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milo bambino

3/6/2015

 
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This wee new pattern is one that has sat with me for quite a while since a conversation with a lovely knitter almost a year ago. She told me she wished some of my designs went down to premmie size. She talked about how tough it is having a tiny wee bub in a special care nursery and the need, as a knitter, to dress that baby of yours in something handmade; something that you've poured your love and heart into. The problem, however, she said  is that many knitting patterns for teeny bubs lack a bit. 

This is a conversation that I've had a number of times with different knitters and the need for smaller size baby clothes that have a bit of style and are easy to knit seems to be a real one. But how to go about tackling this need? I had a couple of ideas bouncing around in my brain about making a wee ebook with some premmie versions of some of my popular patterns. I thought about the teeny size of these babies. Well, I tried to imagine as best I could; my last baby didn't even look like a newborn when he was born. And then, earlier this year another knitter made a request for a 4ply/fingering baby dress pattern (which I happen to have in the works); and it dawned on me. Teeny babies need some teeny yarn. Yes you can dress these babies in 8ply/dk weight yarn but I'll be honest; my babies were mostly dressed in 4ply/fingering as newborns, except for their longies.

These teeny babies needed 4ply/fingering.
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I've had a lot of fun knitting up all these wee milo bambinos. The process of rummaging through my least-knit 4ply stash has been an interesting one, and I've found some yarns I'd forgotten I owned. In knitting the samples I tried to capture a range of colours from the traditional to the more unconventional. The 4ply really gives the milo a different feel. Whereas, the original milo has rustic sort-of almost rugged charm to it; it looks like a real rib and belly warmer; this milo bambino is far more delicate and almost fragile. The size of the smallest size possibly reinforces that notion. When I hold it in my hands it seems so ridiculously tiny it is hard to imagine a baby that small. 

milo bambino has been completely regraded for the smaller tension required to knit the 4ply weight yarn. 

The size range covers 12" to 19"/30.5cm to 48cm chest which caters for a premmie of about 34 weeks gestation right up until about one year, most likely a bit older. It has five new cables included. I maintained the heart cable that I engineered for the milo pattern as it has a special significance for me. 

The four smallest sizes have the option of a button shoulder to cater for hospital tubings. 

Cables have both charts and written instructions. 

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After knitting all these teeny baby vests I am really feeling the love for 4ply and once I wind my giant hank of Cormo 4ply, I think there's a new cardie in the works for me. I might also ponder creating some smaller versions of a couple of other of my patterns in 4ply, but as you well know, there is so much to knit already and so little time!

I have five copies of milo bambino to give away.

To enter all you need to do is leave me the name of your favourite 4ply/fingering yarn (I promise I'm not shopping for more yarn!) 
I'll draw the winners randomly on Friday evening.

P.S. Just in case you haven't heard, Milo May has been extended by two weeks and will now end on Saturday June 13th 2015. 
Natasha
2/6/2015 09:27:01 pm

My favourite 4ply comes from a WAHM in England; Cuddlebums

Sally Spencer
2/6/2015 09:27:20 pm

My favourite 4ply is Zarina Print - just the most perfect 4ply baby yarn, in lovely gelato colours. It always makes me happy when I knit with it, and seeing babies dressed in it makes me even happier!!

Michelle Wilhelm link
2/6/2015 09:28:03 pm

I love the Treliske Organic Merino 4ply in cream and brown

Sarah link
2/6/2015 09:29:32 pm

I love my Fondant Fibre and countess ablaze sock yarns, soft and amazing colours :)

Carolyn Jones link
2/6/2015 09:29:47 pm

Bendigo Woollen mills have a beautiful fine micron wool called Luxury that comes in 4 and 8 ply. It it soft, warm Australian wool in lovely colours. Recommended!

Rachael w
2/6/2015 09:38:55 pm

Mine is probably knitsch sock yarn. Merino with a high twist and super vibrant colours!

Liz
2/6/2015 09:43:28 pm

I loooooove whitegum 4 ply so soft and smooth to knit

Sarah link
2/6/2015 09:48:17 pm

I love wendy supreme cotton 4ply, its soft and perfect for summer knits

Barbara
2/6/2015 09:50:03 pm

I love Colinette Jitterbug, it's washable and it's 100% merino.

Helen
2/6/2015 09:59:50 pm

I love Vintage Purls sock. Lovely and soft and machine washable. Perfect for vests and cardies.

Laura Bascombe
2/6/2015 10:00:41 pm

Treliske organic merino. The first thing I ever knit for my own child was of this. Four babies later I still cherish that tiny beanie, full of imperfections and as soft as ever ❤

Janet
2/6/2015 10:09:39 pm

I love Madelinetosh's tosh merino light.

