Wednesday, April 5, 2017

FO: Wee Liesl and Baby Janes

I know what you're thinking... FO???? Where did this project come from???

Let me explain...

We live in a large townhouse complex with small yards and houses close together. The road is private, and quiet and when the weather is nice, everyone is usually hanging around in the front yards/garages.
But come winter, everyone hibernates, and the complex becomes a bit of a ghost town.

So this weekend, while I was out puttering around my gardens , Dave was reacquainting himself with neighbourhood friends. Saturday afternoon, I took a break, and Dave came in with a big smile on his face. "Justin's wife had the baby this week! A little girl!" he tells me, much to my consternation - I didn't even know she was pregnant!

It could have been just that we hadn't seen each other all winter... but Dave has seen Justin a few times - and no one informed me of an impending baby!!! That's just not a nice thing to do to a knitter.

Thankfully, babies are small and baby knits are quick. I knew I had a couple skeins of Twinkle Cat DK around in a nice, girly pink. But do you think I could find them???

To make up for the lack of proper notice, I had Dave drive me over the Lens Mills where I picked up a couple balls of Kroy Socks. (Perfect for babies... almost indestructible, totally machine washable and dryable, and softens quite nicely after washing). Saturday night I cast on for Wee Liesl...
...and by Sunday night it was on the blocking board. Monday night I used to whip up a pair of matching  Baby Janes.

As you can see, I modded Liesl a bit.  Because she's a spring baby, I did cap sleeves instead of long. If it still fits her come fall, they can use it as a layering piece.
And because of the self-striping yarn, I left out the garter ridge. I couldn't control where the colour changes were, and I didn't like how it looked when they changed mid garter row.
When we were at Lens, I grabbed buttons for it too. I probably had something in my stash that would work, but something about the yarn colours just cried out for little yellow-centred daisies!
And of course, they are on the Baby Janes too!

12 comments:

Cat Lover said...

Very sweet Valerie! Mom and baby will love it.
Robin

Vera said...

OMG - Darling! I love the Mary Janes too - perfect!!

Minding My Own Stitches said...

Wow, you knocked that out of the park! Very good idea to shorten the sleeves. Spring really is here! Also, good tip about Kroy sock yarn... I'd never thought of it for baby items but I can see how it would work really well!

Delighted Hands said...

Wow! This is just too cute and it will be a very welcome gift! Clever knitter you are!

Anonymous said...

That is a FABULOUS set! Your neighbor is going to LOVE them.

kathy b said...

OH Val. It is so precious. That baby girl is so very lucky. WOW you are fast fast fast, and oH I love the buttons.

The Well Fed Wheel said...

Just DARLING!!!!!! I love it and she will too!! The daisy buttons are perfect!

Araignee said...

Oh, good golly gracious! That is just the cutest thing ever!!!! You amaze me.

elns said...

"and no one informed me of an impending baby!!! That's just not a nice thing to do to a knitter." Best and fabulous quote.

Thank you for the sock yarn indestructible tip! You are the master though and I think even if baby things are small it might take me a zillion years to get through a piece. I'll put it on the to do list though!

The knitting is beautiful. Bang up job as usual. Those maryjanes are delightful.

Jocelyn said...

Love it!! Nice save :)

Mary Lou said...

So sweet!

chrisknits said...

Adorable!!! Thank goodness for baby's small and quick knits.