it’s a february kind of month

Erm, wait, it IS February. But it seems that the February Sweater bug is making the rounds–do people feel more inspired to knit it during the second month of the year, or is this a fluke? Because Annie just finished hers (we can’t believe she finished before me. Not that I think all knitting is a race, but well, I wanted to win), and Stacey is teasing us with her completed one. These are just two of the blogs that I read; I didn’t dare check Ravelry.

february sweater (by mintyfreshflavor)

Baby Sweater on Two Needles, or as it’s more commonly called, the February Sweater
Knitter’s Almanac, by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Yarn: Liza Souza Super Sport, colorway Can’t Elope
Needles: US 5
Size: Longer than the pattern specifies, by about an inch or an inch and a half–eh, I had more yarn and I figured, why stop now? However, I will venture to say that this additional length reduces the cute factor ever so slightly.
Started: February 4, 2008
Completed: Last end sewn in February 20, 2008
Modifications: Knit the sleeves in the round. Down with seaming!
Notes: The reason this took so “long” compared with other tiny things that I knit is that I debated the closure. EZ calls for buttons, and there are some great examples out there with different button placement. But I wanted something that would up the cute quotient.

pom-poms (by mintyfreshflavor)

Pom-poms were clearly the answer. And some 3-stitch I-cord pulled it all together perfectly. When I did the yoke increases, the typical twisted M1s were making the rows look a little wonky, so I went with lifting the strand between and making a hole—the slight laciness in the yoke is cute, and that last row of increases was perfect for weaving an I-cord into. I think my I-cord is something like 20″ long.

I-cord detail (by mintyfreshflavor)

This is another baby knit that is awaiting its recipient—and let’s all keep our fingers crossed for another girl, ok?

41 Responses to it’s a february kind of month

  1. Stacey says:

    I love the pom poms and i-cord, it really does take the sugary sweetness to another level! The sweater is positively perfect!

    ReplyReply
  2. grumperina says:

    Of all the February sweaters, I really, really, really love the colorway you chose to knit yours! It’s very… “strawberry”, and goes perfectly with the pattern!

    ReplyReply
  3. melissa says:

    you certainly upped the cute quotient! now it’s too stinkin’ cute! i need to get going on one of these, my first-ever niece is due in april.

    ReplyReply
  4. Dee says:

    The cute factor is not at ALL reduced by the added inch. It’s all about the cute!

    You did a great job. Sending “girl-vibes” to the intended recipient.

    ReplyReply
  5. Annie says:

    Yah, I can’t believe I won either. Seriously! I feel kinda cool now. BTW, I recently visited a great coffee shop in our neighborhood-ish. Shall we race, I mean knit together again soon? :-)

    ReplyReply
  6. Annie says:

    Oh, and I know that you know I already wrote this on Flickr, but I’ll write it again. I LOVE your pom pom ties on your February sweater!

    ReplyReply
  7. schrodinger says:

    Man, I think I may have to try my had at that beautiful sweater – there are so many great ones floating around at the moment. I really love those pom poms.

    ReplyReply
  8. Nina says:

    I concur — lengthening the sweater has added to its cuteness by one inch times the circumference, at least!!
    What a beautiful color, and what a lucky friend!

    ReplyReply
  9. Mary says:

    Delurking to say…

    Love those pompoms! I think pompoms make any knitted garment at least 10 times better.

    ReplyReply
  10. Katie says:

    Aw, it’s so sweet! I adore the hints of green hidden the the colorway. Now I want to knit one. They are contageous.

    ReplyReply
  11. courtney says:

    beautiful! i’m thinking of knitting one of these for a little lady on the way, and was wondering if you used more than one hank of the yarn…let me know if you have a minute. thanks!

    ReplyReply
  12. Erin says:

    Those baby sweaters are beautiful! Good call on the pompoms. You never cease to amaze me.

    By the way, if you decide you need a break from girl sweaters, Baby Boy H. is due 7/15/08. :)

    ReplyReply
  13. Janet says:

    Oh god, please stop making such cute stuff – you’re putting me to shame!

    I love the poms, and I’m totally going to steal that trick from you when I (finally) make this sweater.

    ReplyReply
  14. missyecaj says:

    Cute!!! I just bought EZ’s almanac, and although I’m slightly intimidated by the “recipes”, she provides instead of strict patterning, it does allow for more creativity. I’m hoping to give it a shot soon, but probably not in the right month. Yours looks great!

    ReplyReply
  15. abby says:

    I need to finish up a February sweater too. I really like the idea of no buttons (partly because I keep forgetting to make a buttonhole and have to jump back). The pom-poms are adorable.

    ReplyReply

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