A Little on the Big Side

I had some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in my small stash and my need to knit big - bigger needles together with a striped jumper in mind for Elis. It was surprisingly tricky to find the pattern in aran weight, so after quite a few swatches and tweaks in sizes, I decided to adapt a pattern from Debbie Bliss' Quick Baby Knits. Not ideal as maths is not my strong point, but it has turned out ok - a little on the large side, but it should fit next winter. Elis said 'nice' as he tried it on - sloppy joe style.

I don't have a new project on the go - which makes me feel a little loss - no solid escapism, but it's all part of a plan to focus on learning to crochet - hope I have some patience! Some new colour bought today as Elis and I raced to the shop whilst Isobel was Pirate and Fairy partying!

A Few Knits

It took an age, but a while ago I finally finished the cardigan for Isobel - "My honey" by DROPS Design. I used Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply and 3.25 needles (so small.....). Isobel chose the pattern from a selection I made on Ravelry and then we chose the yarn colour in Sharp Works. It is a much prettier and brighter purple than is showing here. Luckily the we had a fantastic Summer so the cardigan hasn't been 'required' yet, but it a good length so hopefully she will have some good wear out of it. She is delighted with it so worth the slog! I am not sure if I would do a DROP Design again as the instructions were not always super clear. Thanks to Helen and my mother-in-law for clarifying things when I was stumped!

As a contrast to the above I was after quick knits - large needles and hats! I had planned to knit a cable hat taken from a pattern in Mollie Makes and came across Quince&Co's Osprey in Stone on a visit to Loop. Made for my brother I loved knitting with this yarn and hopefully there is a little left to make Elis one:

And finally, I have always wanted to make Isobel a colourful beret. We spotted a beautiful 3 tone one in the latest mini Boden catalogue and after a quick search on Ravelry I found Carrie Bostick Hoge's pattern for 'Lottie Beret' and used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino aran. So sweet for toddler and young girls.

A little knitting

I am not really one for lace knitting - too much concentration and correctness needed. However, I did enjoy knitting the Cataleya Hat designed by my clever friend Helen. How she dreams up the designs and puts them into a pattern is beyond me! I used this gorgeous dyed yarn in 'Granatapfel' from Rohrspatz & Wollmeise which I picked up from a knitting show a couple of years ago. 100g but have made 2 hats and still have about half left. I wonder if I should have made a few more rounds on this hat to make it more slouchy on my head which seems to be on the larger size....if there was a next time I may not block it as the yarn seems to have lost it's 'spring'.

Isobel voiced a concern recently as I haven't knitted anything for her recently. I did comment my last creation has hardly had any wear.....suddenly she is squeezing into it and asking if I could make her a cardigan. So with a search on Ravelry and comparing patterns, Isobel chose this one and after a trip to the local yarn shop, I am on a mission.  I've already been asked it is finished yet - ha! - on size 3 needles - it's going to take me a while. I didn't choose size 5-6 without good reason!

Hey Jude

It has taken eons, but finally last week I finished the jumper for Elis - 'Hey Jude' by Amanda Kretchun which I sourced from Ravelry. I cast on (Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino - predictable!) before his arrival, but during the following weeks, in a bleary eyed state, only manage to do the odd row in the early weeks of his life with a number of errors - no time though to re-do. It just fits (blocked the life out of it) and despite the immensely frustrating sloow going it was a useful learning curve. Adjusting the 18th month old pattern to fit a 3/4 month old, and knitting a raglan sweater top down was a new one on me. But wow - not having to make up at the end was FANTASTIC - so I am all for more of these patterns.

Mini Socks

Have knitted these socks for wearing in wellies/gum boots as her feet can get so cold. Didn't seem easy to find a pattern for 2 year olds and if I did, it was for four needles, so I adjusted one of Debbie Bliss' baby sock patterns. They just fit (like the cardy sadly), but will do for the remainder of this winter (roll on Spring - we've had enough of the cold now!!)

Big Dotty

Just finished this cardigan for Isobel - in the nick time too as I don't think she is going to get too many months wear out of it. Granny knitted a her Little Dotty soon after she was born and I liked the effect the purl one, knit 5 has - so simple but so effective. The yarn suggested in the pattern is discontinued so I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK. Required one more ball than in the pattern.

Onto the next project.....

Shetland Shawl

A few weeks ago I finished my first shawl. Definitely something I couldn't do watching TV and talking at the same time so took a little longer than I expected. I do love knitting with 100% alpaca and relatively pleased with the end result. Would have been nicer if it was a little wider, but something to take on board for next time.

Made It

I finished this cotton cardy (Debbie Bliss Eco Cotton) and hat some weeks ago and have been saving it up for our trip to see my new nephew Max:



And in the words of Isobel 'I did' it - finally got around to making her a Summer dress. I wanted just a simple shift dress and found a pattern, but only 3-8 years old....so made a few amendments and here it is using Amy Butler's Daisy Chain print. Let's hope the weather holds.




I was suppose to be packing to go away when making this- so of course I decided to make some shorts too given there was enough material. Not sure how 'ease of comfort' they will be as the crotch was slightly awkward - and again making it up a bit as I went along....all a bit rough and ready!



