Basic Cardigan Pattern

I finally posted my Basic Cardigan Pattern.  It has been on my computer for a long time, I finally decided to post it.    It is just a basic cardigan but hopefully will encourage those knitters who are new to Top Down, No Sew to try it.  I have been careful to give very detailed instructions and of course, I am always there for questions and comments.  I especially like to see pictures from other knitters as well, as we all have preferences for colour and yarn.  I just finished posting it on Patternfish, it may take a while as it is Canada Day.

Have a Great Canada Day!!!!!!!

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. 

Update on my Labour of Love!!!!

Yesterday I trashed a closet full of off season clothes, mostly never worn in many years; so -----dumped them, cleaned the closet and guess what, started to store my stash in some sort of system, yah right!!!!

This is just the beginning, I need more containers and likely more closet. I will keep on sorting and storing.

Oh, by the way, while I was looking and touching I brought out a big ball of yarn that I got at the K-W show last year. I didn't know what to do with it but had to have it. Bought it, stored it, and then it called me ----"Come get me, I want to be Lynda's (Cabin Fever) Fancy Stitch Cozy. Lynda demonstrated the fancy stitch cozy pattern and taught the local guild how to do it at the May Guild Meeting. My version is a little different, smaller needles, more stitches cast on and a different edge. The yarn is supposed to be doubled heavy worsted weight worked on size 9mm needles. I worked mine double but it is finer and the needles are size 6.5mm. The stitch is absolutely beautiful, I cannot wait to try it on something else.

My huggy bear (sort of like the pattern) in Bernat Jr. Jacquards is almost done, I was not happy with the previous picture, the blue striped T did not do it any favour so I took another photo. I am still working on socks, now have completed 7 pairs.

Bad Things Happen and Mistakes are made even to us who Knit:

Now I have a confession to make, I have fallen away from my shawl and tried to get back at it but no way, my sticks and string just would not work. Now I know why, I do not like it. It will be far to large for the person that I am knitting it for. Guess what I am going to do today -----Frog It. I will start another, smaller one and will finish it in time, I know I will. Frog Squad is coming in now. Commenters, I really appreciate your comments but do not try to talk me out of the frogging, I have made up my mind and by the time you comment it will be too late.

Good-bye, keep on knitting.

Just Keeping in Touch

Today I decided that I better organize my stock of knitted garments. This fall I hope to participate in local craft shows and perhaps even the farmer's market. Even I am surprised, it is unbelievable just how many items I have knit including designer samples and the feeding of my addiction to the sticks and string. On the table are a very small portion of the ones that I rinsed and blocked today, believe me VERY SMALL portion. I also got another pile ready for blocking when these ones are dry I will take inventory and just see what I have. I am mainly into baby garments lately but I am now reaching out the toddlers and even tweens.
Oh yeah, I am working on another multidirectional cardigan. This pattern is being written as well. I believe it will be called BabyCompass or something similar that will draw attention to the South, East, West direction that it is knit. Oh, I am still into socks, socks, socks.

I also want to thank Gigi and Katrina for their compliments. Katrina, as yet the cabled pullover is not being written but who knows, maybe soon. I will keep my patterns posted. OK, busy morning, now I will sit down and KNIT the day away.

MommaBearKnits.

One more down and many more to come - - - - -

As promised earlier today, here it is. Now back to my sticks and string.

MommaBear cannot stop, she is addicted. At least this addiction will benefit the little ones in the world.

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

I am ready to go out there!

I have posted my patterns on the left for information and as my bragging post. I will be updating the pictures later today, then off they go. When the final picture has been chosen I will post the patterns again. They are not for sale on this site, hopefully they will be displayed on Patternfish.com very soon and will sell.

MommaBearKnits for her Baby Bears.

Huggy Bear Continues

It's really going to happen. I am going to ship my Huggy Bear off to a pattern checker and then we will go from there. I visited Deb today and took some pictures with a wonderful yarn-in- stock background. I would really like to have a live baby model; we will see how that goes. I have not really decided on the front picture yet. The green one is size Preemie.
Because I am pretty careful about the numbers I usually knit at least three of the sizes just to see if a pattern that works for a Preemie also works for a Toddler. The mauve one is size 12 months. Now I am working on a size 6 months in Cabin Fever Cotton Tweed DK, in Denim Blue of course, my favourite colour.

I also realized that the button layout is a little different so I will include the picture below to help with the layout.


Whoever thought I would be bored with my retirement is sadly mistaken. I am having a ball and my creativety is blossoming. My next project will be a hoodie with a collar option as well. Then I will dive into some multi-directional stuff. Freedom 65 does not suck, it expands your horizon if you let it.

MommaBear will knit forever and a day.

Baby Patterns Crossing the Finish Line

I met with Deb today and showed her all my samples and we selected two sets of three to be featured in a 1-2-3 pattern. (Three levels using the same basic design). We decided to go with the (1) purple lace; (2) a similar style to the pink Baby K shown above (it will have twisted stitch collar and cuff instead of the whole body) and a (3) basic cardigan similar to the navy one below only using a k2, p2 border. This pattern will be a girly style except for the basic one. The white huggy will be on the back burner until the other two are done. I don't know if it will just be single style with perhaps socks and a hat to match or will I go the next step to make this one also a 1-2-3 pattern.

