February 7, 2008
Little Phil'Onde Sweater
I love the rhythm of knitting a sweater in the round (makes you wonder why I haven't done more of them, eh?), but I find photographing them to be challenging when they are still on the needles. My next little sweater project for Z is just flying -- I'm already past the point where the sweater is divided to make the sleeves.
True to my experience with most Phildar patterns, this one has a couple of clever construction components that I hadn't really encountered before. This is the first time I have put a pocket that opens on both sides on a garment, and the sleeve construction, so far, is unique (I'll try to explain it better once I've finished it -- right now I'm still watching it come together and I haven't decided whether I think it's incredibly clever or just convoluted). For anyone interested in the pattern, it's numbered 405-287 and I think it was in one of the Phildar children's magazines that came out about the same time that the yarn did. I purchased the pattern as the English only leaflet, and now I wish I had the book as well. The English instructions are handy, but they lack the diagrams found with the French instructions and without the diagrams, some of the instructions aren't as clear as they might be (Phildar patterns are one of the things that really make me wish I'd stuck it out longer with my French language classes, in general, their patterns are quite elegant and easy to figure out when you can work from the French instructions).
So far, this garment seems rather large, even for a 12 month old baby (yes, I am still getting gauge, I have checked several times), but since the top construction which will determine how the garment hangs is not finished, I will refrain from too much judgement. And compared to knitting for adults, one of the things I am truly coming to appreciate about garments for small people is that exact sizing is not all that necessary. And too big is always better than too small!
I have put a pocket that opens on both sides on [the] garment
Wha?? This I have to see. I love the shading on this, and can't wait to see the result! I am vowing to make more knitted things for the Bug when he stops growing so fast. That may not be for another decade, I know.
I either don't have a signin or forgot it. :) This is Elizabeth.
I'm loving the Phil'Onde yarn. That's going to be so cute on Z!
That's very pretty! I haven't knit a Phildar pattern in over 20 years. In fact, I don't know where you can find anything Phildar anymore around here.
Wow, I am totally loving that. So cute. Cute enough to make me come out of hiding to tell you so after 2 years of lurking. Can't wait to see it finished. What yarn are you using?
Really cute sweater! I did a baby sweater in a "newborn" size, got perfect gauge, and the baby wore it to his first birthday party. It was still big.
If you like knitting in the round & pockets that open on both sides, I can heartily recommend the Wonderful Wallaby. I've knit several of them & all the recipients love them; it is super snuggly. It is like a hooded sweatshirt with a pouch pocket. When you are finished with the knitting, the only finishing is weaving a few stitches under each arm & the top of the hood. And the pattern contains sizes from toddler 2 to 50" chest.
I also recommend the Wonderful Wallaby. It is a great, easy knit. No seams. You have such a sweet baby. And yes, they grow fast--faster every year if you can believe it. My little one, who was just learning to sit by herself, is now 16. She won't wear anything I knit these days, so knit lots while your daughter is too young to want to dress like all the other teenagers!!
This is going to be such a cute sweater. It already looks great.