This weekend, I cast off this Little Shoreline Vest (from Swoon Maine by Carrie Hoge) for Harper. It's knit in a DK weight of our own fiber, but mill-spun (I can't for the life of me make DK weight yarn yet, such a beginner to spinning I still am). I think this is from Nutmeg (the sheep), in fact I'm almost certain. Though, I am beginning to lose a little bit of track of that, both the names of each sheep and matching them to the fiber. Thank goodness for Adelaide - she always knows. The vest was a lovely knit, begun when I travelled south and finished just this weekend, a fast one too. Oh! And it was the very first time I've ever used Sunday Short Rows (as called for in the pattern), and I am definitely a convert. Wow, so easy and invisible and just plain fun. (Yes, short rows are fun, what of it?)
I loved knitting this not just for the ease and pleasure of the pattern, or the satisfaction of using yarn from our own flock, but most of all because the recipient is just so darned happy to have it. The kids are all pretty sweet about wearing the things I make for them. But Harper is such a sensitive fellow, he really gets that I made it for him....and that means something to him. I can tell by the twinkle in his eye, not to mention that he has worn it everyday since I handed it to him and says, "Mom, you know, I think this is the most favorite thing I have you that you've made me." Granted, he'll say that likely about the next thing too, but that's just Harper. Sensitive, sweet and shy this one, with a healthy side of impish mischievousness. And just so suited to this vest, I can hardly stand but to squeeze him up all day long in it. Thank goodness he's a happy snuggler.
