Knitting Update

This is part for you and part for me to nudge me to get pictures taken and posted. The Aran Braid socks are done but I put them on my feet immediately after kitchnering them and now they are in the wash. I’ll get pics as soon as the laundry is done.

I am going to take some pics of the little purple sweater I was working on for ChaosGirl to show the difference between when I knit in the round and when I knit back and forth and then I’m going to frog the whole thing. I just can’t make myself finish it. Maybe I’ll start over. Maybe I won’t.

When ChaosGirl was tiny I made her one of those really basic baby cardis and to make up for the loss of the purple sweater I started a new cardi for her scaling up that pattern to toddler size. I’m doing it in some Red Heart Bright and Lofty that I had in stash on (I think) sz 12 needles so it would be done if I wouldn’t have run out of yarn. Yeah, I only had one skein. Fortunately they had it a JoAnns.com and they are doing free shipping this week. We got buttons last night so as soon as the yarn gets here it’s basically done. If you want to know, I’ll put the pattern after the break.

I also started a set of convertable mitten/gloves in a wool blend for someone who shall remain nameless at the moment.

I ordered some Elesebeth Lavoid Silky Wool to make the Branching Out lace scarf (I know, I’m getting brave aren’t I?)

And, bravest of all, I started a moebius cowl last night. I’m using this pattern because I want to knit it in one piece – not just knit a rectangle and sew it together at the end. After getting through about 3 1/2 rounds I’m not sure I’ll do this again, even if it does work. There’s got to be an easier way to start this out. Maybe I’ll check out Cat Bordhi’s book and see if her way is less of a pain.

Easy Toddler Sweater Pattern
*Disclaimer* I didn’t invent this but I can’t find the pattern on paper or online so I’m recreating it from the baby sweater I made before.  If it’s your pattern, please tell me.

2 skeins of Baby Clouds or Light&Lofty/Bright&Lofty
Needles somewhere between sz 10 and 13 (just measure as you go)

Cast on 30 stitches (this is the back)
Moss stitch for the first 4 rows
Knit until the piece reaches about 1″ below the child’s armpit (mine was about 9″) ending with a ws row.
Cast on an additional number of stitches for the sleeve based on the length of the child’s arm (mine was 18)
Knit across casting on the same number of stitches on the other side for the left arm
Measure around the child’s arm
Knit half that distance less 1/2″ ending with a ws row (you can do moss stitch on the end of the sleeves too if you like)
Knit across the number of stitches you added for the sleeves plus 10 and put on a stitch holder.
Cast off 10 stitches
Knit to end of left sleeve
Purl across and p2tog at the end of the row
Knit across
Purl back
Knit across
Purl back and cast on two stitches at the end
Knit across
Purl back and cast on 5 stitches at the end
Knit until the sleeve reaches the proper measurement. (You can add some moss stitch down the front if you want as well.)
Cast off the number of stitches you added for the sleeve and finish down the front until it is the same length as the back when you fold it at the shoulder. (Don’t forget to add the moss stitch at the bottom of the front.
Cast off
Pick up the stitches on the stitch holder and repeat the same process for the other sleeve.
Sew up the sides and the underside of the arm.
I also add a little crocheted edging to the neck and cuff (I didn’t do moss stitch on the sleeves.)
I put one button at the neck but you could put probably 5 all the way down the front.