You may’ve noticed that just as fruit goes in and out of season, its respective member’s likenesses go in and out of style. Last year you couldn’t walk more than a few paces in your local department store or boutique shop without seeing something inspired by pineapples. This year, the same seems to be the case for its less-acidic friend, the watermelon! I’ve seen slices everywhere — from beach balls and buttons, to handbags and headbands, to dolls and dresses. Watermelon is the new pineapple. Clearly.
After spying this trend (again, and again), while out and about, I jumped on Pinterest to do further research. The result was a rabbit hole of watermelon findings, of which I curated my favorites onto a virtual board. That particular board, I promise, is bursting with fruit flavor! Click here to scroll through, and repin to your juicy, heart’s content. But I digress.
My point is that I was inspired. That inspiration combined with the fact that I was headed on a trip to visit some of my favorite bubbies, got me thinking about cute ways to apply the trend to something a baby would wear. It’s so dang hot right now, though that the only knitwear I could bear to subject a little one to, is a sweet bib. So, I grabbed the Takumi needles from the set I always travel with (you can watch the video on Facebook from this week’s, “Ask Me Monday” live feed to hear more scoop on knitting while traveling), and cast-on for this wee watermelon, wearable-treat! Here’s how you can make one too.
Enjoy!
xx,
Vickie
Yarn Arts Ambassador, Clover Needlecraft
Materials
1 ball each of Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell, in colors: (A) Crimson Twine, (B) Jade Jersey, and Scraps of (C) Cotton Club
Clover Takumi Bamboo 16″ (41 cm) Circular Needle, Size U.S. 5 (3.75 mm)–or size needed to obtain gauge
Optional: 2, Clover Takumi Bamboo Double-pointed Needles (dpns), size U.S. 5 (3.75 mm)–or size needed to obtain gauge
Clover Chibi Tapestry Needle
Finished Measurements
Length: (at center) 5 1/4″ /13.5 cm
Width: 9 1/2″/24 cm
Gauge
21 sts. x 44 rows = 4″/10 cm in Garter Stitch
Directions
Note: This section is worked in short-rows, and can knit with either a circular needle or two dpns.
With Color A, CO 24.
Row 1: K 23, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn (last st will now be wrapped.)
Row 2: K 23.
Row 3: K 21, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 4: Knit 21.
Row 5: K 19, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 6: Knit 19.
Row 7: K 17, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 8: Knit 17.
Row 9: K 15, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 10: Knit 15.
Row 11: K 13, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 12: Knit 13.
Row 13: K 11, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 14: Knit 11.
Row 15: K 9, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 16: Knit 9.
Row 17: K 7, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 18: Knit 7.
Row 19: K 5, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 20: Knit 5.
Row 21: K 3, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 22: Knit 3.
Row 23: K 1, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 24: Knit 1.
Repeat Rows 1-24, seven times MORE.
Note: If you chose to use dpns for last section, switch to circular needle here to accommodate extra sts.
Next Row: K 24, pu 23 across top of piece. –47 sts
Next Row: Knit.
Neck shaping:
Row 1: K 15, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 2: K 15.
Row 3: K 14, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 4: K 14.
Row 5: K 13, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 6: K 13.
Row 7: K 12, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 8: K 12.
Row 9: K 11, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 10: Knit 11.
Row 11: K 10, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 12: K 10.
Row 13: K 4, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 14: K 4.
Row 15: K 3, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 16: K 3.
Row 17: K 2, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 18: K 2.
Row 19: K 1, sl 1, bring yarn fwd, sl st back to LH needle, turn.
Row 20: K 1.
Left neck shaping done.
Row 21: Knit 47.
Rows 22-41: Rep rows 1-20 (only wrap and turn rows will now be works on WS rows.)
Right neck shaping done.
Note: You can use either dpns or circular needle for this section.
Row 2: Knit, picking up 7 sts evenly. –54 sts.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 5: Knit.
BO.
Ties:
With Color B and either dpns or circular needle, pu 4 sts at top corner of bib.
Work in i-cord for 10″/25.5 cm.
BO.
Repeat for opposite side.
Finishing
Using Color C and tapestry needle, duplicate stitch “seeds” in desired pattern across bib.
Weave in ends. Block if necessary.
