Works in Progress

I've been knitting up a storm lately. I decided back when we moved up here that I was going to throw myself into the hobby as a way to meet some people, and to take up that lonely space in my mind. It helped that I thought I would be knitting for a baby- yes as soon as I peed on the stick I started thinking and planning a wardrobe for what would be our last child. Luckily some friends and my brother are having babies soon so my thinking and planning are not all for naught....

I also decided that I would try to knit 11 things in 2011. So far I have 5 finished items and one started. The 5 finished are all tiny baby items that took no time at all! Pardon the crap cellphone photos but here they are (where is our camera I wonder but don't actually go out of my way to look for)

There is a giant pink blanket too that goes with these gifts- they are winging their way to the arrival of my niece as we speak. The cardigan is called the 5 hour baby sweater (ravelry link for those so inclined) and it really took just about 5 hours my only complaint is that there are no buttonholes worked into the pattern. I used KnitPicks Swish Worsted, which is a washable merino and usually my go-to baby yarn. Also up there in the first photo are Saartje's Bootees which are insanely easy to make and they actually stay on baby feet! Another cardigan I knit was the Bitty Cabled Cardigan which has a lovely little cable running along each border. I just didn't think it would fit any baby related to my family, so I am sending it to a preemie baby I know...Also pictured are the Bunny Blanket Bunny which is my favorite go-to baby present. It knits up so very quick and in Lion Brand's new organic cotton it is ridiculously soft and pretty inexpensive. Not pictured is the giant pink square blanket. It is seriously soft and very pink, it is the Concentric Squares Baby Blanket on ravelry. I knit this one with Lion Brand's baby's first which is a nice soft cotton/acrylic blend.

Best thing about these knitted items? The cost. Seriously. I am cheap, even more so now that we have no extra money. I LOVE good yarn but I am not rich enough to be a yarn snob. So lately I've been looking towards KnitPicks (decent yarn and great prices) and my local Michael's for affordable options. The priciest thing per skein to knit here was the bunny but it is organic cotton, and I bought one skein on sale! All told I think I spent maybe $40 bucks on 5 gifts....

Next on the needles? Something for myself, a possible christmas gift, and easter basket treats....