Finished: EZ Baby Sweater
I've been meaning to knit this sweater for my friends Yana and George, who are expecting a baby girl in a month or so. I don't know when exactly I was planning to knit it...I guess I figured somebody would give me a bit of notice about a shower or something. Well, I found out on the 2nd that the baby shower was going to be on the 8th. No time to go out and buy yarn...I grabbed some from the stash and off I went!
The Specs:
Pattern: Baby Sweater from Knitter's Almanac, by Elizabeth Zimmermann (February).
Yarn: KnitPicks Merino Style in nutmeg (a bit over 100g, I think. Scale still broken). Leftover from this sweater, actually.
Needles: Size 7 circs.
Start to Finish: October 2 – October 8.
For: The progeny of George and Yana.
Notes:
This is a fabulously clever yet simple pattern. There are, as promised, only two seams to be sewn on this sweater. Since the underarm stitches are picked up and knit to make the body there aren’t even any underarm stitches to graft--just a couple of sleeve seams to zip up with some easy mattress stitch. Quick finishing makes for a happy knitter!
My only departure from EZ’s pattern was to add an extra stitch in stockinette to each side of the sleeve. I don’t remember whose blog I originally saw this tip on, but it makes sewing up easier and matches up the lace pattern on the bottom of the sleeves.
The only complaint I have about the pattern is that EZ gives you a gauge but no finished dimensions and the directions for sleeve length were a bit ambiguous. I know she's empowering me to figure things out myself, but I don't have much experience with the size and proportions of babies. Hopefully it'll fit the baby at some point in its early life!
The Yarn: the Merino Style is lovely and soft, but unfortunately not machine-washable. I’m banking on the facts that a) Yana is a knitter and b) they registered for cloth diapers as signs that the parents-to-be will a) not felt it and b) like doing laundry.
The Rosette:
The sweater needed a little extra something, so I made a quick yo-yo (tutorial here) and sewed a vintage button into the center. I decided to make it removable in case the baby fusses with it too much, so I threaded some ribbon through the back of it and tied the whole deal to the sweater. No pins involved!
Final Verdict: Quick, easy, and cute!
Comments
Wow, super cute! I might have to put that on my next to be knit list for the EZ KAL.
Posted by: meg | October 11, 2006 1:24 PM
Wow. Color me impressed! What a lovely gift and you'd never guess you were able to knit this so quickly. It is beautiful.
Posted by: Kelli | October 11, 2006 1:42 PM
Very cute! The rosette is lovely.
Posted by: Steph | October 11, 2006 1:43 PM
Beautiful! I love the color too.
Posted by: Amber | October 11, 2006 1:55 PM
Funny how the color looks so different than Laurent.. when will any of my friends have a girl DAMMIT! I want to make this sweater! Anyways, I love, love, love it! You're a knitting rockstar.
Posted by: Angela | October 11, 2006 2:19 PM
What a cute little sweater and good for you for stashbusting! Love the rosette, too, most of all because of your thoughtful ribbon clasp. Nice work.
Posted by: Kelly | October 11, 2006 2:23 PM
What an adorable little sweater! Love your blog. You and the late great EZ have collaborated beautifully... I'll definately put that one on my gift list for the many, many babies whose arrivals have been announced lately. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jessica | October 11, 2006 2:26 PM
Damn, I swear you're always one step ahead of me... ha! This is defintiely one of my next EZ project, after I get my ass in gear and start the Aran Cardigan of course. Hilarious. Thanks for yet another boost of inspiration! It looks great. I love this pattern
Posted by: j a r e d | October 11, 2006 2:43 PM
How funny, I just bought yarn to make this sweater for a friend! Yours turned out wonderfully! And I love the rosette idea, I will have to coopt it into my sweater!
Posted by: nova | October 11, 2006 3:01 PM
Lovely. They are very lucky recipients. It's gorgeous!
Posted by: Christine | October 11, 2006 3:05 PM
Absolutely precious! What a lovely gift. I am sure it will be treasured and well cared for.
