Happy Birthday to Karen and my newly completed seamless garter yoke cardigan

Hanging out in my sauna-like upstairs sweatshop suite of rooms and with the help of Andrew Bird, whom I adore, I finished this lovely seamless sweater (aka the Garter Yoke Cardi) in a flurry of overheated knitting. I must admit I’m quite pleased with the results if I do say so myself.

I made the medium size even though I’m a chesty gal and usually wear a large or even extra-large. However, I followed my instincts and my new rule of sizing DOWN even though it seemed touch and go for awhile. I really didn’t think it would fit and I was preparing to give it away but voila and whadya know. It fits me! I am beside myself with joy!

Fresh from Pilates and with impeccable posture, my sister Karen modeled the newly completed Garter Yoke Cardi on a warm, warm evening. I knew it would look terrific on her! Remember I said we had a gaggle of July birthdays in our family? Well today just happens to be Karen’s birthday. Happy Birthday Karen!!!!

I did sort of promise this sweater to Karen – I tend to give away a lot of my hand knits – but I’m having trouble parting with it. It’s my baby. I know it all makes me sound like something of a schmuck but just like no one can love your child the way you do, no one can love your hand knits as much as you, the knitter, can. Does that make sense?

(Check out Andrew Bird performing one of my favorites, the Happy Birthday Song)