Big Winter Cowl

I've been eyeing this Purl Soho pattern for what feels like forever. Before my son was born I decided it would soon come to fruition and the opening of a new yarn shop in my neighbourhood seemed like the perfect push I needed to get started. 

I really loved the idea of using thread throughout as a way to add different spurts of colour but couldn't find thread that was affordable enough at my local shop. So I chose one big ball of multi colored sock yarn, and just altered how many strands of the sock yarn I used (or didn't use) to create a similar effect.

I love how thick and wide it is and have already been wearing it non-stop. So cozy!  

Quirky Baby Cardigan

The great thing about knitting for tiny babies is how quickly clothes can come together. This little sweater was so quick to knit up. The only thing that slowed me down was um, having to take care of the little babe who was to wear it. 

I made this little number for the upcoming cool fall days. So far the mornings are cool enough that he needs a sweater but by midday he could be in shorts. My other knit sweater I've made for him (shown on baby below) is too annoying to put on/take off repeatedly. Also I feel like this one won't be too warm for him to wear while he's in a carrier because the front is open. 

I roughly based this sweater off a pattern from Joelle Hoverson's "More Last Minute Knitted Gifts" but changed the dimensions a lot and then ended up realizing it was too small and added the grey portions for more coverage. 

Color Block Baby Sweater

Another cute little hand knit for my cute little guy. 

I started this sweater the week he was born and was about half way through the blue when he decided to show up. I worked on it a bit in the hospital and then at home I slowly figured out how to juggle knitting and nursing. I was planning on it just being 4 colors but I not only ran out of yellow yarn but also misjudged how much yarn I'd need for the yoke so I had to add the white. 

This is definitely my sharpest looking hand knit (thanks merino yarn!) and I think it's making my husband envious. Time to pull out the sweater I started for him last year so I can finally finish it. 

By the way, I used this pattern for a seamless raglan in case you're interested.

Knitted Panda Bear Hand Puppet

Well this might not be the most handsome Panda Bear on the block but he's still pretty darn cute. Kind of got a gnarly goofy thing going on. Hopefully my son will be charmed by him rather than freaked out. Fingers crossed!

I used a pattern from Susan Anderson's book "Itty Bitty Toys" , a machine washable merino yarn, and then lined it with a bright turquoise cotton. 

I'm already thinking he needs a little friend. Maybe a cat, a rabbit, or a pig? So many cute possibilities! 

Striped Fingerless Gloves

I think it's about time I knit myself something, don't ya think? I've been making so many handknit goodies for this baby o' mine and the closer I get to his arrival I realize I should really starting making myself a few sweet little things for fall, because clearly I'm not going to have much time to do this in the coming months.  

I've been wanting to make fingerless gloves for quite some time now. I love the idea of a glove that is perfect for crisp fall days and I'm imagining that there'll be plenty of cool walks that will require free fingers to care for baby. My husband also made a good point that if my fingers do get cold I could probably slip then within the folds of a wrap as I wear baby around.

I used a pattern from Purl Bee (surprise! surprise!) and some merino that I originally bought for a baby blanket. I ended up altering the pattern and added some decreases to make it more of a fitted glove.

I was iffy about the length but they are actually the perfect length to meet the short sleeves of my favourite denim jacket. 

Knitted Teddy Bear

Here it is! My son's first teddy bear! Isn't it the cutest thing ever?! I've always wanted to make knitted baby toys and am not really quite sure why it's taken me so long. I found a great book last year by Susan Anderson called "Itty Bitty Toys" that really sparked an interest in me. She has the cutest patterns for simple hand puppets that I'd really love to make. Also one of my sisters-in-law sent me a great book on knitted toys that is sure to keep me busy for quite a while.

I used a Debbie Bliss pattern for this bear (found on Ravelry but can also be found in her book "Simply Baby") that I ended up really enjoying. The first part of the pattern was written quite strangely and I had to rip it out at least 4 times before I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. But other than that it knit up quite quickly and easily. There were many reviews on Ravelry stating that seaming it together was annoying or difficult but I really thought it was fine. I didn't want to overstuff it, but there are a few places (like it's head and snout) that could be fuller. 

I can just imagine this little bear being dragged along on all my son's adventures.

Baby Pullover Sweater

Another little project for my baby-to-be from my favourite knitting source Purlbee.com.

I somehow managed to make the body too narrow (which in turn makes the sleeves look too long) which must have happened by binding off too many stitches for the sleeves. I guess that's what happens when I roughly follow a pattern and am not paying attention the number of stitches called for. Oops! 

I can roll the sleeves up, but I don't really love the look of them quite as much. I also wish my collar turned out as nice as the one on Purlbee. But I do love the slit detail on the hem and the fact that I was able to use up lots of this hand me down yarn. 

Baby Rainbow Sweater

Here's a cute little simple sweater I made a while back using some super colourful yarn. If I use this pattern again I will make a point to join in the round on the side underneath an arm instead of on the front where it's so visible. Because clearly I had trouble joining in the round so seamlessly. Oh well! It's still super cute. 

