Zip-up sweater

Making a zip-up sweater was one of my knitting goals for 2013. I finished it back in October and I'm glad I did - it's getting a lot of wear lately. It's already getting short in the torso, so this is (sadly) a one-season sweater. I wish I had had more yarn to make it longer, but I had literally only inches of yarn left after the i-cord edges.

Isaac's favorite colors lately are brown and orange. I wonder if the sweater has something to do with it?





Pattern: Child's Cardigan, by JC Briar

The zipper is working out so well, I'm not sure I'll ever make a button-down kids sweater again. It's pretty easy to swap out button bands for zippers, I just added a few stitches on each side of the front and did an applied i-cord to finish the edges.

New pajamas

I wanted Isaac to have cute new pajamas for Christmas. I used the Oliver + S Sleepover Pajamas pattern and flannel from Joann's. The pattern is adorable, fits him well and comes together quickly. I was able to finish these pajamas in an afternoon, with most of that time spent on the top. I really like that the pants cuffs can be un-cuffed as he grows taller so these have a chance of fitting next season, too.





He calls them his "fancy jammers." They've gotten a surprising amount of wear, given that his other pajamas have favorite super heros on them. Next time I'll use snaps instead of buttons, so maybe (hopefully) he can get the top on and off by himself.

Toddler socks

I finished a pair of cozy wool toddler socks just in time for the coldest day of the year!



yarn: trekking xxl

needles: US2

gauge: 8 stitches per inch



These fit Isaac's feet now, with a little room to grow. He currently wears a size 10 shoe. Here's how I made them:

• cast on 24 stitches using Judy's magic cast on


• knit 1 round


• make 4 increases every other round, 6 times (48 stitches)


• knit 39 rounds


• increase 2 stitches every three rounds, 4 times


• knit 1 round


• work a short row heel on the back 24 stitches. Do short rows until 12 stitches remain.


• knit 6 rows after finishing heel


• decrease 2 stitches every other row, 4 times


• knit until sock is as tall as you want it


• work 10 rows of 1x1 ribbing


• bind off with Jenny's surprisingly stretchy bind off

do. Good stitches.

I'm excited to start the year by giving back. I joined in the do. Good Stitches charity quilting bee and contributed my first blocks this month:



I'm a member of the Promise circle and I'm honored to be part of such a talented group!