ClassicCableKnits

One of the things that I remember about my childhood Easters are new dresses. My dad didn’t allow us to participate in Easter egg hunts or have  Easter baskets but my mom, for whom Easter egg hunts and baskets were a part of her childhood,  would always try to make us new dresses and a hat for Easter Sunday.

My favorite was a pink calico dress with little lace trim and a straw hat with a matching ribbon.

When was out on my own I would buy myself a new hat for Easter. (Yes, I adore hats.)

Now that I have my own little guy not only do I plan an Easter egg hunt for him and the cousins and an Easter basket but a new little something to wear is a must.

This year I made a little cotton vest and matching bow tie. The bow tie was sooooo much fun to make and hardly took anytime at all I plan on making a few more for Sundays. ( Lil J wore my outfit for Palm Sunday and an outfit his grandma purchased for him for Easter Sunday. But I did go ahead and make another tie for his Easter outfit. They are too much fun to make. )

I thought you all would have fun making them for your little ones so here is the pattern:

Bow Tie
Berroco Weekend i.e. cotton worsted weight yarn
US #7 needles
Tapetry needle
safety pin to secure neckband at back of collar

Co 10 sts.
Row 1: K
Row 2: K
Row 3: K
Row 4: K2, p6, k2
Repeat rows 3 &4 until piece measure 4″ from co edge to needles.
Row 5: K
Row 6: K
Row 7: K
Row 8: Bo in purl

Bow Tie Center
Co 3 sts and work 6 rows of garter stitch, bo 3 sts.

Neckband
co 3 sts and work in garter stitch for 11 – 12″ (depending on the collar size of your little one)

Using the tapestry needle and a piece of cotton, sew a running stitch up the center of the bow tie to gather it. Wrap the Bow tie center around the gathered section and sew the bow tie center together at the back. Find the mid point of the neck band and sew it onto the bow tie in the back. Steam lightly with a steam iron.

Note: the vest is my own pattern. If you are looking for a good substitute try Summer Vest by Tot Toppers

JK is reading me The Girl with a Pearl Earring while I knit at night. I’ve enjoyed it so far. I can relate to the descriptions of washing and ironing and scrubbing. Why do I find it so comforting to know that those menial tasks are so normal and have been part of life for centuries? We’ll see though… I am getting the feeling that the book is going to take a turn and I’m not going to like what is around the next corner.

Joining with Ginny…