A Cozy Cardi and Knit Socks for Xena

 I meant to post the final edition of Xena's Fall Wardrobe last week but then I got sidetracked.  

This is the exact same pattern that I used for the other cardigans I knit for Xena.  The only difference is that I used worsted weight yarn and size 5 and 4 needles.  The pockets are larger; I knit 7 rows of 1x1 ribbing and 20 rows of stockinette.

 

The yarn I used is the 100% SWM Gobstopper colorway from Hooker's Corner.  It is bittersweet to write about this yarn company, especially today while fires continue to blaze throughout Northern CA.  The owner lost her home and business during the Paradise Fire a few years ago.  Many knitters including myself helped to raise money for her and her family to rebuild in OR.  This yarn was dyed prior to the fire and it is no longer available.

 

It is simply a reminder never to take anything for granted.

Xena's already almost grown out of the other cardi's that I knit her so I finished this one right on time.

 

It is inevitable that I will be knitting aran and bulky versions of the same cardi as she continues to grow.

 

I couldn't resist knitting Xena a pair of socks in this beautiful Hood Fibers sock mini gifted to me by my crochet buddy, Julia.

 

In other news, as of last night, I am officially half finished with my "Rhinebeck Sweater" which is actually a crochet sleeveless top that I will be sure to write about as soon as it's complete.  I just hope I can finish it in time because the clock is certainly ticking!

Another New Knit Sweater for Xena

 As promised, I am continuing to share the clothes I knit for Xena's Fall wardrobe.

This is the same pattern as the sweater I knit in the previous post.  I even used the same size needles but it's roomier because I used Three Irish Girls Springvale Merino Worsted weight yarn (in the Creme de la Creme) colorway.  I bought this yarn at Stitches West a few years ago.  

Again I knit twisted ribbing on the hem, collar and sleeves.

My Brooklyn-based knitting buddy, Amber, managed to snag us tickets to the Indie Untangled Marketplace at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival in October where Three Irish Girls will have a booth.  I can't wait to check out their new colorways.  I haven't seen their yarn anywhere in the US in ages.

I just love the contrast created by the black flecks in this fabric!

I also wanted to share a few more photos of Xena's sweaters from previous posts in action.

 

We're currently in the midst of a heatwave but since she attends preschool out in the Sunset District it's almost always sweater weather.

There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a perfectly fitting garment that I knit worn and enjoyed out in the field.

I still have 1 more cardigan to share tomorrow and a pair of socks (which I hope to finish very soon) and then I am returning by to some other WIPs longing to be completed and even a little something for myself...and inevitably, X-Mas knitting.

Xena's First Day of Preschool Knit Sweater

  

Today is a very big day for our little family!  It's Xena's first day of preschool!  

I followed a (free) Madeline Tosh Baby Raglan sweater pattern and used Dragonfly Fibers Selkie Firecracker yarn that I picked up at Stitches West in 2019 to knit this sweater.  I used size 5 needles for the body and size 4 needles for the ribbing.  I knit 1x1 twisted rib instead of regular ribbing.

  

I love this yarn so much!  It is pure joy!

 

I know I posted these socks yesterday but I couldn't resist sharing a few more photos.

 

Xena's Crochet Autumn Leaves Cardigan

I started Xena's Crochet Autumn Leaves Cardigan while I was pregnant and it was definitely one of my longest, lost and nearly forgotten WIPs that took 3+ years to finish.  I used Koigu KPPPM sock yarn that I bought back in 2017 and a size E hook to crochet a mini-version of the cardigan that I crocheted for myself.

 

I thought that since the button band was so thick, it would be fun to make it double breasted.  Figuring out the button holes wasn't very difficult and I found some terrific big, black anchor buttons at work!

 

I love the texture of this stitch but I will admit that crocheting it with sock yarn was a total PITA, beyond time (and yarn) consuming and I swear I will never do it again!

When I began this project, I assumed that I would have plenty of time to finish it.  I wrongly guessed that Xena wouldn't be able to fit into it until she was 5 but she's been growing like a weed and although the sleeves are a little long, it fits her perfectly at 3.5 yrs old.  I imagine she might even grow out of it before she turns 5.

In other news, I haven't posted much this summer because the vast majority of my projects have been gifts that I haven't been ready to share but I will begin sharing them soon.

 I've also been busy teaching knit & crochet classes every Thursday night.

Then in July, the shop was renovated, I took a short break from teaching and spent a lot of time getting things reorganized.  

 

In the meantime, we hosted Molly Girl and Dream in Color trunk shows.  I bought myself a few nice treats like the Ritual Dyes Summer Solstice kit above and worsted weight sweater quantity Molly Girl yarn below.

Then I miraculously won a prize for participating in the #comfortfadewithus KAL from the extraordinarily talented and admirable La Bien Aimée in Paris, France!

I am so stoked on this beautiful yarn and I cannot wait to use it!

The mustard lined project bag is made with extreme quality and care.

We also travelled to NOLA in July and I couldn't leave without visiting The Quarter Stitch. 

Earlier this month we travelled to Chicago for a stamp show and I was furiously knitting Xena's Fall wardrobe during our travels.  Unfortunately I was stranded at the stamp show for the entire trip and I didn't get a chance to go yarn shopping in the city but honestly - I'm all good!

 

I knit Xena a pair of socks to match my own.  Toddler and baby socks are so gratifying because they can be finished so quickly and they look SO CUTE!!!

Xena starts preschool tomorrow and throughout the next week, I will create a mini-fashion show of all of the garments I've made her.