Knitters and crafty mamas-

[*green*faery*]

Is it too early to think about knitting for our new babies???

I just started knitting a few months ago and I’m pretty much obsessed! I’ve already made a soaker for the new baby! What are you planning on making??

I do have to knit for x-mas gifts and of coarse for ds, so I probably won’t knit more then a hat or two for the new baby until after x-mas (maybe another soaker). A friend of mine is pregnant and I made her dd1 a cute little hat today and a matching ‘lil one for her sister due in feb.

Otherwise I have to finish up some socks for my Nana and a sweater I started for ds.

What are you making now? What on you list for the new babe??

[Nibikwe]

Hi
I'm Erin too! I'm making a sleeping bag-- looks like a dress with 2 buttoned straps for the top and then I'm thinking open bottom or maybe snaps or buttons at the bottom.. My ds was a spread eagle sleeper, legs all over the place, really despised having his legs restrained so I'll make it with options this time :wink
Sounds like you are really into it! Wow.. do you have any easy sock recipes? I'm talking I-can-make-scarves kind of easy! I love knitting. Keeps my thoughts positive and peaceful :thumb I found a really simple baby shawl design-- just two rectangles and then sew them together at the ends at right angles.. it looked good!

Love
E

[*green*faery*]

Hey, I do have an easy sock pattern. If I get on-line tomorrow night I'll post it. It was the first one I made, it's for beginners and pretty easy. I made more like house socks with this pattern with a kind of thick organic cotton, turned out pretty good, not perfect, but I made them:) A lot of patterns (so far) are easier then they look!

[Nibikwe]

cooool thanks! that'll be a good project! man you're doing great for just starting a few months ago! whoohoo! what's it like in the Santa Cruz mountains? I'm in New Zealand. It's cold and warm and cold and warm :dizzy: that season-change time of year..



E

[yonit]

I love to knit, but have really limited time. Although I just formed a knitting circle with some other homeschoolers so that I know I will have some guaranteed knitting time every week.

When I was pregnant last year I got a little pattern book of "one skein" knits for babies. Very fast easy things to knit that can be done on less than one skein. Perfect for someone without much time on their hands!

I made a couple of things for DS from that book and they were great - including a baby blanket made on size 19 needles LOL - it is see through. I also started a hat and bootie set that I didn't finish before DS was born, so I guess I will finish them for this little one and then go from there..

[Spider]

I have knitted and crocheted a few things already- 2 blankets, a stroller cover, socks, panties, sleep bag etc
Knitting a sweater now

[mama_tigress]

knitter here!
this is the hat I just knit for my DS:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/mama_tigress/wearinghat.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/mama_tigress/topofhat.jpg

(there's one obvious flaw I need to fix, I was in a hurry to get him a hat for the cold :P)

next on line: a hat for a friend's new baby, a sweater for DS, something for my cousin's new baby, and then we'll see
I won't start knitting for our new one until probably the second trimester

[Animal_Lady]

Speaking of it's too early to start knitting... I am not even preg yet :lol and I have knitted a hot water bottle cover, a toy bunny, a sweater, and burp clothes! Last time I had a babe, I didn't have any time to knit, so I figured I would get a head start so that I could get all those little things knitted now. Good luck ladies! And congrats to all of you! :wink

[BirthFree]

I haven't knit something YET, but it was next on my list. I've got a whole host of ideas (aside from diapering wool knits that I know I'll do). I've got some gorgeous cashmere so I'm sure I'll figure out something wonderful to do with it. I dye yarn so that will make it easier/cheaper for me to do the diapering wool and such. :)

(So on my short list: kimono sweater/longies to match, sleep sack, shorites, skirty, socks. And that's without looking for more ideas! Lol!).

[BirthFree]

Oh, and I was going to say, I'm on Ralvery - I'm "Selah". :)

[Chic_Mama]

I have a bunch of projects for Christmas, but once I am done with those I want to do at least one pair of longies, a couple pairs of shorties and a few soakers. I will do them in newborn and small sizes.

