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July 13, 2007
February Baby Sweater
I've been wanting to knit the February Baby Sweater (also known as FBS) from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Almanac ever since I got the book. It's such a cute little sweater, and what's even better: it requires minimal finishing. Last week, I found myself surfing the internet, looking for examples. All I can say is: wow! Take a look:
One that is modelled by a cute baby by Elliphantom Knits
One in pink by Jenna
Many more sweaters at the EZ knitalong blog (Zimmermania)
Lots and lots of FBS at Flickr
After this overload of inspiration, I just had to cast on. Luckily, I had some great yarn in my stash. It's Alcampa (85% wool, 15% alpaca, 95 m/50 g) from Stahlsche Wolle (now discontinued I think). I got this yarn from a friend of T's mother. She wanted to get rid of it and offered it to me. There were three different shades of green, neither of which enough for a cardigan. I decided to cast on with one of the darker shades, using a 4.5mm circular.
This is what the sweater (though I will call a 'cardigan' from now on, because that's what it is to me) looked like a week ago on Thursday. Such a lovely round shape!
Then on Saturday, we took the boat to spend some days with relatives who are living on the island of Terschelling. Of course, the cardigan (and some other knitting in progress) went with me. The weather has been great (which can't be said for the rest of the country...) so I've been knitting in the sun on the balcony. After the yoke, I changed to the lighter green yarn. Here you can see the cardigan on Monday, together with some other life essentials:
On Wednesday, I finished the cardigan.
Apart from buttons. I couldn't get the right buttons (if any, I didn't really try) on the island, so that'll have to wait until I can get to the fabric market here in town on Tuesday.
I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. The two shades of green work together well, I think. The pattern is easy and fun to knit, I probably will knit it again some time. Here's another view, just for fun:
Lotte was having a good time at Terschelling too. It was her first time of many, and next time we'll remember to take her sun hat. This time, her grandfather made her a sun hat out of one of his handkerchiefs.
Works just fine!
Posted by saartje at July 13, 2007 11:19 PM
Comments
Oh, I remember Terschelling! Our family went there with a couple of other families in the mid-80s. I was about 10, and we were stationed at Camp New Amsterdam in Soesterberg. It was gorgeous! And windy. :-) I remember playing on the sand dunes, chasing sheep on said sand dunes, swinging on a big swing hanging from an enormous tree on a beautiful farm, and eating hot steaming spaghetti with our babysitter while all the parents went out to dinner together. Ah, to be the grownup the next time around!
Posted by: Holly in OK at July 14, 2007 12:18 AM
That's a lovely sweater. I have one on the needles now too, in Schaeffer's Lola.
Posted by: Lauren at July 14, 2007 12:25 AM
Oh! Two-tone! Great idea. Your wee one is is the cutest little person ever. :D
Posted by: nikki at July 14, 2007 12:32 AM
Wow--the two-tone greens are just working!! Looks great, once again you are a one woman knitting wonder...
Posted by: Heather at July 14, 2007 12:42 AM
Clever grandpa!!
Posted by: Ruth at July 14, 2007 1:22 AM
Oh, so precious! What a smart grandpa!!
Posted by: Chris at July 14, 2007 2:43 AM
Your version of FBS is wonderful-- I love the combination of the greens. I've been itching to make this sweater too. How did yours turn out in terms of size? If I remember correctly, the pattern is sort of vague about that. It's not quite sweater weather here any more (more like a rainforest!), and I'd like to aim to make it to fit a few months down the road.
Posted by: Yuki at July 14, 2007 3:32 AM
Another beautiful sweater for Lotte. She's surely the best-dressed baby in town, not to mention her uber-fashionnable head gear.
What a lucky, lucky girl!
Posted by: nicole at July 14, 2007 3:46 AM
The two shades of green look gorgeous together. Such a tranquil kind of combination. What size would you say the sweater is? I have the book and *really* want to make this, but not knowing the sizing is putting me off.
I love the make-shift sun hat, it looks terribly cute.
