Long Time Since the Last Post

Yes, after the Artisans' Show I was a little overwhelmed and did not know what next to do so I just knit, knit, knit, and relaxed.  Now I have Callum's Moose Cardigan almost finished, I think what is keeping me from the last step, is all those tails to work in.  I have finished two more Huggy Bear Sets and then I knit three pairs of Baby Mittens.  They will be for Callum, hope they fit.  I don't use patterns for mitts and socks, so I just take my chances.  I like them, and perhaps I will do a pattern of just Baby Hats/Socks/Mittens, you never know where MommaBear will do next.  For now just the mittens are ready for the camera. 

I think the thumbless mitts will work best for babies

Yes, the next step is the Moose Cardigan, it will be ready for Callum by Christmas, it probably will be too big for him until the spring, but he is a big boy so you never know. 

MommaBearKnits on into the Winter.

Still Knitting and Designing

Just a Plain Test Knit

As usual, I am moving once again in all directions.  I just cannot seem to concentrate on one project at a time.  While I am still working on Miss Emilee, I have an idea in my head that just jumped out, without any warning.   I have always preferred fingering weight yarn for baby garments (from my mommy knitting days) but found that they are a lot of work.  I couldn't resist any longer.  I cast on the stitches and am working a small size plain cardigan, just to get the numbers down.  Then onward and upward (or downward in this case).  I will insert some patterns and then I will have a baby set (Cardigan/Hat/Socks) in size 0-18 months.  

Miss Emilee is coming along nicely, I have even bought her buttons.  She will be done soon as she is knit in DK weight and I have lots of stitch numbers for this one.  Just have to work out the lace pattern for all the sizes and button placements.

Because I am addicted to multidirectional knitting, I could not resist.  This one is a child size in Worsted.  I  so enjoyed designing  my Teens & Tweens (Cabin Fever) Cabled Hoodie that I wanted to do something with a panel down the centre back and front again.  Sooooooo I started a child pullover.  I started at the neck and worked down the back and down the front.  While working out the numbers I realized that this could be any size and any weight of yarn.  Also, any pattern down the centre back and centre front would work as long as it fit into the number of stitches, then it will be easy to work the same pattern down the top of the sleeves.  It could be Lace, Cables, Knit and Purl or a combination of two or even more if you where creative, what knitter is not creative. 

In order to make a particular size, in any weight of yarn, it would only be important to work out the guage for the neckline.  Play around a bit with the numbers to make the ribbing work and then it is easy.  I might just do a KAL and a DAL (Design A-long) when I get the pattern finished.  Is there such a thing as a DAL, not sure but I just may try it.  
----- MommaBearKnits

Designing is my Passion

I have finished the knitting and sewing in the ends on 4 samples of Jr. Compass, now I just have to shop for buttons and then the pattern will be out there for all to see.  It will be uploaded to Patternfish Monday August 16 at the latest.

Now, I have been wanting to do another "Newborn - 18 Month" baby cardigan similar to Sam, Sadira, and Katie only with a more slanted front band and without a collar. 

Ta Da!!!!  This is my first attempt,

A little rough around the edges, but it is close to what I want

a little short but it is just a trial knit

my plan is to eliminate the collar, the problem is the cast on leaves a corner ridge on the edge of the neckline, this one is started with a provisional cast-on, seems to work better. 

It will be a little more complicated to write but I think it will work fine.  I do like the bottom edge pattern that I chose, I think that will stay.  When you do top down you have to choose a lace pattern that works when you work back and forth and also in the round for the sleeves.  At least without a collar, I don't have to consider how it looks from the bottom of the pattern up and from the top of the pattern down.  That can be a problem when there is a collar.  Also this one is not to girly, it should work for baby boys too.

The first (of many) attempts is being worked in DK, but I think I just may go back to my old love of fingering weight yarn.  I have always been a fan of fine yarn. 

As I have stated before and will state again -----

MommaBearKnits and Designs all the time. 

MY ADDICTION IS GETTING WORSE

I am addicted; I admit it; I can live with it (although, not sure if PapaBear can); and I am looking forward the the 'Arts and Craft Christmas Tour in Oro Medonte'.  I have finished some projects and am working on more:

This one (above) is a pullover version of the Jr. J.  It is worked in superwash wool and is size 2-3.  I have added a little different edging on the cuffs and bottom but the #'s are the same.  I encourage anyone who has worked the "J" series ('Baby J'; 'Jr. J'; and the latest cabin fever release 'J J Jacket') to branch out and be creative. The numbers can be worked for a sweatshirt style pullover; a crew neck pullover; a vest; and a hip length, waist length or I bet a full length coat would be great.  Go for it and if you do, please send me a picture, it will make me very happy to see my beloved "J" in many many different ways. I have worn my 'J J Jacket' in the public a few times already and it has never failed to attract attention and receive compliments.  Everyone is facinated with the directions and the no sewing.  If you are interested in seeing the leaflet patterns that I have self published and Cabin Fever published click on the link at the top of the left side panel.

