Abigail could not wait to reveal her new mama-made sweater.
First, she "styled" the look. (Translation: she refused to wear the shirt and pants that i had picked out.)
Next, she "choreographed" the photo shoot. (Translation: she figured that 'all those people who read your blog' would think that the sweater was 'boring' if she 'just stood there' so she decided to show you all that 'you can do' while wearing this cardi.)
Apparently the sweater is good for doing this...
And this...
And for looking directly at the sun.
It's also perfectly suited for pointing at passing brothers...
And for "giving yourself a hug."
Oh, and she thought you should see the back.
Bet you didn't know that my knits were this versatile! Yours can be too if you let Miss Abby conduct a "photo shoot" for you.
Now for the pattern - or lack thereof. I wanted to knit Leslie's Libby cardi (pattern in Leslie's sidebar). But the pattern is a bit too large for my girly who wears size 6-8 so I made up my own using the top-down raglan formula. This basic formula can be found in many books on top down knitting but my favorite web instructions are written by Laura of cosmicpluto knits.
Here are my numbers for this size 8 cardi:
I used worsted weight wool (Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool in the colors Limoncello and Antique) and
US sz 8 needles.
CO 70 stitches.
k1p1 ribbing for 6 rows. (for the band around the neck)
Divide for yolk (RS): k5 for button band, pm, k10 for front, pm, k10 for sleeve, pm, k20 for back, pm, k10 for sleeve, pm, k10 for front, pm, k5 for button band
row 2 (WS): k5 for button band, purl to last 5 stitches (last marker), k5
row 3 (RS): *k to 2 sts before marker, kf&b, k1, sl m, k1, kf&b*, repeat from * to * three more times. Knit to the end of the round.
row 4 (WS): k5, purl to last 5 stitches (last marker), k5.
Repeat rows 3 & 4 sixteen times. (or until you have 42 stitches between the sleeve markers.)
Slip the sleeve stitches onto scrap yarn and continue knitting the body of the sweater in stockinette stitch to desired length.
Work 14 rows garter stitch for the bottom band. (knit every row) Bind off.
Laura gives instructions for side shaping in her pattern. I did not do any side shaping for a child's cardi but i highly recommend side shaping if you are knitting a cardi for yourself.
Slip sleeve stitches off scrap yarn and join stitches to work in the round (i love magic loop knitting method for sleeves) until sleeves are desired length. Work 14 rows garter stitch. Bind off. Repeat for second sleeve.
For the stripes I just switched between the two colors every 6, 8, 10 and 14 rows respectively. See how the stripes become wider as the sweater progresses. Have fun and make the stripes any width you like - just remember to do the same for the sleeves so that the stripes line up.
You can easily make this cardi larger by adding several more kf&b increases in the yoke before separating the sleeves. Then knit the body and sleeves to desired length.
Hope you find these instructions helpful. I know that wearing this cardi has helped my girly run faster through the woods, gather dozens of pine cones, and build a fort for all the imaginary students that she schools each day.
Abigail did a great job coordinating the whole shoot. I love the stripes. Beautiful sweater and with the power to make one run faster!
Posted by: tara | March 11, 2011 at 07:36 AM
Just darling! Both the sweater and its model!
She can style my look any time!
Posted by: Beetnik Mama | March 11, 2011 at 07:44 AM
perhaps I need to knit one for myself....in those exact colors! I could use the extra umph in my day that that sweater seems to give. Great job Abigail, you wear that sweater well. And great job Larissa, you amaze me with your knitting recipes. love the fun in this post...have a great weekend friend!
Posted by: Lisa Q | March 11, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Beautiful cardi, beautiful girly! And I love how simple top-down raglans are.
Posted by: Meg Evans | March 11, 2011 at 08:57 AM
it's fantastic, larissa! and cheers to abby for her personal style. xoxo
Posted by: JCasa | March 11, 2011 at 09:02 AM
I've never seen instructions like these. It looks like it could be easy! You did a beautiful job. Who knew a sweater could be this versitile and I agree with Lisa I could use the umph that the sweater seems to be delivering.
Posted by: Beth | March 11, 2011 at 09:05 AM
Gorgeous sweater!
I just adore Abby's spunky suggestions for posing :-)
Posted by: Courtney | March 11, 2011 at 09:05 AM
adorable! this only compounds the itch i've been feeling to knit lately - i cast on last night :)
Posted by: beki | March 11, 2011 at 09:37 AM
So adorable! Love little girls and their action shots. Abby is right that it does make for a more interesting photoshoot when she is showing us so many things :)
Posted by: Andrea | March 11, 2011 at 10:27 AM
I bet this photo shoot was the icing on top of the cake for you! To see her so happy and enjoying your handmade knit...priceless!
Posted by: kristyn | March 11, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Just lovely (both the girlie and the sweater!) You had me laughing outloud, your photoshoot looks/sounds similar to ours. And school...yes, my 6 yr old has several of those too ;)
Posted by: Amy J | March 11, 2011 at 11:17 AM
What a wonderful mama gift. Can't help but love the photo shoot and the narration. Thanks making me smile...
Posted by: Its_Lily | March 11, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Those colors are so pretty together and your daughter looks so happy!
Posted by: Mary | March 11, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Hehe...very cute. I must admit to being an opinionated girlie myself...and I have to say that I think the polka-dot-pants go very nicely in a whimsy way with those daisy buttons that I'm still ogling. : )
Posted by: christina | March 11, 2011 at 03:45 PM
So gorgeous! Those colors look so great on her with her dark hair! She is definitely a little sweetheart, I can tell! What fun she must be!
I was so excited to see another knit from you. You do beautiful work,and you do a perfect job of pairing up yarns with a pattern.
Posted by: Jan | March 12, 2011 at 08:25 AM
Your daughter is adorable and the sweater looks great! Yes versitle in deed :). I love the name of the yarn too, one of our favorite things over here, i usually have a batch going. Fun Pictures hope you have a lovely weekend!
Posted by: Jen | March 12, 2011 at 03:43 PM
I adore the colors you chose. And the stripes getting larger is such a great touch.
Your girly wears it well.
Posted by: dani@little fists | March 14, 2011 at 11:26 AM
The colors you used are wonderful and the sweater looks great on your daughter. She's a great model. :) Thanks for the comments on the blanket on my blog. I'll have to keep visiting you now just to see how you use the same colors. :)
Posted by: Kar | March 14, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Absolutely wonderful! And your daughter made a very entertaining show for sure with the sweater in action.
:)Lisa
Posted by: Earth Mama | March 15, 2011 at 08:44 PM
How cute!! I love how she wanted to show us what she can do while wearing her pretty sweater.
Ruth
Posted by: Ruth | March 16, 2011 at 10:32 AM
oh larissa, it is absolutely FABULOUS!
the color combo is sooo great.
and of course, your model is just about the cutest little thing, ever!!!
Posted by: leslie | March 17, 2011 at 08:39 AM
cute, cute,cute! I want one for myself!
Posted by: jane | April 03, 2011 at 08:18 AM