a tale of two sweaters (and a haircut)

I wrote this long, lovely post on Friday about a sweater lost and a sweater finished. And then I navigated away from the page before clicking the green publish button. And then I cried.

But the post still lives in my head (probably in a more abbreviated form) so here we go again.

Once upon a time there was a sweater that I wanted to be mine. I loved everything about it - the shape, the lovely details, the color. The only thing I didn't love was the cost of the suggested yarn, despite my passion for the yarn itself. So, the idea sat for a long time. I surfed Ravelry looking at other people's version of the sweater in different yarns. I decided to knit it out of Cascade EcoWool, which I bought on sale (and which I also love). I did the math for a different gauge. I cast on. I wasn't totally in love with the hem with the thicker yarn, but it was fine. I kept going. I knit and I knit and I knit off and on over the summer. By early August, I had knit the body to the underams and was working on sleeves.

It was idyllic, really. The ocean, the pink wine, the sleeve knitting. I took my completed sleeves home. After the busyness of the late August/early September life rush, I joined the body and the sleeves and started knitting the underarm decreases, while expanding the bobble pattern on the fronts. As I reached the end of the decreases, I realized that the pattern was approaching the edge faster on one side than on the other. (the knitters are gasping).

Here's where I make the long story short. I ripped the whole thing out. All of it. By the time I got back to where my mistakes were located, I would have had to knit most of the body of the sweater again. And I didn't want to. I agonized for a bit over finishing what I start and setting a good example, but the truth of the matter was that the yarn wasn't the best fit for the pattern. So out it went. I have found a better pattern for the yarn and a better yarn for the pattern. The end.

But not really the end - because there's another sweater (actually two). A sweet, tiny, adorable sweater that was just the right thing for getting back on the horse.

I love this sweater. Love. And so does she. It's the ever popular Milo pattern knit in 1.5 skeins of Brooklyn Tweed Shelter. The gauge is different, so I knit the 9 month size to get a 3T. I also knit it long so that there could be 3 owls in the cable and to make it more of a long tunic for over leggings.

I can't believe it took me this long to jump on the Milo bandwagon (well, other than those years in Phoenix). It's the perfect thing for a toddler - warm but not confining. Easy to layer. And in the Shelter it's so light that I think she forgets that it's on until she has to show it to someone and say "my mama knit it for me. See my owls?" *love*

There's another one on the needles. Because she asked for a blue one. But in between, I knit her a different sweater that will be the subject of another post (soon).

In my last post, we were talking about how totally cute her pigtails were. And I went and cut them off. Now she's even more cute. The piggies were a very rare occurrance - most of the time her hair just swung wildly off of her head. One day I said casually "hey, want a haircut?" And she said yes! So we hightailed it right to the haircut lady.

I can't believe how different she looks - it's like she matured overnight. But she's still my baby girl.

Lastly (and this deserves its own post) Melissa and I have a little collaboration going. You can see our gift sets here in her shop. I love what we've done, and I hope you love it too.

Writing that all over again wasn't as hard as I thought. Whew!

Comments

[amey]

Oh Toddler Kit. How incredibly cute are you in your Owl Sweater! I'll miss the piggies, but I like your new haircut.

Also, I miss your mama and your siblings.

[Sarah Jackson]

Toddler Kit and her family are planning to visit during the end of March. :)

[amey]

***SWOON*****

[Lori]

beautiful little sweater (owls!), and congratulations on the collaboration!

[Angelina]

That is one of my all-time favorite haircuts and it looks adorable on her! The first time I saw the picture of that sweater I didn't see the owls - so awesome!

[Sarah Jackson]

Thanks, Lori!

[Julie]

I want that haircut for me! It makes me so happy to see toddlers in Milos. Enjoy!

[Kelly]

Her hair looks adorable. As does the milo.

And I can't wait to see your sweater - you re-knit, right?

[Sarah Jackson]

Thanks! Im not reknitting in that yarn. Ill order something else - probably Quince Co. Lark. That yarn is becoming a Brooklyn Tweed Bedford sweater right after I finish the Milo and a vest for my dad.

[Sarah Jackson]

Thanks! The Milo is the best.

[Sarah Jackson]

I think its the quintessential toddler girl haircut. I love it. And owls are a fave.

[sarah]

Adorable Milo on an Adorable Kit!

so sorry the sullivan went south...x

[Heather]

I thought that was a secret!! I was doing well today not saying anything.

[Heather]

So glad you are over the frogging. I was harsh, but I think the new sweater will be better. Cannot believe the new 'do. She looks much older. And I should have grabbed the coaster mat. I guess I have to order one eventually.

[Sarah Jackson]

I decided I couldnt keep the secret. She got me with the missing us.

[theaxx]

but she's as gorgeous as ever!!!... very parisian chique :)

thea.
(spoonfulzine.com)

[Sarah Jackson]

Thanks! Almost finished with the blue one. I see a rainbow of Milos. And maybe a rainbow Milo too. I'll recover from Sullivan and try again after knitting Bedford.

[Sarah Jackson]

I'll send you one. Or bring it, since I'm that good at getting to the post office.