Crochet: Lavender Cap-Sleeved Cardi

I've been a bit crochet-crazy of late, I think because it produces a lot of finished projects quickly, which is good for my nesting state of mind, and this is the beginning...

Purple has been Audrey's favorite color since she learned about colors and I think this particular shade of lavender is gorgeous. In fact, lavender and white were my favorite combination when I was a child, and the colors of my room then, but I haven't done much with it lately. So I was excited about a few lavender and white projects for Audrey this summer.

This cardigan is actually an upsized version of one I made for Scarlett while I was expecting her. I have had pretty good luck with what is a pretty lazy approach to upsizing. I simply used a worsted instead of DK yarn and a size J hook and this went from 3 month size to size 4! (I had similar success with another crochet cardigan--took it from newborn to Audrey-sized. Seems it's easier to find baby patterns I love as I prefer a vintage or classic look to something more funky.) Wish I could say I had a method for forecasting how it would turn out, but I just dove in figuring that with soon-to-be three girls in our family it would fit one of them at some point! Luckily it is perfect for Audrey now and so all three will get the chance to wear it.

Those two sweaters together make a gorgeous color combination! Hmmm...

When I was making the original version of this sweater I thought it would be cute cap-sleeved. The pattern is a fun one because increases create the shoulders and one crochets the entire sweater, then adds the length to the sleeves at the end.  So it was easy to skip the extra length on the sleeves and end up with cap sleeves instead. I just added the edging for a consistent finish.

The other little modification I made was to skip all the stops and starts and avoid more weaving in at the end, which I find super tedious. So I didn't fasten off but instead kept working with one continuous yarn to do the button bands and trim. Works for me!

The pattern is the first pattern ("Baby Layette") in Moda Dea Babies and Kids Collection 1. I used Lily Sugar&Cream yarn in "Hot Purple," which is softer in color than it sounds, and a size J hook. I love the square buttons (Streamline K1234) I found to finish it off--it was a good button day at the store today as I bought a few great ones just to add to the stash. That's a first!

I'm excited to see Audrey wear this little cardi. I have plans for a crochet skirt to go with it and am thinking of it as a good transitional outfit for late summer/early Fall, but it would be darling tossed over a white dress tomorrow!