Preparing for Easter this year involved tremendous strategic planning on my part.  How to get all the house and garden spring cleaning done, plus the menus planned and groceries brought in, egg hunt planned, and still fit in a long-ago planned trip (plus a quick 3 day surprise pop-up trip that brought us home last night--with our guests arriving this afternoon) meant making list after list and sticking to a schedule with military-like precision.  Having less time meant I had to give up a few things I normally would have done.  There's very little Easter decorations, but I'm sure I'm the only one who will notice. But now I'm done! Everything is sparkling, I'm showered and ready to run one last errand before the family comes.  We're out of coffee of all things!

Happy Easter!

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Thank you, Kristen

Dear Testers: Thank you!  I had no idea so many of you would volunteer to test my little Gingersnap and I appreciate it so much! I'll be sending you a group email with the pdf soon after Easter.  Since this is a first for me, I'm trying to think how to manage it.  What do you think of me opening a Ravelry group dedicated to this so we'll have one place to go with feedback or questions and not be inundated with too many emails?  Think about it and I'll be in touch soon.  

PS: My azaleas are in bloom!

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Thank you, Kristen

Hello friends.  I am looking for several test knitters to knit my Gingersnap cardigan in sizes 2, 3 and 4 years.  If you are interested, here's what I need you to do: 

1) Get gauge of 20 sts. per 4 inches.

2) Before you start, tell me what yarn brand you will use and it's fiber content.  The project calls for worsted weight yarn. I also need to know how many yards/meters are in the skein.  (I don't need to know this right away, but let me know before you start your project.)

3) Weigh your individual skeins before starting the project and after completion so I can get an accurate idea of yardage.

4) As you are knitting, carefully read pattern for errors, clarity, and continuity and give me feedback.

5) Give accurate sweater measurements upon completion.

6) Be willing to engage with the other testers from time to time and willing to get emails from me--but hopefully not too many!

7) Give me your Rav name and your email address.

8) Do all the above and complete the sweater including feedback in 4 weeks, however, we won't begin until after Easter!

If you are interested and can say yes to all the above, please let me know in the comments section below.   I don't need to know right now what yarn you will be using, just leave me your Rav name and email address and tell me what size you would like to test. The pattern is fairly raw to look at as it hasn't been gussied up with a spiffy format yet, but you will be able to knit a sweater from it. Thank you so much for your consideration.  I'm beyond excited about this!

(You will not have to send me the sweater after completion.  Sending me accurate measurements upon completion is fine.)

Gingersnap is already available in 6 mos., 12 mos., and doll sized.
Below are the original pattern links and are free pattern downloads.

Gingersnap in size 12 mos. (and 6 mos.)

Wee Gingersnap for an 18" doll.  Fits a bunny too!

I have found that the two sweaters, the baby and the dolly sweater, 

together with the bunny, make the most perfect baby gift.  

You'll hear lots of gratifying ouuus and ahhhs when it's opened!

This little set is for my own grandson who will be born early summer.

I knit my Gingersnaps in machine washable Rowan Pure Wool Worsted

however, any soft, machine washable yarn that gets gauge will work.

To make a comment and/or to sign up for testing, click here.

Thank you, Kristen

First things first:  The Queen has arrived--the first blossom of our climbing First Prize has bloomed and she is magnificent. Next day she was followed by the first blossom of the tree peonies which I promptly picked to put in our guest bathroom.  Then this morning, boom, overnight there were almost a dozen more! The apple and pear blossoms are holding strong with no rain or wind to knock their delicate blossoms off. The magnolia and camellias are at the last of their bloom, and the wisteria is just starting up.  We expect to have a great show on Easter.  It's magic when Easter week and the wisteria decide to show up at the same time.  The hardy spring flowers, the begonias and nasturtiums are looking great and the tomatoes are growing fast with our warm, spring days.  The hills are green, the sky is blue.  I simply love this time of year.