This morning I went to visit Alice to wish her a very happy first birthday and take some photos of her in her birthday cardigan. When I arrived, she was hiding behind the couch and came out wearing it! So exciting!
It’s quite big on her but not so big she can’t wear it immediately, and obviously this means that she’ll grow into it nicely!
Isn’t it the most adorable little cardigan? It’s soft, and drapey and suits her so well. Fee and I agreed this was the best one yet. And the weather was most kind today, for the second day of autumn, turning just chilly enough to warrant layered dressing.
I love the shaping of it, the way the shoulder increases look. And I love the modifications I made to it. Someone on Ravelry had done something I thought was brilliant, continuing the picot hem from the cuffs and bottom onto the front bands. The pattern has you do a garter stitch band but I rather liked the idea of keeping it all consistent. So I did for the band exactly what the pattern said to do for the cuffs and hem – eight rows (on a small needle), the turning row, then six rows before casting off. Easily enough sewn down.
I just made sure I kept three stitches back on either side where the ties are (casting on three replacement stitches) and so at the end, made an i-cord tie for each side and voila! It was done! About ten days’ work, in Bendigo 8ply cotton – so soft! – in a sadly discontinued colour, Inferno. Why did they discontinue it? Why?
It was pretty hard to get a photo of her with Elijah, or Stampy as he now been christened. But this one shows her having just put Stampy down in order to sneakily reach for birthday cake.
And I managed to grab Stampy before leaving so I could get a last proper shot, after he’d helped Alice eat her birthday cake. I think one of his (tricky to do) eyes is coming out already. I might have to have another go.
So there you have it. A special day for a special girl. Happy birthday precious Alice. We love you very much.
Love Aunty Bells
xo
