Calder & Company

Burgler Bill hats...

~I can't resist making a few new hats every season, so when I had some Sublime yarn leftover from other projects, I decided to look at their patterns (not to mention I own about ten or more of their pattern books--so it was an easy call).

~this hat pattern is from Sublime #613 --the Sublime children's double knitting book.  After looking for a project to make up in the new More Last Minute Knitted Gifts book--I realized the pattern is very similar to one in there entitled 'Family Ribbed Hats'--another resource for you.

~these are super quick to knit and I made the blue one while in the caribbean and it took me 2 nights or so.  I used sublime extra fine merino wool dk for the hats with a size 3 and 6 US needles.

 

~C.C. loves to touch the moss in the miniature pots...We made this miniature cement and tile pathway a few years ago and it really lasts year to year...Note to self:  learn more about mosses (bryophytes?).  I adore them...

~In honor of St. Patrick's day tomorrow...we made some chocolate and mint cookies-- I have a difficult time going all out to celebrate St. Patrick's day since we are not Irish (that I know of...).  Here is the history...I usually buy the boys a clover plant and make green food---all kinds! 

Sirdar Tank...

 

 

 

~I started this sweet, cheerful--red tank for my 2 year old LAST November (I like to write my start date on the pattern so I can remember--I am always amazed at how I underestimate time).  This simple project was always getting pushed aside... 

~Well--maybe the fact that I accidentally started making the sweater INSTEAD of the tank.  opps!  Okay, so I had to make modifications for the armholes.  Then, I ran out of yarn for the neckband (well, I thought I was out of yarn)--so I did another quick fix.  Just recently--I found the missing red ball of yarn when I was cleaning out my knitting space.  Eek.  Double eek.  I was already done with the project--so now, I will make a hat!

~Details:  This is Design F  from the Sirdar: "Little Sweet Peas" collection.  I selected Baby Bamboo (Sirdar Snuggle DK) and used a size 3 and 6 needles.  The pattern repeat really didn't turn me on.  It was a little too mundane--with not enough interest.  This was my first Sirdar pattern--and I thought it was well written and especially liked the fact that the sizes go up to 6-7 years.  Hot damn!

~So I have finally gotten "on fire" again for my rug hooking project that was sitting in the same pile as the above red sweater.  Not to mention, I have some recently constructed garments that I need to photograph and post.  The list goes on and on...

Knitting for Girls.

~Well as you know, I NEVER get to knit with pink or any pastel yarn.  (I guess I did add a tiny smash of pink once to one of the boys vests--Yes, they noticed and didn't like it!).  Therefore it was gobs of fun to make this itty bitty hat for a darling new babe of a dear friend. 

~Details:  Used the "Bundle of Joy" pattern from Isela Phelps that I found on Ravelry.

I added stripes versus her solid color design--of course stripes are much more interesting than a solid color.  I changed color every fifth row because I prefer large stripes.  The yarn I selected was Sublime baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK knitted on a size 5 dpns.

~(Sorry for all the photos on our teak table...many times I forget to take photos of the objects that I give away as presents, so this was a quick photo opportunity).

~this was the perfect patten that I was looking for to match the design in my mind.  I wanted some sort of ribbing on the brim versus the usual rolled end brim.  I wish it was a tad bit smaller to really fit a just-met-the-world newborn, yet still happy with the outcome overall...Next is Easter and sewing projects.  Adieu.

Cotton Roll Hand Knit.

~Sweet little boy in blue.~ 

~Here is a sweater that I made a few years back for one of the older boys.  I bought the yarn in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and used the Minnow Knits pattern 184 Cotton Roll.  I selected Manos de Uruguay Cotton Stria yarn, which is just as soft as can be for a boy of almost two.~

~I honestly can't recall which size I made, but I would guess a size two.~

~Thank goodness for Eucalan!  It has saved this sweater many times.

Woolen Mittens.

~I can be found knitting all year round, but when the cold, windy, rigid part of winter rolls around, I am ready for warm wool on my fingers (and needles).  What better than a nice pair of thick, woolen mittens?

~I decided (on a whim) to make some mittens this year.  I have never made mittens before.  It can't be that difficult?  This pattern was acquired from my local yarn store, and seemed straight forward.  I made the above pair and keep them in my car ALL the time.  They are perfect for when I need an instant warmth, and they never seem cold, even after being in the car at subzero levels.  Perfect.

~The mittens are made using a mohair and chunky wool yarn held together (size 13 dpns).  When two yarns are held together, it is hard to predict exactly what the final result will yield.  Unpredictability is good (and interesting).  Two of these pair were holiday gifts and I have two more pair yet to make and give away for Valentines Day (must get to that task...).

