I put the final touches on Larkspur’s cardigan this weekend. The second I finished sewing on the buttons that Larkspur chose, she rushed to pull it on (nevermind that it’s still August in Virginia.) I realized with a nervous bit of glee that after all that agonizing over getting the numbers just right; due to the strange and wonderful combination of math and knitting (and an afternoon spent with an expert,) what I had long envisioned had become a reality. This sweater was my second go at it. Beatrix has one too, but it’s awaiting the perfect buttons. Beatrix’s cardigan was essentially my rough draft, Larkspur’s the final product.
This little cardigan has been brewing in my mind for so long, a year or more I think! I wanted a comfortable yet feminine cardigan that my girls could wear without restriction for play, but also wear it over a dress and look pretty and I think I achieved just that. This cardigan is knit from the top down. The buttonbands are knit as part of the body, so finishing is minimal. The sleeves are knit without decreases until the cuff, which means that they fit comfortably over long sleeves, but are held at the wrist so they don’t get in the way. The yarn is black walnut dyed worsted weight organic merino from Brambleberry Yarns (I used the same for Bea’s only it was dyed with indigo.)
I’m still working on the pattern and hope to have it ready in a couple of weeks! In the meantime, here’s my ravelry link if you want to bookmark it!
Updated to add: The Sunday Sweater pattern is available now. You can purchase it here.
Love it! Can’t wait for the pattern!
Oh Ginny, that is the *perfect* cardigan!! I absolutely love it!! I can’t wait to get it knit up. 🙂 I’m not a frequent commenter, but I read your blog daily. I’m another Catholic homeschooling mama in VA…have a great week!
Oh, Ginny! I adore it! It’s just so lovely. I was going to ask you about your button bands and how you got them to lay so smoothly. I squealed with glee when I read that they are worked along with the rest of the pattern. Brilliant. I hate adding those on afterward when you just want to be done with it. Also, I always struggle with picking up the right amount of stitches for them. I’ll anxiously await the release of your pattern. 🙂
It is stunning!
Wow! I hope you’ll have it available in a 12M size!? 😉 It’s the perfect birthday sweater for my little one’s first in November.
Lovely. I can not wait for you to share the pattern.
Oh, it’s so beautiful! I’m quite in love with it — and her whole outfit, actually. She looks like a little prairie darling. And hey, I reconize those buttons! 😉 The hue is perfect against that of the sweater.
xo
It’s beautiful & I’m so excited for the pattern! (And if you need any testers….) xo
I’ll buy that pattern…but, is that cabling? Or faux cabling? It’s beautiful!
Barbara, it’s really simple! the pattern rows (which are only every fourth row on the front panels) have a really simple lace pattern consisting of yarn overs and double decreases. Easy peasy!
Oh my goodness!! It’s beautiful!! Good for you!!!
Oh! This sweater is to die for! I can’t wait for the pattern. Will it be on your ravelry page or blog?
I’ll share all necessary links once the pattern is finished. I am thinking I will offer it as Ravelry download, but possibly on my blog as well.
Lovely! Can’t wait for the pattern! I’d be happy to test also, if needed. 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations! It is so perfect in every way.
So beautiful. The design, color and knitting are all spectacular.
The sweater is absolutely gorgeous and so lovely on your little one! When I first saw the photo, I quickly skimmed your post for the pattern source to purchase, then found it to be yours. Beautiful, beautiful work! Looking forward to its publication.
Wow!! thank you!
the sweater is perfect in every way, beautifully photographed too (as always!) It would certainly be a pattern I would purchase (hint, hint)
Absolutely gorgeous sweater! Your work is beautiful and so meticulous… I am amazed and very inspired 🙂
it turned out wonderfully! how exciting. i can’t wait until you have the pattern all written up.
It’s beautiful! I can’t wait until the pattern is ready. It’s the perfect mix of practical and pretty!
It’s beautiful! It would/will certainly go in my Ravelry faves. Great work!
Absolutely beautiful cardigan & I love the little details. If you need any testers I would be more than happy to help. All the best to you & your family.
Love it! You’re preparing the pattern to sell?
Love it Ginny! The pics of Larky are so cute with the chickens <3 them!!!
Just beautiful! And the sweater is amazing too. Aren’t little girls such a joy? And challenge? Haahaa. I can only say that because I have 4! Your two lil lassies are irresistible. And your sweater….um amazing. You are my hero!
Ginny, you are simply amazing! The sweater is just stunning and the perfect accessory for a girl. I would love to knit the pattern when you have it ready, I have the perfect 4 year old to mail it too.
What a perfect cardigan in every way!!!!!! Beautiful!
Sonya
That is beautiful Ginny! Good for you being brave enough to attempt all that math and pattern contemplating. I love it! The cardigan I am finishing up for Chloe right now is being made with kind of the opposite purpose in mind, more like her farm and forest sweater, dark brown and hopefully sturdy enough to stand up to dirt and barns and pine needles and such.
(Oh, I realize I still haven’t returned your last email. Thank you for good thoughts and prayers, and baby and I are doing pretty well, and I will write you more of an update soon..)
Hope you have a happy week!
Love, Renee
Wow you are one clever Mama! I wish I could knit like that – what a lucky girl you have and such beautiful photos too – I love the 5th one down the most – looks like a scene from a beautiful treasured book. Just lovely x
It turned out amazing! I love everything about it. The details down the front are so nice and I love the cuff. The buttons are so sweet too. Oh and I love the detail around the neckline. Great job!
It’s gorgeous!! Well done!
Lovely!- and beautiful photos, as always.
Good going, Ginny! The button bands part of the body – terrific!! It’s absolutely beautiful.
Ginny, the cardigan is gorgeous! It is such a wonderful pattern and your stitching is so even and pretty. No wonder your pretty little girl likes it so much. 🙂
Love this sweater! I will certainly be waiting for this pattern for my own little girl.
Gorgeous!!! Look at you designing 🙂 I do love the sleeve detail and the bit of lace!
It turned out just beautiful!!
well done! beautiful!
This is truly spectacular!
Yay for top down!! I so very much love the sleeve decreases. Well done! I’ll be looking for the pattern!
She looks absolutely edible in these photos – great job on the cardigan. I look forward to the pattern (I have made something in a similar style for my little girl, but from a Rowan piece by piece pattern, with quite appalling results, so I’m itching to try again!).
I can not wait for the pattern….the sweater is beautiful ! Not to mention how beautiful the model is 🙂
Gorgeous Ginny. I know how tough getting a child’s design just so can be … you’ve clearly cracked it 😀
You. Are. Amazing! I’m so impressed. Do reach out if you need pattern testers! xo
It’s stunning Ginny. Simply beautiful. Congrats!
Beautiful sweater worn by an even more beautiful little girl. Congratulations!
Geogeous, I love the sleeves. And rest of the sweater too, of course. And chicken pictures.
This is beautiful! I truly love it!
Eagerly awaiting the pattern. That sweater is lovely! Well done!
it’s beautiful!!!
This is gorgeous!! I wish I knew how to knit well enough to make something like this! Looking forward to the pattern for future use!