I should do that more often.
Wow. I loved all of the etsy links! I’ve even visited a few and made a purchase or two :). The random number generator selected #23, so that means Elinor is the winner. Give me a few days to get your fabulous prize package ready. It will include handspun and candy!
I have a TON of FOs to share. I have been spinning my buns off trying to finish a mile of handspun in March. I think I have about 300 yd left to spin. It should be a piece of cake. I want to post the spinning all at once though, so I think I’ll limit this post to knitting.
My friend’s little boy turned one over the weekend. Every one year old boy needs a proper vest, don’t you think? This is another Blank Canvas Vest. I used some of my own aran weight BFL, in a new colorway called Choqua.
Details
Pattern: Blank Canvas Vest
Size: 2T
Yarn: Yarn Pirate aran BFL, Choqua and Cascade 220 for the trim
Needles: size 5 circs
Mods: Due to my extreme hatred of seaming, I’ve modified this to be knit entirely in the round. It’s pretty simple. Cast on the required stitches for the front + back, minus 4 stitches. Knit in the round to the arm hole shaping. Split and knit front and back separately. When you get to the shoulder shaping, skip it. Leave the stitches live and then graft them together. Voila. No seams. Perfection :).
It fits him perfectly- he’s big for his age just like H. He looks a little sad in this picture, but it’s not because of the vest. H was crying and he was sympathizing with him. He’s such a sweet little boy :).
I finally finished my too-big FLS. Oh, and have I ever mentioned how much I hate posing for pictures? I always feel so dorky. I thought I should show how it looks on me though. I still wish I would have knit the medium. I think it’d be perfect if I did.
Details:
Pattern: February Lady Sweater
Yarn: Bartlet Tweed, Lovat
Size: L, unfortunately…
Needles: size 8 circs
Mods: Does accidentally making an extra button hole count as a mod?
Laments: sigh… it’s too big. it fits more like a jacket than a sweater. it bunches under the arms. there is a lot of extra fabric in the back. waaaaaaah 
Things I like: I loved the pattern. I LOVE the yarn. I think the color is perfect. I found great buttons. I found out that I really like knitting sweaters from the top down.
And now I need some suggestions. I want to make H a new sweater. I’d like a simple hoodie-type sweater. It can be a cardigan or a pull-over. I’m not finding any pattern I really love though. It needs to be a 3-T, and it needs to be knit out of this yarn- Zen String worsted weight merino in “Kelso”:
Anyone know a great pattern? Bonus points for minimal/no seaming! Also, now that H is a walking expert I need to get him some shoes other than Robeez. I want something that is going to provide support and protection, especially for walking outside, without being super rigid and uncomfortable like the baby shoes they used to recommend when I was little. Even Converse sneakers are too rigid, I think. H doesn’t like walking in them. He wears a size 6 shoe. Bombard me with your favorite shoe links. I love looking at baby shoes!
Elinor wrote:
Squee!
Also, I like the Wonderful Wallaby pattern. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wonderful-wallaby It’s not free, but it’s knit in the round and cute as heck.
Posted on 24-Mar-09 at 8:21 pm | Permalink
Jill wrote:
My FLS is a bit big too. I measured and everything!
Posted on 24-Mar-09 at 9:25 pm | Permalink
Annika wrote:
Toddler shoes = See Kai Run. We love them so much! http://www.seekairun.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=SKRN&keywords=Boys
Posted on 24-Mar-09 at 9:53 pm | Permalink
Abbey wrote:
The NO seaming raglan in Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Made that sweater for my niece, I sewed exactly 10 stitches under the arms.
Posted on 24-Mar-09 at 10:24 pm | Permalink
Sarah wrote:
My little dude’s first pair of Big Boy (non-Robeez) shoes were Stride Rite from their Natural Motion System line. The things I liked best were that they come in Wide and Extra Wide and that they are TOUGH yet really really flexible. My guy has big fat feet and as cute as See Kai Runs are, some were not wide enough.
Linky-loo: http://www.striderite.com/jump.jsp?itemID=322&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=321&iSubCat=322
There’s also a Stride Rite outlet at the Seattle Premium Outlets next to the Tulalip Casino.
Posted on 24-Mar-09 at 11:36 pm | Permalink
Heather wrote:
Your FLS is beautiful, even if too big. I love the colour.
Kids shoes. I love buying kids shoes, even more now with my girl. My favourites. Pediped, Stride Rite, See Kai Run. Now that my boys are bigger, they (and I) like Geox, but I don’t think they make shoes suitable for new walkers.
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 5:40 am | Permalink
Rubiy wrote:
Gorgeous knitwear, as always! I always try to felt sweaters that come out too big…not saying that I’ve had any luck with it, but there you go.
