POCKETED BABY SWEATER JACKET PATTERN ~ 6 MO

Materials: Bernat Baby Sport (10.5 oz. skein); 1 pair US #3 knitting needles; 1 pair + a spare US #6 knitting needles; 2 stitch holders; 6 buttons.

This pattern is not my own - it comes from a Baby Pattern Book.

Terms used:

Co = cast on

K = knit.

P = purl

St st = stockinette sticth

Inc = increase

Dec = decrease

Sl = slip 1 st purlwise

Psso = pass 1 st over slip st

Rpt = repeat

Back: With #3 needles, co 65 sts.

1^st Row (Right Side): K1, *P1, K1. Rpt from * to end of row.

2^nd Row: P1, *K1, P1. Rpt from * to end of row.

Rpt these two rows (K1, P1) ribbing twice more. 6 rows in all.

Change to #6 needles and proceed in st st until work from beginning measures 6-1/2 inches – ending with right side facing for next row.

To shape raglans: Cast off 2 sts beginning of next 2 rows. Work 2 rows even.

1^st Row: K1, sl 1, K1, psso – k to last 3 sts – k2tog, K1.

2^nd Row: P

Rpt last two rows until 23 sts remain on needle, ending with right side facing. Cast off remaining sts.

Jacket Back done.

**I worked the pockets into the front pieces at the ribbed hemline before starting the body of the sweater fronts – for me, it was simpler**. But if you are new to knitting … stick with the pattern as printed until you gain confidence enough to try more advanced workmanship.

Pocket Linings (make 2): With # 6 needles, co 21 sts and work 24 rows st st; ending with right side facing for next row. Using # 3 needles, k across 21 sts.

K 4 rows. Cast off knitways (wrong side). Leave long tail of yarn for sewing pocket in place. Leave these sts on a spare needle.

I always work my front pieces together – for me, it helps keep the sizing accurate. But if you are new to knitting … stick with the pattern as printed until you gain confidence enough to try more advanced workmanship.

Worked both Front pieces at same time for exact lengthwise measurements.

Left Front: **With #3 needles, co 31 sts. Work 6 rows in (K1, P1) ribbing as given for Back & inc 1 st at center of last row: 32 sts on needle.

Change to #6 needles, and proceed in st st for 24 rows – ending with right side facing for next row.**

To place pocket: Next Row: K4. Sl next 21 sts onto a st holder. K21 sts from pocket lining. K to end of row.

Continue even in st st until work from beginning measures same length as Back to beginning of raglan shaping, ending with right side facing for next row.

To shape raglan: Cast off 2 sts beginning of next row. Work 3 rows even.

1^st Row: K1, sl 1, K1, passo. K to end of row.

2^nd Row: Purl.

Rpt last two rows until there are 15 sts left on needle; end with wrong side facing for next row.

To shape Neck: Next Row: Cast off 6 sts (neck edge). Purl to end of row.

Dec 1 st at neck edge on next and following 2 alternate rows, at same time, continue dec’ing at raglan edge as before until there are 2 sts left on needle. Work 1 row even.

Next Row: Work 2tog. Fasten off.

Right Front: Work ** to ** as written for Left front.

To place pocket: Next Row: K7. Sl next 21 sts onto a st holder. K21 sts from pocket lining. K to end of row.

Continue even in st st until work from beginning measures same length as Back to beginning of raglan shaping, ending with wrong side facing for next row.

To shape raglan: Cast off 2 sts beginning next row. Work 2 rows even.

1^st Row: K to last 3 sts. K2tog, K1.

2^nd Row: Purl.

Rpt these last 2 rows until 15 sts remain on needle, ending with right side facing for next row.

To shape Neck: Next Row: Cast off 6 sts (neck edge). K to last 3 sts. K2tog, K1.

Purl 1 row.

Dec 1 st at neck edge on next and following 2 alternate rows, at same time, continue dec’ing at raglan edge as before to 2 sts on needle. Work 1 row even.

Next Row: Work 2tog. Fasten off.

Front pieces done.

**I always work my sleeve pieces together – for me, it helps keep the sizing accurate**. But if you are new to knitting … stick with the pattern as printed until you gain confidence enough to try more advanced workmanship.

