Down to the wire

I knit this little cardigan up for my friend Danielle's new baby. I started it the weekend before the shower and I finished 42 minutes before I had to leave. I really don't like knitting with a deadline, but this was my own fault so I'm not going to complain too much. I'm proud of myself for thinking the project through and choosing a pattern that required very little finishing. Since this was knitted top down there were no seams to sew. Instead of little buttons which would be a chocking hazard I knitted bobbles that worked quite well. I don't know that this alternative would work for a more functional sweater for an older child, but it certainly works well for a newborn.

The pooling, yeah I figured you'd notice, how could you not?! It's awful, I only had one hank of yarn so I didn't have a lot of options. I used Knit Picks, Sock Memories in Yukon. I actually thought it worked out really well. I mean, and hand made gift for $3.99...I can't complain about that.

Everybody ooohhhed and awhhhhed over the sweater, so I felt good that no one noticed the pooling and everyone thought the bobble buttons were the cutuest.

The Little Bows Sweater Complete ... Finally!

Last October I was struggling to finish the body. The cotton was so stiff and it was killing my hands. I dreaded the two long sleeves the pattern called for. It was supposed to be a Christmas gift for my niece. Well Christmas came and went while I avoided this project. I think I had picked up the stitches to start the sleeves around thanksgiving, but they just sat. I'm not sure when, but somewhere along the line I decided to make this a short sleeve sweater. Since it was made of cotton and for a girl I figured I could pull it off, and I did! I think it turned out pretty cute. The pattern I used was heavily modified. I used a completely different fiber, it called for some fuzzy acrylic yarn. And I decided to knit in the round. Finally modification, was the sleeve length, of course. I think it turned out pretty cute.

We gave it to Arliegh for her fifth birthday. She really liked it. I'll have to get a picture of her wearing it, the color should look great with here eyes!


This is a close up of the stitch pattern. The color and lighting are awful, but you can see the bows better.

The pattern was real simple:
Row 1&3: K5, *P2, S1 knitwise, P2, K5. *Repeat to end.
Row 2: K7, S1 knitwise. Repeat to end
Row 4: K
Row 5&7: K10, *P2, S1 knitwise, P2, K5. *Repeat to end.
Row 6: K12, *S1 knitwise, K7. *Repeat to end
Row 8: K