Thursday, May 12, 2011

Connor's birthday vest

Now what sort of knitter would I be if I didn't make the little fella a new handknit item to wear for his birthday (I guess I'm lucky his birthday falls in mid-autumn and not mid-summer, heh!).

As it can still be quite warm around this time of year (just not yesterday, brrrrr), I thought a vest would be best.  And I had this lovely handspun from my clever knitting and now spinning friend Ms Funky.  Perfect!

Details
Pattern:  Argyle Slipover from Special Knits by Debbie Bliss.  Of course, I omitted the argyle, and I converted the pattern to be knit in the round up to the armholes and then flat.  I also did a three needle bind off for the shoulder seams and knit the armhole bands in the round.  Of course, even with that, I still had 20 ends to sew in once the knitting was done - gah!!

I wasn't sure I'd have enough of the red for the body, so I added in a couple of stripes across the chest, just to be safe.  I was knitting pretty close to the wire, deadline wise, so I didn't want to have to rip back in case I ran out.

As it turns out, I would have had enough, but I still like the stripes!

Yarn:  150g of Fruit Salad handspun from Ms Funky, plus some of the turquoise colour for the contrast edging.  And about 5g of Rowan True Botany 4ply in a similar-ish turquoise (shade 552 Frost) for the stripes.

Sticks:  3mm and 3.25mm KnitPicks Harmony Options.

Time:  17 April 2011 - 6 May 2011.  Just squeaked it in, with time for a wash and block the day before his birthday (thank goodness it was sunny that day!)
Paired with his new jeans (from Gap!  Yay for having Gap in Australia finally, although booo for how expensive it is), I think he looks pretty darn cool!

23 comments:

amy said...

He looks very cool! What a sweetie he is. ;)

Lynne said...

Very funky vest - gorgeous boy.

Wasn't it horribly cold yesterday?

Anonymous said...

very cool indeed. yay for funky vests and cute kids to wear them. well done mum!

LynS said...

I love vests for little people - and they're also wonderfully practical for Sydney weather. Between msfunky's spinning skill and your knitting skill this one is a particularly fine example.

2paw said...

He's cooler and trendier than me!! I love the stripes, they make it special!!

Bells said...

vests for babies are so great. You did a lovely job and I think the stripes were a great idea. It lifts it a little (if that beautiful handspun actually needed lifting - which I don't think it does).

A very handsome outfit, paired with the jeans. Great work!

Sue said...

Happy Birthday to your little man. He looks adorable in that very cute vest. Love the stripes!

Donna said...

Cute vest for a cute kid!

Gidgetknits said...

Super cool! And stylish!

Anonymous said...

He is adorable! And the vest is a perfect fit. Great job.

I love Gap, but agree, they can be expensive. I always look for the sales rack first.

roxie said...

Love the way you riffed on the vest patern. Take the basic theme and do it your way!

Celia said...

Very cute!

Denise said...

Goodness me, look at him standing up! The vest is brilliant, and yes, VERY good planning there, ALL knitters' children should be born in winter!

Anonymous said...

He looks fabulous in it - such a handsome boy.

They love stacking cups at that age, don't they?

Leonie said...

Oh it's beautiful, well done Mum!

Alwen said...

Awww, he looks very cute in it!

And coincidentally, this time my verification word is "littel".

kgirlknits said...

what a gorgeous boy he is! beautiful vest - the colours work so well together,

Happy Birthday to your little man :D

missfee said...

happy 1st birthday - and to you and Mr Rosered too - great job!!!

love the vest too

Ann said...

Connor looks great in the vest & you did a beautiful job. I love the colors & the stripes.

Olivia said...

I love that vest, great colours. And happy birthday to Connor!

Anonymous said...

oh man, i was sure id commented on this! i said something about it being a very FUNKY colour and design, and him being incredibly cute. which he is! and you being a very good mama for knitting him something for his bday!

1funkyknitwit said...

Happy Birthday to Connor ! :D

I'm blown away at the cuteness of this vest - you found the perfect pattern for the yarn. I love the stripes you added and Connor looks very handsome in it :D

Perfect Jane ! xx

Sweetp said...

Oh he is a cool little dude, isnt he? I cant believe he is one already - happy (belated) birthday little man !