Sleeves: With #3 needles, co 33 sts. Work 1-1/2-inches in (K1, P1) ribbing as written for Back, ending on a 2^nd row and inc’ing 12 sts evenly across last row: 45 sts on needle.

Change to #6 needles and proceed in st st, inc’ing 1 st at each end of needle on 5^th and following 4^th rows until there are 61 sts on needle.

Continue even until work from beginning measures 6”, ending with right side facing for next row.

To shape raglans: Cast off 2 sts beginning of next 2 rows.

1^st Row: K1, sl 1, K1, psso. K to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1.

2^nd Row: P1, P2tog. Purl to last 3 sts, P2tog, P1.

3^rd Row: As 1^st row.

4^th Row: Purl.

Rpt last 4 rows four times more, ending with right side facing for next row: 27 sts on needle.

1^st Row: K1, sl 1, K1, psso. Knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.

2^nd Row: Purl.

Rpt last two rows until there are 7 sts on needle, ending with right side facing for next row. Cast off.

Sleeves finished.

**I always ‘hem’ my ribbed hems as I work my hood – for me this is easier and saves time**. But if you are new to knitting … stick with the pattern as printed until you gain confidence enough to try more advanced workmanship.

Ribbed face hem of Hood piece knitted together to form drawstring casing.

Working st st hood piece above ribbed drawstring casing.

Hood: With #3 needles co 97 sts. Work 4 rows (K1, P1) ribbing as written for Back.

Next Row: Purl (fold line). Work 5 more rows ribbing.

Change to #6 needles and proceed in st st until work from fold line measures 5-1/2 inches, ending with right side facing for next row.

1^st Row: K1, *K2tog, K10. Rpt from * to end of row.

2^nd Row: Purl:

3^rd Row: K1. *K2tog, K9. Rpt from * to end of row.

4^th Row: Purl.

Continue in this manner, dec’ing 8 sts evenly across next and alternating rows until there are 9 sts on needle. Break yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Draw end of yarn through remaining sts and fasten off securely.

Hood piece.

**I always work my buttonhole/button bands at the same time – for me this is easier, saves, and ensures the lengths match**. But if you are new to knitting … stick with the pattern as printed until you gain confidence enough to try more advanced workmanship.

Buttonhole Band: With #3 needles, co 9 sts.

1^st Row (Right side): K2 (P1. K1) three times. K1.

2^nd Row: (K1, P1) four times. K1.

Girl’s version: 3^rd Row: Rib 3, cast off 2 sts, rib 4.

4^th Row: Rib, co 2 sts over cast off sts.

Boy’s version: 3^rd Row: Rib 4, cast off 2 sts, rib 3.

4^th Row: Rib, co 2 sts over cast off sts.

Both versions: Work 14 rows more of ribbing.

Rpt last 16 rows four times more; then 3^rd and 4^th rows once; 6 buttonholes made. Work 2 rows ribbing. Cast off in ribbing.

Buttonhole & Button Bands

Button Band: Work to correspond to buttonhole band – omitting buttonholes.

Pocket Borders: With right side of work facing, use #3 needles and knit across 21 sts from pocket st holder. Knit 4 rows. Cast of knitways (wrong side).

To Make Up: Sew raglan sleeves to Back piece.

Sew side and sleeve seams.

Sew buttonhole band to right side for Girl’s version … or to the left, for Boy’s version. Sew button band in position.

Sew center back seam of hood from point to beginning of hood decreases. Fold casing at front of hood to inside along fold-line – and sew in position, leaving openings at end to insert twisted cord. Sew hood to neck edge. Insert twisted cord through hood casing. Sew pompom to point of hood. Sew buttons to correspond to buttonholes. Sew pocket lining in position on wrong side … and pocket borders in position on right side. Do not press.

Baby Sweater jacket finished. 6 MO

To Make Twisted Cord: Cut 2 strands of yarn 96-inches long. With both strands together, hold one end – and have someone else hold the other end. Twist strands to the right until they begin to curl. Fold the 2 ends together and knot so they will not unravel. The strands will now twist themselves together to form a cord. Adjust length if desired.

