sophy's knits, notes, etc.

i'm back! my apologies for the silence, but really, my last post just had me down (not quite sure why) and i avoided all things crafty for as long as i could (way too long, really)... but now i'm back at the needles and working away on a new queue of various and sundry projects: mostly sweater vests and baby cuteness. really, that seems to be the theme of the season for me since many of my friends and family are welcoming their newborns this winter. and well, the sweater vests are for me. (selfish much?)

i think her words were, "omg why is this so cute?"

a couple weekends ago, i attended a friend's baby shower. she and her husband are very dear friends, so i wanted to knit them something original and simple and cute. also, the theme for the shower seemed to be baby socks, so i had to make a pair of those as well. (i also gifted an adorable and stripey pajama set, cause it's winter and i couldn't resist!)

baby levy's soaker

baby soaker for baby levy

pattern :: original. pattern pending. [ravelry]
yarn :: Dale of Norway Baby Ull, color 5931 (grey/blue), 1 skein.
needles :: US 2 (2.75 mm) and 3 (3.25 mm).
finished size :: sized for 3-6 months. approximately 20 inches around and 8 inches tall.
start-to-end :: sept 12 -20, 2009.

i'm quite proud of how this project turned out because i really didn't know what i wanted when i casted on -- but, with one full skein of baby ull, i was able to complete this adorable baby soaker. it's knit completely in the round, with no seaming required. i also added some short row shaping to the bottom -- so that baby has more room in the seat of his diapers. and, to make changing diapers (whether cloth or not) quick and easy, decided to close the shorts with a button tab.

baby levy's socks

baby socks with cabled rib

pattern :: Better-Than-Booties Baby Socks by Ann Budd. [ravelry]
yarn :: Dale of Norway Baby Ull, color 5931 (grey/blue), 1 skein.
needles :: US 1 (2.25 mm).
finished size :: probably more suited for 1yr old.
start-to-end :: sept 20 -25, 2009.

because i couldn't find my set of short size 0 dpns, i used the Size 1s, which resulted in a slightly bigger pair of socks. also, i started these at the last minute and thus simplified them so that after the ribbing, i could just knit them without thinking. my mods included: cable rib for 12 rows. then, 2 rows even in st st. short-rows for the heel. 24 rows st st for foot. short-rows for toe. grafted stitches together (instead of zig zag bind of).

happy knitting!