A Sweater, a Poem and a Biscuit
October 08, 2026
Hello, friends! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been on the blog. A bout of illness—and all the busy-ness that comes after being down for a week—is the reason. But I’m very happy to be back, and I even have two sweaters to share: one for this week and another for next week.
This darling sweater was a test knit for Lisa Chemery of Frogginette Designs. I made the largest size, a size 10, with a bit of room for him to grow. It’s been an age since I’ve knitted for him, as he has become a bit fussy about what he’ll wear. But he liked the pattern, loved my yarn choice, and said he would wear it. Turns out he was telling the truth—he loves it and wears it often, including to school. Now we’re just crossing our fingers that it doesn’t get lost. So far, so good!
This was a test version, and the final version of the sweater will be slightly different, with a more fitted collar, which I think is a good thing. The sweater is knit from the top down, with the collar added last by picking up stitches. It’s easy to follow and makes a comfortable sweater for an active child. The pattern is sized from newborn through age 10.
The yarn I used is Rowan Handknit Cotton, a favorite around here for its durability, ease of care, softness, range of colors, and reasonable price. Wool would have more springiness and body and would give the sweater a snugger, more fitted look, but we are very pleased with the choice of cotton.
Rowan Handknit Cotton I used Sea Foam
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| I love the sleeve patches! |
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So many years of collecting leather buttons! I can even remember the clothing some of these were snipped from. There’s something satisfying about giving those little leftovers a new life. We ended up adding a second button a little higher up to close the opening a bit more.
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My gauge was off by just one stitch over 4", so the sweater ended up 34" wide instead of the 32.5" intended for the size I was knitting. Such a little detail really does make a difference! It’s a little big on my grandson, but he’ll grow into it—and now in fourth grade, he’s just a few inches shorter than I am. So yes, it fits me, too, although the sleeves are a little short. That got me thinking: maybe the designer should make an adult version! |
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I’m still working on my summer patio needlepoint project. I think I have about one more week of stitching and it will be done! During stitching time, Biscuit loves to sit beside me, either resting his chin on my lap or, as he is here, placing his paw across my knee.
Be still my heart! Such a darling little show of affection. After all he’s been through, I’m still touched by these moments when he shows that he can now trust fully and feel safe. It’s his way of saying, “I choose you.” I don’t think I’ll ever take them for granted.
On the poetry board we pass on one of our walks: “Clarinet” by Chera Hammons. How appropriate for us! Just the week before, a clarinet had entered our lives—and suddenly this little poem seemed meant to be there.
Our grandson has recently started playing the clarinet, much to the delight of his daddy, who played one himself when he was young. I love that they now have this little musical connection, and I love the coincidence of finding this poem just when the clarinet was making its way into our family.
We love walking Biscuit downtown, and he loves it too. One Friday, we were out running some late-afternoon errands and, before heading home, stopped for a glass of wine at one of our favorite cafés with outdoor seating. The dinner crowd had yet to arrive, and Biskie settled quietly under the table, watching the passersby.
A friend happened to walk by and decided to join us. Then a band arrived and began setting up. I began to notice more foot traffic and looked across the street to see another band setting up there, too. Little by little, the town was getting very crowded.
Turns out we had stumbled upon our town’s annual Whiskey Walk! By the time we finished our wine, the joint was jumping. We took one final walk through town before heading home and stopped in the center, where, decades ago, the city sold bricks that residents could personalize.
And there was Biscuit, standing right above the brick that honors his predecessor, Violet, our 110-pound German Shepherd. I think Violet would have liked him and been happy to share her town, her garden, her house, and her family with this little fella.
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