To Make Pompom: Wind yarn around 3 fingers approximately 75 times. Remove from fingers and tie tightly in the center. Cut through each side of loops. Trim to a smooth round shape.

THIS WEEK

This week I’ve been a good girl – I’ve hunkered down at home; doing things around the castle and castle grounds, but I’m thinking I may jump the threshold Sunday and go for a drive ;-).

Florida has opened up, and Pasco, WA has followed suit today. Hopefully, inslee will stop being a fascist dictator and lift the restrictions he illegally slapped down on Washingtonians. People are ready to go back to work, and the rest of us need to get on with our lives too: quarantine does not work, and the government hog-tying us and trapping us in our homes for years “to protect” us is insane. America was founded to get away from heavy-handed government power trips. It’s is waaay past time for The People to insist our States be opened up.

That said … here’s some of what I’ve been doing for the past 10 days:

Reading down the paper shown, and checking off things, I have showered – but will not be posting pics to that effect: NO ONE wants to see that!

I don’t do meds … but I do Vitamins – and had to laugh when an episode of ‘I Love Lucy’ popped into my thoughts. My vitamins don’t taste quite as icky, but some can be a test of tolerance:

I've added taking my temperature when I go out in public to my daily vitamin regime.

I have been keeping hydrated – I don’t want to end up in ER for any reason.

I’ve done SO much house cleaning during this stupid lockdown (I’m so fricking b.o.r.e.d.), that I am beginning to hate the smell of house cleaners – and the combined odors is not good for my asthma either …

Some of the seedlings I planted a few weeks ago have sprouted their secondary leaves, so I planted them outside in the garden boxes Bob built for me the 18 months he was living here, in the castle, with me:

Rutabaga; 12 ct

Dragon Radish; 3 ct

Cauliflower - left, 4 ct;  Choi’s - Center, 4 ct EA; Broccoli - Right, 4 ct

Clean regrowth & healthy blossoms. 2020

Diseased limbs cut off last Summer; severe pruning. 2019

I am always mindfully present; especially when it comes to music. Today was Steve Miller music day …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gkg3Ck37k0

And when working with my hands; knitting and crochet work is my ‘sensory’ therapy ;-)

Baby Sweater Jacket Fronts completed; 6 MO. Pattern will be posted when the Sweater Jacket is sewn together later this week.

I see birds outside my livingroom window lighting down on the Bird Feeder, and stuffing the Bird House with tiny twigs and dried grass bits for nest building:

Bird feeder Bob designed and built for me.

And my ‘spiritual practice’ is reading Bob’s Bible from cover to cover this year. It was to go to Azariah, but Stacey forbids him receiving it. She hates Christianity: she hates me because I am a Christian, and will not allow our grandson to have his grandfather’s Bible as a keepsake. That is sad. And I find people who claim to be tolerable of differences, to be very intolerable when it comes to Christianity.

I have my own Bible (several actually, though I prefer my KJV), but I will read Bob’s because it comforts me that it is his. And it is meant to be used …

I read it every morning before I get up out of bed. Sometimes I read it at night with the headlamp.

I reach out to other humans – I enjoy the new neighbors at the back end of our Lot, when we are outside at the same time: we practice ‘safe distancing’. They are quite a bit older than me, so I am careful to keep a comfortable distance between us when we chat over the fence.

I get my heart rate up by exercising … and dancing to the music I play throughout the days:

 

The 1 thing I am glad I do, is to call or text my granddaughters and friends every week during this lockdown to ask how they are doing – and to let them know I am thinking of them. That is important. Being trapped in the house can get depressing and people start feeling like no one cares about them. The onset of depression is another reason the governors need to open the states up and get people back to living a life of quality: for however long they have their lives. What good is it to “save” people’s lives if you destroy their minds?

The 1 thing I did this week, “just because”, was to paint the plant stand I bought when I was in Adna last week. It is a nice stand, but it was rusty and needed repainted.

So, I did that this afternoon …

Painted plant stand will be finished with a sealer.

I blended these two colors (whole bottles) ‘Mountain Blue’ & ‘Arbor Green’ to get the desired color tint I wanted.