Perfect for frozen winter days or long subway rides, just what the weatherman ordered.

Vestimenti

~Roughly seven years ago, I made the Vestimenti bulky vest for Z. from Minnies by Jil Eaton.  It was quite easy to knit, and he wore it all the time.  I thought I would make a cotton version for C.C. to wear since it seems we are having a cold, cold winter (maybe I am just tolerating it less).  Really any excuse to knit for the little ones is all it takes.

 

~The vest is created with size 10 needles and cotton yarn with vintage buttons.  Z. told me the buttons resemble butterscotch candy, due to their color and shine.  Oh yes, I love how they think in terms of 'candy'!

~I decided to leave off the crocheted swirls this time around.  Maybe I will add crocheted initials on yet? 

~ On occasion, C.C has been seen trying to taste the butterscotch buttons.  Ho hum...

~I originally used Reynolds Lopi (100% wool) for the project seven years ago, and it was a tad too rough feeling.  C.C. still wears this on REALLY cold days.  It is great to see him wear something that was made years ago when I was a new mom (and new knitter), it brings back so many memories..

Yellows and Blues.

~~When your husband asks, "So, is there a reason the Skippy peanut butter is in the freezer?"  You know that the boys have been busy.  I also noticed that someone wrote their name near on the refrigerator door seal/gasket area in ink very, very tiny.  Ahem. 

~~To be honest, I once wrote my sisters name in ink on her bedroom wall.  Of course, I was younger (age 7 at the time) and couldn't write as well as her, so that was a dead giveaway.  Not to mention that she would never be so stupid to write her own name on the wall, so of course, I was in big trouble when it was noticed.  I guess I can forgive any youngster for writing on the walls, since I myself experimented with different substrates for writing.

~~With the cooler days, I am of course finishing some knitting projects.

~~Here is the Nordica Jacket that I finished for C.C. a few weeks ago.  It was made with the pattern from Big Fish, Little Fish.  I made a size two with size 10 needles and malabrigo yarn merino worsted.  If I recall, I did shorten the length a tad and I always measure the arms to ensure fit.

~~This is the perfect weight for a breezy Fall day.

~~Malabrigo is one of my favorite yarns and it wears very well.  I am ensconced with their color-ways and was especially fond of the butter yellow.

~~Brothers have so many things to share with each other.  I love to see babes on thier tip-toes.

Stripy Tank.

Once the leaves start to change, and the pumpkins are harvested, my knitting needles get a lot of attention.   I can't wait to explore new yarns and new patterns that have been piling up over the summer.

Just in time for the cooler weather, I finished a tank for Z.  This was made from a pattern out of The Sublime Children's Double Knitting book.  The Stripy Tank was created with Sublime cashmere merino DK using a size #3 and #6 set of needles.

Z. is always involved in the knitting process with oodles of questions,

"who is that for?"  "I hope it will be done soon?"  "I really like all the colors, but I am not sure about the pink stripe in there..."

 

 Fun and easy to knit, and the yarn holds up very well to the wear and tear of boys.

Cable Cardigan for the Babe.

    Even though it is the middle of summer, I am working on sweaters for the fall.  I just finished this cable cardigan which is from the Minnies book by Jil Eaton and I used her yarn also which was a merino wool.  This is a size 18-24 months and was created on size 9 needles.  I did change where I marked the sleeves on the body and increased it by one inch which I thought might give C.C. a little more room to swing his arms at his brothers (in play or defense). 

    I seemed to really stall while working on this project.  I would lose my cable needle in the sofa or I seemed to be misplacing it constantly.  I think the pattern is written well, but I think my brain was occupied elsewhere.  ho hum.  The little guy wore it around to model for us, and I think I raised his temperature by a few degrees since it is such a nice thick wool. 

    I am crazy about the color and I almost always seem to choose some sort of wooden type button for all of the boys sweaters over the years.  Unless there is some interesting, artisan made buttons that I can locate.  Next I am to finish my rug hooking project that I made an error on and had to ignore it for a month or so. 

Seedling Cardigan For The Babe

With the weather finally turning warmer, I was able to finish this seedling cardigan for the babe.  The recipe is from a Jill Eaton book, and I realized that I made the same exact cardigan for N. when he was one.  Almost the same shade of blue.  Yikes.  Needless to say, it is a great fitting pattern.  Perfect for slipping on when the weather is still damp. 

Watching those hands fiddle with that toy, which I had for Z. when he was a babe, makes me happy for the most simple design in my child's world.  Nothing fancy.  Just cups that stack.

CardieDetails:  I used Malabrigo yarn which is soft and has an interesting thick and thin quality to it.  The pattern has a charming mandarin collar.

Next up are some Easter accoutrement's.  Adieu.