Pure Imitation

I don't belong to Pinterest (or Facebook for that matter) but I do like to check out some of the boards, particularly those that pertain to babies and kids.  I came across this sweet little cardigan.

I loved the whole design especially the little feather and fan detail at the hem.  Unfortunately, the post was all in French and even with the Google translator, I just couldn't figure out how to get the pattern.  Or even if there was a pattern!  I decided that it couldn't be that hard to recreate it, right? Well, yes and no.  The trouble with trying to recreate something is that there is a lot of trial and error.  A lot.

I started with my own Sweet Tee pattern.  Because I wanted a cardigan, I added two extra stitches to each end so I could have button bands with five stitches.  From there, I knit the whole yoke in garter stitch.  This was a little tricky as I had to knit more rows because the garter stitch shortened up the length.  I ended up with a few more stitches than the pullover has.  This was okay, because it just meant that the armholes would be larger and that's never a problem when you're dressing babies. The other problem was that I had to figure out how many stitches I needed to complete the feather and fan pattern.  Once I worked that out, I added the increases in a bunch at the center back.

They don't really show up in the picture but it added a little extra flair, if you will.  I'm not crazy about my shoulder increases compared to the original.

I added the same eyelet band to the sleeves and used some buttons that I had in my enormous button stash.  All in all, I think it came out pretty cute.  I used two skeins of Cascade 220 Superwash.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I will admit that there was one huge, glaring error.  I hadn't seen Ruthie in awhile and wouldn't you know, the little bugger had the nerve to grow and the sweater was too small!!  How could she do that to me??! Still, I know the sweater will go to a good home and will keep some other little girl nice and toasty, but I was disappointed not to see it on my own grandchild!  They tell carpenters to measure twice and cut once.  I think that advice could also apply to aging grandmothers!  Measure first and then knit!!