Thursday, June 15, 2017

fo: Gramps Sweater

Back in February, my wonderful, life-saving employee had a baby - an adorably disgruntled-looking little boy that has stolen my heart.  Seriously guys, I've happily avoided holding any babies since my Mom plopped one in my arms when I was 19.  I like making faces at them, and that's about it.  But this little guy?  I steal him as often as I can.  I've volunteered to baby-sit him, ffs.  He's a little pouty grump and I adore him.

So of course I had to knit something perfect for him.  What's more perfect for a grumpy-old-man baby than a grampa sweater, complete with elbow patches?  Nothing, I say!

Fo: Gramps Cardigan and Matching Hat
Pattern: Gramps, by Tin Can Knits (one of my favourite knit designers)
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash
Size: 1-2 years (since they have 12 bajillion sweaters that'll fit him up to 9 months)
Mods: Shortened the pockets a bit, and that's it.  What do I know about baby fits?

This is a clever pattern.  Knits up really quickly, but pay attention to the instructions for binding off the neckline.  To pull the shawl collar in and prevent a floppy collar, you need to do a decrease bind-off around the neck.  I didn't do this at first, and then ignored the sweater for way longer than I want to admit before I ripped it back and fixed it.

It took 30 minutes.  Why do I do this to myself?

Fo: Gramps Cardigan and Matching Hat
ISN'T THIS THE MOST ADORABLE SWEATER?!  I can't get over those elbow patches.

Fo: Gramps Cardigan and Matching Hat
The buttons though, they definitely bring it to another level.  These are buttons made by a woman in Scotland that I carry in shop.  They're not super popular, but I think people just don't know what to do with them.  Might have to make another sample with them featured!

Fo: Gramps Cardigan and Matching Hat
The matching hat was thrown together last minute from left over yarn based on Tin Can Knits Barley Hat, though I just knit the body of it in stockinette.  I love the floppy loose pompom!

Seriously, I'll be knitting this pattern again.  It turned out soooo good, and is a breeze to knit!

Fo: Gramps Cardigan and Matching Hat
Do you have a go-to baby pattern you make up for friends and family when they have wee sprogs?  Haha have you ever had a baby charm you despite your nature?  I can't wait to see little sprogy in this sweater...once he grows up a bit.  :)

8 comments:

  1. I love your color choices for a little boy! So cute! Don't you just love grumpy baby faces? I have a bib pattern that I knit for every person I know who's having a baby.

    -Sierra

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! The colour choice was based on the Mom's go-to colours. I watched what she gravitated to in the shop and picked them. Not what I would choose to knit, but I admit, I love the final result!

      Ooo I never thought of bibs! Those are essential, and not just for eating if my little buddy is anything to go by. Good choice!

      Delete
  2. So sweet, I love it. The elbow patches, and buttons are perfect for a "grumpy grandpa" baby.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AWW!!! This is just amazingly cute!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well you know how much *I* love Gramps! Yours looks great! The colours are very 1970's - I once had an apartment decorated in just those colours in Calgary....

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think Gramps is the most perfect of baby knits and this is so adorable!! I offered to knit one for a nephew, but my sister in law wanted a crocheted superman cape instead. That turned out okay, but Gramps!!!! I thought maybe my daughter would want kids in the next few years, but she and her husband say no. Looks like I will need a friend to have a bebe too if I'm going to make one.

    ReplyDelete