Minestrone...

Ingredients:
1 lb ground Italian Sausage
6 cloves garlic chopped
3 med onions chopped (2 yellow and 1 red if possible)
7 carrots pealed and sliced
7 stalks celery sliced
2 med red potatoes pealed and cubed
2 yellow squash quartered and sliced
4-8 baby bella mushrooms cleaned and sliced
1-2 cups chopped kale
1/2-1 cup fresh parsley
1-2 Tbsp fresh thyme
4 bay leaves
1 can chick peas drained and rinsed
2 14.5 oz cans Muir Glen Organic Fire Roased tomatoes
1 14-16 oz can tomato sauce
6 cups water
4 beef bullion cubes
1-2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp fresh ground pink salt
1 cup cooked mini shell pasta

Easy Doll Dress/Shirt

OK, so I've done several dresses, inspired by these 2 blog posts.  The first:  Skip 2 My Lou's Simple Doll Dress and next UCreate's Pillowcase Doll Dress Tutorial.  I do not have fabulous pics like these 2 have, but can tell you what my "un"pattern has morphed into after making 4 18" dresses, 1 18" doll shirt, and a 14" doll dress..  Perhaps after a few more, I'll have more details and some in progress pics.

Materials:
Fabric (2 pieces of the size below)

• 8 1/2"x11"  for 18" doll dress
• 8 1/2"x8"  for 18" doll shirt
• 5x8 (or 5x9) for 14" Hearts 4 Hearts Doll

Ribbon or elastic for shoulder straps
Thread
Ribbon or elastic for belt (optional)

First cut your 2 piece of fabric.

I neither used the pattern provided on Skip2MyLou or cut a U shape like on UCreate.  Instead, I laid my 2 pieces of fabric together right sides facing, and folded in half.  Then, I cut a 1/2 triangle out at the top (for each arm hole) from 3 1/4" down to about 3/4-1" in on the 18" dolls or 2" down and 1/2" in on the 14" doll dress.

Next, I roll hemmed the bottom on the front and back.

Then, with right sides facing each other, I sewed the sides together w/ apx 3/8" seams, stopping about 1/4-1/2" from where the cut for the arm holes begins..

After that, I turned the dress right side out and turned the arm hole edge to turn and top stitch at about 1/8-1/4", down the front, then back up the back.

Then, I turned the front and back both down about 3/4" to create a casing (for 14" dolls, more like 1/2"), and sewed across.

I like elastic for feeding through the "ties" better than ribbon.  I have 5/8" FOE (fold over elastic) that works great, and have found that an 8 1/2" cut works fantastic for an 18" doll.  I am going to order some 1/8" elastic from ShabbyRoseTrim on Etsy to play with for the 14" doll dresses.  Otherwise, ribbon works fine too.  For elastic, feed through the casing, then stitch closed and feed the seem into one of the casins.

For a belt, for 18" dolls, a 10-11" piece of FOE sewn together in a circle works great.  For a 14" doll, a hair elastic/nylon works good.  Or ribbon for both.

Hope this helps... and like I mentioned, I'll try to get more pics as time goes on.

The pics below are my in progress, from 1st attempt, using both tutorials as guides, to the last attempts where I made the shirt as well as the 14" doll dress.

Steak Chili

Heather's Steak Chili.... inspired by Jim Maturo's Chili on page 71 of The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook.

