As Little Sir likes to say, "Look it," I finished something. The story behind the sweater is a little embarrassing; but it's you guys, so I will share it (but should my witty commentary not interest you--um, why are you reading my blog, yo?-- you can find the details short (ha) and sweet in the gallery in the side bar and on ravelry as well; but you should totally read to the end...just saying).
I started this sweater last year in August. My intent was to have it be Little Sir's Christmas sweater, you know a special something-something for the kid to wear in the cheesy Christmas photo you send out to friends and family and hope that they don't just trash as soon as they open your Christmas (or insert applicable winter observance here) card. Well, I didn't finish it, so instead, the Wallaby was our featured sweater Christmas picture last year (I never uploaded the actual shot we used, but the one that's linked is similar). So, fine.
Because I am lazy, and also because I have a certain degree of knitting/craft ADD, I left the sweater unfinished (I did, after all, have pies to bake). You've all been there (okay, maybe not with the pies), stop shaking your heads. In a fit of "if I don't finish something in this UFO pile I am going to gouge my eyes out" enthusiasm, I finished knitting the pieces and starting seaming the main parts of the sweater (that would be everything except the pockets--which obviously, I could not leave off). If I had really put some effort into it, I could have finished this sweater in less than two weeks. And had I finished it back in August or even September of 2007, I would have felt a lot better about this sweater at this point in the story. But I didn't, so when I decided to have Little Sir (who could be described in many ways, among them pleasantly plump in the mid-section, or, if you wish, somewhat zaftig) try on the sweater pre-weaving in of ends and pre-pockets and button application, even he noticed that "the sweater is too small, mom." Crap. English kids are definitely smaller than their American counterparts. Well, that and my kid likes to eat; and, fortunately or unfortunately his mom likes to cook. So anyways...
I aggressively blocked the sweater the night before I flew out of town. I took the sweater to California with me to apply the finishing touches like weaving in the ends (my most favoritest activity ever, obviously) and sew on the pockets. Did that, felt proud. But of course, I forgot the buttons. Found a craft store (that would be Jo-Ann's), bought buttons. Realized that the center of the buttons are black went back to store to buy thread. Realized that you can't sew on buttons effectively without a needle which was left at home, because why would the TSA let me fly with a Chibi this time when they have confiscated them the last three times I have tried flying with one? Got so disgusted with myself I just packed it up. Needless to say, the sweater mocked me for the rest of my California getaway (which was kind of a work trip, details).
I sewed on the buttons at knitting group yesterday and called it done. I took the pictures at sunset last night. The sweater is not without its flaws. Somehow (because I am stupid) the wearer's left front panel is missing one cable pattern repeat and thus is about 6 rows shorter than the right--also, the pocket is slightly higher. I didn't notice this defect until I sewed on the buttons. And you know, sometimes you just have to let things go. I like the sweater. The kid likes the sweater. And it was blocked so aggressively, Little Sir should be able to fit into the sweater this Christmas, Buddha-belly and all. And lest you think my Christmas picture worries have been solved for this year, rest assured that I am nothing if not a drama-provider. I will, of course, need to finish some sort of complimentary sweater for Little Sir's sibling (currently referred to as Disco, as s/he likes to dance) while I deal with being in my own rather zaftig state-of-being over the course of the next few months.
I am due the first week of December, so yeah, that's plenty of time to knit a Christmas sweater. Right? Right. Awesome.
*If you are related to me or happen to be one of my best friends from high school (hi Alanna!) who does not happen to live in the near vicinity of the place I call home and you are just now finding out this bit of news, my sincerest apologies...but really, did you expect a phone call? And isn't this a much better way of finding out? Okay, it's a little bit classier than announcing it on facebook, at least give me that.
Something tells me Baby Disco will never want for Christmas sweaters... or hats or booties or blankies or anything at all two needles can make. Congratulations to the entire Nova Family!
Posted by: Ann R. | July 04, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Congratulations!!! Little Sir is adorable as ever, can't wait to see how adorable the next one is!