The second project will be a basic cardigan using a k1,p1 rib; a hoodie, and a very boyish overall patterned cardigan. This pattern will appeal more to the little boys even though girls like hoodies too. Life is good here in Lake Country, MommaBear will knit all winter, no hibernation for this old bear.

MOMMABEARKNITS on into the future, Freedom 65 her she comes.

CrusterRuster and MommaBear Still Doing Very Well

I started out with my Baby "K". Did the #'s, worked out the pattern in all 5 sizes (Preemie; 3 mos; 6-9 mos; 12 mos; 18 mos). One would expect that to be it, done, finished, onward and upward to another project. Not!!!!

Next I got the idea that the #'s should work for lots of other designs, both cardigans and pullovers. So I dug right in. So far I have Baby "K"; basic cardigan and basic pullover. That was not enough. Next I started a cardigan with a very grown up look. It contains knit/purl diamonds and knit/purl stripes. Sample in progress below and above. It is in size 18 mos and worked in Sirdar Country Style DK.

The blue pullover is in size 3 mos. worked in Berroco Comfort DK.

The tiny green cardigan is size Preemie, also in Berroco Comfort DK. I plan to do several in all the sizes, some will be striped, some with a colour pattern, perhaps lace, definitely cables, even girly ruffles if the mood strikes me. Until we meet again, CrusterRuster is keeping my bed warm, patiently waiting for me to put those sticks away and WALK!!!!

Remember, MommaBearKnits on and on.

Retirement here I come, more time to knit;

I hope.

May "24" Holiday Weekend

Here we are in Ontario's Lake Country. The Port of Orillia is open for business once again. A lot of work for me, and others, but it is "The Jewel of the Trent Severn Waterway". My job at the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce ties me to the Port from May 9 to Labour Day Weekend. I do the books, Susan (my boss at the Chamber) is the Harbourmaster, and all members of the staff do a fantastic job of welcoming our guests. How good is that. And that is why I would not chose to travel on the busy highways this weekend----- why would I, we live here where everybody wants to visit. The weather is not so great for the beginning of the summer season, but that is not our choice. Rusty, the CrusterRuster has found solice in my bed, on my comforter and hugging my afghan. Lucky little devil that he is. I, on the other hand, can knit, design, and veg out on my three day weekend.

Baby "K" has aquired some accessories; a hat and socks. Of course Baby "K" is related to my blanket "Kimm's Baby Blanket" (Another Cabin Fever Pattern).

I do sometimes go overboard with knitting and reknitting when I work out a design but it does eliminate the weird little glitches that crop up on one (of 5) of the sizes for some crazy reason. I can always find a home for the rejects and the tests.

Baby "K" -------

The work is done. I am just fine tuning the socks and the rest is history. I will hold off on Butterscotch's Goodbye Party for "K" until Deb is ready for yet another labour (hopefully, a labour of love, and profits). Watch for the party, Butterscotch would like this one to be out in the woods, a true Teddy Bear's Picnic.

Until then ......

MommaBearKnits

Designs

&

Dreams her Creations

Most of the time they look good in dreamland but do not make it into the real world

Baby Bernie "V" continued ..........

...................... Collar Up!................

................Collar Down!...............

......................Collar all around!......................

I have not lost my mind, I am just trying to do the fine tuning on the design and trying to cut back on the text in the pattern. Deb, what do you think. And the rest of you, I would like your comments as well. Can I start the cable after the short rows?

Momma Bear Designs as well as Knits. Must go now an walk the dog, that will give me the opportunity to figure it out.

Up to my (V)knees in Deb's Baby "V"

Working on Baby "V" Top Down Cardigan is fun and challenging. I know that the pictures look somewhat like Baby "K" and the colour doesn't help but it is different. The cable/eyelet/twist stitch forms a baby style cable.
The sleeve will have a cable down the centre. That will take a little extra pattern detail but I truly think it is worth it.

The Front button band is garter stitch but has a k2 (RS) and p2 (WS) which seems to take away the pulling up of the edge. At least it looks like that now. The pulling up of the edge of garter stitch trim has always been the reason why I don't choose it very often. But I do like it and besides it helps when counting the ridges between the buttonholes.

The bottom will also have a garter stitch edge. I hope that this will give it a more boyish look while still working for the beautiful baby girls out there that all the grammas love to knit for.

I know grammas love to knit for the handsome baby boys too.

Signing out I remain..........

MommaBear the Knitting Kook.

Re-Designing of Deb's Baby "V"

No Comment as I am a firm believer in the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words". I have been far to chatty lately. Don't want to talk any more today.

---MommaBearKnits and she designs----

Baby "V" (Working Title Only)

My Name is Butterscotch and I am going to ask MommaBear if I can have this sample when it is done. I am tired of that cute girly pinky tourquoise Baby "J". I am a man after all.

Pictures from the Past........

Here are some of the patterns. I don't know how old some of my books are but one of the books is dated 1941 and some look even older. Unfortunatly the covers are gone from some so I cannot find a date.

These ones are started at the neck and the increases are worked just like we do now. There is both cardigans and pullovers.

The one on the Right is worked from the bottom up and the one on the left is top down. Same book, same page. Until we meet again, Keep on Knitting.