Some knitting

This is the place where we'll post our latest creations. By "our" I mean mine and Derek's and Maïa's and Solanne's.

I'll start this blog with an entry on my latest knitting creations. Actually, things I've made in the past six months or so...


This is a little coat I knitted up for Maïa last spring. This is actually a pattern from the cover of my first knitting book, Monkey Suits. I liked knitting it because the pattern (like all patterns in this book) was relatively easy. I like the little details like the pockets, and the hat adds an extra je-ne-sais-quoi. Instead of the recommended blanket stitch around the edge, I decided that the coat and hat set needed a crochet border. So I learned a basic stitch that really cleaned up the look of the set. (There are also mitts that go with the set; one is done, I have yet to take the hour or so to do the other!)


This is actually the second time I've done this pattern. The first one was made in an oatmeal colour with burgundy trim for Solanne. She wore it last fall, winter, and spring. This particular sweater was made in a size 3 to 9 months, and it's also from the Monkey Suits collection. I whipped it up in about a week this summer for my cousin Shawn's new little baby boy, Joël. It's actually a very easy pattern, without any increases or decreases in the body of the sweater, and only a couple of increases in the sleeves. The hat was another matter, but it kept me on my toes, so it was fun (and it knit up in no time at all).


Derek loved this hoodie and was really excited about me making it. It had been on the back burner for a while, but the biggest size this pattern comes in is size 4, so it was now or never to make it for Maïa. I had a bagful of a wool-acrylic mix yarn that my mom gave me, so I didn't even have to buy any, which was a treat.

The body and hood is made of one piece, which reduces the amount of assembly at the end, but makes for a really long project; sometimes it's nice to have a few smaller pieces to make so that you feel like you're getting somewhere! This was the first time that I was using two colours to create a pattern, which is very different from using two colours to make stripes! It was also my first time making cables. My mother-in-law assured me that it was a cinch. I must admit that I wasn't convinced — until I tried it, that is. It took me exactly one try to get the hang of it, and now I'm ready for twisty and complicated cables... when I find the right pattern.