I presented the baby sweater to Lindsey on Sunday at the pool. I think she liked it! I’m proud of myself. Can you believe she’s 8 months pregnant? Only one month to go, and she already has an actual completed object, from me. I didn’t really think I could do it! But I guess I do have it in me sometimes.
Did I go back to one of my many languishing UFOs? Of course not! It would be so unlike me to do something practical like that. So, I started a new hat project. A quickie, bulky, roll brim hat made from Noro Kureyon. Easy. The UFOs can wait just a few more days.
Project Name: Almost February Baby Sweater Source:Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann Yarn Used:Lisa Souza Sock! Merino, Spumoni Needle Size: 2.25 mm Date Started: June 14, 2008 Date Completed: August 30, 2008
Notes: Woo hoo! I’m finally done with this one! For some reason the sleeves are a bit wonkier than I wanted, but hopefully they’ll block out nicer. I used the pattern from Knitter’s Almanac as a guide, but changed it in so many ways! First of all, I used a finer gauge yarn than the pattern recommends, so I had to re-calculate the number of stitches to cast on. Then, I didn’t like the lace pattern in the body of the sweater because I thought it was too girly. So I decided to do the whole body in stockinette, except for the cable and eyelet panels in front. Then, instead of knitting the sleeves flat, as directed, I put the sleeve stitches on holders and knit them in the round at the end.
Overall I enjoyed making this item a lot, but probably won’t do it again in sock yarn because the stitches are so tiny that it felt like it took forever. I’m more of an instant gratification kind of girl!
I guess I should also mention that this was my very first sweater, ever, ever.
Here’s a closeup of the cable detail and the button band:
closeup of cable panels and button band
For the cable and eyelet panel, it is a panel of 15 stitches. The cable in the center is 9 stitches wide, and has a repeat of 12 rows. The crossings happened on row 5 and row 11. The cable is surrounded on each side by a single purl stitch and then the eyelet, and a decrease on the outside edges of each panel to compensate for the eyelet yarnover.
The sleeves were knit in the round to the cuffs, and then knit flat in garter stitch with decreases on the inside edge to form the shaping of the cuff. Since the sleeves are round and I had to knit back and forth on the cuff, for the wrong side rows I ended up knitting in the round from the inside to the edge. I hope that makes sense! I also think I should have been more patient and made the sleeves a tad bit longer. Oh well, I was really worried about not making my deadline! I probably won’t see the recipient very often ever again after tomorrow. (She’s the manager of our swim club and the pool closes for the season tomorrow, and she’s not returning next year because of the baby.)
I don’t know whether the baby who will wear this sweater is a boy or a girl. Whoever you are, I wish a safe and healthy arrival, and I know there are many people who love you and can’t wait to welcome you to this world. I hope someday I get to meet you.
Boy, if Michael Phelps compelled me to distraction two weeks ago, he has nothing on this week’s Democratic National Convention. I am in awe. I guess that’s all I can say about that.
Believe it or not, my mind has been puzzling about i-cord, and what you can do with it. And look! I’m not the only one who wonders such things. Look what I found:
What I am looking for and not finding much of is the concept of making little animals and toys out of i-cord. The snake listed above is an obvious option, but what about things like bunnies and kittens and puppies? Spiders? Crocodiles? I’ve recently become fascinated by anigurumi as an art form, and I’m wondering whether I could be just as clever with i-cord as my primary medium?
More importantly, why oh why is my mind spinning with these thoughts? I have a baby sweater to finish! Eeeek!
I’ll be sure to get photos tomorrow when it’s done for real, but look:
baby sweater with two sleeves
I finished the second sleeve while at family night at the pool tonight. So, while Diana was busy belly flopping and Steven was bouncing to the moon, there I was, under the floodlight where the light was good, knitting away.
Shower’s at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow. I want to add another buttonhole to the body, do some minor finishing, and sewing on of the buttons. We’ll see if I come even close to getting done.
Lookie! I got a sleeve done! Unfortunately I still don’t think I’m going to be done with the whole sweater by Sunday, but once in a while, miracles do happen. So, just in case I’m due for one, I’m going to keep at it. Either way, I can taste FO status coming. C’mon everybody, say it with me now:
I think I can
I think I can
I think I can
My favorite part of the sleeve is the little cuff, with the split cuff on the inside so it flips up so cute. It’s a little hard to see in the photo because the sleeve cuff is blending in with the sleeve right there, but I happen to think it’s darling. I did sort of wing it as I went, but I was smart enough to make notes on the sleeve as I worked it so that I could replicate the same sleeve on the other side.
Wanna see the cute little buttons I found?
closeup of button for baby sweater
My mom and I went shopping at Jo Ann’s over the weekend. The buttons say “genuine shell” on them, which I suppose means they’re made of seashells, but who knows? I hope they are. In any case, I think they’re a great match for the colors in the sweater.
Ok, I better shut up now and keep knitting. Keep the positive vibes coming! I’m feelin’ it!
by Elizabeth Zimmermann
