Mad Caterpillar

My first finished object of 2006! Here are the details:

Pattern: Minnowknits Orangini

Yarn: Blue Sky Organic Cotton, colors 80 and 83.

Buttons: Purchased from my LYS.

I cast on the number of stitches specified for the smallest size using size 5 bamboo needles. My gauge was a little off (the pattern is written for Manos Cotton Stria) but it worked out well because the resulting width of each piece measured out to the next size up. So I just knit the length of the pieces to match that specified for the larger size. I used one skein of each color and had enough left to make matching bootees using the "chunky ankle-strap shoes" pattern from Zoe Mellor's 50 Baby Bootees to Knit.

I chose this sleeveless pattern because the recipient will live in Los Angeles, and I figured a warmer wool or cotton sweater with sleeves probably wouldn't get much use. This is a fun, quick pattern to knit and the jumper is quite versatile – it can be worn alone over a diaper, or layered over a t-shirt and leggings for those air-conditioned spaces. I'm really happy with how this one turned out. I don’t normally enjoy knitting with cotton, but this yarn was actually quite nice to work with. The Blue Sky cotton is sooooo soft, and I loved the fact that it was organic and a natural undyed color.

The baby this was knit for has not actually been born yet, but she's due any day now. I'm so excited for the parents, this will be their first baby and they are in for a great adventure! The ensemble above will ship as soon as the wee one arrives, along with this CD, which I love.