Updated patterns!

I'm in the process of updating my old patterns, particularly the bibs, to include charts. I'm rewriting some of the directions to make the patterns even easier and including alternative methods for beginning the bibs and for making the ties. Look for these patterns in the sidebar to see which ones have been added. It's a slow process, but eventually, they'll all be there!



Tuesday, May 15, 2012

T-shirts!

Well, judging from the underwhelming response to my last two patterns, I guess I should just move onto something else.  Like baby t-shirts.  I searched for a pattern that would match up with the one I had in my mind, but nothing really came close.  As is the case for most of the things I do, I decided that the only way to get what I wanted was to do it myself! 














I hate sewing seams, so I knew I wanted a top down shirt, but I also wanted to be able to slip it off and on easily over baby's head.  This would require a placket.














Of course, I had to add a little design to the front.


And to the bottom:
I think it came out really cute.  You start at the neck and work back and forth, while also working the design on the front until the placket is deep enough, and then it's worked in the round until the depth of the armholes is reached.  You then slip the sleeve stitches onto waste yarn to work later and knit to the bottom.  I wanted small sleeves, so when I picked up the stitches, I just did the tiny ribbing at the edge to finish them off.  It was really simple.  The tricky part was figuring out how many stitches to cast on in the first place.  I was trying to avoid a Flashdance look!

I have tons of ideas for other designs, but one that popped into my head was this lacy one:
I love this version!  The lace will make it nice and cool on a summer day!  It's not completely finished as I haven't found the right button for it yet.  I finished the placket off by just single crocheting around the edge and making a buttonhole at the same time.  I thought it made more sense to finish it once I knew how big the button was.  I didn't want to have a loop that wouldn't stay on the button or one that wouldn't fit over a button!




The peach version has fewer stitches around the neck so it isn't as floppy.  I can see lots of things I'd like to improve upon.  Both versions are knit with cotton.  The aqua shirt is made from leftover yarn from the blanket.  (Jeannee by Plymouth).  The peach is Aslan Trends Pima Clasico.  It's supposed to be machine washable, but I haven't put it to the test yet!

I'm contemplating trying to write up the pattern, in case anyone else might be interested, however, I've never written a "sweater" pattern before so I'm not sure if I'd be any good at it.  I know what I did, but can I explain it well enough so you'd know too?  I can see that it would be fairly easy to adjust the size up or down, but if I decide to do it, I think I'll just stick with one size.  I've learned that I can't please everyone!




19 comments:

Vicki Suan said...

Those baby t-shirts are so cute!! Go ahead and write the pattern and I will volunteer to test knit them for you--lol! You are very creative, not to mention generous. Thank you for the freebies. Vicki

carol said...

Sorry about the lack of comments on your bunny bibs. I love your patterns and am working on a version of patterns for a baby blanket myself. It'll be a while before it's done, as I have several projects on needles. I do however, make your cupcake cloth several times a year for friends' birthdays. I love your designs and you are so generous. Thanks!!!

Ally said...

Write up the plain one with instructions for adding one's choice of animals from your bibs/cloths, and I'd pay good money for it! (my best friend is pregnant, and I am aiming to make pretty much anything I can with her own favorite animal on it for my honorary niece or nephew)

Speaking of the bib patterns though - have you done any with ties of any sort other than the icord? Mine looks horrendous, and it drives me up the wall...

Linda J said...

Your shirts are very cute, but I hope you don't stop doing the bib designs. I love them - maybe we should all tell you that more often!!

Adrialys said...

I love baby items and these are really cute! But I love your bib designs too so please keep making them!!

Nancy said...

These are adorable shirts.

Lammis said...

very cute, you have nice ideas and althoght i can nou use these one, couse i have boys, thet give me inspiration

Aussie Maria said...

Please, please, please write the pattern!!!!

PurlingPenny said...

I am a great fan of your bibs and cloths! We are out here silently enjoying them. :) Love these t-shirts too so I hope you do write them up. You are the first one I visit when it's time for a baby gift. Blessings!

Kerry said...

I can't wait to try these, but PLEASE don't stop with the bibs and cloths. You have no idea how many of these I make for baby showers, friends' who have friends or family having babies, craft shows, etc. I check your site at least once a week hoping for new designs.

Now I get to add these adorable shirts. Thanks for sharing your creativity with those of us who lack the design inspiration for whatever reason.:)

Kerry said...

Well, apparently I panicked at the thought of no more bibs for a while. I just realized you hadn't posted the pattern for the shirts. If you decide to post them, I can't wait to try them. LOL.

Chantelle said...

Oh I love them!!! Definitely write a pattern, Id buy it to make for my baby girl!!

Leslie said...

I'm just waiting for payday to get some solid color cotton for a couple of bibs -- there's a new baby girl in the neighborhood. And the sweater! I'd be willing to pay for that one.

sherry said...

Beautiful!!!!I'd love to test your pattern - please write one -- you are just amazing - I have made virtually every pattern -- thank you so much for sharing -

Spyster Mistress said...

I love your patterns and was actually pondering contacting you to find out where you might have others available. I have the 2011 Dishcloth calendar and ADORE the ones there. Are you in any more of Janet’s calendars? Or maybe the Peaches & Crème booklet?

Jessica said...

No way! You should not stop with the bibs and cloths. I love them and am working my way through knitting all of them. They are wonderful and make such great quick little gifts. Thanks for sharing your talent with all of us!

Judi A. said...

I'm not much of a "commenter" but decided it was time I told you how much I love all your bib and washcloth patterns and often are the first ones I go to. Now I have a baby blanket and a t-shirt patterns to love!! Please do write up the pattern for the t-shirt. I love your ideas for variations, and I can see it would be another "go-to" pattern for me.:-) You are such a talented lady and thank you for sharing that talen with all of us!

judygold said...

I love your patterns. I made a washcloth out of your Hearts for Ruthie, for the pregnant granddaughter of a friend. She loved it! Her name is Lacee, so when I saw the lacy shirt, I just knew I would love to have this pattern. I would even pay for this pattern, as cute as it is. Having tried (once) to design a dishcloth, I have some understanding of the process and of the difficulty involved.

Keep up the good work.

Judy

scrappinmagic said...

I used two of your bib patterns...the bunny tails and imp. Instead of knitting the design into the bib, I used the duplicate stitch in contrasting yarn to make them stand out. I have them for sale on yardsellr....(I did mention you as the designer)
https://yardsellr.com/for_sale#!/3-knitted-baby-bibs--cotton--free-ship-5340365
Thank you so much for sharing your patterns! They are all very cute!!