Baby Knits

Some more baby booties & hat that I've knitted from the Knitty Gritty book. I think I'm getting the hang of it now!

I tried to make these gender neutral as my friend who's expecting isn't finding out the sex of the baby. 

Knitty Gritty

Recently I've been brushing up on my much neglected knitting skills. I get so carried away with sewing that I haven't knitted anything for some time.

My Mum got me the Knitty Gritty Beginners & Next Steps book for Christmas. I have to say this is the best 'learn how to knit' book I have found! It has clear instructions, photos of what your knitting should look like at each stage, and even a 'what could go wrong' section at the end of each project.

The first two things I've knitted from the book have been baby related - booties and a hat - as almost everyone I know is pregnant right now! These cute little items were happily recieved in the new home and will be worn by Lily May as soon as she is born!

Knit, knit, knit

I first learned to knit when I was a little girl. My Nana taught me. Then I just fell out of the habit, and as a teen it wasn't cool etc etc, so I forgot how to do it. Recently I re-taught myself using a craft book (Queen of Crafts) and with a little help from my friend Sally when I get stuck, I'm away again!
This dog jumper has taken me two weeks to knit, as I'm still quite slow and the needles are tiny! I can never find dog jumpers long enough for Bronwyn as they never cover her all the way to her bum, so I found this pattern specifically for whippets and greyhounds online. I'm thrilled with the result & stupidly proud of it! Bronwyn is definately not impressed, but as I pointed out to her, It's not like I've knitted her the matching leg warmers so I can pretend she's from the film Fame... And yes, I REALLY want to do that! It would be hilarious & I have just enough wool left... It's fate!

Here is the pattern I used; I used size 4 needles & the size thickness of wool to go with them. I bought my wool online at Black Sheep Wool, they have a great selection & always good offers on.

Cast on 76 stitches K1 P1 ribbing for 2 inches
Then stocking stitch to 18 inches including the ribbing.
Decrease 1 stitch each side each knit row, to 56 stitches, then work in ribbing K1 P1 for 5 inches which makes the collar.
Underpiece - Cast on 30 stitches and work in ribbing K1 P1 for 4 inches. Increase evenly to 36 stitches and still ribbing continue until 9 inches.
Decrease 1 stitch begining and end of each row to 1 stitch. Cast off.
Sew together leaving a hole on either side for your whippet's front legs to go through. 
The collar folds back like a turtleneck sweater.