This one (above) is similar to Sam's Delight, but not!  This one is size 8-10 and will be available for sale at the upcoming craft show.  I will likely write it up as a new pattern as the neckline is different, the yarn weight different, body texture different and there will be more sizes (2-52 hopefully).  That will likely not happen until January 2010 as I am kind of busy with the Craft show and working with Deb, Dana, Lynda and Sophie on the new Cabin Fever book.  Keep an eye out for it, you will like it, I promise. 

Hanging on my clothes line (I love outdoor clothes lines) are some more small projects, not quite finished but soon.  I gifted my Son, Daughter-in-Law, Grandaughter with the first three pairs of Fingerless Gloves, so will have to keep on knitting some more before November 20.  I think they are very popular now.  The hat looks weird right now but in my head it looks real neat.  Will post the finished hat, if it works.

I am also working on another multi-directional garment.  This one is just for ideas, so it is just size 1-2, but it will help me with the ideas and various panel stitch patterns.

Close-up of the back 2 panels.  Keep watching, it will change a lot before it is done.

As alway the addicted MommaBear cannot stop, is there help out there for me? Or if you don't have any help, join me, I love knitting with other knitters, awesome networking opportunity.

Knitting Again, Oh I guess it is Knitting Still

Current Projects are a variation of my Huggy Bear in Bernat Jr. Jacquards; and baby socks in a supply of Berroco Comfort DK that has been dwelling in my stash bins under my bed. I have five colours, so I am making a pair in each colour (so far three colours and one sock in the fourth colour, still have the royal blue to do) then I will mix the colours up with perhaps different colours for the cuffs, heels, toes and perhaps stripped socks as well. It is 50% nylon/50%Acrylic, should be good for wash & wear. It will be interesting to see just how many pairs I can get. I prefer bright colours for babys, none of that baby blue or baby pink lives in my world. The yarn calls for a size 4mm needle but I am working the socks in size 2.75 mm; makes for a nice tight texture and should really hold it's shape and stay on the foot nicely. Until next time keep on knitting, I am.

MommaBearKnits aka berniebydesign

ANOTHER PROJECT DONE

Picture shows it all. Garter Stitch version of Baby Compass.

MommaBearKnits on into the future, no problem with summer heat, just keep playing with the sticks and string.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Progess report on the second try. This one is a size 1 (generous size) and is just a basic pullover. When I am happy with the basic then I will let my creativety take over. I am not sure if the sleeves are a little deep but that will be more evident when I finish. Little ones are better with deep sleeves but I will have to see how the larger sizes work. That won't be a big deal to tweek the numbers. I have hidden that bad bad odd ball deep in the land of stash. It will come in handy for my scrap hats or even mittens but until then it will not see the light of day.

Just for the fun of it, click on the patternfish link at the top of the sidebar, it will display my designs and my Friends of Cabin Fever designs that are available on line. I really must get back to my Baby ??? pattern and then I have another variation of Sam's Delight that I may write up and of course this red pullover. What I need is a ghost writer, so that all I do is knit.

Until the next posting, MOMMABEARKNITS, boy does she ever. Retirement is good.

Long Time No Posting!

I have not been posting but I sure have been knitting. I am working to build up my already plentiful stock of knitted garments (mostly babies, some toddlers). As you may have figured out when I design I knit many samples, different sizes, different colours, yarns, and especially variations of the basic do-the-numbers patterns. Some have been published by Cabin Fever and now that I am retired I have produced two of my own and offered them for sale on www.patternfish.com/shop; see pictures and the link to the left of my post. I am still working on the latest Baby ???? multidirectional pattern (no name yet), two pairs of socks and my special gift shawl. It is coming alone but I would have to take it off the needles to photo it. And of course there is quite a pile of UFO's waiting patiently.

So, Surprise, I have started another project, what else is new. It will be a top down raglan, no sew pullover. This one, hopefully will have a better neckline with the front dropped down below the back without all those short rows. The short rows are great but, I have to be different. I will post my progress. I have done the #'s (they will need some tweeking, but thank goodness for spreadsheets, I love them for the math). This one will be size 1 - 8 years as pullovers are not really practical for infants.

The first step is the neckband.

I will likely have the next picture very very soon. Come back and check it out.

Until next time MommaBearKnits