Tot Toppers

EVERY-day Week Pattern #5: Gramps Cardigan

Photos by Sara Parker

Well, I’m a little sad that my crazy week of releases is coming to an end (though admittedly, these blog posts have taken up more time then I possibly could have imagined!) but its ending in the best possible way!  I have saved my favorite design of this collection for last, worked in O-Wool Balance.

Gramps Cardigan was inspired by a sweater my grandpa wears around the house daily.  Its cozy and comfy and keeps him warm whether its cold inside or out.

Cables are worked on each side of the front, and they are modified to be worked just over the center of the sleeve.  The back of the sweater is done in a wide wale rib.  The result is stunning–but you get a break from the cabling in the underarm and back section.

Initially, this was to be a “baby” design.  But I loved it so much (and had some unintentional gauge changes!) that I decided to size it up to an 8.  I am pretty sure that there is an adult version of this sweater happening sooner rather than later.

The sweater is worked bottom up.  Sleeves are worked in-the-round and then joined with the body seamlessly, raglan style.  The shawl collar is worked with short rows, giving it extra width around the neck so that it lays nicely when folded. And–for all you chart lovers and haters out there…the pattern if FULLY WRITTEN AND FULLY CHARTED, use whichever you like best and ignore the other.

You might have also picked up by now that I have a love for things that sort of “grow.” This is another design that I truly believe looks just as adorable oversized as it does fitted.  9 month old David is wearing the 18 month size sweater, its got loads of growing room. No doubt he could be wearing it next year too.  Charlie is wearing the size 2, which is his normal size.

I wish I had shot the sweater on a little girl in addition to these cute baby boys.  I see this design as completely unisex and can picture it looking so sweet on a little girl over a dress.  I might still try and arrange to get some pictures of this to show off! In fact, as I look forward to sizing it for adults, I have absolutely no idea how to decide where to start and end these ranges…because wouldn’t your [insert male figure here] also look great in this?  Decisions, decisions.

Knitter’s information
Size: 6 months(12 months, 18 months, 2, 4, 6, 8 )
Finished Chest: 21.75 (23.25, 25.25, 25, 26.75, 29.25, 31.75) inches
Gauge: 19 sts and 31 rows per 4 inches in stockinette, 30 sts per 4 inches in Criss Cross Cable Pattern
Yarn: O-Wool Balance 50% certified organic merino wool, 50% certified organic cotton; 130 yards/120 meters per 1.8 ounce/50 gram skein 3(4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7) skeins “Amber” shown in size 2 or “Opal” shown in size 18 months or 370(440, 500, 550, 630, 740, 840) yards
Tools: Size 5(3.75 mm) and size 6(4 mm) circular needles and set of 5 DPNs in each size, stitch markers, cable needle
Notions: 4(4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) 1-inch buttons

Winners who have now received free copies of this-the-final-O-Wool-Pattern are cookies615 & tjback!

And……DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!!

The winner of the Yarn & Pattern Giveaway, which includes this pattern plus 7 skeins of O-Wool Balance in the color of her choice is….

MANDI YELLAND

Congratulations Mandi!  All you need to do is check out the website, pick your color and send me your choice plus your mailing address and we’ll get things going for you.

I hope you have enjoyed the new patterns as much as I have enjoyed creating them, and showing them off :) It is always so hard to be working on this stuff, and keeping it quiet! I also really liked the mailing list giveaway and I have a feeling I’m going to continue doing this with my new releases.  I appreciate you taking a look at my e-mails when they come, and know that normally they are once every few weeks, not every day!

Its always nice to be able to knit from stash, but if you’re looking at doing one of these projects you should definitely take a good hard look at grabbing the appropriate O-Wool!  This yarn makes these patterns look good.