Floral Shawl Pattern from Patons Summer Crochet

I finally started this in September ‘09. It is about two inches wider than in the photo now. My plan is to finish it by Solstice and give to my mother. When I showed her what I had so far she really liked it so I think she’ll be pleasantly surprised that it is intended for her.

Knit Cap Sleeve Baby Tee (front)

Pattern: JOVEN

Yarn: Patons Bumblebee in Water Lily; 100% cotton

Technique: Machine Knit on the Ultimate Sweater Machine KP 1.0, Crocheted Hems and Collar with US hook.

Completion Date: June 2009

This knitted baby tee is an old project from way back in 2004. I had originally planned a knitted collar but I wasn’t happy with how things were looking that way. I re-knit that collar 3 times over the past two years in order to finally decide on the crochet collar. I would knit the collar, put the project down for a few weeks and then decide that I didn’t like it. After that I wouldn’t touch it again for quite a while before I tried again. I’m happy with how this crocheted collar worked out. It gives structure to the soft, loosely draped, cotton. The sleeves and bottom hem received the same treatment- rows of single crochet in the round. See the back.

The sweater pictured above is the 3 -6 month size. I gave it to my son’s speech therapist who went on maternity leave after seeing him weekly for 2 years.

I’m writing patterns for other sizes so you can order your own sweater now even though I haven’t made an order page for the site. Simply use this contact form and you can place an order that way. Right now you can order one in white, green and baby blue.

Intarsia Star of Pink Striped Raglan Baby Sweater

This sweater is coming out great! I hope I get to see the baby that wears this one. Knitting with Bernat Cottontots is fun. Crocheting with it is horrible. When I knit with this yarn my hands are reveling in the squishyness. When I crochet with it my hands start hurting after about ten single crochet.

Pink Striped Raglan Baby Sweater-front

There were a lot of ends to weave in but I like this effect. Maybe next time I’ll make the stripes two rows thick.

I have been working on some of my old works in progress. I’ve gone pretty far on the striped raglan- only button bands and bottom hem to go. I am nearing the end of the poncho. I think there are only 20 rows to go. Once I’m done with the collar, I’ll be doing my very first steeking. I’m nervous about it but I’m sure it will all be fine. It’s curling but after a fitting with Fabi, she likes it like that. She doesn’t want it to get longer. The bottom hem is three rows of single crochet.

wool poncho front

The collar is the piece that is taking longest to figure out. I don’t have a pattern for that, I’m making it up as I go. I’ve had to rip it out once. It is single crochet in the round but the wrong side is the right side.

poncho collar: The grey yarn is where the steeking will happen

See the back.

I may be the last one to blog about this but I still need to do my part. In December it came to my attention that toy manufacturers were going to have to comply with rigorous third party testing for lead and phthalates in their finished products. I didn’t worry about much. I thought to myself that yes, I’d write to my state representitives in order to help out but beyond that I went on with my daily life since I don’t make toys.

As the buzz kept growing, I became aware that this new law by the Consumer Product Safety Commission DID in fact, affect me. This law applies to all items manufactured for children’s use- including clothing. I won’t break it all down on this blog, especially when so many other websites have done it so well.

I’ve done my research and it looks like Joven’s business practices won’t be too affected by this law since yarn and fabric seem to have been put on the exempt list as of February 10, 2009. Even still, I’ve written to my representatives based on the letter on the Hand Made Toy Alliance website. I added this last paragraph:

This issue affects me personally as I am a small-business owner who produces garments for children made of natural materials. Providing safe, quality materials to my customers has always been my ultimate priority. Third party testing requirements would cripple my business, adding one more individual to the growing list of unemployed in the United States. Because of the direct impact this has on my family, I will be watching this issue and your participation in it closely.

I urge any of you who haven’t done so to contact state representatives on this matter. Let’s keep small businesses running by making our voices heard. Let us repay them for taking the time to source safe materials to make things for us to purchase.