THE ORO MEDONTE CHRISTMAS ART AND CRAFT TOUR

Yes, the Christmas Art and Craft Tour planning is on the table already.  I can hardly wait.  This year I will be at the Oro Medonte Fairgrounds Hall.  The organizers have set up a Facebook group account for the show.  It will offer the opportunity for vendors to display info and pictures and will also keep the public up to date on the event.  I just joined into the facebook account and look forward to posting pictures.  It is called Oro Medonte Christmas Art & Craft Tour and is available for all to view and the vendors to post pictures about their product. 

I am working on Bernardo.  The sizes have been upgraded to 6 sizes: Preemie/Newborn, 3, 6-9 months, 1, 2, & 3 years.  I have made quite a few changes but now I have finalized the design, I just have to finish writing it, read it, knit it, check, check, check it over and over again.  I do try so hard to avoid typos and errors ---  that is a more difficult task than the design itself.

I have finished 5 cardigans, and am working on two more.  When I knit them, little ideas pop up and I make adjustments to the pattern.  All the cardigans are just fine for a baby to wear, but I like to work out little glitches and ideas before the final version is photographed for the pattern.   At first I had a K2, P2 ribbed neckband bottom border and sleeve cuffs. but then I decided that the K2, P2 rib requires a multiple of 4 +2 stitches on the neckband and bottom border and a multiple of 4 stitches on the sleeve cuff.  That created a little difficulty when working 6 sizes and also fitting in an arm Panel Cable Pattern.  So, then I went with garterstitch.  That worked better and allowed fewer stitch differences in each size, but then I realized that the bands had to be worked on a smaller needle in order to draw in the edges.  Now I have it all together and am working on a final sample (Red one in the picture).  They all looked good on Callum and he seemed to be comfortable, so I am confident that it will be finished and posted for sale very soon.  I do have to work out a matching hat and perhaps socks, not sure about the socks, but the hat for sure.

I really like the sleeve panel and also I have worked out a way to raise the back of the neck and lower the front band of the neck.  That is my one concern about top down, I like a lower neck band in the front.  Bernardo has it, hope you like it. 

MommaBearKnits and Designs all day and most of the night. 

Yes it does need a hat, next on my agenda!

Callum, you little bug, I love you!

This is a version of my current project - it will be called Bernardo

Bernardo is a new top down with the written pattern about 3/4 finished.  I have worked out a neckline that drops in the front to accommodate the neckline comfort and it also provided a larger number of stitches at the beginning of the sleeves - that makes a sleeve panel easier.  It will be online soon and Callum will be my model. 

Bernardo from another angle

I goofed with this picture, his hat is on sideways, I will be more careful when the pattern is complete.  I had a great visit with Christie and Callum yesterday and look forward to the next one.

Until next post, MommaBearKnits and she designs.

OH BOY!! Has it been a long time since my last post!!!!!

But, I have still been knitting and designing.  Callum has been my inspiration.  Also, my computer has been acting up and I considered going shopping for a new one.  My last attempt to solve the problem was a total clean-up with a can of Compressed Gas Duster, ----- Yeah! It is working great again.  Well, at least for now.

Today, I met with Callum and his mom.  We had a great visit and we both took Pictures, over and over again.  When I came home, I had a total of 99 pictures to download.  My next finished pattern is called "Billy & Bobby, in honour of my sons.  Callum was the model, and I am the knitter and designer.

It will be posted on Patternfish by tomorrow morning.  Next I have a toddler version of Hoodie Bear in size 2-12 yrs.  All I need is to get another model and then it will go as well.  I am trying to get children to model them instead of just taking pictures of cardigans on a hanger.  Hope to find one soon.

And I have another cardigan and hat pattern 3/4 done.  It will be called "Bernardo" in honour of my brother and Callum's Grampa.  MommaBearKeeps on Knitting and Designing.

Yes, I know, I still have the adult Compass on the go too, Yes I will finish it.

