Knitting Up A Storm
I am a knitting machine! Well, no, not an actual knitting machine – which is a thing – but someone who has been doing a lot of knitting. I am BETTER than a machine, because all my stuff is made with love. And baby slobber. And dog hair. But mostly love.
Here’s what’s been on my needles:
I saw a pair of knit leggings on Pinterest a few weeks ago (which of course I didn’t repin, so I can’t link to the picture now) and thought “hey, I could totally do that”. So I did. Patternless, off the top of my head. Unfortunately, although he was EXTREMELY happy to model them for these photos, yellow leggings don’t really go with the rest of Little Evan’s wardrobe – so these have been shipped off to someone who I know will look even cuter in them.
Pumpkin hat. Caroline’s got one too. Pattern half made up in my head, half from this site.
My first try at this adorable knit necklace my friend Megan made based on the pattern here. It’s two strips knit separately and woven together. You can wear it this way or reverse it for a different braid pattern. I’m going to make a dozen more.
I was afraid I had waited too long to finish this dress I started in the spring, and Caroline would have grown out of the small size before I was done, but with a onesie and leggings it’s still perfect for fall. I’ve never knitted pleats before and was worried they were above my skill level but it turns out they’re totally manageable – even for the kind of disjointed, interrupted, stop and start knitting I do most of the time. (The pattern is called Fiona Baby Sundress and is available for free on Ravelry as a download.)
Classic nautical pea coat buttons in fun colors
Love the pointed hood
If you’ve been around for a while, you might remember me knitting Phoebe Mouse and Phoebe’s sweater. The book also included a toddler sized version of the doll sweater – unfortunately, it was for a 2 year old and my baby is a peanut. So I used the pattern for the mouse-sized coat and did a little math and made it Caroline sized. I’m SO EXCITED that it fits and that she has a beautiful fall coat now. It makes me feel like Caroline Ingalls (who is honest to God one of my actual heroes) that something I made is so FUNCTIONAL. It’s more than a hobby! I make CLOTHES.
I wanted to finish this cowl before I wrote a post about what I was knitting, so I sped through the last 2 inches during every spare minute yesterday. My husband literally took this picture for me at 9:30 last night. It’s the most basic cowl you can possibly make (cast on an odd number of stitches, knit 1 purl 1 until it’s long enough, bind off) but I help the multi-toned yarn double so it’s super warm and comfy.
And finally, one more quick bunny I’ve had 50% finished on a stitch holder since BlogHer in August. It took less than 10 minutes to finish and it feels SO GOOD to now having it staring at me every time I open my knitting bag. FACELESS BUNNY WAS JUDGING ME.
Now all I have to do is finish the sweater I started for E a full year ago – and the one I started for myself even longer ago than that. WHY can’t person-sized sweaters be as fast and fun and easy as baby stuff?! But I will get them done. It’s what Ma Ingalls would want.
Tags: baby, crafts, gifts, handmade, knit, knitting, necklace, pictures, sweater, toddlers
Love the Phoebe sweater! Rory still loves her Phoebe and the book! Phoebe sleeps on her bed with the 5 other toys she must go to bed with.
Caroline’s dress is absolutely ADORABLE!! I remember thinking that when you first posted a picture of her in it. So cool that you made it!! :)
The picture of Caroline with the pointed hood looks like it belongs in a knitting magazine!
I love the dress you made Caroline! I wish I could find the time to make something like that for my daughter! First I would have to quit my job, stop taking classes, AND LEARN TO KNIT! I have loved watching your knitting talent develop over the last year or so! And your photography too! Thank you for sharing! The pumpkin hats are adorable too!
Madly in love with Caroline’s coat! When will you be opening an Etsy shop? :)
I’m totally jealous of the red peacoat. TOTALLY JEALOUS.
Suzanne, you are so uber-talented! And I can totally brag because I have in my possession a Suzanne-knitted cowl and TWO bunnies. Brigham sleeps with his, by the way :)
I am SO glad he likes it! xoxo
The dress is so cute! Ond OMG she is little red riding hood! Love it!
you are so talented… love all of the stuff!
Wow, you are so talented. I LOVE the red coat. I wish I could have something like that for Knox. How cute would that be in green with some monster buttons? But I can’t even find the time to finish his pinwheel b-day garland by next week – let alone knit a whole coat.
I’m with Cole, when will you be opening an Etsy shop? :) all of those pieces are adorable!! I can’t even narrow down a favorite to comment on. Seriously, great job!
I am INCREDIBLY jealous of your skills.
I want every last one of these things. NO LIE.
You know I already adore your knitting {although a certain toddler girl has been using my coffee coozy as wrist warmers. Which is more hysterical when she’s only in a diaper. I’m sure those wrists do get awfully chilly.
BAHAHAHAHA. I’ll have to see if I have anymore blue & orange yarn to make her some matching leg warmers.
Awwww, so cute! I’m envious you’re finishing things. My knitting life lately has had a lot of starts (for Christmas) and few full finishes. I leave a lot of things with just the weaving-in, because that’s how I enjoy spending Christmas Eve, exactly like a normal person.
you are a machine. holy crap, so much love. where do i sign up for a pair of those leg warmers and the braided necklace. srsly, where?
I think you just check your mailbox next week. BOOM.
Suzanne, I am learning so; for the cowl I cast on as many as I want and then is it knit 1 row and purl 1 row or knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch??? I am dying to make one. The straight knit scarves are getting old.
I knit it in the round – I cast on 75 stitches (held 2 strands to make a super bulky yarn, so cast on more for a thinner yarn), joined in the round knitting one stitch, purling the next. Just keep doing that around and around – since you have an odd number of stitches when you get back to where you started you’ll end up purling the knits and knitting the purls. Bind off in the same k1, p1 pattern when it gets long enough and you’re done!
If you cast on an even number of stitches you’ll end up with 1×1 ribbing. It’s pretty cool.
You have inspired me to consider making something with the super soft yarn and hooks I have sitting in a box. I prefer crochet over knitting but same difference. Yarn homemade goodness. Oh and I adore Caroline’s red coat.
i kinda wish those little yellow leggings were on their way to my gigantic legs! bummer. you are so freaking talented! that little blue dress is the cutest thing ever!
the pumpkin hate, the nautical pea coat, the leggings, the necklace & the cowl…LOVE THEM ALL!
my desire to learn how to knit is strong and every time i start to read & think about it i get overwhelmed!
I feel like I haven’t knit anything in SO LONG! I am in a knitting drought. I actually made a pumpkin hat very similar to the one you made, but it was for a friend who is starting a photography business. I need to make something for me!
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