Monday, March 9, 2009

Birthday Goodies

Last week was my niece's first birthday and this past weekend, we gathered in DC to celebrate.

As I mentioned in my last post, I made an adorable cardigan and hat set for Leah, but would not post pictures b/c I wanted to surprise my sister. I'm glad I did b/c she and everyone else loved the set. I will say, it really was gorgeous. The pattern is from Susan Anderson's Itty Bitty Nursery and I knit it in Manos Cotton Stria. It's a nice, soft cotton that has a little bit of give. Here are a few pictures of it:




I knit the size 1-2 b/c I wanted to make sure that she got to wear it as long as possible. I had a feeling it would be big on her now, but something she could easily wear into the fall. I'd much rather give it to her big now than hope and pray that it fits in the fall. Anyway, although it's big, we still put Leah in it for pictures. The hat is humongous!

The other item I knit for Leah was a birthday cake hat out of Susan Anderson's itty bitty book, Itty Bitty Hats. This is the same book I used for the cupcake hat I made in the fall. I had some issues keeping the candle up and took the advice of some other ravelers who put straws inside. It actually worked! I also had some issues w/ the crocheted "frosting" since I am not coordinated enough to do crochet. Anything I need to use my left hand for does not work! So, I did manage to crochet a single chain and then sewed it to the hat instead of doing some crochet stitch all along it. I think it came out just fine.

I knit the size 1, but as you can see from the picture, it's already pretty big. We put it on Leah and it was huge! It's so big that it will not only work for her 2nd birthday, but Alex could probably wear it for her 4th birthday later this month! I rolled the hat under so it fit her better and she wore it for a good part of the cake eating.



But eventually, Katie spared the hat as Leah really dug into the cake!


For now, I'll leave you w/ 2 parting shots of the girls. Leah's eyes are starting to be just as big as Alex's. Still, I can't get over Alex's eyes. I wish I had lashes like hers!

5 comments:

Mariss said...

It looks like a great time! What gorgeous little girls, and lucky nieces to have such a sweet aunt!

Anonymous said...

So cute!! Although, I'm not to sure about that pe . . cough . . . cake hat.

W

Lisa said...

Now that is how to eat birthday cake!!! She looks adorable in her new knitwear...so happy the candle is no longer droopy.

Anonymous said...

Those are terrific, Robin! They look perfect, just like in the book. What lucky little girls. My nephew's birthday is coming up, and I'm at a loss. Somehow I don't think the cupcake hat would go well with the camo and John Deere stuff they seem to keep him covered in. Miss you!

Katie said...

My kids have the best aunt in the whole world!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't wait for Leah to wear the sweater and hat in the fall.