July 04, 2008

Showered with Knitted (& Sewn!) Love

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:
First Row: February Baby Sweater (Mary Heather); Footie Washcloth (Amiee); Alsace Le Monsteur Hat (Marnie)
Second Row: Garden Mobile (Mary Heather); Psychadelic Blankie (Kat);
Third Row: Saartje's Booties & Jacket (Jennie); Sleep Sac (Mary Heather); Reversible Bibs (Amiee)
Fourth Row: Townes takes possession of MH's Mobile; Burbcloths (Lori)
Fifth Row: Alsace Le Monsteur (Marnie); Soaker & Garden Snail (Shannon); Fabric Play Blocks (Amiee)
Last Row: Jungle Quilt (Ellen); Handspun Kimono Vest (Lori).

I hate to admit it, but in my impregnated and over-worked state, it is pretty much all that I can do to gather, re-size, watermark, link and code these photos. Perhaps it is time to stop coding absolutely everything by hand and look into automating it by baby time! I think that this bounty of handmade love pretty much says it all (though there is also quite a bit of incredible store-bought love that accompanied it as well). Eventually, I would love to put up a gallery of all the hand knit, crocheted and sewn items that this baby accrues, both from myself and from friends. It's such a wonderful part of the history of a new little life. Whether this - and all the other things I have planned - will ever get off the ground is questionable, but the blog post is a start.

I cannot begin to tell you how overwhelming it has been to have so much support from my crafting friends, both known to me and in some cases, unknown. The gift of a handmade item is an amazing thing, and I will be comforted and feel loved every time either I or the baby uses these amazing treasures. The thought that he will be surrounded by soft, unique toys and clothes that carry the spirits of their makers rather than the usual battery-operated plastic makes me feel like we will be starting him off on the right path. Hopefully I can gather strength from all of you in those first sleepless months. I am also truly grateful for all who have commented on delivery and baby care. I haven't even corresponded with many of you, and yet you have taken the time to leave heartfelt and helpful advice in a time when it is much needed. I love that about blogging - it means that you are always surrounded by friends, whether you are fully aware of it or not. I hope that no matter how busy family, craft and work make my life that I will remember to take the same time and care for you and that we teach this baby the same generosity of spirit through our example and yours.

Okay, I think I'm making myself a little verklempt - must be those hormones - but you get the picture:

June 23, 2008

Pattern Notes: Baby Bell Bottoms

I have gotten so freaking lazy about the blog and pattern notes in particular, that it is a little embarrassing. I've been even worse about visiting my pals' blogs and commenting, and I realize that staying in touch with all of you means catching up a bit here and making my rounds, both of which I want to do and have missed doing. It seems like summer is often the slow bloggy season for me, and this one has been especially slow with work, our trip to Italy, and most of all the impending baby. In a lot of ways I like that count down widget on my blog, but I have to confess that at other times it freaks the hell out of me! It's funny how predictable the phases of pregnancy are. First trimester is excitement, disbelief, and constant battling with morning sickness combined with an obsession to eat healthily and get the most out of every little calorie you can keep down. Second trimester is the honeymoon phase - which was well-timed for our honeymoon in Italy - you feel incredibly strong and sexy despite the fact that you are beginning to look like you swallowed a basketball - romance is in the air and you are one with the universe, mother earth as it were. Then comes the third trimester, and like clockwork, the panic of actually having to deliver the basketball sets in. Two weeks into my third trimester now, I look down and simultaneously think how great it is that the baby is growing so well and how much I hope that he grows only to the requisite 7 to 7.5 pounds because I can't even fathom getting him out of me now, when he probably weighs in at 3 pounds! I'm experiencing utter disbelief that this is actually going to work as intended, and words like "tear" and "contraction" cause me to immediately cross my legs and go into denial. I've been second-guessing the whole earth mama no drugs natural birth that I've been contemplating (I hesitate to say "planning," both because I am open-minded in terms of the epidural and because I know full well that babies do not allow you to "plan" anything!) I want to do it if I can, and I think that I can manage for the birth itself, but the thought of having an episiotomy without drugs scares the shit out of me. My doctor does all that he can to avoid them, but there's that no planning thing that comes into play, so I fear that I can't count on not having one.

It's a boy! And these are his pants!

Anyhoo, I'm beginning the parade of finished but unblogged objects with a real favorite of mine - Alison Hansel's Baby Bell Bottoms. These are the second pair of baby bells that I've made, and the second pair that have gone undeservedly without pattern notes. They are an absolutely great and fast knit. Both times that I made them I was in a bit of a knitting funk, and both times they were the "go to" knit that pulled me out of the funk. Last time I made a pair for my friend Jen's impending baby Graham, and this pair is for our little baby boy. Oh yeah - did I say we're having a boy? We're having a boy! Kay was right on the mark. No pansy binky for us - I'm crocheting a 100% "pensie" binky!

