In an effort to have everything done way ahead of time for Christmas this year, I have had these little gifts finished since about mid October.
I knitted this little sweater from a free pattern on Ravelry for my niece’s little boy. I added a couple of inches to the length because it just seemed a little short. Extra length will come in handy with a growing 2.5 year old anyway. The pattern was really pretty easy to follow, but if I were to make another of these, I would probably do the placket in the front slightly differently. It was really hard to match those stripes up, and I didn’t get them matched all that well, but it is what it is. I adore this peacock blue color and these jewel tones together. It feels so thick and soft and cozy. It knitted up in a hurry since it was super bulky weight yarn.
I have niece and a great niece who are literally 20 days apart in age, so it comes in handy when sewing for them. I can just sort of draft one thing and then make two of them with some slight variations. More variations were needed for Christmas sewing since one lives in a northern climate and the other livers in a southern climate. I drafted the tops for these myself. Just a basic high yoke bodice with a gathered lower portion. Instead of gathering, I decided to use smocking to add some embellishment and detail. The bottoms are both made from the Bella Sunshine Designs Rose Bubble Shorts Pattern. I LOVE this little pattern. I hacked it into long pants for the one who lives up here in the cold north. The long set top is made from flannel and the pants are a small wale corduroy.
The short set is made from a sweet pink quilting cotton that has been hoarded in my stash for way too long.
I’m so glad to finally be able to share these little sets. The smocking was fun to do, but I have to take it in smaller doses than I used to, my eyes are getting too old for marathon embroidery sessions any more.