Day Off Baby Hat

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! I don't know about you, but today was a much-needed day off for me. It was so nice to sleep in and then spend the afternoon at a parade. We went to Evanston, IL, which - believe it or not - pulled off a three-hour parade! Luckily the weather was not too hot for all of these festivities, making it a perfect 4th.

On the way there, on the way back home and all evening I worked on this hat, which is now finished (although the seam needs fixing):


The pattern is from Debbie Bliss - this one is from the Baby Cashmerino 2 book, but it appears in various gauges in other books she's written. I had a run-in the first time I tried this pattern a few years ago - I tried to make it in one piece, instead of using a seam as the pattern is written. [Note to self: gauge in the round is NOT the same as gauge on a flat piece!] I used Pear Tree Yarn 4-ply, which just happens to be the same gauge as DB Baby Cashmerino (sorry, Debbie!). However, this yarn is not superwash, while the Baby Cash is (good job, Debbie!).

I am a baby-gift-knitting storm right now! My sister-in-law and another friend had babies in June, another friend is due by the end of July, two more friends are due in the fall and one in the winter...there really is something in the water! (grin) I've got yarn queued up to make a little something for each of these special little ones who will join us in 2007.

Hope you all had a safe and relaxing holiday!

Now, with more knitting!

Hello! Long time no post. My mom came to visit, so I was too busy sightseeing, shopping and gabbing to knit OR post! We had a ball. We even saw The Color Purple, which is playing in Chicago! I give it a two-thumbs up.

So after my mom's visit I was back to working on my Eyelet Cardigan. See, I've made some progress!


I love this pattern. The extremely well-written pattern and soft yarn has made this project smooth sailing. I just made my first-ever button band! Unfortunately, I can't put on the other one until I figure out the button placement. Figuring out the button placement will require...buttons. Not sure when I can pick those up, so the project may be on hold.

Speaking of buttons, Tender Buttons just closed up shop. Their building, which housed a number of boutiques, is going to be demolished so something else can get built there. I am hoping they will reopen eventually, but they say they have not found a location yet. To think I've lived here for two years (in the same neighborhood no less) and have NEVER gone there...hopefully I will get a second chance!

I've started on another project...for my new nephew! I haven't seen him in person yet, but boy, is he cute! Even though it's not sweater weather I was so excited to knit for him, so I'm making a 6-9 month size sweater.



This is the Hooded Striped Top from Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino book. It's going to be sooo cute. I'm using the Baby Cashmerino and it knits up very easily and smoothly. You kinda have to watch the plies but it's still excellent.

I have bunches of other baby projects on deck, and some other project ideas. Lots of fun knitting to come!

What? Who, me?

Awww shucks. I'm just a baby sweater.



I finally finished this little sweater for my two-month old cousin. His name is PJ! (Ordinarily I wouldn't put a child's name on the blog, but since initials could be just about any name, I figure it's okay. Right?) I've never even seen a picture of him - but my mom has seen him and held him so I know he is out there, just waiting for his handknit sweater (ha ha). Of course, I am only too happy to oblige.

Continuing from my last post: I had been thinking about making the Hourglass sweater, but then realized that I didn't have enough of the yarn I'd planned to use. Luckily I was saved from knitting bewilderment (what to knit next?) by Laura, who posted the awesome "Lucy in the Sky" cardigan. This is totally my next project! So much for stash-busting - I took this as an opportunity to try out Elann's Peruvian Highland Wool. I heard Oxblood is the color to get. $25 for a whole sweater! Sweet.

Also, thanks to the anonymous commenter for the suggestion to combine my 2/8 mill end with a third strand of a similar yarn to make a chunky sweater. That should do the trick!

Another 'who, me?' moment: Susan recently had a contest on her blog, and I won! Which means I get hand-made soap! I never win anything - and not only did I win, but I won something I actually like! Very exciting.

Well, that's all I've got for today. Hope everyone is doing well. We've gotten through Wednesday - so it's time to look forward to the weekend.