Tuesday, November 9, 2010

baby love

Showers tend to go in phases....wedding showers by the handful and those are usually followed with baby showers by the dozens.  It's been a while since I've been to a baby shower and my friend Jennifer is having her fourth baby.  She's my age and her youngest is 13.  I have been so blessed to watch her walk through this pregnancy with grace and joy.  In all honesty, to be starting over with a little one would be quite the upheavel to life as one knows it.  Her oldest is graduating from high school this year.  Do you get the picture?  I'm sure that she feels pulled between two worlds.  However, in talking with Jennifer, you'd never know it. 
She is glowing as she waits for this new little life.  She's been a great example to me in trusting God with the details of life.  Resting in His plan has brought her peace and acceptance in a powerful and exemplary way.  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11  She glows because she's trusting in His plan for her life.  That has been so powerful to watch. 
So....I had to knit this new little person some cotton sweetness.  Beth sent me the pattern for the sweater and my favorite baby hat was the perfect topper.  This was my first baby sweater and it was so quick and fun to knit!  Thank goodness for Ravelry pictures though, because if I hadn't been able to see how this sweater was to look before seaming it might have turned out to be a straight jacket.  But that's the great thing about knitting (and life)....you learn even through the mistakes. 
Here's the knitty gritty:
Sweater Pattern: Ribbed Baby Jacket
Needles: size 7 and 8
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease - less than 1 Skein
Size: 0-6 months
Modifications:  Instead of adding a buttonhole, I added the button to the sweater and crocheted a closure for securing the sweater. 

Hat Pattern: Simple Baby Hat from Itty Bitty Hats
Needles: size 7
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease - the remaining part of the skein
Size: newborn
Modifications: Instead of binding off and pulling the yarn through the last stitches, I continued to knit those stitches for about 3 inches.  Then I pulled the yarn through them, and knotted the top. 

I highly recommend both of these patterns...they were great baby knits. (they received lots of ooohs and aaahs at the shower) Do you have a favorite baby knit that you love to stitch and gift? 

23 comments:

Meg said...

Such beautiful gifts! I just learned that our associate pastor is pregnant with her first, so that makes two babies that will need gifts in April! I don't have a go-to pattern yet, but you've given me a great starting point.

Leslie said...

A friend of mine just adopted and being a new knitter I've wanted to try my hand a little hat. Your projects are so sweet. God bless your friend! She sounds like a lovely lady. My youngest is 13 so I can imagine the kind of change a new baby might bring.

Tonya Gunn said...

Oh, what gorgeous knitting. But, I appreciated more what you wrote, about trusting in God. I have been wondering lately if we may be blessed with another little one or not as I am 41 but that is out of my hands, except to trust and to keep on living each minute to glorify God.
Thanks for sharing.

Heather said...

These are gorgeous gifts, and what a sweet way to help welcome a new life into this world.

~ The Jolly Bee ~ said...

You're a good friend -- and a very generous one too! That is an adorable sweater/hat combo. Lucky babe!

Christina said...

Oh, the baby sweater and hat are TOO sweet! I'm sure your friend will treasure them.

Btw, I don't know if you saw, but on Saturday I published a tutorial for the trapezoid clutch. I enjoyed writing it and foresee more to come! : )

Tracy said...

Oh, so lovely... The jacket & hat are gorgeous, Lisa... LOVE the simplicity of pattern and color. Don't you just love doing baby knits? Something so sweet working on making something for a new little life. Best wishes to your friend & her growing family! :o) ((HUGS))

From All Stitched Up said...

I am so honored to have been linked t your blog. You did a great job knitting. But most important I love the reminder and the quote to trust in God. I need to be a better listener and believer. I've been thinking about this since your post yesterday. Thanks for the inspiration.

Kristyn Knits said...

What a wonderful gift for Jennifer and her new baby boy! You did a great job! I'm sure she'll treasure it always. "Resting in His plans"...reminds me that I sometimes rush ahead and need to slow down.

Anonymous said...

My favy baby sweater to knit is Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket. It's great fun to knit and you can use up different leftovers and still get a pretty jacket that looks like you planned it that way all along.

That's a lovely story about your friend trusting so completely in God's care. I like the quote from Mozart about babies: "It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us." I wish her and her family all the best.

Sewn With Grace said...

The gift is beautiful and so was your post. My friend and I were just having this discussion this week about pregnancy in the later years. You are so right, only God knows the plan. Thank you for your comment on my sewing room. I do think you should try your kitchen island for a cutting table. I told my husband last night that now I have the sewing room I've always dreamed of, all because of the kitchen island - it's changed me!

The WoodLand School said...

Absolutely gorgeous knitting! What a lovely gift for this precious new baby.

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Beautiful knits!! In my family I was a freshman in college with the youngest in our family in kindergarten at the same time. There were two in the middle and the big age spread in siblings made it crazy but fun. Best of luck to your friend.

Stephanie said...

Beautiful! I love the wide edge with the button, and the color is so pretty.

Mary said...

I love it! I need to finish up a baby sweater and several hats and a blanket. Thought I saw you this weekend at a craft fair but must have been your twin.

Imene said...

I love your gifts and I like how you modified the cardigan. I made one for my daughter and i never closed right.
Congratulations to your friend and coming from a family of four with the oldest and youngest are 18 years apart: i will say this somehow it all works out fine!
My youngest sibling just graduated college and just got a job ;o)

Gloria said...

Oh my!!! That is so adorable. I would love a sweater (& hat) like that for myself. Exact color too! Ha!
I am in awe that you actually knitted that yourself! It is amazing...really!!! So beautiful!

How wonderful that your friend is expecting. What a joy this new baby will be to her and her other children. They are all going to love helping with the baby I am sure! May God continue to bless their lives with much happiness!!

Larissa said...

Love the sweater and hat you created! they will keep the babe warm and in style! your friend is truly blessed to have this little one at this time. my mom had my youngest sister four weeks before my wedding - she's a freshman in college this year!

Jane said...

That's exactly the hat I need to make for my son's teacher...well her new baby. I love purple for babies!

Grace said...

Oh, these are so pretty! I really love the color!

Gigi said...

Lovely knitting and lovely thoughts!
Blessings,
G

Designs on 47th Street said...

As always, such a lovely post LIsa. This Bible scripture is perfect timing for me to read again. Thanks for that.

Oh my...what a precious, adorable little sweater and hat. You are just the neatest friend and person!

Donna

a friend to knit with said...

wow. i know jennifer must feel blessed. not only for this precious new life, but for your friendship and your beautiful gift.
beth must have a great pattern selection!!! i will have to remember that for the future. :)