Mandee's Top-Down Baby Jacket

So busy knitting this weekend... not much time for blogging. I found out last week a gal I know at work is expecting. Time for a baby sweater!  I already learned... IT'S A GIRL! and she will be named "Mandee" (she'll be joining big sisters Carlee and Aubree... cute, huh?).  I am also planning to make a hat with this great pale green yarn (I hope I have enough yarn?).  The yarn and pattern are both from Plymouth Brand (Encore Worsted Weight yarn - part wool and part acrylic).  I was lucky to get a copy of the pattern at my local yarn shop, but when I searched for the pattern on Ravelry, I found it's not a free pattern. Sorry.  Here's the link if you are interested.  I did make this pattern once before in lavender. I really do love this pattern.  The first time I made this pattern, I followed it to a "T" (knit the neck and sweater top first, then knit the sleeves, then knit the bottom of the sweater, and then sew the seams in the sleeves). This time around, I knit the bottom of the sweater first and am now knitting the sleeves in the round so there will be virtually no sewing in this sweater... yay for that! (I don't like sewing!)

On a very sad note... I learned Thursday that my local yarn shop is closing.  I am feeling so blue about that... I'll post more about that another day. 

What's on my needles this week?

Susan B. Anderson's Ribbed Socks for Bigger Feet (yarn from Knit Picks)

Affectioknit's Super Simple Cotton Socks

3AM Cable Cap (chemo cap) from Smariek Knits

Wakefield Scarf

I've been knitting a ton lately... just not necessarily finishing a lot.  This is what has been keeping me busy... I've also been cooking and baking up a storm...

Christmas Ornament

I took a few more photos of my latest sweater ornament. 

Look, it's got a hood!

I just couldn't resist!  Silly, huh?

For this ornament, I used left over yarn from my first pair of socks... made with Red Heart sock yarn with aloe.  The dye lots don't match... can you tell? 

How to Make a Miniature Sweater Hanger

I found this great plastic coated steel wire at my local hardware store.

To make the hangers, I use both wire cutters and adjustable pliers.  I cut off an eight-inch length of the coated wire.

To make the hook, I wrap the wire around the handle of the pliers or wire cutter.

I over lap about an inch of the wire like this...

Then I wrap it around as many times and as tightly as I can...

I use the pilers to crimp so the rough cut wire doesn't catch on the sweater...

Then I shape the bottom of the hanger with my fingers...

Ta-dah!

A fellow blogger at Wool Free and Lovin' Knit (what a clever blog name!) asked me how I make these little hangers.  It was fun to post this "how to"...  I hope you find it helpful.

Miniature Christmas Stocking

For this miniature stocking, I cast on 30 stitches with some yarn from my stash.  It might be worsted weight or a little finer than that (sport weight maybe).  I used Size 3 double pointed needles and just knit a basic sock until the proportions looked about right. The stocking looked a bit plain so I added a little crochet detail up at the top.  Fun!  I was inspired to make this little stocking after seeing a little Christmas stocking posted on another blog... Wool Free and Lovin' Knit...

Another Christmas Ornament

Side 1

Side 2

Christmas Ornament

A quick little project made in an evening.  Recognize the yarn???  Making these sweaters is a bit addictive.  I found the patterns HERE.  Berroco has designed collections of minature swearter ornaments in 2007, 2008, and 2009.  Now that I've learned the technique, I just sort of wing it.

What's on my knitting needles?

I am working on two projects at the same time right now; I am enjoying going back and forth between the two patterns for a change of pace now and again. The Wakefield Scarf is a pattern I found on Interweave Knits (the pattern in also available on Ravelry). The yarn is Kollage Temptation in purple. There is a shimmery thread of a pale blue/silver fiber running through the purple yarn which makes the yarn very alluring. The project is for my co-worker, Mrs. W, for a Christmas present.  Last year I waited until December to make little sweater ornaments... a total of five... one for each of her family members. They were a blast to make but I promised myself I would not procrastinate this year.  I like this pattern.  I reduced the number of stitches to 32 instead of 50, as the yarn I am using is much chunkier than the DK yarn recommended.

The other project on my needles is a great cotton sock.  This pattern is from one of my favorite blogs called Affectioknit.  Clever name, huh?   I am following Affectioknit's pattern for Super Simple Worsted Weight Socks.  The pattern is also on Ravelry.  The yarn I am using is a Bernat Organic Cotton and I love the summery colors... they remind me of a day on the beach... tan sand, dark blue water, pale blue sky, white clouds.  I am a little farther along on the sock than the photo shows (I knit a few more rows last night).  I am at the point now where I can't wait to try the sock on to see how it fits my foot.  I can tell this is going to be a very comfortable pair of socks!