I also just got on Ravelry- last night! ChicMama

[p.s]

have some yarn to knit up into soakers. but i'm waiting to see if this will be boy or girl. if boy, can use alot of ds'.
if girl, then girl quilts, onesies, cardigans, blanket, sheets, shoes, bonnet.
and i am in perpetual search for the perfect diaper bag pattern...so if it's a girl, i'll make a couple out of this cute fabric i have:
http://www.kokka-usa.com/products.php?cid=2.3

[mama_tigress]

oh I'm still on the queue for Ravelry!

it will be fun to knit NB woolies...I knit some cute shorties for a friend's NB and they were so small and precious! After a while, the larger size legs on DS's longies get a bit tedious :P

[Kylahroo]

My list of stuff I've knitted so far is so long it's embarassing! I obviously started before getting pregnant and as my brother is due in a few weeks with his first, some of it is going to them.

2 sweaters for my 2 1/2 year old
2 sweaters for my brother's baby, along with matching hats
1 baby nightgown (made with beautiful merino wool, not so good for a summer baby)
many, many hats including a few bonnets with a pattern I invented
Fiber Trends felted clogs for dd - my oldest dd is making a pair for herself
a felted princess hat, a felted wizard hat
Oh, I could go on and on!

I'm currently working on the Big Bad Baby Blanket from Stitch 'n Bitch with Koigu. I'm nearly halfway there and it's absolutely gorgeous! Still planning a few 6-12 month sweaters, along with a very "pink" sweater for dd, with the idea that I have a heckuva lot more time to knit now than I will in a year!

[Kylahroo]

What yarns do you find best for wool soakers? We use cloth diapers and I attempted making a soaker several years ago, but found the wool too thick and itchy. Anyone know of any patterns for felted wool soakers? I'd love to make a few that I didn't have to worry about washing and drying!

[ShawnMarie]

If everyone knit as slow as I do, you'd have to start for the baby decades in advance.:lol I envy those of you who can actually finish projects in the same year you start them. I can crochet though.

I am a quilter and that is what I will be doing for the baby. I still have the blanket I knit for my DD 14 years ago (ivory so it will work either way) and I will be making tons of blankets, cloths from flannel when it gets closer to the time.

I sort of have a funny feeling about starting things this early. I didn't decorate DD's nursery until 2 weeks before the EDD. She ended up coming a month later.

[*green*faery*]

Madds5- Santa Cruz Mountains are so beautiful. Weather varies quite a bit. Cool and rainy right now, I love it, a couple months out of the year its a little hotter then I like. We usually get about 65in of rain a year:) I love it! I bet NZ is beautiful!

yonit- oh, I got a one skein type of book too! I love having some quick projects with chunky yarn and needles to work on when I get burnt out on a longer project. That's great that you have a knitting circle! A friend of mine comes over every Thurs night (dh works late) and we have dinner and knit for a few hours.

Spider- A stroller cover? Do you have a link to the pattern or is it in a certain book??


mama_tigress-I love the hat! I like how it curves over his ears a little to keep them warm! I made a cute pointy hat with ear warmers on the side but ds won't wear it, I think because they have braded strands that hand down off the ear covers and he doesn't like them! That's a much better design, thanks for sharing the pictures!

BirthFree- is it cheaper to buy undyed yarn? Where do you buy it? Thanks!

Whats Ralvery??

p.s- I just got a book that has a felted diaper bag in it! If I make it anytime soon I'll post pictures!


Kylahroo-Where did you get the felted princess hat & felted wizard hat Patterns? Sounds like you've been busy! I'd LOVE to see pictures! I found a felted soaker pattern on Lion Brand Yarn website, but it felted down in kind of weird ways and the leg holes ended up to small, but their are other felting methods, I just through it in my wash on a hot cycle and I think that was too much. I made a soaker for the new baby out of Frog Tree Brand Chunky Alpaca, it's supper soft and I still need to lanolize it. I really like Lamb's Pride Wool also, it's kind of chunky, not super sofy, but not scratchy either. I'll give you links if you want them:)


ShawnMarie- That's awesome that you are a quilter. It's funny, I don't have the patience to quilt (yet) I'd like to learn to crochet, my mom use to always try and show me and I never picked up on it. I'll try again one of these days!

