A few weeks ago, it was the 85th birthday of a very dear friend of mine. And even though she is a knitter, it just didn't seem to fit to buy her a knitting-related gift; it is she, after all, who passes along to me her quadruple-extra set of dpns, vintage buttons and 5-inch zippers, and skeins of yarn we bought together 20 years ago. But--because she is a knitter herself--I knew she would get a kick out of anything that even remotely brought yarn and needles together.
So I decided to acknowledge her birthday not with some funny animated e-card, but rather, the old-fashioned way--with an actual card that required an actual envelope and stamp, and, yes, the post office to get it to her.
I had seen "sweater cards" through the years and thought I'd make my own from some lovely leftover merino/cashmere Ariosa yarn from Classic Elite. (They call it bulky, but it acted more like an aran on my needles. Not to worry, gauge isn't important for this project--just pick the stash yarn you like best.) And in some odd arrangement of the constellations, it was poetry week in my eight-year-old daughter's class, and she fortuitously came home that afternoon with her newly written "Ode to Knitting". Well, there we have it--perfect sentiments for the inside of my card. (My daughter's agent and I are still working out copyright issues, so I am unable to post it at present ; ) While waiting for rights to clear, I'll pass along my instructions for the sweater-dress, below...
Birthday Card Sweater-Dress (steps 1-10 make one 3-inch-tall sweater-dress)
① With size 4/3.5mm needle, CO 14 sts, work St st for 6 rows, slipping 1st st purlwise at the beginning of every row.
② Next row (RS), decrease row: Sl 1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end, k2tog, k1. —2 sts dec'd
③ Work 3 rows even. Rep dec row. —10 sts rem
④ Work 7 rows even.
⑤ Next row: Using backward loop method, CO 4 sts; k to end.
⑥ Next row: CO 4 sts; p to end. —18 sts total
⑦ Work 4 rows even.
⑧ Next row (RS): Sl 1, K6, BO 4, K7.
⑨ Next row (WS): Sl 1; BO this shoulder in p1, k1. Cut yarn, leaving tail to weave in to secure sts.
⑩ Reattach yarn after neckline BO sts, and BO shoulder in k1, p1 but do not sl 1st st.
Finishing: Sew 3 beads on center front.
Make card: With a medium-point felt-tip marker, draw the hook and top edge of a wire hanger on cover of card. Lightly apply a gluestick to back of dress at corners to hold in place for the next step. Place sweater-dress onto front cover, aligning it to "hang" on the marker lines; press to adhere. Use invisible thread and an embroidery needle to stitch sweater onto cardstock, securing it at neckline edges, sleeve corners and lower hem corners. Cut a piece of decorative paper to the size of card's cover; glue to inside front to cover stitching. Write your message--and don't forget your stamp!
Abbreviations
BO bind off CO cast on dec ('d) decrease(d) k knit k2tog knit 2 sts
together p purl rem remain
rep repeat sl slip ssk slip, slip, knit st(s) stitch(es)
St st stockinette stitch
Copyright 2013 Knitwear Designs by Carolyn Noyes. Not to be reproduced, sold or re-knit for sale or profit
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