Baby Foxes | A finish {Knitting}

This is possibly the cutest beanie hat ever. It is fun, warm for the little ones' little ears and very different. The construction is very interesting, many new techniques for me, which I always enjoy. And knitting in Malabrigo is always a joy of course!  

Although baby MiH appears in this post, this hat is not for him. I may make Wolfie for him, reckon is more wolfy than foxy. 

And here is the rightful recipient of the hat.. 

Look at these little ears, look at the way they are shaped - so clever.  

Pattern: Foxy & Wolfie by Katy Tricot (available on Ravelry)

Needles: 4.5 (DPNs) and 5 mm (circular) 

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Sunset and Natural (found here)
Modifications: none, too busy trying to work out all the techniques. However it is not clear from the pattern how you stick the nose on the front, I sewed it in, it seems to work. 

Result: Love it! Once you understand the techniques (there are a lot of diagrams included with the pattern and there are a few useful youtube videos out there), 
it is a fairly quick knit, and you get an amazing hat out of it. It is a bit of an advanced pattern, but nothing too difficult. 
The Malabrigo is actually a great yarn for the babies, not too scratchy and it comes in great colours as well. 

When I posted about the progress of this hat, I mentioned the intersia in the round - which was knitting in the round but not really. You may be able to understand what I mean looking at the back of it. 

Apart from that, here are 'action shots' of the hat.. Maybe it is a boy thing, as demonstrated by Mylo and Baby MiH! Yep they are having none of it!

The buttons used on the hat are from an old shirt (kept the buttons and got rid of the shirt) and some remaining vintage buttons from my Cami dress.  

This is my entry for knit twelve hats in one year! 

Pearl Tassel {knitting}

I finished it last week but needed to send my notes back to Libby for the test knit. And she is onto a winner, this pattern is going to be a success. It looks great, easy to wear and is a super fit. Unfortunately you will have to wait for her to publish the pattern before you can make yourself one!

I cannot tell you a lot about it, as the pattern is not yet released - but trust me is not as difficult as it looks, really - which is great. It makes it a very quick knit. 

I knitted it in Malabrigo worsted (pearl) - The colourway is great, as it goes with everything. 

Looks at the back of it, I can't get over it. It looks amazing 

In my feedback I asked Libby to consider making mittens for the pattern, that would make a very complete pattern, and guess what I have a bit of that malabrigo left over, so it would be perfect! I will of course let you know when the pattern is available and there may even be a giveaway...

Bunny Hat {Crochet}

Here is more information regarding yesterday's bunny hat. It was not easy to find a pattern that was suitable - I wanted really big ears.. and I am glad I found the Darling Derriere Designs one - as I knew it would provide the construction I would need. 

Anyway, I have realised quite quickly into the project that I am a lazy crocheter. So the main modifications are actually on the stitches used rather than the construction - so that it took less time! 

 Pattern: Darling Derriere Designs (found on Ravelry)

Yarn: Used 4 different yarns this time (malabrigo, rowan purelife and 2 sock yarns)

Hook size: 5.5mm
Size: 6-9 months

Modifications: Followed the pattern - using half-trebble (UK) stitches. For the length of the hat, I kept putting on Baby MiH's head to make sure it would cover his ears. For the ears, I followed the pattern as well - stopped at row 27 as I thought it was long enough and then decreased. I attached the  ears by folding the top in two. I had a long tail at the end and weaved it through the ears to make them curl a bit. 

I considered adding eyes and some colours in the inside of the ears but I like the simplicity of the hat - and it makes great pictures!

Vintage Headband {Knitting}

Recently it has been all about Baby MiH's little ears - ie protecting them when we go on a walk (and making him wear the cutest little hats). But with more snow expected, it was time to look after my own ears! And anyway I was convinced I needed a new headband when I came across the Parisian Twist Headband Ear Warmer. It looked easy and a quick knit. And It was. I started it yesterday afternoon, and I am posting about it today! But what impressed me is how it is constructed, very clever - and useful for people who knit two strands of yarn together a lot (like me!). 

Please note that for the sake of this picture I actually put make up on - so I would look less tired!!

I am so going to wear this headband! It is so unusual but so simple at the same time. I think you could easily customise it to with a contrasting yarn. I may make another one and just do that. 

I mentioned the construction. Without saying too much about the pattern (as you have to pay for it), the method used to increase and decrease is SO obvious and then I have never come across it before, definitely something I be able to use. It is amazing how much you can learn from a very quick knit. 

- Pattern: Parisian Twist Headband Ear Warmer by Elisa McLaughlin (bought on ravelry)

- Modifications: NONE - even used the recommended yarn!

- Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Pearl

- Needle size: 6mm (held in double as suggested by the pattern)
- Result: a vintage look that is so pretty - and very quick to achieve! I would recommend using the Malabrigo yarn, it is a beautiful yarn to knit with but it really does keep your ears warm (not just a pretty yarn!)

I had to show you how it curves, so beautiful!

