Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Fan and Feather Layette

This layette is all hand knit. The Feather and Fan pattern stitch can be done on the machine, but it's kind of tedius and sometimes, just because you can, doesn't mean you should and I opted to hand knit the little baby afghan/nursing shawl.

This is Bernat Softee Baby sport weight in Bunny Print. First I attempted a Baby Surprise Jacket with it from a test pattern, but the numbers were off and it was lopsided so it got ripped out, then I did the All In One, too blah and I ripped it out again. I wanted something a little lacy so I decided to try the feather and fan for the bottom part with the intention of putting it on the LK140 to do the top and sleeves. Well, I decided I didn't like the plain stockinette with it, it needed to be a garter stitch since the rows between the lace are garter stitch so off it came again, ripped out the machine part and I ended up hand knitting the whole thing. I think that's got to be a first for me, I converted a machine knitting pattern to hand knit LOL!! Usually it's the other way around, going from a hand knit pattern to the machine. Just goes to show how versatile it all can be :)

The booties are a free pattern I found online and I must say, I think I really like it. It was fast and fun to knit up and when I find the url again, I'll be sure to post it and I think I want to do some kind of a little bonnet. If I hurry, my granddaughter will actually get to wear it before she grows out of it LOL!!




This is a little crochet dress from a free pattern online. It was supposed to fit a newborn to 3 month old. It fits my 15 inch Betsy Wetsy doll perfectly. Yes, I'm a little disappointed, especially since I got the correct gauge too. I guess we get what we pay for sometimes, but oh well, the basics for the pattern are good and I'll just change the numbers to get a dress that will fit a real baby. The little red Mary Jane sock is a victim of incorrect gauge, but a really neat learning experience, intarsia in the round, and it barely fit the teeny feet on this doll, so I'll go ahead and make another one to match it after I make the required adjustments for a pair for my little granddaughter. The doll isn't going to grow out of them so she will just have to wait LOL!!

And this is another baby afghan knit on my Toyota KS950 punchcard machine. I really am pleased with the way it turned out, but I do need to get a better photo. It's cream colored with a pale pink ribbon woven through the crochet edge.

First Birthday Gift?

Well, I thought I'd convert the All In One Cardigan pattern that I am so fond of for use with the Bernat Softee Baby Jacquards yarn on my mid-gauge LK140. This doll wears about a size 3 months to 6 months size and as you can see, this sweater will fit a 12month old quite well. Major calculation failure, but at least it's proportionate and came out too big all over instead of just too wide or just too long!! I had a heck of a time deciding what kind of trim I wanted to put around it, nothing I did looked right until I tried these garter stitch bands. Perfect for the sweater and the sleeve cuffs are long enough to roll up too.

So, it won't be a new baby present, but I'll knit up a pair of matching lavender pants and a pair of socks out of the jacquard and maybe a little beanie hat with the jacquard and lavender together for a cute little suit for Selene's first birthday next October. Since I have a real reputation for giving gifts belatedly, at least I can honestly say I knit this one up with oodles of time to spare. Ok, 11 months in advance LOL!! Keep your fingers crossed that I don't forget I knit it and pack it away someplace never to be found again :)