I love the cute little button up flap that makes the neck hole bigger and easier to fit over baby's head.

Baby Knit Overalls

How cute are these little overalls?? 

I used this pattern from Ravelry which I've been eyeing for a long time now. I made a few mistakes here and there but really didn't feel motivated to go back and fix them. Oh well! I don't think my little guy will care. 

Knitted Baby Onesie

I've had my eye on this adorable little onesie pattern for what seems like forever. Probably since long before I was pregnant actually, back when my baby knits were only for friends. 

I made it in approximately a 6 month-ish size hoping that it'll be winter by the time our son will fit into it. I'm now making a little hat to match in the same colour as the trim and maybe I'll make a matching pair of socks too.  Somebody's going to be cute as a button!

Toddler Cardigan

One of my favourite things about making baby clothes before a baby is born is feeling like you don't really have to pay attention to size too much. As long as it's not too tiny and the babe will get a decent amount of wear out of it, I'm happy.
Sometimes though that plan of attack can sort of backfire...like when I end making a "baby" sweater that is so big it'll fit a 2 year old. Oops.
But hey it's still adorable and someday this sweater will keep my little tyke warm and toasty.

Baby Bonnet

I'm on a bit of a knitting kick lately. And by a "bit" of a kick I really mean I'm experiencing a serious obsession. Baby knits are just so quick and satisfying! I'm especially loving patterns like this one from "More Last Minute Knitted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson because its knit in one seamless piece. I think this project will find its way into my "go-to knits" for friends babies, but this little gem is for mine. 

Knit Baby Socks

These are the first knit socks I've ever made and I feel pretty happy with the results (yes one of the smaller pair is bigger than the other but give me a break it was my first sock ever!). 

I used a pattern from one of my favourite knitting books "More Last Minute Knitted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson. I love Joelle's designs which is not surprising seeing as she owns Purl Soho (aka my main source of inspiration for all things knitted).

Yaay, tiny knitted things!

Knit Baby Pants

CUTENESS ALERT! 

Don't you just wish there was a wee little babe wearing these that you could scoop up and cuddle in your arms?? Well I sure do. I can't wait for all my pregnant friends to start delivering their babies so I can have some models for these baby knit blog posts. I can't wait to see little tiny toes poking out of the cuffs of these pants! 

I used a pattern from "Vintage Knits for Modern Babies" (great book by the way, I think I might bite the bullet and just buy it) by Hadley Fierlinger. I ran out of yarn which resulted in a few stripes near the waist which I actually really like. I didn't however think about how that also meant I'd need to sew the seams together with a different yarn. Not so fond of that look but I suppose it's not terribly noticeable. I sewed some elastic around the waist to help keep them up as the pattern suggested. I think next time I might try decreasing as I near the waist to see if I could get away without the elastic.

Simple Baby Cap

I've really been enjoying knitting these adorable little hats. They are so quick to make and quite adaptable. I think I'll do some more with stripes, stockinette stitch or maybe moss stitch.

Babies can never have too many hats right?

 The pattern came from "Vintage Knits for Modern Babies" by Hadley Fierlinger which has lots of cute patterns.

Baby Button Up Hoody

I finally finished my first baby sweater for a friend. It's just so darn cute because it's so tiny! Even my husband couldn't help but smile and giggle looking at the teensy tiny sleeves as I knit them up. 

I'm still rather new to knitting in pieces that are sewn together, and truthfully I think my next sweater will be knit in the round. It just feels so much easier. Also I totally didn't clue in that knitting a sweater like this in stripes might not make sense once it has to be sewn together with one colour of yarn. Oh well, on to the next one!

Striped Baby Blanket

When I learned that one of my friends would be having a baby I promptly started dreaming up knitting projects for the new arrival. I remembered her showing me these blankets from Purl Soho that she adored months and months ago, long before she was even pregnant, so I decided to surprise her with my own version.
One evening while having dinner with her and husband we start talking about knitting and she begins to show me a new project she's working on. "It's this really simple baby blanket", she says as she pulls out the beginning of the blanket from her bag. As soon as I saw the wide stripes of bold color I knew we were making the same blanket. I pulled out my own unfinished baby blanket to show her and she laughed in surprise and delight.
It was a funny but pleasant way to be reminded of our friendship, and at least I know she's going to like it!

Buttony Cardigan

Hooray! Another sweater finished!

One Button Cardigan - take 2

Phew. Finally made a sweater I like enough to wear.
I sure am learning a lot about knitting patterns and construction. This time around I tried to make the sleeves and arm holes smaller, but the entire sweater still feels a little too loose for my tastes. I should have taken out more stitches throughout the back. Oh well, onto the next sweater....

One Button Cardigan

First attempt at a cardigan.
Not exactly smitten with the results, but that is completely my fault.

I chose a pattern based on how easy it looked, rather than how much I really liked the design, which was Mistake #1. Then I screwed up in various ways and didn't fix it, which was Mistake #2.
Good thing Mistake #2 doesn't matter due to Mistake #1.