Happy Christmas Eve!

The tree is trimmed, the house decorated, and the days have been crossed off in eager anticipation. The little ones couldn't be more excited and I have to admit, I'm pretty excited too. Have a wonderful holiday everyone!

Ice

The temperature has been dipping down to -20c overnights and "warming" up to -13c. A hoar frost is covering all the trees and gives the illusion of more snow. The lake began freezing this week, and some choppy waves have created some amazing patterns in the ice. Frozen waves give the illusion of a blanket, pushed back towards shore. In other spots, the swirling water froze into circle patterns. The waves have also created oval shards of ice stacked up on the shore. So much to see and enjoy, but you have to dress warm enough! This cold always feels so much colder in November, when I'm not acclimatized to it yet.

Ontario

 We're back! We went for a visit back East a few weeks ago. Besides visiting family, we did a few touristy things too, like see the aquarium in Toronto. Kesten also got to sit on a bunch of tractors, which made him super happy. It was a whirlwind trip and we were sick, which made things little tiring, but it was great to see family and it was a great trip over-all.

Knitting: The Aspen Sweater

 My little boy (age 3) requested to be an Aspen tree for Hallowe'en, which made this mama super happy! I've been waiting to do some sort of Aspen pattern for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity to design a sweater for him. The sweater is knit from thick roving, so it takes very little time to whip up. It is knit flat and seamed to give it shape. A shawl collar finishes it off. Stay tuned for the matching toque pattern, which I'll post just as soon as I can do a little photo shoot.

For the printable pattern, click here.

For the printable graph, click here.

The Aspen Pullover

Yarn: Briggs and Little Country Roving in Natural White (2 skeins) and Dark Grey (1 skein)

Needles: 6mm and 5mm for ribbing

Gauge: 9st x 15rows = 4”

Abbreviations:

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

p-purl

p2tog-purl two together

RS-right side

ssk-slip, slip, knit

ssp-slip, slip, purl

st-stitches

St st- Stockinette stitch

WS-wrong side
Size: 3t

Measurements:

Sleeves= 16”

Length= 16”

Girth= 29”

Front

On 5mm needles with Natural White, cast on 34st and work 1.5” in 1x1 ribbing.

Switch to 6mm needles and work in St st until front measures 8.5” from the bottom. End after working a WS row. Throughout the sweater, add in bars of Dark Grey randomly to create the effect of Aspen bark. Use the graph as a guide if needed for different shapes/spacing.

Bind off 1 st at the beginning of the next 2 rows. (32st)

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (30st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (28st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (26st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (24st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (22st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (20st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (18st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (16st)

WS: p

Neck and Left Front

RS: k8, turn

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to end (7st)

WS: Bind off 1 st, p to end (6st)

RS: k to end

WS: Bind off 1 st, p to end (5st)

RS: k1, ssk, k to end (4st)

WS: Bind off 1 st, p to end (3st)

Work until front measures 16” from the bottom. End after a WS row. Bind off.

Neck and Right Front

Return to the remaining st.

RS: k

WS: p

RS: Bind off 1 st, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (6st)

WS: p

RS: Bind off 1 st, k to end (5st)

WS: p

RS: Bind off 1 st, k2tog, k1(3st)

Work in St st until sweater front measures 16” from the bottom. End after working a WS row. On the next RS row, bind off remaining st for shoulder.

Back

On 5mm needles with Natural White, cast on 34st and work 1.5” in 1x1 ribbing.

Switch to 6mm needles and work in St st until front measures 8.5” from the bottom. End after working a WS row. Throughout the sweater, add in bars of Dark Grey randomly to create the effect of Aspen bark. Use the graph as a guide if needed for different shapes/spacing.

Bind off 1 st at the beginning of the next 2 rows. (32st)

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (30st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (28st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (26st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (24st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (22st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (20st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (18st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (16st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

Right Back Shoulder

RS: k5, turn

WS: p

RS: k2, k2tog, k1 (4st)

WS: p

RS: k1, k2tog, k1 (3st)

WS: p

Work in St st until sweater measures 16”, bind off.