Serves 8-10+

10 oz pork Chorizo

2.5-3 lbs Flat Iron Steak (or other tender steak) cut into 1/2-3/4" cubes

3 C beef broth (or 3 cups water and 3 beef bouillon cubes) 

3 C chicken broth (or 3 cups water and 3 chicken bouillon cubes)

2 15 oz cans petite diced tomatoes

3 small-medium onions, diced

6-7 Tbsp chili powder

2 cans Great Norther beans, rinsed

1 Tbsp ground cumin

2 1/2 tsp minced garlic

1/2-1 tsp ground black pepper

Toppings:  Cheddar cheese, sour cream, Frito's, chopped onions

1.  Brown the Chorizo in a 7 Qt Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven.  Remove.

2.  Brown the cubed steak.

3.  Add remaining ingredients.

4.  Boil on medium to medium-high heat for 40 minutes.

5.  Simmer for 40 minutes.

6.  Serve with toppings, as desired.

I use 100% Wool yarns for most all of my diapering woolies. Below are the properties of most of the bases I use that are non-superwash (not machine washable.) Machine washable wool (superwash) can also be used, and I have several nice superwash options in my inventory. However, they will not behave as well for diapering as non-superwash wool does. Superwash wools will be harder to lanolize, not be as absorbent, will need washed more often, and will be more prone to compression wicking. However, the flip side is that they are machine washable.



The ideal yarn I look for is a worsted to aran weight, or even a slightly bulky weight yarn that is 100% wool, non-superwash, and as soft as possible while maintaining durability. Minimally processed with a lot of lanolin still present is an added bonus.









Malabrigo/Purewool Single Ply/Galenas Merino/Single Ply Uruguayan – These are all essentially the same yarn base. They are all a single ply, super soft merino wool yarn from Uruguay. The wool is very, very soft and fine. It knits up to a soft, buttery material with a nice drape. It is wonderful for newborns especially, but can be used for all ages. It is mid-weight for standing up to wetness. It does pill and felt more easily than some other bases, but a sweater shaver helps with the pilling, and its softness makes up for the bit it is lacking in durability.

3ply Purewool/3ply Uruguayan - This yarn base comes from the makers of Purewool. Many Indie Dyers use this as a yarn base, but it can also be purchased already dyed by Purewool. It is the same wool that is used in their single ply yarn, just spun up a bit differently to create a 3 ply yarn. The spinning process makes this yarn a bit more durable than its single ply counterpart; however it is still nearly as soft.

Cestari and Targhee – These are both woolen spun, 2 ply yarns. Cestari comes in 3 types, Fine, superfine and traditional. All 3 are very similar, the only difference being the fine and superfine are softer than the traditional. The fine and superfine are 100% merino, and the traditional is a merino blend. Targhee is its own breed of sheep, but similar in touch to Cestari. All of these create a nice, durable fabric that is virtually pill free, heavy weight for standing up to wetness, and indestructible. Great for crawling and/or outdoor toddler wear. The fabric softens more and more over time and use.

BFL (Blue Faced Leicester) – Most BFL’s that I work with are aran weight, but some are a bit more bulky. This breed of sheep is silky and soft. The yarn takes dye in a lustrous manner, giving the color(s) a beautiful shine. BFL is a great, all ages yarn. It is soft, yet sturdier than a super fine merino like Malabrigo. It does pill, but after it is shaved a few times, the pilling decreases dramatically. It is medium to heavy weight standing up to wetness.

Peace Fleece – This is a Wool/Mohair Blend, 2 ply. Not very soft to start, but does soften up with wear and over time. It is ideal for babies 12-18 months and older. This wool wears like Iron. Heavy weight when standing up to wetness and perfect for crawling and outdoor play. I’ve heard of moms washing Peace Fleece in the washing machine on gentle with no issues of felting. This is the hardest wearing wool I knit with.

Blackberry Ridge Merino – This is a 2 ply merino that is a bit lighter weight than the Cestari/Targhee, but one of my favorites. This wool is very soft, yet wears well and is virtually pill free. It is medium to heavy weight for standing up to wetness.

Wool of the Andes Worsted – This is a multi-ply yarn spun from Peruvian wool (a merino/corriedale blend). It is not one of the softest yarns, but does soften very nicely over time, It does tend to pill quite a bit, but always looks new after a shave. It comes in many solid colors and is a nice, basic yarn. It is light to mid-weight when standing up to wetness.

Wool of the Andes Bulky – Like it’s worsted counterpart, but a bit heavier. This wool is mid to heavy weight when standing up to wetness and comes in several solids and some great variegated colors from Knit Picks. It is a perfect workhorse yarn.






