Heirloom was a joy to knit! I worked the whole sweater on one 32" Addi, all cuffs and neckband were 10 rows. I counted the X's and O's in the pattern photo, worked that many, and was pleased to get the exact pattern measurement for length. The middle photo shows the sweater with a notebook for scale.
Lisa thought of so many clever details in this design. For example, when you work the hat, the pattern says to decrease 8 stitches evenly around - just the number of the cables, so you can decrease in each cable and not have to figure out the number of stitches in between the decreases. All cables were a variation of the C4F or C4B - it's hard to explain, but you could always tell which row you were on by what was happening with the braided cable. And there are the lovely details like the saddle shoulders and crochet button loops.
I must admit I am tempted to put this away for a grandchild who may come in well over a decade! I decided that would be bad luck, so it will be gifted later this week to the friend it was intended for, and her new baby, Michael William.
Very gorgeous. In addition to possible bad luck, it could freak your kids out if they found out if was for their potential offspring!
Posted by: Lauren | September 11, 2005 at 06:21 PM
A sweater set worthy of its name! Simply gorgeous. And it really does look like a fun knit. Lucky baby!
Posted by: Kerstin | September 12, 2005 at 03:35 AM
Very lovely. I just finished the shoulder buttons on a little aran I knit and it doesn't look nearly as nice as yours. Lovely gift!
Posted by: Kathleen | September 12, 2005 at 03:50 AM
It's a joy to look at too. They'll be delighted I'm sure.
Posted by: Tracy | September 12, 2005 at 04:42 AM
It's gorgeous! I especially love the pearl buttons. Beautiful. I'm sure the mother of baby Michael will be completely overwhelmed and touched by this gift.
Posted by: Annie | September 12, 2005 at 05:00 AM
What a sweet-looking baby set. I am so glad you enjoyed the pattern as much as you did. There is so much satisfaction in knitting from a well-written pattern.
Posted by: Suzanne | September 12, 2005 at 05:22 AM
It is so cute! The crochet loops look fabulous! ;) and I love the little white buttons. Michael will be one comfy baby this winter.
Posted by: Lisa | September 12, 2005 at 05:28 AM
It's completly charming.
Posted by: stephanie | September 12, 2005 at 05:46 AM
What a lovely gift! Somehow the matching hat makes it especially cute. You always do such beautiful work, and we can always count on your for showing off great Arans right and left. I'm sure the parents will be more than impressed.
Posted by: Cassie | September 12, 2005 at 06:02 AM
Adorable.
Posted by: Alyx | September 12, 2005 at 07:08 AM
Stunning sweater set. It's so nice to see baby sweaters knit in colors other than baby colors. I love the grown up colors on babies. Beautiful job.
Posted by: Julia | September 12, 2005 at 07:18 AM
It is GORGEOUS! I would have been tempted to put it away too -- you created a heirloom for baby Michael. Lovely!
Posted by: Kathy | September 12, 2005 at 07:24 AM
What a beautiful set! It's nice to hear about patterns that are well written too.
Posted by: Melanie | September 12, 2005 at 07:40 AM
Absolutely beautiful! Obviously an heirloom!
Posted by: Jean | September 12, 2005 at 07:42 AM
Absolutely wonderful. Truly an heirloom-quality gift. And I agree -- as tempting as it might be to save it for a future possible grandchild, it might be tempting fate a little too much.
Posted by: Norma | September 12, 2005 at 08:20 AM
It is truly an heirloom and very beautiful. The baby will look like a king in it.
Posted by: margene | September 12, 2005 at 08:33 AM
It's a beautiful little sweater set. Any baby would look adorable in it. Keep the pattern for those sometime-in-the-future grandbabies.
Posted by: Barbara | September 12, 2005 at 01:24 PM
What a gorgeous set!!! A very lucky baby indeed to be gifted such a beautiful sweater.
Posted by: Kim | September 12, 2005 at 03:36 PM
Wow! That is absolutely a beautiful set. I love it!
Posted by: Stacie | September 12, 2005 at 08:40 PM
That's one fine sweater. Isn't it great when you come across a well-written pattern that turns out a beautiful item?
Posted by: Erica | September 12, 2005 at 11:43 PM
That is absolutely beautiful work. I look forward to being able to make such beautiful items.
Posted by: sedie | September 13, 2005 at 09:29 AM
What a beautiful set, heirlooms indeed!
Posted by: Siow Chin | September 13, 2005 at 11:06 PM
Just beautiful. I can only imagine the joy on your friends face when she sees it! You are so kind MaryBeth!
Posted by: Jackie | September 15, 2005 at 07:02 PM
Absolutely beautiful! I'm running now to look for my IK spring 2oo4 and add it to the humongous list of want to dos. I already have the yarn in my stash.
Posted by: Bonnie | September 16, 2005 at 06:02 AM
It is lovely! I have wanted to knit that, but something about the photo in the magazine and the directions didn't seem to match up to me. Now that I have seen your success.....
Posted by: Teresa C | September 16, 2005 at 06:30 AM