FO Double-header

Guess what’s done?

Patterns: Peapod baby set by Kate Gilbert (free on the Interweave website); Ladybug baby set by Dale of Norway (I have a pamphlet collection, but I hear it’s been published in a book, too).

Yarns: Debbie Bliss Cotton Cashmere, 4 balls total for the smallest size; Dale of Norway Baby Ull, quantities specified in the 6-month size

Time Elapsed: Under a week for the Peapod set. It’s a very quick, enjoyable knit. Knitting time and finishing time combined on the Ladybug set ran around a month. There is a lot of finishing.

Modifications and Notes: I didn’t make any intentional modifications to either set. I had a few minor “adjustments” here and there, but nothing really worth writing up or repeating.

I really enjoyed knitting the Peapod set. It was fast, the construction is fresh, the yarn is really very soft for cotton, and the end result is cute as a button. There’s not that much to say about it, really, and since it’s so quick the FO page is a little sparse, too. There are some close-ups of the buttons over there, though.

Really, I have more to say and more pictures to show for the ladybug set. I am very pleased with the finished product, but I can’t say that I enjoyed knitting this set. I prefer fair isle without long floats, and with only 2 colors per row. I find it very zen, and I’m in love with the complicated-looking results you can get without any difficult work. The ladybugs were basically the opposite of that–simple looking little bugs that took a lot of finagling and still aren’t as even as I’d like them to be. I’m also not generally a knitter who avoids finishing, but even for me the task was a little much on this project. All edges have faced hems that need to be knitted and then sewn in, the steeking and associated sewing/facing are another couple of hours of finishing, the pompon… oh, and while this is fine for me, it’s all on US1 needles. So just know what you’re getting into, if you choose to knit this project.

(iPhoto unwedged itself and I managed to save some of the steeking pictures after all, by the way–they’re at the FO page.)

All that said, though, it’s by far the most special baby gift I’ve ever knit. It has a tremendous wow factor.

Hopefully I’ll get pictures of both babies wearing my hand-knits, but until then? Bear play-date!

*****

And tonight, I drag my sleepy toddler onto a red-eye to fly to Maine. I cast on for Seraphim last night, to knit while I’m there. Actually, I cast on for a swatch. I know, I know, finished size doesn’t matter. But I wanted to get familiar with the lace pattern and make sure I like the fabric before committing to it. I’ll be without regular internet access in Maine, but don’t feel too sorry for me. I’m knitting Seraphim in the Cherry Tree Hill fingering-weight silk hubby got me for my birthday last year:

Speaking of the silk, the two hanks are from different dye lots. They don’t look that different to me, but do you all think I should alternate, just to be sure?

See you all on the 20th!

10 thoughts on “FO Double-header

  1. Lucky babies!

    Have a great trip.

  2. Kudos, Amy! Have a nice visit in ME. Fortunately, it’s supposed to warm up soon. Any chance you’ll drop by WW?

  3. Both sets look amazing! Have a wonderful trip!!

  4. Both the sets really are cute as a button. I hope you will have a great time in Maine.

  5. Super-adorable–the knits and the model. (My sister: “who’s that adorable munchkin on your computer?”)

    Re: the shawl, I think I would probably alternate–those differences have a way of showing up over big swaths of knitting. The colorway is amazing: so subtle and rich.

  6. As gorgeous as those two wee sweaters are, the adorable little redhead is far cuter!!

  7. Wow – love the little Peapod set. So cute!!

  8. Wonderful sets !! Really wonderful ! Best wishes for you sweet family 🙂

  9. Awwww… I love both sets, especially the Peapod. Great work. Hope you had a good trip!

  10. I love the Pea Pod Set…the website didn’t open to the pattern…can you forward me the PDF of it? Thank you so much, it’s appreciated…
    [email protected]

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