Tah-Dah! One finished top-down raglan baby sweater. This small sweater was knit from Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in the colorway "Irving Park". I used the Kniting Pure & Simple "Babies Neckdown Cardigan" as my framework for the pattern, but changed the sizing and converted the ribbing elements into seed stitch. I also opted against a hood. If you are looking for a worsted weight yarn sweater pattern model for the under two set, this is a good basic pattern to start from and the instructions are easy to follow.
This is the first time I have actually sewn buttons down on a sweater. Amazing, eh? I selected these little butterfly buttons because I thought the yellow made for a nice contrast with the sweater without stealing the show completely, and, of course, because Ms. Z loves butterflies. She was remarkably patient with me, while I spent what probably seemed like an eternity to her, picking the final buttons (and, truth be told, I ended up coming home with several options because I was feeling very indecisive).
She is getting increasingly hard to photograph, and the lousy weather of the last couple of weeks really limited my picture taking opportunities, but John and I were finally able to capture the little sweater in action. 
Before I headed out to buy the buttons, we had some good light in the house, so these pictures came from my first photoshoot. Little doll, is she not? I love some of the sweet and innocent looks she has. You'd never believe she was really starting into those temper tantruming terrible twos, would you?*
And here's the sweater fully completed and buttoned on to her. Buttons, as I discovered, are not a toddler's friend. Especially when there are 6 of them. A zipper might have been a better call -- but she did like the butterflies. I knit this sweater to be a little larger than most two year old sizes in hopes that it would also see some fall action. I think it fits her well and still has a reasonable amount of growth room. Will it make it to fall? Only time will tell. 
This isn't really much of a sweater shot, but it's one of those photos that makes me smile -- she's smiling and reaching for the camera and her crazy fine hair is all over the place (she has her father's hair and hairline in spades). It's so very Ms Z, so it seemed like a good way to wrap up this post and head into the weekend. * She's actually not that bad so far, behavior-wise. She's definitely trying to test her limits, but she's still a lot of fun to be with.
I'd take a room full of "terrible two's" over one lippy three year old, any day!
Your wee one is simply precious. Nice sweater, too.
It really is beautiful! Not half as beautiful as the model, but beautiful.
Gotta agree with LizAndrsn - two isn't too bad. Three can make you mental.
And gorgeous sweater and model!
What a precious little girl! She is so pretty! Two is the age of discovery - three is the age of frustration.
Beautiful girl and gorgeous sweater! I've got some Lorna's Laces sock in Irving Park, so it's nice to see what it looks like knitted up.
And I have to agree with my fellow moms above: everyone thinks "two" is tough (in quotes because in my house the terrible twos started at 18 months), but three is a whole 'nother can of worms. I think no one talks about living with a three year old because if they did, the human race would die out! ;-)
porpoise, who lives with one almost-four-year old and one almost-two-year-old
What a cutie! (And a really nice sweater!)
Lovely sweater and great pictures!
That looks great! I am just finishing up my 'first' raglan.. started another one but put it on hold to work on this one.. I like the process!
I'll have to try a pullover next my little guy loves sweaters!
The sweater and photos are lovely, she's growing up so fast!
She looks so adorable in that sweater! I love the open-no button shot the best. She looks so sweet and curious.
She is adorable! I can relate to bringing home several buttons due to indecision.
She is more beautiful every time we see her. I thought my two year old daughter and granddaughter were great. And I remember my aunt saying to Rachael, "I wish you could be three forever." I thought it was an apt sentiment. So don't let them scare you. It's the 14 year old you have to watch out for. The sweater is a great success as well. And the buttons are perfect.
She's so beautiful! You can totally see her personality!
How many skeins? I have two skeins of Lorna's that have been destined for a top down raglan (I even started - although I'm sure it's too small now.)
Oh and I agree with some of your above posters - as evidenced by my now 8, 5 and almost 4 nephews and nieces, THREE is definitely the worst.
She's gorgeous!
Ahh...I see some of your posters have already spilled the secret. Two is easy compared to three. Especially if you realize everything that happens when they are two is totally developmentally appropriate and you find ways to deal with it in appropriate ways (there are two types of tantrums, so response depends on type). But a three year old? Oh boy. They are doing it by choice! LOL.
That came out nicely.
Autonomy is a tough transition.
Ah! so beautiful. the sweater is great too, but the smile gets me~