superwash wool

Dear Page,

Just to keep you up to date... I finished the OpArt Baby Blanket. Here it is pinned for blocking:

Overhead view:

Side view:

While this was not a challenging project it took progressively more time to knit the rows as each row increased by 4 stitches. On the final rows, there were over 700 stitches! There were a multitude of ends to weave in since each stripe had 4 ends. I find working with the darker yarns difficult as I don't see them well without extremely good light. I chose to use a loose bind-off since the designer of the pattern said it needed to be "heavily" blocked.

I used Knitpicks Swish DK which turned out to be very soft. It should wash nicely, too.

Love,
Mom

Page,

As hard as it is to believe... I have finished the Dale of Norway Baby Violets Cardigan!

I know you have despaired of me ever finishing it!

It took me two years to complete this project most of which was procrastinating doing the steeking since it was a new and terrifying technique for me. It took me at least 6 months to screw up the courage to do the steeking on the body, which, as it turned out, wasn't actually that difficult. Once I did the steeking on the body I couldn't move forward until I steeked the sleeves. It took me another 6-8 months of procrastination to get the sleeve steeks done. Then it went really quickly picking up the stitches for the neckband and then the button bands. The facings were sewn down covering the cut ends of the yarn, the buttons sewn on and it was washed, blocked and ready to present as a birthday gift.

I followed the directions for the 18 month size but it will probably fit up to a six year old! Since it took me so long to finish this project, it's a good thing the sweater turned out as big as it did.

Close up of the Violet motif:

Close up of the buttons which I found at a Joann's Fabric store in Carlisle, PA:

Close up of the interior of the button band and hem:

Interior of the back:

I will admit a certain pride in this project. It is possibly the most ambitious knitting project I have yet undertaken. And judging by the comments from the folks who have seen it up close and personal, it is well done. Most say it will become a family "heirloom" to be passed on to newer generations.

I hope the recipient will wear it in good health for a long time to come.

Love,
Mom