Baby Booties & Hat

I just started to learn how to knit. I was afraid that it would cut into my writing time (because I'm doing so much of that lately. . .), but not only is it a relaxing past-time, but it frees my mind to ponder my writing. I actually came up with some new scenes for my WIP while working on these booties and newborn hat for my cousin's brand new daughter Morgen.

The booties pattern comes from Knitting for Baby by Melanie Falic and Kristin Nicholas. The pattern for the hat comes from here. I had a hard time with the seed stitch so I switched it out for just plain garter stitch and knit it all in one color. I didn't bother with the pom-pom. Also, on the booties I substituted a length of organza ribbon for the I-cord tie.

The yarn I used is Lion Brand's Wool-Ease Blush Heather. The hat knitted up at 5 stitches and 7 rows per inch on size 8 needles. I've since knitted up this same hat in a chunkier yarn and a larger needle for an older baby. I'll post a photo of it later this week. My friend Mara keeps threatening to teach me how to knit in the round, but for now I'll stitck to flat hats that have a seam.