AM - if you are reading this - making the shorts took me back to that weekend where we made various pairs for ourselves! I was very proud of them!

Ribbon Cardigan

I made this Autumnal cardy for Isobel - but if the weather dips to 13 degrees as promised tomorrow she might be getting some wear out of it sooner than later. A colleague knitted the same pattern for Isobel when she was newborn and I think the simple design is so pretty. I have given up the Art of Perfection as there are several mistakes on one of the front panels - and the neck band, but have come to the conclusion to just let it go!



The other week when Isobel and I had our jaunt to the local yarn shop, I made an impulse buy of some Debbie Bliss Eco Cotton. I haven't knitted in cotton for ages as it can look so uneven, but this is lovely and so light. Perfect for a little someone when the Summer days are a little chilly...

Rangoli Hat

For the first time in about 20 years (yikes) I have knitted something for myself. I had two skeins of this gorgeous soft Blue Sky baby alpaca in licorice and decided to make a cabled rangoli hat.



And I love it - and in a way glad it is still cold enough to warrant wearing it (but that is the only positive about this ongoing cold winter). I would love to knit more with this yarn and am very tempted by the lovely colours on offer.

Meanwhile last week I bought 19 (!) balls of yarn for a few more projects I have in the pipeline. More anon.

December's knits

Last month I knitted furiously in order to finish a pair of socks for my brother, James, as a Christmas present. After much debating on size etc luckily they do fit and he has been enjoying wearing them in this chilly weather we have been having:




I also charged ahead with making Isobel another polo shirt. The actual body of the garment was made in no time, but picking up the stitches on the collar took longer than expected. I was also worried I was going to run out of yarn so the collar is a little bit shorter than the Debbie Bliss pattern suggested. It fits and there is room to grow - always a good thing!

The Rosebud Project

It is finally finished - yippee. The Rosebud cardigan has finally come to an end (well I have told myself to stop unpicking and just leave it well alone). It is not perfect, but hopefully not too many people will notice. Have decided to give the cardigan to Isobel for her birthday and hopefully it will fit for this winter! There is also a blanket one could make, but I think I have had enough knitted rosebuds to last me a long while yet.





It has been quite a crafty present week as Granny came to stay and brought with her the finished quilt:



It is gorgeous and am thinking it may have to adorn one of Isobel's wall whilst she is too young to use it in bed. Granny also gave her this lovely pink knit - so very pretty and perfect for the Springtime:



We had a lovely day on Friday at the Horniman museum - Isobel thought the aquarium was very intriguing and loved banging the instruments in the 'hands on' room.

Aran Cardy

Having started this last Summer when Isobel was a feisty bump I put it aside thinking it looked huge. I have never let a piece of knitting lie dormant for over a year so before I went back to work it was another aim to achieve. Took a little longer as I kept re-doing the making up.



Still not over the moon with it, but in the end life is too short. The cardy doesn't seem so huge now - think it will do Isobel for this coming winter. Talking of winter projects, I have just started this Rose-bud cardigan also for Isobel in the chilly weather - will match her teddy and booties (which I am sure will be too small for her by then).

Projects

Having found some old aran wool stashed in one of the baskets under the bed, I decided to make Isobel a cable and moss stitch hat (Debbie Bliss- Cashmerino Book 2). As always, I find decreasing in moss stitch fustrating, but the hat will do the job in the winter assuming it stays on. Now just need to finish the cable cardigan I started last Summer!

When we were in Harlech I had a browse around the material shop there - Cae du Designs and picked up this remnant of Georgina (by Romo). I have a couple of spare cushion pads so am planning on making two covers - perhaps one patchwork. Not sure I will do this before going back to work, but we'll see. They also had these gorgeous little lavender bags for sale - only £1.50! Usually I see these and think they are over charging and could quite easily make them myself. However, this time I was taken by the detail - look at the stiching around the eddge and for that price.....has of course ended up in one of Isobel's drawers!

Knitted Gifts

One of my old school friends has joined the realm of motherhood and big congratulations to her on the birth of Oliver. Out of our school group we are now all finally mums - which is fantastic. Anne-Marie is a pro at making gifts and has given Isobel some fabulous and delightful homemade presents. Not knowing what sex the bub was to be, I opted for what I thought was one of AM's favourite colours and a good unisex one (and of course my favourite too....). So whilst no way near perfect, I hope they will be of some use in NSW winter - they at least look quite sweet.

Knitted Socks

After a number of false start (with both socks - easily distracted!), I have finally finished my first pair of socks using the magic loop method which is great - thanks to Helen for inspiring me and getting me on track with the first one. The magic loop method is pretty easy once you get the hang of it so I would like to try and use it more instead of the traditional needles. The wool is the German make, Regia, but designed by Kaffe Fassett. I used to think his tapestries were amazing when I was alot younger and remember being taken to the V&A to see them when we were on a visit to the U.K.

So what am I going to do with the socks? Initially I thought about them for my brother James, but wasn't sure if he would be receptive (maybe- it is cold up north?). Instead I have decided to keep them as a reminder of my first knitted pair. James can always let me know if he would like a pair (perhaps with less vibrant colours).