6.19.2012

sugar, spice & maile

  at the beginning of last week, my sweet husband asked me to knit a baby gift for a work colleague of his who's wife is expecting a baby any day. this man of mine rarely asks me to knit anything... so of course i was very pleased to oblige... and baby gifts are small, right? easy peasy.
i seem to always like to push myself though (lol i blame my stubborn roots) and i chose a fingering weight cardi.



totally the right decision.
 
this is the maile sweater by nikki van de car.  do you remember me talking about it? it was a week ago, and i hadn't even wound the skein! granted, i realise i'm a tiny bit obsessive about knitting... and i have a bit of speed on my side... but i cast on for this on wednesday of last week... and was blocking it on friday!
yes . thank goodness for little babies ;)


the designer only wrote this pattern in one size, but i've seen many different sizes on ravelry. so looks like it wouldn't be too difficult to alter the size.. i used a 3.75mm needle, partly because my 3.5's were busy and also, having a sweater just a tad bigger is always better. these newborns grow fast!


the knit picks stroll tonal in springtime green was so lovely to work with. very soft, and i was pleasantly surprised at how it knit up in stockinette. i also think that it shows off the lace quite well!


the detail on this cardi is just so sweet, and simple.

i love it.
 and i really hope the recipients do too. 


of course, using some of the yarn i knit it up in to wrap it always helps to add a lovely handmade touch. and it's pratical too! if they need any other yarn to help replace a button if it falls off, they've got it! but speaking of buttons.... aren't these little florals so uber cute?


this sweet little sweater only took maybe half a skein of the knit picks stroll tonal sock yarn. i would absolutely recommend the pattern. however when adding the sleeves to the yoke, as most other knitters commented, it becomes very tight and awkward for a few rows.. i simply pushed through it. and sort of mcgyvered the cables around the tight stitches of the underarm. when seaming the sleeves i was able to easily close that hole in the underarm as well.


i would definitely knit this sweater up again....it really is a fairly quick knit. and a good thing too, the hubs has already taken it to work in hopes that the daddy-to-be will be there to recieve it. baby is already past her due date so it's everyone's guess as to whether daddy-to-be will be at work ;)  now let's hope this little baby makes her appearence sooner rather than later.
we're now officially ready ;) (hee hee)

do you have a fave go-to baby knit when you need a last minute gift? do you stick with cardi's, hats, booties? do share! xo


23 comments:

  1. I love this little cardigan! I'm sure the recipient is going to love it too :) Sigh, I need to learn how to knit!!

    My default last minute gift is a receiving blanket or two, they usually don't take me too long to stitch up.

    -Ashley
    http://distractedashley.blogspot.com

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    1. you have such a lovely blog! i need to get over my feeling of being overwhelmed for sewing.. haha. i'm determined to push myself with the sewing machine this summer :) but knitting will probably always be my first love. xo receiving blankets are great last mninute gifts! and always desired! xo

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  2. Great job Becca! Love the green...so adorable!

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    1. thanks shan! xo i love it too. so sad that it's already gone! haha but that was kind of the point..:)

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  3. Your Maile looks amazing Rebecca! So darn cute!! I knew you'd be able to whip it up in no time flat! :) This pattern is definitely one of my go-to patterns and sometimes find myself wanting to knit one up...even though I don't have a baby to knit for!

    I love how you packaged up the cardi too, such a sweet touch! Yay for FOs!!

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    1. thanks melissa!!! you were right on it being a quick knit! i'm loving this pattern for sure. and have already thought maybe i should just knit up another with the other half of that skein. haha.
      i love packaging my hand-knits. you're right, adds a great touch. xo

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  4. Totally adorable! And I really love how you wrapped the gift. Too cute!

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  5. Seriously cute! Gonna have to whip one up too. You know I have the yarn to do it ;)

    However, I think the first thing I must do is tell my husband he needs to pay attention around work and ask me to knit things for others too! How absolutely sweet and thoughtful of your husband to ask you for a gift like that!

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  6. ooooh i love the color! great job! :)

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  7. I adore it! The mixed reviews I've read on the pattern dissuaded me from trying it but you may have changed my mind...and more knit picks yarn! You are a tease. ;)

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    1. hahaha i am aren't i :) but at least knit picks yarn is affordable... right? yah. it's totally worth it.

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  8. I love it! So cute. The colour is amazing! And I would never have thought to put the colour of the buttons with it, but it works so well! I have lots to learn.....

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    1. thanks so much! i honestly was sad to see it go... i am having a lot of fun playing with colour... i just try stuff out. i don't have any huge experience ;)

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  9. Oh I LOOOOVE it! such a pretty style and the colour of the yarn with those delightful little buttons is beautiful, they are going to be so bowled over when they open it (even the wrapping is right up my street!) ... I wish I had such a clever friend to knit my babies cute cardies! x

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  10. I LOVE that green. It's gonna brighten up that new mommy's day!

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    1. aww thanks so much! i love the green too :) xo

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  11. Lovely, so lovely! And the green is just perfect.

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  12. I've had this cutie on my queue for so long but still haven't knitted it. Seeing yours has me itching to cast on ... and I love that you made this one in such a spring-time green. Lovely!

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    1. thank you! and i absolutely suggest you cast it on :) xo

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