I’m in stitches.

It all started when I was in high school 8 years ago (*chuckle* – it was wayyyyy before that). Mom wanted me to occupy my summers with something creative and productive, so I picked up some needles and the rest is gosh yarn history.

Knitting has been in my family for years. My cousin on mom’s side apparently convinced her whole family that it’s a) good for the soul b) good for the environment and c) something that brings the family together. You know what? She was wrong. It does much more than that, in my opinion. This post is dedicated to her: her incredible gift, creativity, spirit, and talent. We lost her years ago to breast cancer (eff you, cancer) sadly, but thankfully, she passed on some of her needlin’ knowledge to mom. So here’s to you, dear cuz. You were, and still are, an inspiration.

I am grateful and elated to continue the family tradition. Lately, I’ve been really into kids’ garb because they are sooo teeny that it literally takes a couple of days to complete something. I also find knitting extremely relaxing and therapeutic (until I lose a stitch or make a mistake, of course, in which case I blurt out obscenities before getting back into the zen groove). I stumbled upon this pattern on Ravelry (a great site for free patterns), and it instantly churned my project-lusting stomach juices. I let out a squeal from the cuteness, then proceeded to cast on my yarn and my determination.

Then I spotted the dreaded “circular needles” in the instructions.

Those words read to me as the words “no pets allowed.” I’ve knitted with circular needles but they require patience and experience. They take some getting used to.

Being the stubborn goat that I am, I decided to take on the project anyway. I’ll find a way around those circulars.

Here’s what you do. Where it says cast on 5 (or more) stitches at the beginning of the next 8 rows, just keep your work on your regular needles. You’ll have to scrunch and bunch a little, but it works. Then continue working the pattern with 2 needles to complete both sides of the front.

Continue knitting one side….

….and you’ll start to see the cardigan form.

You can pick up the edges to form the ribbing using your regular needles as well.

See? No need for circulars.

I really had to pull some strings on this one.