Knittymama

babybearsweater
Originally uploaded by knittymama.

Well, here it is, my first “Babies and Bears” Sweater, pre-blocking and pre-buttons. I’m not too happy with the sizing. It think it came out a couple inches too short (or else the arms are a couple inches too long) and the hood looks out of proportion.

So now I’m at the point of decision. I am definitely a type B knitter and don’t rip things out that often, but I am considering at least going back to the hood and adding an inch or too. I’m still thinking about it as I have so much stuff I’m trying to finish up, I hate to go back. I think I need to borrow a friends baby and see how it fits!

I was really hoping to be able to show off my finished “Babies and Bears” Sweater today, but I still have exactly four more rows of finishing around the bottom and buttonholes before it’s done, so I’m going to try to finish that up tonight and show it off tomorrow.

I’ve really enjoyed knitting this sweater, but not happy with the sizing. Supposedly, with a guage of 4st/inch, it should fit a three year old. Well, the Little Man is nowhere near the size of the sweater; it comes up to his elbows!!! I used Handpainted Yarn in Fire Engine Red on size 8 needles. The yarn could easily be knit on size 9s (whihc is what the pattern recommended for this size). I might try another one to see what happens. In the mean time, it will go in the closet until #2 comes along and grows into it. That’s the nice thing about knitting for kids; someone will grow into it eventually!!!

The Color By Color Scarf sits quietly in my basket. I needed a break before I get to all those i-cords. I did half of one and decided that was enough for now. I’m tempted to just crochet them, but the stubborn part of me is refusing to give in to that. I don’t really have a problem with crochet. My thing is altering the pattern. I’m fine with changing a pattern around to make an improvement, but just out of sheer laziness? Hmmmmmm…..

fi2
Originally uploaded by knittymama.

So this is my big resurrected project, the Color By Color scarf by Kathryn Alexendar in the “Scarf Style” book. I started in with a knit-along last winter and after getting through the first 10 sections, got tired of it and put it away. Now first of all, I have to say I absolutely LOVE this scarf. The color and design are amazing and I can’t wait until the day comes when I can actually wear it. However, I have to say this is by far the most complicated item I have ever knit and it gives me a headache half the time I’m working on it.

So what’s the problem? When I first started this I thought it would be easy. Knit up a bunch of squares and rectangles, throw on a few i-cords and some fair isle and you’re set. HA! I am naive. Because…
1. We are dealing with 48 colors, all in little 8 yard strands of Paternayan embroidery yarn, which has to be separated from 3-ply to 1 or 2-ply. Keeping track of all that is a headache right there.
2. The blocks never seem to match up. The guage is never quite right and you have to do a lot of fudging to make it all fit together.
3. I-cords everywhere. Section 12 has 30 of them alone!!!!! All on size two needles, 2 or 3 colors each. I get a tension headace just thinking about it.

So here I am, back to the scarf. I really love this thing, despite the complications, and in the last two weeks of winter break I finished the fair isle section and section 12. Can I keep up? That is the question!!!

As far as the multiple posts today below….I figured out how to post using Flickr, but I can only post one picture per blog entry (unless I can find another way) so all I can think to do is multiple posts of pictures for now. I’ll keep searching (or hope for a free upgrade to OSX and then this problem is eliminated!)

scarf2
Originally uploaded by knittymama.

See all those ends? Those are for the 30 i-cords on size two needles. I am seriously considering crochet for that part. What do you think?

fi1
Originally uploaded by knittymama.

It got a little squished up, but I think after blocking it should be okay.

8
Originally uploaded by knittymama.

So this is the diaper cover I was mentioning the other day. I still haven’t sewn in all the ends as I’m debating whether or not to just save it as in or rip it out and re-do it with more room in the butt. I also haven’t decided on how to close it up yet. I’m thinking snaps, but I still need to find the right kind.

For those of you wondering, “diaper cover?” I do cloth diapering with Little Man, and absolutely love it. Cloth diapering is much easier these days than it was with our moms, and wool diaper covers (or soakers) are one of my later discoveries. I rarely have a problem with leaks, and they don’t get smelly, plus you have to admit, they are much cooler than a pair of boring and expensive disposables!

I frequently use the http://www.littleturtleknits.com diaper cover patterns (sorry, I’m still figuring out how to make a link) but thought it would be fun to try my own.

The yarn is from http://www.handpaintedyarn.com nd is very soft. It’s just their regular handpainted wool.

new camera0037
Originally uploaded by knittymama.

Let’s see if this one comes up!

This is my messed up Anouk, whihc I was attempting to post last summer when I got my camera. Let’s just say that I had a MAJORLY different image in my mind of this dress and didn’t really pay attention to the first line of the pattern very well.

It still turned out cute, but as an apron, not a dress!

Okay, here’s a test post. We’ll see if the picture actually comes up, and then you’ll get the story!

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To put it simply, the last few months have been quite a rollercoaster!! Life is good, but it sure can get crazy. Add to that my frustrating computer problems and I decided to take a break for awhile. But, I’m back, ready again to try to get some pictures posted to this blog so its not just me rambling on about what I’m knitting without anyone being able to see it (which is one of my favorite parts about blogging in the first place!:-)

I’ve had tons of knitting time with winter break. Socks, diaper covers, and my Color by Color scarf are keeping me busy right now. I’m especially excited about the diaper covers. I’m making my first attempt at designing my own and finished up a sample cover yesterday. I think it turned out pretty good, but it’s too small for the Little Man (who STILL is not potty trained 😦 I think if I add some short rows to the butt it might be a pretty good fit!

Check back soon in the next week or so. I’m hoping that I can get some pictures posted up here.