Brennan’s Sweater
Project Specs:
Pattern: Debbie Bliss’s Cable & Moss Stitch Jacket from The Baby Knits Book
Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Wool - 7 skeins
Needle: US 7’s
For: Brennan Lee Lord
Started: June 17, 2008
Finished: August 18, 2008
Mods:
- Worked in the round b/c I didn’t want to have to seam. In order to do so, I cast on 2 fewer stitches and eliminated 1 stitch on the inside edge of the fronts b/c those were selvedge stitches for seaming. I didn’t eliminate the selvedge stitches from the back, though, b/c I wanted the seed stitch pattern to flow all the way around.
- I skipped the pocket
Thoughts: Mama & baby loved it! We had to roll the sleeves as it was WAY too big (as expected), but Brennan snuggled up, cuddled in the sweater, and then fell asleep. The yarn definitely softened up upon washing (not that it was scratchy in the first place). This will definitely fit him his second winter (maybe first with sleeves rolled it would be a heavy coat). It might even fit his third as big as it looks on his 9-week old body right now.
Note that there is errata for this pattern. Also, from what I read before starting, the sizing is large, so I made the 12-18 month size, and was probably slightly tight on gauge. It came out plenty big.
You can’t tell from the pics, but the buttons have little sailboats in the exact same color as the yarn - perfect for an East Coast baby who lives very close to the ocean. I finished this up at Laura’s house, but she didn’t mind at all and was so appreciative of the work that went into it. It’s often rare to find a non-knitter who realizes how much time and love a knitter puts into something like this, and it made the gifting even more enjoyable. It doesn’t hurt when it’s your oldest friend (we’ve been friends since 1st grade). Laura was to be the recipient of this sweater, but she had a miscarriage and I never finished it. I would’ve finished it for Brennan, but he was born in the summer and would have been way too big for the sweater before it ever got cold enough to wear it. If she has a winter baby, I will go ahead and finish it for her. If I remember correctly all that is left is the sleeves. Can you tell that I know Laura loves teal? In the meantime, I love this sweater and am very proud of it. I only put this much effort into baby gifts for very close friends, but it was definitely worth it in this case.
