Dear Mom,
I am sorry that it has taken me five and a half years of knitting before I ever got around to making you a 
garment… especially after I have made so many for myself. The scarves, socks, and mitts were fun to make for you over the years, but since I enjoy making sweaters more than anything else, it is fitting that I make one for you!
…after browsing through many pattern books, I am happy that you chose this one. The first time I saw this pattern (from the Classic Elite Autumn Book 1 collection), it really caught my eye. I wanted to make sure that you liked what I was planning to make you, and that you were involved with the process from the beginning. We all love surprises, sure, but it is hard to make a surprise garment. I love your choice of the Lush Swingy Jacket from Classic Elite. It is so “you”: elegant, feminine, and sweet. Second, it has that tailored look with the shawl collar and the smocked lace patterning. I think it is going to look great on you!
Finding the yarn was a bit of a challenge though, as you know. The original pattern calls for a lovely angora blend, and while it is quite nice, I knew that one of your suggestions was no
mohair or angora that could shed… and since you also wanted something more lightweight for three season of wear, I found a great sub in the Classic Elite Classic Silk. Luckily, I also found the color that you wanted!
I searched in several shops in Seattle and came across this yarn at Weaving Works, but I decided to wait on a big purchase since I didn’t have the pattern book with me… so, when I got home, I did some more research and came back to this yarn. WEBS had it, and in a matter of days, it was on my doorstep. So, I just cast on tonight and immediately fell in love with the texture. I think you will really like it.
I started with the sleeve so I could learn the smocked lace stitch pattern. It is a 12-row repeat and quite fun to knit, even for this novice lace knitter. I particularly like the little cluster stitch that draws the diamonds together – like a little rope tying around the stitches. It will show up even more once it is blocked out.
So, I won’t finish this in time for your birthday next Monday… but I think it might be a nice present for Mother’s Day next month…
I am enjoying the process of knitting for you, mama. I sure hope you like it!
Love you,
Lolly
This letter to your mom is so sweet. I,too, have a wonderful daughter. With so much brokenness at work in the world this is such a hopeful and positive message. Good on you!
Sure to make one happy mother on Mother’s Day! Looking gorgeous already!
This is a really sweet post!
It’s going to be beautiful and I love the yarn choice
Awww – that’s so sweet. I bet she’s gonna love it.
Excellent yarn choice for this pattern!
Wonderfully written Lolly!
I love the colour you two chose, and the lace pattern looks so beautiful. I can see you’re putting lots of love into it.
That is such a nice thing to do for your mom.
Good job it’s such a beauty to make up for all the years of neglect!
I’d like to think that if I’d had a daughter she’d be a lot like you! What a sweet post.
So Sweet
I love that sweater, Lolly! What a nice post, too. It’s funny, when I bought that booklet I pictured that sweater for my Mom, too! I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
That is going to be l-o-v-e-l-y!!!! And in one of my favorite colors too. Just too tempting.
What a sweet post! I’m eager to see how the sweater turns out in the yarn that you’re using…such a pretty design (and color!).
The way your love for your mom shines through this post is really nice. I’m sure she’ll cherish this sweater for years to come.
That’s so nice! I’m sure that this sweater will be extra special for her.
That is so sweet. Such a lovely thing for you to do for your mum.
Thank you, my Lol. Your post is so sweet and the pictures of the yarn look absolutely fantastical! I know that I will love this sweater, especially since you made it with love in the stitches. Love you so much….XXOO
she will love this…as I read her comment :]…beautiful.
Lovely sweater, and the thoughts and inspiration behind it! Out of the sea of patterns out there, you have a knack for finding particularly pretty ones, Lolly. The yarn looks so different knitted up then in the ball, looking forward to seeing your mom model the end result.
what a sweet post! and i love your mom’s comment
i have been meaning to knit a sweater for my mom as well.
Aw – you two sweet people are going to make me cry on a Monday morning! Stop it. Gorgeous pattern and yarn and I’m anxious to watch the progress on this one.
awe so sweet lolly!! and what a beautiful cardigan that will be!
Now I know where you get your exquisite taste.
Love!
aw, that so sweet!!
your mom sure is lucky!
It is hard to knit a surprise sweater for someone else, isn’t it? It’s also hard to knit a garment for someone who lives 800 miles away! That’s what I did when I knit my mom a sweater last year…I never realized just how helpful it is to be able to have the intended recipient (which is usually ME, LOL) try it on as I knit until that wasn’t an option! Hope your mom’s sweater turns out well! I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.
How very sweet! What a beautiful and thoughtful gift. You both are very lucky:)
Joan
Very sweet post, Lolly dear. I hope your mom does appreciate all the hard work that will go into this, from choosing the yarn, finding the color, and all of the lovely knitting. Knit it with love, babe. xoxo
What a lovely jacket. Shure your mom will be very happy about it, so would I.
LG Dorothy
Thanks for the inspiration to finish my shawl and get it to my mom in time for mother’s day!
this is an example of y i love reading blogs.
a beautiful sweater as well as a beautiful letter.
i’m glad i’m back to blogging.