So I finished Jack's orange sweater - for a SECOND time:

I completed unwound the sweater I knit this fall and re-used the yarn on the same pattern with minor alterations.  It fits MUCH better.  I re-knit it over a few days time.  Now it's something I'll actually dress him in.

So the question in this post title refers to this other sweater I finished:

It looks better in action, as in the shot on the right where Jack is sitting in a cart seat for the first time (that was about a month ago).  I've worn and washed the sweater several times. 

On the one hand - yay!  I knit a whole sweater!  Yippee me!  I like the color and the yarn from knitpicks is really nice. 

On the other hand - not a flattering top at all.  It was supposed to look like this:
Short puffy sleeves, waist flattering, with a high neckline!  What happened on my pattern?  I knit it a size too small according to my gauge, and it's still boxy and over-sized.  No matter how I style it, I feel frumpy.  Ben consoles me, saying it looks home-made, but in a good way!  Hmmm.

I feel as though I could make some major improvements.  Make the smallest size, add the collar last to pull it in, shorten the sleeves and take out the puffs, and add more waist shaping and length.  But that would mean tearing it to pieces and starting over from scratch.  While making this sweater, I already restarted 3 times after knitting about 8 inches of length.  So it's not inconceivable to tear it out again.  But . . . so disheartening.

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I’m in love with the photos Ben took last night of the eclipse. He stayed up all night, taking a series of photos. Amazingly, the clouds parted just right so he could get clear pictures. More on his flickr page.

Spent all my days off at Camp Bailey this week, helping Amanda audition and cast her spring musical.  I'm stoked!  If I don't get worked into the ground this weekend, I'll post some more photos and info.  For now, here's Jack after eating macaroni and beef with veggies. 

I nominate this for cutest Jack video yet.

Flips! from Rachel Mason on Vimeo.

And here we test Jem's patience with babies.  She's looks pretty miserable.


A future in rodeo from Rachel Mason on Vimeo.

It's the time of year when we celebrate, er, possibly offend the Jewish community by getting eight pairs of socks.  Ben has received eight pairs of socks for eight days every Hanakkuh since 1990 when Hanakkuh Harry appeared on SNL.  When I came into the family I happily joined in the ritual.  Seriously, socks are awesome.  This was Jack's first time getting socks and getting to open presents.  Good practice for Christmas.  I had to miss it because of work, but Ben taped it for all of us!

First Hanukkah Socks from Rachel Mason on Vimeo.

Happy December to all!  Ben bought me a "happy holidays" gift - a woot shirt that made me laugh out loud.  Here's a link to the image.  He also taught Jack how to high five.  No kidding!  He drops his toy and softly brings his hand to yours.  It's a start!  I'm working on "so big!" next. 

I have a couple days off.  We're going to see Amanda's kids do Macbeth and go to the holiday craft fair Friday evening.  I'm hopeful that the food trucks they mention include the little orange rocket, which I discovered parked outside my hospital one day.  What else to do with my time off??  caramels? needle felted ornaments? gift shopping? peanut butter bars? or my default - tv shows and knitting?

UPDATE:  I made these.  They are tasty tasty yum.  I'm still thinking about making these.