More baby stuff done

First there was this. (Link) Now there is this.

Pattern: Red, Set, Go by Jill Eaton from the book Monkeysuits. The only real alteration I made was to knit the hat in stockinette except for about an inc and a half around the face. I did put the sleeves on upside down because I think arms go that way, but it does show the lumps from double increases in seed stitch. I knit them in the round. The seams that I do have are extremely bulky. I am assuming that the yarn called for would be more stretchy and squishable even though it knit to this big gauge.

Yarn: Idena Big Sport Cotton

Needles: size 7 US

It doesn't seem like the hat could ever fit a human being, but I hope to find out if it did. I might make it again. The picture in the book is mighty, mighty adorable.

~

I made the buttons too, because they had nothing that worked at the most local local yarn shop. I'm sick of hauling ass all over town for buttons. I took the polymer clay bead class this summer from Lynne Bergschultz just for this type of occasion. I'm not saying these are the best match either, but as separate objects, they are pretty. I should have polished them a little, though. Do you like how you can see my fingerprints?

There's this, too.

Musette, the cat of whom it is impossible to take a decent picture, is also enjoying the kitty pi bed.

And here's the blanket I've recently finished. It needs blocking and end weaving, but I must say, I like it. It's after the OpArt pattern on the Fall, 2008 Knitty. The center is different because I started out making a simple log cabin, but as some of you may know, I can't resist any design that swirls, twirls, turns, or spirals. Uncharacteristic of my mad photography skills, it doesn't look any better in person, but that is the fault of the yarn, not the pattern. The yarn is a hundred percent acrylic fake mohair. Oxymoron. It sure is soft, but I don't know how well it'll hold up. It's not strong like real mohair. I loved this yarn and I've had it for awhile. It's Red Heart Harmony held doubled on 5.5 mm needles. I've got more. I bought it in some sort of daze when I somehow forgot that I won't even buy or wear clothes that aren't 100% cotton or other natural fiber. This has been my policy for like, 30 years--not exaggerating. I should have held it tripled.

Pi Retry

Bake in a hot oven (425 deg.) for 50-55 minutes.

Pi is done when ear pops out.

Kitty with Cat

Teddy napping on Kitty Pi number 2. I only had to hold him down on it for a minute or so. When I let go he stayed. This is a first. He did feel compelled to knead and mash down the whole front edge first, but it's a start.

In baby knitting news, I've got a couple, two three things started, but nothing's going that well. I've got 3 babies due in October and one in November all unknitted for. I'd better get going on something. I've got 2 projects that I felt at one time would definitely be completed, but now one seems too ambitious and the other seems too ugly. I did finish a couple of bibs, but they are actually for babies for whom I've already completed my knitting.

In random knitting news, I've made a very good short row heel on a purse sock. (Purse sock=simple sock kept in purse for unexpected knitting opportunities) It only took me 2 tries. The first try I did in public and seriously almost made it, but screwed up on the 2nd to last purl pick up. What seems to work for me is two things. One is that I always pick up the wraps/work the stitch from the public side. The second is how the stitch is wrapped. It's wrapped twice and each must be wrapped from both sides. So for the first wrap I've been bringing the yarn around the stitch and then pulling it between the needles to the opposite side of the knitting and for the second wrap I've been bringing the yarn between the needles to the opposite side of the work before I bring the yarn around the stitch. It's what works for me.

I got a new purse/bag from E-Bay and finally knit a little case for my cell phone that stays on the strap. I was actually able to answer the phone before it went to voice mail when it rang today.

I'm about to post this with just one picture and no links because of my experience yesterday losing my finely crafted, potentially prize-winning post yesterday. If it works I'll at least have this. Then maybe I'll add links and some more pics.

See this post?

See this post with the many pictures, laborious puns, and researched links? Yah, neither do I. Let me know if you find it. Thanks. K.