3.12.2009
Cisco
There has been a gaggle of baby knitting going on over here - a very important little person is coming into the world and I've made it my personal mission to instill a high wool tolerance, nay, dependence on the little one.
Also - baby stuff can make anyone feel like a super knitter - little projects that give you the similar types of construction satisfaction (sometimes) as larger garments, take about a tenth of the time, and give you an excuse to play with all those beautiful yarns you were saving for something special but didn't have enough of to make anything substantial with. Works for me!
Now, Cisco. Here's a project that is almost too cute for it's own good. You know, the project that makes you giggle as you work because it's so darned cute... and because you know that any little head when wrapped in little ears like this will be ten times more likely to induce cute-baby-sighs.
The original pattern is written for various brightly colored yarns, striped together. I opted for a more subtle self-striping look. As I always say, when the yarn can do the work for you - just let it. And when you have the chance to put a little handspun to good use (with garter stitch) - do it.
I had just enough handspun left over from this hat to make a miniature - and the big bonus? The original hat was made for the baby mama... meaning yes, we have a matchy-matchy scenario on our hands. I love it. [See a photo of the un-knit handspun here]
There are some fun and clever little construction details on this - like the formation of the ears, mitered forehead point, and shaped back-of-head portion. All pieces are knit flat, but picked up and worked directly off of one another, so no seaming is involved (brownie points).
Aside from the difference in yarn choices, I only made a few small modifications to the existing pattern. I omitted the stockinette center peak of the forehead - I liked the look better keeping it in garter, and rather than using YO increased, I worked raised bar increases to omit holes. I trimmed the whole thing in a solid contrasting color - one ridge of garter stitch with a bind off in purl from the RS. I left 3 live stitches at the base of each earflap as I was binding off and made them into I-cord. I made the I-cord just long enough to tie, but not so long as to be a dangling nuisance for parent or child.
I thought the ears, being the absolute best part of the little piece, needed a little extra pop so I worked a crochet chain in the darker solid around each ear to emphasize their shape. I think they look much better with it than they did before.
What a little gem of a pattern this is - highly recommended and definitely worthy of getting of the regular-baby-knits list if you ask me! Thanks to the lovely ladies of the Berocco DT for another winner!
¶ 3:38 PM
Also - baby stuff can make anyone feel like a super knitter - little projects that give you the similar types of construction satisfaction (sometimes) as larger garments, take about a tenth of the time, and give you an excuse to play with all those beautiful yarns you were saving for something special but didn't have enough of to make anything substantial with. Works for me!
Now, Cisco. Here's a project that is almost too cute for it's own good. You know, the project that makes you giggle as you work because it's so darned cute... and because you know that any little head when wrapped in little ears like this will be ten times more likely to induce cute-baby-sighs.
Pattern: Cisco [Free Pattern from the Berroco Design Team] [Ravel it!]
Materials: "Lazy Daisy" Handspun light-worsted-weight 2-Ply Merino from Pigeonroof Studios; Scraps of Solid Brown Cascade "Cash Vero" for trim and I-cord
Size: With my very limited knowledge of baby sizing... I'd guess this came out to fit around a 6-12 month old
Needles: US 8/5mm circulars (the piece is knitted flat)
Start Date: March 1, 2009
Finish Date: March 8, 2009
Materials: "Lazy Daisy" Handspun light-worsted-weight 2-Ply Merino from Pigeonroof Studios; Scraps of Solid Brown Cascade "Cash Vero" for trim and I-cord
Size: With my very limited knowledge of baby sizing... I'd guess this came out to fit around a 6-12 month old
Needles: US 8/5mm circulars (the piece is knitted flat)
Start Date: March 1, 2009
Finish Date: March 8, 2009
The original pattern is written for various brightly colored yarns, striped together. I opted for a more subtle self-striping look. As I always say, when the yarn can do the work for you - just let it. And when you have the chance to put a little handspun to good use (with garter stitch) - do it.
I had just enough handspun left over from this hat to make a miniature - and the big bonus? The original hat was made for the baby mama... meaning yes, we have a matchy-matchy scenario on our hands. I love it. [See a photo of the un-knit handspun here]
There are some fun and clever little construction details on this - like the formation of the ears, mitered forehead point, and shaped back-of-head portion. All pieces are knit flat, but picked up and worked directly off of one another, so no seaming is involved (brownie points).
Aside from the difference in yarn choices, I only made a few small modifications to the existing pattern. I omitted the stockinette center peak of the forehead - I liked the look better keeping it in garter, and rather than using YO increased, I worked raised bar increases to omit holes. I trimmed the whole thing in a solid contrasting color - one ridge of garter stitch with a bind off in purl from the RS. I left 3 live stitches at the base of each earflap as I was binding off and made them into I-cord. I made the I-cord just long enough to tie, but not so long as to be a dangling nuisance for parent or child.
I thought the ears, being the absolute best part of the little piece, needed a little extra pop so I worked a crochet chain in the darker solid around each ear to emphasize their shape. I think they look much better with it than they did before.
What a little gem of a pattern this is - highly recommended and definitely worthy of getting of the regular-baby-knits list if you ask me! Thanks to the lovely ladies of the Berocco DT for another winner!
¶ 3:38 PM
Comments:
and yours look real nice!
/janette
What a sweet knit. I'll have to whip one up before baby number 3 arrives.
I am now distraught that all my niblings (shorthand for nieces and nephews) are far too old for cute baby clothes.
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/size-chart.html
A general rule of thumb is a hat for a preemie should fit on on an average orange, and a hat for a newborn should fit on a grapefruit. Babies' heads grow fast, and by age 2 are often almost as large as adults. (My son's head at 2 was 1 inch smaller than my adult female medium). His head has not grown at all since he was 2.
