Oh you guys it had been MONTHS since I knit a stitch.  After our trip to New Zealand and Australia in May/June, I got sidetracked with the new house, summer weddings, and life in general.  I literally did not touch my needles and yarn for months and months.  My project bag was sitting in the living room, taunting me, reminding me that if I waited much longer, Olive would outgrow the dress I was working on.  So last week I made up my mind to finish up this dress so I could begin some Christmas knitting guilt-free.

On Saturday night I finally completed this sweet retro-inspired twirl dress for Olive and I couldn’t be more in love with it!  This Taiga Hilliard Designs pattern can be found HERE and if you have Ravelry, you can read my project notes HERE.  The dress has the prettiest yoke and empire waist, but the full skirt with lace hem (see the little flower pattern?) really won me over.  The neck has a keyhole opening that closes with a single button.  I used a leftover from the fair isle sweater I made earlier in the year.

I think she likes it!

I still need to block the dress but I couldn’t resist having Olive try it on (she actually wore it today) immediately.  I knit up the 18 month size and it is perfect for her, considering she is on the smaller side. She will be able to wear it as a dress (with tights, etc.) through the winter and then I think it will be a perfect spring tunic with leggings!  My only adjustment to the pattern was to shorten the length by about an inch.

the front

the back

the hem with floral lace pattern

At the grocery store today, the cashier commented on the dress and asked if her grandmother had made it for her.  When I told her I actually had knit it, she seemed shocked.  😉  I took it as a compliment.  I love seeing Olive wearing something I made for her that started as just a ball of yarn. Every stitch of this dress has my care and intention in it and it was well worth the time it took to finally get it done!  Call me crazy, call me sentimental, but I just love being able to make something (from start to finish) for my baby girl.  It’s the domestic romantic in me.

Her hair looks so much darker in these photos taken a few hours later.  Lighting matters!

I’m thrilled to be back in my knitting groove and I can’t wait to get started on some new projects.  Up next: a pumpkin spice orange cardigan for Olive, a cabled cowl and a trio of Christmas stockings!

2 Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Pingback: Love and Splendor – Official Blog» Blog Archive » { On the Needles } Marigold “Butterfly Lace” Cardigan on January 9, 2014
  2. Pingback: Monarch Butterfly Cardigan for Olive – Complete! : Love and Splendor – Official Blog on January 20, 2015

Comments (13)

  1. julie martin: September 24, 2013

    You got skillz girl!!!!!!!!

  2. admin: September 24, 2013

    LOL thanks Jules!!

  3. vivian: September 24, 2013

    amazing! so talented! and i just wanted to squeeze olive!

  4. admin: September 27, 2013

    Hopefully soon! 😉 xo

  5. diana elizabeth: September 24, 2013

    I LOVE how talented you are! I signed up for a knitting class via Groupon so I hope to get some basics down. Olive is so blessed to have home made dresses! I grew up wearing dresses my mom sewed and that was so special 🙂 And that first pic of Olive, seriously? THAT SMILE!!! Adorable!

  6. admin: September 27, 2013

    so EXCITED for you!! I hope you enjoy it! xo

  7. Celeste Brewer: September 24, 2013

    GREAT JOB Angel!! Your great-niece Lily will need one to match! 🙂

  8. Rhiannon: September 27, 2013

    First things first, your little princess is adorable. She has gotten so big lately and I love seeing her personality shine in your photos. And secondly, I would like a dress just like Olive’s but in a big human size. Please and thank you. Sending lots of love your way, friend xoxo

  9. admin: September 27, 2013

    You are so sweet!! Thanks lovely~ I will have to knit you something special soon. 😉 xoxo

  10. Rachel (heart of light): September 27, 2013

    Angel, I’m so impressed!!! I can’t believe how good you’ve gotten so quickly! Olive is adorable, as always.

  11. admin: September 30, 2013

    Thanks dear!! I think *wanting* to get good at knitting was the main key to my success. I didn’t knit the entire summer but I am back at it and am loving it!

  12. kristin @ petal and thorn: September 30, 2013

    So awesome! Looks super complicated. I have to admit, I thought this would probably be a passing phase for you, but you’ve really stuck with it and I’m sure you’ll be knitting as an old granny someday.

  13. admin: September 30, 2013

    Thanks sweetie!! I think we’re all surprised at how much I “took” to knitting. I absolutely love it!

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