Boys Love Stripes

And cables and texture, too (or so I hear- and am learning quickly).  

When my sister-in-law sent me a picture of my new nephew in this hand knit ensemble,  I started feeling a little guilty about the fact that Sam did not currently have a sweater to sport around town.  I loved the stripey pullover I made for my nephew and decided they would kind of be matchers.

Sam is new to this whole "pose in hand knits while I take pictures" thing, so we got off too a rocky start:


But in no time, he was back to his charming self:



Maybe he got some pointers from his big sis?
(here's a reminder of what she looked like at this age)


Although the sweaters look quite similar, there is one big difference.  I was out of the yarn I used the first time around, but I had the same colorways in fingering weight.  I'm quite happy with the outcome.  The thinner yarn makes the sweater stretchy and easier to get on/off little limbs.


I was thinking of going with a contrasting light purple button, but Joe advised me against it- he said it was too girly.  I still think it would've looked more exciting, but I like the way the matching buttons look, too.  Plus, they were slightly larger than the purple and this size seems to be just perfect.


Ah, what did I tell you, a total charmer, right?!

Pattern: original
Raveled: here


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One Last Wear





It's true- this little guy was still sporting his newborn sweater and booties up until last week.  They have now been washed and packed away.  Good things something new just came off the needles...




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Coming Home

Now that these pictures are almost two months old (seriously?!?  2 months??), I figure it's time they are shared.


This sweater was almost finished before Sam joined us.  I went to the hospital with extra purple yarn and extra green/blue yarn in order to match this sweater:

to one of these coordinating hat/bootie sets:


The week before Sam was born I figured out how to do a nice crochet edging:

I was a little bummed that I didn't get to put it to use, it just seemed a little girly.  Instead I took my crochet needle and made up a stitch that looked a more suitable for a little guy (yes, I'm sure it's been done before, but it was new to me... just don't ask me to repeat it!).  
Sam did get to wear his booties from birth:




But they actually fit better now.  He has long out-grown his hat, but the sweater has still been getting some use- more on that very soon :-)






Ps- for more info on any of these projects, see the original posts here, here, here, and here


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And Then There Were Two



I'm sure many of you are wondering about what we have been up to the past month or so (or just worrying about us since the blog has been a little silent).  I assure you, we have been enjoying the time adjusting to being a family of four.  Sam has been a true blessing, we love him more with each day.


Coming from a family of four girls, and all nieces/granddaughters, a little boy was a bit of a shock to all of us.

Before Joe even announced that we had a boy, I could tell by his teary-eyed, astonished look what he was about to say.  


Elise seemed to do great with the adjustment.  So great, in fact, that when Sam was 3 weeks old I decided to throw potty training in to the mix.   All started well, and then I was humbled.  Potty training is quite a process, and about two days in I discovered that Elise was also getting her two year molars.  Our sweet girl has not quite been herself for a couple weeks here, but despite this, she is still loving on little Sam and enjoying the "big sister helper" role she has fallen in to.  


And now to answer the question that you may be wondering about-  Has there been knitting?  There sure has!  Not as much as I had hoped, but we are still adjusting.  Joe started a new job the day before Sam was born (great timing, I know!), and with the potty training/teething combo, nap time seems a bit less predictable, but we will be back on a schedule soon (I hope!).  I am writing a blog post- so that's a step in the right direction.  






I've enjoyed the time I have had with the my fiber and needles, even if it is just a few minutes here or there.   Little boy knits are a new adventure for me- who's ready to share in the fun?!





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A Teaser

Although I still haven't managed to get my "real" camera out to snap photos of sweet Sam, my phone has been my trusty companion and I've been able to open instagram a few times to capture some great moments.  

I even found time to slip a couple hand knits on my boy the other day during big sister's nap time:


Patterns:  Aviatrix and Milo Soaker (sized down for newborn)
Yarn:  Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage in Mica