It makes me think of the 70's Rock'n Roll Wolf musical with the little kids dressed up as goats and lambs. Love that show!
that dark rug in your original patterns section is very beautiful
Really love catching up on your blog,
Donna
I'm suddenly finding myself surrounded by newborns now. What's going on? I'm going through a baby knitting phase that's really enjoyable, though. I nice change from adult sweaters.
Thanks
I love that hat. What a lucky baby, and mama, too.
Liz in CT
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So, so awesome. But it's the beautiful buttery-beigey handspun that makes it so Fuzzy Baby Animal perfect.
great! just the tip I needed right now! I'll ravel it right away! :-)
and yours look real nice!
/janette
That is adorable! I tend to shy away from cases of matchy-matchy (it tends to be a bit too much of the cutesy for me), but I really do love it when the pieces are different enough, yet made of the same materials, just like these are. That's wonderful!
wow, absolutely adorable! i hope you'll get a chance to get some modeled shots - i love your pictures!
Oh, so cute! All my babies wear wool, Lopi even! It's all hogwash. Acrylic is far worse ;)
What a sweet knit. I'll have to whip one up before baby number 3 arrives.
This is so cute, as always... How about you try to knit something ugly? I'm just kidding (don't worry). It's just that you have such good taste... Congratulations again!!! I'm thrilled whenever I come here!!!
Oh my goodness, are you going to be an uncle?!? Ah, the knitting opportunities that will come your way... so jealous! The hat is adorable, especially the outlined ears.
i like what you've done here. the little ears on this usually look like little devil horns, which kind of puts me off making this for babies.
Painfully adorable spawn head covering, and the perfect labor room project for my best friend's April delivery!
Oooh, cute! Good call, omitting the stockinette spine-thingy. This hat will look amazing on a darling little one! Thank you for sharing it.
So very very cute! I love your hand spun yarns they always look so wonderfully tactile makes me wish I could reach out and feel them.
That is too cute for words. What a lucky baby and what lucky parents to have someone knit such lovely things for the new arrival.
Toys. My youngest has great wool tolerance because I made his toys out of wool. He loved them so much they're partly felted, but he loves the smell and feel of them and chews them slightly less than store-lovies. Watch out, though! Amigurumi is completely addictive!
What a great case of subtle matchy matchy - aw. Lucky baby-mama combo. The hat is simply precious and a lovely use of handspun!
That is a super cute hat! Much more interesting than anything I've gotten to make for babies lately.
Dont know what to say about them ears on top but truly a cute gimmick suitable for a precious new being. Be proud!
This is super cute! The golds and the browns reminded me of Winnie the Pooh. (The watercolor illustrations' coloring, not the Disney coloring!) Perfect for baby!
Wait, did I go to Cute Overload by mistake?
I am now distraught that all my niblings (shorthand for nieces and nephews) are far too old for cute baby clothes.
i was just going to say this reminds me of a horned owl, but i see someone beat me to it! so stinkin' chic!
Jared, there is a good baby hat sizing chart from Bev's Country Cottage here:
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/size-chart.html
A general rule of thumb is a hat for a preemie should fit on on an average orange, and a hat for a newborn should fit on a grapefruit. Babies' heads grow fast, and by age 2 are often almost as large as adults. (My son's head at 2 was 1 inch smaller than my adult female medium). His head has not grown at all since he was 2.
Love your version of this hat. I for one can never envision a pattern other than what it is! Thanks for helping me to "see" outside the box! It is gorgeous!
Wonderful!
It makes me think of the 70's Rock'n Roll Wolf musical with the little kids dressed up as goats and lambs. Love that show!
just found your blog and it's fantastic! i'm in the southern hemisphere so we're heading into the colder months. i think i may have to start knitting again.
that dark rug in your original patterns section is very beautiful
Very beautiful. I only ever get time for baby knitting nowadays. I actually have a really old pattern quite similar to this one but it has a single cone coming out of the back instead of ears. A bit like a jesters hat.
Really love catching up on your blog,
Donna
The cutest thing ever! Almost makes me want to have babies. Just so I can knit stuff like that. I'll just have to find someone to give it to. I can't NOT knit it. Its too adorable.
Now that's just darn cute! Gosh, I sure missed your blog; it's overflowing with fabness!
I'm suddenly finding myself surrounded by newborns now. What's going on? I'm going through a baby knitting phase that's really enjoyable, though. I nice change from adult sweaters.
Amazingly gorgeous. I am sure a couple of knitters I know can use this pattern as they are knitting for babies.
Thanks
This is cute. It's really exciting to get these ready for the new born. the yellow and brown combination is gorgeous. Lucky baby :)
I don't know if people have mentioned that this is way cute? ;)
I love that hat. What a lucky baby, and mama, too.
Hi, i love your Hemlock Ring Blanket. Is it OK if i translate it into finnish for my mum, and then mayde publish in my blog if there are other finns who would like to do it?
loved this hat so much I started one to gift at a shower - thanks for doing it in a subtle handspun, as the original pattern is nice, but I wouldn't have thought to knit it in something else. Your mods were good too - I much prefer the i-cord ties, and I can imagine that the baby will enjoy teething on them eventually
Liz in CT
I have visions of knitted Batman outfits ahead of you, knitted lamb outfits - your talents will be in high demand beyond the baby years (I'm now a mother of teenagers, wistful for the days when they appreciated the things I lovingly made for them - nowadays only knitted socks are willingly accepted).
I love this hat! I wish I had a baby to knit it for (like a neighbor, or niece or something). This pattern is great!
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