Laura
2/6/2015 10:09:43 pm

Love the reasoning and story behind your rework of the Milo! There are 3 new babies in our family this year so looking forward to giving this one a go! Currently my fav 4ply would be Red Riding Hood Yarns...it is so soft and Hannah always does such an amazing dye job. :)

Julianne Purcell
2/6/2015 10:17:33 pm

Not sure if family are allowed to enter but this milo would be perfect my charity knitting. My fav 4 ply at present is dreamtime and shepherds baby wool 4 ply, so soft

Georgie
7/6/2015 12:14:12 pm

of course you can enter, but you don't need to. I'll pop the pattern in your Rav account in a tick. xx

Blossom
2/6/2015 10:23:32 pm

I love Heirloom Baby Merino. I have 3 daughters so I'm hoping for lots of grand babies.

Judy
2/6/2015 10:26:57 pm

White Gum 4 ply would have to be my favourite. So soft and squishy!

Jessica
3/6/2015 12:47:20 am

My favorite fingering weight yarn right now would be knit picks stroll.

Desiree
3/6/2015 12:56:46 am

I'm right now using Smooshy by Dream in Color for a dress for my newborn and loving it!

Julie link
3/6/2015 02:42:07 am

My favorite fingering weight yarn is the yarn I receive from The Mean Girls Yarn Club by Dizzy Blonde (Laura Martos).
http://meangirlsyarnclub.blogspot.com/
http://www.dizzyblondestudios.com/

Helen King
3/6/2015 02:50:26 am

I love Dream in Color Smooshy.

Carol Bourke
3/6/2015 04:44:25 am

NZ Merino from Tarras nz

Shelley Bacarella
3/6/2015 04:46:58 am

My favourite 4ply would be the White Gum Wool I am currently knitting with, it feels divine

Kelly
3/6/2015 05:13:43 am

Unfortunately I don't have a favorite 4ply. I'm a beginner knitter and have only managed four x beanies, 2 x scarves, and 1 x fingerless gloves, all in 8ply! The Milo Bambino will allow me to discover the ultimate 4ply, knit something different and stylish, and try my hand at cabeling, particularly in the wake of the recent arrival of my new nephew :)

Fleur
3/6/2015 06:12:50 am

White Gum Wool! Its so soft!!!

Sue
3/6/2015 07:09:44 am

I have just discovered August Bird's White Sock wool 4ply. So delicate that you almost don't feel it as you are knitting it and the finished product has the tenderness of a baby's skin. Have made hats for little ones and socks for loved ones with it.

Georgie
7/6/2015 12:15:12 pm

Congratulations Sue! You won a copy.

Could you please email me your Ravelry username and I'll pop the pattern in your library.

Amy
3/6/2015 09:18:22 am

My fav 4 ply is a local hand dyer; DoeSpins. :-D

Melody
3/6/2015 12:07:56 pm

I'm not sure, still new knitter. But these are absolutely gorgeous. My baby's due on the 15th and I would LOVE to have the skills to knit one of these!!!

Margaret Walton
3/6/2015 01:38:45 pm

My favourite 4ply wool is New Zealand Treliske Organic Merino...Beautiful for baby knitwear..

JoanneF
3/6/2015 06:38:19 pm

My fav 4ply is Vintage Purls :)

Paula
3/6/2015 07:00:17 pm

I just loved reading this story Georgie 💕 my wee Toby was born at 35 weeks so have been in this SCBU unit and seen some very tiny babe's. I cannot possibly pick a fave 4ply but I would have to say anything hand dyed 😉

Marisha Stone
3/6/2015 10:58:28 pm

After just getting my sampler card from White gum, I would have to say white gum wool is delicious. Close super second is Ella rae...just love the softness and colours!

Lizz link
3/6/2015 11:00:48 pm

My fave fingering weight yarn, at least for socks, is Garnstudio DROPS Fabel. It's so sproingy, sturdy and comfy.

mrs robinson link
3/6/2015 11:08:05 pm

Such a dreamy pattern... I would have loved to knit this when my little one was born prematurely. And a lovely giveaway-I use up those small bits of wool knitting for premature baby charities so would still make use of this! Favourite 4ply is tricky, I often use Millamia soft merino which some say a 4ply, others more a 5ply. A good proper 4ply is oh so soft Debbie Bliss Rialto...

Georgie
7/6/2015 12:13:30 pm

Congratulations to our winners who were randomly drawn this morning; Rachael w, Janet, Laura, Carol Bourke and Sue. I've sent you all a message but if you don't get it can you please email me your Ravelry username.

Thanks
Georgie!

Marina link
7/6/2015 07:26:57 pm

This is really beautiful pattern, I love locally dyed yarns as well as Bendigo and Cleckheaton


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