Ajune Toddler Pullover

Really, now. I took a pattern and changed it up! The pattern called for DK weight yarn. I used Aran. I had leftover balls of Bernat DenimStyle to use up. I actually made a crocheted afghan with this yarn. I didn't really like the way the fabric turned out crocheted. It worked up too thick and didn't show the pattern well. However, it is a soft yarn; the kind you might even like to hold up to your face and pet a bit! I was right! It knit up into a wonderfully soft pullover. The fabric was substantial but not hefty or stiff. Happiness!

This pick shows the measurement I tried to most closely match on the original pattern. This size was supposed to be 11.5". I went to a little over 12". Not a problem for it to be bigger because the little recipient is growing fast right now. In order to make it about the same size (I wasn't really worried about a sweatshirt type of garment with no shaping not fitting a toddler at some point in his life) I cast on 20 fewer stitches than called for in the pattern, threw all caution to the wind then started knitting.

As a reminder, this free pattern is available at the NaturallyCaron.com website. I recommend this pattern for beginners as there is lots of garter stitch. New skills for some might be casting on mid project and picking up the stitches for the neckline and working in the round. I used a 16" circular because as we all know, I haven't had the moxie to try dpns....yet.

I'm proud of this project because I used stash yarn and (listen for trumpets blaring) it was finished ON TIME! BEFORE the birthday party! I am now doing a little celebration dance a la Snoopy....excuse me

Here is the Ajune Toddler Pullover up to the armholes. I thought it was so pretty! However, there were a few problems with it. Number One-the yarn worked up too thinly. I have come to admire a certain squishiness in yarn. Not wet sort of squishy, but thick and fluffy kind of squishy. These two yarns were making a very lightweight, cheap looking fabric. Second, I doubted this would actually fit a 12-month old who wears 18-month clothes. So, this version was frogged.....

Oops! That's not right! I didn't frog it....I threw it out! Yes, I committed the ultimate yarn workers travesty and threw out some precious fiber. Don't get me wrong; I wrestled with the moral implications for about a week. Afterall, none of the other fiber bloggers ever admit to throwing out a frogged project. I weighed the implications of storing this cheap looking stuff until I could find another use for it. Well, why would I ever want to make anything else with it? Is it ok to dislike something so much that you actually throw it out? My answer was "yes" and after this post, I'm not going to even think about it again.

In the meantime, I completed another pullover based on the Ajune pattern. Wait til you see it....next time.

It's a Toddler Sweater, for cryin' out loud

The Ajune Toddler Pullover http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/ajune/ajune_1.html

I went stash diving for this one. DK weight. Hmmmm. Well I have two skeins of Berocco Comfort DK. Only 175 yards each, though. Well, that 3/4 skein of Sirdar Snuggly will go with it and I'll hold my breath to see if I have enough. Feeling pretty edgy on the yardage situation, so back to the stash for some white Fore-'n-Aft Sport that is so old it only cost $2.15 brand new. And that's $2.15 for 175 yards of 100% orlon acrylic! That's plenty of yarn for a size 18 months. Whew! Here are my yarn comments: Love the color of the Comfort and it's plenty soft. Cheap, too. Don't like that it snags easily and feels thin worked up. Sirdar Snuggly is so soft and pretty, but this DK is not the same weight as the Comfort--Don't worry, I'll work that out later. The Fore-'n-Aft: who knows--never used it before. I have had it in the stash for at least 20 years! lol. pics, tradgedies and triumphs coming up soon!