Today while I was in the car, it dawned on me that it's the last day of November. And I didn't technically finish a Christmas gift this month. So I came home, took a couple of swigs of iced tea, then finished off the baby sweater. I steam blocked it and sewed on the buttons. Here's how it looks with the jeans and socks I bought. (I also bought a white bodysuit, but I found a stain on it so it needs to be exchanged.)
I really like the flower buttons on it. Restless Knitter had suggested taking the sweater to WalMart or Target and comparing it to a 12M sweater there. That was a great idea, but do you think I remembered to take it with me? Nope! These are 18M pants, so I think it looks like the sweater will be fine. I think I will still send it a bit early, just to be sure my niece will get some use out of it. But first I have to weave in eleven more ends in the hat.
At the end of last year, I set some goals for 2007. One of these goals was to knit or sew at least one Christmas gift each month. I've managed to finish sixteen things, but most of those are dishcloths. (And I've already given two of those away to a friend.) I doubt I'll need all the dishcloths for gifts, so I've really only finished five or so things. That's better than nothing, but not as good as I'd hoped. The problem was that I couldn't decide what to knit until this month. Now I can think up a zillion people to knit for. I guess I should write everything down now for 2008.
Now if I can just finish the lining of a felted purse, I'll have one more completed gift...
Finish one Christmas gift per month, huh? I think that is a great idea. I did so much Christmas knitting last year and haven't even started anything yet for this year. I think I am just going to have to try to finish the sweater for my daughter.
Posted by: Stephanie | November 30, 2007 at 08:47 PM
So iced tea does the trick? In that case, I should start putting ice cubes in my tea :) The cardigan jean set is so pretty, lucky little girl!
Posted by: erin | November 30, 2007 at 09:36 PM
That is the cutest little sweater!!! Nice job! And I happen to think that you did quite well with the holiday knitting. Some of us sort of flamed out on that little task... :;sigh::
Note to self: buy iced tea.
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | November 30, 2007 at 10:05 PM
That's a cute little outfit! The sweater looks great!
Posted by: Valerie | December 01, 2007 at 12:05 AM
You did a great job Beth, very pretty and nice paired with the little jeans, so cute.
I am amazed at how much you get done...just terrif. Thanks for the info re: mitten knitting. I will be making this a priority in the new year. Goals are so important for getting projects completed, aren't they?
Huggs, G :<)
Posted by: Geraldine | December 01, 2007 at 02:21 AM
That's adorable and looks great with the pants and socks. The idea of a Christmas gift a month is admirable.
Posted by: Carole | December 01, 2007 at 08:25 AM
What a beautiful little sweater and such an adorable outfit!
Posted by: keri | December 01, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Gorgeous sweater!
Posted by: Ruth | December 01, 2007 at 11:04 AM
That's an adorable little outfit. I can't bear to part with my 2's baby sweaters. But I didn't want them in a box. Yesterday we discovered that one fit a doll in her room. Now I get to enjoy it. I like your idea for a 2008 list. I think I'll try that. Because really, it's just silly to try to knit nonstop until Christmas.
Posted by: Kristen M. | December 01, 2007 at 11:51 AM
That sweater is one of the most adorable things I have ever seen! I love those colors, and with the jeans, it's a perfect outfit for a little girl.
I'm so impressed that you work on your gift knitting all year long. I've decided that since I'm a procrastinator, knitting gifts for the holidays is not a good idea. I've given some handknits that weren't well received, so I've become very selfish and knit mostly for myself :)
Posted by: Rachel | December 03, 2007 at 02:18 PM