And That is All That I Am!

I am a designer, yes I am.  I am a wife, yes I am.  I am a senior, yes I am.  I finally realized that what I want to do is design for babies, toddlers, and children.  Seeing the new moms out there with their babies is inspiring.  They don't dress them like we used to.  I remember when my kids were born they wore nightgowns, cute little sleepers, and beautiful hand knit sweaters, hats and booties.  They were Baby Pink, Baby Blue and because we didn't have the opportunity to know if it would be a girl or boy until the arrival we always had some in white and maybe a pale green just in case.  Now, you see them coming home from the hospital, less than 24 hrs old dressed in blue jeans, T-shirts and plaid jackets.  There is no baby blue or baby pink anymore. 

That is my inspiration - my designs will be in every colour of the rainbow and styled like a tiny teen.

------- Cont'd

I Am What I Am

For many many years I have been a knitter, sewer, quilter, crocheter and in the last few years I have designed.  Also, I have been a Sister, Wife, Mom, Baby Sitter, Grandmom, Aunt, Great Aunt, Care Giver, Daughter, Daughter-in-Law, Sister-in-Law, Secretary, Salesperson, Executive Assistant, Retired, Best Friend, etc.  And now my time has come to be what I am.  Well, I have yet to experience being a Great Grandmom, that could happen soon as my grandchildren are 20, 18 & 16.  My Grandaughter, Sarah, has become engaged to a wonderful young man ------ Great Grandmom - It could happen!!!!  Hopefully she will enjoy the many knitted gifts I have in mind.
  

---------Continued --------

Knitting still!!!

A gathering in the back yard

Yes, I am still knitting and designing for babies and more.  Today we went outside and posed for a picture.  Right now I am finished two patterns.  That is the writting, not all the knitting.

I am working on a Hoodie Bear version in worsted weight yarn for size 2 - 12.  This one is called Callum. They are a lot alike but the numbers are very different.  I have one hoodie and one collared version finished and a hoodie and collared version on the needles.  Just need to wash, block, knit and then photograph.  It will be on Patternfish very soon.

I am also working on a multidirectional yoke with a stockinette body  and a hat for a preemie to an 18 month old.  It will have two border options, I am calling this one Billy and Bobby.   This one is worked in DK. 

Billy and Bobby

It is written as well and will go on Patternfish likely the same time as Callum.  I am still struggling with the Lady Compass.  At least now it has a name.  A lot of knitting but it will be there soon too.

Until the next time MommaBearKnits even though she is sweating in the heat. 

"Callum"

Callum (formerly the "Bug") came for a visit Sunday night.  I could not get over just how smart he is, just looking around and even holding my fingers with his tiny little hands. He goes everywhere with Mom and Dad.  They are awesome parents and he is totally blessed to be their son.  He was dressed in jean style pants and a T-shirt - sure was different in my day.  I knit for him before he was born, but boy has he ever gotten me hooked now.  I cannot wait for the fall, Hats, Sweaters, Socks and even Mittens will come off my needles.  The fact that a tiny baby can wear a cotton T-shirt just like a teen gives me lots of inspiration.

He is only 18 days old, Wow!!!!



Look at those clothes, boy am I ever going to design for this one.
Pictured here with dad.

 As always, MommaBearKnits

DO I NEED TO STOP GOING IN ALL DIRECTION!!! ALERT!!!! Chatty Post, get a cup of coffee and sit down.

Of course that need will be met when I finish all my projects and patterns, in my lifetime, right?  I have made a decision to finish one at a time! Yeah Right, well kind of one at a time.  Sometimes a sock is just plain relaxing, I always have socks on the needle.   I have a sock project on the go now, not a pattern, just my addiction to socks.  I have finished the first sock, and have started the second one.  Socks are my mindless knitting late at night when I am tired or when I am a passenger in the car.  So I give myself permission to work on socks along with other projects.