Mountain Meadow Merino - This yarn is a 2 ply merino that is a bit lighter weight than the Cestari/Targhee, but one of my favorites. This wool is very soft, yet wears well and takes color beautifully. It is in between Blackberry Ridge and Cestari for thickness. It does tend to pill a bit more than those 2, since they don’t pill at all. It is medium to heavy weight for standing up to wetness. This is a fabulous yarn base.

Gaia Organic – Comes in both a worsted and bulky version. They are both very soft. Both pill quite a bit, but yet hold up nicely to felting. The worsted version will give a light weight protection to wetness, while the bulky version gives a mid-heavy weight protection to wetness. A fabulous all ages yarn.

Corriedale Aran – See BFL. The weight, spin and feel of Corriedale is very similar to BFL. It is lacking the sheen and not quite as silky, but very similar.

Cormo – See Cestari/Mountain Meadow, CormoVery similar to these 2 yarns. It is in between them in thickness and softer than both.

Lion Brand Wool, Lion Brand Fishermans, Patons Classic Merino – All 3 of these are very similar to Wool of the Andes Worsted. Good workhorse yarns in solids and some variegated colors available in many big box craft stores, so readily available and highly affordable.

Lily's Strisce Felice.... My Little Lollipop

birthday and lollipop 022, a photo by freckle432 on Flickr.




I am working on finding my notes to how I modified this to a bigger size from the original one size pattern.  Once found, I'll happily share them with anyone wanting to make a bigger top than 0-18months.

Birthday Dress, Nearly Done

birthday dress 002, a photo by freckle432 on Flickr.

I'm working a test knit for Dakine Knits for Melissa's Candy Girl pattern. I thought it would make the perfect birthday dress for Jackie. I've got about 48 hours left to adjust the strap placement, wash and block. I sure would like to get a matching one knit for her new American Girl doll too.... not sure if that will happen or not.

Hats Galore!

Hats Galore!, a photo by freckle432 on Flickr.

