When Ann Budd asks you to contribute to something she’s working on, there’s a really good chance you’ll get to be part of something special. Knitting Green, Ann’s latest book, is one special something that I’m proud to be a part of. And I’m absolutely honored to have one of my projects on the cover (Eco Vest, shown above).
The Eco Vest is truly one of my favorite designs. I love the way the textures all work together; cables, garter stitch, and elongated slipped stitches finished off with a nice fat ribbed border and collar. With no shaping to worry about, the vest is easy to work and can be worn open, with a button as shown, or with a shawl pin or stick. And the yarn! Cascade Eco-Wool is a dream yarn for green knitters. It is smooth, strong, and durable without being chemically processed or dyed. Once washed, the yarn has this wonderful bloom and is a perfect match for cables and stockinette alike. And it comes in big fat affordable skeins. I love the jumbo skeins; they just make me happy!
I also designed the Better Baby Rattle. Dax was the inspiration for this one (quelle surprise, non?). When he was really tiny, he had a hard time holding on to traditional rattles, but he had one kind of oval-shaped one that he loved. Only problem, it was hard plastic and he ended up hitting himself in the head a lot! So I wanted to create a soft toy that even the littlest could enjoy.
This is a great gift project involving some simple shaping and short rows, and you could create all sorts of different characters by changing the embroidery. The Plymouth Oceanside Organic is a smooth and sturdy cotton that will stand up to drool and play. You could easily turn one out in an evening the night before a baby shower or while waiting for a new baby to come home!
I hope you enjoy Knitting Green as much as I do. I’m the caboose on this blog tour, so stop by the previous participant’s blogs if you haven’t yet!
June 5: Ann Budd
June 6: Kristeen Griffin Grimes
June 7: Kristen TenDyke
June 8: Mags Kandis
June 9: Cecily Glowik MacDonald
June 10: Veronik Avery
June 11: Kimberly Hansen
June 13: Sandi Wiseheart
June 12: Carmen Hall, Q&A with Ann Budd
Jun 14, 2010 @ 20:38:12
The rattle is so cute! Lovely.
Jun 16, 2010 @ 18:39:11
love the rattle! need to knit this soon! thanks!
Jul 08, 2010 @ 16:32:18
where are the directions for the cute baby rattle? I have been racking my brains for a safe one for a baby(ies). Would love to make that one!!
Jul 10, 2010 @ 13:16:52
Hi Joan,
The pattern is in the book Knitting Green, from Interweave Press.