de Longpre - Options: Baby Knit Fashions for Tots!

Chris de Longpr

There are two great loves in Chris de Longprs life.

The first is her family, which consists of husband John, daughters Gini and Elli, and four of the most adorable grandchildren in the world.

Chris's second great love? Designing knitwear, of course!

"For me, designing is a very personal experience," says the Michigan resident. "People might be surprised to hear that, because the end product is a pattern that anyone can pick up and use to knit something. But when I finish a design, I feel strongly connected to it."

Chris goes on to explain, "My grandchildren are my photographic models on my Web site. They're also the inspirations for my designs. And because my work is often a solitary occupation, it gives me time to imagine all the children who will wear garments made from my patterns. There is a great sense of love going into my work from the beginning. In turn, every knitter who uses my designs will add their own love." Chris laughs a little, then ventures, "I guess you could say my designs are kind of like grandchildren to me."

John assists Chris with video production and helps with trade shows. Gini is a photographer who develops her own knit designs, and Elli pitches in to help around the office. We ask if the naming of Chris's business was also a family effort.

"Actually," Chris says, "before I retired to work full-time at designing, I worked at a local hospital in information services. During lunch, I taught knitting to my colleagues. We called those classes 'Knitting At KNoon.' I started writing patterns for the classes, and the business just grew out of what I was doing on a volunteer level. It became so much more fun than my real job that I decided to make it my real job."

Chris's fondness for designing baby clothes stems from the practical concerns that every mother and grandmother faces. "I know what a struggle it is to get clothing that fits a growing child. One of my objectives when working on these garments was that they be roomy so children can wear them longer. I use standard measurements and focus on things that are easy to wear, easy to put on and off. And I choose materials that are washable."

"Everybody wants to knit for babies," Chris exclaims. "The garments generally finish faster than when you knit larger pieces for older children, and you know that baby clothes will be worn and handed down."

To see more of Chris's designs, visit her Web site at www.KnittingAtKNoon.com. And to find more Options books filled with stylish knit and crochet designs, go to www.leisurearts.com.

OPTION

Miss Sugar & Spice will look twice as nice in this darling dress with matching diaper cover. The yarn has a scattering of color dots that will remind you of candy sprinkles, making this the perfect outfit for your little cupcake.

OPTION

When she smiles, your world blooms! Dress her in snowy white with accents in your choice of lavender or lilac. Shes more welcome than springtime, and oh, how it shows!

ITS A GIRL

Option 1

Little Lehigh Pebbles

Light Weight Yarn

[3.5 ounces, 250 yards (100 grams, 229 meters) per skein]:
Its a Girl, 2{3-3} skeins

16" (40.5 cm) Circular knitting needles sizes 3 (3.25 mm) and 4 (3.5 mm) or sizes needed for gauge

2 Double pointed needles for I-Cord, size 3 (3.25 mm)

Optional straight knitting needles, for Diaper Cover, size 4 (3.5 mm) or size needed for gauge

Markers

Optional stitch holder

" (16 mm) Buttons for Diaper Cover - 2

Tapestry needle

Sewing needle and thread

GAUGE: With larger size needle, in Stockinette Stitch, 24 sts and 32 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Option 2

TLC Baby

Light Weight Yarn

[6 ounces, 490 yards (170 grams, 448 meters) per skein]:
#5011 White, 1 skein

Lion Brand Microspun

Light Weight Yarn

[2.5 ounces, 168 yards (70 grams, 154 meters) per skein]:
#143 Lavender, 1{2-2} skeins

16" (40.5 cm) Circular knitting needles sizes 3 (3.25 mm) and 4 (3.5 mm) or sizes needed for gauge

2 Double pointed needles for I-Cord, size 3 (3.25 mm)

Optional straight knitting needles, for Diaper Cover, size 4 (3.5 mm) or size needed for gauge

Markers

Optional stitch holder

" (16 mm) Buttons for Diaper Cover - 2

Tapestry needle

Sewing needle and thread

GAUGE: With larger size needle, in Stockinette Stitch, 24 sts and 32 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Sizes: 3{6-9} months

Finished Chest Measurement: 20{25-26}"/52{64-67.5} cm

Size Note: Instructions are written for size 3 months with sizes 6 months and 9 months in braces { }. Instructions will be easier to read if you circle all the numbers pertaining to your babys size. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Dress is worked in one piece to armhole shaping, then divided to work Back and Fronts separately.

SKIRT

OPTION 1

With larger size circular needle, cast on 165{202-213} sts.

Making sure stitches are not twisted around needle, work in rounds () and place a marker to mark beginning of rounds.

Garter Stitch Edging: Purl one round, knit one round, purl one round.

Note: Sleeve and Bodice includes two edge stitches. Dashed lines indicated continuous rounds.