A little more than 2 years ago, my life changed irrevocably with the arrival of a squalling, demanding, endearing, intoxicating, impossible, wonderful creature — my daughter, Olivia. On some level, I knew that I would have to shift my life around to accommodate this new presence, but at the time, I didn’t appreciate just how seismic a movement would be required.  I thought, somewhat naively, that I’d still be able to work at my full time job, maintain my relationships with my friends and (!) husband, and continue to knit and design at the pace I’ve established in the the years prior. For those of you who didn’t laugh in my face, thank you for humoring me. I discovered soon enough how sorely deluded I was.

Still, I managed to publish a few designs here and there — mainly collaborations with yarn shops, indie hand dyers, and book contributions as well as a few independently published baby knits.

The latter is obviously inspired by my new status as a parent. Baby knits are the perfect antidote to long, involved adult garments. They’re quick, don’t require a lot of yarn (I often find just the perfect match in my existing stash of oddballs and leftover skeins from bigger projects; or in my considerable collection of sock yarn), and the results are often quite satisfying. There is nothing like welcoming a new life into this world with a lovingly made handknit.

I asked my brother, a graphic design artist, to help me brand the kiddie branch of my design line. I had a few ideas about what I wanted the logo to include — a bunny (Olivia was born in the Chinese year of the rabbit), wee sweaters hanging on a clothesline, and a color theme that echoes the lovely color palette of Quince and Co. yarns, which made frequent appearances in my inaugural designs for Olivia. There were a couple of back and forth edits until he came up with a concept and design I loved. The line is called Piccoli Chinchio — which means Small Chinchios, referring both to my designs (small versions of sweaters I’d wear myself) and to my babies.

Yes, *babies*. Three months ago, my husband and I added another Chinchio to our brood. Meet Kyle! He’s wearing a forthcoming design (in Quince Chickadee).

Olivia Petit was originally published by Quince and Co and uses their Lark yarn — a hearty, yet smooth wool available in a range of gorgeous colors. The yarn doesn’t have an obvious plied look, but instead is plump and round which really shows off textured stitches to great effect.

This particular pattern has a very special place in my heart because it’s one of the first designs I created for my daughter, Olivia. I made it for her in the 9 month size, but she wore it for a good 4 months that winter. It’s a classic design that’s just special enough for the holidays — with a plain, double breasted front dressed up with glazed, candy-like buttons and an A-line shape punctuated with a textured flower motif in the back.

It’s one of the few designs that sprung to my head completely formed — yarn, buttons, color, shape. Worked from the top down and completely in one-piece, finishing on this is super simple.  Moreover, the yarn weight (worsted) is quite popular, so substitutions would be easy. It would be equally lovely in a nearly solid handdyed yarn or a rustic, tweedy wool. Because there is some simultaneous shaping involved (the neck shaping and raglan shaping are worked at the same time), you have to pay attention at first. But once the pattern is established, it just sails along. I hope you’ll find it as fun to knit as I did.

Links to purchase the pattern are at the end of the post.

Olivia Petit

Stats/Specifications:
Finished Size: 18¾ (21, 22½, 24¾, 26¼, 28½)” bust circumference to fit 6m (9m, 12m, 2y, 4y, 6y) with a suggested ease of 1 to 4″. Samples measures 21”.
Yarn: Quince and Co. Lark (100% American wool; 134 yards (123 meters)/50 grams); 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 6) skeins Petal.
Needles: Body and sleeves – US size 6 circular needles. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle; stitch markers; stitch holders; 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) x 1/2″ buttons.
Gauge: 21 sts and 31 rows = 4” in Stockinette.

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I just love Quince’s soft color palette — super suitable for babies and kids (and great for adult garments too!) with a wide range of options certain to please everyone on your knitting list. And the yarn itself is sturdy and unobtrusive — content to play a supporting role, allowing whatever stitch pattern you choose to be the star. Can you tell how much I love this yarn line? If I had more time I’d knit an entire wardrobe out of this stuff!

For these two garments I used Finch, a fingering weight yarn, knit at a looser gauge (DK weight for MacDougal and sport weight for Roosevelt). Because knitting at a DK weight gauge in a fingering weight yarn might result in a fabric that some knitters consider too sheer, I also provide yarn amounts for knitting the cardigan in Chickadee, the next step up in gauge in the Quince wool arsenal.

For a limited time (through midnight Sunday, June 9), I’m offering each pattern for $4.00, instead of its retail price of $5.50. Specs as well as links to purchase both patterns follow.

MacDougal Cardigan
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Stats/Specifications:
Finished Size: 20 (21½, 22¼, 23¾, 26½, 28)” bust circumference to fit 6m (9m, 12m, 2y, 4y, 6y) with a suggested ease of 1 to 4″. Samples measures 23¾”.
Yarn: Quince and Co. Finch (100% American wool; 221 yards [202 meters]/50 grams); 2 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5) skeins Chanterelle (MC); 1 skein Clay (CC) OR Quince and Co. Finch (100% American wool; 181 yards [166 meters]/50 grams); 3 (3, 3, 4, 5, 6) skeins Chanterelle (MC); 1 skein Clay (CC).
Needles: Body and sleeves – US size 6 circular needles. Neck band – US size 5 circular needles. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle; stitch markers; stitch holders; 5 (6, 5, 5, 6, 6) x 5/8″ buttons.
Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows = 4” in Stockinette with larger needles. 24 sts and 33 rows = 4” in Oat patt st with larger needles.

Roosevelt Tank
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Stats/Specifications:
Finished Size: 19 (20, 22, 23¼, 25, 26, 27, 28)” bust circumference to fit 6m (9m, 12m, 2y, 3y, 4y, 5y 6y) with a suggested ease of 1 to 4″. Samples measures 23¼”.
Yarn: Quince and Co. Finch (100% American wool; 221 yards 202 meters/50 grams); 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) in Bird’s Egg.
Needles: US size 5 circular needles. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle; stitch holders; One ¾” statement button (button shown is a Jennie the Potter Ladybug button), 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) ½” shell buttons for back slit opening.
Gauge:24 sts and 33 rows = 4” in Stockinette.

Said human is my daughter, Olivia — born in March of this year. I love her to pieces. She’s constantly challenging me to be a better person. I hope I’ll someday prove worthy of her.

Oh, yeah, the cardigan she’s wearing is her coming-home-from-the-hospital outfit. It’s almost too small for her already! The yarn is Quince and Co’s Tern. I know, I know, a merino and silk blend that can be only handwashed for a baby? Still, given its lovely hand and beautifully dyed colors, I think it’s a worthy splurge for a special baby item. I’ll be writing the pattern up soon.