And I get in several laughs a day watching old black-n-white movies on Youtube in between house cleaning, exercising, crafting, and gardening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZGoCo9afSw

This is how I spend my time; my week days are pretty full days despite being trapped indoors.

But I am missing people – no so much interacting with people, as just having people in my day in some capacity.

My busy week days and lack of companionship in my immediate space are why I will be going for a loooong drive come Sunday ;-)

HE LIKED THAT

I'm struggling with today: LOTS of memories built around this date on the calendar; didn't matter what year. But April 19th, 1974, was the most important memory because that date was the beginning of our lives together. It was our first date night.

As I mentioned in earlier posts, my mother wasn’t happy with me that I was bucking her and going out with Bob against her concerns. My way of thinking was that she’d never been concerned before about anything I did – why was this date enough to set her teeth on edge? Well … because it would embarrass the family. And that was taboo. We were raised bohemian and could basically do anything; as long as it didn’t embarrass the family. Me, choosing to go out with a separated man – who may end up staying married in the end – would be an embarrassment to my mother.

And I didn’t care. My parents and siblings, with their own choices, had … and were … embarrassed/embarrassing me. And no one was worried about that.

So.

Bob would be coming: and I would go.

He called me around 6 PM telling me he’d be calling for me around 7 PM; and I said, “Just honk your horn and I run out to your truck.” I did not want a showdown on this particular night.

Bob showed up on the front porch, promptly at 7 PM. He refused to honk for me, and instead walked up the front porch steps and knocked – I answered the door – my mother gave him the evil eye … and I rushed Bob out to his truck.

He was reaching to open the passenger side door, when my hand got there first. On purpose. He went around to the driver’s side, got in and asked me what I’d like to do. I asked him, “Anything?” He grinned, and said, “Anything.” So, I said I had friends in Longview who were moving into their apartment, and I’d like to help them if I could. He said, “Okay.” I grinned wider, and said, “Good, because I didn’t dress fancy.” And off we drove.

Neither of us were dressed fancy, but I really hadn’t dressed in anything more than my patched ‘lucky’ blue jeans, and one of my stepfather’s polo shirts. For my first date with the man of my dreams! Bob was wearing jeans too, with an open-neck brown-print-on-cream shirt. Nothing fancy. We were both playing it cool: no pressure. He liked that.

I don’t know what Bob’s plans were for that first date – I never did ask, and he didn’t volunteer info – but, I’m pretty sure helping people move into their apartment was not in his thoughts. But, he gamely went along with it. By 9 PM, my friends and all their worldly possessions had been moved into their new home. Bob was comfortable with my friends – and they were comfortable with him. People always liked being around Bob: Bob was a people-piper; he just had a personality that put everyone at ease ;-)

We left the apartment and Bob suggested we go get a pizza. I agreed. Pizza was perfect! If there was any messiness or awkward eating moments, it wouldn’t matter. Eating pizza is messy, and can sometimes be awkward :-D

Bob took me to Pietro's Pizza by Industrial Way, where we bought a half pineapple & half pepperoni pizza and 2 Lowenbrau beers. Bruno (who later opened a pizza parlor under his own name and brand) was the beer tap fella: we all became fast friends, and remained fast friends through the years until he retired. Our kids and grandkids literally grew up together, we were in his pizza place so much.

But, today, 46 years ago, we were eating pizza at Pietro’s and getting to know more about each other. There was no awkwardness to get past – other than me being very independent and insisting I open my own doors and pay half of the meal tab. Bob was a gentleman and felt he should open my doors and pay for the evening out; I was a very liberated teen and explained that I did not want to be beholden to anyone for any reason: I would pay my share, and fend for myself. That way, as the evening progressed there would be no demands made and no faces slapped. Bob laughed, and understood my point of view and respected it. I was always straight-up, and straight-forward with Bob. From the get-go. He liked that.

I was 7 years younger than Bob: I was 17 – he was 24. I really didn’t know much about him. At all. I did not know his family background; I did not know his High School “star’ status. I think he liked that. I was out with him because he interested me – I wasn’t fawning all over him because of who his family was; or because he’d been a bigwig in his high school days. If I fawned over him (and I did), it was because he had piqued my interest when we were thrown together by fate at his house, a few weeks earlier … and because he had caught my eye and stole my heart 7 years earlier; and I never got over that. He liked that. 

