Addison's sweater..with a little surprise

The design, on the fronts, is called the 'Twisted Tree' - from the 365 Knitting Stitches a Year Calendar. I made sure the pattern worked all the way to the shoulders. It actually blended very well with the ribbing in twisted rib. {Lace scarf knit by me over 15 years ago from an old Workbasket pattern}

Well, I survived the sewing and cutting of the steeks. They were 5 stitches wide and I sewed along both sides of the middle one. If I had a room where I could lie down after I cut them, I would have.

In order to sew in the sleeves, I first had to sew the shoulders together. I remember the 'Cardigan Details 'DVD of Meg Swansen doing a 3-needle bind off and being fussy about having the wrong sides together and making sure the purl bumps showed on the front side.......I, too, am fussy and did the same thing to this precious little cardigan.

I then revisited two great books, in my library, that I refer to often - 'Knitting Workshop' and 'Knitting Around' by Elizabeth Zimmermann - to pick up stitches around the fronts and neck to knit the band in garter. In continuing with my fussiness - where the front bands turn to go around the neck, I maintained the stitch (with increases on either side) in stocking stitch on the right side. After 3 ridges, I strategically placed buttonholes with a YO, K2tog. At the same time, I decreased 4 stitches at the back of the neck between the shoulders so it would lay against the neck and not stick out - as Meg and EZ would do. I knit another 2 ridges and did a lovely 2-stitch I-cord cast off.

Lastly, I neatened the cut edges using red woolly nylon.

Going to my LYS (Yarn 'N Things, Chehalis, WA), I found the perfect Lady Bug buttons with an extra one for the surprise hat I made by casting on my gauge times Addison's head circumference. I topped it off with a little I-cord and knit it long enough to tie it into a knot.

Well, here is our sweet, sweet granddaughter.
Her mother appreciates hand made items and is such a good mom. She sent this picture, today, of Addison dressed in the sweater.

....hmmmm, I think she likes it. :)

PS~ I designed this cardigan especially for Addison and with some help with Sweater Wizard, too.