I have a problem with baby booties. Not that they aren't cute and all, but the last pair I made--the ones I made for Girlfriend when she wasn't even conceived--just now fit her four years later.
And she has big, big feet.
So these booties I made out of one skein of the Louisa Harding Kimono Angora for a couple I barely know from a local restaurant: They turned out big-kid sized for some reason, too. I figure it's a good thing I don't know the lucky couple all that well. I'm thinking if I hand them over and they give me a weird look, I can fix the situation by not ever returning; but man, I sure will miss those tasty lettuce wraps they serve.
Come to think of it, if they still sold that seared tuna sandwich that was removed from the menu a couple years ago, I'd suck it up and go back anyway...even if the booties were large enough to felt. Or maybe I wouldn't have made the booties in the first place.
No need to test my Knit-Gifting Duck and Run skills for the sake of a good lunch, that's for sure.
And I finished Tulip. I love the top. I got into a ribbing groove and ribbed for three inches more than I should have, but decided to leave it as is. Why not? I made the smallest size with the Katia Jamaica in color 4010 and it took only two skeins plus a few yards of a third but that's okay. This stuff has such wicked long yardage that I can easily make a tube top for Girlfriend and probably tap pants to boot. Not that tap pants would be the best of ideas. Imagine tap pants out of striped cotton. She'd either be picked up for poor tap pant choice or I'll be cited by the Child Protective Services.
I better knit her a mini skirt, instead.
BTW: I don't know if you all are aware of this. Some guy has been taking free downloadable patterns off the Internet, repackaging them without the original copyright information, and selling his "self-published" book on eBay and other places. He even stole one of Elizabeth's patterns from the Garter Belt. Read more here. (Look for the heading "Mi Pero.")
Great colors and I really like that neckline. A pox on that guy! Counting down the hours?
Posted by: zib | May 30, 2006 at 05:23 PM
Zib, you.....you! I just wiped the Carnival Shawl off the On the Needles List for a bit of lightness (it's not done and I don't care) and then you remind me? Oh man.
Posted by: Wendy | May 30, 2006 at 05:29 PM
Regardless of the size, those are some cute booties, and a hottie top too! You can't go wrong!
I heard about that guy at Zib's...what a loser. Now that the knitblog community is on to him, I like to think he'll get whats coming to him and have to stop.
Posted by: jillian | May 30, 2006 at 05:43 PM
Nice top! I think you just like showin' your cleavage. ;)
Really, it's great!
I agree with Jillian. I hope that dude gets what's coming to him. Bird flu maybe?
Posted by: heather | May 30, 2006 at 05:52 PM
That top looks great on you! I may have to add Tulip to my To-Knit list!
Posted by: Erica B. | May 30, 2006 at 06:07 PM
Tulip is super-duper. Love everything about it!
Your baby socks remind me of my first pair of adult socks (made six months ago). Still trying to shrink them, 'cause my feet have stopped growing -- I hope; otherwise, look out for the EBay shoe bonanza in size 9.
Posted by: Dris | May 30, 2006 at 06:42 PM
wow! i love your tulip!!! do you mind if i post your photo to my blog?
Posted by: shobhana | May 30, 2006 at 07:01 PM
I have the same problem with booties. I usually have to go down at least two needle sizes.
The go-go boots will go great with the mini skirt too!
Posted by: Lynae | May 30, 2006 at 07:15 PM
You look amazing in that top, Wendy! And I LOVE those colours. The booties are sweet. I remember knitting booties that looked like they were sized for a baby sasquatch. Lucky for me, the woman in question had an 11 pound baby! As for the pattern stealing thing - I am never amazed by these thieves anymore. But they are really screwing it up for everyone because there will come a point in time when nobody offers any of their patterns for free (if at all). Bastards.
Posted by: Gaile | May 30, 2006 at 08:13 PM
The booties look so soft. Really, isn't it the thought that counts? Tell the couple it's good luck for a strong, healthy little peanut.
Another winner of a top for you, Wendy! Tulip, what an apropos name.
The eBay guy: it's so depressing, I don't even know what to say.
Posted by: Shelagh | May 30, 2006 at 08:31 PM
Jeez....what are ya doin knittin booties when you're supposed to be finishing the carnival shawl??! Are you mad??! For those beautiful booties, I think they should name a lettuce wrap after you!
Posted by: Monica | May 30, 2006 at 08:42 PM
Holy Baloo (in reference to The Pattern Thief). I have two words for the rightful creators of said patterns - LAW SUIT (OK, technically, it's one word, but I felt it needed extra emphasis). Really. That's why they invented lawyers (apart from the urgent need to sell BMWs).
Posted by: Lizbon | May 30, 2006 at 09:28 PM
Oh, I do so hope that guy gets not only booted off eBay, but cited and fined, etc. The booties are great. Don't worry about their not being newborn size. I mean really, babies put their feet in their mouths. Would you have wanted to pick angora fuzz out of Girlfriend's mouth as she's making hacking, gagging sounds b/c she doesn't like the feel?
I love the stripes & the ribbing! I also love how you didn't stress about trying to get both halves of the upper part of it to have the same stripe pattern.
Finish the shawl. Just kill it off and be done with it. You'll have one less thing to worry about (says the woman who's had her sister's poncho sitting in a bag for a year, waiting for repairs).
Posted by: Erica | May 30, 2006 at 09:30 PM
LOVE your Tulip -- I may just have to breakdown & buy that pattern to knit for myself. You're photo inspired me to try to knit for myself again!
Posted by: ~Kristie | May 31, 2006 at 01:10 AM
nice sweater! so summery! (longing for summer here!)
Posted by: Lara900 | May 31, 2006 at 02:50 AM
The booties are cute... I know what you mean about sizing though.. I made my daughter baby uggs and the word "baby" does not apply. I think they will fit her when she is 3!!!
Posted by: Meredith Wright | May 31, 2006 at 04:58 AM
Jo Sharp is already all over the knit tap pants. Check your newest IK and weep.
Posted by: JulieFrick | May 31, 2006 at 05:05 AM
Wow that makes me so mad. How can someone steal like that.
Posted by: Kelly | May 31, 2006 at 06:25 AM
They will love the baby booties. Your Tulip top is lovely, I love the stripes and the yarn looks so comfy. It appalls me that someone would take copyrighted free patterns and turn around and sell them. Sadly the people who buy his download probably don't know that they are being ripped off too.
Posted by: Cheri | May 31, 2006 at 07:13 AM
You're looking very fetching in Tulip. It looks like a quick knit and great for summer, but I'd have to raise the V a little for me cuz, well, you know.
Posted by: Leslie | May 31, 2006 at 08:39 AM
Are you making booties from Zoe Mellor's 50 Baby Booties to Knit? My friend, Heather, and I have decided to toss that book because all of our attempts have turned out kid sized, as well. So disappointing.
The booties are still beautiful, though! The kid will fit into them eventually and love them. :)
Posted by: Kate | May 31, 2006 at 10:34 AM
I have the same issue with baby booties! I made my first pair and they were waaaay big so I gave them to Goodwill as I was too embarassed to give them as a gift. Evil baby booties...
Posted by: Michelle | May 31, 2006 at 01:49 PM
I think Tulip is such a sweet-looking knit. I really have to cast on for something with a bit more merit than a washcloth. I know you aren't going to do the matchy Mommy/Daughter outfits...
Posted by: Gina | May 31, 2006 at 02:02 PM
Tulip turned out really cute!!
Posted by: KnitPastis | June 02, 2006 at 12:01 PM