I've been requested to post the pattern for Katie's white sweater. This is not such an easy task, as it was custom made for her and since she is so skinny for her age, it wouldn't be very helpful. I can tell you how I did it. First, I used the following link for the Incredible Custom Fit Raglan Sweater. I worked the cardigan in one piece all the way down to the end, where I split off to create side vents, using a moss stitch border. I picked up and knit a moss stitch button band, but used snaps with buttons on top for pure decoration (easy on and off for a 2 year old). I then picked up a moss stitch collar. The sleeves were done in the round, using the Magic Loop technique for using one circular needle. Actually - I was inspired to teach myself the technique because I thought I had the right size dpn's for the sleeves but found one night that I was sadly mistaken. That's the whole story!

Introducting the new and improved Smooch! I have to say that I'm pleased with the result. I frogged the shoulders last night down to the last eyelet containing a neck decrease row. I then redid the short row shaping. I also reduced the back armhole a little as well. After reading Allison's blog, I was persuaded that the extra four stitches I had on each side when I did my initial shaping actually belonged to the back of the neck. This made the shaping a lot less complicated as I now didn't have to worry about those extra four and simply put them on a holder along with the back 12 in order to bind off later as indicated in the pattern. I sacrificed a little bit of the length, but I'm still pleased.

Smooch!

Well I test drove Smooch over the weekend around the house and found it was VERY low cut, but thought I would manage with it. Today was the first really warm day (in fact HOT) around here and I thought - lets break out the smooch. Well - - even after I safety pinned it to my bra it was still too low for the playground. Since that's the only place I spend my time, I've decided to rip out the top and rework it to shorten the armholes and thereby bring it up a bit higher. I'm a little concerned about this approach, since I know it will shorten the whole sweater - and I really liked the way it turned out length-wise, but I just can't wear it the way it is.

A frogging we will go, a frogging we will go . . . .

For a hoot and a hollar - see this link: "A naked ladies knitting club is all the rage in Britain, forcing the most unlikely to disrobe in the interest of moss preservation and frog crossing. All the more reason for the local cows to make a fashion statement about the full-figured woman."

Talk about the Full Monty! I think that this is enough knitting content for one day.

Well, its pouring rain over here in Boston today. Won't be able to get out to the Knitsmiths today. I'm pretty excited that I've started to get a few visitors to the site. I'm sure its through Allison's web site. Once I figure out how, I'll get some good buttons up. I only have a few minutes a day to deal with the blog in between taking care of the kids. If you read me, please leave me a note! It would be nice to hear that people are finding me. Hopefully I'll get on one of the knitting rings soon. Still have to figure that out as well.

Knitting content: I've cast on and started working on a purse to match the Nearly naked halter. I still have lots of yarn left over (because - did I mention -- it has NO back!). I think my next real project will be another sweater for Katie made out of Lion Brand Chenille Sensations in Garnet. Michael's had a closeout on the stuff and I picked up about 7 skeins for around $1.50 a piece. I'm planning to make another top down cardigan, but this time I want to experiment with a shawl color and perhaps a crocheted fur loop color on it to make it snazzy. I'm also nurturing a few ideas about how to make it grow with her, which I hope to share with you as they start to make sense.