Tropical Lily

A new pattern to share.

This pattern arose out of the need to knit something with cotton. I chose this particular cotton as it was the only one I had a substantial amount in my stash of - and I am supposed to be knitting from my stash exclusively.  I started off with the plan to knit a short sleeved Oriental Lily but the striping wasn't matching up on the bodice. A Rainbow Dress would probably have worked but before I got the chance to try that a vision of this entered my head, and suddenly I was possessed!

I looked everywhere for what I had in mind, but could only find crochet. I can crochet. Sort of. But it is pretty cack handed, upside down, back to front and all inside out, and of course, left handed.  Plus I can't follow a crochet pattern to save myself, the US and UK differences really confuse me. And so, the Tropical Lily was born.

This wasn't actually meant to be for my Lily. I was actually pleased when I finished it and she told me she didn't like it, because the green in it was too pale. She went through a stage where she didn't like green at all, now she only likes bright coloured greens.  Unfortunately, when I convinced her to try it on for me she changed her mind, and now I have to knit another one. The second one has some minor pattern improvements.

Pattern:

size: adjustable, fits from around a 20 inch chest upwards. The tie back and crossover straps make it a longer lasting style.  It would be very easy to upsize or downsize this by working extra or fewer of the 6 stitch lace pattern.

Yarn: 10 ply/worsted weight cotton.  I used just under three balls of Anchor Magicline (205 metres approximately)

Needles: 4.5 mm or the size that gives you the right tension

Tension: 20 stitches to 10cm/4 inches in stocking stitch

You will also need:

* 2 buttons

* stitch holder

Abbreviations:

K: knit

YO: yarn over the needle; bring the yarn over the needle to create an extra stitch

k3tog: knit  3 stitches together as one, effectively decreasing by two

k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as one, effectively decreasing by one

SSK:  slip, slip, knit. Slip one stitch, then slip the second stitch. With the left needle, knit into the front loops of the slipped stitches and knit them off as one stitch, effectively decreasing by one.

you may wish to visit Knitting Help to learn how to execute these decreases. 

Lace pattern:

Row 1 & 2: knit

Row 3: * K1, YO, k1, k3tog, k1, YO  repeat  from * 

Row 4: purl

Cast on 92 stitches.

Row 1 & 2: knit. 

The first and last four stitches of each row are knit to form a garter stitch edge.

Row 3 & 4: knit

Row 5: k4, *k1, YO, k1, k3tog, k1, YO   repeat from * until last 4 stitches, k4

Row 6: k4, purl to last 4 stitches, k4

Rows 3 -6  forms the lace pattern for the body.

Row 7: knit

Row 8: k4, purl to last 4 stitches, k4

Repeat rows 3- 6 a further 16 times, or until body reaches desired length.

Knit one row, cast on 30 stitches.

Turn work and knit to end of row, cast on 30 stitches. (152 stitches)

Turn  work and knit to end of row. 

This creates the stitches for the back ties, they are about 16cm in length.

Knit 2 rows.

Buttonhole rows: k42, YO, k2tog, knit to end of row.   Repeat.

Knit 4 rows.

Cast off 53, knit to end of row.  Repeat. (46 stitches)

k5, purl 36, k5.

Knit 1 row.

k5, purl 36, k5.

*k5, ssk, knit to last 7 stitches, k2tog, k5

k5, purl to last 5 stitches, k5

Repeat from * these 2 rows a further 4 times, and then the decrease row once  for a total of 6 sets of decreases. (34 stitches) 

With the wrong side facing knit a row.

*k5, ssk, knit to last 7 stitches, k2tog, k5

knit 1 row.

Repeat from * these two rows twice, for a total of 3  sets of decreases. (28 stitches)

k6, cast off 16, k6.

Turn work and knit a further 74 rows (or desired length) on these 6 stitches to form straps. You may wish to place the other  stitches on a stitch holder while working the first strap.  When considering strap length, remember the straps will stretch.  I used a strap length of approximtely 24cm. Cast off. 

Rejoin yarn at remaining live 6 stitches.

Knit 74 rows. Cast off.

Sew buttons on straps.

Weave in ends and block. 

Please email me if you have any questions or find any errors in this pattern ~ tikki@ozebaby.com.au

The copyright of this pattern remains with myself.  This pattern is provided free for personal home use only. Commercial use of this pattern is a violation of the copyright.  Selling products made from this pattern is prohibited under the copyright unless express written permission has been granted by myself as of February 11 2009. 

