"Jr Compass" in the LimeLight!

I have been working on the Jr. Compass Pattern.  I have decided to call it "Jr. Compass" as it is the toddler/child version of "Baby Compass".   At first I was calling it Jr. "C" but feel that it needs to have that special "Compass" Conection.  Below is the size 6 sample.  Jr. Compass will be more of a jacket than Baby Compass which is worked in DK weight yarn. 

Next, size 2 and 6 are just hanging out together, enjoying the nice summer day. 

Both samples are knit in Patons Shetland Chunky.  I still have to knit at least one size of the hat, for the photo that will be placed on the front page of the pattern.  Watch for it, it is almost ready to go.  I predict that it will be up and running early in July 2010.  Have a Happy Canada Day everyone.

I have one more sample to finish shown below. 

This sample is size 10, also worked in Patons Shetland Chunky; colour is Blue Jean Varigated.  I have to admit that the texture of the pattern shows much better in a plain shade, but I do love Blue Jeans so here it is in varigated.

Keep on Knitting, MommaBear will knit on into the future. 

Oh, I have also finished my DK socks and a pair of Kroy Socks;

also still working on Photo Prop Baby Hats.

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

Huggy Bear Will Really Happen! Wow!

"Huggy Bear" will be, will be. I want to thank Deb for her encouragement and of course, Jo-Anne for her comments on my blog. The white Huggy was just a wandering in my mind with my sticks and string. I was just playing around with my "Do the #'s" and I didn't even write it down, just knitted on for pleasure. I have now completed a real one, size Preemie, with the pattern on paper. I, of course, am pretty careful about all the sizes working so now I am knitting a size 12 months to see just how that looks, will it be too babyish for the toddler size 18 months, or will it work even for a little girl, perhaps sizes 2-8 with a little embelishment. I will likely do one more before I actually submit the pattern, hopefully to a pattern checker, if she will have me, and then I will polish up the layout, fix the typos, correct the mistakes and submit it to PatternFish. Wow, what a rush.

Oh, yeah! I finished my hand dyed yarn socks. They were so much fun to do that I knit on into the night. Love them. Cannot wait to get some more hand dyed yarn and try another pattern. This is very unusual for me, I always just knit my socks the way my mom taught me many many moons ago.

Until next time, MommaBearKnits and is really enjoying her Freedom 65. Why would anyone ask me if I am bored at home. I cannot possibly get all my dreams on paper and knitted up. I am also trying to clean out my space. Oh my Gawd, it is not good to live in the same house for over 35 years.

Moving Right Along!

Disappointed that the fabulous colour doesn't stand out in the picture. The pattern is a pretty simple and easy to do without constantly checking the chart. There is a diagonal cross pattern that is worked so that the columns on one sock are knitted with a left leaning stitch while the other sock with a right leaning stitch. Pretty cool eh!

I am also disappointed that the pattern does not stand out better in the picture but it is very pretty with the beautiful colours of the yarn. I am working both socks at the same time as I only have one skein so I want to keep an eye on the amount left to finish the socks.

I am getting back to my pattern designing------ the next project will be the crossed front Huggy Bear. I think it can work for a boy or a girl depending on the trim.

Until I post again, remember, MommaBear is Knitting her heart out!!!!!!

Back on Track!

Beautiful blossom in my retirement bouquet from my BabyBear and Grand Baby Bears.

Went out of the house today. Feeling better. Visited with Deb at Cabin Fever. I said I would stop knitting socks, after all, I don't need any more. After looking at her project with Hand Dyed yarn, I was once again hooked. I went home, wound up the skein of Hand Dyed yarn that I purchased from The Black Lamb at the KW Show, found a pattern (me using a sock pattern!) "Diagonal Cross-Rib Socks" by Ann Budd. And here I go again.

It is beautiful colour (Shades of green and pale purple). The picture does not do it justice. Oh yeah, Chocolate jumped right in to his job of supervisor along with SnowBall, a new bear that I aquired from a former work mate as a retirement gift. Thanks, Kim and Richard. MommaBear is back on track. Still knitting.

Sock Problem Solved, I Guess!

Cannot go back to this pair.

Received a box containing a ball of "Wisdom Yarns New York" colour # 224. I had already pulled the needles out of the first pair. Don't want to go there. I guess I will just let this go. The new ball can join my many balls of self patterning sock yarn in my huge stash. Perhaps some day I will pull it out and try it again. MommaBearKnitsToo...........

What I am up to now!

Well I have shown everyone the latest Baby Patterns that have escaped from somewhere in my mind. But, socks still possess me. I am totally into knitting with double pointed needles, going round and round. I am sure that some of my needles ( I have a large collection) were my mom's before me so all I really have to do is start with a slip knot and the needles just pick up the pace and go for it. They are sooooooo familiar with my style of socks and box heel, taught to me by Mom I would say about 55 years ago and taught to her by her mom-in-law when she was a young woman who ventured from the heart of Toronto to marry a farm boy(man). I just hang on and away they go. I do use bamboo needles some of the time but usually fall back on my old super fine double points. I think I could knit socks in the dark if I had to. Even though I stick to the old style of heel, I do sometimes try something new, especially Deb's Short Row heels. Toe-up knitting is a nice change.

I am working on two pairs at the same time. I could not resist as I have two new yarns (new to me anyway) and I could not use one and leave the other behind. The grey pair are knit in "SRK On Your Toes Bamboo" and the pink ones are "Patons Stretch Socks" (41% Cotton, 39% Wool, 13% Nylon and 7% Elastic.) It seems to be real stretchy, hope it washes well. Oh yeah, I have started another sample of my hoodie (Huggy Bear) in Cabin Fever Cotton Tweed DK. I hope Deb will take this one on as part of my next project.

Sitting here in Lake Country, It is raining outside, it is Sunday afternoon so what else is there to do but knit. I cannot think of another thing to do today.

................Remember MommaBearKnits

Remember the 8 Sock = How many pair question

Well here I go, with the help of Deb I have calculated that 8 random coloured and patterned socks can give me the option of 28 pairs. Tomorrow I will wear pair # 1, 27 days to go. Do you see my knitted table cloth under the socks, fine knitting is really my passion but time does not allow me the pleasure.

MommaBear has been knitting in Fushia, Green & Purple because she is a kook.

Socks and Baby Sweater

I have finished a size 3 mos. baby sweater, already I have changes that I intend to incorporate into the final version. I have also finished my multi coloured socks. I like them, I guess that is all that matters. I of course am always accompanied by my beloved grandpet. My cold is gone, I am back to walking the bugle every day. The cough is settling down. Life is good in my world.

As always MommaBearKnits Too

BACK ON TRACK

I am finished the Crazy 8's (socks) as posted earlier and now I am working on a sort of normal pair of socks. I love the self patterning yarn and because the nicest brands can be very expensive I like to make use of every metre/yard of it. I usually mix in some equal quality but plain (cheaper) yarn to make one 100 gr. ball shine in two pairs of socks. This pair is using the left overs from another pair that also used plain yarn for the sole of them. Of course I do not have real big feet either. This would not work for men's larger socks. I don't know how I can find time to wear them all but hey----life is good and my feet are warm.

Signing out with the statement -------

MommaBearKnits because she needs to.