About the Book

Ever since my daughter was born I had and have so much fun knitting for her - and for other babies, now toddlers.

Whenever I took some of my work to our knit meetings I got questions about and requests for the patterns. So what do I do? I write them down, of course!

All in all there will be 10 designs in the first book, ranging in sizes from about 6 months to 4 years. As you know, kids are small people and people come in all different shapes and sizes, so the age labeling is more a suggestion than set in stone. If possible, measure your recipient and go from there, if not, knit a size larger just to be sure! If one thing is certain, it's that they'll grow into it in no time.

As of now (May 2010) I am working on the fourth pattern, a boy's cardigan called Shishiza, which is "lion" in Japanese and a play on "Leo", which is my youngest nephew's name.

To let you know a bit more about what else is coming, here's a list of the 10 planned (and partially published) designs:

1. "Lili Kimono" (girl) - published and available
2. "Gilet de Tricot" (boy) - published and available
3. "Toddler Tee" (girl) - published and available
4. "Shishiza Cardigan" (boy)
5. "Birthday Beanie and Hat" (girl)
6. "Allison Cardigan" (girl)
7. "Velvet Yoke" (preliminary name, a girl's top)
8. "Skaterboy" (boy's sweater in layered look)
9. "Purpleneck" (girl's turtleneck sweater)
10. "Pretty Flowers" (girl's tunic with flower embellishments)

There's also a variation on the Kimono to come, the "Lili Vest", which will be an extension to the existing pattern. The order from number 6 on is random, there might be some changes to the succession of the publication of the patterns.

You might have realized that none of my designs is particularly 'baby-ish'. I have gotten more than one request to up-size designs to 'grown up' sizes, which in return confirms my belief that wearable and cute knitwear design doesn't have to be restricted to any stage of life. In fact, the designs are what I would wear myself, were it not for certain body type issues!

I hope you enjoyed this little preview - I will keep you up to date with the progress of single desing publication and once it is figured out the publication date of the BOOK!




(This post is available infinitely as a separate page.)

Toddler Tee

The third Lili & Leo design is out! As of today you can purchase the pattern of the "Toddler Tee" for CAD 5.00




I have talked about it before, but here are some awesome pictures with Egg as a model!

Ready

I'm excited to release the second pattern of the Lili & Leo line today, the "Gilet de Tricot".

A boy's vest, suitable to be dressed up or down - largely depending on what color combination you choose. It's shown in a playful camel-green combo, but imagine it knit up in navy and grey to complete a more dressy outfit.

The single pattern is available for CAD 5.00.

Gilet de Tricot

Yesterday we had the chance to put some cute toddlers in some of my designs and take pictures of them. Here's a view of the "Gilet de Tricot", to be released really soon.




I think the little guy did a splendid job. Thanks again, Mr Bug!

What next?

While (still) trying to get some nice pictures of the "Gilet de Tricot" I can let you in what's next on my list.

Design No 3 is another layering piece (I can't help it!) - but not necessarily. The great thing about this little Tee is that when it is worked up in a cotton yarn it can be worn all on its own - no layering required, and worked up in a 'warmer' yarn it's the perfect thing to go with a long sleeved Tee underneath, skater-style.




Shown is the the 24.75" size in Reynolds "Cricket", which is a DK weight yarn (110 yds [101 m]/50 g), knit on a size 5 (3.75 mm) needle. I used just a bit more than three balls.

It will be available in 4 sizes, starting from 21.75" going up to 26". I want to mention that my age classification for the sizes is really just a guideline, you should measure your kid and look for what is right for her/him.

In fact, I like it so much that I'm knitting up another version for Egg using Rowan "Denim" - since denim is quite in fashion right now!

Sneak Peek

The sample for the second design is all knit up and ready to be photographed. Since it is a boy's design, I want it to be worn by a boy, of course.


It's a vest and another layering piece (nobody will ever convince me that layering is a bad idea, I love it) and looks super cute worn over a button down shirt.

Two colours are used, but since it is a slip stitch pattern, you always knit just with one. Lots of effect with little work. It's really easy.

I used Reynolds Kids "Hopscotch" which is in my opinion a light worsted weight yarn. It's thick and thin, and knit up on size 5 (3.75 mm) needles for the Stockinette Stitch and size 7 (4.5 mm) needles for the slip stitch pattern.

Stay tuned for more!

A Recap

The first pattern of the "Lili & Leo" booklet, vol.1, is the Lili Kimono. I made this for Egg a while ago, but I knit up a second for a friend's baby in Germany. The blue one is made from Diakeito Diamusee and for the other I used Schoppelwolle Zauberball "Kleiner Fuchs".




You need about 530 yds (486 m) of fingering weight yarn to make the medium size, for the small size one ball of Zauberball is enough and there's a third larger size for which you need about 690 yds (633 m).

The sizes are categorized as follows: 6-12 months (12-24 months, 2 yrs up), with a chest circumference of 21 (24, 26.5)".

A big advantage of this design is the fact that the lace is very stretchy, also the fronts overlap quite a bit, which means it'll fit for a long while. Egg is still wearing the middle size and she's on the tall side with 87 cm (34 1/4") at 19 months.

Oh, and before I forget to mention it: There will be a vest version of this design, a bit longer but otherwise just as girlie and pretty!

Welcome to Lili & Leo!

So here we go. A brand new blog for a brand new design line.

Babies and Toddlers watch out, your Mommies might want to knit a Lili & Leo design for you!

This blog is still 'under construction' - the template needs fixin' and, well, everything needs to be set up.

In the meantime I still want to keep you informed about what is going on with Lili & Leo and when the next - the second design after the Lili Kimono - can be expected!