Posted by: melanie | July 04, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Oh lovely sweater and lovely you! Congratulations and heartfelt wishes for a lovely pregnancy.
Posted by: Jen (Friender) | July 04, 2008 at 10:09 PM
How exciting that Little Sir will have a sibling, really happy for you guys--congrats!!
Posted by: Heather | July 05, 2008 at 08:07 AM
YAY! SO glad you finally let Disco out of the proverbial "bag!" I am and will be waiting patiently to find out the sex. No more harassing e-mails asking the sex (lol), I promise!!! Take care!!!
Posted by: Angie | July 05, 2008 at 09:32 AM
I love the sweater, but it takes some effort to remember it after reading your other news. Congratulations!
Posted by: schrodinger | July 05, 2008 at 06:36 PM
wow!!! congratulations!! lil sir is gonna be a big bro! WOO! a gorgeous sweater too ;-)
Posted by: margaux | July 06, 2008 at 04:44 PM
OMG! Congratulations! *squee!*
Oh yeah, the sweater is cute. ;-)
Posted by: Opal | July 06, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Wow, major congrats on Disco! I'm so happy to pop in today and read this post. Little Sir looks wonderful in his sweater. He'll be a great Big Sir Brother.
Posted by: Kwana | July 07, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Now I'll have to find a disco themed baby outfit... bah! Bah! Bah!!!! :~D
Posted by: kathy | July 07, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Hi Nova! Congratulations on the baby on the way!! So happy for you - thats an amazing ultrasound picture. cool knitting as always too. take care
Posted by: Jennie | July 07, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Congratulations :)
If you need anything, you shoot me an email.....we did "huff and puff" together while prego with our #1's. We had #2 about four months ago. Such happiness, after having much anxiety and much tiredness and much toddler woes.
Jenn
Posted by: Jenn | July 08, 2008 at 09:28 AM
the sweater is to die for! i love that color!
Posted by: katie | July 08, 2008 at 02:57 PM
YAY! Great sweater, boo-boos and all! : ) Love the ultrasound pic of new baby, too! Can't wait 'til s/he is born! : ) Then, we'll have yet ANOTHER adorable knitted-items model! : )
Posted by: Amy S. | July 09, 2008 at 12:32 PM
So many congratulations on the new baby! Hooray!
And LS looks awesome in his new sweater.
Posted by: diana | July 10, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Belated but extremely enthusiastic congratulations! (I actually knew this news before, from a fellow knitblogger, but I didn't know when she told me that it wasn't announced on your blog, i.e. not common knowledge, so it's a good thing it has taken me so long to do any blog reading or I would have said something stupid in the comments that gave the whole thing away before you were ready. Aaaaaanyway, I hope you are feeling very well and that your baby knitting is going much better than my baby knitting. And congratulations again!
Posted by: Rachel | July 12, 2008 at 04:30 PM
First off, Little Sir is absolutely dashing in his new cardi. No one will notice any imperfections if you don't point them out, sister!! And Yay! A new pie eater will be joining the fold soon. This is so exciting... Congratulations, dearie!!!
Posted by: Karma | July 12, 2008 at 11:33 PM
very cute sweater. i'm due 20 november & it's my first. did you learn the sex? we're waiting. Disco is a perfect name, wish i'd thought of that, but we call ours T. rex.
Posted by: rebecca | July 16, 2008 at 02:37 PM
I hardly ever comment on blogs that have fifty million comments, but you are so funny and fun to read that I have to. Congratulations on the holiday baby. You obviously make darling babies because "Little Sir" couldn't be cuter.
Posted by: Caroline | July 23, 2008 at 04:52 PM
congratulations on the working internal project and the finished object! The sweater is too cute and I love the hands in the pockets. Very mature!
Posted by: Sarah Brown | July 28, 2008 at 01:34 AM
the sweater looks adorable and i'm so excited for you! congrats on little disco. can't wait to hear more about little disco. yay! happy news!!!!
Posted by: Haley | August 18, 2008 at 11:13 PM