Cupcake Hat

Cupcake Hat
Originally uploaded by wendymc

This was a really quick knit. I cast on Friday afternoon and delivered it midday Saturday, and I wasn't knitting non-stop or anything, either. The pattern is at http://www.nakedsheep.com/cupcakehat.html and I didn't have any problems with it. I used Bernat Satin, and I went down to a 4mm needle.....perhaps that is why it came out too small. It fits the recipient's 18 month old sister, but the 3 year old's head is just a bit bigger. I gues I'll be knitting another one!

The bobble things (I think the pattern calls them nubbles) were pretty hard on the hands, especially since there are 40 of them, but the effect is pretty neat. The pompom gave me a lot of trouble, I totally forgot how to make them. Ah well, the kids won't notice.

Argen in the Oz Vest

Argen in the Oz Vest
Originally uploaded by wendymc

The Oz Vest from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms is finished. I was worried it would be too small, but it fit's Argen now. So long as he doesn't grow TONS in the next few months, he should be able to wear it this fall. I loved the yarn I chose - Scheepjes Softfun. I used about a skein and a half, it's 60% cotton, 40% acrylic, and very soft.

I modified the pattern to knit in the round, and regret that decision. With the garter rows in the pattern, I didn't save THAT many purl rows knitting on circs, and I got messed up on the upper half many times. I lost track of which side I was on, where the decreases were, and got all the ends tangled up. Next time I think I'd just knit the pieces flat, I only saved the two short side seams anyways. It was a fast (not counting my mistakes and ripping) knit and turned out nice, so I might make more. Perhaps I'll whip up another for a baby gift with the other 1.5 skeins I have left.

Teagan Models her Monica Tank

Teagan Models her Monica Tank
Originally uploaded by wendymc

I finally finished up Monica for my daughter. I made a few mods, and they worked out pretty well. First, I changed it to be knit in the round - no reason not to, since it was all stockingknit with no shaping. This also eliminated the need to purl, so it knit up extra fast!

I subbed in stash yarn. Both acrylics, both a mystery to me beyond that. I liek the look of the multicoloured ruffle, though it's a bit catchy so I hope it doesn't pill and pull too badly.

I did i-cord for the straps. My thought was that knitting the straps would let them stretch out too much. I just wish I'd thought to make them a touch shorter to allow for a little stretching, even with the modded straps.....