Nip in the Air

I've certainly noticed a change in the weather this past week.  There has been a bit of a nip in the air in the mornings.  Autumn is my favourite season.  I love to see the leaves change colour on the trees into the vibrant shades of gold, reds and orange....it's the time of year when we can snuggle down and find comfort in our hand knits.

Of course my thoughts turn to the little ones in our life and for those born in the chillier months of the year a knitted baby blanket is always well received by the new parents. They make practical, cosy gifts and are the ideal project to have on the needles in the cooler months because as you knit the growing blanket helps to keep your knees warm ha ha

Here is a round up of our baby blanket patterns....all easy to knit in thicker yarns so they are not only warm and cosy but also quick to knit.

Find the patterns here:  Baby Blanket Patterns

Jacob

Jacob has proved one of my most popular designs over the years and knitted by many knitters in some wonderful colour combinations.

The pattern gives instructions to knit the baby cardigan, trousers, hat and booties in size newborn.  Once knitted this adorable design is perfect for bringing a new baby home from hospital and those first few weeks out and about with mum.

The completed outfit has also proved popular with reborn doll artists to display their wonderful artistry at doll shows across the country and will be suitable for life-size reborn dolls 19-21"

You can find the pattern on my website here Jacob

Feeling Autumnal

For August the weather has certainly got an autumnal feeling to it, indeed it has felt quite chilly in the evenings....of course my mind wanders to cosy, winter knits.

This pattern is ideal for the change in seasons.  The stitches used create a warm, cosy feeling fabric, ideal for when baby is out in the pram.

The design caters for premature babies upto 6 months old by simply changing the weight of yarn and needles used.

Instructions are given for the round necked, long sleeved cardigan, brimmed hat with optional pom pom and a matching pair of squishy mittens.

Available from my website here Cosy Cardigan Set baby knitting pattern

Pumpkin Jacqu

A few years ago I created a pattern for the small 10" reborn dolls which I named Lil Pumpkin.  Over the years I have been asked to create a pattern along the same lines but suitable for larger reborn dolls and babies.  This year I finally got around to it!

Pumpkin Jacqu is a cute little romper pattern which is fun for babies first Halloween out trick and treating with older brothers and sisters or at the party afterwards.

The outfit would look stunning on babies first photographs for those born in the Autumn/Fall Season too.  I think it would make a fantastic prop for the reborn doll artist to display her seasonal dolls.

Instructions given on the pattern are for the pumpkin romper, hat, booties and leaves.

Sized to fit a newborn baby, 0-3+ months or reborn dolls 19-22"

I used Stylecraft Special DK yarn chosen for it's wonderful range of colours, softness and ease of care.

The pattern is now listed on my website here: PUMPKIN JACQU baby knitting pattern

For a limited time only receive 15% OFF the pattern using the coupon code PUMPKINS at checkout

Rainy Days

After a couple of nice days we are back to heavy downpours this morning. The rain has got me thinking about the change of season and transitional Autumn knits.

I knitted these hoodies last year and they proved popular with mums.  Ideal for slipping on for short journeys in the car perhaps to visit Grandma or for popping on in the supermarket....some of those aisles are chilly!

The speckled hoodie is knitted in Sirdar Aran Rainbow Drops and comes in 12 shades so plenty to choose from.  I chose the shade Smarty for my granddaughter's hoodie.

The red hoodie is knitted in James C Brett Aztec Aran in a rich, true red.

The pattern gives instructions in sizes 0-6 Months and 6-12 Months and can be found on my website here ARAN HOODIE baby knitting pattern

Snuggly Baby Cardigan

I knitted these sets set from my snuggly baby cardigan pattern

The stitch pattern creates a cosy, stretchy fabric and is suitable for both baby girls and baby boys.

Instructions are given to knit the outfit in sizes 0-3 and 3-6 months and is a relatively quick knit.  An ideal pattern for those fairly new to knitting as the simple drop sleeve design keeps shaping to the bare minimum.

A beanie style hat and a matching pair of mittens complete the outfit.

There are so many gorgeous baby yarns around at the moment and once I have completed my latest design project I have a couple in mind to cast on.

Pattern available here: Snugly Baby Cardigan Knitting Pattern

New To Knitting

I remember when I first starting knitting that I wanted to knit every pattern I saw.  Unfortunately I lacked experience and found many patterns complicated and overwhelming.  I would end up frogging what I was knitting and lost heart.

I designed this baby hat with the new knitter in mind.  The pattern uses simple knit and purl stitches throughout with easy to follow instructions. It knits up quickly and you will feel a sense of satisfaction and a lovely hat to boot.

Baby hats are always well received by new parents and are great gifts to take to a baby shower.

Everyone will be in awe at your new found knitting skills!

Find the knitting pattern here Beginners Baby Beanie knitting pattern

Favourite Yarns

One of  the first yarns I go to when knitting for babies is the Comfort Cherish Range from King Cole Yarns

The yarn is so smooth to knit with and glides off the needles.

I have knitted so many little cardigans and outfits with this yarn and the finished knitwear always has good stitch definition and is so soft against babies delicate skin.