Centre Back Neck

Reattach yarn and bind off 6 st

Left Back Shoulder

RS: k (5st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k1 (4st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk (3st)

WS: p

Work in St st until sweater measures 16”, bind off.

Sleeves

On 5mm needles with Natural White, cast on 16st. Work 1.5” in 1x1 ribbing. Switch to 6mm needles and work in St st. Throughout the sleeve, add in bars of Dark Grey randomly to create the effect of Aspen bark. Use the graph as a guide if needed for different shapes/spacing. Work the sleeve as follows:

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (18st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (20st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (22st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (24st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (26st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (28st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (30st)

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (32st)

WS: p

Bind off 1 st at the beginning of the next 2 rows. (30st)

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (28st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (26st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (24st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (22st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (20st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (18st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (16st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (14st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (12st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (10st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (8st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (6st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 (4st)

WS: ssp, p2tog (2st)

Bind off.

Get really comfy, because there are a lot of ends to weave in! Weave them in and block. Sew up seams and then work the shawl collar as follows:

Shawl Collar

With 6mm needles in Natural White, pick up and knit 36st around collar, starting at centre front.

Knit 0.75” in Garter st.

Next row: k until 3 from end, place marker, and turn.

Next row: k until 3 from end, place marker, and turn.

Next row: k until 1 from marker, place marker, and turn.

Next row: k until 1 from marker, place marker, and turn.

Next row: k until 1 from marker, place marker, and turn.

Next row: k until 1 from marker, place marker, and turn.

Slip all the stitches until you reach the beginning. Knit one row and bind off.

Weave in ends and you're done!

Knitting: Snowshoe Hare Sweater

This pattern has been a long time coming. I first designed it last fall, but when I had finished knitting it up, the armholes were much too small! Heartbreak! It took me a year before I was ready to pull it all apart and start knitting again. I changed the design around a bit and now I am so happy with it!

One of my favourite animals to encounter in the winter woods are Snowshoe Hares. They've shed their summer greys and browns and put on a coat of pure white. They would blend in perfectly with the snow, if not for some tiny accents of black on their ears and their black eyes. I wanted to design a sweater that would reflect this beautiful creature for my daughter. The pattern is sized for a 12-18 month-old. My daughter is nearly 17 months old now, and about average size.

This sweater features puffed sleeves, a gathered, moss stitch skirt with an empire waist bodice, and a hood with ears.

Here is the link to the printable version: Snowshoe Hare Sweater printable

 

Snowshoe Hare Pullover

Yarn: Patons North America Shetland Chunky in white and black (for the ear tips)

Needles: 5mm circular

Gauge: 13st and 19 rows = 4” in St st

Abbreviations:

gt st- garter stitch

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

m1- make 1 stitch

p-purl

RS-right side

ssk-slip, slip, knit

st-stitches

St st- stockinette stitch

WS-wrong side

Measurements:

Sleeve length: 13”

Girth: 20”

Sweater length: 14.5”

Front

Cast on 37 st. Work 1.25” in stockinette st and end after working a WS row. Bind off 2 st for underarm shelf at the beginning of the next two rows.

RS row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

WS row: p

RS row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

WS row: p

Work in St st until garment measures 4.5” from the bottom. End after working a WS row.

Work neck as follows:

Left Front

Knit 11 stitches. Turn work.

WS row: Bind off 2 st, p to end

RS row: k

WS row: Bind off 2 st, p to end

Work the left front in St st until the garment measures 6 inches from the bottom. Bind off.

Right Front

Join yarn. Bind off 7 st, k to end

WS row: p

RS row: Bind off 2 st, k to end

WS row: p

RS row: Bind off 2 st, k to end

WS row: p

Work the right front in St st until the garment measures 6 inches from the bottom. Bind off.