Check out these hats today at Bitty Fluff.  I had so much fun crocheting all of these bitty fiber creations.  They are all size newborn through 0-3 months and would be the perfect gift for that expected baby in your life.  Blog followers can take 10% off if purchasing 2 hats, or 15% off if purchasing 3, or 20% off if purchasing 4 or more.

~~~Facebook Fans, We've Reached 150 Followers Giveaway~~~

Fantastic!  Freckle's Natural Fibers has reached 150 fans on Facebook.  To celebrate, I'm holding a Giveaway.

The winner can choose 1 of the following options:

• Surprise Skein of Handspun Yarn - You can tell me fiber and color likes/dislikes, as well as whether you'd like a single ply or 2 ply yarn.  Yarn will be worsted-bulky weight.
• Surprise Skein of Hand Dyed Yarn - Tell me your fiber and color likes/dislikes and I'll dye a skein of yarn up for you.
• Surprise Braid of Spinning Fiber - Tell me your fiber and color likes/dislikes and I'll dye a braid of fabulous fiber your you to spin up at home.
• Surprise Small Handwoven Scarf - You tell me any fiber sensitivities, and color likes/dislikes and I'll weave you up something special!
• Surprise Hat (Up to size Small Youth) - Tell me fiber and color likes/dislikes, as well as the size and gender.
• Surprise Soaker or Shorties (Up to Size Medium) - Tell me fiber and color likes/dislikes, as well as the size and gender.
• Surprise Shrug or Sweater Vest (Up to Size 2/3T) - Tell me fiber and color likes/dislikes, as well as the size.
• $25 Coupon to be used towards to the purchase of any items I have stocked on Freckle, Bitty Fluff, or Their Own Knitted World, or Tiny Lady Cooperative (sale or regular price) or towards a full custom slot (regular price only.)  Coupon could also be used at Fluff Again in Omaha on March 24th towards the purchase of any items I am selling that day as a vendor.  (Coupon Expires 5/31/12)

Now, you might be wondering...... How can you win?

For a chance to win this giveaway, you need to do any or all of the following.  Each item will allow you one entry.  The drawing will be done using Random.org, and will take place on Thursday, March 15th.  If we reach 250 Facebook fans by then, I will draw 2 winners.

1.  Follow Freckle's Natural Fibers on Facebook.  Comment here that you did so, or are already a follower.

2.  Follow Their Own Knitted World on Facebook.  Comment here that you did so, or are already a follower.

3.  Follow Bitty Fluff on Facebook.  Comment here that you did so, or are already a follower.

4.   Follow this blog and comment here that you did so.

5.  Post a link to this Giveaway on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter and comment here than you did so.

Please create a separate comment for each entry, as multiple entries within one comment will be counted as just one entry.  In stock items will ship right away.  Surprise and/or custom items will ship by April 15th.

Here are some pics of recent items that I've completed.  They are not necessarily what you will receive, but examples of my work.

Thanks so much!  Let's have some fun with this!

Rainbow Strisce Felice

Rainbow Strisce Felice (4), a photo by freckle432 on Flickr.

I was tasked by a customer to knit a dress for her soon to be born baby girl. She wanted something sleeveless or with cap sleeves that could be worn with a shirt underneath or soft for next to the skin wear along. She also asked that it fit from newborn as a dress until about a year as a tunic/shirt. I think I came up with something to fit the bill. It shipped a couple of days ago and I can't wait to see how she likes it and how it fits her new baby girl next month! I did try it on one of my daughter's baby dolls that wears real newborn-3 month baby clothing, and it was a perfect fit as a dress! I also tried it on my 2 year old before I did the finishing work, washing and blocking, and it was just a touch too small, so I think it will be the perfect 12mo tunic!

And quick, the un-pattern.  Please feel free to use this pattern as you wish for creating personal, charity, or boutique items to sell.  I'd love credit if you knit to sell.



Strisce Felice

Size:  One-Size:  Newborn (as a dress) - 12 months (as a tunic/shirt).  Chest, unstretched, measures 16 1/2".  Will fit up to 20" chest with negative ease.  Bigger sizes can be knit by knitting with a bulkier yarn and larger gauge, or by adding stitches to your cast on.

Gauge:
5.15 spi in stockinette stitch

Materials:
