on the needles

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

*sorry, for this post to pop up again, I got a little paranoid about showing those photos of the kids*
Every year I knit each of the children a sweater that coordinates with the others. They then wear it for the Christmas card photo. I promise I only subjected my husband to wear one for one year! Come on, it was the 90's, I think that may have been in. The funny thing is that I didn't wear one. I just wouldn't do that. This may be a little goofy for some of you, but I really do try to do something that isn't too goofy. Come on, they are kids.
(see, I am really trying hard to sell you on this idea)

I thought last year would have been the last year to do it. Now that I have a twelve year old, I thought that maybe he is at that age where it may be a little goofy to wearing a coordinating sweater with his siblings. Patterns are also next to impossible to find for this age.
However, I just couldn't put my little thing to rest. The yarn has been chosen.

Charlie's will be brown and Andrews will be the green. When I ordered it from Webs, I didn't see the little pink flecks in the green. Andrew doesn't seem to mind. (gotta love a seven year old) The pink is for Libby, and it will be made into a fair isle vest, with the boys colors mixed in.
And the pattern for the boys? Well, that is the moment I changed my mind. When I saw the cobblestone sweater designed by Mr. Jared himself.
And you know how much we all love this pattern. Of course, the pattern is written for adults, so I just had to do a few adjustments to make it fit my boys.
Now, I just have to make sure that I have these done by November.
You know, sleep is so overrated.

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41 comments

  1. Anonymous9/26/2007

    I don't think it's "goofy" as long as the sweaters are as beautiful as the ones you've made! They will look back and cherish those sweaters.

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  2. Anonymous9/26/2007

    aw, I think it's a cute idea, not goofy. :) Plus they're great classic sweaters!

    Cobblestone was a quick knit with a lot of great details! Enjoy it!

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  3. I think it's a great idea! It's not like they are matching....love the cobblestone - that will be amazing!

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  4. These sweaters are so wicked sweet! I love each one, and that you take the precious time to knit them up - those kids are loved:)

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  5. I'm exhausted just reading about all that knitting! My mom used to sew different-but-coordinating dresses for me and my sisters. I'm not sure when she decided to stop, but it's nice to look back on the photos. :)

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  6. Anonymous9/26/2007

    I don't think it's goofy at all--I think it's amazing! (But I think your future daughter-in-laws will secretly hate you for the standards you have set:)

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  7. Anonymous9/26/2007

    What a great idea! I think it's really neat how you're going to make a vest for Libby.

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  8. I think this is an awesome idea. My mother used to dress us ALL THE SAME.... this is far more practical.... luv Abby

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  9. LOL for Monica's observation about your high standards...

    You've chosen some handsome coordinating colors and the sweaters will be age-appropriate, so why the heck not?

    Love that rosy pink :o)

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  10. Three sweaters...by November? Now, I'm as irrational as the next knitter, but that strikes me as possibly just the slightest bit excessive. Even if they are kid sweaters. Of course, this is from a mom who has managed exactly three Christmas card photos in ten years, so we're not talking Grand Champion Momming here. More like, limping-by- until-they're-grown-up momming.

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  11. No need to sell any of us on the idea, it's fantastic! And if anyone can whip those babies out by November, I do believe it's you!

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  12. Anonymous9/26/2007

    I think it's a great tradition to continue on even when they are grown adults. C'mon, you gotta have something to embarass them with when they look back (in this case, they'll be proud of you!). The yarn selections are absolutely perfect. And, am so impressed how fast you knit up your projects. I think am also heading towards less sleep and more knitting...the holiday list is long!

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  13. Love it! And LOVE the yarn colors! :) I may have to try that with my 3...they're a bit smaller, so it would be easier on me! I really like the coordinating but not identical thing... :)

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  14. Well, you are quite the industrious woman. Not one, not two, but three sweaters by November! I bow to you. I really like the sweater you choose for the boys. Perfect.

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  15. Oh, that's so heartwarming and sweet of you to do it every year.

    Can i have a post card this year ?

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  16. Oh I think that is a beutiful idea, and not goofy at all. I love the sweaters in the pics. And the yarn you've picked for this year looks wonderful too. Can't wait to see your end results.
    I'm sticking with hats right now, need to update my blog with a few pics, hopefully soon.

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  17. Well, I'm not entirely sold on the family knits idea but I love that you aren't making identical sweaters for the kids. And besides, you have great taste so your kids are lucky to get a new sweater from you every year!

