Hello, Baby!
My sister is due in less than 2 weeks with our family’s first baby, so we’re all tremendously excited. Our super-talented mom has been registering her excitement by knitting up a disturbing storm of easter-egg-colored synthetic fluff. What to do?
Ah, what better antidote to the frilly pastels of the infantwear mafia than the classic clean lines of Elizabeth Zimmerman? I figured I could count on Adrian to bring some crayon-bright cheeriness to the party, and she didn’t disappoint.
yarn: 2 skeins Hello Yarn Fat Sock in Lorikeet, plus a bit of Louet Gems sport in Fern
needles: 4mm Addi Lace circular
buttons: 1/2″ coconut from the big box craft store
Thank you to Julia, who encouraged me to do the i-cord bind-off and add applied i-cord around the neck. And how could I not, after seeing how beautifully hers turned out?
And much love to Ange for lending advice and putting up with my frantic indecision as I picked up one contrast yarn after another at Imagiknit. And a good thing we settled on one, since I’m not sure 2 skeins of Fat Sock would have quite done the job. And Louet Gems is always a joy. I’d intended to do more stripes, but the variegated was so pleasing (really? variegated? pleasing? who AM I?) that I couldn’t bear to break it up any further.
I used the Addi Lace needles because I was dying to try them out, and they were perfect for picking up stitches and doing all the paired M1 increases. I don’t know nothin’ about dressing no babies, but I’m hoping this will fit the little creature come fall/winter time.
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June 8th, 2007 at 10:41 am
beautiful! i’m sure your sister will love it!
i had to laugh about the acrylic pastels though. my nephew was born last summer and i had the same reaction at the shower. i just kept reminding myself that it’s all out of love and they just don’t know any better.
and then i made him a wool/cashmere/microfiber blanket to balance it out
June 8th, 2007 at 11:28 am
It’s SO pretty - I have to make one of these. It’s such a good way to use Adrian’s yarn, which is one of my favorites.
June 8th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
That’s gorgeous!
I keep seeing all these beautiful knit baby clothes and wishing I knew babies to knit for.
June 8th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
it’s gorgeous! i love it.
June 8th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Love the color choice! Isn’t there something satisfying about an I-cord bind off?
Uh oh, I’m starting to get the BSJ itch…
June 8th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
It looks great–and I love the bright colors! I’m not a fan of the variegted yarns either, but for some reason, it always looks cute on a BSJ.
Congrats to your family!
June 8th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
adorable! the colors are so happy - you have to smile when you look at it!
June 8th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
ahhhh incredibly cute! love, love, love.
June 8th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Geez, I wish that would fit ME! Great job!
June 8th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Oh, Aunt Pam, that is perfect. I think it is the garter stitch that makes the variegated look so nice.
And the great thing about the BSJ is that it is likely to fit for more than a week, as it is so roomy and versatile.
June 8th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
ooowhee! That is one beateous bsj.
June 8th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
it is extremely beautiful! Love all the colors together. The green was a good choice for the trim and the stripe.
June 8th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Cute cute cute!! Hee hee - I dedicate myself to providing the anti-pastel in my niece’s life.
June 8th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
The best thing about garter stitch is the stretch, the coat will fit for a long time, which in baby clothes means through more than 1 size change.
June 8th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
It looks great. I especially like the green as contrast. Nice job.
June 8th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Love the jacket, and I’m cracking up about the pastels. Knittybaby and Little Man have received seven pastel, squeaky sweaters from my lovely Gram. Beautiful knitting gorgeous lace, but pastel and squeaky (that acrylic squeak!). I balance it out by pairing the pastel sweater with some crazy bright color:-)
June 8th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
You know, that i-cord makes the BSJ look so much more polished!!!! I never would have thought variegated yarn would look good but it really creates some visual interest with the garter st rows. Of course, you realize that the cuteness of the baby will dwarf the sweater’s visual interest, right? That’s how it always is. Sweaters just enhance baby cuteness.
June 8th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
So cute!! I keep waiting to hear that someone I know is having a baby so I can try one of these. The last time there was a baby to knit for I was still in my *ahem* acrylic phase. Jody is right, though, it’s all made out of love. I really like the i-cord trim. Congrats Aunt Pamela!
June 8th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
That is one awesome baby sweater. I totally love it.
June 8th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
that is just too cute for words. why don’t i know any mothers with babies, dammit?
June 8th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I am loving the baby surprise. I really like the green contrast color that you chose and how it shows up on the back. Just wonderful. I also can’t wait to see what the fabric becomes from your last post.
June 8th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
god, the more i see this jacket, the more i love it. I esp. love the color combos (the green is a perfect contrast). Think it’s possible to make a grown up one?
June 8th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
SO CUTE! Love the colors for a baby…so bright and cheerful!
June 8th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Totally cute! I haven’t made any baby knits (yet) but this one is at the top of the list. That little baby will be well-outfitted, no doubt
June 8th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
So cute! You’re right — multicolored yarn really works for this pattern. This is another pattern I want to make!
