For my son, Andrew

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I know a lot of you have been eagerly awaiting pictures of my son. Here is a posting about things I knitted for him, with pictures included. :)

I made a bargain with Andrew before he was born, that he would allow me to finish his baby blanket before he popped out. However, my beautiful little one decided he was tired of being in the womb and came out 4 days before he was due. The funny part of this is that when my water broke, I was actually working on his blanket. Needless to say, the blanket was put aside for quite a while.

After he was born, we realized that all the hats we had for him were either too big or too small, so I decided to knit a hat for him. My hat also turned out a little on the big side, but I made it so he has to wear it. LOL!

We had a pseudo-outdooring ceremony for him two weeks after he was born, and my sister-in-law Yinka took some lovely pictures of him wearing the hat I knit him. The pattern I used is Simple Baby Hat by Alison Williams. I hope you enjoy the pictures, and this quick introduction to my son, Andrew. :)

Josie's Wisp - Hand Knit Stole

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Last year, at the end of July, was my friend Josie L.'s birthday.  I started a scarf for her the week before her birthday, and then somehow stopped knitting it when I was halfway through. (The pattern is Wisp by Cheryl Niamath.) I finally finished the scarf about a month ago, and then it languished in my project basket for a hot minute before I finally blocked it two weeks ago. LOL! After blocking, it took a brief nap in my project basket again before I finally photographed it today! So, here is the scarf that's taken me more than half a year to complete. Shame on you Denise, Shame on you!!

Berry Lacey Scarf

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UPDATED 1/17/2012: I've uploaded a pdf of this pattern onto Ravelry. You can also download the pdf here: Berry Lacey Scarf.

This pattern is not totally original. I was playing around with some drop stitch patterns, knit this scarf, and thought I liked the way it looked. Here we go.

Finished Size
6in x 7ft

Yarn
Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino; 150yd [137 m]/50 g [1.76oz]): Intenso colorway,  1 skein

Tools
US #11 (8 mm) straight or circular needles
US #13 (9 mm) straight or circular needles
Tapestry/yarn needle

Pattern Instructions
Set Up
Using the #13 needles, cast on 17 stitches. Switch to the #11(8mm) needles. Knit 4 rows, then continue with the row by row instructions.

Scarf
Row 1: K1, *K1, yo*, repeat from * to * until last 2 stitches, K1, slip last stitch with yarn in front (purlwise)

Row 2: K1,*K1, drop yo*, repeat from * to * until last 2 stitches, K1, slip last stitch with yarn in front (purlwise)

Row 3 & 4: Knit all stitches till last stitch, slip last stitch with yarn in front (purlwise)
Row 5: K1, *K1, yo 2x*, repeat from * to * until last 2 stitches, K1, slip last stitch with yarn in front (purlwise)
Row 6: K1,*K1, drop yo*, repeat from * to * until last 2 stitches, K1, slip last stitch with yarn in front (purlwise)
Row 7 & 8: Knit all stitches till last stitch, slip last stitch with yarn in front (purlwise)
Row 9: K1, *K1, yo, K1, yo twice*, repeat from * to * until last 2 stitches, K1, slip last stitch with yarn in front (purlwise)
Row 10: K1,*K1, drop yo*, repeat from * to * until last 2 stitches, K1, slip last stitch with yarn in front (purlwise)
Row 11 & 12: Knit all stitches till last stitch, slip last stitch with yarn in front (purlwise)

Continue in pattern until scarf is desired length, ending on row 12. Knit 2 more rows and bind off with US #13 needle.

Finishing
Soak and block, and enjoy the beautiful, long, lacy scarf. :)

Cherry Blossom Wristers

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My friend Christelle saw the wristers I had made for Stacey D. and wanted a pair in brown but with pink trim. I didn't think they would come out nicely but they are beautiful! Once again, Malabrigo's Silky Merino was a dream to work with. I really, really love this yarn. The pattern for the Salad Wristers is by Alexandra Tinsley. It's also available on Ravelry.com.  :)

Fluornoy Ascot

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I forgot to post about this one. I made it for LaSundra. The pattern is the Huckleberry Ascot by Kat Coyle. It was published by Interweave Press, and I've been coveting it for a while. They finally re-published it in an Interweave Knits Accessories 2009 so I bought a copy of that magazine. There are so many lovely patterns in there, including the Koolhaas hat pattern by Jared Flood. I used Rowan Pure Wool DK for the Ascot.




Aah...Red-Hot Citron

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Citron is the current rage on Ravelry. (Pattern's original location is here, on the Knitty.com page). This pattern is simple and beautiful, and gives you a lace garment that just makes you happy. I had promised Lisa D a red shawl some months ago, and the Citron pattern from the winter 2010 Knitty magazine was just perfect. I put it down many times to work on other projects, but it's finally done. I'm definitely going to make at least one
 more of these.

I gave this one a picot edging, which seemed like a great idea at the time. However, the bind off took maybe two days because of that. :( The yarn I used is Knit Picks Shadow in Hot Rod Heather colorway. :) Hotness!!!

  
  

Flame Thorpe

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My second hat, going to Sagine. And it has earflaps! The pattern is Thorpe, by Kirsten Kapur. This hat was so quick to knit, and so much fun! I want to make more! Someone PLEASE ask me to make one for you! The hat is beautiful, and looks good on many people. (Trust me!). I used Manos del Uruguay Wool Classica in the Flame colorway, hence the name. The purple edging is with Malabrigo Silky Merino in the Nocturnal colorway. There's a matching scarf that I'll put up once it's done blocking and I've taken some yummy photos of it. (BTW, aren't the pictures beautiful!! I used the Google Nexus One phone, and the camera is better than my digital camera!)

So, ladies and gentlemen, here is the Flame Thorpe!