There's been another baby born recently - there seem to be rather a lot in my life at the moment. I am at that age where all of my friends are having babies whereas my sister is at the age where everyone is getting married. I would say that there is less knitting for me involved in weddings but with the wedding shawl for Juju, that's not quite true.
So on Friday my lovely boss had her little girl, Hannah. And the week before I gave her this for Hannah.
It's the Matinee Coat from Baby Cashmerino by Debbie Bliss. It's one of those knits where I spent most of my time thinking that it wasn't going to look great as I was working on it. This happens to me a fair amount - as I am sat there knitting I wonder if I should, in fact, frog the whole thing and start something more challenging / lacy / simple / fun / insert word of your choice. I think it's because I like simple knits, usually in just one colour and that at the same time I think I should be what Knitting Daily call a 'Fearless Knitter' and push myself a bit. Ho-humm. I am like that in real (aka non-knitting life) too as any of my friends will tell you.
I did make one modification to the coat which I've mentioned before: Instead of casting on the body, knitting it and then picking up stitches at the bottom to create the picot, I cast on in picot instead. You have to understand that this is a HUGE leap of faith for me. I am not one to modify a knitting pattern except to lengthen the body which is a rather big deal for me. I am in sincere awe of those of you who wing patterns, adapt them and modify them on the fly.
Anyway, it all worked out very well in the end. The yarn is a light lavendar colour and the addition of a thin rich purple ribbon just tied brought it all together and I am rather pleased with the result.
The next baby is due in about 3 weeks but I have to admit that I am thinking of making a trip to Baby GAP...
Posted by Amelia at April 6, 2008 07:17 PMI like the picot cast-on a lot and am sure to try it out soon. I think it is an improvement. It took me a while to get to the point where I just viewed the pattern as a guide-line and felt confident enough to change things that didn't feel right. I also have the same urge when half-way through part of a wip to want to frog it, but I am now trying to persevere!
Good luck with all the baby knitting, best wishes
Willemtje, a Dutch knitter
Posted by: willemtje at April 14, 2008 09:12 PMBeautiful :0) Our friends just had twin boys last night ! - Baby Gap here I come, that would be far too much of a knitting commitment !
Heather x
Posted by: Heather at April 9, 2008 08:16 PMIt's so lovely & the picot edge looks just fine. I am sure the baby will look so gorgeous in it. It's happening to me too as my cousin is having her baby in 2 weeks & I have not started knitting - she wants socks.
Posted by: Ann at April 9, 2008 01:03 AMIt's so very cute! I had the same reservations when knitting this sweater, for some reason.
Posted by: Amy at April 7, 2008 04:41 PMOh, it's just adorable.
Posted by: --Deb at April 7, 2008 02:08 AMI love it, looks to be a perfect wee lass giftie! then again you have impeccable tastes :)
Posted by: stinkerbell at April 6, 2008 10:46 PMThis matinee coat is adorable! You did well to stick with it, it is certainly a most acceptable present...
Posted by: francoise at April 6, 2008 10:18 PMHow pretty! Very cute!
Posted by: Jolynn at April 6, 2008 10:16 PMamelia,
adorable, of course! i find that i put as much energy into a knitted baby gift as i do for any other project...since new little babies are so untouched and perfect, i guess that i want the gift to be also !!
barbara
Posted by: barbara at April 6, 2008 08:01 PMThat's a lovely coat Amelia. Maybe for the next baby you could try an aran weight cardigan! My niece will find out the sex of her baby next week, so I shall be joining you in the baby knitting.
Posted by: dawn at April 6, 2008 07:55 PM