I have one son who is a mere two inches away from being taller than his mother, the next one I can share shoes with, and apparently a daughter right behind them to wear my clothes! Well, not exactly, but nearly. Because this sweater I knit for her is an adult extra small, with only a few adjustments, and it fits her to a tee. I was shocked really, when I took the measurements, looked at the pattern, and took the measurement again. And then shocked again when it actually really fit her - not 'a little big, but it'll fit her well next year' kind of fit, but really truly fit her. Oh, my babies! (But what fun this growing up is. And man, you should see my hip and trendy shoe options now! I'm as cool as a thirteen year old boy. Well, maybe not that cool.)
The pattern is Annabel by Carrie Hoge for Quince & Co. It's knit in Osprey, Goldfinch (just the same yarn I knit Annabel's sweater in last week. Originally purchased to make an afghan, I have a lot of that yarn.) I've knit an Annabel before, and it's a favorite go-to cardigan for me. Adelaide is not a fan of fussy or frilly - she wants something simple, easy and comfortable to wear from sheep pasture to goat pasture to horseback riding to the library with a kitten in your arms. That kind of sweater, and I think this one does just that for her. What makes this extra special to her is not just that her Mama knit it for her (she's one who really appreciates such things as that), but the buttons. From Wooly Moss Roots, they're made from found deer antlers! Her eyes got even brighter and shinier when I gave her that news about her new sweater. An extra special treat for this animal lover of mine.
As an aside, did you know that a knitting notions bag - with the ultra sharp bits removed - can hold a two year old's attention for at least twenty minutes, maybe even half an hour? Which is just enough time to weave ends in and put six buttons on. Here and there, one row at a time, this is how the knitting happens in between everything else in my home and likely in yours too. And for anyone keeping track, yes, this is the third (albeit, child's) sweater in this month of February. With only one week left to go, it would be a shame to not make it an even four, don't you think? Hmn. We'll see.