First Socks

i set myself a goal this year.

.learn to knit socks.

you see, socks have been sort of intimidating for me. they seemed tricky and hard. so i kept putting it off.

i decided that NOW was the time.

not exactly identical, but i still like 'em.



the pattern is Most Basic Kids Socks. i read about it on soulemama a long while ago.

my notes can be found here.

Teeny Tiny Legwarmers

this is a legwarmer pattern i made for the birthday girl's doll.

size:

16 inch friendship (waldorf style) doll

finished measurements:
2.75 inches wide  x 4 inches long

materials:
small amount of worsted weight yarn: 40-50 yards (i used lion brand wool-ease)
size 2 (2.75mm) double pointed knitting needles

Cast On 30 stitches and divide evenly between three needles. Join for working in the round.

work in ribbing pattern (knit 3, purl 3) for 4 rows.

then, work in stockinette stitch for 2.5 inches.

continue with ribbing pattern (knit 3, purl 3) for last 4 rounds so that the legwarmer measures about 4 inches total.

Bind Off and weave in ends.

baby legwarmers?

i knit legwarmers for the baby.

she kept crawling out of them.

i let the doll wear them.

and then the resident three year old.

they fit him.

Knitted Bunnies

The thoughts behind for this project came from years of wanting some tangible thing in the hospital with my newborn baby.

I'd heard that keeping a little toy, cloth, or blanket next to the mother for a time would transfer her smell onto it, and could then be placed next to the baby. This would help to calm the baby because he or she could smell the mother close by.

I've wanted to try this for the last few of my children, but never have.
When I decided to start using materials I already have in the house, my thoughts turned to some cotton yarn nuggets and some wool batting. All leftovers from other projects. And all natural materials, perfect for attracting scent.
I thought this little bunny would be the perfect thing for our new baby girl. My hopes are that if I keep this little bunny next to me, she'll begin to smell like me, and then give some comfort to the baby when I'm not around.


At Christmastime, I came across this shop and blog by Rebecca Danger in my attempts to find cute items for handmade gifts. The patterns are at the top of the sidebar.

I also would like to mention another shop, SunflowerRadiantLove, that sells little dolls that would be perfect for the same use because she uses cotton for the faces and and wool for the stuffing. And most importantly because she is so kind in her comments to this blog!