I also had to show what has become of me when 1/ I don't for more than 6 hours, 2/ I am left to take pictures on my own, 3/ I don't get to eat much... But at least I have make up on, so weird but .. still making an effort!

Little Owl {crochet}

As part of the FoQ swap with Lucy I made her little one a little owl hat - promising Mr MiH that I would make a similar one for Baby MiH. I waited for Baby MiH to be with us, good thing too as he does not fit in any new born clothes, and in fact is bordering wearing clothes for supposedly 3-months old. Skinny and lanky, that's my little boy... 

So much easier to have him model when he is asleep!

Owl hat I promised, owl hat I made. I changed a couple of things in comparison to Lucy's hat. I had to make it one size up, I changed the black light fingering yarn for some blue one and added some gold bling for the beak (it is Christmas after all!). 

 Pattern: Easy Owl Baby Hat Crochet Pattern by Posh Patterns (bought through ravelry)

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn (Merino Worsted) in Pearl, a recyled yarn similar to Revive by Rowan (linen colour), and a light fingering yarn in blue for the body; 

Organic cotton yarn for the eyes and 

orange yarn I have for the beak with added gold Anchor Metallic Fine yarn   

Needle size: 5.5 mm hook for the body; 4.5 mm hook for the eyes and beak

The fact that I managed to make it whilst looking after a newborn (admittedly Mr MiH is still on paternity leave) may tell you how easy this pattern is. It looks great though! The pattern comes in different sizes, so I should be able to make bigger ones too! 

In the car {knitting}

Everyone has a project for the car, one that is easy to carry, a pattern that is easily to follow and does not require intricate stitches. The Burberry inspired cowl is exactly that... well in part. I managed to do it all in the car! And the tricky bits are all worth it when you can get that texture. 

- Pattern: the Burberry inspired cowl neck scarf by Julianne Smith (free pattern)

- Modifications: Knitted in 1x1 rib and cast on 65 stitches to make it a bit wider

- Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Pearl

- Needle size: 5mm

So one of first things I had to learn is the provisional cast on - I printed the Purlbee tutorial which is very easy to follow. And you can see the pink crochet chain I made for it. I cannot wait to finish and see how it works in the end. It leads me to the second bit that will prove problematic at some point - the Kitchener stitch that will come at the end... But I am still far from it - so plenty of time to gather tips on how to do it, although Kessanlin joined this in Moebius so there may be different ways to end it. Apart from that the 8-stitch cable stitch is a bit fiddly, and it is a case of making sure I am not losing stitches in the process!

Finally I love this yarn - so soft and looks very luxurious, and the colour is going to be perfect for the Autumn/Winter time - for any of my coats. This is a perfect commuting project or for the knitting group! Cannot wait to finish and wear it! 

Linking up to Tamis' Amis.  

FoQ Baby Swap {crochet}

I had a great time at the Festival of Quilts on Saturday. Looking at everyone's pictures, I have a feeling Lucy and I spent more time chatting than finding the winners' board (we did find it on our way out, just in case you were wondering). As the purpose was not so much going to the FoQ but to meet up with Lucy for real, it worked well for me. We had arranged for a swap for our (future) little ones. Here is the crocheted hat I made for Lucy's. 

A bit of a wonky ear there... 

I needed to work on my strengths for this project. As Lucy is an amazing quilter, quilting was out of the question from the word go. She also does quite a bit of embroidery - I kept this to a minimum. But she does not blog about crochet, and I bought this neat little pattern from Posh Patterns recently that I have been dying to try out. Sorted! 

How cute is this little hat! Mr MiH (who is becoming soapier by the day at the thought of becoming a father) did not want me to give it away, and was wondering whether I would ever be able to make one as cute for Baby MiH. I had to promise I was going to make one (as cute as this one of course) to appease him before I took it away ... This was quite easy to promise, as the name of the pattern indicates, this is an 'easy owl baby hat' pattern - and it is (easy that is) - and therefore I can make loads more! 

I did not change the pattern a lot - except size of hooks (and that is only because I was a bit late and I could get the right ones in time) - 5.5mm for the body of the hat, and 4.5mm for the eyes and beak. I achieved the colour of the body of the hat by combining 3 different yarns: some Malabrigo Yarn (Merino Worsted) in Pearl that I used for the Hemlock, a recycled yarn similar to Revive by Rowan (in a linen colour), and a light fingering yarn in black; for the eyes: some Rowan cotton for babies in white; and for the beak - a combination of fingering yarn in yellow and orange. I had to make up the thickness of the thread as I went along, and in consideration of what I already had in my stash. All I can say is try your own combinations, but do not hesitate to contact me if you have a problem! I hope Lucy liked it. 

Because she made this amazing little Rabbit for my little one - isn't she just amazing! You cannot feel it, but he is really really soft as well. I love his glasses, and he looks so happy. And I am SO glad I did not attempt to sew anything! Apart from that I got some fabric (will share later), was rude not to when there were so many stalls there, and just had a fab time meeting all the other bloggers as well! I came back a very happy bunny indeed!