FO and Frogging

I have another FO, I actually finished this a couple of weeks ago but have just been very lazy! It's Polly from Kim Hargreaves' Thrown Together book.



I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky from my stash. It was very easy to knit but I felt like I was seaming it forever.

I have also decided to ditch some projects that have on the needles at present. I don't know which ones yet, but I think I just like the excitement of starting something new and don't think about whether I'm actually going to finish it or not. So really I am just wasting my time if I'm not going to finish it, right?

I'm full of good intentions, but I never carry those through either!

How Time Flies

I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted - I don't know where the time has gone. September was a busy month - Alex turned five and started "big school", as he calls it, Isobel started playgroup and we had a day out at Thomasland (Drayton Manor). Phew!

Now that Alex is at school my day is hectic - drop offs at playgroup and school, pick one up, watch the clock until it's time to collect the other one, in between pack the parcels for the post office, make a feeble attempt at some housework, oh and some sneaky knitting!

I can't count the number of projects I have on the go at the minute - I just don't have enough fingers (or toes), but that doesn't mean you can't cast on something else does it? So here it is...

...it's called Adoration, and it's a lovely little tunic dress for Isobel. It's a pattern from the new Louisa Harding book Kindred and I'm using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, which is an excellent substitute for the Louisa Harding Kashmir Baby yarn.

Off now for a cuppa, some TV and some knitting. Bliss!

Juliet

This has been finished for quite a while, but I couldn't find the photos...

It's Juliet by Zephyr Style. There are loads of lovely finished versions of this out there, although I haven't actually tried mine on yet! I'm not too sure about the large button fastening shown on the pattern, so I just temporarily threaded this ribbon through. What do you think?

I also managed to use some chunky yarn up from my stash!

I have got more FO's to post, just need to get some good pics.

In the meantime, have a look at Spiderman and the Butterfly!

It does exactly what it says on the tin...

...or so to speak. I'm talking about Sirdar Wash and Wear Double Crepe DK.

I was a little hesitant about this yarn at first - I remember using it years ago when I was first learning to knit. I remember that it had a really crunchy texture (which wasn't very nice) and it seemed to stick to the needles. But all these years later I found that there were some really nice designs using this yarn, so I decided to give it another try. I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised, so much so that it is currently my favourite yarn to knit with! It's actually lovely and soft, has a great colour range and knit wise it shows off cables and textured patterns beautifully. Add to that that it has a great metreage per ball and is excellent value, what's not to love?

This is my first finished garment - its Sirdar leaflet 8777, and can be made with long or capped sleeves. This version only uses 3 balls, and is very quick and simple to knit? What do you think?


















And as I said earlier, true to it's word, it washes and wears beautifully, loves the tumble dryer and also seems to soften up just a little bit more once it's been in there.

I hope to have more Wash and Wear Crepe DK FO's very soon.

My Mam would be proud of me!

First on my Winter 2008 Must Knit List...

...is this cabled dress by Debbie Bliss from her forthcoming book Winter Essentials.





















Do you believe in love at first sight?

My Mam - Born 16.12.32 Died 03.04.08

I should have posted this sooner, and I should say more about her, but still even now it's hard enough to look at the photos without crying.I'm sure she is now where she wanted to be, back with my Dad and my brother David.

It's a FO Frenzy!

Most of these have been finished for ages - I just haven't got around to posting them. I will try and make more of an effort to keep things up to date.

So here's just a quick round up...

Rusted Root by Zephyr Style. I love this design and have seen some fantastic finished versions of it, however I hate mine. It makes me look like an American footballer with huge shoulders. It's currently waiting to be recycled into something else. I used Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran, which was lovely to knit with. Better luck next time!

Next we have the Florence sweater and Duchess dress from Louisa Harding's Enchanted Garden children's book, and Smockie from Sublime Book 606. These are two gorgeous books for children and I have already knitted a few of their designs. The dress and sweater both use Kashmir Aran and the Sublime uses Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK. These have all been worn loads and have washed really well which is just what you need for kid's clothes.

Here is Isobel modelling her Iced Gem cardigan, also from Enchanted Garden. I think this one must be her favourite - she always wants to wear it! Good hair Isobel!

I'll be back with part two later, after I've had a large cuppa and I find where the photos are!