One of the things I love about knitting is how I feel like it does have a higher power. I mean, not as high as say, whiskey or a shirtless Ray Stevenson, but I feel like knitting allows me to make the world what I wish it was. Lofty of me, I know, but wouldn't it be amazing if every baby was greeted with a handmade gift? Would that make the world a better place? Couldn't the wee one feel that handiwork? I don't know if I'm convinced, but I'd like to think so.
One of the generosities that really stands out from when Junior was born was two of Mr. Pinks friends buying some preemie clothes for Junior so that he would have some clothes that fit him right away. It was so thoughtful, and though some people might thing it was small, I will always remember it (and yes, both friends have had babies that were welcomed with handknits- one of whom received the 2 raglans).
A separate friend of Mr. Pink's welcomed a little girl about three weeks ago, having made her entrance about a month early (I don't blame her- I want to experience the full holiday season too!) and I knew what I wanted to do- make some preemie clothes for her. I found this dress pattern (opens to .pdf) via Ravelry and altered it a little bit to suit her (she's a Californian)- short sleeves and made with cotton, as well as ease of knitting (made in the round).
I'm really happy with how it turned out- if only I could say the same for the accompanying sweater. I decided to jump headlong into the infamous February Baby Sweater, and instead of modifying the pattern to fit a preemie, I decided to go with the pattern as written and knit it with fingering weight (as opposed to the worsted it calls for) and smaller needles.
While the end result isn't awful, it just wasn't what I was hoping for. Which I deserve, I suppose, with such poor planning, but I just felt like the proportions were off. If I were to do it again (which why I chose to knit two baby garments out of fingering can I guess be chalked up to estrogen driven delirium), I would cast on extra stitches at the underarm- maybe as many as 10 extra. I think it would work alright with that. With baby knitting, I feel the constant soundtrack of Final Jeopardy playing in the background, the baby adding ounces with each row I finish. Which is my meager excuse for not ripping and reknitting.
At the very least, hopefully baby Maya will receive these by Friday and have a kicky little outfit to wear for the Black Friday sales.
*You didn't think that I would re-enter blogland without some ridiculous portmanteaux, did you? Many thanks to Jennifer for jogging my memory on the $10 word.
The dress is just beautiful and I love the sweater in the dark color too. She will be one very well dressed little girl.
Posted by: sue | November 26, 2008 at 03:02 PM
That dress is so cute that it makes me sad that I didn't knit dresses for my three daughters when they were babies. If you keep this up, you're going to shame me into knitting more often :-).
Posted by: Dani in NC | November 26, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Both of them are gorgeous! Lucky babies!
Posted by: Moni | November 26, 2008 at 05:16 PM
you know what they say....if at first you don't succeed :)
not getting it perfect is EXACTLY that part of knitting which puts it in the higher power category of things!
beautiful combo, precious, precious, precious
Posted by: Evi | November 26, 2008 at 05:21 PM
They're so beautiful. And they'll never know you're not happy with it (don't tell them, of course). And it's way better than picking up an outfit at Target, which is what I usually do.
Posted by: Katherine | November 26, 2008 at 05:45 PM
That dress is adorable. And the sweater looks good too...I don't see any problems with it!
Final Jeopardy music...totally know what you mean.
Posted by: Stacey | November 27, 2008 at 03:10 AM
Oh my gosh that little tiny dress is so damn adorable I could cry. Or maybe I'm just PMSing again. In any case, I love it!
The Feb. sweater is cute too but I can see it's not as swingy as the original. Thing is, the recipient probably doesn't know it was supposed to be so swingy so I think you're golden.
Posted by: katie | November 27, 2008 at 08:56 AM
that little dress is adorable. and i love the colors you chose. such a nice change from pastels.
Posted by: Maryse | November 28, 2008 at 05:38 AM
The knit dress is just darling, and the black sweater is, too. Even if it's not what you were hoping for, she'll be able to wear it as she gets bigger :)
Posted by: amanda | November 29, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Have I told you lately how glad I am that you're back. I missed you darlin.
-w
Posted by: Bookish Wendy | December 01, 2008 at 03:18 PM
this is absolutely beautiful!!!!
Posted by: lynette | December 02, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Cathi,
I'm so envious of your talent. These things are GORGEOUS! and I'm honored that I was able to help you with your blog! :)
Posted by: Jennifer | December 02, 2008 at 08:48 PM
What a lucky little girl! I hope the lovely dress is a harbinger of many more soft and lovely experiences to come!
Posted by: bongomama | December 04, 2008 at 07:06 PM
One of my favorite thing's of Aidan's is a sweater and bonnet-cap someone knitted for him. It's just so precious, and the fact that it was handmade makes it all the more so. I love the set you made for your friend...I imagine it'll be especially nice for her to get something that's not pink, too. :)
Posted by: Amy | December 04, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Both are beautiful, beautiful!!
Posted by: Rima Aranha | January 18, 2009 at 04:50 PM
Those are lovely! :)
Posted by: Adina | March 04, 2009 at 12:37 PM
it's so lovely!!!
Posted by: le chat qui coud | March 21, 2009 at 11:06 AM
I completely agree. I'm in the process of knitting two little boy sweaters for wee ones set to arrive in September. I think there's something so special about a handknit on a baby. And one will be my nephew so I'll get to see him all the time in the sweater! Speaking of...I need to ravelry those!
Posted by: Sarah | July 29, 2009 at 06:55 AM