Please post pictures of your art! I'll try to post a few pictures soon!

[BirthFree]

Ravelry is an online knitting/crocheting community. Just put it into Google and you'll find it. :)

It's cheaper to buy undyed yes - I buy it all over - it's my WAHM business so some of it may not be something you could get, but I like wool2dye4 for a good retail selection of undyed yarn. :)

[*green*faery*]

Madds5- Here is the sock pattern I used. My friend gave it to me, she got it online somewhere but couldn't remember where. Let me know if you get stuck anywhere. Have you knitted in the round before? If not, just ask when you buy the needles and most yarn shops are happy to help you out:) I love the yarn shop by me, they have a little kids play area and the owner often plays with my son while I shop:)

I used this yarn (in sage)to make my pair with-
http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/yarn_detail.php?yarns_ID=7

Simple socks-

About 225y worsted weight yarn
#4-#6 needles (I used #4)
Gauge 5sts to 1 “

Cast on 40 loose stitches.
(14st on 2 needles and 12sts on 1 needle)
Join in the round

Work 10 rows of k2, p2 ribbing

Then knit every round until the sock measures about 7” from the beginning or to the length you like.

Heel-
K20 stitches onto 1 needle for the heel, set aside the rest (20) onto the other needles for insteep.
Work back and forth on the 20 heel stitches only-
Row 1- sl 1 (slip one stitch),p19, turn
Row 2- sl 1, k 19, turn
Repeat these two rows until there are 17 (you should be ready to work a knit row)

Turn Heel-
Row1- sl 1 , k10, ssk, k1, turn
Row 2- sl 1, p3, p2 tog, p1, turn
Row 3- sl 1 , k4, ssk, k1, turn
Row 4 sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 5 - sl 1, k6, ssk, k1, turn
Row 6 sl 1, p7, p2 tog, p1, turn
Row 7- sl 1, k8, ssk, k1, turn
Row 8- sl 1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn

There should be 12 stitched left on the heel needle.
Slip all 20 insteep stitches onto one needle.

K across 6 heel step sts, using another needle k across other 6 heel stitches. Using another needle pick up 11 sts along the side of the heel (where your slip stitches are). Using another needle knit across 20 instep stitches. Using another needle pick up 11 heel stitches on other side and k across the 6 heel stitches.

The middle of the heel is the beginning of the round. You’ll have 17sts on 1st needle, 20 sts on 2nd and 17 sts on 3rd needle.

K one round.

Shaping Gusset-
Round 1-
1st needle- k within 3 sts of end of needle, k2 tog, k1
2nd needle- knit
3rd needle- k1, ssk, k to end

Round 2- k

Continue working round one and two until there are 10 sts on 1st and 3rd needle and 20 on 2nd.

For the foot of the sock knit every round until it is about an inch shorter then you’d like it to be.

Shape toe-
Round 1-
1st needle- kto within 3 sts remain, k2tog, k1
2nd-k1, ssk, k to within 3 stitches of the end, k2tog, k1
3rd needle- k1, ssk, k till end

Round 2- knit

Continue these 2 rounds until there are 20 stitches left (5 sts on 1st and 3rd needle and 10 sts on 2nd needle)

Now work round 1 every row until 8 sts are left.
Break yarn and use a needle to gather remaining stitches and weave in end.

[Nibikwe]

Wow Green Faery that was so kind of you to type that all out!!! so kind. thanks
:love

All of your projects sound awesome ladies! I'm really keen on felting things-- the best hot wash result (to make a piece of fabric I could cut out from) was a really hairy mohair shawl I found at a second hand shop and it chunked up REALLY satisfyingly well! One wash. I have yet to cut into it!
ANyone having a weird, empty, hunger-like, but pukey feeling? Ms but empty-gut feeling as well? Maybe it's because... there's not much starchy stuff like I often eat in there? Withdrawl from pasta!


