Wishing I could stay a California girl.

About two years ago, my family and I moved from our little town in Ohio to Paradise.  A midwest girl all my life, I had never been anywhere other than Ohio, Wisconsin, and of course Florida (for vacation).  Then my DH was offered a job training in California.  We would move across the country for two years, my DH would train someone at his job, then we would move back.  At the time, CA seemed worlds away.  But in this day and age with computers, cell phones, text messaging, email......I was never really that far away.  You see, much of my family is in Ohio.  I had never lived very far away from them EVER.  The thought of moving that far away made me very nervous.  After much thought, we decided to do it.  So we moved our family of 5 across the country to Monterey, CA. A.K.A. Paradise. 

It took some getting used to at first.  There are really no seasons to speak of.  It's pretty much between 50-70 degrees year 'round.  The people's lifestyles are different.  They actually EXERCISE VOLUNTARILY.  I know, crazy huh?  Everyone in Monterey walks everywhere.  They eat things I had never tried before (artichokes and avacados).  It took me about a year and a half to get the hang of this livin' in California thing.  It helped that the ocean was less then a mile away.  Every morning I drove along it to take my kids to school.  Their school had the most beautiful view of the ocean.  Even our front bay window had a pretty modest view. 

But now our two years are up and it's time to go back.  Our little family of 5 that moved out here will be a family of 6 moving back.  My youngest daughter was born here.  I guess all good things must come to an end right?  I will sorely miss California and all the friends I've made.  We leave in 7 days...

Summertime Bubble Top pattern

*REVISION 6-7*
I forgot to add the decreases at the bottom of the shirt right before the ribbing.  Fixed 6-7-10

Size 12 mos
Measurements: Chest 20"
Underarm to waist 7"
Backwaist (neck to top of back waist) 8"-9"

Materials:
3.5 ounces worsted weight wool
US size 7 12" or 16" circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
US size 8 16" circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
US size 9 16" circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
US size 5 16" circular needle-for ribbing
Five stitch markers

CO-cast on
BO-bind off
KFB-knit in front and back of stitch

Gauge
Neckline 5.5 stitches/inch
Top portion of body 5-5.5 stitches/inch
Main body portion 4.5-5 stitches/inch

Neckline:
Using US size 7 needles (or size used to obtain gauge) CO 87 stitches
Row 1 – Marker Placement
Join knitting in the round being sure not to twist
K8, PM, K25, PM, K21, PM, K25, PM, K8, PM
Row 2 Purl
Rows 3-7 K
Row 8 Purl
Row 9 K
Row 10 *KFB* 8 stitches, remove marker, BO 25, remove marker, *KFB* 21 stitches, remove marker, BO 25, remove marker, *KFB* 8 stitches.

You've completed the neckline and straps. If it's easier for you, you can put the working section on DPN's for the next few rows until you join in the round again. I kept mine on circular needles.

Transfer the stitches to your size 8 circs (or size needed to obtain gauge). Beginning at your front marker, K to the end. Work 7 rows total in stockinette stitch doing a KFB at the beginning and end of each Knit row. You should end with a purl row. Snip yarn

Work the back side in the same manner as the front. Work 7 rows total in stockinette stitch doing a KFB at the beginning and end of each Knit row. You should end with a knit row.

CO 2 stitches and join in the round. Knit around the front side, CO 2 stitches. Switch to size 9 circs (or size needed to obtain gauge) and continue knitting in the round until your piece measures 6" from underarm.

*K1, K2tog* for one round 

Make sure that you have an even number of stitches on the needles.

Switch to size 5 circs and begin K2, P2 for 8 rows or just shy of an inch. Bind off with picot cuff.

If you'd like a wider top, you can increase stitches throughout the body of the top. Be sure to space your increases a few rows apart. Usually 4 stitches per row will increase without being noticeable.

*pattern for personal use only.

Summertime bubble top

Summertime bubble top
Originally uploaded by littletrunks

I'll be writing the pattern to this. It's a quick knit and super easy. I love it on my daughter!