m a k i n g s : : of the birthday sort

the socks i cast on for the birthday girl quickly turned ugly.  sometimes that happens.  as i mentioned, we all thought they looked like the miyazaki cat bus gone all wrong or a train wreck yellow submarine.  i went through my stash last weekend and found a whole lot of cascade 220 worsted weight wool from various projects and gifts.  after searching ravelry for inspiration i finally landed on knitting the birthday girl a poncho.  i was thinking a poncho with a hood, but ended up with a poncho slash skirt (you know, poncho/skirt).  one of the first knitting books i bought (after kid's knitting by melanie falick) was debbie bliss' book jr. knits. in this book there is a pattern for a poncho/skirt that is adorable called the Ruby which is knit in two pieces & sewn.  i didn't want to sew nor did i want to think about someone else's idea of color-work back and forth so i made up my own and in the round.

here's what i came up with:



















i could have made it a tad bit bigger, but this girl loves (LOVES!) it and has thrown it on each day since it came off the needles.  it will most definitely keep her toasty during this 8th year of life so i call it a success.

(knitting details)