for {someone else's} baby and for you!

In case you thought I'd had enough of knitting for children, think again.  Some good friends of ours are expecting a little one at the end of next month and I was so excited to try out a couple of new patterns for him.  Earlier in the fall, I was lucky enough to receive a copy of More Last Minute Knitted Gifts, the new book from Joelle Hoverson, from the very kind folks at STC Craft.  As with her previous books, it's beautiful and filled with a really lovely variety of projects ranging from bookmarks and coffee cozies to adult socks and sweaters.  This book, also like her previous ones, is arranged by the time it will take to complete the projects, and I must say that I've found these time frames to be quite accurate.  I've already bookmarked a whole bunch of patterns that I want to make, and aside from the patterns below, I've already started on the Toe Up Socks, which I hope to have finished sometime before I die, on account of those size 0 needles...

Since I found out that our friends were expecting, I had planned to make something (obviously), but of course had been putting it off.  When we got the invitation in mid-December for a shower in early January, I panicked.  Not enough time to make something! Oh how wrong I was, I had a whole book of last minute gifts to choose from! For this new little one, I picked out the Baby Socks and the Easy Baby Cardigan.  I started with the socks so that I'd have something to bring to the shower in case I didn't finish the sweater in time, but it all came together, and with time to spare!  These little socks were such a dream to knit.  They are insanely adorable, simple, and so satisfying to knit since they're finished so quickly.  I used the incredibly soft Sandnes Garn Alpakka and made 0-6 month and 6-9 month sizes, so his little feets can stay warm and cozy for a long time. {more info on ravelry, here}
  

For the sweater, I unintentionally used bulky yarn instead of worsted, but I adjusted the pattern a bit and it all ended up working out just fine.  The good thing about babywear is that it doesn't really matter if it doesn't fit perfectly, and if it's too big, even better!  I chose O-Wool Legacy Bulky and it was really nice to work with.  I had used O-Wool once before, when making my February Lady Sweater and I was really annoyed with all the "bits" that were stuck in the yarn, so I was hesitant to try it again (I'm actually still picking "bits" out of my sweater after two years of wearing it!).  Maybe the yarns have improved, because I didn't encounter any of that this time.  I was a little worried about how this sweater would come together since it's all knit in one piece, and then you fold it in half and sew up the side and sleeve seams on each side.  But hey, it worked! And they seriously loved it, can't wait to see the little guy in all his handknits! {more info on ravelry, here}

And finally, the part that's for you...I mentioned that STC Craft was kind enough to send me a copy of this book last fall, but they actually sent me two copies so I could share one with a lucky reader!  So for all of you who are finally recovering from the holiday gift making and need some last minute ideas, just leave a comment here by midnight on Sunday and I'll announce the winner next Monday.  Happy knitting!