04-18-2017

I couldn’t resist the softness of this yarn and as I had never seen this particular kind of baby yarn, I picked up 5 skeins at a Michael’s store in Massachusetts recently while visiting my daughter. She also happens to be expecting her second baby in August. It will be a boy this time and I’m looking forward to making some adorable little baby things for him. I’, hoping to make a coordinating hat and booties to go with this cardigan and it looks like I will have plenty of yarn to do just that!

I have nearly all of the back and sleeves worked up, and will likely finish this little shawl cardigan in the next day or two.

There is a small error in the pattern on page 2. Basically, anyone who has experience crocheting will be able to figure it out without a problem, but on the sleeve shaping section in the left hand column the 2nd row should state this: correction in BOLD text

2nd row: Ch 6. 1 sc in 4th ch from hook (counts as dc and sc). 1 dc in next ch. 1 sc in last ch. * 1 dc in next sc. 1 sc in next dc. Rep from * to end of row, Turn.

After completing the right hand sleeve, I needed to crochet a total of 20 rows to get the front of the cardigan lined up with the back. Second photo from bottom shows work through the completion of the right sleeve and front. It used one complete skein with only a few inches left over at this point in the pattern.

04-19-2017

I decided that I did not want to make a big rectangular strip that I would have to sew in place in order to complete this little cardigan. So, once I completed the left sleeve shaping and front of the cardigan, I fastened off. Then, I rejoined my yarn at the lower right hand front of the fabric and single crocheted evenly around the collar edge to the lower front left. For my cardigan this was a total of 134 sc sts. At the end I continued by adding 20 chains in which I am working the shawl collar.

At the end of the 20 chs I turned my work and completed a hdc in the 3rd ch from hook and continued in hdc until I reached the left front edge (18 hdc). **Sl st into the side edge and next 2 sc sts, turn work. As I complete the collar, I work 18 hdc sts in the lower front loops (the loop below the V of the stitch) along to the outer edge, making sure that I have a total of 18 hdc in each row. At the end of the row, I think it best to use one long turning ch (instead of 2) and then work your 18 hdc sts along to the inner collar. Sl st to join row to the sweater and then repeat from** until the collar is completed. This eliminates the need to sew the rectangle to the cardigan and gives it a nice clean edge.

I also think that I will use two 3/4” -1” buttons and create two button holes for a better fit. If you don’t want to make button holes you could get away without making them because there is plenty of room in between the stitches to poke the buttons through and fasten the sweater.

I have completed all of the crochet for this project and just need to stitch the sides and sew in the buttons. I LOVE the result.

04-20-2017

I guess I should have checked on the fiber label to determine if this yarn was hand wash only, but I fell in love with the softness and before I knew what was happening, it was in my shopping cart, lol. BUT…..guess what? It is HAND WASH ONLY. Why would a yarn company create a fiber intended to be worked up for little ones that is hand wash only? New moms don’t have time to hand wash items. :(

I’m hoping my grandson will be able to wear this for special occasions at least. I will endeavor to be better informed before making a passion purchase next time!