Finished Knit: Zapote

I've just finished a new hoodie for the Small Human. The pattern is Zapote from Carol Feller's book Short Row Knits , & the yarn is Malabrigo Rios in Ravelry Red, from This is Knit.  The buttons are from fairly recent stash, probably bought in Hickey's. 

I **LOVE** this garment. It is worked from the top town, using short rows to shape the garter stitch hood. The garment features raglan increases at the shoulders, and slipped-stitch i-cord edging along the front.

The garter stitch cuffs can be folded back to allow the all-important growing room. The increases along the sides of the body allow room for nappy bulk in smaller sizes, or for dresses. The garter stitch pockets are perfect for stashing Important Things like pine cones found on walks. The pattern is graded from 6 months to 10 years.

This is the second time I've knit this pattern; I was lucky enough to knit one of the samples that appears in the book, & was itching to knit it again (In Fyberspates Vivacious DK). It really is a lovely pattern. I just wish it came in adult sizes too.... ;)

Nesting

I'm anticipating a new arrival, and seem to think that the only way to prepare for this small human is to knit all the things. I would usually stick to 6 months plus when knitting for other people's babies, as they grow so quickly, but have made a few cardigans intended to be suitable up to about 3 months for my own.

Pattern; Linnie by Justyna Lorkowska

Yarn; main colour - Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

contrast colour; Schoppel Wolle Zauberball, plied before use

Buttons; from Hickeys Fabrics

Modifications; I cast on using the MC before changing to the contrast; I increased by an extra 8 stitches before separating for sleeves. Instead of making the button holes as part of the main garment, I knit on button bands afterwards. I did not use the contrast colour at the cuffs or end of cardigan as written in the pattern.

Pattern; Tomten by Elizabeth Zimmerman

Yarn; Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Buttons; from Hickeys Fabrics

Modifications; I knit this in 'sport' weight tension rather than the DK weight tension recommended in the pattern, with the aim of making a garment suitable for approx 3 month old size. I added extra length to the hood, by knitting an extra 8 garter ridges. I picked up & knit stitches all around the edges & knit for 2 garter ridges in the main yarn; then one garter ridge in the contrast colour, and then finished the garment with icord bind off & icord button holes.

Pattern; Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman
Yarn; Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino
Buttons; from stash
Modifications; I added an icord edging around the neck & front of the cardigan