Is it a cop out to knit the same thing twice in a span of 6 weeks? methinks, NO, if it's as cute as this outfit. This is the 'double-lucky' version of EZ's Circular Yoke baby cardigan. Why?
Well, because,
1. The Chinese culture think of red as an auspicious, happy colour. What can be more happy than a new baby.
2. I, then put 8 buttons on it (so that the child would be properous) Eight sounds like prosperity in Chinese.
Here's a close-up of the hat. I added a frilly brim and why not? Little girls look good with frills. The frilly bit took ages to do. I cast on 210 stitches, decreased it to 105 stitches, then decreased that to 70 stitches. It took me a whole episode of Law & Order to just work the brim!
Button close-up. I managed to get some Rowan buttons in the perfect shade of red. The yarn is Debbie Bliss's Cotton cashmere. It is divinely soft but has a tendency to split. (which made the 210 stitches in the brim even more fun to execute). A splitty yarn is easy to 'split' and use for sewing in the buttons. (I knew there was a silver lining in there somewhere)
So, when knitting for babies, I personally tend to knit what I think the parents would like. I know that many, many people prefer to go with softer colours and pastels for babies but I chose this bolder shade, because its a lucky colour.
I agree about the color thing. To be honest, some babies just don't look that good in pastels anyway. It's a lovely outfit Polly!
Posted by: Tracey at August 14, 2007 03:07 PMSo pretty! What a lucky baby!
Posted by: Mary at August 14, 2007 02:24 PMSo adorable, those frills are definitely worth it!
Posted by: yuvee at August 14, 2007 07:25 AMFantastic baby set!!! And I love all the good wishes and luck that goes with it.
Posted by: Carol at August 13, 2007 09:40 PMFantastic baby set!!! And I love all the good wishes and luck that goes with it.
Posted by: Carol at August 13, 2007 09:40 PMI can't count how many of that pattern I have knitted - it looks gorgeous in any colour and that red is superb, love it - very pretty. I put all my babies in bright colours (in a sea of pastels) and am now knitting for an expecting mum a very soft pale grey that is taking ages, bright colours go faster!
Posted by: juliet at August 13, 2007 08:16 PMI love this color! I prefer brighter colors on babies myself, though they can be very difficult to find in shops. This is a lovely outfit.
Posted by: Jamie at August 13, 2007 03:34 PMPolly, that's adorable. :-) And I'm sure the parents are up to their eyeballs in pastel pink and lavender... you're doing them a favor by giving them something in a primary. ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. at August 13, 2007 03:21 PMLove it, love it, love it! You did a wonderful job knitting and I can't believe the hat. How clever you are, though I don't envy you knitting that brim. Yikes! I really enjoy the color red myself. I'm glad you found such a nice red yarn. I blogged recently about trying to find that color for a pair of socks. Not so easy. But I love red, too.
Ang
Posted by: angelarae at August 13, 2007 11:42 AMLovely and lucky! :)
Posted by: Debi at August 13, 2007 05:38 AMI prefer darker colours now. Pastels show too much of the inevitable stains that babies make!
The red is a great red.
Posted by: Kat at August 13, 2007 04:04 AMLovely outfit, and I liked that you literally knit good luck into it! Also, I like the new unit for measuring how long it takes to knit something - Law & Order episodes! I could totally do that too.
Posted by: desiknitter at August 13, 2007 03:47 AMThe set is beautiful! I'm all the more wanting to knit this sweater.
Posted by: Siow Chin at August 13, 2007 02:08 AMBeautiful work--especially as it's double lucky.
Posted by: Sarah-Hope at August 13, 2007 02:02 AMI love the color and the fact that you though about all those details, that will be a very happy and prosperous baby.
Posted by: Ivy at August 13, 2007 02:02 AMThat is such a cute set. I have plans to knit this sweater in red, too!
Posted by: Sarah at August 13, 2007 01:43 AMLucky color & also looks great - I am sure the baby will look so cute in the set. Love the frilly fringe & you did a great job - worth the effort!
Posted by: Ann at August 13, 2007 01:05 AMSo cute!
Posted by: meg at August 13, 2007 12:38 AMIt's absolutely beautiful Polly!
Posted by: jacinta at August 12, 2007 10:47 PMI love babies in bright colours - and red of course is the best of them all - this is a beautiful set - very lucky parents and baby!
Posted by: Rose Red at August 12, 2007 10:28 PMGoodness Gracious - with something that pretty I think you could knit one in every color under the sun and no one would mind. You'd even start a new craze. I love the frilly brim.
Posted by: Jennifer at August 12, 2007 10:02 PMWhat a beautiful set - I agree, the frills definitely add to the hat.
Posted by: Asaknitter at August 12, 2007 09:48 PMI truly love that set, it's so wonderful and qute!
I'm slowly but surely working up the curage for EZ ;)
It's wonderful, lovely jacket and hat red ! Bye
Posted by: magali at August 12, 2007 09:14 PMBeautiful Polly. Lucky baby, and lucky parents.
Love
Helen
A friend adopted a Korean baby and I knit him a baby sweater in red and blac. I thought it would look great with his coloring and it does.
That's a really pretty pattern, what's wrong with working it twice. The cardigan and hat are very cute!
Posted by: Wanda at August 12, 2007 08:03 PMLovely jacket and hat! Red is a great colour for babies!
Posted by: mrspao at August 12, 2007 07:26 PMAs the lucky recipient of this wonderful gift, I love it! The coloutr is gorgeous - a very vibrant red and baby looks great in that colour. I think she'll also fit into it around Chinese New Year, which is just perfect!
Polly, Thank you for the perfect gift.
I love all versions I've seen of that jacket! Two pregnancies have been announced to me this weekend, so I really need to get my hands on some of those EZ patterns, can't wait to try them!
Posted by: Rippedoffknitter at August 12, 2007 06:20 PMahhhhhh... What a happy baby will wear!! It is lovely.
Posted by: linda at August 12, 2007 05:54 PM