Some of the things I’m making will remain a surprise until after the baby is born, but I’m giving them this set beforehand. It looks deceptively easy all in stocking and garter stitch, but certainly isn’t for novice knitters.
I had some trouble keeping track of the different increases and the button holes at the same time. I also had some difficulty with the place where the sleeves meet the fronts and back. To be honest, I was unable to prevent fairly large holes from appearing no matter how hard I tried and had to cheat a little to close them. The ears on the hat were not easy to get right, and the bootees were a bit fiddly.
The patterns ask for double pointed needles in three different sizes. I didn’t have all of those, so used circular needles and the magic loop method for the hat and bootees.
The little baby set is so beautiful. I loved the photo of the treasured baby things hanging on the clothes line in the sun in your earlier post. This is a special time. Grandchildren are wonderful.
Thank you, yes, it really feels special (and a little scary, too).
The patience and concentration you put into this little baby set was well worth it! It is very sweet, sure to be treasured.
It was fiddly work here and there, but really nice to do, too. Hope I’ve chosen the right size.
How sweet! The baby things, your words, the squirrels. I love squirrels and I see them quite often close to the house. I love the word squirrel, it is so wonderfully describing!
I have no special relation to Beatrix Potter, her stories are not so well-known in Sweden, possibly because Swedish writer and illustrator Elsa Beskow is similar. That said, I did read about naughty Peter Rabbit – Pelle Kanin in Swedish – to my sons and I do believe they felt a kinship!
You have squirrels even in the city? That’s so nice. I know that Elsa Beskow has also been translated into Dutch, but am not familiar with her books. Am going to take a look at them. Peter Rabbit, Pelle Kanin, Pieter Konijn, I think children will recognize something in this naughty creature all around the world.
What a precious set of knits for baby! ?
Thank you!
I did not grow up with Beatrix Potter’s stories…they existed, certainly, but I did not know them.
I have a love/hate relationship with squirrels. I love to watch them, and suspect that I embody many of their goofy characteristics…I have the attention span of a gnat. I hate the destruction they can do, though. If they can get to a bird feeder, they will move Heaven and earth to get to the contents. If they can’t get to the feeder, they will still move Heaven and earth, gnawing through anything in their way.
We have a lot of squirrels near my house, more gray than red (I hear they will not exactly coexist, but don’t know that for certain). The trees they live in are not too near my house, though, and I do have cats who warn them away from the food bowl. Why those same cats don’t seem to mind if a raccoon or an opossum gets their food, though, I don’t know. But I digress.
I love seeing all the baby things!! What a warm, beloved baby this will be. That little hat with the ears is just too cute. All babies should have freshly-made handknits, shouldn’t they?
It’s fun to read about your experiences with squirrels. We don’t have any grey ones in this country, but from what I’ve heard they are much more forward than the red ones. I know red squirrels can be a nuisance, too, but ‘ours’ seem rather shy. Agree, handknits are the best (and not just for babies).