Feminine Knits

Think this is a really good book for knitting. I've just completed a sweater, well it was meant to be a short sleeved summer top with pompoms. But I need long sleeves as I'm such a chilly lass!

I ended up making a size smaller as it was looking to big in my size and that was a good choice for me, the pattern was easy and I quickly got to grasps with it.  I took my time and slowed down with my knitting, after all there's no race to finish all my yarn is there?! 

The book is available at The Book Depository see the link on the left. And corrections for the patterns are available from Interweave.com.

You can find more images on Ravelry .

I wanted to make the Mother of the Bride cardigan out of the book Mother and daughter knits, but after 3 failed attempts at the back I gave up. It requires your undivided attention or you will end up losing stitches somewhere and since the pattern is quite intense it will not be easy to find where you lost them. 

I might take it on again when I'm a bit more focused or maybe it might be a good thing on a 3 hour ferry trip...lol 

So instead I'm making my very 1st shawl pattern which appears so far to be way easier than the failed cardi.

The pattern is available for free on Knitty.com  and I hope my attempt looks half as good as this one.

I expect it to take a while to make but we'll see.  I suppose it will go fairly quickly if I am fortunate not to be interrupted whilst counting ...... ooh how that annoys me!

Rosebud Edging

I've been at this rosebud edging for my lacey top for a few weeks now, I know it could've been finished ages ago had I really put my mind to it.

But as it was I kept losing my place or dropping a stitch........ something you don't want to do!!! with fine lace knits.

The pattern edging is available here  http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/lace/edgings.htm  if anyone wants to try it.

I have to say it was the perfect edge for the lacey top by Shiri Mor especially since I couldn't get lace trim anywhere to match.  Even the ribbon is Teal as it went better than the green that was in stock in the shop.

Now what to do with the rest of the cone as this didn't appear to make a dent in it!!!

Knitting bug

I've definitely caught the knitting bug. I don't know what I'll do with myself when I run out of yarn!

I've just finished this dinky vest from  Berroco.com it's a free pattern and is called Valpuri if you're interested in making it.

It's so easy and quick to knit and perfect over a long sleeved t-shirt on these cooler days.

Aran complete!

Yippee! It's finished and fits perfectly and am wearing it already since it's gotten cooler again.
I have decided it was worth all the aggro to get it done ;o)  next project is on the needles already just hoping I have enough yarn

Cabled Sweater by Bernat

This pattern has been driving me crazy from the start and it's just as well it's free because I would ask for a refund.  It started with the C4B which in traditional knitting is worked on a ratio of 2/2, so why in the name of mother earth would anyone change it to a 3/1 ratio? as if there isn't enough terminology to work through. I'm no stranger to Aran knitting and have not had any difficulty with cables until this pattern.

So I scrapped panels B and C because I didn't like the look and the C4B/F drove me nuts. I introduced a panel from the book Cables untangled [number 24] and was glad to have all my problems solved! Or so I thought until I reached row 53,, arrghhh pattern error should read 53rd row: P10. C6B. P4. T4F. K2. T4B. P4. C6F. P10

Perhaps I should have put cables to match the center one at the sides. Hmmm maybe next time?!

OK so now the back is done and the front started, I'm hoping that when finished it fits well and hasn't lost what first drew me to it.

Update on Lacey knit

Well the main part is done and yippee after blocking it's a perfect fit...phew and it's still a crop top on me despite all those extra rows.

I don't think I will find lace in that colour so I've started to knit in 2ply an 1958 woman's weekly lace edging which is a bit tricky and can only be worked on in the daytime....... I'm seriously starting to wonder if I should have gone for the easy option of quick crochet around the neck line.

Will be in town on friday so will get the ribbon trims then.

In the meantime here's the preview of the almost finished top.......I'm sure I'll get the neck done before the summer actually arrives.

Lacey knit

I've just finished the aran sweater that has been on the needles for what seems like an eternity.......since it was plain I got fed up with it and started other things as you can see from the previous post. I thought I'd better bite the bullet and get it done and dusted.  So now it's done and it knitted up pretty good considering it was the second time I'd used the yarn........ it had been a zip up cardigan in it's last life.
No sooner had it come off the needles and been sewn together than it was on the Misters back....... nope I hadn't even the chance to finish up all the loose ends. ;) still I pinched it back when he wasn't looking and fixed that.

I spotted Shiri Mors cropped Lace Top on Ravelry and fell head over heels for it, just had to make it...... hmmm I had thought the green yarn in my stash was 2 ply but now I don't know??
Anyway it would have been better to have the gauge before blocking , but I've doubled my yarn and gone up 2 needles sizes.... fingers crossed that will work out big enough?? doesn't look like it to me.  I have loads of the yarn so I can make another one after a little maths.... I've made modifications to the top so it's longer so we'll see how that turns out. I'm currently at the armhole shaping.  Doesn't look like much in the photo.