A Little Gift for a New Arrival

So, my friend Megan from college just had a little girl (Renee--isn't that lovely?), and given that Megan works for a rock-and-roll kind of place, I know this is going to be one hip little chick. Pastels? Pinks and ruffles? Not for this kid. Think ACDC and Megadeth tee-shirts, sized to show off a little bellybutton action. Lucky for me, I found some grape-a-licious yarn at my favorite little yarn shop in Roberts, WI. Located on the railroad tracks, it is called Color Crossing. Isn't that great? Everytime I go there I drool over the floor-to-ceiling crates of yarn. And I mean, crates! Too bad my yarn budget is strained by house payments. Anyway, this yarn is called Jelly Beens by Plymouth Yarn. The pattern is a free one I found at http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/. It is called Jimmy's First Sweater Set, and includes the little cardigan as shown, a hat and a pair of booties. The little sweater took two balls, so if you wanted to make the accessories I think you'd need at least one more, but probably two. I modified the pattern a little. I really don't like picking up stitches along necklines and front sides of a cardigan. Somehow, it ends up looking messy and too tightly knit on me. So, I broke out a trusty crochet hook and crocheted a couple rows of edge along the neckline and sides. Don't forget to make your button holes when you do this! I always get crochet-happy and seem to forget little things like that... I had found funky buttons up at Bargain Bill's (they have a HUGE bin full of buttons, one cent each) but when I looked for them, I had put them in such a safe place I couldn't find them. I had daisy buttons left from a project, and I think they look darn cute. Even a rock-and-roll baby needs a little flower power now and then. My little sweater only took an afternoon to make, which is great when you've procrastinated on a gift and the receipient has already arrived to the party! It did need a bit of blocking, I think mostly because it is a small item and done in stockinette stitch which gets curly at the edges. As soon as it dries, I'll stuff it into a priority mail box and off it goes to Brooklyn! The best part is, the kid won't have outgrown it before it shows up. Now that is good baby gifting!