She’s Here!

After waiting, and waiting, and waiting, (okay, maybe I’m exaggerating), Kirsi finally decided it was time to be born.

In the evening of Friday, May 10th, (one day after my due date) my water broke while I was sitting at the kitchen table pouting about the fact that I was still sans baby.  Labor quickly followed, and Kirsi was born the next day, May 11th, at 12:30pm.  Birthing was a new experience for me since Eva had been a c-section.  This time I went for a VBAC, and I was successful! 

Kirsi cradled in Daddy’s hand.

Our little addition weighed 7lbs 13oz and measured 20 inches in length.  She’s a bit bigger than her sister was, but she’s still precious!  Eva is still adjusting to having a little sister, and I think it’ll take some time for her to accept the change.  After all, would you want to give up being the center of attention?

 

Kirsi’s Dress – Second Progress Report

Guess what?!  I’m still pregnant!  And what does that mean?  It means I’m still working on that little baby dress.

I’ve made it past the two decrease rounds, and I’m now working on the 11th pattern repeat.  At this point, I’m supposed to knit straight until the skirt measures 21 cm.  I have about 13.5 cm at the moment.

I can’t wait to get to the bodice.  The skirt isn’t necessarily hard, but it’s quite tedious!  I have to pay extra attention during the yarn over rounds since I always manage to omit one or more accidentally.  :/  Can you tell I’ve been tinking hundreds of stitches?

Gentleman’s Plain Winter Socks – Complete!

They’re done!

Gentleman’s Plain Winter Socks

 

The first sock flew off the needles.  The second?  Not so much.  I’m so glad to have finished them.  These were knit with Knit Picks Felici Sport in “Monochrome” and 2.75mm needles.  I ended up with a gauge of 9 sts x 11 rows = 1 inch.  Yes, my gauge was tighter than the pattern’s when using sportweight yarn and larger needles.

The toe!

The heel!

 

I wasn’t that thrilled with the heel in this pattern.  It was kind of weird to knit, and it looks weird, too.  It may be very comfortable, but I won’t know until Kai tries wearing the socks.  I think I’ll steer clear of the Dutch heel from now on, though. 

 

Kirsi’s Dress – First Progress Report

I finished those Gentleman’s Plain Winter Socks that I’ve been working on for what seems like FOREVER (more on those in a later post), so I’ve undertaken a new project.  This time it’s another little baby dress.

I’m using Knit Picks CotLin in “Flamingo” and size 4 needles.  I hope it turns out small enough for the baby to wear right away.  I’m pretty much winging it since I didn’t swatch (I never do), but I am using the recommended weight yarn and needle size.

Anyway, I’d like to have this dress finished before she’s born.  Seeing as I’m due in a little over a week, I don’t know if that will happen.  Wait, who am I kidding?  Of course I’ll be able to finish it if I work on it regularly.  I have a feeling I’ll be going late seeing as I’ve experienced no symptoms of impending labor.  I guess I should take advantage of all this prep time, huh?

Gentleman’s Plain Winter Socks – Second Progress Report

Here’s a photo to prove I’ve been making progress:

I’m working on the foot now.  I have to knit until it’s 8.25 inches before starting the toe.  (I have about 5.75 inches at the moment.)  I love the color.  It’s definitely masculine!

Tiny Tied Baby Hat – Complete!

Here’s a little baby hat I whipped up:

Tiny Tied Baby Hat

Cute little icord bow!

The pattern was really simple.  It’s just a basic baby hat with two icords coming out of the top.  I used Shibui Knits Staccato in “Watermelon” and size 4 needles.  Even though I knit the newborn size, I think it’s a little big.  It’ll work, though!

Complete details can be found on my Rav page.

 

Gentleman’s Plain Winter Sock – First Progress Report

Today I started a new project – Gentleman’s Plain Winter Sock. 

Gentleman's Plain Winter Sock - Cuff in Progress

This pattern is from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush.  I love this book.  The patterns are very well written and easy to understand.  If you’d like to try knitting socks, but don’t know where to start, I’d recommend taking a serious look at this book.  There are plenty of easy patterns to start with, and even the more complicated looking socks are made simple by Nancy’s great instuctions.

I’m using Knit Picks Felici Sport in “Monochrome” and 2.75mm dpns.  The pattern calls for fingering weight yarn and 2.5mm dpns, but from experience, I know I won’t hit gauge using those.  And besides, Kai’s feet are quite a bit larger than the size indicated in the pattern.  I plan to follow the pattern verbatim except I’ll be knitting a longer foot.

As always, I’ll keep you updated on my progress!