As April says... the sweetness of these makes my ovaries do flipflops.
Baby Surprise Jackets (twin set)
Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Started: 21 January 2008
Finished: 28 January 2008
Colinette Jitterbug, 1 sk each of "salty dog" and "vincent's apron"
US 3 (3.25mm), 24" Addi
My kid has no idea how lucky he is not to fit into these... I was seriously, SERIOUSLY eyeing my sock yarn stash and thinking that I could make a few (hundred) more no problem :) The novelty of the pattern was great (2 seams!) but it was more the satisfaction of getting an actual, complete knit out of a skein of Jitterbug and how nicely the colors work together that gets me.
honey by the sea
vincent's apron
salty dog, closest to reality colorwise
I've resisted buying Jitterbug for socks because there have been too many complaints about it (short yardage for a yarn marketed as a "sock" yarn, too many knots allowed per skein, unhelpful customer service from Colinette)... but these colors, singly and together, are just too much to resist. (The 25% sock yarn coupon from Article Pract didn't hurt, either ;)) For what it's worth, I had one knot per skein plus one odd broken ply slub in the blue... and had more than enough to complete each jacket but really not enough leftovers for booties or a hat or anything between the two colors.
I did notice that it's now put up in 110gm/318 yard skeins; when it was first introduced it was 100gm/292 yards (and Colinette's website still lists it as such). A step in the right direction... Blue Moon upped the yardage of lightweight Socks that Rock (from 4.25 oz/325 yd to 4.5 oz/360yd) after similar problems of running out of yarn for socks cropped up. Colinette's the closest yarn to STR I've used, but STR is still a better deal in a yardage to cost sense. (The colors though, the color!!) I do have 3 more skeins slated for a less-wide Jeanie, but don't think I'll look to Jitterbug for socks anytime soon.
I did go ahead and use the applied i-cord bindoff for the edging in the coordinating color (for those of you who haven't knit it before-- everything but the neck collar). I just dig these colors together... a fellow knitter at Article Pract had put them together for a pair of socks she'd found on Ravelry of a sun and moon and stars and zodiac and I'm reaching here... for the life of me I can't find it now but it was an awesome choice :) Needless if these were for my kid, I'd be embroidering some Cal logo or something since these colors are close enough to where I could get away with it. I do kind of wish I were adept at embroidery cos the lovely garter stitch just calls out for it-- eh. Someday!
I started the i-cord on the wrong side-- I found that it looked better since a bit of the coordinating color peeked out when working it on the RS...
(up the skirt and inside)
...this may just be me, the first time and all. Not a big deal to choose which way to work it, and I really like the effect on the edge. You could also start one row in garter with the border color and then you'd not have the issue of the coordinating color peeking thru, but I don't think that much ahead most of the time :)
I did do something similar for the neck; after everything was seamed and done, on the right side I picked up sts around the collar in the border color, then turned and worked the applied i-cord on the WS.
...so I can look at you from inside as well...
Helps keep that picked up seam on the inside, and looks more complete than just the body's bindoff border color by itself. I considered doing the same for the cuffs, but kind of like this center line look... reminds me of Mandarin dress. I was going to try and knit up a small standing collar in that vein, but didn't want to get too fidgety.
The seaming was simple-- used a sorta-mattress stitch (you're joining horizontal and vertical garter stitch) that left a small ridge at the join...
...looks fine though :) I didn't want a bulky seam, and this isn't at all.
Soft, like TWIN BABIES!! :) Man, my son's paying the snuggle price this week with me knitting up these tiny treasures and getting baby brain over it :)
To top off the squee, I reversed the buttonhole placement on each, so one crosses left and one right...
!!!
I did want to ask some advice though (if anyone's still reading this far down!!)-- I was thinking of making my own buttons since the buttonholes are tiny and I have no sense of taste when picking something like buttons to match... Is there a way to make a small bobble-like button, either in knitting or crochet? Something tiny but made only of yarn, a little hard solid "knot" of yarn? I want to do coordinating color buttons since, well I've gone this far... and imagine there must be a way to make some small things like these.
Hoping! :)
Have a good one, miss you!
eta... i've put up my new malabrigo stash up for sale on destash if anyone's interested :)
Baby Surprise Jackets (twin set)
Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Started: 21 January 2008
Finished: 28 January 2008
Colinette Jitterbug, 1 sk each of "salty dog" and "vincent's apron"
US 3 (3.25mm), 24" Addi
My kid has no idea how lucky he is not to fit into these... I was seriously, SERIOUSLY eyeing my sock yarn stash and thinking that I could make a few (hundred) more no problem :) The novelty of the pattern was great (2 seams!) but it was more the satisfaction of getting an actual, complete knit out of a skein of Jitterbug and how nicely the colors work together that gets me.
honey by the sea
vincent's apron
salty dog, closest to reality colorwise
I've resisted buying Jitterbug for socks because there have been too many complaints about it (short yardage for a yarn marketed as a "sock" yarn, too many knots allowed per skein, unhelpful customer service from Colinette)... but these colors, singly and together, are just too much to resist. (The 25% sock yarn coupon from Article Pract didn't hurt, either ;)) For what it's worth, I had one knot per skein plus one odd broken ply slub in the blue... and had more than enough to complete each jacket but really not enough leftovers for booties or a hat or anything between the two colors.
