John Deere Sweater

The John Deere

The journey for this sweater began in December when I took an intarsia class (also known as the color block method) at a local knitting store. I really enjoyed learning this technique! There were many childrens sweaters on display that the instructor had done: a giraffe, ladybug, penguins, etc... so many ideas! But what pattern to pick? Who to make it for? When to start? What colors to choose? All the standard questions that come to a crafter's mind when they find a project that they want to attempt.

My cousin's son is 2 and LOVES trucks, tractors, and pretty much anything with wheels. Being the perfect age and residing in a cold climate this time of year, Matthew was the perfect candidate for this sweater! Knowing of his love for vehicles, I thought that I would knit him a tractor sweater. Then the search began to find the pattern, and after a couple weeks I finally came across this one at The Naked Sheep. Now to choose the colors.... Well, the tractor HAD to be green and yellow (when I thing Tractor, I think John Deere). I loved the sample picture of the red background, but Matthew has been blessed with red hair and I thought that the beige color would look better on him. Once I had the supplies home I began on the front. What fun! Watching as the pattern evolved row by row (sometimes disappearing when I had to un-knit due to a miscount) I was spurred on to finish it quickly.


But then there was the prospect of knitting a plain back... how boring! Of course, even though I had committed to following the pattern (see previous post), I couldn't resist adding some of my own personal flare! I downloaded a photo of the John Deere logo and drafted up my own stitch pattern to knit the logo on the back. I think it came out pretty well, at least you can recognize what it is! Then I knitted a little arm band on the right sleeve with the JD initials just to complete the whole John Deere theme. I did stick with the stitch pattern this time, just played with the colors.

Now just to pack it up and ship it off to it's new (and hopefully proud) owner. I can hear him now...

" I want my tractor sweater!"

...or maybe that is just my imagination getting carried away.

For those of you who have requested or are interested in the Pattern, please see the John Deere Stitch Pattern link on the right of the page under "Patterns".