When our driveway is littered with cedar debris, night falls shortly after Saskia comes home from school and my slippers stay on all day, it's time to knit. The last two winters I took on adult projects. This year I'm knitting for the kids, those perfectly small and forgiving recipients.
I just finished Morehouse Farm's Child's Tunic, in their merino worsted weight natural brown heather with white trim. Merino wool is lovely because it's not itchy. I love Morehouse Farm's undyed wool: this brown heather is 65% white wool blended with 35% brown, which is black wool bleached chocolate by the New York State sun.
After placing my order in October, I waited impatiently for it to arrive. I could track its progress online, and it sat at Customs in Montreal for weeks. It didn't seem right that a small box of wool could be regarded as possible contraband, and I was so annoyed with the wait that I decided I didn't want to knit this season after all. But when the parcel arrived on my doorstep one grey, wet afternoon I forgot my resolution and cast on the first stitches before the cardboard was even in the recycling.
I so enjoy that knitting is portable, and that little bits of my travels get worked into the garment. The cast on was done while Pete's mom was visiting; the stitches were divided for the front and back while waiting for the ferry in Tsawwassen; the back was knit in the atrium of the Empress Hotel; a perfect three needle shoulder bind-off was executed in Parksville one evening while deer grazed outside the cabin; and the sleeve cuffs were finished on a Sunday afternoon at home in front of the fire.
No part of this sweater was knit at a medical conference.
Morehouse included a postcard with my order, and Ariana was enchanted when I explained the link between the sheep and her sweater. She carries the card when she wears the sweater, and it's worn and bent with her two-year-old affection. "Wool! Sheep! Sweater!"
This was an easy, beginner-level project. As always, I tweaked it a bit. I knit buttonholes and sewed on some sweet wooden apple buttons, but disliked the cluttered end result and went for a clean crocheted finish instead. I also lengthened the sleeves.
Now, Saskia wants a toque and Leif has requested a vest, scarf and slippers. I'm happy to oblige.
Adorable! The colour is gorgeous - so interesting how it isn't even dyed! And I think it is so cute that Ariana carries the card around with her. That is totally something my Rachel would do.
Posted by: Amy H. | Wednesday, December 03, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Gorgeous knit! Saskia looks lovely.
I'm tryiing to figure out a pattern for a little girl's skirt - but struggling. Have you ever knit a little skirt?? Just curious - had to ask in case you'd share!! ;-)
Posted by: Karen | Wednesday, December 03, 2008 at 11:48 PM
I was just thinking how you would have gotten along famously with Pete's (and my) Oma. Have you thought of tackling the sheep to sweater process yourself? Someone I know has some sheep...
Posted by: Hilary | Thursday, December 04, 2008 at 05:25 AM
@Karen - No, I've never knit a skirt. I've been keeping my eye out for a little girl dress pattern, though. They seem to be in short supply.
@Hilary - Pete's mom was just telling me about Oma spinning the wool herself. Maybe one day, when Pete and I move to that organic goat farm on the Island.
Posted by: FreshMD | Thursday, December 04, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Hi again. Just checked back to see if you had a skirt pattern. I got the one I'm trying to do at: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall08/index.html
My friend Jeff is a dedicated knitter and he referred me to this blog as it has a great collection of free patterns. I seem to remember several little girl (and some mum-size) knit dress patterns.
Jeff is raising silk worms to make his own peace silk and also has rabbits for angora wool. He is amazing!
Posted by: Karen | Thursday, December 04, 2008 at 12:14 PM
How about some lessons?
Posted by: celeste allyn | Thursday, December 04, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Beautiful sweater... I can't tell if I like most it because of your knitting, the photograph, or how well your daughter models it!
If you are looking for patters, ravelry.com is a gold mine (not sure if you've heard of it). A quick search found a dress pattern from Interweave:
http://www.interweaveknits.com/preview/2008_spring.asp#Stripe-Dress
This is my first comment, but I've been admiring your blog for about a year. Love the entertainment and insight on work and home and life in general.
Posted by: Laura | Thursday, December 04, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Beautiful job, Martina! I love the word tunic too. It just rolls off the lips. Tunic.
Posted by: Mary Smith | Thursday, December 04, 2008 at 08:37 PM
@ Laura - Funny, I signed up with Ravelry a half hour before you left your comment!
@ Celeste - Danielle and I were so won over by our formal knitting lessons at Knitwear Architects that we have sworn off teaching others to knit. Really, professional instruction is the way to go! You just need a couple of lessons to get started.
Posted by: FreshMD | Thursday, December 04, 2008 at 09:23 PM
WoW!! You did a beautiful Job Martina! A perfect color for Saskia!!
Posted by: Irene hoogland | Friday, December 05, 2008 at 06:09 PM
Oh my...so worth the wait...I wish I knitted. I tried once but became angry and had to give up...this sweater is just perfect and so is your sweet little one...xo
Posted by: mrs. french | Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Ok how freakin' cute is that? I love it!! great job!!!
Posted by: angela | Friday, December 19, 2008 at 05:53 PM