Just before the toe was finished

I do have the Adult Compass pretty well written, I just have to finish those big samples, check the numbers, take the pictures and it is hot weather now and that is not good for knitting big projects with 100% wool.  But I promise the pattern will be out very soon.

I know, I posted these pictures before, but I have knit quite a bit more, of the Compass Cardigans.






In my dreams I saw a Hoodie Bear in Worsted Weight, sizes 2 - 12, the original was in DK size Preemie to 18 months.  Darn it, I got hooked again.  The pattern is done, the numbers checked, and I just finished the size 2  and size 4 samples.   I still have to knit a collared version and then it will be photographed and posted as well.

Not finished yet, but the knitting is finished.

Then another sleep, another dream and there I go again.  I have started a new multidirectional baby (Preemie-18months) pattern designed for a girl and a boy. 

 

The beginning is similar to the Baby Compass but that similarity ends at the yoke.   It will have a Garter Stitch Yoke and the sleeves and body in Stockinette Stitch.  There will be two or more options for the sleeve cuffs and bottom borders.  I plan a lace option for the baby girl and a ribbed option for a baby boy.  I may also include a third option for both, not sure.  The pattern is written to the body section, then it is the sleeves and likely a hat to be completed. 

I think my passion is becoming multidirectional but still no sewing.  I find there is limitations when you work a top down that you don't encounter when go go off in all directions.  I also decided that the Compass Logo that I created for the Compass Patterns will be included in the title as symbol of the technique in all of my future patterns that are worked North, South, East and West. 



Compass Logo



Of course there is Cabin Fever's Baby Book.  That is awesome.  I always learn so much from Deb when we work together on a project.  Deb has so kindly included me as an Author.  I have to admit that she has written most of the text and patterns, I followed along and made a few changes and helped with the final versions.   Some of my ideas where  taken, Some not, no problem, it was fun and boy did I learn a lot about publishing. 

My passion is spreadsheets.  I created a spreadsheet for each of the sizes in each of the gauges (36 pages of spreadsheets in all).  That gave me the opportunity to check the patterns, charts, and pattern repeats over and over again.  It really is not hard to make that many, you just have to cut and paste a lot, then adjust the gauge numbers and the  beginning numbers.  They work great when you are working through the patterns - neck, yoke, sleeves, body - those numbers are available at every row of the process.   I cannot wait to see the printed book, I think it will go to press by mid June.  Deb and Lynda have plenty of work left to do with the editing, layouts and photo selections.   

Sorry I rambled on so long, it has been a long time since my last post, I promise I will post more often in the future.  Until next time ----- MommaBearKnits and Designs for Babies and More. 

Progress Report

I have finished, washed, blocked and dried the latest sample for the baby book. 

At this time it was still in the drying stage, but now it is finished and ready to pose.

Next, as I promised I am working on my final Compass(es). 

This is knit in 100% wool worsted weight - My size.

This one is in Patons Canadiana, the new generation in the second size.

The new Patons Canadiana is 100% Acrylic of course.  It is very nice to knit and it looks good.  It will be better for washing, but I still like the 100% wool garments better.  These pictures were taken outdoors a few days ago when it looked like it was going to be spring.  Then the snow fell - yuck.  Oh well, Happy Easter everyone and believe me Spring will arrive soon I hope.

In the meantime I am also working on a pair of socks, what else is new, and I have not given up crocheting.

MOMMABEARKNITS and she loves to play with colour.

Still Knitting

I was worried that I would run out of yarn for the baby hoodie that I just finished, but I did not. So I knit two pairs of socks too.

Socks are in sock yarn single strands and the hoodie is in the same sock yarn only knit double.

Then I had another pair of children's socks on the needles, so I finish them as well.

These will fit a toddler, they are knit in acrylic sock yarn weight.

 Then on Thursday Deb, Dana and I met to do a lot of finishing on the many many samples that are complete for the New Baby Book.  That night I started another sample in Cabin Fever Tweed DK.  It is finished, washed and blocked.