Posted by: Amanda K at July 14, 2007 4:23 AM
adorable baby and cute cardigan. Lovely greens!
Posted by: erin at July 14, 2007 4:41 AM
AH, I just love the FBS in the colors you chose. so cute!
Posted by: lekkercraft at July 14, 2007 7:15 AM
The cardi looks supercute, especially with the contrasting colours!
I´m craving to make one, too.
Have you seen I´ve knit your bootees ? Thanks for a great pattern!
Posted by: Silke at July 14, 2007 7:28 AM
Saartje, wat heb jij toch een goed gevoel voor kleur! Wat een prachtig vestje voor Lotte.
Fijn dat jullie goed weer hadden op Terschelling. Ik woon in Zuidwest Drenthe en daar viel het weer de afgelopen dagen gelukkig ook mee, al hielden we het 's nachts niet droog.
Posted by: Hannah at July 14, 2007 8:44 AM
Cute february baby sweater. Adorable Lotte! I'm glad you had fun.
Posted by: ami at July 14, 2007 9:37 AM
I love your version of this pretty cardi, the contrast colours are great. Love the sun hat too :)
Posted by: Sarah at July 14, 2007 9:38 AM
I was really enjoying your post, finding inspiration to knit the February Sweater which has been beckoning me for a while now and then the little bonus at the end! That wonderful, beautiful photo and the words telling us that her grandfather made the hat out of his hankie....so moving, so beautiful! I love the way Lotte is holding one of the knots!
Posted by: Marianne at July 14, 2007 9:48 AM
Lotte is so moeie met z'n kleine hoed !
Jou February baby sweater is prachtig ! Nu moet ik een voor en vriend maken !
Posted by: Angsoka at July 14, 2007 11:53 AM
Hallo Saartje,
Wat een schattig vestje is dat geworden en de twee kleuren groen doen het ook prima. Zal die mooie meid van je schattig staan. Wat een plaatje is het om te zien.
Zat te denken of dit misschien niet een leuk patroon is voor Lotte. Je hoeft helemaal geen naadjes aan elkaar te zetten alleen de draadjes af te hechten. En is hij is lang door te dragen.
http://www.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=138024
Groeten,
Jacqueline
Posted by: Jacqueline at July 14, 2007 2:02 PM
I love your two-tone February Baby Sweater! So cute! And Lotte is absolutely adorable.
Posted by: whitney at July 14, 2007 2:28 PM
The sweater is beautiful, as is your little girl.
I made your bootie pattern for my little niece and they turned out great! Thanks for posting the pattern.
Posted by: Julie at July 14, 2007 2:52 PM
Very cute!
Posted by: Octopus Knits at July 14, 2007 10:17 PM
Wat een ontzettend leuk en lief vestje is dat geworden, erg mooi.
Nog even een wat late reactie op jouw reactie qua wol in Lom, heb inderdaad daar ook wol gevonden maar wat zij hadden was niet echt spectaculair. Heb erg genoten van alle winkeltjes met eigen gemaakte artikelen erg leuk.
Posted by: siem at July 15, 2007 4:37 PM
The cardigan looks so cute.
Lotte looks so lovely with her cute hat
Posted by: mumintroll at July 15, 2007 4:39 PM
Oh my, the sweater turned out so nicely. I love the combination of the two greens too, they look wonderful together. I love your baby's hat too, so cute. I used to buy ones in pink and lime green for my daughter when she was so small, as she had no hair it covered her up nicely.
Posted by: Sue at July 16, 2007 2:03 AM
What a beautiful sweater! The two tone green makes it especially lovely. I've been looking at this cardi on various blogs lately, and am itching to get started on it myself! Your daughter looks adorable in her make-shift hat, not to mention the lovely pullover ... she's a lucky girl!
Posted by: sereknitty at July 16, 2007 4:47 AM
Mooi! En wat is jullie dochter een plaatje! Hoe ben je aan het boek ( EZ almanac) gekomen? Ben al een tijdje op zoek, maar kan het alleen heel duur in USA vinden..
