The Morehouse striped vest is off the needles.
This isn't a Sunday-best vest. It's meant to be worn Deep Cove-style, with rolled up sleeves, shirt untucked, ferns and pine needles snagged onto the back. When I knit something for a four-year-old, I fully expect it to be rolled around in.
It does work just as well worn reading Beatrix Potter in front of the fire.
The vest was a beginner-level project, knit with undyed Morehouse merino 2-ply in brown heather and soft white on 3.25 mm needles. The yarn was coarser than what I'm used to (but not itchy), and the needles smaller, and I enjoyed the change.
I've recently joined Ravelry, the online knit (and crochet) community, which allows you to organize your knitting projects, yarn stash and needles, and provides an extensive catalogue of projects shared by others. You have to apply to be invited to join, but I think that's just a manoeuvre to inflate members' sense of accomplishment and belonging. It's not like you have to mail them a swatch.
I'm feeling undecided about what to tackle next. A stuffed turtle? Some Elizabeth Zimmermann?
Or call it a season? I've been back to gardening already, we're planning our annual March-break California road trip and it feels like we're barreling towards spring.
I'm going to try an EZ February baby sweater. No recipient found yet but I'm sure one will appear before I've completed the sweater!
Posted by: Hannah L | 16 February 2009 at 11:19 AM
Beautiful vest for your handsome lad! It looks really nice and it fits him perfectly. Totally the style for a Deep Cove boy! Where did you get your yarn? At the yarn store in Edgemont? Everything in there is so tempting...
I just finished Playground Mitts, a free pattern I found online. Link on my blog if you're interested. They let the little ones use their fingers if they need to - so my youngest boy so far has actually worn them! I figured it was these or fingerless mitts.
Posted by: Karen | 16 February 2009 at 02:18 PM
wow, nice work... the sweater vest looks great on him!
Posted by: Corinna | 16 February 2009 at 08:57 PM
ok THAT does NOT look liked a beginner's job AT ALL. are you kidding? look at the pattern! the fit! i want one just like it! seriously, though, it's beautiful :)
Posted by: mstpbound | 16 February 2009 at 09:19 PM
That is one handsome little guy in a great looking vest. Love the colours.
Posted by: Anna R | 17 February 2009 at 07:24 AM
Fabulous vest!!! And I LOVE the stuffed turtle! I would love to learn to knit again just to make that -- is it a difficult project?
Posted by: Chris | 17 February 2009 at 06:57 PM
You did a beautiful job on the vest, Martina! Now how about a matching one for Pete?
Posted by: Danielle | 17 February 2009 at 09:36 PM
You're such a cool chick!
Posted by: Jody | 18 February 2009 at 07:36 PM
Thanks for your kind comments!
@Hannah - I looked up the EZ February sweater. Impressed.
@Karen - I ordered the yarn online from Morehouse. I enjoy yarn stores but I find them too hard to visit with kids. Sticky fingers petting those lovely fibres makes me anxious. Those Playground Mitts look brilliant.
@Chris - According to Ravelry, Sheldon the Turtle is an intermediate project.
Posted by: FreshMD | 18 February 2009 at 10:30 PM
that vest is adorable - lovely photos. i am starting to favour undyed yarns these days too.
Posted by: marya | 19 February 2009 at 08:43 AM
I wouldn't be impressed until we find out if I can actually do this! Thank goodness for the internet!
Posted by: Hannah L | 19 February 2009 at 06:33 PM
That turned out SO cute, Martina! Very well done!
Posted by: Amy H. | 22 February 2009 at 01:19 PM