Baby Surprise Jacket III : Jewel Tones

Last week, I finally got down to the long-procrastinated task of cleaning my craft closet. It was really a mess, especially since the older kids have recently gained access to my paper supplies and scissors. But most of the mess was my own and it took me a while to put everything to order. I got two bags full of leftover yarns with the clean-up and decided to use up some of it before starting anything else. What is better than a Baby Surprise Jacket for small amount of leftover yarns. I have already made two such jackets in the past. (Blogged here and here).

For this one, I used the warmer colors and it turned out far better than I had hoped. It is a good size too, with 4 mm needles and DK weight yarns. I keep forget how knitting stripes with so many colors means frequently tangled balls and a lot of weaving of ends when the knitting is done. But it was so worth it for the final cardigan and some extra space in my closet.

 

 Then of course, I had to knit a matching hat too. I have a feeling, it is a bit smallish and not very anatomically fitting, but the pattern was easy and it got done in a day.

Baby Surprise Jacket II : Pastels

Eid is just round the corner and I decided to knit some baby stuff as an Eid gift for BIL's baby boy. Baby Surprise Jacket (ravelry link) seemed to be the most ideal choice. I had knit one last year so it went faster and smoother this time. I decided to use all subdued tones. I used DK baby soft Bambino (a local acrylic brand) leftovers and 4mm needles.

The modifications I did were to turn the jacket inside out, so that instead of distinct stripes , I got blended colors. Secondly, I added a I-cord edging ( I just love the I-cord edging) to the jacket. All in all it turned out really well and it is better sized than my first BSJ.
I am a little rushed for time here, but if possible, I will try to knit white trousers to go with it, inshaAllah!

Baby Gift Done

The knitting for the baby gift was finally done today. I finished the jumpsuit before Eid. It is a Drops design ,which I think is a bit too large for the 6-month size. But still, the babies do grow and it will fit at some point of time.

Then I knit a hat to match the Baby Surprise Jacket. It is also a Drops design, simple in garter st. I finished it today.

So all the gift items put together look thus:

I should be giving this to the new mommy this week.

Ravelympics Project # 2: Striped Baby Surprise Jacket

I finally finished the baby surprise jacket, late Sunday evening. I knitted it in 18'' chest size. The pattern is not difficult but there is a lot of increasing and decresing involved. That, together with the number of colors I was using, made it a not so "mindless" a project.

I was a bit careless the first time and had to frog the whole thing. I used leftover yarns from other projects, all acrylic sporstweight. The needle size was 3.75 mm.
Though I admire how the sweater looks from the front, I don't really like its back. I suppose it will look ok on a baby. Anyway, it was different and unique from the usual cardigan patterns and here lies its appeal.

ETA Aug 22: The back has grown on me and I now seem to like it quite a lot.

I have made progress with project #3 as well, with only the sleeves left now.

Changed Game Plan

Ok, I'm feeling a lot better. Thank you to Shells and Stefaneener for their understanding words. Now that I have dropped the baby gift idea, there has been a change in my ravelympics peojects. My third project is now a cardigan for my daughter instead of the originally intended jumpsuit. I already started working on it yesterday.

Baby Surprise jacket is also coming along slowly. It is an interesting piece of knitting and not so complex after all.

A Stumble In My Pentathalon

I lost nearly a day's worth of knitting today.I cast on for my second ravelympics project, the baby surprise jacket last night. I worked on it this morning and was upto 40 rows (which is about 1/3rd of the piece), when I found I had messed up my increases. Unable to localize the error, I frogged the whole thing. Now I have recast and done 15 rows but I seem to have lost steam:(. I think I will go easy on knitting tomorrow, perhaps I should start the third project and knit it first.
But one thing for sure, I can not have the items done by Thursday evening in time for Aqeeqah. Still, the baby will not really be needing these knits for a few months yet as it is still the middle of summer here in Pakistan.

Ravelympics Warm Up

With 3 days to go before the start of Ravelympics, I am starting my training. I had decided to take pat in two events, Baby Dressage and WIP Wrestling. Now I am also part of a team, thanks to my Ravelry friend Shells, who invited me to be part of her Team Sporum.

As for WIP Wrestling, I will try to finish my Lilac lace cardigan.

For baby dressage, I have decided to work on four projects. Three of these are to be for cousins' soon expected son. I have decide to knit Sheep Yoke Cardigan as well as a Jumpsuit and a hat. I have made my things ready for the cardigan. I did a swatch as well. I am aiming for a slightly larger size than the pattern.

I have yet to decide on patterns for jumpsuit and hat.
The fourth project to be (inshallah) is Baby surprise Jacket for my daughter. I did a swatch for that too, however I am a little nervous about this one because the original pattern is for much smaller size. Also I have read mixed reviews about the pattern. Also from what I understand, it's difficult to determine what is going on till the sweate is all done, so there can be no instant frogging back.

None of these on its own, is a big project but it sure will be a challenge to finish then all within 17 days.

On the fitness front, I strained some neck muscle yesterday and also have a bruised right elbow, (such a great athlete that I am, I strained the muscle during sleep and banged my elbow on a metal door, LOL). But hopefully all will be well in a few days, inshallah, in time for the ravelymics. Can't wait!