Back

Cast on 37 st. Work 1.25” in stockinette st and end after working a WS row. Bind off 2 st for underarm shelf at the beginning of the next two rows.

RS row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

WS row: p

RS row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

WS row: p

Work in St st until garment measures 5” from the bottom. End after working a WS row.

Right Shoulder

RS row: k 9 st, turn work

WS row: Bind off 1 st, p to end

RS row: k

WS row: Bind off 1 st, p to end

Work in St st until garment measures 6” from bottom. Bind off right shoulder st.

Left Shoulder

Bind off 11 st, k to end

WS row: p

RS row: Bind off 1 st, k to end

WS row: p

Rs row: Bind off 1 st, k to end

Work in St st until garment measures 6” from bottom. Bind off left shoulder st.

Sleeves

Cast on 21 st. Work 1.5” in garter st.

In St st (starting with a purl row), increase one stitch on each side of a RS row, every 6th row until there are 29st. Continue working in St st until sleeve measures 7.5” from the bottom. End after working a WS row.

Bind off 2st at the beginning of the next 2 rows.

Work 16 rows in St st.

Bind off 2 st at the beginning of the next 4 rows.

Bind off 4 st at the beginning of the next 4 rows.

Bind off remaining st.

Body (Skirt)

Cast on 96st and join to form a circle. Work 1.5” in garter st. Switch to Moss stitch or St st and continue to work in the round until garment measures 8”. Bind off.

Block pieces. Sew the shoulder seams together, then the side seams. Sew the sleeves up the seams and then set in armhole as follows: Beginning separately at each underarm, sew up until 2.5” from the top shoulder seam on each side. Gather the remaining sleeve cap to fit and sew in place.

With the body tube laying flat, use a stitch marker to mark the sides of the body. Match the sides of the body to the side seams of the top and pin in place. Gather the fabric of the body to fit the top and sew in place, with seams to the inside. If you want, add a couple of buttons to the bodice for decoration.

Hood

Starting with the last two bound off st of the lowest point of the neck (Right front of sweater), pick up and knit 54 st as follows:

Right front to shoulder seam, pick up 14 st

Back between shoulder seams, pick up 26 st

Shoulder seam to left front, pick up 14 st (Ending with the first two bound off st of the lowest point of the neck)

Work 1” in St st, then increase as follows on a RS row:

K17, m1, (k4, m1) 5x, k to end (60 st).

Work in St st until hood measures 9.75” tall.

With 30 st on each needle and folded with right sides together, bind off using a three needle bind off.

Hood Band

Next, pick up and knit 3st for every 4 rows around the hood. Work hood band in garter st until the band measures 1”. Sew the bottoms of the band down to the neck of the sweater (They should just meet in the middle). Weave in ends.

Ears

With 5mm needles, cast on 11 st

row 1: k

row 2: p3, k5, p3

Repeat these two rows until you have 22 rows

Row 23: k

Row 24: p4, k3, p4

Row 25: k

Row 26: p5, k1, p5

Row 27: k1 ssk, k5, k2tog, k1(9st)

Row 28: p

Row 29: k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1(7st)

Row 30: p

Row 31: k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1(5st)

Switch to black

Row 32: p

Row 33: ssk, k1, k2tog (3st)

Row 34: p

----This is where the ear will be folded back when completed----

Row 35: k

Row 36: p

Row 37: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1(5st)

Row 38: p

Row 39: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1(7st)

Switch to white

Row 40: p

Row 41: k1, m1, k5, m1, k1 (9st)

Row 42: p

Row 43: k1, m1, k7, m1, k1 (11^st)

Row 44: p

Continue in St st until back measures the same as front. Bind off. Fold in half with wrong sides together and sew the edges of the ear together. Fold in the bottom two corners into the middle and sew onto hood this way. I like to sew the ears to the hood at the bottom of the ears and then tack them part of the way up to the hood, so they stand up straight.

 I hope you enjoy the pattern! Please let me know of any errors you may encounter and be sure to friend me on Ravelry (I'm honeynutbrown).