June 8th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
i love it! i may need to get the book so i can make some.
June 8th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
That is just unbearably cute! Love the bright colors for baby too.
June 8th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
I love this sweater! The colors look so fantastic, and I love the single contrast-stripe. What a lucky baby, to be getting such a bright happy sweater!
June 8th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
wow, that jacket is FABULOUS! i especially love the colors of it. i’m gonna have to stock up on that colorway during the next update over at hello yarn.
your lil’ niece is gonna be the most stylish bebe on the block, hands down.
June 8th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Love it! Stylin’ baby on the way! And the green matches perfectly! Yahoo!
June 8th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
oh my gosh - this is my most favorite BSJ to date. I almost want one for myself! Your little niece/nephew is going to be stylin’!
June 8th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
It’s beautiful, the colors, the execution, everything. What a fabulous gift to your first niece/nephew!
June 8th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Beauty! I did one in Fat Sock as well, for the Fricklet, but used size 4’s, I think, and had some leftovers. Way to i-cord it! I-cord for everyone!!
June 8th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Congrats on your impending auntdom, and on an adorable sweater! I’m not normally a variegation-happy gal either, but this is super cute.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Fan-freaking-tastic. It is so cute. This may be my most favorite one, what with all the crayon brightness. Good work Pam!
June 8th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
that is a work of art, honestly! definitely something that will be a keepsake for your sister, i’m sure. it is totally the kind of thing that (if i were a parent) i’d let my child wear once for a special occasion and then frame
June 8th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
So nice without being cloyingly cute! Your sister will love this.
June 8th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
i know i commented on flickr and favorited on Ravelry, but i realllllly love it. I can’t w8 to make one.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Love your Rainbow Pride Baby sweater–right on!!!
June 9th, 2007 at 1:20 am
Perfect! It is so happy looking! Your sister will love it. And babies like bright colors.
Have a great weekend!
June 9th, 2007 at 2:45 am
I think you DO know something about dressing babies!! Fantastic job! The i-cord trim really sets it off nicely, and I love the button choice.
June 9th, 2007 at 3:32 am
Super cute and adorable.
June 9th, 2007 at 4:10 am
Oh that’s one lucky baby. Love the colours!
June 9th, 2007 at 5:20 am
It’s gorgeous!!! I love the colours mixing, much much better than the striped ones I’ve made. Also, the i-cord rocks.
June 9th, 2007 at 11:20 am
oh, it turned out fabulous! I have been eagerly awaiting seeing this one finished since i saw it’s beginnings on flickr. I just *love* those rainbow bright colours. It’s an instant classic, i say. :0)
June 9th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
It’s really pretty and looks like a very satisfying knit. I’m sure your sister will love it!
June 9th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
This is gorgeous! Perfect for a little baby.
June 10th, 2007 at 12:38 am
Perfect color and perfect pattern. I am sure the new baby will look adorable in it, and babies love bright colors too.
June 10th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Now, see, those are totally great baby colors, I think. Lively and happy. The pale, pale stuff always makes me think of Victorians moving out of the all black of mourning into the pale pastels of half mourning, before they can jump back into color. (And I hope I’m not making that up. It’s possible that I remember that from a novel and not from a real source.)
June 10th, 2007 at 9:32 am
I really need to get that book! I so want to knit a BSJ up….not that I know anyone who’s having a baby though.
June 11th, 2007 at 4:31 am
Cute. Zimmerman will totally take care of that babe.
June 11th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
I love it! I want it in my size!
June 12th, 2007 at 2:31 am
That’s a beautiful BSJ. I really love the bright colors, and I agree, the variagation really works well for this.
June 12th, 2007 at 3:07 am
The BSJ definitely turns variegated yarn into gold! Yours is lovely, can’t wait to see it on a baby!
June 12th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Oh, LOVE! I heart the little swatches of green you added in. What a happy little jacket, this is.
June 12th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
the little jacket is so cute. Those lace needles sound pretty fun, didn’t know they existed.
Thanks for the nice comment. I want to be cool like you and figure out how to respond directly to them. Till then, I’ll just have to reciprocate by commenting on your blog!
June 12th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
LOVE the green contrast on that–it’s just perfect. Although I am still totally baffled by the construction–I’ll just have to make one myself and see how it works.
June 13th, 2007 at 4:20 am
This is gorgeous! Very good for complimenting easter-egg-pastel in a baby’s wardrobe
I love the contrast colour you chose too.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
very cute! is everyone and their mom pregos? i have tons of baby stuff to knit - ugh!
June 14th, 2007 at 5:39 am
This is so totally awesome. I have been meaning to make on of these for ages for one of my soon-to-be-born niecephews for ages. Thanks for the inspiration.
June 24th, 2007 at 2:06 am
I am embarrassingly late to comment on this–was the kiddo born yet??
Supercute sweater, Pam!
July 13th, 2007 at 8:15 am
What a beautiful jacket