Our 1^st Date. April 19^th, 1974.

What I liked was that I never had to question Bob’s interest in me. Ever. There was never any doubt at all about his intentions – he liked me. A lot. From the first meeting; and he went out of his way to get that message across to me.

But I was cautious.

He was still legally married.

And Gloria was cunning; she didn’t want him … but she didn’t want anyone else to have him either.

Bob was a good-looking man.

Bob. 1974.

He was well-built and handsome of face. He was kind, generous, gentle, and attentive. I couldn’t understand why she jumped the fence. But, even at 17, I understood that there are things that happen behind closed doors that only the 2 people involved know about. And that is what was causing the breakdown. It was none of my business. I didn’t ask – he didn’t volunteer: it was their business. And it was being taken care of.

But, marriage and divorce being a complicated matter – especially with a child involved, I was no fool. Gloria could come back and restake her claim. That was a very real possibility.

I was stepping out cautiously.

When we got back to Cathlamet from Longview, the night was still young: midnight seemed a long way off. I threw caution to the wind and we made love that night. Our first date night. And I didn’t feel any guilt at all. It was MY decision: there was no putting out because Bob had put up. I had early on drawn a line in the sand and Bob had respected that line. Now, I was stepping over the line; of my own free will. I didn't know if I'd ever see him again - I wasn't passing up this chance to be with him. Completely: no demands put on him for declarations he wasn't ready to give. No recriminations. Just tonight. It was my choice and he would be absolved of any fault if things went south. He liked that.

I loved Bob. And Bob was ready to be loved. He was the oldest of 6 kids – and he’d been legally bound for 6 years … but before I came into his life, he’d never been fully loved. He’d never had anybody’s attention focused solely on him. I gave him all my attention – without putting demands of ownership on him. He liked that.

From the moment our eyes met over his driver license, in the Spring of 1974 – until the time we said our final goodbyes in December of 2018, looking into each other’s eyes … my attention had been focused on him. He liked that.

Bob was not a vain man, but he did like that I loved him deeply and that I put him above anyone and everything else: except Elohei, of course. I tried valiantly not to cry those final hours; but sometimes I couldn’t stop the tears. And always, there was that smile beaming across his face when he looked into my eyes and tried to instill strength in me during those trying times. And I would look into his eyes, and touch his face, and remember that first date. The conversations we had that first night … and all the nights that followed for 44 years together. Remember how we walked, hand in hand; happy to be together, even after 44 years together. I couldn’t stop the tears. I wanted to be brave – I was brave. But my heart was already missing him, and was longing for the happiness we shared: all the moments he took my breath away.

It’s now 15 months/5 days/8 hours & 25 minutes since I last held Bob’s hand and we looked into each other’s eyes. If it were not raining, would I have escaped to enjoy a long drive in the countryside, instead of feeling my nose burn with the onset of tears to come? I don’t know. Would I be inviting friends over for Supper if there were not a lock-down in place? I don’t know.

What I do know, is that April 19^th has arrived … and Bob will never arrive again.

Today, I wanted to remember this First Date date, with a pizza salute to the man of my dreams and the love of my life. But because it is such an emotional day for me, I didn't want to drive into town and risk breaking down in public during pickup: so I put feelers out. I posted this post on FB's Takeout Food - Central Cowlitz County: {{Pizza places that will deliver to Heron Pointe in Longview? Bruno's won't deliver "that far out" ... it's only 10 minutes, for Pete's sake! The girl on the phone said "our insurance won't let us deliver that far out." Today is a special day for this widow. I'd really like a Pepperoni Pizza. My husband loved pizza.}}

And a kind woman and her husband answered ... AND DELIVERED TO MY DOOR :-D They refused to be repaid the money the pizza cost, or gas costs for running it out to me. THEY WILL BE BLESSED.

And now, if I break down and cry; no one by Yeshua - and Bob - will see me.

And they both understand.

Always ~ OX