Knit Picks Felici (75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon; 218 yd per 50g ball) 2 balls.  Knit holding the yarn doubled.  Or, you can substitute any other sock yarn held doubled or approximately 200 yards of a DK-light worsted weight yarn.
Size 7 (or needle size to obtain gauge) 16" circular needle
Size 4.5mm crochet hook (optional)
Darning Needle
Button

BODY
CO 111 stitches.  Do not yet join in round.
Rows 1-7:  Knit flat for 4 garter ridges
Round 8:  Join to work in the round, placing a marker at the beginning of your round.  *Knit 20, K2tog* 5 times, K1.
Rounds 9-11:  Knit
Round 12:  *K19, K2tog* 5 times, K1
Rounds 13-15:  Knit
Round 16:  *K18, K2tog* 5 times, K1
Rounds 17-19:  Knit

Round 20:  *K17, K2tog* 5 times, K1
Rounds 21-23:  Knit

Round 24:  *K16, K2tog* 5 times, K1 (you should now have 86 sttiches on your needles)

Continue Knitting until you are 8 1/2" from cast on edge.

ARMHOLES:
Knit 19, BO 6, K36, BO 6, K19

SLEEVES and YOKE:
Round 1:  Knit to 17, k2tog, CO 20, s1k1psso, K32, k2tog, CO 20, s1k1psso, K17  (110 stitches)
Rounds 2-10:  Knit
Row 11:  Turn work and purl.  You will no longer be working in the round, but instead knitting flat
Row 12:  Knit
Row 13:  Purl
Row 14:  Knit
Row 15:  Purl
Row 16:  Knit
Row 17:  Purl
Row 18:  K2tog across (you will now have 55 stitches on your needle)
Row 19:  BO Purlwise.

Finishing:
Seam up garter edge on bottom of dress that you had worked flat.

Add a slip stitch edge to the back neck slit using a 4.5mm crochet hook.  Add a button loop to one side of the edge and sew a button on to the other.  (Optional:  Add a crochet lace border along bottom edge and add a crochet trim to the sleeves if desired.)  Weave in ends.  Wash, block and wear.

Why Wool?

Heather Johnson of Freckle talks a bit about wool as part of your cloth diapering system.

www.hyenacart.com/freckle

Why Wool?

•         It is a wonderfully sustainable resource!
•        Wool is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal.
•         Lanolin, the natural oil in wool, helps to make your cover waterproof. 
•         Lanolin reacts chemically with urine to create a lanolin-soap that makes your wool self cleaning and anti-bacterial.
•        Wool can absorb up to 30-40% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp.
•        Wool is breathable.
•        Wool is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
•        Hand Knit wool pieces are cute, comfortable, can double as a wardrobe piece, and if knit properly can become an heirloom item to preserve and keep for multiple children or even the next generation.

Types of Wool Fabric to use for Diapering

• Knit
• Crochet
• Interlock
• Recycled Wool

What to look for when choosing your hand knit woolies

• You want a piece that is pleasing to the eyes and to the touch.
• Look for a reasonably dense fabric.  You do not want a loose knit, as the garment will not stand up to wetness as well.
• You should not see any holes in your fabric and the stitching should look even.

Wonderland, A Holiday Boutique! In-Stock Store

Wonderland, A Holiday Boutique! In-Stock Store

We are stocking today at the Wonderland Congo on Hyenacart. I will have some knits and some wovens available today. Other vendors have great items ranging from soap to jewelry and handspun yarn to baby slippers. Enjoy!

Jack-o-Lantern Longies

Large Jack Longies $80, a photo by freckle432 on Flickr.

These are one of the most fun knits I've done in a while. Perfect for all of fall and beyond! I hope they find a good home, or perhaps here they will stay? Jackie was a Pumpkin for Halloween at the age of 7 months. Maybe Lily needs to be one at the age of 2 years.

Double Rainbow Double Take

double rainbow double take 002, a photo by freckle432 on Flickr.

Another little pair of longies for Bitty Fluff. Size small instead of newborn. Trimmed in sky blue. SO soft and squishy!!!!

Newborn Double Rainbow

Newborn Double Rainbow and Ankgor Wat 002, a photo by freckle432 on Flickr.

A little bit of funky pooling, but I think it adds character and will make for some ADORABLE wearing! These little longies will be stocked at Bitty Fluff tomorrow. I just love Kara's Double Rainbow colorway!

Butterfly Kisses Crocheted

Butterfly Kisses Crocheted1, a photo by freckle432 on Flickr.

Surprise #1 for Lotus. I haven't crocheted woolies in a while and had forgotten how much I liked to do so. I hope Lotus loves these for her little girl!

Little Red

