I’m furiously trying to finish this little baby jacket before the big baby shower next Saturday. I made the same jacket, from the pattern Easy Baby Cardigan, for another baby not too long ago. This time I’ve added the hood and it’s for a girl. I know it’s not the color we normally associate with baby girls but the expectant mother specifically requested that we all go easy on the pink. As it turned out, I happened to have a ball of my favorite sock yarn, Jitterbug, lying around, and that’s what I used.

This may very well be the last thing I ever knit – sadly. My fingers are stiff with arthritis and I’ve also got tennis elbow. Years of overuse from manic knitting and computer use along with advanced age, have created quite a bit of pain in my right hand and arm. I don’t think I’ll give it up altogether, but I’ll probably slow down significantly.

So what else shall I blog about?

But I have to say this sweater is FAST. I think it helps that the the buttonhole band is knit in garter stitch as you go as are the buttonholes. I really love the construction and design of this sweater and I only hope it looks as good on me as off me. Not 100% sure about the neckline.

Here are the photos of the recently completed Urban Aran Cardigan which I promised you. Jessica seems to get roped into modeling all my knits from the Paton’s Street Smart booklet. Probably because she wears them so wonderfully. Can you believe she’s the mother of three!?!?!?

The zipper actually wasn’t so bad. With the moral support of Michelle, it went rather effortlessly. Just a lot of sewing up which I’m not so keen on. We took advantage of a nice warm break in the weather a few weeks ago and took our knitting down to Lake Lacamas. As the pollen floated in the air, I basted the zipper and finished it later at home.

The gals at knitting night have convinced me that it’s flattering and definitely a keeper. So yes, I’m keeping  it.

And of course I must acknowledge Jared Flood aka brooklyntweed who had the original inspiration to turn this sweater into a zippered cardigan. Thanks Jared!

Actually I bought two because I wasn’t sure about the length. Michelle offered to hold my hand during the process of installing the zipper and I may just take her up on that offer. Bless her heart. I think I need to stop procrastinating and just do it! I mean if Stephanie Pearl-McPhee can finish her Urban Aran Cardigan, I can certainly finish mine!

I’m also making slow but steady progress on the Urban Aran Cardigan (Ravelry link) which I started way back in September 2007. Both sleeves are finished and I’m well into the front sides, worked simultaneously as per Mr. Brooklyn Tweed’s notes. The trouble with this pattern is that it’s not a very portable project or one for knitting night where there’s lots of conversation. It requires my utmost concentration to adhere to the cable pattern.

But I’ve been doing my best. It doesn’t help that I’ve been distracted by thoughts of springtime and that I picked up some yarn at the recent Close Knit sale that will eventually become an Apres Surf Hoodie. Has anyone attempted an invisible (provisional) cast on?