Erin

[mama_tigress]

this is the hat pattern http://sarahpeasley.com/freepatterns/cameronscap.pdf

it uses short rows to make the ear flaps! it's a quick knit
my DS hates hats, but it's getting cold in the mornings for our walks, so I basically have to hold his hands away from his head for a few minutes and then he gets so interested in what's going on around him that he forgets about the hat ;)

[p.s]

I am really lovin' this thread!
Erin, thanks for starting it and posting instruc. for socks.:love

Tanya: I have some pretty variegated yarn from Wooly Wonders by Nada, which I'm thinkin of making into soakers. She has all different kinds of fleece.

Also, someone asked about undyed wool- peace fleece comes in undyed. i got a few strands awhile back to try my hand at yarn painting/ dying. but i guess now that i'm preggo, will be avoiding dyes of any sort.

Shawn Marie: do you like to quilt by pattern or do you make your own patterns up? I have some FQ by urban chicks and some different prints of Jel Dewberry that I am thinking to make into quilt tops. my GMIL does hand quilting, so hopefully she'll agree to do these.
http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_summer-inthe-city.pdf
http://www.joeldewberry.com/Aviary.html

Has has anyone plans on making anything maternity?
I wonder how hard it would be to knit up something like this:
http://www.isabellaoliver.com/io/Shop?DSP=30100&PCR=1:100:1060&IID=TP14
when you click on the link, look at video clip of the model going down the runway in this. LOL, I need some more prominent streets in my small town to wear this on!!

[ShawnMarie]

Shawn Marie: do you like to quilt by pattern or do you make your own patterns up? I have some FQ by urban chicks and some different prints of Jel Dewberry that I am thinking to make into quilt tops. my GMIL does hand quilting, so hopefully she'll agree to do these.


I have finally realized after 20 years of quilting that I do not like to use patterns. I much prefer making my own. (I have trouble following rules...directions etc.) I actually like doing simple quilts with large 10 or 12" squares because then I get to enjoy the patterns in the fabric. Usually when I do smaller squares they are solid colors.

I never have time to handquilt more than a wallhanging, so my quilts are tied. My mother did just give me my GM's quilt frame (I am a fourth generation quilter) so perhaps I'll have to start quilting more.

[Kylahroo]

I don't know if this link will work, but I uploaded some photos to Target Photos. You shouldn't have to sign in. Someone let me know if it's working, please!

http://targetphoto.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=fjx88ol.xi1c0d1&Uy=9bp3fd&Ux=0

*graen*faery, the princess/wizard hats are actually Bev Galeskas' (Fiber Trends author) patterns. They're from the book, "New Knits on the Block" which is a cute book with a lot of "dress-up" stuff for kids.

I think I'm going to purchase the soaker pattern from Little Turtle Knits (with buttons), make it big, felt it and use snaps for adjustment. This is my thinking anyhow! We'll see how it actually pans out!

[klink2]

Any sewing mamas here? Send me a pm or an email and I'll send you a coupon.

[p.s]

ooh! ooh! sending you a PM!

[newlywaaz]

I just started knitting this month, and the first thing I made was the simplest soaker pattern I could find (basically a triangle with ribbing on the top and stockinette for the rest that you seam together to form into a soaker...I added leg ribbing as well) from fisherman's wool that turned out to be newborn size. I found out I was pregnant a week later :)
On my list:
*a couple of flat-knit sweaters
*hats for 3m+ size if I can get my mom to give me a pair of needles to work in the round or find a good flat-knit pattern
*shorties and soakers-it's going to be HOT here in the summer, so probably no longies!
*maybe a baby blanket? my mom knitted a tiny white blanket for DS that I absolutely love, it's the grandmother's favorite pattern and only about 24" square. I want to do another one of those but in a different color...perhaps sage green.
I'm going to get my mom to do all the baby sock knitting since she is good at it and has easy access to small balls of yarn.

