Child Mittens

I made these mitten for my oldest boy. They were too big, so I felted them up a bit and now they're perfect! And warmer. Gotta love wool! These also match his vest and Bugerloo hat. http://afghansforafghans.org/mittens.html

Borough Mittens

I made my husband these awesome mittens for one of his Yule gifts. I realized, after I weaved in the ends, that they were inside out! Honestly though, I think they'll match the hat I'm making better this way (it has a similar rib pattern). The mitten part folds back and buttons down so you can either have them full mittens, or fingerless (for working). Here's a pic before I've attached the buttons. I have some antique compass buttons that will look great, but I left them in the car after raiding my mother's bin. The pic isn't so great (lighting is poor in my house and I live in Oregon, which means that there's no lighting outside for 8 more months), but they're a slate blue. I also still need to add some buttons.

The pattern was easy to follow, quick to knit, and they look really great. I didn't make any adjustments to the pattern. I'm thinking of making some for myself! Here's the pattern: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwbis11/PATTborough.php

Bugerloo Hat

I made the Bugerloo Hat (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buggerloo) for both of my boys. The pattern is a bit large (could easily be for an adult by just making it a little bit taller before the decreases), so I felted it! Here's the first one I made. I added an antique leather button from my mom's 70s stash.

Vest

I was looking for a vest pattern for my boys who LOVE vests and found this great vertical stripe! http://www.afghansforafghans.org/vestforafghanchildren.html
The sizing was a bit unclear, so I made the large figuring that it would either fit my four year old, or my seven year old. It looks like it will fit my four year old, with growing room.  I was worried that just one size up wouldn't be large enough for my seven year old, so I switched from size 7 needles to size 9. It was HUGE! It *almost fit my husband, who is 6 ft and average build. One more reason to love wool- I felted it!

The details- followed the pattern, except that I did random stripes on the size large and matched the stripes on the extra large. I used several colors instead of just the recommended two. There is some puckering on the increases, not sure how to correct that for next time. I also added a garter stitch border for five rows, including button holes (yo, k2tog). All in all, it's a great pattern! My husband is now asking for one of his own.

The size large (~ child size 6)

The size extra large, after felting, hopefully a child size 8 The green is the same green in the hat and cowel below. I think they'll all look great together!

Boys Skull Cowel

Worsted weight on size 8 needles. Gauge- does anyone really check? I tend to be a loose knitter, if that helps. I used a bamboo/wool blend in a forest green.

c/o 38 stitches
work in k2p2 ribbing for 20 rows.
Row 21- continue k2p2 ribbing for first 8 stitches, knit until last 8, continue k2p2 til end of row.
Row 22- continue k2p2 rib for first 8, purl until last 8, continue k2p2 rib.
Row 23- Continue ribbing pattern first and last 8 stitches throughout chart. begin working skull cable chart. Start on WS (start w knit stitches)
After chart is completed, go back to regular ribbing across. Continue until piece measures 23.5 inches from cast on edge, then do a row of button holes. I did a y/o k2tog three times, evenly spaced, for the button holes. Continue in the rib pattern for another 5 rows, then cast off in pattern.

It *looks* like it came out great, but I won't know until Yule/Christmas morning when he can try it on!

I also made this very cute "Boy Hat" to match. The pattern isn't actually for a boy, but I used a size 5 needle instead of what was recommended and it's tight on my head, so I'm assuming it should fit him well. If it's too long, I can turn it up with a brim until he grows into it. Here's the pattern http://limulusknits.blogspot.com/2007/11/boy-hat.html

I'm also working on a vertical striped vest (although the pic looks like it's horizontal, just turn your head to the side) that uses yarn from this project as well as yarn from a felted pub hat I made for him, so he can have some matchy-matchy stuff. So far it's coming along... This is the pattern
http://www.afghansforafghans.org/vestforafghanchildren.html

Soap Sweaters

In addition to making some melt and pour soap, I made some little sweaters to go along with them. They were super quick to knit up and came out really cute! For those of you who are like my husband, these actually serve a purpose. They're like a washcloth with the soap inside. When you have all of those little chuncks of soap left, just stick them in the bag and no more waste! I modeled them after the following pattern, but I added a chained strap so they could hang in the shower to avoid muckiness. Also, instead of using a button I sewed in a snap on the inside. My husband was worried about folks washing their hoo-has with buttons. Very thoughtful of him ;-) The best part about this pattern is after doing one or two, you can really play around with different cables and other interesting stitches.
http://lookwhatnicolemade.blogspot.com/2009/11/bamboo-soap-sweaters.html

Holidays!

In anticipation of the holidays, I am knitting like a fiend! I do wonder why I wait until the end of October to start knitting for the winter holidays, but it seems inevitable at this point. I'll start posting some of my finished products and their patterns as soon as I can. It might make me feel as if I'm accomplishing something; in reality, I just keep ADDING to my list at a much faster pace than I am crossing stuff off, but...

I've been knitting some dishcloths for gifts and just finished this one for my adult daughter who has been a Harry Potter fan since she could walk (that's not much of an exaggeration). I found this fabulous pattern here: http://www.irishlace.net/knitting/deathly-hallows-washcloth.html

Here's the finished product!