I did notice that it's now put up in 110gm/318 yard skeins; when it was first introduced it was 100gm/292 yards (and Colinette's website still lists it as such). A step in the right direction... Blue Moon upped the yardage of lightweight Socks that Rock (from 4.25 oz/325 yd to 4.5 oz/360yd) after similar problems of running out of yarn for socks cropped up. Colinette's the closest yarn to STR I've used, but STR is still a better deal in a yardage to cost sense. (The colors though, the color!!) I do have 3 more skeins slated for a less-wide Jeanie, but don't think I'll look to Jitterbug for socks anytime soon.
I did go ahead and use the applied i-cord bindoff for the edging in the coordinating color (for those of you who haven't knit it before-- everything but the neck collar). I just dig these colors together... a fellow knitter at Article Pract had put them together for a pair of socks she'd found on Ravelry of a sun and moon and stars and zodiac and I'm reaching here... for the life of me I can't find it now but it was an awesome choice :) Needless if these were for my kid, I'd be embroidering some Cal logo or something since these colors are close enough to where I could get away with it. I do kind of wish I were adept at embroidery cos the lovely garter stitch just calls out for it-- eh. Someday!
I started the i-cord on the wrong side-- I found that it looked better since a bit of the coordinating color peeked out when working it on the RS...
(up the skirt and inside)
...this may just be me, the first time and all. Not a big deal to choose which way to work it, and I really like the effect on the edge. You could also start one row in garter with the border color and then you'd not have the issue of the coordinating color peeking thru, but I don't think that much ahead most of the time :)
I did do something similar for the neck; after everything was seamed and done, on the right side I picked up sts around the collar in the border color, then turned and worked the applied i-cord on the WS.
...so I can look at you from inside as well...
Helps keep that picked up seam on the inside, and looks more complete than just the body's bindoff border color by itself. I considered doing the same for the cuffs, but kind of like this center line look... reminds me of Mandarin dress. I was going to try and knit up a small standing collar in that vein, but didn't want to get too fidgety.
The seaming was simple-- used a sorta-mattress stitch (you're joining horizontal and vertical garter stitch) that left a small ridge at the join...
...looks fine though :) I didn't want a bulky seam, and this isn't at all.
Soft, like TWIN BABIES!! :) Man, my son's paying the snuggle price this week with me knitting up these tiny treasures and getting baby brain over it :)
To top off the squee, I reversed the buttonhole placement on each, so one crosses left and one right...
!!!
I did want to ask some advice though (if anyone's still reading this far down!!)-- I was thinking of making my own buttons since the buttonholes are tiny and I have no sense of taste when picking something like buttons to match... Is there a way to make a small bobble-like button, either in knitting or crochet? Something tiny but made only of yarn, a little hard solid "knot" of yarn? I want to do coordinating color buttons since, well I've gone this far... and imagine there must be a way to make some small things like these.
Hoping! :)
Have a good one, miss you!
eta... i've put up my new malabrigo stash up for sale on destash if anyone's interested :)
34 comments:
Beautiful Job! I love the effect of the coordinated edging, it does really set the jackets off in a fantastic way :)
They are darling and I love the way they coordinate. Nice work all the way around. I do know there was a book on knit and crochet buttons published a few years ago. You might check your library. What a good idea to make the buttons!
Jackets are beautiful!!
To answer the button question:
1. You could get some Fimo or other polymer clay to make some. (so you could match the color by mixing clay colors)
2. There has to be a yarn method since I see lovely oriental things with knot work closures. Unfortunately I don't know how to do them. - There is a sock in Cat Borhdi's new sock book that has some sort of thingy where you knit a round pocket, stuff it with more yarn then tie it off... so I'm sure there's lots of ways to go about it.
When you decide give us a hollar and show us what you did. I'm curious to see your solution.
Buttons of yarn - have you checked out Knitting on the Edge and Over the Edge? I think those books have a lot of finishing techniques. I believe I remember seeing things like I-cord frogs, etc.
They're lovely! You did a great job and I love the colors.
They are absolutely lovely!! Such attention to detail. :D
I have to say that the Jitterbug I have needed to be knit on slightly larger needles than fingering usually does (2.25 mm vs 2 mm). I like the socks ok, but I'm not sure they're going to wear well as socks...