    I'm working on a Sunrise Circle in that same color of Skye Tweed. I think it's such a pretty color.

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  18. I hope you save all these sweaters to give to them someday wehn they are older, Maybe there kids can wear them!

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  19. Anonymous9/26/2007

    Not goofy at all - I dress my kids the same (close but not too matchy-matchy) for their Christmas pic too. I so love this sweater and am thinking of knitting it for my boys also. Thanks so much for linking to mine!

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  20. I was dressed the same as my sister for years and I hated it because we are sooooooo different. Having said that I think this idea is beautiful as they are 'co-ordinating' and it's just such a lovely family tradition. I love that they will probably look back and go 'oh Mum that was sooo goofy' - that's what families are all about! I love the wool you have selected and can't wait to see the vest - very cute!

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  21. Oh that is so cute, OK, maybe a little scary but somehow I actually want to copy you. I love family traditions and I think it is such a lovely thing to do for your family, they will remember all the love in these sweaters and it will make them feel all warm inside when they need to.

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  22. That is a great idea! Love it! And love that you are doing the Cobblestone sweater and adjusting it to fit your boys - that looks like such a great pattern. I have yet to knit my husband a sweater and if I ever get around to it Cobblestone is the front runner!

    Wait a sec… 3 sweaters in one month! Wow! I know you can do it!
    Jill

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  23. Anonymous9/27/2007

    i love that pattern too....thought i might actually knit it for fatty. tangled yoke first, though!

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  24. Anonymous9/27/2007

    sweaters by mom. and you're the mom. will be great. they will not look back when they're old and laugh. they will wish those sweaters still fit them. i'm sure.

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  25. When I had a family portrait taken 5 years ago of all of us, the photographer suggested matching outfits. He had several samples in his studio and it did look gorgeous. I think they are adorable.

    I am making the cobblestone pullover also, and in the same color. It was hard finding the yarn because it was discontinued. I do hope that it softens up when I block it because right now it is too itchy for my DH to wear. The yarn just might become an afghan while I hunt for something else softer. This is my first time using this yarn. I should have tested for this before I started. Have you used this yarn before?

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  26. From what I could tell, your choice in sweaters for all of the kiddos were in great style choice! Quite fashionable. The Cobblestone sweater is so cool. You blow my mind everytime I see the things you knit, not only knit but at such a quick pace. Amazing and lovely.

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  27. I love the idea of coordinating sweaters for a christmas photo. what i can't quite figure out is why you won't wear one too. i've kept all the july 4 photos that your mom sent to me. you all look so great in your red white and blue.

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  28. Anonymous9/27/2007

    I was thining of sizing cobblestone down for my son so I could do a father and son matching set for Christmas...not this year!

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  29. wow, you are ambitious! I thought I was shooting high with stockings for all - nothing close to you!! It will be fun to see them done!

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  30. I tend to set extreme goals for myself, as well. good luck on yours! I love your tradition of knitting sweaters for your children.

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  32. Anonymous9/27/2007

    I am with you! Scout's post the other day totally creeped me out. I'm not posting my kids anymore.

    Great idea knitting the matching family sweaters. My mom used to make us matching xmas jammies. It is great fodder at the dinner table these days.

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  33. I am glad you are not stopping. After all where would Harry have been without Ron's mum's sweaters?

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  34. Totally understand about the kid's pictures. I have been feeling really sad about it. I changed my pictures to Family and Friends so I can have a bit more control. Who knows if that helps!

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  35. I came across your blog today and have to say that I absolutely enjoyed reading it!

    Am definitely going to be visiting often =)

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  36. That last sentence made me snort coffee out my nose. Sleep is over-rated indeed!

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  37. Anonymous9/28/2007

    Brilliant :)

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  38. Coordinated sweaters are cool, especially for the holidays, dont you remember Bridget Jone's boyfriend and his reindeer sweater?!

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  39. I love the idea!!

    I do cards each year. Usually I have sewn the outfits. The oldest two put a stop to my fun a few years ago. LOL

    We still do a kid card but no outfits. We did Santa hats in the hot tub...they liked that. Last year we wrapped the dog in Christams lights with them all with her....she did it for biscuts. Gotta love that dog!

    Time to start thinking of something for this year!!

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  40. the cobblestone is really, really gorgeous. thanks for the action shots.

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  41. Anonymous10/20/2007

    I totally love the finished product but this looks really intimidating. I'm really impressed you can keep all of this straight and come out with a sweater that's beautiful. Wow!

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