Child's Placket Neck Sweater

A lot of things came together for this knit. One, I've been wanting to knit for a niece or nephew for a while. Two, I've wanted to knit this sweater ever since the errata came out. Previously, I also wanted to knit it, but only ever heard about the problems with the pattern. Third, I wanted to knit this sweater in a fun, vibrant, hand-dyed superwash wool. I found a beautiful skein of Mountain Colors at Depth of Field in Minneapolis. Altogether, a recipe for a great Christmas knit.


First official Aunt Ruby knit

The Specs:

Pattern: Child's Placket Neck Sweater, from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, by Joelle Hoverson. This pattern is available for free on Purl Soho's website. I think it's a winner. I didn't really modify it, other than by using a different yarn, and it's available in a wide range of children's sizes. I would not at all be surprised if I use it again sometime. I made the 1-2 year size.

Yarn: I used Mountain Colors Bearfoot (60% Superwash, 25% Mohair, 15% Nylon), in the color Sunburst (you have to click on the thumbnail). I used a bit less than one 100 g. skein, 350 yards. Now, the guage is listed as 5-6 stitches per inch on US 3-4 needles. I think this is a misprint, because other skeins of Bearfoot had a totally different gauge listed. I knew this yarn was closer to fingering than sport weight, but I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't want a really bulky sweater from this pattern anyway. I got gauge with size 6 needles, I think. It resulted in a nice, lightweight fabric. More like a shirt than a sweater. At any rate, the yarn is absolutely beautiful, and worked well for the pattern. It didn't really pool, and the colors are perfect. After I blocked it with a good steaming it also softened up very nicely.

Needles: I used my Denise Interchangeables, size 6 I think, and double points for the sleeves up to the join.

Thoughts: As I mentioned, I would make this again. I think it turned out beautifully, and is one of the knits I'm happiest with. I used little lady bug buttons at the top, which you can't really see in the pictures. I'd love to try this pattern with Hello Yarn's Fat Sock Yarn. That was my initial plan, but there weren't any colorways I liked at the time. Now there's tons. Hmm.... But no, there are other knits planned for Baby O. Must move on.

Miss T gets her cute on

I know. You don't need to lecture me. It's been a while. In the meantime, I've delivered 125 babies, more or less (45 by c/s, sorry). So I've been busy. But I've snatched a few days off, just in time to enjoy a downpour, downpour in sunny Portland. Good time to get back into blogging. And what better excuse than pictures of our favorite Miss T getting her cute on.

Mrs O, even in the face of motherhood, has continued to do her auntly knitting duty, to good effect. T got a poncho and has been working it.


Looking coy


Looking playful


Cameo by Sir B

I really appreciate that Miss T used this piece to bring out some new looks for her knitwear modeling career. Watch out, Zoolander!

The Specs:
Pattern: Mother/Daughter Ponchos (but only the daughter one) from Handknit Holidays by Allison Isaacs and Sarah Lucas. Mrs O says, "Pattern was given for ages 1-2 or 5-6 so I split the difference and made it for a 3-4 year old."
Mrs. O will Miss T's mom be getting a poncho, too? Oh, and is that bottom lacy part knit or crocheted? It looks like crochet in the pic.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora (80% angora):50g = 99 yds 2 balls
in rose and 1 ball in natural. Whatcha thinka that yarn, Mrs. O? Make your nose tickle?
Needles: Size 8 circs.

Many thanks to Mrs. O, as always, for blogging encouragement. I actually have lots of projects lying around waiting to be blogged. A major sock victory was achieved today, so they'll get blogged as soon as PDX gives me some picture taking weather.