Jayden

I am posting a new pattern today on Patternfish.  It is a Hoodie or Collared Cardigan.  It is a Worsted Weight version of Hoodie Bear which was for Preemies to 18 Months worked in DK yarn.  This one is size 2 - 12.  Its name is Jayden and works for both boys and girls.

I left it on the plate way to long, but now it is out and I am working on the Cabled Pullover for toddlers.

Callum's Cardigan Progress Report

I guess a picture is worth a thousand words.  How many words are three pictures worth. 

Yoke is complete, Front View

Back view of yoke

This is my plan, Callum's Moose Cardigan

It will be in a one year old size, Callum is a big baby so hopefully it will fit him with the sleeve cuffs rolled up by late November and in the spring.  

I am ready to start the body pattern now.  This is not really my style of knitting, but once in a while I go off in another direction.  I guess I said that before-------  MommaBearKnits and she watches out for Moose as well as Bears when she is walking the Ruster Cruster after all there was a Moose spotted, tranquilized and relocated just this past week in the City of Orillia, I live outside of the city soooooooo it could happen.  This design is in honour of my handsome model and his dad Marty.

-- MBK

Something New for Me!

I have been thinking about starting a group on Ravelry and Deb and I have been discussing the idea.  So, today, I came home from Cabin Fever, with more yarn, more ideas, and a thought that I would try it.  Deb was away on a Holiday and I missed her so much, It is so nice to have a mentor like Deb.  She really encourages me.

So, I came home and I started a new group, it is named "Knitting for Babies".  I am happy that the group already has 11 members.  when I started this post there was 7 members, by the time I finished it there was 11.  Less than 2 minutes after I posted it I had a member from Russia.  I encourged members from all over the world as long as they were knitters for babies.  I need to design a better picture for the group but that can be done in the next day or two.  Guess what, I tested my link and now there are 12 members.

Awesome, Hope it works.  I welcome members, ideas, pictures, thoughts, KALs, other members can promote their designs, I can promote my designs, discussions re: Just What New Mom's are looking for.  We can discuss yarn weights, colours, sizes, problems, help with patterns, etc.  And above all, I want to see lots of projects.  Thanks Deb.   MommaBearKnits.

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.

Been Lazy about my Blog but not about my Knitting



Knitting a hoodie for my new grandnephew - to be born in May 2011



Man's Pullover is finished, just need to double check the stitch numbers for all sizes and finish writing the pattern
I think I will name it for my Brothers, Bernard, Robert and Donald

The vest will now be a pullover also, then I will feature it as a vest as well.  Thus, three styles, three brothers. 
That should work and it will honour them in print as well.



Just testing the numbers, not the final style



Working more of the numbers



I am also working on the baby book with Deb Gemmell, Cabin Fever.  I am so proud she has invited me to participate in the production.  It is awesome and the working of the numbers for the 4 sizes in 9 guages is a big job but totally enjoyable.  I love numbers almost as much as I love knitting.  Deb is a great no-sew designer and I am priviledge to participate.  I love to use spreadsheets to work the numbers so I hope I can help with the checking of numbers as well as assisting in the designing.  Also the knitting of photo samples. 

Momma Bear Knits and in her spare time she plays with numbers.

Progress Report!

A lot of Knitting for an Adult size

This sample is knit in a multicoloured worsted weight yarn that was resting in my stash.  The actual photo samples will likely be in a solid colour, as the textured pattern is nicer in one colour.  I am just using up my stash to do the #'s and then a final one will be worked.  There are a few glitches for a larger size.  The armhole depth and the buttonhole placements are taking a little more calculations than the Baby/Child version did.  I am working it out and it will happen. ------ Mommabearknits and she enjoys working the numbers.  Keep watching, it will happen soon.    OH YEAH, I cannot resist the ideas that pop up in my dreams.  I am already thinking about the very warm Pullover with a Vest over it.  They will be first on my spread sheet and then on my needles.  I thing I will work it in Briggs & Little 100% wool.  That way it truly will be very warm to wear even in the middle of winter. 

-MBK

ON TRACK



Just for Fun - More Egg Cozies



Serious Knitting - Adult version of Compass

I am still playing with the cozies but my focus now is really on finishing the Compass Pattern.  Adult versions are a lot of work to get the samples done.  The first sample will fit me.  Like I need another knitted cardigan.  The first pattern I started got ribbitted because I decided to do more sizes and to juggle the numbers a bit.  To Photograph this one, it requires a bit of cuddling up or the picture would be way to wide and not very high.  The sleeve panel is very long.   First there was just 5 but now there will be seven sizes  (Small to 4X).  Keep on checking, MommaBearKnits still.  
-MommaBearKnits too.

Progress

I am working on my latest idea.

Multidirectional Toddler Pullover

My passion is being fed:  Multidirectional; Garterstitch; Cables; No-Sew Knitting; Toddler Sweater; These are a few of my favourite things ------ Ta! Da!   MommaBear is still knitting.

Oh yes another of my favourite things is visitors to my back yard ----

Wild Turkeys

- Mommabearknits

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

Knitting Along

Just so you know.  I am still knitting other things even though I am working on the KAL.

