Baby Pattern Review + New Years Resolutions

      It's 2017! Isn't it crazy to think that we've made it this far? 2017 sounds like a year in some futuristic robo-tron movie, but it is no longer the future. It is the present. It is now time to implement all of the resolutions and plans that we promised ourselves we would stick with when the New Year came just a few days ago. One of my New Years resolutions is to finish what I start. At this point in my knitting career of only 6 years I have a "to pick up and continue later" bin that is embarrassing for me acknowledge. So I don't, It sits in the corner of my room collecting dust. I can't stand to look at it. That bin is my garage stacked to the ceiling with the junk I've collected over the years. That bin is the closet full of clothing I never wear yet can't bear to get rid of. That bin is the embodiment of my fear of putting time and effort into something only to find that it wasn't what I wanted or needed. This year is the year that I empty out that bin and decide what will be frogged and what will be completed.

 The past few months have I been occupied with projects for the little ones in my life. I love to knit but I have noticed that I can sometimes loose my enthusiasm when it comes to knitting larger projects, especially when they are for myself. This is why I dedicate so much time to knitting for babies and toddlers: 1. Because the amount of time until I have a finished product is less than half of what it would be if I were knitting for an adult and 2. Because they just look so cute in hand knits! This is why another one of my New Years resolutions for 2017 is to fight the desire for instant gratification, to just set a goal and continue working at it until it is completed. All of the sweaters featured in this post are worked from the top-down and each pattern is available for free! (Yay for free patterns)

1. Baby's Raglan- Carole Barenys

The first sweater I knitted, as big as it may seem, is actually for a newborn. The babies in my family tend to be larger than average so I took precautions. I figured that if it were too big it could always be set aside for later. 

     This was a very quick knit, It only took two days from start to finish.

It was also a very easy knit. I would definitely recommend this pattern to anyone looking for a last minute gift or for someone who plans on knitting the same sweater in multiple colors.

For this sweater I used a set of pink strawberry buttons that I got from a thrift store in San Luis Obispo.

I also knitted a matching beret form a pattern that I modified. I will leave the pattern for that here.

                  Dificulty: 3/10

                  Rating: 8/10

                  

                  Thoughts: The reason that I only this pattern an 8/10 despite loving it is because it only comes in one size. This may not be a big deal for an experienced knitter or for someone with decent math skills but someone with less experience may want to put more of their effort into perfecting their knitting skills rather than figuring out how to up or downsize the sweater.

2. Baby's Raglan By Carole Barenys

I knitted this sweater using the same pattern as the previous one except I shortened the sleeves, lengthened the body, and added a bit of cabling. This sweater is also for a newborn. It's a sweater dress meant to be worn with stockings or tights however, I tried this on my four year old niece and it fit her like a sweater which means that the newborn can grow up into a toddler with this sweater.

It looks somewhat thin in the body but its actually pretty stretchy

Unlike the original pattern I used eyelet increases

               

 These buttons were also from my trip to SLO. I now have a lifetime supply of fruit shaped buttons in various shapes and sizes.

This cabling pattern is called "Cabled Diamonds 1" and can be found on page 114 of the book 

"400 Knitting Stitches" by Potter Craft

                     Dificulty: 3/10

                     Rating: 8/10

                     Thoughts: This particular version of the sweater is my favorite. In the future I plan to knit a similar one but with longer sleeves and a wider skirt.

3. Flax by Tin Can Knits

This pattern has been in my queue on ravelry for almost a year now, it was time to cast on! I knitted this sweater for my youngest niece in purple which is her favorite color. She watched me while I knitted away this sweater, she knew it was for her, and she took joy in it. My heart!

Quite literally actually, My nieces are the first people that come to mind when I think of unconditional love. My niece is my heart so I knitted a seed stitch heart onto the front of her sweater.

I knitted this sweater using the instructions for ages 4-6 so that she can wear it for a little while.

I had to lengthen the body to fit my tall and skinny niece but as I said before the kids in my family are bigger than average so I doubt many of you will have to do the same.

Aside from the simplicity what really drew me to this pattern was the garter stitch worked on the sleeves, its a simple yet beautiful design element which makes this sweater feel somewhat classy.

                    Dificulty: 4/10

                    Rating: 10/10

                   Thoughts: One of the reasons I find this pattern to be so great is that it has such a large number of sizes to choose from. There are 7 childrens sizes and 10 adult sizes ranging from 0 to 6 months to an Adult 4XL. mean who doesn't love matching sweaters!

I hope that you'll find as much joy in these patterns as I have! They are quick and easy knits that I'm sure any parent would love to receive. Also, if you have any young children, nieces, nephews, or cousins don't forget that items made just for them can be really meaningful. As for my resolutions, this year is the year that I will finally make them happen. No more putting things off, no more hiding from my own cruel judgement, and no more loosing sight of my end goals. Now that I've welcomed in the New Year it's time to welcome in the new me.

Happy New Year!