For each of the past three years, I have picked a family member and knit them a sweater for Christmas. I find this to be much more satisfying than knitting loads of smaller projects for gifts. I get bored you see. And if the knits don’t interest me, I won’t finish. I have learned this. So tackling a bigger project but for only one recipient seems to be more doable for me.
This year, I knew pretty early on who I wanted to knit for. Ryan, my only nephew and the youngest of my brother’s kids turned 3 this year and is so adorable, he makes my ovaries hurt (thanks to my friend Alicia for naming this particular brand of pain.) Yes, this year I wanted to knit Ryan a sweater and I knew just the pattern:
George!
I bought a Jaeger pattern booklet for kids (by one of my fav designers Martin Storey) a few years ago and fell in love with most of the patterns in it. George is easily one of my favorite patterns in the book and I always wanted to make it. It dawned on me that Ryan was the perfect age for this sweater and so I decided this was the year.
Doesn’t it look like a little grandpa cardigan? I love it!
Check out one of my favorite features…pockets!
He even did the “turn your head to the side” model pose that is my go-to pose. (Totally unprovoked by me I should add.)
Here are the stats:
Pattern: George
Source: Jaeger Handknits JB29, 27 Designer Garments by Martin Storey for Babies & Children
Size: 3-4 years
Yarn: Reynolds Soft Sea Wool
Needles: US 2 & 4
Modifications: I used a thinner yarn than the pattern calls for but when I knit up my gauge I realized I could follow the directions for the largest size and it would come out close enough to the size I wanted.
The minute I saw Ryan on Christmas morning, I worried the sweater would not go over well. He was in a bit of a Christmas gift/toy frenzy and I am aware that it is not every 3 year-old boy’s dream to get a hand-knitted sweater from his aunt. I would love to tell you this was not the case, that Ryan squealed with delight and immediately tried his new sweater on…alas no, he absent-mindedly put it to the side and then later refused to try it on. I wondered how on earth was I going to get him to wear it, let alone let me take pictures of him with it on. But thanks to a little time and a pinky swear we made on New Year’s Day, Ryan suited up and posed for pictures like a champ.
At least for a good solid five minutes.
It’s okay though. He likes it, looks adorable in it, and he knows I made it for him. Even if he never puts it on again that is enough for me.
Ah! you’re a good aunt! and the sweater looks great and your nephew is too, too cute.
That is such a gorgeous knit.
My plan for my boys is to knit each of them a sweater/cardy/jumper this year. I am going to have to get that book for sure since they are 5, 3 and 1 and it looks like it may have some seriously good options in it if that design is anything to go by!
oh my goodness, that sweater is adorable and so is he!! a perfect fit!
with 5 grown nephews i’d forgotten how cute little boys are at that age. he is making my ovaries hurt too!
Erin! That is thee most adorable sweater- not to mention that little nephew of yours! So sweet!
Oh my gosh- cute. I think little boys in old man sweaters rank as one of the most adorable things ever. Well done!
What a super-cute nephew! And an adorable little cardi!
Erin…the knit is perfect! You are an amazing aunti…putting so much time, skill and love into a sweater for a 3 year old! Wow! Loved the photo shoot–the poses are still making me smile… I htink he is looks pretty distinguished with the grandpa cardigan…Nicely done Erin!
In LOVE with the sweater. Even if he never wears it again it is adorable!
Too cute! I know just what you mean about the ovary ache!
Awwwwww!
Adorable sweater, adorable nephew! Too, too cute!
What a little GQ guy! I agree…even if this is the only time Ryan wears your sweater (which I highly doubt, especially if his Mom has any say!?) these pics will be well worth it…adorable! You are amazing!
Such a cute sweater and a cute little guy! The pattern and your yarn choices are right on.
That is SO cute! I’ve started a few sweaters for Matthew, but typical me, I never finish them before he grows out of them! Good job. Love the color.
He looks so dapper. I am so amazed that the pinky swear worked. But he was a perfect model. And the sweater is amazing!
That cardi is absolutely darling!! Great job, and I love the colour.
that looks beautiful! What a great job you did, and what an ambitious goal…
Thanks again for your help with my knitting.
Also, how did you not die when he was stretching it over his head??
Erin-what a handsome sweater! I absolutely love the color. You are such a sweet Auntie.
Wow – awesome knit job – seriously, that is one of the cutest sweaters for a 3-4 year old I have ever seen!
That looks so cute on him, but I wonder how the other kids feel when they don’t get a hand-knit from you at the same time?
Awww…too cute! And at least you were able to get some good photos of him in it. I can’t even get my 15 year-old brother to model the sweater that he BEGGED ME TO MAKE FOR HIM! Enjoy the pinkie-swear deals while they last.
He look so sweet in that, love it! Th color is perfect for hinm.
THis is my favorite thing ever. It is cuter than puppies.
Um, I can’t stand how much I love this sweater. I think I’ve been staring/smiling at the pictures for a good 10 minutes now.
Oh, and I adore you, by the way.
These pictures are just too much – the perfect combo of cute kid & great sweater! What a lucky kid he is to have an aunt that makes him a sweater like that!
You get more comments than anyone I know. Hey will you be at Hobby Night? I need some serious help with my pitiful little orange square. I don’t believe it will ever make it to the actual quilt but maybe with your help I can just start over.
I must state publicly that he wore the sweater to church on Sunday (which he’ll probably do every Sunday until, oh I don’t know . . . maybe July, and had a great day. He looks fabulous in it. A pretty cute kid, I must say, but a fabulolus aunt. We love you tons!
Well, if the sweater isn’t cute in and of itself, the wearer is even more adorable! A perfect match!
I love that sweater and I have to make it! What a great aunt you are. I’m sure he loves it.
He is adorable! You are lucky! The sweater is great and such a good idea to knit for one family member.
He is super cute. You are BOTH lucky!
Handsome fellow in a beautiful sweater. But I can understand why he wanted to also show off that Fish Shirt!!
Well, it certainly is cute! And the color is great. I’m sure it will get wear in its own time
I bumpt in to your blog, and i just have to say that i really liked the sweater. Kind of simple, but with a few really nice details. I too love pockets
Adorable doesn’t even begin to describe it (sweater or nephew–or the combination thereof!)
Oh that model is a natural!
This is so adorable on such a cutie!
Love the pattern and have been looking for that book but it is discontinued. Ages ago someone copied the pattern for me page 55 but forgot to give me page 56 to finish it. I would be most grateful if you could send it to me? I am anxious to make it for my nephew.