Cabled Baby Set

Recently my boyfriend told me about a friend's baby shower with less than a week's notice. I wanted to give them something homemade, and I was excited to have the occasion to knit something for a baby, as I'd heard how fast and fun baby sweaters were.

After a ridiculous amount of time searching patterns online, I decided on the Cabled Baby Set from Lion Brand. In case you are not registered with their site, it looks like this:



Pattern: Cabled Baby Set, Lion Brand free pattern #60604A, 12 month size
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft, 100% acrylic, color #9905 Bone
Needles: Susan Bates size 7 straights and Boye size 6 straights
Modifications: Omitted pants from set
Started: March 7, 2007



This was my progress as of the morning of the shower, after several days and nights of practically non-stop knitting. I was incredibly frustrated with garter stitch (which wow, I really hate) and the way that such a small project was dragging so interminably.

It goes without saying, I didn't finish on time and was extremely relieved that we had another gift to bring. My boyfriend mentioned the sweater to our friends, though, and I promised I'd get the set to them before the baby is born (he's due April 2nd). I'm knitting a 12-month size, so he'll have time to grow into it, and by next fall it will probably fit perfectly.

Because I personally am so sensitive to wool and other animal fibers, I completely understood the recommendations I'd read to make baby garments only out of acrylic and non-irritating synthetics. Luckily the Simply Soft is really beautifully plush and cozy - it's been a pleasure to work with. If only it would go faster!

I decided that if I finish this set by the end of March, I'll be submitting it in this month's Craftster knitting challenge, which involves knitting a project using $10 or less of materials. The yarn for this set cost only $5, so it definitely qualifies.