I already have a bunch of newborn sized fitted diapers and prefolds made up, and would like to put together a crib quilt and embellish some t-shirts to match soakers, but we'll see. That may be a bit ambitious with a 15 month old boy and 13 month old dog and 25 yr old H waiting in the wings for my attention, lol

[larastheme]

Right now my craft activities are directed mostly towards Halloween costumes--we have a party to go to on Friday and I need to dress DS as a lion (and I don't even know WHY, really, he's going to be a lion! I think because DD said so)

Next are the beginnings of Christmas things. Mostly little socks for my nieces and nephew.

And I bought a bunch of sock yarn the other day. WHY do I do this to myself? (I love knitting socks, now that I've tried)

[aishy]

Peeking in from the May board, I had a "dying" day with my knitting group the morning after I got my positive test. Needless to say I had spring on the brain ;) So I dyed the yarn green, blue, and yellow and plan to knit the baby socks & a hat to match. I'm sure I'll knit other stuff, but I don't know what yet! I knit Anouk for my daughter, as well as a crossover seed stitch cardigan and later invented my own dress for her (I have yet to write up that pattern or test out other sizing!)

aisling

[*green*faery*]

mama_tigress- thanks for the hat pattern!

p.s- I'm thinking about knitting a maternity sweater, it's in my 'natural knits' book and it's really cute. Idn, I haven't made a full size sweater yet, so I don't know how long it will take me. It stays pretty cool here through the spring, so I should get some use out if it. We'll see:)

newlywaaz- a soaker is pretty good for a first project!!! I have found that lots of baby hat patterns are knit flat, but I LOVE knitting in the round (no seam for me to mess up on!)

larastheme- I have kind of a love/hate relationship with socks now! I love to start and finish them, I need to learn to enjoy the journey:lol. I'm knitting my nana some socks for x-mas, it's self striping yarn and it's turning out very nice, but it's very lightweight, I'm knitting on #2s but fell like I should have done them in maybe #1s. I think I'm going to make some nice thick house socks after this!

I really want to try dying!

[larastheme]

Duh! I JUST realized that I can make 6-month sizes in things that are warm. For the baby, of course.

My mommy brain is kicking in full force already!

[p.s]

Ooh Erin, you will have to post a pic of you modelling it when done. I would luv to see it.

I don't know if this link will work, but I uploaded some photos to Target Photos. You shouldn't have to sign in. Someone let me know if it's working, please!

http://targetphoto.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=fjx88ol.xi1c0d1&Uy=9bp3fd&Ux=0


Kylahroo: that is gorgeous! beautiful colors. now i'm gonna go look at your gallery of crafts...

[BlueMoonBean]

I'm on the queue for Ravelry, too...

Just got my BFP this morning & I've already been peeking in my stash... found some yummy bamboo that will make a silky lovey blanket. :)

Ok, so having another little one to knit for is just one more great reason to be excited. :)

[*mama moose*]

ok, now you all have me wanting to learn to knit!!! Any pointers? Like what to buy? lol! My grandma sent me some stuff at one point and I could cast on a row but couldn't get past that point :lol
I'm not expecting sweaters, but making a baby blankie would be so fun! and something relaxing to do when DD goes to bed early.....

[Chic_Mama]

Oh man, you guys have some great ideas! I hope I will have the time to make a quilt!

That maternity sweater with the video that p.s posted above is gorgeous!! Man, I wish I could make something like that (or get my hands on one for much cheaper!) Wow- beautiful!

My oh my, my wheels are turning with all sorts of little projects! I need to get my Christmas stuff finished so I can even think about it!

[klink2]

I just saw the cutest free pattern for booties (http://members.home.nl/tdpj/Patronen/Bootees/Saartjes%20bootees.pdf). Anyone want to knit along?

[heatheraddley]

I am a new knitter as well!

I am working on a scarf for my SO for xmas. I already know I want to knit a blanket for my daughter and another blanket for #2. We cloth diaper, but we don't use soakers/longies.

[larastheme]

I just saw the cutest free pattern for booties (http://members.home.nl/tdpj/Patronen/Bootees/Saartjes%20bootees.pdf). Anyone want to knit along?

