I feel like I should do about 17 posts on this one sweater, for the time it took me. I am guessing about 50 hours over the last 2 months or so, including the entirety of our road trip. I like knitting, but it really does test my patience. I am a mover and a shaker....I like to see results, and knitting, at least when done by me, is so SLOW. But, I DID IT!!! Anyhoo, I have been sure to point out to the hubs about every 5 minutes:
Me: "See each of those loops in this sweater? They represent one stitch. I made them. Each one. There must be a million of them!"
Hubs: "Does each one represent a swear word I heard you utter on the road trip?"
Me: "Um...could be."
Yes, I admit the learning curve was steep and the language colorful, but I made that d@#* thing, and I am f&^#ing proud! With the help of You Tube and Knitting for Dummies (yup, that includes me), I figured out all sorts of new skills like how to pick up stitches under the armpit to make a sleeve, how to add a button band and make button holes. I also learned the definition of "frogging" (rip it! rip it!) and how to pick up dropped stitches....these mishaps accounted for 90% of my foul language!
The pattern is the Tiny Tea Leaves Cardigan, perfect for a beginner like me. More deets if you want to know the ins and outs can be found on my Ravelry page here. But if you want to just admire along with me, away we go...
I made this for The Middle Child.
Doesn't the blue look wonderful with her eyes?
Here is a view of the back:
She picked out the buttons herself.....she already has a thing for bling!
She has now asked if I will make a matching one for her American Girl doll (the answer is NO).......
I added a label to the inside, which doubles as a loop for hanging the sweater up on the hook in her classroom. No unsightly holes or stretches in this baby, please!
All in all I am beyond pleased with myself for this accomplishment. I know I make crap all the time, but knitting a sweater makes me feel connected with hardy pioneer women or something. Don't get me wrong, I won't be doing this all the time, but am set to cast on another for Last But Not Least, and will, someday, knit ONE sweater for myself ;)
very cute sweater, and great job! I knit a sweater once....it took me 2 years!
ReplyDeleteLove the label..how did you print that? They look great too.
Congratulations! The sweater is lovely. There is no better feeling than accomplishing a new skill. I've given up on knitting for now. I've managed half a front with cables for my 4 year old daughter (oops, I guess it's been awhile. She turns 30 this year). My stitches were so tight not even water could pass thru!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter looks very pretty in that cardigan and you should feel very proud of yourself!
ReplyDeleteOMG! You made a sweater and it fits on an actual human person! Excellent work. It is beautiful, and it looks perfect on your little girl.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you--I'm such a slow knitter. I made myself a sweater once. It was not at all flattering, but you better believe I wore it!
oh wow! such a pretty sweater!
ReplyDeletei set out to knit a sweater a couple of years ago and never even started. too scared! :)
That looks so awesome, Kristie!!! Wow, I have less than zero knitting skills, so I admire your patience - that's my problem with knitting, it's so slow, which challenges the heck out of me. Middle Child looks just lovely in that sweater, great job!
ReplyDeleteVery, very impressive! So pretty.
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely! Great job, you should be very proud! Knitting clothing really impresses me. I'm still stuck on knitting stuffed animals.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I have tried to learn to knit three different times with no success so I'm in awe of people that can knit something that actually fits.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Jennifer :)
Oh, you should be super proud! I love that pattern. If I were braver I would try it. The color does look beautiful on your little girl!
ReplyDeleteOh Man! That is just great!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell it was worth all the bad language - it looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteHow did you customise the label like that?
That is pretty darn awesome! And it looks beautiful on your little girl! I feel the same as you re: knitting. I like quick results which is why I tend to sew more. But, our lack of summer on the West coast has left me with the urge to sit down with a cup of hot tea and cast on. Going to try Jane Richmond's Classic Raglan pattern as my first sweater. I would also love to know how you made those labels..
ReplyDeleteThat came out awesome ! I am sure your sweet daughter will cherish is in years to come. What an accomplishment indeed! I taught myself to knit but have only made 1 scarf!
ReplyDeleteWow. And she wears iw with pride in public which is more than mine ever did. Hence why I switched to quilting!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I'd love to knit a sweater but I'm afraid to spend all that time and then it wouldn't fit. I stick to scarves. They are quick and easy and it's pretty darn hard to have them not fit someone. I came to your blog (this time) from Fluffy Sheep Quilting.
ReplyDeleteThere are those that would disagree but I firmly believe swearing helps the process...
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic. You should give yourself a HUGE pat on the back.
I'm impressed! I'm also a bit of an instant gratification girl, so it's mostly mittens, scarves and hats for me.
ReplyDeleteThat? Is F@#^ing awesome, man. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed! I have only learned to cast on...great job! Smiles~Beth
ReplyDeleteLove the sweater, and I'm joining in on the request for info on customizing the label.
ReplyDeleteHow did you make the label?
ReplyDeleteKristie I just love this - the colour, the pattern - so gorgeous. I especially love the little label - did you get it printed specifically? Where do you get them from?
ReplyDelete