We really like preschoolians shoes. And I think they come in bigger sizes.
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 6:14 am | Permalink
Melissa wrote:
My little girl has been wearing these…. http://www.itzybitzy.com They have some nice shoes for boys. They have squeakers in the soles and she loves them. She taps her feet to hear the squeakers and it’s great for when she gets away from me somewhere in the house and doesn’t answer when I call.
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 6:19 am | Permalink
Marisa wrote:
The Wonderful Wallaby!
Stride Rite makes really great kids shoes. You can’t go wrong with them. Jumping Jacks are also excellent, and they make a first walkers line.
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 6:32 am | Permalink
Paula wrote:
http://www.jujubeandlolo.com/patterns/ducksoup.php
The Duck Soup pattern is adorable, with a hood and cute closures!
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 7:01 am | Permalink
Nicole wrote:
Knitting Pure and Simple patterns are top down seamless and they have a few different cardigan (with or without a hood) or pullover patterns for kids. I’ve made a few different ones and they always turn out great.
http://www.knittingpureandsimple.com/kids.html
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 7:18 am | Permalink
Bev wrote:
Have you looked at the Knitting Pure and Simple patterns. Most of their patterns are top down so no seams. Very nicely written, too.
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 7:58 am | Permalink
Viki wrote:
I second Duck Soup. It’s written for bulky weight, but a little math could fix that easily. I made two for Christmas last year - a 6 month and a 2/3 - both loved and well worn by their recipients. And it is knit right from the top knot down and can be completely seamless except for a little grafting.
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 8:55 am | Permalink
kelly jo wrote:
Another vote for the Wonderful Wallaby!!! I made one for my daughter and vow to make her one in every size! My husband even requested I make her another one (in the exact same yarn - Berroco Ultra Alpaca) because she’s growing out of it. It’s so functional and perfect, and a very easy knit and she loves it! Big plus!!
One comment on the Last Minute Knitted Gifts sweater - it’s cute, but not very kid friendly. The neck drove my daughter (and subsequently me) crazy. It’s sits up too high - but if you like it, I’m sure an adjustment can be made, and definitely forego the buttons if you choose to make it.
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 10:45 am | Permalink
Lou wrote:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/SolidActionSandals~180826_5.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::BLA&CM_MERCH=IDX_00009__0000000920&origin=index
Land’s End has some cool looking sandals!
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 10:51 am | Permalink
Saisquoi wrote:
I’ve heard good things about soft star shoes (www.softstarshoes.com). They’re designed to simulate barefoot conditions. Plus, they’re super-cute (though on the pricey side). Granted, this is not from personal experience as my little one is too small to fit any shoes at this point!
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 10:58 am | Permalink
Kelly wrote:
I like the Minnetonka moccasins for little-walkers (and big walkers, too!). They’re thicker leather (and therefore more protective) than Robeez, but still soft enough that those little feet can learn to walk properly. They’re available on-line and in some farm-type stores (I guess because the company also makes boots).
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 4:24 pm | Permalink
Kimber wrote:
I would recommend the Wonderful Wallaby. I am finishing one for my eldest now (almost all in the round except the hood and the pouch (but for a little one I might omit the pouch)). It has been a fun knit and I will be making one for my youngest (she is just 9 months) ASAP!
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 6:01 pm | Permalink
Kimber wrote:
Shoes! A favorite subject in our house. We love Pedoodles and Pedipeds - Robeez-esque but with a little more sole on the bottome. We also LOVE See Kai Run shoes as well. You can find them here:
http://www.pedoodles.com/section.php/11/0/
http://www.pediped.com/Product/CategoryInfo.aspx?cid=26
http://www.seekairun.com/
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 6:08 pm | Permalink
chelsea wrote:
you could stay in the elizabeth zimmerman frame of mind and do a classic hooded tomten jacket for the wee one. I’ve been eying that one for a while now. And as I’m just finishing up on the sleeves on my february lady, my little critter might be in need of some new knitted goods… http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/modular-tomten-jacket
Posted on 25-Mar-09 at 9:28 pm | Permalink
Cathy-Cate wrote:
Chelsea beat me to the Tomten. Cute, straightforward, and with Meg’s modification (picking up stitches for the armhole, as I remember: try to find “The Opinionated Knitter”, her mod is in there”) essentially no seaming.
Next little vest, try the 3 needle bind off instead of grafting, maybe! So much faster, still no sewing, and stronger; grafting stretches in a high stress area like a shoulder seam.
Posted on 27-Mar-09 at 4:30 am | Permalink
cari wrote:
The vest looks great! I love the way this pattern works with variegated yarns.
Posted on 27-Mar-09 at 7:57 pm | Permalink