Your link Laurent reminded me that that was how I found your blog. I started one a few months back that is now languishing in my ufo pile. Hopefully I'll get back to it someday.
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits | October 11, 2006 3:48 PM
gorgeous little sweater. i may have to make one for the next baby who comes along.
Posted by: bekka | October 11, 2006 3:53 PM
I love that little sweater! I know I have that book around the house somewhere...hmm...
Posted by: kristin | October 11, 2006 4:05 PM
What can I say that hasn't already been said, lovely lovely! You are tempting me to make this and I don't even have a baby in mind.
Posted by: Sasha | October 11, 2006 4:15 PM
Gorgeous! I must go find this pattern now. BTW, how long did you end up making your sleeves?
Posted by: Stephanie | October 11, 2006 5:23 PM
How adorably sweet. I wish I had little ones to knit for. Emphasis on the "to knit for."
Posted by: Wendie | October 11, 2006 5:53 PM
this is gorgeous. I may have to get the pattern book now.
The flower is the perfect touch.
Posted by: NessieNoodle | October 11, 2006 6:24 PM
simply stunning, I love the addition of the rosette.
Posted by: Belinda | October 11, 2006 6:41 PM
Too freaking cute! If the parents don't absolutely DIE over it, snatch it out of their hands. And a stashbuster to boot! That is really a treasure.
Posted by: Kim | October 11, 2006 7:06 PM
That's gorgeous! And I'm so impressed with your speedy knitting and rosette-making skills.
Posted by: Rachel | October 11, 2006 7:46 PM
It's adorable. I love the rosette!
Posted by: say_ivison | October 11, 2006 8:42 PM
Wow, this is so cute and clever! the colors are so cute and I love the rosette pin idea, especially tying it on with ribbon! I've seen this pattern around and really want to try it. A good frined of my boyfriend's is having a baby soon...perhaps I will knit this up (if it's a girl). I'm not very close friends with her, but I've been wanting to do some baby knitting for a long time!
Posted by: Julia | October 11, 2006 9:12 PM
This is beautiful!
Posted by: nichola | October 11, 2006 11:29 PM
That is so beautiful!
Posted by: Robyn | October 11, 2006 11:39 PM
This is just beautiful. I've been looking for a pattern to make for friends of mine who are expecting in a few months and I think this may be it!
crystal
Posted by: Crystal | October 12, 2006 12:55 AM
That's gorgeous! After seeing all of these great EZ patterns, I think I'm going to have to get the book. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Megan | October 12, 2006 1:02 AM
That's such a beautiful baby cardi! Love the yoyo flower too... nice touch.
Posted by: lyn | October 12, 2006 2:01 AM
Oh! Such a sweet little cardi... and the rosette is really cute too! Super nice work, Elli!
Posted by: terhi | October 12, 2006 4:38 AM
so beautiful with the green flower detail and the photo is a nice one too (liked the harmony with the background fabric to be precise)..
Posted by: potikare | October 12, 2006 4:54 AM
So precious, so perfect - your little details will make it an heirloom, I predict.
Posted by: Jenna | October 12, 2006 7:44 AM
Why is it that I see so many finished knit baby items and immediately begin calculating in my head how I might enlarge it to make the pattern adult-sized? I'm thinking that sweater would look amazing on me... if I *weren't* a grown up. Darn.
*Love* the pin accent. So clever!
Posted by: megan | October 12, 2006 8:50 AM
How cutie-cute! I would say your assumptions are right about the cloth diaper connection and the proper laundering of this sweater. You never know, I guess, but someone who is willing to wash their baba's dipes is probably willing to hand wash an adorable wooly sweater.
Posted by: mandy | October 12, 2006 9:04 AM
Awww, very cute. Lucky baby!
Posted by: Kim | October 12, 2006 11:41 AM
Wow, I'm in awe! You make it seem so possible to whip out perfection in no time. I hope to reach your level someday. My niece would look fab in that. Saturday is her birthday, I'm thinking maybe for Christmas....