Random Act of Kindness

This lovely parcel of goodies arrived about the same time as Toby was getting ready to make his entrance ~ hence the late piccie posting.  It came from Courtney  and was part of the RAOK swap organised by Woolaholics.  It was a good fun swap, it was great fun organising a surprise package for someone else and also eagerly anticipating the arrival of your own totally out of the blue.

  

Courtney knitted me this gorgeous bag, just perfect for stashing my knitting projects in. Another knitting bag means another project on the go.. hehehe

She also included this lovely rainbow yarn to knit something for Lily and a delicious smelling soy melt ~ yummo!  

Thank you so much Courtney :D

all for a good cause

A couple of pieces donated for auctions.

Firstly, these size 3 wide leg pants are being auctioned over here to raise funds for Jess. You may have seen Jess's story on A Current Affair last week. If not, read her story on the Wear it Baby mall. Some very lovely ladies have got together to organise some auctions and donations have come from a wide variety of WAHMs donating some awesome offerings.  Give it your support!

A fair few months ago Megsie and I auctioned a surprise set to raise money for the Chibobo appeal. I realised as I was looking through my photos that I hadn't posted pics of the finished set, very remise of me, particularly as Megsie hasn't seen the finished outfit.

So here it is. One very cute outfit for a train loving boy. 

Oriental Lily Dress Pattern update

I've just added some extra sizes to the Oriental Lily Dress pattern
It now has sizes from newborn to size 3.

Let me know if you find any errors: tikki@ozebaby.com.au

blog blitz

time for a little blog blitz to catch up on some stuff I haven't posted about, some crafting goodness, some customs, pattern updates, a new pattern. a giveaway and of course some cute baby and kiddy photos to come.

Firstly, Toby's woolly stash knitted over the course of my pregnancy. I haven't posted pics of these until now because, well, it sort of would have been pretty obvious what gender our bub is and it was meant to be a secret... meant to be, although I did overhear Lily saying to my mum one day, "Gran, our little baby is going to be a boy." 

TOP: All Perfection Pants longies in Baabum aran BFL, Monster Knits DK BFL 'Electric' and Woolly Butts SSS Merino

MIDDLE: 2 Spare Ribs shoakers, (Rav link only) the first with a Curly Purly waistband in the yarn cafe aran BFL 'Earth Rainbow' and the second in WOOLganics 8 ply merino custom dyed by Monster Knits 'Happy'; and 2 Mini Wonder Soakers,  in Treliske 8ply organic merino dyed by Lily and I and in WOOLganics 8 ply Monster knits 'Happy' and WOOLganics 'Raindrops'

BOTTOM: Ladybug Loops shorties in Utiku multicolour 8ply 'Ocean' 

the little man modeling his wares

and his next pair will be coming from this; the scrumptious December installment of the yarncollective soaker club from Monsterknits, yum!!!   Do you get the idea that I like Monster knits yarns?  LOL

Mr Sunshine ;)

All those blog surfers out there have probably already spotted this gorgeous set over on Kris's blog.  If you haven't, check them out and her work over there.  Over here, you can see them in action.

Is it just me or is it hard to capture newborns on camera?  Two photo shoots later and I had some pics that I was reasonably happy with. 

Here's the big boy at nearly three weeks of age!!!

Toby was lucky enough to receive this awesome pressie from Kris consisting of some shorties and a handpainted tshirt, made especially for our little Mr Sunshine :D  The tshirt isn't modeled here as it's too big for him at the moment but at the rate he's growing (900 grams in three weeks), it won't be long!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this set!! It's perfect for our little fellow. I love how unbelievably soft this yarn is, it's droolworthy. I love the bright yellow of these (my favourite colour), I love the combination with the red (Andy's favourite colour). I love the flare and I love how cool the picot hem looks in the red. These are super cool duds!!! (Even when I knit with yarn Kris has dyed for me, my soakers/ longies never look as awesome as hers ~ she really is a very very talented lady with a great eye for colour)
And how cute is this angel Ellie made for Lily !

Thank you so much Kris, we love them and they will be worn with much appreciation.

And just because they're cute, here's the bro and sis sharing some sibling love :D