Knits for (Baby) Mitts ... and Pattern

Last week I showed you some of the things I sewed for a baby shower gift. Today, here are the things I knitted up :: a pair of booties and some scratch mitts to match.

The booties were a relatively easy, quick and satisfying knit and I've used this pattern before, many, many times. They are the Stay-On Baby Booties found in Knitting for Baby by Melanie Falick.

They really do stay on, and they are so snuggly warm. I can't wait to see them being used. Can anything be cuter than baby toes? Really?

The scratch mitts were a on-the-hoof made up pattern. I do think people overlook scratch mitts in gifting. Scratch mitts, from my experience, are as essential as nappies in newborns. My two had a persistent disposition to scratching their eyeballs out, lacerating their faces and an obsession bordering on pathological compulsion with trying to rip their noses off. In short, my newborns looked like they'd been pulled out of rubble half the time. Scratch mitts were my (their?) saviour.

So why not share the love. Here is the on-the-hoof pattern for Scratch Mitts for you as well...


Scratch Mittens

Needles :: 4 x 3.75mm DPNs

Yarn :: any DK yarn

Guage :: 22st 28rows stst = 4x4 in


CO 25 st
K in rib - *K3, P2 - rep from * til piece measures 2"
K in the round til piece measures 2" then decrease:

*K3, K2tog - rep to end of round
K a round
*K1, K2tog - rep to end of round
K a round
*K1, K2tog - rep a few rounds til only a few stitches remain. Thread a needle with the yarn, sew through these final stitches and pull.

Weave in ends.
Repeat for another mitten.


And there you have it. An easy knit and an easy way to ensure noses stay firmly on their faces.




*** *** ***

Revealing All

OK so after a couple weeks unable to reveal some recent makes, I can now show some things I have been working on - a baby shower gift to a friend and neighbour :: a little newborn nightie and a crib/stroller quilt. The gift has been received and so I can now talk about them!

It's quite difficult finding colours that are gender-neutral without making the overall effect too grown up, and white and cream, let's face it, are boring. I tried to find colours that would be playful, gender-neutral, modern but still have a traditional charm.

The nightie is a soft lightweight flannel open at the bottom to aid quick nappy changes at night. I added a little cross stitch detail to personalise it and give it a traditional edge.

The crib blanket was given a modern edge in comparison and I loved playing with fabric for this and mixing it all up. The fabrics chose themselves to some degree and an orange hue seemed to come together quite naturally given that I wanted the mosque fabric definitely in. I can't remember all the prints, but I know there is the 1001 Peeps mosque fabric, some Joel Dewberry, a tad of Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler, Denyse Schmidt and a slice of Tufted Tweets by the inimitable Laurie Wisbrun. I'm pretty sure the black spots is Moda. But all modern and vibrant.

This was a genuinely enjoyable make. It's satisfying making handmade when you know the recipient appreciates that aesthetic.

Now all we have to do is wait for the little peanut to make an appearance to wear their new creations! ...



*** *** ***