Much nothing and not enough ado

So much to do and so little time! Lately my attention has been jumping from project to project so I have many ongoing projects. My long long list includes baby presents, wedding presents, thank you gifts, birthdays and christening and that’s before I build up any stock for my poor neglected MISI shop.

I am now over halfway through my 4th crocheted baby cardigan. This is my first attempt at baby clothes. A pregnant friend was already knitting up a blanket for her baby-to-be and I was reluctant to encroach on her efforts. Can’t think of much worse if a non-knitter is painstakingly constructing a blankie with love and someone comes along and presents them with a blanket they whipped up with ease (purely down to practice!). So I asked what she would like me to make the answer??? A cardigan.

At this point I had only crocheted 2 baby cardigans and I was dissatisfied with both for various reaons:

Baby sweater 1:
This was made for a cousin’s baby boy. It was a simple project and worked up quickly the main reason I wasn’t completely happy with the finished project was the boxy shape it produced...the sleeves  came out at too much of a right angle.....the baby doesn't seem to mind though

Baby sweater 2 :
I chose a new pattern for a friend’s baby (again a boy). This time it was a hoodie. The sleeves came out a bit too cone shaped (for want of a better word).

I had to alter the hood as well as the one generated by the pattern  looked way to small....at this point I realise one of the downsides to making baby
clothes....if you have no little babies hanging around, how one earth do you gauge if the size and shape of what you have made it correct? It’s not like I
can buy a kid and stash it in a cupboard and pull it out for fittings when I demand. So I’m always pleased if a cardigan comes out a bit bigger than what I perceive the little babies to be as at least then they can grow into them!!

A hat and blanket completed the set.

So for the next cardigan and girl to be I embarked on yet another pattern and this one I like (and not because it’s girly colours!).

Baby Sweater 3;
This is a simple cardigan which takes a few evenings to make. It’s crocheted in one piece and then the sleeves are added. It doesn’t look too boxy, it looks simple and pretty and yes – this is one pattern I am happy with.

I’ll add the pattern names in when I have found the various bits of papers which have been filed away in piles around the living room. I’ll definitely attempt the first two cardigans again, if only to see if my crochet skills didn’t do the pattern justice or if they didn’t live up to my expectations.

Edit: Pattern links
first one: Little Princess Cardi by Lion Brand Yarn
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...princess-cardi

hoodie two; Baby Hoodie & Hat by Caron International Yarns
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...by-hoodie--hat

last one: Newborn Layette by Darla J. Fanton
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/newborn-layette