Little Red1, a photo by freckle432 on Flickr.

These Little Red longies are destined for Bitty Fluff this Friday. They were so fun to knit and are the perfect Husker Red. I plan to knit up a couple more pair, in various sizes, for Top to Bottom's Fluff Again. I need to get my needles clacking!

Katie's Blue Sky Longies

Katie's Blue Sky Longies, a photo by freckle432 on Flickr.

I love knitting these little sky blue longies for a customer who came to Vendor Day at Top to Bottom Baby Boutique! Thank you Katie! I hope you love these and they work well for your little guy!

Cardboard Weaving from Earlier this year.

I was asked to speak to Ella's Kindergarten Class in February about knitting and weaving.  I ended up making cardboard looms for the class as well.  They were a big hit.

Here's a quick summary and some pictures of how to do this at home.  (Pics show a knife being used instead of a craft stick.  This was on my prototype before I went to the craft store to buy the craft sticks.  The kids received no-knife shuttles.  LOL)

An alternative to making your own looms is to go to Blick Art Supply.  They sell sets of a dozen pre-cut cardboard looms.

A cardboard loom is a great way to introduce children to weaving and to fiber arts in general.  They are simple to make and fun to use.

Materials needed:

Cardboard

Scissors

Tape

Yarn

Craft Stick

Large Eyed Needle

Making the loom

1. Cut a piece of cardboard from a box, cereal box or poster board.  The piece should be thin enough to easily cut with scissors, but firm enough that it will not bend easily with the weaving.
2. Cut slits every quarter inch at the top and bottom of the board as shown.

Warping the Loom (Stringing it up)

1. Leaving a 3” tail, tape the end of your warp string/yarn to the back, bottom left of your loom. 
2. Bring the yarn through the bottom left slot and up to the top left slot.
3. Wrap around behind the cardboard between the 1^st and 2^nd slot and bring back through the second slot on top back down to the bottom second slot.
4. Wrap around behind the cardboard between the 2^nd and 3^rd slot and bring back through the third slot on the bottom back up to the third slot on top.
5. Continue these stops across the cardboard, finishing at last slot and taping a 3” tail to the back.

Weaving

1. Tape a long piece of yarn to a craft stick.
2. Starting at bottom left, begin weaving the yarn through.  Over the first warp thread, under then next, over the next, under the next, across the warp.
3. When you reach the end of the row, work back across the loom, alternating the over under from the previous pass.
4. Every pass or 2, snug up the rows to each other with the end of the craft stick, your fingers, or a wide tooth comb also works well.
5. Work as high on the loom as you want, but leave enough warp at top to cut and tie in a knot.
6. When you finish, remove piece from loom and knot ends.  Trim them to ¼”
7. Weave in loose ends using large eyed, blunt needle.

A little unspun fun!

Well, it's been 3 1/2 months since I set up my new blog.  Have I blogged on it?  No.  Have I moved forward with a name change to my store?  No to that too.  I'm still not sure on the name change for my online shop.  Regardless, I feel the new name for at least my blog is very fitting to me!

I have, however, been weaving and knitting up a storm.  I have 3 new patterns I'm working to write up.  I've joined a new Congo, Bitty Fluff.  And, just yesterday, I started spinning.  My wheel should arrive Tuesday, but for now, I'm playing with a spindle.

Before my spindle arrived, some fiber arrived on Monday.  I was excited to work with it, and thought I could use some practice in drafting.  So, I decided to knit up something little and quick with some of the unspun BFL top I received.  I drafted out the fiber a bit, to about pencil roving thickness, and cast on wildly.  Here's the little item I came up with!

Definitely an unpolished and very simple item.  Although, Jackie has declared I must make her one too, since Ella's doll is wearing this one.  And, it must be made in "cute colors too!"  So, I'll be repeating the process soon with another color.

I shared these pics on Hyena Cart Forums and was asked if I had a pattern so the other mom could knit one for her daughter's American Girl Doll.  Since I just did a quick raglan knit, I don't think a true "pattern" for this is warranted.  However, I am happy to share a quick on-the-fly pattern for the bitty sweater.  So here it is.

