Monday, September 17, 2012

A Special Sweater

It had been a year or so since I have picked up my knitting needles, when I started this project in late July.  A dear young lady I love was soon to have a baby boy, and no store bought present would be appropriate for this particular bundle of joy.  I have known Chrisi since she was in Kindergarten with my own daughter, and her mother is one of my best friends.  She and her sister are like daughters to me ... part of our family.

When each of our daughters was born, we bought them a special bear.  I did the same for our grandsons.  Chrisi's son had to have a bear, too.  Though this bear came from the store with clothes and a hat, the personal part of this present is the hand-knit sweater that he is now wearing.  Chrisi and her husband have very simple taste.  They like things that are primitive, homespun, and natural ... and I found the perfect pattern, and wonderful wool yarn, for this sweater.

 
 
This sweater of such seemingly-simple design was one of THE most complicated pieces that I have ever knit.  The only seams in this are across the shoulders and up the back of the hood ... everything else is knit in pieces, with stitches picked up and directions changed ... and the effect is lovely and homespun and primitive and simple ... just the way Chrisi likes it.
 
 
 
I learned some new techniques while working on this ... thank Heaven for the kind folks who took the time to write tutorials and/or upload YouTube videos that made part of this sweater possible.
 
(Beautiful baby Fisher was born on August 16.  I warned his mother to resist the urge to put this sweater on him ... the wool is really scratchy, and we wouldn't want Fisher to get a rash.)
 
The pattern for this sweater is HERE.  If you decide you want to try to make it, you have been warned about its complexity ... I think it's worth the trouble, to make something that's so beautiful.
 
 

17 comments:

  1. That's a great sweater. I'm going to start an icelandic sweater for this winter. It's been a while since I knit anything, but have been wanting to do so lately. It's so relaxing.

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  2. What a lovely keepsake! I couldn't imagine attempting something that tricky...scarves are as intricate as I dare to try. I'm sure Fisher will love his sweet bear!

    Kat

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  3. Wonderful tradition. That bear ready for winter is adorable in his new sweater. Well worth your time and effort.

    Congratulations to you all.

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  4. I love giving bears as a new baby gift and that sweater makes it very special! It's so cute and you did a great job!
    hugs, Linda

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  5. adorable!

    i've been thinking about doing some knitting now that it's fall. there's nothing more cozy, right?

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  6. That sweater is just PERFECT!!! I wish I could knit as well as you! I could never make this - I just hate admitting that but it's so true!! It'd be all holey and twisted.

    Knitting always gets the better of me so I shall just try and be happy to admire yours!

    Sarahx

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  7. Very special sweater!!! Soon to be a favorite bear!!! :)

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  8. How absolutely precious! Homemade gifts are the best...they are one of a kind but, even more importantly, they are made from the heart!! It is so cute...I love it!

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  9. I can believe that it was one of the hardest projects you've knitted. My mom always said that the hardest clothes to make are for dolls. I'd say that goes for teddy bears too. But your hard work paid off ins gorgeous keepsake! It's beautiful.

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  10. Sweet! What an adorable sweater and bear.

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  11. Very sweet and a good looking bear.

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  12. Oh, dear... That DOES look complicated! As it is, I'm struggling with a perfectly straight-forward raglan sweater for myself. Started last autumn, mothballed over the summer and, well, maybe it will be done by next winter, eh? (But first I have to unravel the entire body, since it's far too large.)

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  13. That is adorable! I took up knitting about a year ago and love it. I have been working on a baby blanket since the end of June that I am now in a race to finish before the baby arrives.

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