Parker's Cotton Cardi

 

I was so happy with the results of the "Little Coffee Bean" cardigan, I couldn't wait to get another one on the needles.  Because the recipient lives in Alabama, I wanted a lighter yarn.  Hobby Lobby's "I Love this Yarn" also has in a cotton blend, making it perfect for this project.  

While the pattern called for Size 7 and Size 8 needles, I felt these sizes made a fabric that was too loose.  I ended up using Size 5 and Size 6 needles.  I do recommend that you use the "super stretchy bind off" for the button bands.  It gives a more even button band, preventing the bottom from riding up.  

Check out Cat Bordhi's video instruction for the Super Stretch Bind Off.  It's super easy to follow and to learn.

Undulated Ribbed Trekking Socks

 I needed a quick and easy project to do while I was on vacation and I hadn't knit up a pair of socks in a long time.  I had this perfect ball of Deborah Norville Serenity sockweight yarn I had purchased from Joanne's.  

The hard part, though was to find the perfect pattern that would quickly knit up.  I ended up modifying a free "trekking" pattern on ravelry.com.  While the original pattern called for the two alternating ribs from the cuff down, then stockinette stitch down to the heel.  I though that was incredibly boring so I continued the rib in alternating rows.  The stripping of the yarn contributed to a nice undulating pattern.  For the heel, I used the "Fish Lips Kiss" heel which worked out well.  

I love the result of my first attempt to step out of my comfort zone by modifying a pattern.

Baby's First Ragland

The arrival of my landlord's wfirst child, gave me the perfect opportunity to complete my first top down ragland cardigan sweater on a small scale.  I took two recommendations from my friend Diana by using "I Love this Yarn," which is Hobby Lobby's own brand and her go to baby sweater pattern.  

"I Love this Yarn" is soft, inexpensive, and comes in a wide variety of colors.  The sweater pattern, "Little Coffee Bean," can be found on Ravelry as a free download.  Don't be intimidated by this stripped, top down pattern.  You can find instructions on youtube.com to eliminate the jogs that you get as a result of knitting stripes in the round.  If stripes aren't for you, you can do a solid or variegated yarn; it will still look great.

Baby, Baby, Baby.....

When I returned from vacation, I couldn't wait to raid my stash yarn to make some more goodies for my new little cousin, Emily.  The center pair of socks were made from Online Supersocke, a 100% wool yarn I used to make my first pair of socks.  I love the way the striping works out with the colors, while the pink gives it the "girly girl" look.  I improvised on the pattern by gauging the size of her feet and comparing it to other baby sock patterns.  The cuff was a simple 2x2 rib, followed by the "Fish Lips Kiss" short row heel.

The booties on the right were made with Paton's Kroy sock yarn that was left over from a pair of socks I had made for myself.  The pattern "Magic Slippers," is free on Ravelry and is a very easy pattern to follow.  What attracted me to it was that it was knitted in one piece, eliminating the need to seam up the back.  It is also easy enough to make larger or in a heaver weight if desired.

The booties on the left were made from left over Plymouth Encore yarn from the "Flo the Elephant" project.  A simple "Mary Jane" booties which are also free on Ravelry.  I found many variations.  This pattern was easy to follow as well, calling a mattress stitch to sew up the back heel.  Although it was done in all garter stitch, the seaming worked out fine.  The buttons were found at Hobby Lobby.  Their light pink with a center rhinestone gives the proper amount of bling for our new little princess.