Garden of Color: May 2006

Wow! That's green!

This is the yarn my 4 yo picked out for a cardigan. It's baby ull from Dale in Spring Green. That was a heck of a lot of stitches with the fingering weight yarn for a 4 yo. The yarn is incredibly soft after one washing and being blocked dry. A person could get addicted to using merino.

I joined another knitalong - The Amazing LACE

Let's review my knitalong score:
Bunny KAL - finished 3 Kate Gilbert bunnies
Sock it to Me - Numerous pairs of finished socks
Dye Job - I slacked on this one. I think I did dye some yarn but didn't post it.
Warm Hands - I made two pair of mittens
Knit Some Holiday Cheer - I knit 22 presents. I rocked!
200Sox - I stalled out at 3 pair. I've been making sweaters.
Sensational Knitted Socks - I've started some, finished none.
Knitting Olympics - I only made it 1/2 way. It's best we don't discuss it and yes, it was a lace project.

All in all, I'm not the knitalong loser I thought I was. The Christmas knitalong upped my average. It's not a perfect score, but I can live with it. Now, I just need to pick my Amazing LACE project. Does anyone have any suggestions?

The back

I really love the stripes!

The front

unblocked, without buttons and no neckline yet. I finished this much last night. Although the collar on the pattern is beautiful, it would annoy a nursing baby so I have to figure something else out. I'll put the really cute collar on versions for 12 mos and up.

Tuesday I did some spinning

It didn't look too bad on the bobbin, then I plied it. Anyone who has any advice on how to join so the yarn doesn't get super fat, please share.

Sideways Sock Yarn Baby Sweater

I think this one was knit in Opal.

18" doll sweater version

I think this was knit in Regia. All of these sweaters are hanging above the sock yarn in Needleworks.

How to get the Sideways Sock Yarn Baby Pattern

The title is a link to the retailers page on Matthew's site. I recommend that you call my friend, Sharon, at Needleworks and she'll pop one in the mail to you. She doesn't do internet orders. The pattern is 7$. I think that is because Matthew actually test knits all the sizes. The sizes included are 18" doll, newborn, 3 mos, 6 mos, 12 mos and 18 mos. I am working on talking him into a sport weight pattern and some others who have knit the pattern are trying to get him to do a toddler version. It is knit on size 3 needles with a gauge of 7 sts and 10 rows to the inch. I'm doing the three month pattern which calls for 400 yds of sock or fingering-weight yarn. If you have any more questions, leave me a comment.

Sideways Sock Yarn Baby Sweater

Here's the left side of my version of this sweater.

In koigu

If you love sock yarn and need to knit for a baby...

This is the pattern for you. My friend Matthew wrote this pattern. I have finished one half and am working on the other half. You knit the two sides and then there is one seam up the back in kitchener stitch. It's knit from side to side using two circular needles. I read the instructions and freaked a little thinking it was harder than it really is. It's actually quite easy to knit. The picture is one of Matthew's samples in the shop. The thing I love about his patterns are that he knits every size. I've seen each item, and I know that the pattern "works". This sample is knit in Opal. I'm knitting one out of the same yarn.

Clapotis est finit!

I used sock garden yarn from knitpicks (no longer available) on size 9 needles, double stranded. I finished this Monday morning but didn't have any internet to post it. Insight is doing updates and has REALLY flaky service. I worked on it a little each day for about 12 weeks. I'm considering making some for Christmas presents. I've started another single stranded with the same yarn. I'll have to see how it drapes.