Baby Blanket

I have lots of yarn in my stash, some of it is not my favourite or not what I expected.  So, I decided not to let it just sit there, it must be useful for something.  Above is my first project (Stash Buster).  It is a self patterning DK weight yarn that does not do it for me.  I will not say the name of the yarn as I don't want to put a particular brand down when I know that others out there will think it is great.  We all have our wants and needs, right!   I am working a multidirectional baby blanket, in garterstitch.  It is knit double so the colours are all over the place.  It will keep a baby warm, that is all that is important, and my stash is reduced a little bit.

Next on my sticks is the Miss Emilee (below) pattern that I am working on.  This is the fourth sample, I think I have it down now and can move on to writing it.

Miss Emilee

Hoodie Pullover for my Stock

Above is a size 12 mos. pullover version of my hoodie pattern.  It has not been written but if you are experienced at all you can make any cardigan (or almost any) a pullover when you work no-sew knitting.

Socks of Course

And last but not least I am still working on socks.  Above is two pair; one is a man's size medium and the other is a man's small or a woman's medium.  I know the colours don't look like they match but they are all knit with the same colour yarn and they do match up better when actually viewed face to socks.   The yarn is Kroy Socks FX, Clover Colors. 

Guess What!  MommaBearKnits 

Progress, Even in the Heat Wave!

It is still hot.  There must be another word to describe the temp other than hot!!!!!  But I am slowly making progress.  Finished another pair of children's socks and I finished the size 10, Jr. Compass.  Still have to end the yarn tails and find buttons but the being covered with a Chunky Weight Jacket is done!!!!!!

Here it is, resting comfortably in the grass (more weeds that grass, I am afraid)

but it is my space and I love it in the shade, especially these days.

Now a question:   What is wrong with my Christmas Cactus.  Blooming in the hottest days of summer, what is that all about. 

it is loaded with buds ready to burst.  I guess it loves the outdoors too.  I enjoy my hanging garden.  The cactus will bloom all summer long outside, then it will come in and bloom again

several times in the morning sunshine window. 

Until it cools down, Mommabear will knit small items ---- but she will keep on knitting.

On July 28 I am heading for Lake Louise with my daughter to visit my granddaughter Sarah.  I will enjoy the cool mountains for sure. 

Home Stretch!!!!!

Seven Samples have been completed.  One in every size and a couple in the middle sizes.  I like to work all sizes to confirm the #'s; besides I like to knit.

Who would have thought that the drawing above would become a fabulous journey in all directions and then return home again. 

Just one more to finish.  This one is size 18 months.  It will done later today and then I have to get my pattern checked one more time for typos, poor sentence structure, pictures taken, and then off to http://www.patternfish.com/ . I did not make my May 10/10 goal but it won't be long now.

There will also be a hat included in the pattern. 

Keep on Knitting, If I keep it up I will have to keep on Trucking to contain my stock.

MommaBearKnits in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, North America  

Progress: For the Compass

Well, I have sent the pattern off to Deb for her comments.  I am always sad when my patterns are out there, they no longer are my babies.  I am still working on the samples.  When I am totally finished Baby Compass will appear on Patternfish.  http://www.patternfish.com/

I am now on the southern route to homeland. Then I will work at least one more sample in Cabin Fever Cotton Tweed DK for the photo op.  I also have a red one on the same southern route in

Patons True North DK.

See the hat below in Red, also in True North DK.

The pattern will include the hat as well.  So I will have to knit it in the Denim, Oh Dear, what a task!!!

Above is a picture of the underarm, that will be closed with a three needle cast off and the end of the yarn used for the cast off will also be used to close any gap that appears at the underarm.  Then it will be done.

Above is the finished sleeve.   As you can see, in the cardigan picture at the beginning of posting, one sleeve is finished and the other one is not.   

Keep in Touch, Baby Compass will be out there real soon!!!!!!

-MommaBearKnits

Progress:

Last night at our guild meeting I was proud to be part of the Teens & Tweens, Cabin Fever Sweaters & Accessories book.  I also passed around my pattern in progress, just for feedback from the others in the group.  It was a great night, and now I am truly on the home stretch, not sure which direction of the compass the final path it is but I am looking forward to completing the journey.

Sections 1 -2 completed.

Sections 1 -  3

Sections 1 -  4

Sections 1 - 5

Sections 1 - 6

Sections 1 - 7

Section 8 (Final Section) is on the needles and working its way to the bottom.
 I guess that is travelling South.

MommaBear will now go back to her sticks and strings.  

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.

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!

TEST KNITTING UPDATE

Deb's A-Line Cardigan is growing as we speak.

I have reached the underarm and worked a few rows of the body.  It is going great and I enjoy testing other patterns almost as much as I like creating my own.  Test Knitting is a learning experience that will dwell in my brain and it will help me in the future for sure. 

Of course I cannot resist working my own designs too.  This is the pullover that I started while on the trip the Huntsville on Tuesday with Deb.  It is a size 9-12 months and I am happy with the look so far.  It my never be a written pattern but I enjoy knitting out of my head anyway. 

 ------   MommaBearKnits