A Christmas Sweater for Bodhi

So I was knitting along in November, getting all my Christmas knitting done (there wasn’t too much this year), finishing up some WIPs, and working on some new designs when… bam! I just had to cast on a Christmas sweater for Bodhi! This idea hit me like a ton of bricks (as some wild ideas do), and I knew I wanted classic Christmas colours and Fair Isle all the way.

I was inspired by the lovely Vintage Winter sweater from Jess of Ginger Twist. It fit perfectly with my current obsession with Strange Brew yokes and Fair Isle in general. I something timeless, a sweater that would be at home in the pages of a children’s book or a classic holiday movie. I got out my graph paper and set to work!

For my colour palette I went with Tanis Fiber Arts Purewash DK, in Spruce, Poppy, and Natural – a classic combo if ever there was. I wanted the sweater to come out a wee bit big in the hopes that MAYBE it will fit next year too (good luck Alexa), so I cast on the 4-6 with a little extra length.

I loved knitting this sweater. It practically knit itself, which is weird because I feel like sometimes kiddie sleeves take an evening and sometimes they take …. well, forever, and I never know which kind of sleeve it’s going to be. I was so excited to finish this one, and with holiday gatherings, the stockinette portions were great conversational knitting. I finished it up with room to spare, and Bodhi just loved it. She is three and a half and she still loves everything I make her. I overheard her telling her pre-school teachers that her mama made it for her, she was all proud smiles when she said it.

How I made it:

I followed the instructions for the 4-6 year size in the Strange Brew Pattern (our yoke sweater recipe; learn more about this versatile pattern).

Body: I cast on, worked a twisted rib (k1tbl, p1), knit 4 rounds, worked the hem chart, then worked the body in MC and stockinette to the underarm.

Sleeves: Cast on, worked a twisted rib (k1tbl, p1), knit 3 rounds, worked hem chart, then proceeded to increases and worked sleeve as written.

Yoke: I worked the yoke join, then the short row shaping instructions, 4 rounds in MC, then the yoke chart. That took me to 128 sts. I worked 1 round in MC, then worked one final decrease round: k2, (k1, k2tog) around. This gave me a neckline stitch count of 86 sts. I worked a twisted rib again at the neckline

Charts:

I was so pleased with the results, and I was glad I allowed myself this tangential indulgence. At the holidays I often have too many plans, not enough hours in the day, and it can be a poor choice to add something more at the last minute. On the other hand, those can be the things that turn out the best!

More Festive Knits from TCK: