Bring on the Cold

I am ready for winter: My daughter at least will be warm.

This drive to finish things has moved beyond efficiency and in to obsession now. I have been sewing and knitting endlessly lately. I think I understand why though; these projects are predictable and understandable, and they have been good to me lately. The fabric does not complain about what I fix for supper. The yarn does not declare that it’s leaving me. My needles are content to occasionally be put down. As finicky as finishing up a seam can be, it is still mostly plays the part of a kind and gentle presence in my life - at least relatively speaking.

This is my take on the Baby Surprise Jacket. It’s done in a bulky, warm wool to function as a heavy jacket this late fall and winter. The yarn is Bernat Natural Blends Alpaca knit on US size 7’s to fit my smallish almost two-year-old. It is very thick and warm. I picked up and knit an extra two inches of garter stitch and inch of ribbing for the arms before I seamed. Then I added a little stand up collar. It wasn’t originally intended to be a stand up collar, it was supposed to fold over, but I’m calling it a happy accident.

It’s not perfect by any means and there are definitely things I’d do differently should I ever make another one. But still, it’s good and it makes me happy.

I do have a bit of concern about getting RM to wear it. She’s tried it on a couple of times; but wanted it off right away. I’m hoping that it’s mostly because it is so warm. The yarn is a little bit itchy and sheds some fuzziness, but I’m not passing final judgment until after a nice soak with a little conditioner/softener. Wearing it over long sleeves should help with that as well.

Now I must decide which item on the needles will catch my attention next. Although it’s possible a new pattern with grab me and there’s a cast-on in my near future. (I’m looking for a light, lacy scarf pattern that would work well in a variegated sock yarn for a Holiday Gift. I have several possibilities in mind. Ravelry is a wonderful thing.)

September 24th, 2007 Posted by Tracy | Knitting!!, Family | one comment