This is the Cropped Sweater for Winter by Andi Satterlund found at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-cropped-sweater-for-winter. It’s a great pattern, knitted in one piece, it is a quick knit, and it’s free!

I knitted it from some yarn from my mother’s stash and bought the pink for the trim in Auckland (then used the left overs for the doll crib). These aren’t the best photos, I have my Scout Tee underneath in case it got too hot for the sweater (it didn’t) and it shows at the neck, and Mark took the photos, catching me in various compromising positions – case in point finding eggs found during an Easter egg hunt on my son’s girlfriend, Bridgette’s family farm:

and this photo where I am chomping into said Easter egg

More terrible photos to follow. Yes, still eating…

Mark is clearly keen to get at the eggs. Please note he is wearing his new rugby top – happiness!

And double happiness, Tom has his new flannel shirt on. Here are Mark, Bridgette’s Dad, Vern, and Tom doing what blokes do best – cooking meat! Please note the gorgeous backdrop.

We had the most amazing day. Tom and Vern killed a couple of lambs (yes, Tom should have been a farmer!) and we had a barbecue in the bush on the farm. Mark took his hot cross buns which were demolished in short order. I thought I would share these photos so that you can see the beautiful setting (although I was tempted to get some better photos of the sweater). Even though the rains haven’t started yet and it’s very dry, the colours are incredible. We had a lovely, relaxing time and really enjoyed spending time with Bridgette’s gorgeous family.

The details: I used some 8 ply yarn obtained   from my mother, supplemented by some new pink yarn for the trim. The pattern is by Andi Satterlund and is a fast and easy knit. I would rate it as intermediate as you need to be able to knit in the round, increase and decrease, pick up stitches and use a second colour. I’m not sure if you can see the little design around the cuffs and bottom of the sweater – it’s really nice and just adds a little edge. I decided to take another photo of the sweater which shows it off better (and no Scout tee underneath), so slight change of scenery here.

Please note that I am going sugar free from tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted on how I go.