Baby Bell Bottoms
Free Pattern
designed by Alison Hansel
Jen's pair knit with 1.8 skeins (188 yards total) of Artyarns Supermerino (100% superwash merino) in colorway 101;
Our pair knit with 1.2 skeins (125 yards) of the same, with .25 skeins (31 yards total) Rowan's Wool Cotton (50% Merino Wool/50% Cotton) in (956) "Coffee Rich" used for the cuffs and waist.
Both on size US3 circulars - Addi Turbos (3.25 mm) and Inox (3.00 mm).
Gauge: 5.75 sts and 8 rows per inch over stockinette stitch.
Size: Jen's are size 6 months; mine are newborn size (not nearly as practical, but I wanted to use the yarn!)

Jen's baby's bells.The Pattern:
I love this pattern, and I already have plans to make it again. It's very easy but turns out an incredibly cute pair of pants. I like the idea of knitting baby pants, because they are slightly different from the usual knitted baby gifts - blankets, booties and sweaters. (Which I also love, don't get me wrong! Variety is nice, though.) The pattern is so straightforward that there isn't much to say - just that I highly recommend it. Go forth and knit a pair!
Techniques:
advanced beginner techniques - cast on, knit, purl, minimal shaping, working in the round, binding off, whip stitching, and braiding cord.

Modifications:
The only mods I made were to use a different yarn, work on two circulars for the body, use a different seaming technique for the cord casing, and substitute I-cord for braided cord.

In regard to the two-circular knitting: Try as I might, socks have never "soared" for me on circular needles. This has always been a sad thing, because I really like Cat Bordhi, and I would love to be all new-fangled in my sock-knitting. Not so shockingly, I am quite the traditionalist and do just fine knitting socks with four DPNs. (Not five - that bugs me, too!) My motto has been much closer to "Socks suck on circular needles!" Baby bell bottoms, however, are a completely different story. They are worked in the round after the legs are joined, and when I got to that point I realized that if I did have a pair of 16" size 3 circs I sure as heck did not know where they were. I was able to find two 24" size 3's however, and those did the trick quite nicely. Because one pair was inox and the other addis there was a .25 mm difference in the 3's, so in addition to having the chance to employ the two-circular method I was also able to verify Elizabeth Zimmerman's theory that it matters not a whit if one of your needles is of a slightly different size. Always good to know. Of course, you don't have to test out either of these methods to make the baby bells, it's just all by way of chattiness that I'm discussing them here.

For the casing, I left the edge stitches live rather than binding them off and sewed down the stitches. It's more trouble for the beginner, but this is the only type of seaming I use on casings because it eliminates some of the bulk. Just a matter of preference.

Folded up until D-day.Finishing:
Very little. Mattress stitch for the legs and sewing live stitches for the casings.

Impressions of Artyarns Supermerino:
For a girl with a lot of yarn I have an incredible propensity to use the same yarns over and over again. When I find something I love, I stick with it. And when I have used some of my stash of a particular yarn I have an almost obsessive need to use every bit that I have left, as is definitely the case with wool cotton below. I had three skeins of Artyarns Supermerino, so I used all of it, calculating that I would have enough to make newborn sized pants with the remainder if I used a contrasting color for the cuffs and hem. My baby's bells took care of two remnants at once, which was very satisfying.

Every time I use Supermerino it comes through for me. It's a great "rut" yarn and comes in fun variegated colors. Prior to this I used every bit of my stashed Supermerino in colorway 111 to make a Chevron Scarf. I loved it then, too.

Impressions of Rowan's Wool Cotton:
This is my go-to yarn. I use it more than any other, and especially for baby things. It is soft, classy, classic, has great stitch definition, and is machine washable. Plus it comes in a lovely array of adult colors. I'm not really a pastel girl, so this is a good choice for me.

Possible substitute yarns:
A ton. See what other people have used - Ravel it!

June 17, 2008

First Handknit Gift for Baby

I got an amazingly wonderful package in the mail today - all the way from France! MJ showered us with adorable socks, long-sleeved onesies, a Phildar knit and crochet book of toys, a lovely watercolor, and the crowning jewel, a gorgeous handknit sweater! I am so lucky to have such a generous, talented friend. Thank you MJ!

A little bit of France for us....

I have two FO's for the baby myself, which I have been terribly remiss in not sharing (soon, I promise!) and one handspun Tomten Jacket on the needles that is well on its way. But there is something truly wonderful about handknit gifts. I love giving handknits, but I am still shocked at how wonderfully touching it is to receive one myself. This is going to be one stylish baby.

Edited to add: You can find the ingenious free Drops pattern for this sweater here.