The New Guy in town.
Photography by Erica B. Studio + Design//Graphic Design by Mary Joy Gumayagay
It’s no secret that I am a boymom. Today I am super excited to present my latest collection which focuses on the newest of little guys. Creating knit layettes for my children was one of my great joys during pregnancy. This particular set includes favorite pieces inspired by my youngest.
He will be turning two next month (ahhhhh!) and it’s so bittersweet for me knowing that he is my last. It just made sense that I should finally get around to the patterns I drafted way back then, even if some of his little pictures do get me all teary eyed.
The designs are sized from Preemie to Toddler and they also include a variety of options for versatility, such as differing sleeve or pant length. Knit the colorwork as shown, or simplify any design by working it in a color changing yarn or replacing the stranded work with easy stripes. Eliot had a little help with the modeling, check out precious Sawyer below! He was only about a week new when we took his pictures.
New Guy is available from your local yarn shop (shops click here to purchase wholesale from NNK Press!) as well as here in my store. The e-book is available now, and comes with your pre-order hard copy package! Pre-orders are $12 and also include a couple of custom Tot Toppers stitch markers and even adorable gift tags. Place both versions in your cart and apply the code NEWGUYDROOLS at checkout to receive the pre-order discount.
There are five designs total including the Hug Me Hat, Kiss Me Romper, Welcome Mocs, Hello Kimono & Wee Hat. The book provides yardage estimates for knitting the entire layette or you can just pick your favorites and go one at a time. Just make sure to choose the recommendation for the right options (sleeves/pants).
I used Shibui Staccato to knit my set. It is a beautiful fingering weight yarn available in a wonderful array of colorways. I purchased it at a wonderful yarn shop called A Good Yarn Sarasota. I actually was knitting and designing the Kiss Me Romper while I was in the shop for a teaching trip! I considered calling it “A Good Romper” ha! All of the projects feature the same gauge of 30 sts over 4″. You only have to swatch one time for 5 projects! Bonus.
No matter which outfit you work up, you cannot skip the Welcome Mocs. They are such a fun treat to knit and I should know because I had to knit a whole lot of them in order to get them exactly how I wanted. They go so very fast and I love the funky fringe accent.
OK now I’m going to get a little sentimental. You’ve already got the pertinent info so feel free to skip my sob story :) But the good news is that is has a happy ending!
Though Eliot’s was my shortest pregnancy by a couple of months, it seemed to last the longest as it was fraught with complications that threatened both our well beings. Most of these pieces were originally knit in the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist’s waiting room prior to my bi-weekly appointments. The reason I initially knit two versions of the Kiss Me Romper was because we didn’t know just how preemie he would be and I wanted to be ready no matter what. Not only did knitting calm my nerves during a very tenuous time, it also was my outward sign of choosing joy despite the uncertainty. These pieces lent me peace, brought me comfort and ultimately happy tears when he finally was safe and well enough to wear them, not to mention squeals from hospital staff as I became known in the NICU as “the knitter.” I wanted to share some real life photos of the set in action keeping my munchkin warm in his earliest of days.
Whether you’re a pregnant mom, anxious grandparent, ready-to-spoil aunt or uncle, or the best friend ever, I hope this little layette inspires you to create something cozy and sweet for the new guy in your life, no matter if he is on the way or settling in during his first few years.
