Eyelet Cardigan

I started this sweater in August when I was home in Tennessee for a few weeks. Mom and I went yarn shopping, and they had this sweater knit up in this color on a model. I fell in love with it instantly and had to make it - in that exact colorway. (Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton in Pickle) Of course, that yarn store was out of my color. So, I called my trusty yarn store in Lansing, and they shipped the yarn out to me immediately.

I was so excited. I cast on immediately, and then the project went on the back burner when school started. I need instant gratification during the semester, it seems. I finally finished it a few weeks ago, and I really like the turnout, although I have something funky going on at the sleeves that needs some repairs. It's too wide & likes to fall off the shoulders a lot. The 80's Flashdance look is so out right now.

I made some modifications from the original pattern. The sleeves and the body were supposed to be cropped, but I made the body long enough to cover my belly and the sleeves are 3/4 length.
I used wooden buttons that I picked up from Jo-Ann's. They aren't anything too special, but I figured that the eyelet pattern had enough "umph" to handle plain buttons. Plus, sometimes simple is better.

Ironically, I'm currently working on Tomato and it's in the exact same color, only a different yarn. Apparently I really, really like green lately.

Final Specs:
Pattern: Blue Sky Alpacas Eyelet Cardigan, $4.50
Yarn: 7 skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton, $66.50
Needles: Size 7 circs
Time: August-November off & on knitting

Buttons make the world brighter.

I feel kinda silly posting something "new" when all I've done is add buttons to things, but I just thought that they were too cute to not share. Buttons just make all things better.

The Child's Placket Neck Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts got football buttons. These little puppies were on clearance for 50 cents at JoAnn's. I was torn between footballs and baseballs, but the clearance part really threw it over the edge for me.


Next, Lillie's Little Sweater got some cute heart buttons, although they weren't on clearance, they were still only a few dollars so I swooped them up. I decided to go with the white buttons, because getting something pink would have been a little too difficult to match.


When working on a cotton bag for the beach next week (Cali - here I come!), I found the Bib O' Love from Mason Dixon Knitting. I'd kinda forgotten that I'd made it. Yay for unexpected surprises! I picked up the little fish button at Hobby Lobby. It came in a 2 pack, so now I have an orange and green one for the next bib.

Finished Specs on the Bib O' Love:
Pattern: Mason Dixon Knitting (already in collection)
Yarn: Sugar n' Cream (less than one skein), Approximately $1
Needles: Size 7
Total Cost: Less than $2 including button