Progress on the American Girl Doll Sweater

Progress on the American Girl Doll Sweater? Need I say more?

Progress on the American Girl Doll Sweater

I started reknitting the American Girl Doll Sweater today using Jamieson's Spindrift in the Moorgrass colorway.

So far, everything is progressing beautifully. The colors are scrumptious, and the pattern looks so beautiful in this yarn.



I have reworked the pattern for the main body of the sweater so that it is knit in one piece (except for the sleeves.) No seams at the sides means a little less bulk under the arms, and of course a little less finishing. I am also going to replace the shoulder seams with a 3 needle bind off for a nice clean look.

The work on the Pam Allen's Indian Floral Vest was halted for the day. I always feel odd working on 2 projects at once. I feel guilty half the time and even find myself worrying that one project will become jealous of the other! Do you ever feel that way?

Knitting Pam Allen's Indian Floral Vest

Yes, I am finally knitting Pam Allen's Indian Floral Vest! I started yesterday afternoon. I actually started with the left front. (I know you should start with the back, but I just felt like knitting the fronts!)

The left front is finished and I have marked the location of the buttons in order to place the buttonholes properly on the right front. (I am looking forward to making the buttons, they are crochet buttons!)



The detail on the vest is beautiful. I love how Pam Allen worked the bottom edge. It is so feminine, and the waist shaping will be so flattering. And the way my red handspun Shetland is knitting up is making me so happy!



Before I go, I wanted to tell you Mr. SockPixie loved his Moth Mittens, and wore them for the first time today!

Moth Mittens

Mr. SockPixie's Moth Mittens are finished and just in time! It has been really cold here in Boston over the last few days.



To quickly recap the pattern came from the book All New Homespun Handknits by Amy Clarke Moore. I am happy they are finished, but a little sad too as I had so much fun knitting them. I might just have to spin some yarn to make another pair...

I have cast on for the Indian Floral Vest, and am getting ready to reknit the American Girl Doll Sweater. This should be a busy but really fun week, with lots of new knitting to share with you.

American Girl Doll Sweater continued...

First, I want to thank you for taking the time to give me suggestions for the yarn I should use to replace Matchmaker in my new American Girl Doll Sweater Pattern. It was wonderful to read all your comments. Most of you favored Palette, a KnitPicks yarn.

The first thing I did this morning was to order a skein of KnitPicks Palette in color Raspberry Heather.



Then I went to one of our yarn stores in Boston, A good Yarn to look for what I thought would also be a great choice Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift.

I got a couple skeins in the lovely Moorgrass colorway. (I have something for heathers at the moment!)



I think both the Knitpicks Palette and the Jamieson's Spindrift will work beautifully.

And since I was just too excited about the new pattern, I swatched with the Jamieson's.



This is going to be beautiful, don't you think?

American Girl Doll Sweater

I will be writing a pattern for the American Girl Doll Sweater. When I knit the sweater, I used Jaeger's 4 Ply Matchmaker which is no longer available.

I have spent some time this morning doing research on the possible replacements. I want to knit the sweater over again, and make any necessary changes in the pattern to accommodate the new yarn.

Here are my choices so far. (Ignore the colors.) I hope you will give me some feedback and if you have a suggestion I would really appreciate it.

Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply:



PLUS: very close in terms of gauge, machine washable, good stitch definition
MINUS: Limited color choice

Rowan 4 ply Scottish Tweed:



PLUS: Great color choices, interesting texture (but will it be too much?)
MINUS: Hand wash


Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine:



PLUS: Machine washable, readily available, nice heathers
MINUS: A little finer gauge, will the fuzz hide the pattern?

Knitpicks Palette:



PLUS: Great Color choices, nice stitch definition, great price point
MINUS: a little too fine maybe, handwash

So what do you think?

Little Knitting...and American Girl Doll Sweater

Little knitting, as in knitting little things, has great merit. It is quick, and uses very little yarn. Instant knitting gratification! One of my favorite forms of "little knitting" is knitting for Little Miss SockPixie's American Girl Dolls.



This little sweater was inspired by a vintage pattern from the 1950s for young girls.
I like its simplicity and the delicate lace pattern along the front sides of the cardigan.



I love knitting doll sweaters with fine yarns. I had a ball left over of Matchmaker 4ply by Jaeger, in a perfect vintage garnet color.

I fiddled a bit, in particular with the button band. I wanted something that would sit flat, and not pull, so I chose a folded edge, knitted as you go, with a separating slipped stitch to create a clean fold. Picking the buttons was fun too. I wanted them to be really small to match the scale of the doll better.



This was fun! And the best part of it all, is that Little Miss SockPixie loves it! Let me know if you would like me to offer it as a pattern? (I would change the recommended yarn as Matchmaker is discontinued.)