Swatching For A Purpose

I hate swatches! It's something I normally avoid at all costs. To me it's pointless and a waste of time. It's VERY rare that I knit a swatch.

What is the point of a swatch you ask? Well it is normally done to test the gauge of yarn. You can find the guidelines for the swatch on the wrapper of the yarn. It is usually a square with knitting needles in it (there will also be one for crochet). This will tell you what size needles to use, how many rows to use, and what size square you should end up with. For example, on the yarn I'm currently using, it suggests to use size US 8 (5 mm) needles. Cast on 18 stitches, knitting 24 rows, should end up with a 4x4 inch square. If it doesn't end up the size you'll need to change your needle size. (Too small - go up in needle size, Too big - go down).

Also, keep in mind that if you use a different weight of yarn then is recommended for a project, it won't end up the same dimensions.

However, my favorite reason to swatch is to test out a pattern. It gives you a great idea of what the pattern will look like. This swatch I knit (pictured below) was a test for a baby blanket pattern. It similar to the pattern I used on the oceans blanket. It's the same basic pattern (the oceans blanket was knit in garter stitch and the swatch was knit in stockinette stitch). I wanted to see because of the border would stop the stockinette blanket from rolling up.

The sad news is that it did still roll up a bit. The good news is that I made this for a friend to use in her Christmas nativity scene, to line the manger for baby Jesus.

I like the way it looks. I think for future baby blankets the outer border will need to be done in garter stitch.

Happy Crafting!

Ocean Blue Blanket

The long awaited blanket is finally done! I have been knitting on this blanket off and on since March. This pattern is great for many reasons... it's simple and easy to make, you can make it as small or as large as you want, and you can add an accent color through the yarn over trim.

This oceany blanket was knit much larger then the usual baby blankets I knit but C was born before I started knitting. Since he didn't get a Nadia original baby blanket, he now has a Nadia original kids blanket! I'm happy to say he loves it and his oceans blanket goes great with his boat bed!

His wonderful momma took these beautiful pictures. You can find more of the pictures of the blanket along with all of other work on her blog.

Tori's Blanket

It seems like every time I turn around someone is having a baby. They keep me busy knitting baby blankets. The latest blanket is for my cousin and her sweet baby girl that is due to arrive next month. This is a pattern I've been wanting to try for a long time and I loved the yarn because all of the colors will go with almost anything and any color decor. You can find the pattern here.

Happy Crafting!

Chalice Lace Baby Blanket

So most people around me seem to be pregnant, which keeps my hands and needles busy. Of course I can't wait to be knitting a blanket for a little one of my own but I'm happy to make my creations for my friends and family. I love to find new patterns and challenge myself.

This blanket is for a friend whose baby has long been prayed for and is a wonderful surprise! The pattern was one of the most complex I've ever done, with a pattern repeat of twenty rows. While knitting I wasn't quite sure while if it was looking like the pattern and once I was done and gave it a good look, I'm happy to say it does! 

Happy Crafting!

Basket Weave Baby Blanket

I've had this beautiful salt & pepper yarn for a few months sitting in my craft room. I try to buy yarn with an intended purpose but I liked this one so much I couldn't resist. I wasn't sure what I was going to use it for until I decided to knit a baby blanket for a friend that I went to dental hygiene school with who is expecting. I decided to use the same pattern as a scarf I had made for Christmas. The pattern for the blanket can be found here. Can't wait till baby H makes his appearance!

Happy Crafting!

Easy Blanket: Blanket (Not a Scarf) for Christmas

I realize that a blanket is not a scarf but since 8 months old is a bit too young for a scarf M gets a blanket instead. This blanket has been made over many months and in between many scarves. I started the blanket about October. 

Having knit this pattern before I confidently got my needles out to start knitting. After a few rows it wasn't looking the same as the previous blanket. It looked "holey". I know what you're thinking and yes they were the same knitting needles I used previously and the same brand and type of yarn. The only difference is the color of the yarn. Being the perfectionist that I am (at least when it comes to knitting) and not liking the way it looked I undid all the the knitting even though my husband and mother insisted that it was fine. I moved to a needle size smaller but do to the needle change I no longer had enough yarn. This didn't dawn on me until further along in the blanket. I originally bought this yarn (2 skeins) on sale at Hobby Lobby. I bought 2 skeins because that's what I used for the previous blanket I had made with this pattern. Of course when I went back to buy more they no longer sold it and I had to get more online for a higher price. But finishing the blanket was worth the higher price of yarn! 

I found the original pattern on Ravelry. Hopefully it will help keep M nice and warm this winter!

Happy Crafting!

Enjoying The Morning

I'm spending the morning in enjoying the outdoor shade and knitting. (We live in Arizona and it is quite warm here). Our dog, Zeke, inspired me to change my morning off routine when he looked so happy and content laying in the grass.

I am currently working on yet another baby blanket for a friend who is due in about month. Everyone seems to be pregnant these days but me! I know my time will come but after two miscarriages I can't wait to have my own baby in my arms and to be knitting or sewing something for my children.

Back to the blanket... I wanted to do something pretty and feminine as she is having a girl. I found this beautiful trim online and thought that would be great for a blanket.

I decided to only do the trim on the sides and just knit the trim and blanket as one piece. In order to do this one of the trim sides is knitted backwards.  The first side when you start on the end follows the pattern but once you get to the opposite end you're starting on the backside of the trim. I thought everything would be fine because row 1-5 is the same backwards and forwards but I've run into some trouble with row 6!  Row 6 you slip the first stitch, bind off 3 and knit 3. I assumed if I knit 3, slip 1, bind off 3 it would work the same. No! Then I thought if I knit 3 and bind of 4 that would work.  No again! So I consulted with mother-in-law who is a far better knitter then I am and has knit much longer then I have. She came up with knit 3, bind off 2, knit 2 together.  I thought that sounded like a great idea but no such luck!

This has been driving me crazy. I've been racking my brain over what I can do on the other side for row 6 to get both sides to look the same! My poor husband has had to listen to my mumblings about this for a week now! Finally last night I think I came up with it! On row 6 after knitting 3, transfer the remaining stitches to the other needle, slip and bind of as usual and then transfer them back to the other needle again!

It sounds time consuming and a pain but I'm happy I have finally found a solution! In the future I think it would be easier to knit the trim separately and attach it to the finished blanket!

Baby blankets

My fingers have been so busy knitting I haven't had time to post! Since I've last updated my blog I have finished my second baby blanket and I'm close to finishing my third! The pictures below are of my second blanket. It is for my cousin who is do this fall. For this blanket I used the same pattern that I did for Peter's blanket. You can find the pattern in my previous post here.

I love the colors in this yarn... great for a baby but not pastels!

I'm finding that I really like the "pattern" the multi-color yarn makes!

Happy Crafting!

Finished Baby Blanket

Here are some pictures of Peter's finished blanket. I started Friday and have been knitting every spare moment since then and finished it this evening. You can find the original pattern here.

This blanket has been covered in prayers while I've been knitting. Prayers of healing for Peter and comfort for the family. While we hope for earthly healing sometimes God's healing is to take us home instead. May His will be done!

Happy Crafting!

Peter's Blanket

I've put all of mt other projects on hold for the moment and started knitting this blanket on Friday for baby Peter. A woman in our church is pregnant with Peter but there are complications and he isn't expected to live. She would like a different blanket then the hospital blanket to wrap him in after she gives birth. I'm on a deadline to get this done asap not knowing when Peter will decide to enter and leave this world. I hope that this blanket can help them in some small way!

You can find the pattern here.