Rocking their tomtens

Despite the mild weather we've been having in Boston, there have been ample opportunities for sweater-wearing this month.  Since I'm off from work for a week (whee!), I've had the rare chance to choose the kids' clothes for daycare and preschool.  Naturally, my taste leans heavily toward my own creations.

Here's Miss L in a wool tomten with the full hood.  It's hiding a head of pretty curls but I like how she looks a bit like a medieval knight.

And next is Mr. J, whose green eyes fairly glow in these colors.  I've lined the top half of this cardi in bamboo jersey to fight the itchies.

This pattern is definitely one of Elizabeth Zimmermann's grandest achievements.  It makes a great project for beginners - all garter stitch, hardly any seams - and yields a really wearable garment.

Alpaca lace

One more February baby sweater from Elizabeth Zimmermann, as I knit my way through yard sale yarn.  Here we have 75 cents' worth (i.e. three skeins in dinosaur-era prices) of Blue Sky Alpaca in a lovely cream.  I think that white and off-white are perfect colors for pre-solids babies.  The buttons are garnet-colored with a shank, which makes them easier to use.  I love the bell sleeve of this pattern.

My label looks really chintzy in this elegant setting...may need to reprint those at some point.

Don't look to hard for errors or you're be pleasantly surprised.