BIG B, little b: What begins with B?

Baby's ball!

With fond memories of a crocheted ball a neighbor made my children when we lived in NE Portland in the '70s, I went looking for a pattern to knit a ball for my youngest grandson.  My search took me to Judy O'Brien's free pattern.  Her pattern is for sock yarn but with a couple of modifications, I thought it might work in this lovely self striping worsted that is virtually fuzz free.  After making the first ball, my own pattern emerged so I am offering it for you all to try. 

Finished Size:  About 18 inches in circumference

Supplies and Notions:

Self striping worsted weight and fuzz free anti-pilling yarn*

US 6 needles (double points or 2-24 inch circulars)

One or two stitch markers

Tapestry needle

Polyester Fiberfill

Gauge:

5-5 ½ spi  (specific gauge is not important, only that it is very tight so baby cannot pull out fiberfill)

Instructions:

Using Emily Ocker’s cast on: CO 4 stitches and divide evenly onto 2 circular needles, leaving an 8 inch tail.

All even rounds are knit.  Use a stitch marker to designate beginning of round.

Rnd 1:  K1fb around (8 sts)

Rnd 3:  K1, M1 around (16 sts)

Rnd 5:  K2, M1 around (24 sts)

Rnd 7:  K3, M1 around (32 sts)

Rnd 9:  K4, M1 around (40 sts)

Rnd 11:  K5, M1 around (48 sts)

Rnd 15:  K6, M1 around (56 sts)

Rnd 17:  K7, M1 around (64 sts)

Rnd 19:  K8, M1 around (72 sts)

Rnd 21:  K9, M1 around (80 sts)   

Rnd 22:  Place a stationary marker at the beginning of round and knit even for about 26 rounds.

Decrease to close ball.  All even rounds are knit until round 18. 

Rnd 1:  K8, K2tog around (72 sts)

Rnd 3:  K7, K2tog around (64 sts)

Rnd 5:  K6, K2tog around (56 sts)

Rnd 7:  K5, K2tog around (48 sts)

Rnd 9:  K4, K2tog around (40 sts)

Rnd 11:  K3, K2tog around (32 sts)

Rnd 13:  K2, K2tog around (24 sts)  Start stuffing ball with fiberfill.

Rnd 15:  K1, K2tog around (16 sts)  Continue stuffing ball.

Rnd 17:  K2tog around (8 sts)  Make sure ball is firmly filled with fiberfill.

Rnd 18:  K2tog around (4 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving an 8 inch tail.  Run yarn through the loops with a tapestry needle and remove knitting needles.  Pull yarn tight and run through loops again to fasten off.  Hide end inside ball.

*I Love this Yarn! from HobbyLobby or Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted are good easy care choices for this project.

Another Pumpkin Joined the Patch

Jack-o'-Lantern Bib

I have been waiting for the opportunity to make this bib.  It's fall, I love faces on pumpkins, and my little 9 month old grandson looks great in orange so with a little free time on my hands, I just had to whip it up.   Indy will be with me on Friday so maybe we'll even have a live model for a photo shoot. 

The design of the neckline is particularly practical since the bib extends to shoulders but tapers in for the chest.  When Indy turns his head, he won't rub food on his shirt, a problem I have noticed with the design of the bibs he currently wears.  I intend to incorporate this design feature into future longer bibs with food pockets for everyday wear.  If you need a freebie bib to embellish for the holidays, there are plenty on the internet.  You might check out this blog for more ideas and a pattern:  Just Another Hang Up

This Jack-o'-Lantern Bib pattern is also in Quick Creative Quilting, a book I have had on the shelf for years.  The book currently appears to be a bargain at Amazon so for the price of shipping, you would have many more patterns than just the one for the bib.  And please note that the neckline runs small on this pattern. 

Update:  I just found another great bib pattern in a Sew Daily freebie.  It runs longer, with a larger neck opening (and some cute fruit and veggie appliques); perfect for the toddlers on your sewing list:  Sew Daily (4 Free Easy Sewing Patterns)