I'm still here...

I've just been busy with house guests coming and going, working on things I can't show, teaching classes, a demo, and more. Of course the toilet that the guests were using decided to spring a leak while they were here (fixed once, but still have a smaller leak - hopefully plumber arriving again soon), as well as our A/C deciding it wanted to act up, and after having a new furnace installed (yes, it turned out we needed to replace the main unit - A/C unit is fine), they are still trying to get it working - hopefully, it will be working before they leave on Tuesday.

Anyway, since I can't show you the things I'm working on, I'll show you what I'm working with:

While the guests were here, I was able to get a little work done in the evenings, but when I couldn't work on quilts I was able to do a bit of knitting, and finished the Baby Surprise Jacket (second one, third baby sweater this summer):

The socks project that I've been dragging around in my purse for months are almost finished - just the toe on the last sock to finish and sew closed, and then I'll post a picture.

What's this?

Oh yeah, it's another Baby Surprise Jacket for the third baby girl that is due this year. For a mom of three boys, it is quite different to have a chance to make girl things. Since I used most of the white in the lacy baby sweater, it's back to this pattern so I can change colors, using the multi, white and orangy peach. The other one was begun with the peach, but this time I'm starting with the multicolor yarn, and it will evolve as I go.

Details: I'm using the pattern from Meg Swansen's video, although the pattern has been printed in Knitting Workshop, both the Baby Surprise Jacket, and the Adult Surprise Jacket can be found in The Opinionated Knitter, along with more color pictures.

Baby Surprise Jacket - finished!!!

Yep, it's finally finished! Although I had seriously wanted to add a hood, after several tries, and finally realizing that there would be no way for me to put orange and white trim around the face, I decided I would try a simple crochet edge, and am happy with the way it turned out.

I almost gave it without taking a finished picture (been there, done that), but remembered in time, and was able to unwrap, snap a few pics, and re-wrap in time to deliver it. Lucky for me the baby is late, otherwise the sweater would have been late.

Knitting UFOs and one finished project!

The Paris-Roubaix mitts pattern is from Knitspot, and are being knit from extremely soft Ambrosia yarn from Knit Picks, which is a baby Alpaca and Cashmere mix from my stash. My hands have been so cold lately, that I'm anxious to finish them. (I'll have to take a better picture when they are done.)

This cowl is a gift I'm getting ready to ship. It's a bit late, but better late than never :-) The pattern was free online, but of course I can't find it right now - sorry.

One of my road trip projects is a pair of Serpentine Mitts by Miriam L. Felton that I'm working on . It is a free pattern on Ravelry, but you might need to be a member to download it(membership is free). The second one is in progress, but it may take a while for me to finish as I can only work on the easier parts on the road, and the rest at home between other projects. The yarn is Louet Gems sock yarn (and of course these would also be nice to keep my hands warm).

The Baby Surprise Jacket has made some progress, and is now waiting for me to weave in all the tails from changing colors. (I do know how to weave them in as I go, but hadn't decided which would be the right side until I finished the knitting, as I liked both sides.) I'm thinking it should have a hood, instead of collar, and am planning to try to use the hood from EZ's Tomten jacket pattern. Good thing the baby isn't due for a while, so I'll have time to get it finished.

Baby Surprise Jacket

I've seen many pictures of Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket online, happen to own some of her books, and thought about making the adult version that is in one of them (someday), but still had questions. This past year I purchased Meg Swansen's video (has printed instructions included), and at the end she does show the adult version, and talks about her modifications. One of the biggest questions I have is how to figure out where to change colors to make attractive stripes, and so I had considered making a baby jacket for no reason other than to help answer this question - until about a week ago. I've learned that someone I know is going to be having a baby, so of course my first thought went to making the baby jacket for the gift - hey, this is a win, win situation - they will get a hand knit baby jacket, and I will finally be able to see how the striping works out! Well, this is how far I am, and I don't think I'm doing too bad - the baby isn't due for a while, and it's only being worked on between other projects.

If you're looking for the book(s), the Baby Surpries Jacket pattern can be found in Knitting Workshop, but both the Baby Surprise Jacket, and the Adult Surprise Jacket can be found in The Opinionated Knitter, along with more color pictures than the other book has.