I'm game, anybody else? Looked it up, the Cashcotton is a DK weight, so it should be a (really) quick knit.

And TOTALLY adorable.

[BlueMoonBean]

I just saw the cutest free pattern for booties (http://members.home.nl/tdpj/Patronen/Bootees/Saartjes%20bootees.pdf). Anyone want to knit along?

Those are adorable. Count me in... it'll take me until Friday to get out to the yarn store. I'll have to dig through my stash tonight to see if I have anything that would work.

:)

[Chic_Mama]

I just saw the cutest free pattern for booties (http://members.home.nl/tdpj/Patronen/Bootees/Saartjes%20bootees.pdf). Anyone want to knit along?

Oh my goodness- those are adorable! I will try to find the time to knit along!

[BlueMoonBean]

Ok, you guys got me in trouble... ;)

I went over to the yarn shop today, and, obviously, getting the yarn that I NEED for the booties wasn't enough. They were having a sale on Summer Tweed, so of course, I had to pick that up and a new pattern for a Nora sweater.

I have an Ecology test on Tuesday. I'm SUPPOSED to be studying... not casting on. :) :)

Help me with my willpower, Mamas. "Step away from the yarn and study, step away from the yarn and study, step away from the......"

I think it's a lost cause....

[Spider]

Started knitting baby afghan a few days ago http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7029/1025072151nh4.jpg
I wish I had more time :dizzy:

[Chic_Mama]

Started knitting baby afghan a few days ago http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7029/1025072151nh4.jpg
I wish I had more time :dizzy:

OOO- I love! Can't wait to see it finished!

[poisonedapple]

I have TONS of things I want to knit, I didn't know how to with my other kids, so this one is going to be spoiled... hopefully! I won't be able to start until after the holidays I can't imagine, I have a lot of projects and obligations I need to finish before I can even begin.

[MamaHen2J&J]

So many crafty mamas!!

I can't wait to start sewing for the wee one! I'm sooo glad I self taught myself to make Pouch slings, and ABC's with the last baby...

Now I think I need to graduate and move onto diapers, reusable wipes...and maybe even some breast pads!

Edited: TO say... I WISH I knew how to knit!! I know the basics, but not enough to make anything more than a string!

[BlueMoonBean]

Woohoo! I just got my invite from Ravelry! :) :)

So, is anyone still interested in doing a booties knit-along?

[anjasma]

I guess I'm crafty! I've been sewing since I was 8 (4-H!) and make a lot of dd's clothes & doll clothes. I have tried to learn to knit several times, but never stuck with it. I'm going to see if my mom will try yet again to teach me when I go back to NY for Christmas. I would love to at least be able to knit some cute hats & booties!

[Halfasianmomma]

I've been knitting baby stuff for over 2 years now, even though we just started TTC two months ago! Let's just say I was obsessive about babies, because everyone else around me had one and I didn't!

So far, I've knitted:
- Several pairs of wool and cotton socks, in varying sizes
- Several pairs of soakers, in varying sizes
- Two pairs of longies
- A little kimono sweater, newborn size

I have pictures, but I don't know where to post them....

I also did some sewing a while back for my stepson's mother, when she was having her twin girls, and made her two identical fleece bunting bags....but she hates me, never said thank you, and threw them out. :( I think I'm going to sew together some hooded towels with some cute appliques.

Right now, since I'm expecting (and poor!), I'm starting on another kimono sweater to get rid of a horrible yarn I bought years ago, while finishing off a scarf for my DH, a scarf for me, and a blanket for baby! Phew! After that...who knows?

[ShawnMarie]

I just splurged on some merino yarn for the first baby blanket today - will be crochet since I just can't get the hang of knitting. :( DH knits much better than I do but he is too busy working to do anything else right now.

Also bought 3 maternity patterns for sewing since my recent forays into the stores to look at maternity clothes made me wonder why everything has to be made from polyester. :irked:

I plan to get some batik cottons for dresses and blouses. Once the baby having years are over they can find their way into my quilts.:innocent