Big sigh

I've been beavering away on young mans Zipped Cardigan. I'm making good progress, nearly finished the first sleeve and the fronts and back are completed. Its all done by rows and side decreasing, its all stocking stitch. So what could go wrong?

ooh, about 10 rows worth of wrong!! I've no idea where I've gone wrong or which side is wrong.... does this mean I have to rip back both sides to the armhole shaping? I hope not. I will go through row by row on each side counting the decreases and the rows in-beween and see if I cant work it out that way. Time to start another 'simple' pattern!!

Meanwhile, I'm back at college beginning another course:

Are you feeling Autumn?

Sometimes simple is best

There's nothing better than a nice simple pattern to raise your spirits. This is one of my knit along projects. I knit it along side the more challenging projects to give my brain a rest.

Moss stitch denim jacket

Pattern details:

Pattern source: The Celtic collection by Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Elle Denim, 5 balls

Needles: 3.25 mm and 4mm needles

Started: May 2007

Finished: August 2007

Amendments: I did not knit the pockets.

Comments: I used Elle denim yarn instead of the stated Rowan because it was in stash. The Elle yarn is noticeably softer than Rowan, but does not shrink as much. The finished product is much softer but not as sturdy feeling as the Rowan - having said that it's a difficult call to make as to which would be more suitable for a baby or young child. You want the softness because their skin is delicate, but you also want the sturdiness because the garment is likely to see much washing during its lifetime!! Pattern wise, very straight forward and easy to follow and no errors.

A finished object

Wavey

There are strands of yarn at the sides seams. (They are not stray ends!!)

As you can see here

My colours
Contrast sleeve
Detail of lace pattern on sleeves

Details

Pattern: My own

Yarn: Louisa Harding 'Sari Ribbon Pure'

Louisa Harding 'Thalia'

Sirdar Organza

Needle size: 12mm, 8mm, 7mm

Started: 6/9/07

Finished: 10/9/07

Comments: This garment was a college project requiring man made fibres. The finished garment looks lovely and is very wavy and floaty hence the strands of yarn at the sides to add to the floaty feel. All of the yarns were ribbon in type and varied in thickness. They all tended to get stuck on the tips of the knitting needles no matter how many times I changed to more round ended needles! The The Organza and the Sari ribbon stripped my hands of moisture and skin.

Julia is almost finished. I hope the good weather stays long enough for me to get a decent photo. I've started this for my young man.

If it's clear enough you can also see a sleeve for Julia

It's the Zipped Jacket from the Debbie Bliss Special Family Knits book . It's a lovely book. As is her Rialto book - where the pattern for Julia comes from. I want to knit all of the patterns from it!! I liked it so much I sent a copy to my sister in Ireland. I think she is doing better than me and is on her second garment.

Young man, formerly known as number one son, has settled down into new school routine and is in honeymoon period at school. He's up and out bright and early and not one bit of moaning along the way. He's now my young man because he looks so different in a school blazer - all suited and booted as it were - and a rucksack that is bigger then he is!! I wanted to knit Nevis for him but he said it's too girly. I bought some Tapestry early this year for a college project that didn't work. I think it was the kilt that put him off.......

Stripey

I'm just a sucker for a cute baby!!

Did I mention it has a hood?

And the cutest buttons?

Pattern: Hooded Stripe Top (middle size)

Book: Baby Cashmerino Book One

Designer: Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Baby Cashmerino 2 balls each in Pink and white

Started: July 2007

Finished: August 2007

Comments: Lovely pattern easy to follow and I love the yarn!!