Too adorable. My twin sister and I never got to wear anything that cool.
actually can't get enough of Jitterbug for socks- have to knit half a size down or it is (on gauge but) too squooshy for me - but they have worn well, wash well (i don't handwash anything), and the beauty doesn't wear off.
the only yarn i have loved more for socks is Lorna's Laces, but that is no shocker.
it is nice to see Jitterbug get some non-sock play. enjoy! :)
They look great, I'm really glad you decided to do them this way.
I don't have the faintest idea how to make them, but I wonder if the little asian "frog" buttons would work for what you have in mind... You could always knit a little bit, stuff it with yarn of the same color, and sew it off... I'd say felt yourself some little balls to use as buttons, but your yarn is superwash, isn't it? You could dye some feltable roving to match...
I'm sure you'll come up with something clever!
Those are adorable. The colors are great. I'm not sure about buttons. The best suggestion I can come up with is felted buttons.
The jackets are beautiful!
These socks could be the ones you saw:
http://knitting-and.blogspot.com/2007/11/solstice-sock-pattern.html
You could either knit or crochet a bobble, and then felt it for buttons. You'll need to swatch ya up some bobbles in different sizes and in the technique of your choice. Those would be your easiest way of making small, coordinated buttons.
Hope this gives you an idea!
Pam
They are adorable!
Great job!
How about knotted icords as seen here:
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_4944911_03,00.html
Those are gorgeous!
Frogs made from i-cord? Try Nicky Epstein's edgings books for ideas.
Gorgeous jackets and beautiful photography.
Beautiful knitting, and the colors are eye-popping.
those are so cute!! the colors do go perfectly. that yellow is the most amazing color......
These came out great. I need to sit down and make one. I have put yarn aside for one too. I love the i-cord bindoff. I did that on my Lizard Ridge last year and now I look for things to put it on!
SO cute! I want a pair of these for my twins.
Those are two of the most gorgeous BSJs I have ever seen! I love the color coordination, it's fantastic!
I am in love with that applied I cord bind off. Wow! They turned out super cute!
I can't even begin to tell you how much I adore those jackets!! I've been debating doing a BSJ in Koigu and you might have just pushed me over the edge.
i like the ideas people gave for felted bobbles for buttons but you could also do a french knot a bunch of times, one on top of the other till it's the desired size.
let us know what you decide to do! and thanks for all that advice/info on colinette jitterbug-- i have a bunch of it in my stash and i will definitely be making these jackets instead of socks with them. :o)ek.
Gorgeous! That Vincent's Apron blue is stunning.
I just happened to see an i-cord button on a sweater in Ravelry: Mr. Greenjeans, as done by electranina. She gives instructions there for what she did.
I have no suggestions for buttons, sorry.
The sweaters are so cute! Love them.
I've used Colinette for socks once and I loved the yarn and I had the old put up, about 270 yards. 318 is a nice boost upwards, for sure. If you knit longer cuffs on your socks, you'd be scewed.
The colors are what get me, so beautifully dyed. and the colors you chose are newer ones that I've not seen before.
so cute!!! I've been wanting to make a bsj for a long time and this is pushing me dangerously close to that edge... LOVE the colors!
I'd probably be a little obsessed too if I'd produced something as gorgeous as these!
I've not got it to hand, but I do recall something about crochet buttons in an old craft book at home. A little Google-ing turned up the following
http://www.yarnfwd.com/c_button.html
which seems to be along the same lines...
/A.
You were right to go with those colors! They turned out great, I love them! One of our yarn wholesalers sells Jitterbug now. Though I would have liked to order it in, it only lists it as 267m on the wholesaler's site, and it would sell in our store for $23.95. If it had more yardage...
The crocheted buttons at http://www.yarnfwd.com/c_button.html would work great. Or dye some wool roving and felt small balls for buttons [attach with a strong thread so they won't come off easily]. But you probably should go with the crochet.
BTW, I use your marker all the time. I love 'em!
I have no answers in regards to the buttons, but the sweaters are gorgeous!!
OMG - I am not worthy!!!! Those are so beautiful, and I can't believe how quickly you finished them! I don't know half of the vocabulary you're using, but I do know one thing - you're a really great knitter, and the colors you chose are beautiful for ANY twins! I like the idea of I-cord frogs for closure, but have NO IDEA how to do them! I can't wait to see what you come up with. Em
I have made crochet buttons several times and they seem to work fine. What I do is use a SMALL crochet hook (at least two sizes down for gauge) to keep the fabric dense. Using the magic loop method single crochet stitches into the center (8-12 depending on size) then join. If you want more of a bobble you then sc each stitch together, cut yarn, draw through stitches to close and use tail to sew on. I have also done simple circles before as well. Play around with SC, and Halfdoubles to see what looks/works best. Good luck!
omg, omg, omg - these are soooooo so so! What a fabulous yarn choice. Parents will plotz, no joke.
Post a Comment