Now that Younger Soknitsome Daughter’s daughter has arrived I can share some of my secret knitting. I’ve started updating my Ravelry project pages with photos.
The first item to be knitted was a white cardigan. White cardigans may not be very practical but doesn’t every newborn need a white cardigan? I think so. I chose a traditional classy looking cardigan, a French design, but just to be on the safe side knitted the 3 months size rather than newborn. This cardigan was knitted in Patons Australia Big Baby 4-ply, a very soft machine-washable blend of acrylic and nylon.
After that I made a red jumper. Red is good for boys and girls. The pattern I chose is actually labelled as being ‘boys’ sweaters and vest’ but I think textured sweaters are unisex. The pattern is a Sirdar one (there are lots of Sirdar paper patterns available as PDFs on Patternfish) and as such, traditionally written: knitted in pieces and seamed. I didn’t fancy seaming such a little knit in Dk/8-ply weight so I knitted in the round to the armholes then to and fro for the front and back. I did a three-needle-bind-off for the seamed shoulder and finished the one with button flaps as in the pattern. I picked up stitches around the armholes for the sleeves and worked short rows for the sleeve caps. For this jumper I used Australian machine washable wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills. It’s lovely and soft, quite plump, perhaps slightly thicker than many 8-ply / DK yarns.
The third garment I made (well small clothes are just so lovely to knit) was a stripey cardigan in green and white. I used more of the Patons Australia Big Baby, holding the yarn double to replicate DK thickness. Strangely enough, the DK version of this yarn is not nearly as soft as the 4-ply. Once again I didn’t follow the pattern exactly. I didn’t slip the edge stitches as I prefer picking up stitches for button bands in the ratio of 3 for 4 stitches. To turn the cardigan into an outfit I also made a striped hat but with thinner stripes.
Despite Soknitsome Granddaughter’s displeasure at being dressed and undressed I was keen to get a few photos so I could see how the garments fit in relation to their supposed size.
There are photos of her looking happier but these were usually when Younger Soknitsome Daughter was holding her and are not intended for publication.
Mary Dobrian said:
<3<3<3
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soknitsome said:
Shame I couldn’t show you them IRL!
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littleblackdogsa said:
Adorable. And congratulations. Yes, every little one should have white. And colours. The little stripey one is so cute, you just want to hug her in it! 🙂
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soknitsome said:
Thank you. Yes babies in knits just cry out to be hugged!
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salpal1 said:
three wonderful sweaters! and I am sure there are more to come in her lifetime. Lucky little girl!
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soknitsome said:
Thank you and yes, there will be more as she grows!
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jem arrowsmith knits said:
Congratulations! These are lovely, I particularly like the little red sweater, it’s so cute!
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soknitsome said:
Thank you. The red one was fun to knit, too.
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keiryberry said:
congratulations, lovely news and lovely knitting too. I love those stripes.
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soknitsome said:
Thank you. I have a bit of a thing for stripes so couldn’t resist knitting something stripey for my grandchild.
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kiwiyarns said:
You got the sizing perfect by the looks of things! Such adorable wee sweaters!
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soknitsome said:
Thank you. Well there’s some room for growth but not too much. 🙂
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