Wednesday, April 09, 2008

February Baby Sweater!

I saw this gorgeous baby sweater made with handspun yarn, and suddenly I knew what to do with some of my handspun yarn as well. Baby knits!

" Some Babie's Things" from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac - February

yarn: my own handspun: merino/sea cell, 2-ply, 4oz, 1 skein/ 364yds, color "Sea Leaf" from Dyed in the Wool Handmade, with left overs for booties

needles: 3.75mm circular needles, 5 DP's for the sleeves

start-finish: after the two shawls I wanted to knit something fast, but cute, and this was it, April 3-4


This sweater is soft and cuddly, exactly what you want your baby to wear, when you hold it in your arms. And before you even think of asking, no , there's no baby on the horizon in our family. I just think it's a great way to knit some of the handspun, because it gets boring to knit hats, mittens, or scarves all the time. Ooooh - it just hit me! I made a garment! I made a top down sweater! I made something to wear!
Never mind that it is April already, this sweater is called "Baby sweater on two needles; practically seamless" anyway. Mine is totally seamless, which is really a good thing. I knit the sleeves in the round, and picked up stitches to connect them to the main body. This sweater is so much fun, and EZ to make, I'm definitely going to make this one again. This little cutie has been knit countless times, in all kinds of variations, mine is without the gull pattern. With this yarn, there's no need for lace patterns.

Using my handspun was fun, but I'm not impressed with my spinning skills.The yarn was thick and thin throughout, and as you can see not even washing and blocking evened it totally out. Doesn't matter, still love it.

There's no actual baby I knit this for, rather a big Teddy Bear, who welcomed the expansion to his wardrobe. Sitting there in his orange Baby Surprise Jacket, he thought was too girly anyways, made him quite happy with this green new sweater. I don't know what size this sweater would be in actual baby size. I made the body longer, because I had enough yarn (there's still some left over, maybe for some booties?), and because I like how it looked better.

It was not off to a good start however, since I didn't follow my own advise, to read a pattern through before starting to knit, so I was way too far, when EZ told me to put in some button holes. Of course there should be button holes! At first I thought, oh well, I'll start with the buttons after the garter stitch yoke, and fake a button without a hole on top. Yes, that was my first thought. >shame<>
If I had used this yarn for socks (way to soft for that), they would have made nice stripey socks, you can see that on the sleeves. I seriously think the brown stripe on the front is ugly, but that's how it is. Everything else blends together nicely.
I didn't want to get out and buy some cute baby buttons, for a sweater which will maybe never warm a baby, so I rummaged through my button boxes, which are in desperate need of refilling. I think the ones I found will do.


What's on my needles now? "Have a Heart" socks by Marianne Archer (almost done though).

Any spinning done lately? Yep - after a break for two weeks (while knitting the shawls I did nothing else), I've started spinning my Cotswold again. Remember, I had 1kg of it, have half of it done. Nope, doesn't get boring, even with the natural grayish color. Love it! A bobbin a day, keeps dust bunnies at bay.... or something like that.

32 comments:

Kris B said...

I think you found the perfect project for your handspun: merino sea cell. The baby sweater is beautiful. The thick and thin irregularities of handspun yarn makes it that much more charming.

Anonymous said...

That Bear looks very happy, and no wonder: the green is far more flattering than the orange!! Love the handspun, even the brown stripe!!!

Cloudberry said...

They are beautiful!
Hope you have some cute babies that will fit them :)

Tara said...

Man, I really need to heft up my library with some EZ! I love the colours of your cardigan.

CelticCastOn said...

ohhhh soooo cute! I love both those patterns! Your february sweater is perfect, and I happen to like that brown stripe.
Teddy sure will be happy to have a change of clothes I bet :)

nuttnbunny said...

I absolutely DISagree. Love the brown stripe and totally impressed by your spinning skills.

Marianne said...

