Joining Ginny's Yarn Along to say that this Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino gladdens not only the eye but also the hand that fashions it.
For some reason I am very attracted to yarn that I think of as soft yet crisp, if that doesn't seem like a contradiction on the face of it.
I confess that one reason I never took up knitting before is that I'm not a fan of some knitted objects or the yarn used to make them. I hope no one is offended by this.
Garter stitch makes me antsy to look at, although I love stockinette.
I am fuzz-averse, as well as limp-soft (vs. crisp-soft, whatever that means) –averse when it comes to yarn, pretty much.
I think that most sweaters are too wide and dumpy looking, which perhaps reflects worse on my short-waisted apple-style figure than the maker's craft. I do have narrow hips, however, so something fitted flatters me better. Fitted doesn't seem to be in most patterns' vocabularies.
But oh, I love cables! My dear friend Nancy was determined to make me see how easy cables are, and I kept her tutorial in mind when I tackled these booties, which I think are adorable.
Four cables. I handled it quite well!
However, I think I got a little confused on the ridge. We shall see with the second one. Is it just me or can some patterns be a bear to figure out?
I tried a different pattern before this one, which is reflected in the cuff (my notes are on Ravelry, aren't you proud of me?). This one is super cute. I think my novice status made me abandon the other pattern because no amount of reading, trying, and ripping would wrap my mind around the directions when they got to doing the instep, and there was no one to ask at the time, as I was in the airport in California catching the red-eye, curse it, home.
There was a lady sitting across from me in the gate area…she was almost immobilized by the giant cabled sweater she was knitting in the round. Clearly she could have helped me, but my helplessness did not extend to bothering her, nor would my daughter have taken it lightly for me to accost a stranger for a knitting tutorial. I did wait to see if we were seated in the same row, for then I would have dared, but no. Also, I had a good book.
Speaking of books, my book here, An Autobiography: Agatha Christie, is most satisfying. My dear friend Amy recommended it, which I appreciate, as my reading recently has been less than gratifying in that sense that you get when you read something not only entertaining but mind-expanding and utterly well written.
I only hope that the end lives up to the stellar beginning. I know the writing will (she writes in an age when not only do the authors have complete control of their craft, but the editors are in it for the love of the thing, which makes all the difference), it's just that often, biographies, auto and otherwise, lose steam as their subjects achieve synthesis.
Here in her autobiography, Christie is able to break free of the mystery novel form (which I always felt unfairly bound her, although glimpses of her depths do occasionally peek through, especially in the Miss Marple books, I think) and take you where you want to go, namely, the intricacies of the post-Victorian era in England.
Her memories wander freely, and her expression is flawless. Many times already, half-way through, I have laughed out loud and had to read some priceless passage to my husband. Her timing, understated irony, and appreciation of her happy childhood are delightful. Apart from her interesting life, I am getting the same pleasure reading this as I get from Flora Thompson's Lark Rise to Candleford, a book which, unlike the TV series (which I love, don't get me wrong), is not at all dramatic (be warned!). It's just simply a 500+ page revel in the customs and doings of a particular place and time.
I just love that.
In other news, I thought you would like to see the little sweet model of my latest baby cap, also its recipient.
This is Rosie's friend MaryBeth's baby, MaryRose. (Our Rosie's name is Mary Rosaleen, so you can see how close they are.)
It was getting a little late in the day, so we were chasing the light and also the immanent baby/toddler breakdowns. But isn't she a doll? The hat fits her just right.
Jen says
The booties and the hat are just plain adorable! So is the baby, of course. Not to mention your new grandson ~ congratulations!
Anne says
So excited to see Mary Rose! What a sweet round little face. And the hat is adorable too! It looks like just the thing for a mid winter baby.
M.J. says
What a sweet hat and sweet baby to boot!! I use to enjoy Agatha Christie mysteries! Nice to know her biography is a good read too!
Emily says
The booties are just darling! I'm going to look up your pattern on Ravelry and make up a pair for our new blessing coming next summer!
Swanski says
I just love the baby booties and the hat! Both are adorable and so is the little model 🙂
Lisa G. says
You're doing very well with your knitting – it's a good thing to know how to do. I just received in the mail yesterday, Josef Pieper's book about leisure, which you recommend in another post.
Lisa G. says
By the way, I really like your beaded knitting bag
Nadja says
The booties and baby cap are lovely! I love the color of the baby cap.
Christina says
This hat is wonderful! I just made it in Debbie Bliss, in fact, which I agree is SO nice to work with. Mine didn't come out with nice lace holes though, and I can't figure out why. : (
This baby is darling, and I'm happy to say that I've met her in real life! Is that Paul giving her a sweet big-brotherly kiss? I just had Paul in atrium for the first time last week…very dear. I've been stalking, and *loving* your blog Leila. Thanks for all of your wise posts. Maybe some day we will get to meet each other!
Barbara says
Sweet baby, and sweet booties. I bet those are for your boy. Since you finally got on Ravelry and since you mention that your recent reading “has been less than gratifying,” you must come and join Good Reads ( http://www.goodreads.com/ ). You'll make lots of friends and see all their “Good Reads.” No need to list all your reads, unless you want to, just start with what you are reading now and go forward. Find me — Barbara scmom
Sue says
From one apple to another… I totally get the sweater angst!
I am in love with that kiss photo! She looks like she's thinking, “I've got him wrapped around my little finger!”
