First glimpse of stealth knitting .... and a bit about me

This cute little cardigan and hat were knit for a friend's newborn, and were delivered to the proud Papa this week. I was quite excited to finally have a baby I could knit the famous Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Jacket for. I like the result, but I have to admit that the real attraction in knitting this pattern is the diabolically clever design -- knit in one piece it is shaped with a series of strategically placed decreases, and then increases and looks like a rectangular lumpy blanket when it's done. Then, with a flip of the writst it folds onto itself to create a cardigan shape.

The hat is a straightforward no pattern required sort of thing. Cast on a bunch of stitches (I did 108) onto DPNs (I used 2.75mm), join, knit and knit and knit (about 10-11 cm), then start decreasing to the centre. I did six evenly spaced decreases every second round
row 1: (knit 16, k2tog) 6times
row 2: knit
row 3: (knit 15, k2tog) 6times
row 4: knit
etc....
until I got to 36 stitches, then I decreased every round until I got to 12 stitches. Pulled the yarn through them, and Bob's your uncle, here's your hat.

The yarn is Skinny Duet Yarn -- a superwash yarn that comes with a small skein of contrasting yarn -- perfect for the button band on the cardigan! (Speaking of the button band, they aren't too clear in the picture, but I found the cutest little mouse buttons to finish off the cardigan.)

And While We're Waiting....

Robin has tagged me with a meme -- and while I wait for the remaining stealth projects to be cleared for blogging I thought I'd answer!

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
Ummm....May 1998 I had just moved back to Toronto following 8 years in London so I was probably settling into my new house in my old neighbourhood. (I've since returned to London.)(I'm flighty.)

2) What are five things on my to-do list today (not in any particular order)?
I'm a list freak at the office, nothing makes me happier than lots of items being crossed off a long to do list. But at home - I'm not so into the to do list thing. I tend to just do whatever takes my fancy. (Having said that, I really wanted to finish one of my stealth project today and I have. Yippeee! It'll be delivered later this week.)

3) What snacks do I enjoy?.
I am a savoury snack person with a particular weakness for crisps. Pretty much any flavour (except prawn cocktail).(Bleccchhh.)

4) What are some places I've lived?
As established in question 1 I'm a bit flighty. So some of the places I've lived are: Fredericton NB (born there, but we moved when I was very young, and I went to university there), Toronto (4 times), Calgary, London (twice), just outside Quebec City (Valcartier), North Bay, Bathurst and of course the glamour capital of the world - Doyleville where my parents live.

5) What things would I do if I were a billionaire?
I would give tons away to charity, lots to my family and loved ones, and of course a few gifts to my blog readers! Then I'd open a shop called Things Soo Likes. In the shop I would only stock things I like. It would be a sort of book/cd/dvd shop, specialising in the books, music and films I like. So I'd carry John Irving's "Cider House Rules" (which I liked) but not his "Son of the Circus" (which I couldn't even finish). There would naturally be lots of yarn, and cushy chairs for loitering. I would only open when I felt like it, and I expect I'd only sell to people I like. Amazingly I have yet to find any investors.

If, like me, you need a bit of blog material consider yourself tagged!