The yarn is machine washable (most important when knitting for little ones) and washes and wears well.

I knitted this romper set from my Charlie baby knitting pattern

Cailin Baby Knitting Pattern

Every little girl needs a summer cardigan, perfect for slipping over little cotton dresses or t-shirts.

Cailin is a v necked short sleeved cardigan which can be knitted in sizes 0-6 or 6-12 months.

Easy to knit with a simple lace eyelet pattern used below the arms with stocking stitch used on the  bodice and sleeves.

The pattern also gives instructions to knit a garter stitch headband too.

I used Rico Baby so soft yarn in a lovely shade of lilac but any similar baby DK weight yarn could be substituted.  I've also had successful results using King Cole Cherish.

The pattern is available from my website here: CAILIN baby knitting pattern

1st October 2016 - Lazy Saturday

Enjoying a day at home...the needles are busy working on a shawl design called `A New Season` by Maanel. I'm knitting this in Rowan Felted Tweed.  The pattern is a 20 row lace and cable stitch repeat and I'm really enjoying working on it.

I originally purchased the yarn to knit a sweater for myself but I wasn't enjoying the pattern so I decided to frog it and cast on something else.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mum's out there.

Jacqui x

Shoes, glorious shoes

It's been another lovely day here, it feels like spring is not too far away.

I finished up an order for twelve pairs of cotton booties this afternoon.  

I've also been working on my latest blanket and have done three strips of squares now so it is really coming on (pics to follow soon)

My Next Blanket

I felt the urge to start on a new blanket....I've chosen to make the Rose Trellis Afghan.  It is a free pattern and can be found here.

Pattern

The shades I'm using are a very pale peach (although it looks pink in the pics) a fresh minty green finishing with a surrounding of  bright white.

I am going to veer from the pattern slightly and use a join as you go method rather than work the openwork trellis between the squares.  The pattern calls for 30 squares - 5 squares wide by 6 squares long.   I almost have enough done for the first strip

I am aiming to finish at least two squares a day :-) 

The Knots Prayer

So apt for me today!

Molly....

This is my latest knitting pattern and the first of the New Year.  I've had it half finished for quite some time but other projects took precedence and this outfit took a bit of a back seat.

The pattern consists of an all in one romper with matching bonnet and booties.  I came across this pretty openwork rib stitch and thought it would be perfect for an outfit such as this as it is quite stretchy.

I've designed the pattern to fit two sizes 

Newborn & Early Baby/Preemie size.

The larger size requires double knitting yarn whilst the early baby size calls for finer 4ply yarn.

It is an enjoyable knit and quite a quick knit too.  

The pattern can be found on my website: 

Tipeetoes.co.uk for baby knitting patterns 

Happy Valentines Day...

Visiting Mum....

Been to visit my mum this afternoon...I normally go on Thursday's but we have been invited out to a family meal tomorrow evening so decided to go today.

Mum is still bed bound and feeling pretty fed up staring at the same four walls.  I really hope that they will remove the plaster from her ankle and give her a 'shoe' so that she can at least move around her little flat.

I did a little baking yesterday....two banana spice cakes (one for us and one for mum) 
I also made some chocolate walnut brownies for my hubby.

A Few Makes....

Such a lovely, bright day yesterday so I got the camera out  to take pics of a few items in my'ready to list' basket.

Ripple Blanket, Hat and Bootie set.  I used navy blue, white and sky blue and worked in random stripes to create this ripple blanket so it will be a 'on off'.  There was enough yarn left over to make a matching pull on hat and booties

Hat & Mittens Set ...this set is knitted in Adriafil Knitcol....which is a wonderful self striping 100% Merino yarn which is just perfect for little hats.  This set is knitted in the round so no irritating seams 

A baby girl's ripple blanket in shades of pink, lilac and white.  Again I used random stripes of colour to create a 'one off' blanket

These adorable bonnets are knitted in Sublime Cashmerino 4 ply yarn and I am so happy with the finished hats.  The yarn is a joy to knit with and I love the stitch definition that the yarn gives.  I added satin roses to each side of the bonnets.

Finally a new baby can never have enough little cardigans.  They are great for slipping on over little dresses and suits.  When my daughter was a baby I use to put her to bed wearing a babygrow with a knitted cardigan over the top.

You can find the items listed in my folksy shop here: Folksy

Thought Provoking...

Just been watching How To Build a Bionic Man on Channel 4 

Amazing and slightly scary how far technology has come, and just think how much further it could go!?

The programme is available on 4OD  here:

Marmalade

I've been wanting to make some marmalade for quite a while but have not found the time to make it.  So this morning I decided today was the day!

Have you seen these easy to make cans from Lakeland ?

The oranges are prepared for you and all you need to do is add sugar and water....simple

First off I warmed my clean jam jars in the oven

I emptied the tin of oranges into my jam pan and added 4lbs of sugar and 3/4 pint of water.

Stirred the mixture until the sugar melted

Brought it to a rolling boil and boiled for about 18 minutes, and this is what I ended up with....jars of delicious marmalade.

I'm going to take my mum a jar when I visit tomorrow....hope she enjoys it spread on her toast.