Knitting for L: Lucky (you)

Pattern: Lucky (you) by Solenn Couix-Loarer

Yarn: De Rerum Natura, Gilliatt (2 skeins) in colorway Poivre

Needles: US 8 for body and US 6 for ribbing

Notions: 4 buttons

Size: 2T

I had originally bought this yarn last year for a matching hat and cowl that would both go with the adult version of the same sweater, Lucky (me), that I had knit myself. (They're all in the e-book Emmitouflages) That plan fell through when I finally admitted to myself that I don't really like to wear hats and I prefer to wear cloth scarves to knit ones. So, what better than to use this yarn for my baby boy and I had just enough!

The knitting was really easy and super fast especially since I had already made the adult version of the sweater. The construction is lovely, top down, with a lovely pocket detail.

I'm not sure exactly why (probably just me), but when it came time to knit the bottom rib, the rib was off by 2 stitches and didn't line up with the knits flowing into the knits and the purls flowing into the purls on one part of the back central panel, so I decreased a bit to help fix that. No sweat.

I chose some simple 4-hole metal buttons. I wanted them to be sturdy and blend into the garment. The cardigan looks great on him and I find it kind of funny that we have versions of the same one. The sleeves are a little long so he has some growing room...although that adorable little belly of his (I can't resist tickling and kissing it), is definitely stretching the sweater when he sits down. 

During this project, L would refuse to let me try it on him while it was unfinished so I wondered if he didn't like it. However, once I had put the final button on he grabbed it and tried to put it on. So, he does like it after all! He also picked up my knitting needles when he thought I wasn't looking and tried clicking them together to knit! It was so sweet!

Softly (you)...again

Pattern: Softly (you) by Solenn Couix-Loarer

Yarn: De Rerum Natura Ulysee in colorways Poivre et Sel (3 skeins) and Baleine Bleue (about 40yds)

Needles: US 3, US 5

Size: 2 yrs

Here it is, my second sweater knit from Solenn Couix-Loarer's pattern, Softly (you) (the first one is here) As you can probably tell, I really really like this pattern. And most important of all, my son adores this, well, both sweaters! There was pretty much the same reaction as the first time. "Pull, pull" (L is saying sweater in French.) He's very much into trying to dress himself right now, so of course he tried to put it on himself. Not entirely successful, but oh so cute! I wish I had a photo of it!

I used the same yarn, De Rerum Natura's Ulysse in the identical color for the main body: colorway Poivre et Sel. For the stripes, I used a navy blue, also in Ulysse, called Baleine Bleue, which I had bought quite a few skeins of to make a sweater for me, which I hope to share in the coming weeks once it's finished. What can I say? I really like this yarn. This is (counting my unfinished sweater) the third time I use it.

I have a slight preference for the yellow version of the sweater because of the cheerfulness of the yellow, but truly, they're both lovely. I'm very pleased with both, and I'm surprised by the fact that I knit the same pattern twice in practically the same colors shortly one after the other. I think there's about a week between the two! But I guess seeing how thrilled my baby boy was, was motivation enough to dive right back in!

(If the sweater looks a little askew that's because I got him dressed in a hurry for a doctor's appointment.)

Knitting for L: Softly (you)

Pattern: "Softly (you)" by Solenn Couix-Loarer

Yarn: De Rerum Natura Ulysee in colorways Poivre et Sel (3 skeins) and Genêt (about 40yds)

Needles: US 3, US 5

Size: 2 yrs

This was one of the few knitting projects I had up my sleeve for my lovely L's Spring and Summer wardrobe, apart from socks galore. Around here, 'Breton' style sweaters and tops are really popular and remain ever so trendy for kids and adults, season after season, year after year. So, hey, why not make one for L since I already had the e-book?

I also decided to give in to my recent love for yellow by going with a yellow stripe which looks positively golden next to the soft natural color of Poivre et Sel. I can't get enough of yellow next to grey or natural colors and I'm pretty sure it's going to show up again in garments and even the house!



As with many of Solenn's patterns, (I can't believe this is her 10th pattern I've knit! They're just great patterns!) I had to go up a needle size because I knit a bit tight. Once knitting got started, it went really fast. I was racing to get to those stripes, to only be halted when I got to the sleeves. Oh, man! I had forgotten that I dislike these kinds of picked up sleeves from the armholes with short rows worked for the sleeve cap. Sadly, the project sat untouched for a good day or two as I suspiciously eyed those armholes. I knit them as directed by the pattern and I think the sweater looks fantastic despite my not being a fan of these kinds of sleeves.

There are great little details like a faux seam line made by purling one stitch at what would be a side seam or arm seam. It looks really cute!

While I was knitting the sweater, little L would come over to touch it and would say "pull, pull" knowing that it was for him. I finished it during his naptime, folded it nicely, and once he was up and saw it, he grabbed it and tried to put it on himself. Oh, how rewarding is that?! (Happy sigh and I'm already planning another one of these sweaters) He adores it, so I love it too! And I'm so happy with those golden stripes. They make for such a happy sweater! Enjoy, my little L! (In this last indoor picture, he's making his 'can we go to the playground now?' face.)