When we were at the ocean I developed a love of knitting that bordered on obsession. I began work on my first big person sweater (a Cobblestone for Pete), and cast off my first little person sweater for a friend's sweet baby girl. I brought a camp chair and spend my days sitting in the sand knitting away each day. It was my sanity at times. The kids, just over the top of my knitting played contentedly while I meditated away the hours to the click-click-click over the tempo of the waves.
The baby sweater I cast off was the "In Threes" baby cardigan. For those of you who are on Ravelry the pattern is here. I ditched the detail stitches on the yoke in place of some handspun yarn details elsewhere. The fabric covered buttons I made from a remnant of quilting fabric from another close friend's blessingway a couple of years ago. I love this little sweater so much and can't wait to see a wee red head sporting it around town some day.
Since coming home I cast on (and off) a quick knit of a new fall hat. (The Ravelry pattern is here.) I am loving the teensy cables on the band and the loose spiraled top. I cast it off last night and lay awake wondering what I was going to cast on today. Seriously. Obsessed.
What are your favorite recent knits?
All of your projects are fabulous!! Sometimes I can’t wait until my littles are a bit older, so I can knit while they play. I think you had the perfect beach day…knitting and a brilliant view of Sage and Lupine having fun!
I love them all! I’ve been obsessed with knitting felted clogs. I knit a pair of booties for my lil’ girl in about a day! The boys love the clogs and I cut out a pair of old jeans to sew on the bottom sole for a more durable sole.
oooh, that’s a sweet little sweater and THAT HAT!! woo hoo, awesome! I’m making one for me, for sure. nice knits lady!
Well now I sure wish I knew how to knit. Is it difficult to learn? It seems like such a nice cold winter day activity. Beautiful things you make Rachel. Very nice.
Love them! I haven’t delved too far into hats and patterns – I still get too distracted by little boys and mess up. 😉 I have been knitting iPhone/iPod covers, glasses cases, and small table centerpieces ( (family solstice gifts), hope to start some hand/wrist warmers and simple hats soon!
I love that little green sweater! That is so cute!
Both projects are beautiful! I’ve had Cobblestone earmarked for my hubby for over a year now. You’ll have to share when you’re done.
Laura,
I was planning a trip to Ewetopia for that pattern today! Pete needs new slippers (ssssh). Do you find the denim to be slippery? What a lovely idea.
Big hugs,
Rachel
Thanks Mindy! An FYI the hat knits up a little big. I often wear my hair in clips or buns so I left it big. It works well with or without the clips in. But read the instructions on how big the hat will be when completed. Have fun!
Rachel
Lori,
If you have a local yarn shop you can take an intro class. Sage has been doing basic knitting since he was six, so no – it isnt hard to learn. Hats and scarves are great starter projects. Have fun!
Rachel
Denise,
The iPod covers are a great idea. Mine is always knocking around in my bag. And I promised some hand warmers/fingerless gloves to a friend but had forgotten! Thanks for the reminder.
Rachel
Emmy,
I marked this one a year ago too. Pete was peering over my shoulder and commented on it. He brought it up again just before I left on my trip: Remember that sweater pattern with those different stitches down the sides?… So I dove in. I had found the yarn on craigslist when someone was destashing so it was affordable too. It has been so easy so far. Im about to knit up the sleeves.
Rachel
The denim is less slippery than the actual felted clog sole. For Stella’s I found some footed sleepers with the non-skid sole, so I’m going to sew those onto the bottom of hers…they take a couple of days to dry…I’m sure far less if you have a woodstove. For Tommy’s I thought about gluing an old tire on for an outer sole…I’ll let you know how that works. Big loves to you! You’re so inspiring!
Thanks sweet Laura. Come over to visit soon, okay? xo
Rachel
Last year for Christmas I knit everyone coffee cozies that I personalized with embroidery. Fingerless gloves are SUPER easy (wrist warmer style) by just knitting a rectangle and sewing up the side, leaving a hole for the thumb! LOVE easy quick projects. I made a yarn-wrapped votive holder with a felted wool poinsettia to grace our holiday table.
Awesome knitting! I love that little baby sweater… so sweet. :o)
Casey,
Cute, cute, cute. Im way impressed that with two wee ones you can find some much time with your yarn!
~ Rachel
Only after they’re asleep! Using huge super bulky yarn helps things go faster too, and boy are they scrummy soft. The votive holder is something I came up with — I think Lupine would have fun making them. Just wrap yarn tightly around a glass jar (I used a baby food jar) and embellish with whatever you want! Super fun and elegant looking.
Id love to see a picture. Do you affix it with Tacky Glue?
xo
Rachel
I tied and tucked the yarn covering, and then hot glued the embellishments (felted wool poinsettia from an upcycled sweater) on.
Here are pics, ignore pumpkin (for puree!)
http://imgur.com/TMFH9.jpg
http://imgur.com/D3dxT.jpg
Those are GORGEOUS!! Remember the time waaaaay back when I was the knitter and you were the sewer – ha! Sheesh, girl I just have to get over my fear of knitting anything in the 3D this winter! The only things I’ve been abel to handle so far have been knit flat then seamed together – I’d love a recommendation for a first project. . . xoxxo
Must be something in the air. I spent all my free time last night entrenched in Ravelry and therefore all night dreaming in wool. Maybe there will be time tonight to *actually* knit instead of just reading about it. 🙂
LOVE the hat! What a gorgeous color on you. I can’t wait until I finish this nursing program in December so that I can knit and sew to my heart’s content.
I’ve been working on portable projects that I can take to class – mostly birthday presents for friends like mittens and scarves. I have some beautiful yarn for a christening gown that I want to make for my future wee ones.
You’re a brave one for taking knitting to the beach! Did your projects escape sand-free?
So sweet, Casey! Thanks for sharing.
~ Rachel
Yes I do, Denise! Lets knit together more… xxoo
Rachel
That is so funny, Mary Jo. Something in the moon that night…
Rachel
Thank you, Susanne. The color called to me from across the yarn shop two years ago. I just HAD to have a hat out of it. Portable projects are great – they are faster knits, too, which works in my world. Sand free? Ha! Not at all, but who cares. I call it character.
:0)
~ Rachel
all so pretty! I’ve been in kind of a knitting slump (1st trimester fatigue. shh!) but I just cast off and mailed a tomten jacket for my friend’s baby boy. My first Elizabeth Zimmerman project and I think Im in love.
Renee,
Thats a good excuse for a slump! 🙂 Ive been meaning to knit of that jacket for a while. I suspect Id love her patterns…
~ Rachel
I think about knitting more than I actually knit. Right now I’m scheming up some christmas gifts…better get started, huh?! 🙂
Now, Kelly! (She types, while not knitting all day…)
Rachel