An EZ Sweater: Solstice Stripes

Every year as the cold weather approaches, I start thinking about cozy warm Solstice gifts for my family.  Truth be told, I always hope for these gifts to be sweaters.  While nice thick sweaters aren’t what always find their way off the needles and under the tree, warm gifts are what have been found there nonetheless.

This year, however, I planned ahead.  I’ve even finished O’s sweater early!  I may not manage to complete the man-sized sweater I have planned for B, but I have indeed started it.  There is even a little something on the needles for Baby N as well!  (Whether or not we will meet her by the Solstice is still a mystery, but best be prepared just in case!)

All three of the sweaters I’ve chosen to knit for my little family come from the knitting genius that is Elizabeth Zimmermann.  After knitting many much-loved Baby Surprise Jackets, I made my first Seamless Raglan last Spring and fell in love once again.  I love how this particular project allows for so much freedom as well as new challenges in my knitting.  From a simple chest measurement and a little math, an entire sweater is created.  Brilliant, I tell you!  I also love how tailoring a sweater specifically to a person’s own measurements (rather than a predetermined size) results in such a great fit!

Has anyone else started their December holiday knitting?  What are you working on?

Notes:

• click any of the above photos for ravelry details (visible to all)
• My favorite resource for seamless sweater knitting is Knitting Without Tears
• Details for O’s hat and mittens can be found here