Crocheted Girls' Cardigan in Bold Self-Striping Yarn

When my 6 year old granddaughter saw her new bright and bold cardigan, her eyes opened wide, and she exclaimed ,WOW!" " Is that sweater really for me?" We matched bright tourquoise buttons to the button band, and I promised her that she could have the sweater as soon as I had blocked it.  "Would you please dress up for fashion parade so that I can photograph you for my article?"I requested.  "Yes, she answered with a smile.  "I just want to wear it for my parents/"

---

I had bought several skeins of Red Heart Super Saver Stripes in the Polo colorway several months ago.  Little did I know that the magenta and turquoise colors would spark such joy.The This Red Heart  yarn is worsted weight (#4) and is 100% acrylic. It weighs 5.3 oz. (114 gr) and is 236 yards (215 m) long.  It can be machine washed (cold) and dried.  However, I prefer to take it out of the dryer when damp and block it to retain its shape for the rest of the drying time. 

Sometimes I start with a pattern and look for a yarn.  In this case, I had several skeins of yarn and searched for an appropriate pattern for a girl aged 6.  Size 6 is still roomy for this petite child, but since she has many sweaters, I wanted her to be able to wear the piece into next season.  Yarnspirations Fun Time Cardigan (RHC0329-014211M) is a free pattern that appeared to work well with the Red Heart Stripes, yarn.  I used about 3 skeins with an H (5.0mm) for the ribbing and an I (5.5 mm) hook for the body. Ribbing was crocheted with alternating Fri=ont and Back Post Double Crochet,FPDC and BPDC) and the body of the sweater was worked in Double Crochet (DC).  The back and  front panels as well as the sleeves were crocheted separately and then sewed or crocheted together. 

I had previously used this pattern with a Red Heart Super Saver Ombre in size 2.  Now was my chance showcase the bright and bold colors of the Polo  Stripes.  The  directions are clear and easy to follow, Sizes are range from 2to8, and so I will be able to use this pattern at least one more time for this granddaughter before she grows out of.  A simple pattern is great for presebting interesting yarns.  I will try my hand at a cardigan for my youngest granddaughter.  I may even have time before our family get-together next month.

​As always, I appreciate your feedback and reflections.  Please join me only stitching journey..