The Kitty Cardi

I've decided to knit Alana's cardi first because her present needs to be shipped across the country to New Orleans. 

With the yarn already picked out, I just need to make the correct gauge.  The stated gauge of 6 stitches per inch was easily achieved with US4's and I cast on the correct number of stitches.  The pattern instructs you to knit the cardi from the top down and I was on a roll until I got to the underarm at which point you are instructed to switch from stocking stitch to the lace pattern.  I didn't think much of it as I've successfully knit plenty of lacy items.  I just kept on knitting as instructed and 3 rows into the lace pattern I thought it a good idea to count my stitches.  The desired number of stitches is 209 and I managed to acquire over 240.  Oh dear, this is a problem.  I tinked the entire last 3 rows I had just knit and re-knit the lace row.  Having learned from my initial mistake, I counted my stitches after I finished the row.  207.  I ripped it again and re-knit that same row.  Again. 

The lace pattern isn't all that hard. Knit 2 together twice, followed by a yarn over knit one combo which is repeated 3 times, yarn over, and knit 2 together twice.  The stitch count remains constant with 4 stitches being decreased and 4 stitches being increased.  Like I said, the pattern is pretty straight forward and yet I was still unable to knit it correctly.  After the fourth try, I knit that lacy row successfully! 

All in all the cardi is a fast knit and I'm quite pleased with the results.  The only modification I would make would be to add sleeves, which I plan to do for my girls' cardi's provided I have enough yarn.

Revised Christmas Knitting Plan:

My family:
Ray: socks
Karolyn: Kitty Cardi
Sydney: Kitty Cardi

My sisters' family:
Mary (my sister): slippers
Alana (niece): Kitty Cardi = complete
Bryce (nephew): Pembroke Vest = complete
Jacqueline (niece): Clara Dressy = complete

My brother John's family:
Trenton (nephew): Pembroke Vest = complete