the final countdown

We're busy getting ready for baby these days. The countdown to our little guy's due date is under two weeks. I'm alternately torn between being ready for him to arrive RIGHT NOW and wanting a few more days to finish decorating the nursery and to square things away at the office.

My mother's friends and family appliqued and embroidered these sweet teddy bear quilt blocks at a baby shower for me way back in 1978. Each teddy bear is different and bears the initials of its maker. Grandma (who was very crafty!) did all the finishing work, truly a labor of love for her since she enjoyed making garments, slipcovers, and curtains, not quilts. I love that my mom kept this all these years, and I feel so lucky to incorporate it into our little guy's nursery. Sugar is quite fond of it, too, as you can tell.

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More cardigans to keep wee "Ragnar" warm are off the needles...

pattern: Baby Sophisticate, by Linden Down (the free version) yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted, green tea heather, 2 skeins needles: US 7 and 8 size: 6-12 months my Ravelry project page
notes:
This is the project where I finally mastered short rows! Huzzah! Cute little sweater -- I like the shawl collar shaping. I used US 7 needles for the body, but had to switch to US 8 DPNs for the sleeves to get gauge. I used US 8 for the bind-off, too.

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pattern: Little Coffee Bean Cardigan, by Elizabeth Smith (free!) yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, 1 skein each of Lake and Almond needles: US 6 and 7 size: 3 months (?) my Ravelry project page
notes:
Yipes, stripes! I love them! The color combination is one of my favorites. Used up the very last of my Cotton-Ease stash, acquired many years ago. I accidentally knit the collar with size 7 needles instead of 6, but remembered to use size 6 for the cuffs, bottom hem, and button bands. I didn't think through my button placement very wisely.

The sizing seems... well, quite generous, which is better than the alternative. The sleeves also seem pretty large in comparison to the body, but I'll evaluate the fit once it's actually in use.