I am SO loving your little baby sweater! More than the lacy versions. Seriously, I must knit one. The yarn is gorgeous, the colours are beautiful and really, I hadn't even noticed that brown stripe until you pointed it out, it all works... I could almost eat it, it looks that good!
Your BSJ is a little Beauty! So cheerful.

lexa said...

The little sweater is very cute! Bet the bear loves it. :)

Debbie said...

Your bear looks very cute and "springy" in his new sweater!

Tracy Purtscher said...

Is it just me or does the baby sweater you made look freakishly like the one that inspired this knit? lol

T Bear looks all spiffy and handsome now.

Oy! And yet another reason to start spinning....does it really keep the dust bunnies away.....kewl
:o)

shannon said...

I LOVE the thick/thin qualities of the yarn! And that stripe...perfect!

I will have to knit that one for a baby in my world (not my immediate world, but friends/family).

So stinking cute!

Mariella said...

Your baby sweater is adorable! Your own handspun yarn is fantastic!
Love that colorway and the way it knitted up on the sweater.

herzlichkreativ said...

So suess !! Und der Teddy ist doch ein Supermodel.
Tolle Praesentation :-)

Liebe Gruesse
Rina

Angelika said...

Too cute and the Teddy seems to like it, even with the brown stripe. That's handspun for you. Always unique. Yes, booties would be good. Wouldn't want him to get cold feet now.

Viktoria said...

The baby sweaters are super cute! I love the green one...

sgeddes said...

Beautiful! What a great way to use up some of your lovely handspun. The colors are very nice.

Anonymous said...

EZ's patterns always look awesome in handspun! I love the colors in your sweater and the simplicity really shows off your yarn. Love it (as always)...

Anonymous said...

Your FBS is sooo cute! I think inspiration for that little pattern knit in handspun is spreading through the community like wildfire. They're popping up everywhere! I cast one on the other day too. Haven't gotten far because I think I'm going to rip out and use bigger needles... and add the button holes that I also forgot! (Great minds make mistakes alike??!!) I like that you left out the gull pattern and did a simple stockinette body. I may go that direction myself. Beautiful job!

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

I love it - and such a great use for your handspun. I had to laugh about the button holes - same deal for me with Flo - except I was already 5 inches along on US 3 needles so I *am* faking the bottom two button holes - LOL

Anonymous said...

Green is my favorite cool. just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Snap! I am doing one too - but with gull and without hand spun.

Tell me - how much yarn did you use? It's a lovely idea for handspun.

sharon said...

that is gorgeous (and the BSJ too)
the brown stripe is only visible to you...

Anonymous said...

So pretty! I loved the yarn and I love the sweater. And yes. The bear looks very comfortable in it. :-)

Lolly said...

it is absolutely beautiful! I love the greens :)

Frieda said...

That is adorable ! The handspun yarn is just beautiful , like some others I think the brown stripe is just fine ,

Heike said...

Oh wie niedlich! ..und ich wollte gerade nachfragen, ob Du Oma wirst!

Viele Grüße schickt Heike

hakucho said...

Bear's new sweater is amazing. He looks very happy wearing it. He's sure to get lots of wear out of it :)(I doubt he'll get any bigger ;) )

Chrissy said...

I love the baby sweater! Knitting it out of handspun was a great idea. It's just so pretty!

Gloria Patre said...

I am SO in love with the colors of that yarn!! Your Teddy must be button-bustin' proud to wear his new sweater! (I know I'd be, if it was mine!!) :D Kudos to you!!

Violiknit said...

So cute! What a great project for your beautiful handspun! Yeah, the button hole thing got me too....I had to rip back and put mine back in.

Anonymous said...

This baby sweater is lovely!!!
Nice colors.

Tara said...

Love this! The handspun is beautiful. I have been wanting to make this sweater forever, but I just can't get the gull pattern right. I always mess up something. I never even though of not putting the pattern in! I can't wait to make one now!