Size 12 months - basic pattern sample

 Then we went over the pile of completed samples and found that we need another border sample in sock yarn. 



This one is a Border Sample, size 0 - 3 months. 

I have it on my needles and it will be finished very soon I promise.  Deb and Dana also have some more to knit.  It is a lot of work but I enjoy being included in this project.  Thanks Deb.
I will keep on crocheting too.  I am getting into it again, I cannot remember how long ago I preferred crocheting over knitting, one of the reasons were that when you crochet you rarely have to sew any seams, now I have learned how to do that with knitting too.

I have also been working on the Adult Compass.  Samples for adults take a long time, and my practice is to do several (if not all) sizes just to be sure there are no problems.  This one will have a 7 size range, so I for sure will not be able to do all sizes, but at present I am working on the second size (36-38) and my size (44-46) after all I really need another cardigan.   Yeah Right!!!!!

I guess I have to say  "MommaBearKnits and Crochets".

Taking a Break! Who am I kidding?

I have finished the knitting for the baby book sample that was posted the other day.  I just have to end the tails and sew on the buttons.  I will post the picture of the finished garment by tomorrow.

But, do you remember the green hoodie for the soon to be arrival.

Thiis is where I was two three days ago

I started it some time ago but became nervous that I wouldn't have enough yarn to finish it and because it was purchased at a knit show before I even knew that the boy was on the way I have not been able to find any more, just in case. 

Yes, we have been informed that it is a boy and will likely be a big boy.  I was trying to figure out what to do to make sure there was enough yarn.   Then, I had a light flash in my head.  The baby will be born in May so a hoodie won't be suitable until the fall, he will be about 4 - 5 months old before the days cool and he will be wearing it.  The baby along with his mom and dad will live in Oro-Medonte.  The leaves are beautiful in late September through October in this part of Ontario and Mom and Dad are great outdoor people.  Soooooooo ------ Maple Leaves it is. 

Oh yah, this project is based on my Hoodie Bear Pattern but is worked in sock yarn doubled.  I had to adjust the numbers a bit and I just added the border pattern for fun.  If you have purchased the pattern, try it, (you do not have to choose leaves, anything will do, just fit it into the number of body stitches) you do not have to follow any pattern exactly, that is what Deb and I are encouraging with the new book. 

Just need to find wooden or leaf buttons.

As it turned out, there is plenty of yarn left sooooooo the boy will get Green Socks, Multi-coloured socks, and likely there will be enough for a striped pair of socks.  The cardigan is in a size 6-9 months so it should fit in the right season for the leaves.  Hope they like it.   To the best of my knowledge, they do not follow this blog so it will be a surprise, I HOPE. 

MommaBearKnits and Designs and she crochets too.

Taking a little Break!

Yesterday Deb and I met to discuss the book.  She is teaching this weekend and I am taking a break from the baby book but not from knitting.   I have gone off in a new direction (or old direction) and I am currently in a crochet mode. 

First of all:



This is where I was at my last post.



This is how far I am today.

 This baby cardigan will be finished very soon.  And then I likely will start another. 

Cindy, you asked in your comment when the book would be released.  At the present time Deb expects it to be on the shelf in June. 

Now my new direction just for the fun of it and without any pattern:

Just for the fun of it, I am crocheting baby hats.  New baby on the way in the family.

Guess what, the mom loves green.

This is also for the new little one - guess what---green

Yes, I have crocheted for many years too, but have become addicted to knitting and designing. I think I will try a crocheted baby sweater out of my head just for a break, but the knitting will continue.

I have not forgotten about my other projects: 



My Adult Compass is well on its way.



I have two in progress, different colours and sizes and different yarn.

MommaBearKnits and she Crochets too.  Funny, MommaBearCrochets doesn't sound right. 

Have a great Spring Day ------