Monday, March 31, 2008

One F.O.

I had the pleasure of test knitting for Huan-Hua, a designer who lives south of me here in Indiana. She put the word out on Ravelry that she needed some test knitters for a baby sweater. Who am I to resist yet another sweater for ZEN? The pattern is just adorable. It's not yet available for sale, but Huan-Hua is orata on Ravelry, and you should be able to get the pattern that way soon. You can also check her blog for details, I expect.

Here are pictures of the sweater.

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And a closeup of the leaf-edge button band detail:

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I used Merlin the Cat superwash sock yarn. It comes in a very generous 560 yard hank. I used about 410 yards, I believe. It was a fun knit, and many thanks to Huan-Hua for giving me the chance to test knit. I found the test knitting experience to be mostly enjoyable, but it did involve a deadline. I don't play well with deadlines, so that stressed me out some. I did finish on time, though, so all was well.

In other crafting news (and since it's on this blog, it's a month old!), I learned some crochet. My first project was a hat for ZEN.

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I want to crochet her a dress, but I think I need to work on a few more starter projects so I can get my tension down. I am using the Candy Babies book by Candie Jensen - there are many fun patterns in there.


I also finished the January Rockin' Sock Club socks.

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They ended up being a little roomy for me, but I've washed and (gasp!) dried them to fit my foot. I am knitting the medium size for March's shipment, but those are looking large, too. That seems to be a common issue with the March socks, though. I am not going to rip back. I will just use them as comfy house or sleeping socks if they're too loose.

And finally I leave you with one last ZEN photo, because everyone needs to see how the pretty baby really looks when she wakes up in the morning:

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Ah! The horror!

I'll check back in soon. Sooner than a month, at least. We are heading out on a trip to see my parents, so there should be much knitting time available. Hopefully I'll be able to make progress on Tomato, the March RSC socks, a stuffed rabbit for Zoey, and Mystic Lights shawl. We'll see though.

9 comments:

weezalana said...

That leaf button band is really cute! As is the model. ;)

LOL! Baby bedhead!

Beverly said...

The picture made me giggle. What a sight in the morning!

That baby sweater is adorable. What an interesting button band.

Soo said...

Yep - I have to agree with the general consensus:
*button band is very creative
*baby bed head is soooo cute!!!!

Eryn said...

Ohhh - look at that hair! Who can resist that grin, though?

That sweater is gorgeous; I love the leaf button band. I'm going to watch for that one... Especially since I'll soon have a niece to knit for!

Georgiann said...

Thank you for that. I hadn't been reading the blogs for quite a while, and am having a pretty low week -- your pictures of Zen were just what I needed.
The sweater is great, and a great color on her.
PS there are lots of knitters who crochet, too. It's a dirty little secret.

Jo said...

Love the hair! What is the colourway on the socks?

Annie said...

Zen just keeps getting cuter. Damn.

That sweater is awesome- I loved the button band!!

Also, nice work with the crochet- I need to learn it, someday- the hat is super cute.

Annie said...

Zen just keeps getting cuter. Damn.

That sweater is awesome- I loved the button band!!

Also, nice work with the crochet- I need to learn it, someday- the hat is super cute.

hopalong682003 said...

Funny Girl! She sure seems happy in the a.m.