Summer Fair Isle

It's done! And I think it turned out quite well - not perfect, but for a first attempt, I'll certainly take it! :)
Fair Isle Jacket by Debbie Bliss, from Essential Knits for Kids.

She likes it, and is willing to wear it, so that's a good thing ;)

There's a funky messed up part right in the center next to a button, but oh well!

I think next time I make it, if I do, I would make the cuffs of the sleeves a little wider - cast on more stitches & reduce the steepness of the increases - because they're a bit tight.

Ultimately, I'm pleased & would do it again!  I just have to figure out how to carry the color to another row without messing up my stitches... or maybe I should just cut the yarn on every row, or do an extra stitch or two at the ends of the rows...  Advice anyone?

New Knitting pics

there has actually been knitting!

My new nephew!! I'm an AUNT!! :)

Isn't he the cutest little thing?

The sweater is the Pure & Sweet Layette from Susan B. Anderson's Itty Bitty Nursery.

It's not too hard, although I really couldn't get the hang of the embroidery (confirming that I am NOT a sew-er).  I wish it came in bigger sizes though, not just newborn!

Fits the little man relatively well it looks like - he was 7lbs, 14oz at birth, so a good sized boy. :)

This horrible picture of me is accompanied by a Baby Raglan.  This is the super-easy Raglan Sweater pattern from The Baby Knits Book (although I got it online somewhere) by Debbie Bliss.  I ran out of yarn, of course not realizing until I had already knit too far, so went back to Yarn Dogs for some more of the yarn for stripes.  I think it turned out pretty well :)

Baby to match the raglan has now joined us, congratulations to my dear friends & big sister! 

He won't be able to wear his sweater for a while though - I think this is the 6-9 months size.

I also finished the "N" Sweater.  It's the Knitty Double Scoop pattern by Gail Pfeifle, with my own charted "N."

I'm not super happy with my intarsia.  It's very lumpy where I had to change colors & weave in ends, but if you look at it from a little farther away, it's OK. 

The little one likes it, so I guess that's all that matters, especially since she's willing to wear it even though it's really too warm. hahahaha :)

And finally, the in-progress Fair Isle Jacket, also by Debbie Bliss, from Essential Knits for Kids. 

This is my first attempt at fair isle, and it's actually not too bad!  I'm not looking forward to weaving in ends, but I think the pattern is actually turning out pretty well.

I've finished the back & left front, and just started the right front.  Picked up some ribbon, and will need to hunt up some buttons, but I think I either have some, or can find some without too much trouble.    Hopefully I'll finish it soon, and she can actually use it this summer!

I've actually been knitting!!

Yes, that's right - actual knitting content on the knitting blog!! (of course, I also have baby-knitting, and just baby-stuff to talk about) hehehe So, I remembered to take a picture of my morning dog-walking hat, and I think I've decided to make myself a scarf too to match - but of course, I started a baby thing instead of that... hehehe The pattern is from a Patons booklet, which I can't remember the name of right now, but I'll add it later if I remember... it's not on their website, so I can't find it at the moment!

It's very comfy, and keeps me toasty in the frosty mornings (poor Muggsy just fluffs up the hair on his back, but I have a warm hat!)

I also finished the knitting on a little dress for the baby!! It's from Debbie Bliss Special Knits, but I decided not to do the pocket...

I still have to block it, but I think it turned out pretty cute! :) hehehe

Then there's cute outfits we got for the baby from my sister, and a beautiful quilt made by Gramma!!

Then of course, there's nursery painting going on... I put a second coat on the palm tree (but I took this pic of it before I did that), and then I did the first coat on the shell that will go over a new bookcase. Hubby will have to help move the dressers out of the way so I can do the other ones!

I think it's going to be super-cute (if I do say so myself!) - I'm excited to finish, and to be ready for baby to come!!!! Of course, we have plenty of time left - I'll be 24 weeks along (out of 40) on Wednesday!

Craze-o-rama

Well, I have not gone down the drain (as my gramma used to say when I'd stay in the bath too long as a kid). I'm here, I've just been completely overwhelmed with things happening all the time! I am really looking forward to just CHILLING OUT! sheesh!

Muggsy is awesome, but an extra time commitment of course. I think he appreciates a walk in the evenings more than the pictures I would post of him on the blog - especially since I don't think dogs can see in 2D...

He really likes to tear around through the backyard...

...and eat grass when I'm not looking

Knitting Content!

There are more finished objects!!!

First off, some new baby beanies...

This one is the "I think I'll try the picot cast-on... ok that was OK, but now it needs something, how about some eyelets?... maybe it needs some color" version. I'm not sure. I think I should have just stuck with the one color. oh well.

Secondly, a sweater - it's small, but it's still a sweater!

Modelled here by the lovely mom-to-be (now official mom), this is the free Bernat Baby Coordinates hoodie pattern.

I don't know if you've noticed, but the pictures are a little better. That's because for my birthday, my wonderful hubby gave me a new camera! I'm still learning the settings, but it seems to take MUCH better just-point-and-shoot pictures than the old one, and (this part is amazing) pays attention when I want to take a detailed photo!!!

More news tomorrow - I'm off to more knitting! :)