand Ravelry page)
I have A LOT of Caron Simply Soft to chew through in my stash. What better to deploy that yarn towards than adorable baby knits!!! The pattern is worked flat in a cross shape and seamed together. And the whole thing is in garter stitch. This is going to be my mindless TV knitting project and will live next to the couch!
Stay tuned for a new project tomorrow! I hope everyone in the US had a happy and safe labor day weekend!!
My Little Old Man Sweater is done!!! (Stashbustin’ #26)
I cannot get over how adorable this is!!! And SUCH a quick knit. This would be a great pattern to pull out for a last minute gift. I made this whole thing from start to finish in about 7-8 hours working time?
I used Caron Simply Soft in Grey to make the 6 month old pattern size. I used about 118 grams of yarn so just under a full skein. The pattern was very well written and organized. It helped me learn my very first wrap and turn!! I highly recommend this pattern for someone wanting to learn sweater construction. It’s top down raglan style and SOOO easy!
The mommy to be who specially requested this got to pick out the buttons. She went with off white (slightly pearl-ish) 1 inch buttons. Not what I would have picked, but I’m not about to argue with a pregnant lady, lol! But I do have say they do come off as very grumpy old man…
Only a few more weeks until we get to meet the little guy to fill this sweater! Well and maybe a couple more months before he is big enough to fill this, lol.
My only thought now is….how do upsize this pattern to make myself one?
Michele plays with yarn, food, and music in Portland
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