Entry FeedI finished knitting the body of Daughter's new sweater, and was starting on the sleeves when I decided to have her try it on.
It didn't fit.
Daughter is a small 3 1/2 year old. I was knitting to the 4 year old pattern, with a 24 inch chest. Daughter's chest is barely 21 inches. Unfortunately, I must knit tight or something because the sweater would not close around her belly. Daughter, playing the diplomat, said, "That's OK. I like it not closing."
I decided to do some complicated math and rewrite the pattern, increasing it by 10%. I started again yesterday, and I am having some success. But I've realized that those people who make up patterns must be geniuses. I swear that I increase each row to make the pattern larger, but here I am half way through the body again, and I am not sure that my increase was enough. Really, though adding lots, I've gone from 84 stitches to 96. Is it enough?
The problem with knitting is that you have to actually get fairly far along in the project before you can try it on.
Hmmm... So far the organic cotton yarn cost $60, the bamboo knitting needles $20, and I have spent over 40 hours with nothing to wear. Assuming that I get minimum wage for my labour, this sweater is going to be worth about $500 by the time I am finished.
The Gap is having a friends and family sale this weekend... I am sure I could have found Daughter a nice sweater there.
I thought about making my daughter a dress a while ago. By the time you buy a pattern, thread, lace and the material and put all the hours into it, I could buy something cheaper!! Where and how did my mom find the time to make dresses for 4 girls?
signed
Mom of three