Bean's Green Kimono is Done!

Finally! I procrastinated until yesterday, then sat down and knitted the i-cords, sewed in all the ends, and declared the bog kimono finished!

I think this will be big enough to be used as a sleep sack. With an 18" chest, and 13" from neck to hem, I think this will serve as an extra warm layer for quite awhile.

I made progress on the Tomten Jacket, but it is slow going. I took a picture, but the orange is so bright, I'll try again tomorrow. I finished picking up and knitting the stitches on the holder, and am now knitting the sleeves in the round.

I don't mind knitting garter stitch in the round, the purl row slips through my hands as quickly as knit these days. I tried to knit the sleeves on dpns, but the ladders offend me. I switched to a circular needle, and used the Magic Loop method. Oh, how I dislike that ML. I try to convince myself that I'll become more comfortable with it the longer I use it. In the evening I put my knitting away sooner than I normally would, it breaks my rhythmn when I have to shift the loop.

Anyway, the Tomten is creeping toward the finish line. The BSJ still needs buttons. I was going to treat myself to a trip to the JoAnn Shop today, but when I saw the ice, I decided to bake bran muffins and wash dishes instead.

Baby Bibs and Sleep Sack

We visited Diametrag this weekend, and I finished the sleep sack and made 2 bibs from worsted weight kitchen cotton.

The square bib is Simple Baby Bib, a pattern from the Knitlist. Of course, I couldn't do the same thing twice, so I made another bib with a double decrease in the center. It makes an attractive v-shape that also makes a neckline at the top. It looks a bit narrow and I would cast on more stitches next time.

I used 2 50 gr. skeins of cotton sock yarn for the sleep sack, and it's barely big enough for a newborn. If I were to do it again, I would buy 3 balls and make it longer. I have enough knitting, sewing and lace projects lined up, so I won't start another sleep sack.

Here's the details on the bib I knitted: Kitchen Cotton, worsted weight, #6 needles.
Cast on 31 sts. Knit 4 rows.
Row 1. K 2, inc (k front and back next st), k 11, slip 1, k 2 tog, psso, k 11, inc (k front and back of the next st), k 2.
Row 2. k3, *p* k3.
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until desired length (5 - 6" for 3 mos.)
Knit 2 rows plain, bind off all but 5 stiches, follow the directions for the strap with buttonholes in the Simple Baby Bib.

Still Knitting on Baby's Sleep Sack

Here's more progress on the baby's sleep sack. I finished the red, saving a small bit for an i-cord, and switched to the variegated. I was increasing at the edges through the red, but have stopped for now, and am knitting even with the variegated yarn. You can see the whole sack is about 18" long. That isn't too bad, I think another 3" might be enough. I plan to put in a hem and make an i-cord for a drawstring. I cropped my little ball of yarn out of the picture, but the kitchen scales say I have 20 grams left.

Progress on Baby's Sleep Sack

I have knitted almost all of the 50 gram ball of red sock yarn, and plan to finish with a hem using the rest of the variegated yarn. I sewed the side seams of the bodice, just to see how it will fit together. Something is askew with my decreases and the garter st. edge, but I think it will be okay for work. I don't plan to rip it, but may try another one to see if I can fix it.

My sleep sack may be a little short. I found a size chart here.

I was interested in learning more about sleep sacks, and found an informative site here.

I think the infant size is definitely knittable, but will opt to sew sleep sacks for the larger sizes.

Baby's Sleep Sack

Here's my latest project. I am working on a baby sleep sack. I've been told babies shouldn't have blankets in the crib, in order to prevent SIDS. A sleep sack (or is it sacque?) takes place of a blanket now. The baby can't get tangled or kick off the blanket. Comfy baby = sleeping baby = happy new mom.

I know there's a pattern on Knitty.com, but I had cotton sock yarn that I needed to use. Yes, it's brighter than my usual knitting, but the cotton feels good as it runs through my fingers. I'm using #4 needles, and getting a loose knit, about 5 or 6 sts/inch.

I made it a lap-front diagonal wrap, it might make it a bit easier to slide the baby in the sack. The chest is 18", so it isn't exactly a newborn size.

From what I read, baby sacks don't have sleeves, they are open for air circulation. The sack isn't intended to replace pajamas, only the blanket.
I don't know how long this will be, I have 2 50 gram balls of sock yarn. I plan to sew any larger sleep sacks, this skirt will be a lot of knitting. Mindless, though, and relaxing.
Details to follow in another post, I have potato salad to make.