Pattern: Carter's grandpa cardigan is Hercule by Lisa Chemery of Frogginette designs. It is knit in worsted weight yarn and comes in sizes 3 mos. to 10 years. I knit a size six for my very big 3 year old grandson and it should last him the entire season. When choosing a size for children, look at the schematics and choose chest size rather than age. Hercule can be made with or without pockets, but I should tell you that Carter was thrilled when he discovered the pockets. When he came over yesterday he was wearing it and had his favorite tiny pterodactyl tucked safely inside his chest pocket. Some new techniques for me were learning a very neat and tidy buttonhole and a trim little chest pocket. The sweater is knit top down in once piece. The pockets, shawl collar and button bands are finished at the end. The pattern is well written and easy to follow and creates a lovely classic.

Yarn: For my sweater I used Malabrigo Rios which is a very soft superwash worsted weight 100% wool. Warning--it comes out of the bath very, very limp which is unfortunately common with too many superwash yarns. There was no way this would be patted into shape and it had to go in the dryer to regain some body. After a time in a warm, not hot, dryer, and when it became lightly damp, I could finally pat it into shape and leave it to finish drying flat. I do love that superwash yarns are so soft and can go in washer AND dryer--both qualities are nice if you're knitting for a little one, but the superwash process usually kills all the natural bouncy and springy characteristics of wool that I love so much; and so continues my love/hate relationship with superwash. (With that said, I've knit with this many times and have more Rios in my stash!)

Below Carter is playing with one of the many incarnations of fairy forts we have built since spring. Sometimes dinosaurs live in these forts so technically they are not always built strictly for fairies. This latest one however was constructed to be most appealing to fairies. We used apple tree thinnings and flowers which I told Carter the fairies were sure to love. Two days later it was smashed, possibly trampled on by gardeners (although I hate to throw them under the bus), or maybe naughty fairies, a running dog, or a grandpa? Papa pleaded not guilty, although he admits to accidentally stepping on at least one fairy fort in the past. We decided to dismantle it and build a fairy tee pee instead. Next to it is a rose tree stump that we use as a fairy picnic table. Carter collected acorn caps while on a walk with mommy and daddy, painted them at home, then brought them over to set a table with his fairy bowls. Next day they too were scattered about. Carter was mighty astonished to imagine that the fairies who visit our night garden might be a little naughty. We have a lot of fun talking about what they must have been up to while we were asleep--a little bit of dancing, a little bit of mischief. This age is so dang cute.

Links

Malabrigo Rios I used Blue Jeans

As an aside, since pattern was named for Hercule Poirot, I have two mystery books to recommend that are along the line of Agatha Christie. I've just finished The Guest List by Lucy Foley and really enjoyed it. Last night I started  Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Molloy and it looks really promising. Dying for book recommendations. Have any???

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