The cutest thing I ever knit

Anouk

Gabby the Guardian Angel Bear (made by my dear MIL, Shirley) is modelling Kate Gilbert's Anouk, knit for my coworker's baby due at the end of June. (Her mat leave starts Friday, however, so I just got this done in the nick of time.) She is the first woman I've known since I started knitting who has been aware and letting people know that she is expecting a girl, who will be named Claire. So no need to knit a unisex baby sweater this time -- yay! I just jumped at the chance to finally knit this pattern that I'd fallen in love with the moment it was published on Knitty. It is as utterly darling in person as it looks in pictures. This was my first experience with duplicate stitch (for the flowers)... much less tedious and irritating than intarsia, thank goodness. If I ever have a little girl of my own one day, I am absolutely knitting her one of these. The yellow and green yarns are Lily Elite Cotton (the green is leftovers from the green top I knit last year), and the remaining colours are Bernat Handicrafter, so the garment will be machine washable and dryable. The sky blue Handicrafter was a gift from my very first secret pal, Megera -- thanks Megan!