Progress, in spite of Myself

I have finally put Baby Compass on paper from beginning to end.  I will spend the next few days, reading and re-reading.  It is amazing just how many errors you can find, and you think that you were really careful.  Next I will send it to a Pattern Checker, and she will come back with even more little glitches.  Then I will post it for sale on http://www.patternfish.com/  and perhaps it will appear in a store or two.  Who knows.  I love to design, I love to knit, I love to write patterns, but, I really have to push myself to finish.  I guess I am a little scared of my patterns being out there for all to knit.  I expect to have it done, and posted by May 10th.  I have to set myself a finish date or I will just keep procrastinating.  I am finishing my latest sample, size 6-9 months.  The next step is getting the photo done for the front page.  I will knit a couple of samples in Cabin Fever Tweed DK.  That will make a good picture.  Baby Compass doesn't really look best in varigated.  The textured Knit/Purl pattern stands out better in plain colours.   I will also include a baby hat in the pattern.

As yesterday, today and tomorrow, MommaBearKnits.

No Posts in almost a month!!! What is that all about.

No, I have not left the country and yes, I am still knitting.  I am working on baby hats, just knitting from my stash.  I recently finished two baby cardigans, just for my stock and to use up stash yarn.  I also have completed two pairs of socks (no pictures, I think I have taken enough sock pictures over the last few years).  Just thought I would show off some of the baby hats, for a change.  These hats are designed as  Photographer's Props. Some of them are not really practical for daily use, at least not the hats with the long tails and large pom poms. 

I recently received an email asking about the use of spreadsheets in designing, that has caused me to think a lot about my use of spreadsheets and how to help others if they ask.  One good thing, it will keep my old brain active. 

Also, I am knitting one more Baby Compass, while reading and editing every single row of the pattern as I knit it.  Lot's of work, but I do love the pattern.  It will be a bit of a challenge, but is that not a good thing for knitters?

As in the past, present, and the future,

MommaBearKnits on into the wee hours of the morning. 

Love it.

Took a little different path --- Baby Compass is still on the Table

Today I responded to a request by a photographer that is interested in doing some Portrait Photos of newborns.  She was looking to locate a local knitter that would knit newborn hats and other items for her portraits.  That idea appealed to me as a photo can have some very different designs than the hat that the baby wears every day.  She asked me to visit some web sites to see what is out there for ideas.  I did and then I knit my first sample for her consideration. 

We are going to meet up with each other in about a week.  By then I hope to have a couple more on the needles.  The main part of this hat is garterstitch and the trim is crocheted.  Had fun doing it, I expect that she will want more colour but I am just beginning.  It will be a challenge.   

In the meantime I am still knitting the second sample of Baby Compass and working on the edits.

Mommabearknits ----

TAA DAA!!!!

Size 12 Months, knitting done, just need to block and sew on buttons.  I am working on size 3 Months and will likely finish one more size before I go to my pattern checker.  Lots and lots of editing will take place first.  When that is done, I think I will move right on to a toddler version.  "Baby Compass" is in DK.  I think  "Toddler"  will be in Worsted Weight.  Better to go on now while it is still in my brain.  All my samples, and more,  will be displayed for sale at the November Oro Medonte Christmas Tour.  I need stock for my booth, so, why not knit plenty of sizes in order to double, triple, check the patterns.

MommaBearKnits -----

Baby Compass is coming along nicely.  I have already started another in a different size as I am pretty careful with the #'s.  I want them to work for all 5 sizes.  After reading Brenda's comments I suspect that I will move on to toddler, child, and perhaps even adult versions in the future.  I am sure I will be poked and prodded do that.

I am working on Section #8.  It is shown on the schematic in three sections but is worked back and forth around all three at the same time.  I am almost done and I am pleased to be able to hang it up now, it looks more like a sweater.  I am showing the back and front views.  Notice the sleeves, they will be joined under the arm with a 3-needle cast off.  Absolutely NO SEW project. 

In the meantime, my Cruster Ruster, relaxes on his pillow, on my couch, on my afghan watching me knit and patiently waiting for his next "W". 

I have to refer to it as "W" because if I say WALK out loud,  he goes nutty and will not let me rest until I take him out to "W".  Life is good, rain today, not so bad, we need moisture for the grass to grow.  All is good in Lake Country.

- MommaBearKnits

Compass Progress!

Section # 7 Done:

My Baby Compass is actually starting to look like a cardigan.

One more section to go. 

No need to ramble on - a picture is worth 1,000 words.

MommaBearKnits

Progress Report

I have been working on the pattern big time.  Knitting, not so much-----

At first I was going to place individual schematics at the beginning of each section.  But, it was taking up too much space.  So I worked out a schematic for the entire project and it will be displayed at the beginning.  Hopefully it will be helpful.

I am currently working on Section 6.  I am on the home stretch. 
MommaBearKnits and Designs with vigor!

Baby Compass Progress Report

Section 4 Completed, and written down in Pattern Format.

Making good progress;  Baby Compass is on the way.

Long way to go and a good time to get there.

Writing patterns, not so much fun!

However, I do enjoy the challenge.

MommaBearKnits on into the night and early in the morning.

Please keep coming back as progress will be posted and hopefully no Frogging.

MommaBear is Back on Track

Over the past few days I have been knitting.  What else is new.  I finished a 6 month size cardigan/hat/socks and a toddler pullover.  Nothing really different, just knitting.  I am also knitting socks.  But, now that I am finished with the Teen Hoodie Pattern it is time to get back to "BABY COMPASS".  Below is a picture of one of many that I knit and sold at the Nov 2009 Oro Medonte Christmas Tour.  It was a very popular sweater.  Now it is well on its way.  Mostly I am editing my written notes as I knit another sweater.

Baby Compass is a multidirectional pattern that needs schematics to help understand the written part.  Following is the schemantic for section 1 - 3.  That is as far as I am knitting my latest sample.

I am halfway down section 3.  Keep in touch, I will regularly post a progress report and will include schematics for each section as I go.  Hopefully it will soon be checked by my pattern checker and then will be photographed and submitted to http://www.patternfish.com/ .

I also made a logo for Baby Compass:

It will appear as part of the heading. 

As in the past, and in the future, MommaBear will knit knit knit.

Good Bye MommaBear:

Hello Deb:  A-Line Test Knit done.

TA DA!!

HOME STRETCH!

Coming along, it will be done by suppertime, then I can start another.   I already have new ideas to work out.  OH!, I forgot; I have to go back to "Baby Compass" or perhaps "Samorell"  Or both.

MommaBearKnits on and on --------