Busy Bee...

I haven't been updating the blog much lately, but I have been so busy behind the scenes.

The painting continues, but I have secured my husband as a painting partner for the weekend, so I'm hoping we can get to priming the library as I finish up that darn trim.  I know it will only take me a few hours to finish up the trim in the craft studio, yet I haven't managed to get it done yet. I would like to blame my current size for the slowness.  I have no work clothes that I can wear anymore.  I'm not really sture what I will do now that gardening season is upon us....

I have been doing some knitting lately, and a lot more sewing.  I have a whole slew of baby sweaters that I have yet to share on the blog, so without further ado, here we go:

I finally got around to finishing my Blue Stripes Sweater.  It was sitting around for a long while, just waiting for me to finish one arm.  I went off of this project because I didn't like the way it was knitting up in terms of its proportions.  The arms seem too narrow, as does the neck.  I'm not sure I will be able to get a big baby head in there at all!  Ah well, we'll see I guess.  It does look a lot better now that it has been blocked.

I am in love with my Malabrigo Mossy .  It knit up really quickly and is super cute.  I want to make another one in a cardigan version.  This is from the pattern Mossy by Jolene Lye.  It's free.  You should check it out!

I also adore how this Butterfly Baby Sweater turned out.  It is made from Patons Bamboo Baby.  I got a lot of this at a factory sale last year, and this is the first project I have used it for.  It's super squishy and light.  It really has a cotton feel to it, but it's not cotton, which is great, because cotton really hurts my hands.

The pattern was quick and easy but is only available in newborn size.  I'd love to see bigger sizes!  It's free too.

I love the yarn I used in my Violet Sophisticate but I wish the sweater had turned out a little longer.  I blocked it pretty heavily to get it this long, and it still looks a little short to me.  I used way less than the 255 yards suggested in the pattern.  I sort of hate it when that happens.  I ordered enough yarn based on the pattern, and it was way too much.  I know I can make a hat or something, but I patterns had more accurate yarn amounts.  Maybe I could have used stash yarn for this project?

Finally, is my That's Just Plummy Sweater, using the Snug Pattern (also free).  I added a zip, because I'm crazy like that.  This pattern was really unique to knit.  It kept me guessing, that's for sure.  Again, I wish it were longer.  I think this one still needs a good block too.

That was a bit of sweater overload for me.  So I've been working on some other stuff lately.  I do need to make some larger sizes if baby is going to be outfitted all year long though!

Malabrigo Sweaters

I've gotten hopelessly behind on blogging about my knitting. 

Here is a quick recap of some sweaters I have finished lately (all using Malabrigo Worsted).

Malabrigo Cardigan from Cascade by Raya Budrevich.  This is a free pattern from

Petite Purls, Issue 7 Winter 2010.  I didn't have enough brown, so I used green for the leaf trim.  I've included my mods on my project page, so be sure to check that out if you want to do a two colour version.

 

I haven't added the buttons to the sweater yet, nor have I blocked it.  It still looks pretty good I think though!

 

 

My baby Kimono uses a free pattern from Lion Brand Yarn:  Nature Baby Kimono.
This turned out very cute, although a little bigger than I expected.  I've been knitting shortened arms on these sweaters since I'm pretty sure our baby will have very long limbs and I will never be able to knit the sleeves long enough anyways.  I think this sweater will look very cute layered with a long sleeve shirt underneith.
 
This sweater used less than a skein of Malabrigo Worsted in Pigeon.  I used Emerald to crochet chain stitch the trim.
 

 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finally, I have one more sweater in progress.  I haven't worked on it for a while, because I'm pretty sure the neck is going to be way to small and the arms have been doing wonky things.  Also, the styling is a little feminine, but the colours are not.  I'm not sure what to do with this little sweater.  I'm sure I will finish it eventually.
 
Blue Stripes from the free pattern Organic Guernsey by Fawn Pea.  I'm sure it's not the pattern that is wonky.  It was definitely, probably, my knitting.  I modified the styling quite a bit and I'm afraid I may have ruined the sweater!
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I went a little Malabrigo crazy a few weeks ago.  I know it pills, etc. but it just feels so good when I am knitting it.  I will have to find a good use for all this Malabrigo over the coming months.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Applewood (brown)
Pigeon (grey)
Moss (green - hiding)
Emerald (turquoise)
Indigo (navy)

New knits...

I am starting to get my knitting mojo back.  Thank goodness!  It made me incredibly sad when I just didn't feel like knitting.  That is so unlike me.

I have been addicted to Malabrigo Worsted these days.  It is just so cushy and soft, I can't wait to put it on the baby.  I don't care that it's handwash only, and that it will pill.  I've made mostly newborn size stuff, so I know it won't get worn for long before it is outgrown.

I am getting into knitting shorties and longies to cover our cloth diaper baby. I feel like I will need so many of of these for the diapering period. 

I decided to use up a bunch of little bits of malabrigo for a pair of shorties.  Our baby will be born in the heat of July and will need to keep cool.  I love the way these turned out.  I am very into the folded over waistband and ankles.  I think they make the shorties look very polished.

I love how all my scraps have become something great.  The colours just flowed together.  I know they are a little boyish, but oh well. 

Project page here

Malabrigo Cargo Pants

It took a while, but I finally finished my Malabrigo Cargo pants.

I ran out of the Polar Morn and needed to do the waist and pockets in a contrast colour.  I like how they turned out still, the blue brings a nice pop to them.

The pants seem a little large for a size medium, but what do I know about baby sizes? 

I made the pockets functional and used an encased elastic waistband (my favourite).  I love the cuff on these pants too!

I really want to make a Newsboy Hat in the blue to match these pants.  I think that would be so cute!

Here are a few more pics:

Malabrigo is awesome, so squishy and soft.  I've had several people recommend soakers for smaller babies out of Malabrigo.  I think it would feel great against a babies senstive skin.  I'll have to add some to my queue.

Ravelry project page here

Since I'm blogging about Malabrigo, have you heard of MrYarn?  They sell Malabrigo supercheap (7.95 US for Malabrigo Worsted) and have flat shipping to (even to Canada!  yay!).  They also have a lot of colours and all different weights of Malabrigo.  I'm not sure how they do it (sell for so cheap that is), but I can't wait to order from them.

I will say, I haven't ordered from them yet so I can't speak to their customer service, etc.  I have just heard a growing buzz about them lately, and wanted to share!  Let me know if you order from them okay?