Kai-Mei Socks

One of the knitters from my Knit Nuts group was destashing some of her knitting books and I snatched up two sock pattern books. I never would have guessed a few years ago that I would be so addicted to sock knitting! When I was looking through the book: 

Sock Innovation: Knitting Techniques & Patterns for One-of-a-Kind Socks

by Cookie A

I immediately was drawn to the Kai-Mei pattern. There's a great open pattern that goes diagonally across the feet...LOVE IT! AND...to make it even better, I had yarn in my stash to make them! I cast-on for these when I went home for my Mom's surgery, and even though I've been pretty busy, they were so fun to whip up!

Leaf Blanket

I came across this too cute blanket pattern via Susan B Anderson.  One of my favorite knitting designers, she's the author of the Itty Bitty books.  (She has a new book coming out this spring that features topsy turvy toys...can't wait!  Check out the preview video here...I dare you not to pre-order!!!)  Anyway, knit with bulky yarn on larger needles this sweet little blanket promised to knit up quick...so I grabbed some Hometown USA yarn...and away I went with the pattern.  I haven't put the buttons on yet, but, I'm considering this an FO (finished object)!

Want to make one of your very own? The pattern is available for purchase from Spud and Chloe.

Happy Crafting!!

First FO of 2013!

I had two things that I wanted to finish by the end of 2012.  I wanted to finish reading Les Miserables and finish the Anya's Cardigan I had cast-on for during the Ravellenics.  Neither happened!  As of right now I have about half of the book yet (it will not get the best of me!)...but, on New Year's Day, aided by a gloomy sky and the beginnings of what I now know is a serious cold, I finished the cardigan I started over the summer.  Knit in Rowan's wool cotton in Bilberry this little sweater with eyelets is knit in a 12-24 month size.  

The sweater is knit from the bottom up with the front and back all knit in one piece.  The sleeves are knit separately, the buttonhole bands are knit separately and sewn on from stitches left on stitch holders after the initial ribbing.  I will say I used three snipped ends of yarn to do the last bind off row of this sweater.  I was that close to having enough, and then, realizing how close I was, I didn't want to have to buy more yarn (and wait for it)...so I pieced it together.  That was a lot of ends to weave in!  If you love the look of the pattern, you can find it in Vintage Knits for Modern Babies.  I've made this pattern, and a couple of others from the book before.  Very cute projects!

I hope you're having a great start to the New Year! As for me, I'm trying to recover from a cold that really knocked me for a loop....and looking forward to sharing more from last year before we look towards what's next!

The Ultimate Book of Baby Knits by Debbie Bliss

The ultimate baby knitwear designer, Debbie Bliss, has just released her newest book, "The Ultimate Book of Baby Knits."  Debbie has chosen 50 of her favorite patterns from her last three baby books (Simply Baby, Essential Baby, and Blankets, Bears and Bootees) and given us a whopping book that has something for everyone.  Add to that beautiful photography and precious babies who are often photographed playing with yarn, and this book is a must-have for knitters everywhere.

The book begins with an introduction by Ms. Bliss, and then there is a section that goes over basic skills used throughout the book.  Projects using duplicate stitching, intarsia, and circular knitting are found in this book, as well as other techniques, and the baby-size projects would be great to use for practicing a new technique.  Debbie's simple directions, accompanied by instructional photographs at the beginning of the book, make newer techniques easy to master (she uses the same approach in many of her books, and I have found it to be a great way to learn).

After looking over care instructions for your finished projects, you get to the fun stuff...the patterns!!!  And, with 50 patterns, there is plenty to see!  I wanted to share with you some projects that really blew me away, and I focused on four different types.

First, there are tons of gorgeous, classic designs that you can knit today, or twenty years from now.  These projects, like the cable sweater above, will always look current.  A baby shrug, a duffel coat, and a classic cardigan are all examples of projects that have a timeless appeal.

If you need a quick knit for a last minute gift, or something simple that you knit up in your spare moments, there are quite a few interesting projects perfect for that too.  Building blocks, or cable socks are sweet little knits.

And wouldn't a mother-to-be love to unwrap a matching striped cardigan and bootie set? (And couldn't you just pinch those cute little cheeks of the baby in the photo!)

If you have more time on your hands, or want to knit up a beautiful heirloom for a grandchild, there are quite a few showstoppers.  My favorite two would have to be the matinee coat, shown here in a very modern teal color...

...and a gorgeous sampler blanket that can be personalized last minute with duplicate stitching. Work on the blanket ahead of time, and then stitch on initials and a date after the little one arrives!

And last, but certainly not least, are the projects that made me look at my stash right away to see what I could cast-on for. 

I love, love, love this hooded carrying bag!

And this smock coat is so precious (as is a matching beret).

The pinafore dress is so cute I almost want to knit it for myself!

And if I ever have an addition to the family, I MUST make this beautiful set!  The alternating colors of garter stitch rows appear in the blanket, and the dress of the toy...and make such a sweet, yet sophisticated set.  And doesn't the mouse look soft enough to cuddle!

And, the project I will turn to next time I have a baby shower to create a gift for...this beyond precious box of booties! 

Beautiful, timeless designs, sophisticated color palettes and well-written patterns are all characteristics that I have noticed of Debbie Bliss' baby patterns.  This solid book, stuffed full with 50 patterns, is not only a great deal, but it is also a great investment for your knitting library.  I know I will turn to it again and again, coming across new favorites each time I turn the page.

Cute Book Alert: Phoebe's Sweater

Just quickly stopping by to tell you that the book "Phoebe's Sweater" is beyond cute!  It's a book about a little mouse whose mother knits her a special sweater...and then at the back of the book there are patterns for a Phoebe the Mouse doll, a sweater for the doll, and a matching sweater for a little girl!  Soooo cute to share with little people to spread the love for knitting!  I learned about the book from Susan B. Anderson's blog, and love the fact that it was written and illustrated by a husband & wife team with unbelievably beautiful watercolor paintings.  A lovely children's book, perfect for a knitter to share with special children.