~~~~ Freckle's Unspun Dolly Cardi/Jacket ~~~~

Required Materials
NEEDLES/HOOKS
• Size 11 16" Circular Needle
• 4.5-5.5 mm Crochet Hook for weaving in ends
• button that is small enough to fit through knit stitch (no button hole is created)


YARN
• 1.5-2 oz BFL Top Spinning Fiber drafted out to pencil roving thickness or just a touch thinner (or start out with Pencil Roving from your favorite Fiber shop, or use a bulky/chunky yarn)

GAUGE
3.5 spi and 5 rpi

SIZE
Doll.... shown here on a 14" Waldorf doll.  Also fits a regular sized Build a Bear, only a bit more tightly.  Here's a pic on the Build a Bear.

Abbreviations:
CO - Cast On
K - Knit
P - Purl
SM - Slip Marker
KFAB - Knit Front and Back
BO - Bind Off Loosely
P2tog - Purl 2 together


And the pattern:
CO 24
Row 1:  K 5, PM, K 3, PM, K 8, PM, K 3, PM, K 5
Row 2:  Purl
Row 3:  *Knit to one stitch before the marker, KFAB, SM, KFAB* repeat to end
Row 4:  Purl
Repeat Rows 3-4 until you have 80 stitches (or 22 stitches in the back section)
Row 5:  K 12, Remove Marker, BO 17, Remove Marker, K 22, Remove Marker, BO 17, Remove Marker, K 12
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: (P 1, K 3) x 5, P2tog, K 3 (P 1, K 3) x 5, P 1
Row 9:  *K 1, P 3* repeat to last stitch, K1
Row 10: *P 1, K 3* repeat to last stich, P1
Repeat Rows 9-10 7 times.
Bind Off in pattern.

Finishing:
Use a crochet hook to weave in your ends.
Add a button just above the start of the 3x1 ribbing.
Wash and block (or don't.... the sample has not been).
Give to your daughter to adorn her dolly or teddy bear!


**** Use this pattern for whatever you like.  If you chose to sell one of these sweaters, please just give me credit.  And if you'd like, send me some chocolate.  ;-) ******

Freckle Soaker Sack

While I was at it, adding the Unspun Cardigan, I thought I'd go ahead and share my Freckle Soaker Sack pattern.  I've shared it via email to any who have asked in the past, but have never polished it to Adobe format for publishing.  So, here it is.... quick and dirty!

Freckle Soaker Sack

Approximate Measurements:

Preemie/Newborn:

Waist: 12”

Hips: 15 ½”

Length:  10”

Newborn/Small:

Waist:  15”

Hips:  18”

Length:  12-13”

Stitch Counts:

Waist – “waist” x “gauge” – round to multiple of 4

Hips – “hips” x “gauge” – round to multiple of 4

For the Preemie/NB size, use Double Points, 2 Circulars, or Magic Loop.  For the NB/Small size, 16” circulars will work fine.

Preparation:

Determine gauge and calculate stitch counts.  Since sleep sacks may be used at night, and new babes pee a lot and are on their back a lot, a slightly denser fabric than you would normally use for diapering woolies might be helpful.  For example, if you are working with a worsted yarn you’d normally work up on 7’s, you might size down to 6’s.  Or, use a bulkier weight yarn and knit at whatever gauge you normally would.

Waistband:

Cast on, using needles 2-3 times small than those you used to find gauge, “Waist” stitches, join being careful not to twist.  Work one round of 2x2 rib, place marker at beginning of the round “A”.  This will be the left hip.  Continue to work 2x2 ribbing for 1”.  Work an eyelet round (K2, YO, P2tog around.)  Continue with 2x2 ribbing for another inch.

Set up Hip/Body:

Begin working in stockinette this round, increasing evenly to “Hip” stitches.  I like to use a bar increase as it’s hidden by the ribbing.    Switch to larger needles by knitting onto them.  Place stitch markers ¼ of the way around “B” and ½ of the way around “C”.  You now have the center back “B” and right hip “C” marked.

Hip/Body:

Work about an inch of the body.   Work 1 set of back and forth short rows (aka EZ short rows.) 

To do this knit to 5 stitches past B, wrap & turn (or your choice of short row method), purl back past B to 5 stitches past B, W&T, knit to 10 stitches past B, W&T, purl back past B to 10 stitches past B, W&T, continue in this manner increasing 5 stitches past B each row until you reach the hips.

Continue working in stockinette until the front of the Sack reaches 8(10)” from cast on row.

Bottom Ribbing:

Switch to smaller needles.  Decrease 4 stitches evenly around.  Work 3x1 ribbing until Sack reaches 10(12-13)” from beginning.  Bind off in pattern using larger needles.

Finishing:

Weave in ends, make a drawstring and work into eyelet round, wash/block, and find a babe to wear the sack!