Knitting shawls & hats

For baby Wastell, the scheme for the shawl is based around Guernsey stitches, with pride of place in the four corners being the Humber Star. The main body is nearly complete, and I shall soon be knitting the border of points.... more pictures to follow in the new year for this project.

In the meantime, Papa to be Wastell, aka my son, has asked for some socks, and yes the yarn is now in the stash, but little heads and new babies just cannot wait.

So for Kaye's new grand-daughter, I've knitted up a couple of super little hats. The pattern 'Leaf Top Hat for Baby' comes free on the Internet, and in Baby Cashmerino by Debbie Bliss look like big bluebell flowers. The first hat was knitted on 3.25 for the main body, but at Kenilworth Knit and Knatter, we thought it would fit a new born or premature baby, so I've knitted a second hat on 3.75 needles. It is slightly bitter and with the looser tension, will stretch for a much bigger head.

The effect is just lovely, and reminds me of the flower hats worn by 'the little people' in fairy tales. I think I shall knit up a little collection for Baby W: I can just think of ones which the Primrose and Strawberry fairies might like to give her.