Een fijne zomer, en heb je al knoopjes gevonden?
http://www.ballee.nl
Posted by: Knitting Ajour at July 16, 2007 10:07 AM
Lovely - lovely -lovely.
Posted by: Sabine at July 16, 2007 10:46 AM
Your FBS is so pretty! I want to make my first one and I hardly know what yarn to use. Maybe I'll copy your two-tone idea...
Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Lorraine at July 16, 2007 2:53 PM
Saartje, wat een enig vestje is dat. en wat kun jij toch snel breien!! Heerlijk om even op het eiland te zijn. Was Lotte haar eerste keer zeker! Zal zeker haar laatste keer niet zijn.
Posted by: Marijna at July 16, 2007 11:42 PM
That sweater is darling! Everyone is making them, I want to make one too! :) And congratulations on the baby! I just had one myself and it's amazing. I don't know how you do it though, I couldn't do the fabric diapers. I work full time and that would add to my stress :) I am breastfeeding, though (pumping at work) and isn't it amazing? Such connection to the baby and it's so good for them. Good job! :)
Posted by: Anya at July 17, 2007 3:14 PM
wow! what a beautiful cardigan - Came here from a link on Ravelry - so glad I did... :)
Posted by: emerald at July 17, 2007 8:13 PM
Lotte ziet er schattig uit met opa's hoedje. Heel mooi truitje ook (heb het onlangs bij Polly ook gezien (www.alltangledup.com)- en zij zette er maar 3 knoopjes aan, zodat het echt een cardigan is.
Posted by: Dominique at July 18, 2007 1:36 PM
I am just about to embark on this sweater . . . it will be my second attempt at a sweater, hopefully my FIRST successful sweater. I'm so sure about button-holes. Yours is very inspiring! I can't wait to start.
Posted by: Rani at July 18, 2007 3:24 PM
Nydelig jakke og en like nydelig jente :)
Posted by: Hege at July 18, 2007 3:40 PM
You've been "tagged" with a Rockin' Girl Blog award on my blog!
Posted by: Rani at July 18, 2007 5:30 PM
Lotte boft maar met zo'n moeder!
Opa's hoed ziet er geweldig uit, gewoon nooit een zonnehoedje kopen.
Posted by: Gerria at July 18, 2007 9:38 PM
The sweater is adorable. I love the greens together too. I have seen this sweater several times lately and it has made me want to make it, and I don't even have a baby to knit for! I have an 18 yr old daughter who wants babies some day. . . I am a pretty new knitter. Do you think the book would be "over my head"? I've done some socks and a few baby sweaters. I'm a pretty fast learner.
Posted by: Karen in Moorhead at July 19, 2007 2:10 AM
What a lovely cardigan - I love the green you used. And the little one is adorable! :-)
Posted by: Iris at July 20, 2007 1:01 PM
You have a baby and knit how fast? Wow! I am very impressed. The cardigan is beautiful. I would love to knit it too at some point in the future.
Posted by: Tusa at July 21, 2007 1:35 AM
Prachtig vestje, mooi van kleur! En ja, Terschelling altijd prachtig, gister net terug gekomen van een vakantie op Skylge!
Posted by: froukje at July 23, 2007 12:39 AM
Hi. Could I be really cheeky and ask what yarn and needle size you used for the gorgeous booties you sent to Stefanie at Glampyre knits? Kind regards
Posted by: Jan Horne at July 30, 2007 3:44 PM
Beautiful!
I love your two-tone version.
Is this pattern available on-line, and if it is, could you please tell me where?
Posted by: jonna at January 13, 2009 7:09 PM
Lovely sweater. I love the 2 greens together. I am currently knitting FBS but am stuck where it says to cast on 7 stitches on either side of the sleeve. Should I knit first 25 stitches and simply backward loop cast on 7, knit 21 (sleeve) and cast on another 7. After which I continue to work back and forth to make sleeve? I am seeing a hole emerging where I cast on 7. Is this normal?
Posted by: Dimple at September 17, 2010 4:27 PM