Posted by: Dana | October 12, 2006 1:09 PM
I love it! I've been meaning to knit that sweater for a while; I stop at its pages every time I read the Knitting Almanac and wonder what it would look like in a less grainy picture - and now I know! Thanks Elli. It's one of the things I had in mind for my antipathic green yarn. I figured cursed yarn and charmed pattern might make a neautral yet wearable garment... One of these days. :)
Posted by: Philippa | October 12, 2006 4:48 PM
So cute!
Posted by: Zonnah | October 12, 2006 4:49 PM
That's darling--and the rosette totally makes it special. If my sister has a girl, I will be knitting her one of these for sure!
Posted by: Ashley | October 12, 2006 7:58 PM
I was just reading that book last night and was looking at the sweater! Great job -- it's precious!!
Posted by: Kathy | October 13, 2006 9:23 AM
The sweater is too cute! I love the rosette. I think it's a safe bet that the baby will leave it alone since she'll be so young when she's wearing it.
Posted by: laura b | October 13, 2006 11:15 AM
VERY CUTE!! What a great present!
Posted by: Vicki | October 13, 2006 11:44 AM
This is beyond cute. Great job.
Posted by: Susan | October 13, 2006 12:41 PM
This sweater is so adorable, I wish I had a baby nearby! Congrats on a beautiful job!
Posted by: Cookie | October 13, 2006 9:22 PM
Beautiful, I must re-visit that book, I don't remember seeing the sweater, lovely.
Posted by: Angie | October 14, 2006 1:57 AM
i'm going to the yarn store now to make this for a friend's baby. lovely, lovely job!
Posted by: carrie | October 14, 2006 2:34 PM
I just have to say that is one of the cutest sweaters I've ever seen! I have to get that book.
I just finished a marathon knitting week for a baby shower as well. The invites went out late and I had to practically pull a knitted dress out of my arse. But I did it and the mom-to-be (a fellow knitter) loved it. I'll post pics on my blog soon!
Posted by: allison | October 16, 2006 10:46 AM
Beautiful job on the baby sweater! Being a non-traditional colours for babies kind of gal, I love your colour choice.
Regarding the fact that the piece isn't machine washable, when you wrap the sweater, you might want to also include a little bottle of Eucalan.
Posted by: gwen | October 16, 2006 7:00 PM
Fabulous sweater - I'm always so impressed with how contemporary and at the same time how timeless EZ's patterns are - she's amazing.
The rosette is a great touch - you'll be the hit of the shower!
Posted by: amanda | October 16, 2006 8:41 PM
That IS the loveliest baby sweater ever, I agree. It's still my favorite thing I've ever knit for my boys. Love it in Merino Style!
Posted by: Cristina | October 17, 2006 9:40 AM
So pretty! A great gift for a future little one!
Posted by: stacey | October 17, 2006 9:51 AM
Elli, this has to be one of the most wonderful little baby sweaters I have ever seen. It's heavenly. It's on my list for the next baby garnment.
Posted by: Julia | October 17, 2006 5:17 PM
I love little baby sweaters for little girls. They are always SO beyond adorable. Nice work! Especially with the rosette, it's a really nice touch.
Posted by: Sarah | October 18, 2006 4:02 PM
cute little baby-sweater. just adorable.
Love from Jane in Denmark
Posted by: Jane | October 28, 2006 1:48 AM
Wow, that is just gorgeous. I just have to make that for my daughter. Thanks for sharing that.
Posted by: Jess | December 19, 2006 8:59 PM
Oh this is gorgeous! I love the lace pattern. Have to get this book...
Posted by: Elaine | March 16, 2007 2:23 AM
where can I get the pattern for this adorable February Sweater ??
Posted by: Jill | September 4, 2007 10:37 PM
I bought the Knitters Almanac but can't figure out the directions. How can I get the written directions for the February Sweater. Can they be emailed to me?
Also where can I find other EZ patterns?
Posted by: Nancy Renken | September 19, 2007 5:20 PM