Juliana B says
There is a great and easy sweater pattern book called Saturday sweaters you might like. Most of the sweaters are pretty fitted, in my opinion. I made one for my mother and it fit more like a shirt than a sweater. She loved it. They knit up pretty fast, so if you are an instant gratification knitter like me, that is a plus.
Trish says
Kaffe Fasset learned to knit from a random knitter while they both rode the bus.
Look what it did for him.
I accost public knitters all the time.
Cute booties, cuter babies.
_Leila says
Trish, I would have, honestly — I'm not shy! — but it was that hectic scene at the gate before a flight, and no where to sit — and then, Bridget would have died a thousand deaths!! You have to give the young teen a break in the embarrassment department 😉
GinnySheller says
I am with you on yarn–you would love the beaverslide fisherman weight if you were to knit a sweater. soft but crisp. the fuzzy stuff i am using for the lamb is a little hard to work with, but not bad. i've never knit with anything like it before. it really is perfect for this project and really soft.
margo says
a long book with no drama, but focused on the everyday customs is precisely what I want right now. thank you!
I knit garter stitch because it's so mindless, but I agree, it's not very pretty to look at (don't look at my draft snake post today). I am NOT fond of limp knitted things. I'm attracted to wool felted things because of their heft and richness.
freckled hen says
That little blue bootie is so cute (almost as cute as that baby with the pretty name). I am in awe of your fancy knitting stitches. Any book that makes you laugh out loud is a good one, but I am intrigued with your description of Lark Rise to Candleford… “a 500+ page revel in the customs and doings of a particular place and time.” Sounds like perfection.
Pippajo says
I think you've hit on something yet again in your yarn descriptions (LOVELY booties and cap, by the way)! I love the rhythm and progress of knitting but have not really enjoyed the feel of the yarn I have used, again probably a consequence of using cheap, common yarn. I must expand my horizons, I think…
I have never approached knitters I don't know, but I have been approached several times when knitting in public. I didn't think it was weird. And I'm very shy and pretty anti-social so if it didn't bother me, it probably wouldn't bother many. I mean, honestly, if you're pulling a Madame Defarge you've got to expect SOMEONE to say SOMETHING!
One more thing and I'll go away…THANK YOU for commenting on the Agatha Christie autobiography! That was the first thing I noticed in the first photo, not the lovely baby booties on top of it! I, too, am looking for more reading material (am struggling through C.S. Lewis' Out of the Silent Planet right now–which hurts my brain like so much of his work) so I will be picking up that and Lark Rise to Candleford next time I go to the library.
Breanna says
Ugh, it took me years and years of knitting before I could get hold of garter stitch and appreciate it for anything. I still don't use it much–I'd rather have stockinette anyday.
Fitted sweaters–try an Elizabeth Zimmerman, in-the-round, raglan-sleeved cardigan or pullover from “Knitting Without Tears”. It's made to your measurements, and the one in KWT is pretty fitted, being originally designed in the 50s when fitted sweaters were more in. Vintage patterns might be what you're looking for, too.
Mrs.B says
Such sweet, little things…for a beautiful baby!
erin@wild whispers says
Yarn feel and pattern design are two MUSTS for me as I knit. This is a post I have thought about writing for years! Picky knitters unite!
Rachel says
Sweet, sweet, sweet – the booties, the hat and of course the sweet babe!
Melanie B says
I read Agatha Christie's autobiography last month and was likewise charmed. A wonderful read.
I adore that baby hat. Perfect color and beautiful shape. And the baby too, of course.
Joy says
Love the booties! It makes me want to go knit some. 🙂 I understand what you mean about the yarn. I've abandoned a couple of projects where I just couldn't stand the feel of the yarn as I knitted or it was so “sticky” that I couldn't knit smoothly. Ugh. The cashmerino looks like a lovely yarn with which to knit. I have a cotton/bamboo on my needles right now that is a pleasure to feel as I knit.
The book by Agatha Christie looks so interesting. I've always loved her mysteries. And I enjoy a meandering sort of book. I'm reading a book of essays right now which have landed me in the middle of 1920's-30's London and am enjoying them immensely. I've been meaning to look for “Lark Rise to Candleford” for over a year. Your comments on it have renewed that desire.
Thanks, Leila. As always, I've enjoyed a peek into the your world and,oh my!, what an adorable little cherub of a baby.
Meredith says
Cuties!!! And love the hat and booties, what a glorious blue!
elizabeth says
Oh babies and knitting. That might be better than reading and knitting. Your booties and hat are adorable and little Rosie is just precious.
Blessings, Elizabeth
Jeannie says
Cute booties and beautiful baby!
Your knitting posts have inspired me to finish up one of my knitting projects and pull out my sox stix. I'm still too scared to try cables.
Laura says
What a sweet sweet baby!
You're doubly blessed.
Sachi says
The booties are adorable! I have never seen cables that tiny before! And I think I might have accosted the women drowning in her sweater at the sirport–knitters always love to talk about their knitting!
Kate says
Have you ever read Agatha Christie's books under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott? They're called romances, but they're really just looks at love and the lives of her (typically) female subjects. They're arresting, some even staying with me 10 years later, something that rarely happened reading her mysteries (though I do thoroughly enjoy them, too). It was a treat to see her out of her mystery “box.”
priest's wife says
beautiful knitting!
perches says
adorable baby cap (and baby!)
Lisa says
I think you could have totally asked for help…she may even have read your blog and been honored to help someone such as yourself. I love that sweet baby hat and GREAT job on the cabling!!
Lisa