Gray - 3 Skeins or Less: Modern Baby Knits

For Debbie Marchetti. Knit on in heaven, dear friend.

THE PROJECTS

Ekaterina Blanchard

Elizabeth Murphy

Lisa Chemery

Suvi Simola

Tanis Gray

Melissa LaBarre

Nadia Crtin-Lchenne

Kate Oates

Suvi Simola

Taiga Hilliard

Rebecca Danger

Karen Borrel

Justine Turner

Terri Kruse

Tanis Gray

Raya Budrevich

Julie Partie

Kelly Herdrich

Helen Rose

Svetlana Volkova

Shannon Cook

Megan Grewal

Melissa Schaschwary

I am a firm believer that babies and children should live their lives in comfortable handknits. The label handmade regarding knits for children is often confused with fussy and finicky and implies tiny gauge and a pastel palette, when that doesnt have to be the case.

This book is designed with both the knitter and the wearer in mind, chock-full of designs that are easy to knit and have fuss-free finishing, bright colors, easy-care fibers, and modern silhouettes that little ones will want to wear. Having a young son myself, the thought of him staying still and perfectly clean in a garment that took ages to knit is nothing short of impossible! Children should be able to move, wiggle, dance, pretend, and play, all while wearing beautiful handmade garments, knit by those who love them. Dont tuck those kid knits away after a family photo sessionlet them live their life in them and wear them daily!

Designed by knitters around the world with a limited quantity of skeins and multiple yarn weights represented, these garments are fresh, modern, colorful, andmost importantpractical and fun to knit with no fuss.

Featuring twenty-four patterns including pullovers, pants, rompers, accessories, dresses, blankets, and toys, whether youre knitting for your children or someone elses, these designs will not only stand the test of time, but they also can be knit with just a few special skeins of yarn youve been waiting to use.

From one mama to another, may your childs life be filled with love, knowledge, play, laughter, and handknits!

EKATERINA BLANCHARD

The little one in your life will fall head over heels with this matching set. Foxes are an adorable unisex motif that will recall your favorite characters, from Aesops Fables to Richard Scarry.

Preemie (3 months, 9 months, 18 months).

About 10 (12, 14, 16)" (25.5 [30.5, 35.5, 40.5] cm) circumference at brim and 414 (514, 6, 714)" (11 [13.5, 15, 18.5] cm) tall.

Hat shown measures 16" (40.5 cm).

6 months (9 months, 18 months, 24 months, 3T).

About 1834 (1912, 2012, 2214, 24)" (47.5 [49.5, 52, 56.5, 61] cm) chest circumference.

Vest shown measures 24" (61 cm).

Chunky weight (#5 Bulky).

Shown here: Cascade Yarns Eco+ (100% wool; 478 yd (437 m)/250 g): #8400 Charcoal Grey (gray; A), and #0958 Cinnamon (orange; B), 1 skein each, and Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool (100% Peruvian Highland wool; 478 yd (437 m)/250 g): #8010 Ecru (white; C), 1 skein.

Hat ribbing: Size U.S. 6 (4 mm): 16" (40.5 cm) circular (cir).

Hat body: Size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm): 16" (40.5 cm) cir and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed (dpn).

Vest: Size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm): 16" (40.5 cm) cir, 32" (81.5 cm) cir, and set of dpn.

Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Markers (m); stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle; sewing needle and matching thread; round shank buttons: 6 (9, 9, 12) for hat and 3 for vest.

18 sts and 24 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st on larger needles after blocking.

The beanie features a colored chevron motif that is easy on the hand. It is worked entirely in the round from the bottom up and has a snug fit.

The vest follows a raglan construction and is worked in one piece from the bottom up. The lower body is worked in the round from the lower edge to the underarms. After completing the lower body, the sleeve cuffs are worked in the round, then joined to the body stitches. The yoke is worked in rows to the shoulders and neck. A small chevron motif is placed on the front and turned into a delicate fox muzzle using small round buttons.

Using the long-tail method (see ) CO 40 (48, 56, 64) sts onto smaller cir. Knit 1 row.

Place marker (pm) for beg of rnd and join for working in rnds, being careful not to twist sts. Work in garter st for 5 (5, 7, 9) rnds.

Next rnd: (inc) *K3, k1f&b; rep from * to end50 (60, 70, 80) sts.

With larger cir, work in St st for 5 (7, 9, 11) rnds.

Work Rnds 110 of Chevron chart once, working 10-st rep 5 (6, 7, 8) times.

Work Rnds 9 and 10 of Chevron chart 0 (1, 2, 4) more time(s).

Change to dpn when there are too few sts to work comfortably on cir.

Rnd 1: With A, *ssk, k6, k2tog; rep from * to end40 (48, 56, 64) sts.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rnd 3: *Ssk, k4, k2tog; rep from * to end30 (36, 42, 48) sts.

Rnd 4: Knit.

Rnd 5: *Ssk, k2, k2tog; rep from * to end20 (24, 28, 32) sts.

Rnd 6: Knit.

Rnd 7: *Ssk, k2tog; rep from * to end10 (12, 14, 16) sts.

Rnd 8: Knit.

Skip to Finishing section.

Rnd 9: *K2tog; rep from * to end(6, 7, 8) sts.

Rnd 10: Knit.

Cut yarn, leaving a 7" (18 cm) tail. Thread tail on tapestry needle, draw through rem sts, and pull tight to close hole.

Using sewing needle and matching thread, sew buttons to Chevron patt as shown in photograph.

Weave in loose ends. Wet-block (see ) hat to measurements.

With A and longer cir, use the long-tail method (see ) to CO 68 (74, 78, 86, 94) sts. Knit 1 row.

Place marker (pm) for beg of rnd and join for working in rnds, being careful not to twist sts.

Work in garter st for 3 rnds.

Next rnd: (inc) *K3 (4, 4, 5, 5) sts, k1f&b; rep from * to last 4 (4, 8, 2, 10) sts, knit to end84 (88, 92, 100, 108) sts.

Work even in St st until piece measures 734 (8, 834, 9, 10)" (19.5 [20.5, 22, 23, 25.5] cm) from CO edge.