This fall Purl Soho sent me some of their Cashmere Merino Bloom in Lilac Quartz to make a sweater for Iris. The yarn is so soft and heavenly! Although I'm not a purple lover in general (Iris IS big time), I think this color is beautiful. I used the Ellen's Cardigan pattern from Petite Knit (chosen by Iris), and it taught me a new technique-- the afterthought buttonhole. It took me awhile to get the hang of it, but now it's my new favorite way to make a buttonhole because it's very easy for Iris to button by herself.
Iris picked out the buttons from Josephine's Dry Goods, and boy do they have a wonderful selection of buttons. She proudly wears her cardi to kindergarten daily (mostly over a Wiksten Smock, as shown here), telling anyone who will listen that her mom made it and that she picked out the buttons. Makes a mom's heart happy. : )