Sorry for the multiple photo post for Ginny's Yarn Along...
And yes, I forgot to include the picture of the book I'm reading: Stealing Mona Lisa.
Ever have one of those months? Too busy to focus on the important things in life? My friend, Joy, was blessed with another little baby boy about a month ago. Thankfully this little boy is her 6th child, so she was not desperate for meals is an experienced mother. Good thing. I had promised to bring her a meal several weeks ago...and that was several weeks ago! Oh well. Joy is a very understanding woman.
button is sewn on - only decorative
So late last week, I made a nice big main dish salad (it's been much too hot to cook) with other assorted goodies and delivered it to her. I meant to also bring along a little handknit for the new baby, Jason. Unfortunately, I was a few days late with that too. Another 'oh well'...
all that's left - almost ran out of that blue
At any rate, I chose a knitted-in-the-round variation of the Pebble vest. Since I had success with the other two pebble vests already, I knew I wanted to use the pattern again but wondered if I could knit it in the round to eliminate seams. So when I found the variation, I was happy.
jogging jogless stripes!
I chose yarn from my stash: Bazic Wool (now discontinued) by Classic Elite Yarns in 3 colors - citrine, alpine blue, and light teal. It's an aran/heavy worsted weight wool that is also washable. Using a size 5 needle made the vest come out very dense. I blocked it. Not sure what happened. The above photo is the side 'seam' where the stripes met ,and I changed colors every few rows. I was trying to achieve jogless stripes and used this video for guidance. Good video, but my final product didn't come out the way I thought it would. I'm thinking perhaps I didn't block it enough? Washable wool doesn't block as well as unwashable regular wool? Not sure. I'm guessing however, baby Jason won't mind.
I love the stripes and the sheen of the wool. Those buttons up there are simply decorative. I sewed them to the straps. No buttonhole. My knitting came out just a wee bit wonky at the neckline, but I think that just gives it character! :) The variation says that it should fit 6-9 months. I don't know. It looks pretty big to me. Hope it works out well. It'll definitely be warm for the winter.
Hmmm... winter seems so impossibly far away at the moment as I sit here in 90+ degree weather...
What are you knitting, crocheting and reading this week?
Nope, baby Jason won't care in the least if those stripes jog a bit!!!! Very cute. (I agree, I don't think washable wool blocks quite the same either!) (I'm sure that meal was appreciated whenever it arrived!!!!) You're a good friend.
Posted by: steph | July 11, 2012 at 08:38 AM
The vest came out so beautiful! Love the yarn.
Posted by: Tonya - Plain and Joyful Living | July 11, 2012 at 09:02 AM
It's adorable Ellen and I'm sure little Jason will love it. oh yes, it is hard to think about winter in this heat, cooking too.
Posted by: Tracey | July 11, 2012 at 09:08 AM
The vest is so cute! What pattern did you use?
Posted by: Amy {a faithful journey} | July 11, 2012 at 09:41 AM
I think Jason (and Joy) will be thrilled....and I LOVE the stripes! Probably good that it's a little big - great for winter layering.
Posted by: Kristen | July 11, 2012 at 10:14 AM
You did cut it close with that one blue :) I love that feeling of not sure I have enough yarn and what will I do if I don't. It's silly. I LOVE your jogless round-clever you!!! I really like the three colors as well.
Posted by: swanski | July 11, 2012 at 11:36 AM
The pebble vest always gets me. So very cute with the striping! I can completely understand sending meals late and gifts a bit later. I think veteran mamas understand.
Posted by: Heather | July 11, 2012 at 12:18 PM
I love the pebble vest... beautiful!
Posted by: Erin @ Wild Whispers | July 11, 2012 at 02:31 PM
Well, that's how they'll know it is hand-made.
Posted by: Michelle | July 11, 2012 at 04:32 PM
Love it!! And those little wonky parts on homemade knits are the best.
Posted by: Kim | July 11, 2012 at 08:32 PM