For my neice’s 2nd birthday I decided to knit her a cardigan and hat but I couldn’t decide what to make.  This is one of the main reasons I LOVE Ravelry.  Being able to search for what you want and actually see many different interpretations of the pattern and yarn combinations really gives me some great ideas.

Pattern:  Stripey Baby Beret by Stacy Mar

Yarn:  Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, Berry colorway

Needles:  US 8 Knitpicks Options, Magic Loop

Date Started:  October 10th, 2008

Date Finished:  October 11th, 2008

Mods:  This pattern is meant for a baby so I knew I would need to up-size it.  As it turned out, my neice’s head is 20″ and I found that when I changed needle size to US 8 I could just cast on the same number of stitches as the pattern called for and it turned out perfect. 

Pattern:  Eyelet Yoke Cardigan by Stacy Hoadley

Yarn:  Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, Berry colorway

Needles:  US 8 Knitpicks Options

Date Started:  October 24th, 2008

Date Finished:  October 28th, 2008

Mods:  This pattern, as written, requires a lot of seaming.  I decided to knit the body in one piece.  I also replaced the seed stitch (not my favorite) with a picot cast on at the bottom of the body and the sleeves, and with 1×1 ribbing at the button band and the neckline.

This was my first time using Cotton-Ease I I will definately be using it again.  The stitch definition is great, it is very soft and it doesn’t hurt my hands like other cotton yarns.