Cardigan for me

Having finished the Charlotte Dress for P last week, it is now time to get on with the project I've had going on for me! It's a lovely Autumn Cardigan, and I'd like to finish it soon, given that we're now officially in Autumn!

It's from the Sirdar Tweedie Chunky pattern book, though I confess I'm not actually using Tweedie Chunky wool, but a nice Aran I spotted a while back.

I'm going for the 'One button cabled jacket' and I've made good progress (especially considering the time spent decorating recently, and general lack of coherence left in my head once both kids are in bed and the house is reasonably tidy/clean*)

To date, I've completed the back, both fronts, and am about 2/3 the way through the first sleeve (though am once more gathering momentum, although also have a carpet to lay in our almost up-and-running new guest room in the loft, which will undoubtedly be taking some of my time in the next day or two...!).

It's a lovely and simple pattern to follow, though when particularly tired in the evenings I have been known to mess up the cabled pattern, then undo and restart whole chunks, as it is more than my brain can fathom to correct cable patterns through dropping down rows!

I've recently puchased a copy of Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitter's Almanac

It's wonderfully old school, although some of the patterns I'm afraid I wouldn't touch with a barge pole (knitted 'nether garments'? I don't think so, thanks!).  I got it after seeing this beautiful picture on Tikki's blog, as I quite fancied that beautiful yellow cardi for P somewhere along the line.  But, having read the relevant pattern, I've found it pretty difficult to follow, being for extremely experienced knitters (I'd count myself as very proficient, though not extremely experienced yet!) and it has no sizing- just a gauge of "about 5 sts to 1"- though babies come in various sizes!".  Help- where on earth do I start with that? I have a nicely rounded 6 month old (I know- when did that happen? She was only just a new born the other day!) but haven't the first idea how to adapt a pattern to fit various sizes...

Any ideas very warmly received!

Is anyone else loving the start of Autumn? It makes me want to make soups and stews, and start knitting more fingerless gloves...

C x

*On this front, I am sorry to say that since producing a second child, my standards of house keeping have dropped considerably!

Little things

I've finished the beautiful little cardigan that I mentioned in my last post.  It was a delightful knit- really quick and I think it looks lovely.

Because it's only 0-6 month size, it's really weeny, and mostly done in stocking stitch apart from the little lacy borders.

And, as I said last post, I checked my gauge, so it actually measures exactly what the pattern says!  I particularly like it because I think it looks like a ballet cardi- nice and delicate.

Fun!

In other 'news'- I am loving this month's Country Living magazine (a subscription which I share with a good friend- SUCH a good idea!) and am particularly gleaning inspiration for garden projects from a lovely spread on an elegant garden make over...

It does make me want to do fabulous things to our little garden, though I know that now is not really the time! There is also a beautiful piece on a lovely Cornish-run hand-stitching business.  Brilliant!

Lastly.  Talking of inspiration, I am so excited by the wealth of beautiful craft blogs out there, and one of my current favourites is Florence's.  Do check it out!

Have a lovely weekend.

C x

Blocking

Having learned what it is, I am now blocking my various knitting projects.

The gilet is coming on well, though I've not done any for a few days (hoping, perhaps that the teeny cardigan will be needed before the gilet which is for E's birthday in 2 weeks!), and my other project on the go is (another) cardigan for the bump!  I just couldn't resist this gorgeous pattern from my Little Speckled Chicks Sirdar pattern book.  It's a super-quick knit, and I'm just on the borders now, having started it on Sunday.  Having checked my gauge before hand this time, it's nice to have a sufficiently 'newborn' looking piece of knitting!

I'm doing the little cardi in Sirdar Snuggly DK in the shade "Blush Baby".  Lovely!

As I was photographing the pieces pinned out above, I was admiring again my beautiful calendar that I was given for Christmas.  I've loved my Mum's calendars for the last few years, and this year we were lucky enough to be given our own.

It's produced by the immensely talented Ed Collacott, and every year they are just spectacular!

In other news, I recently happened across this beautiful blog by Aimee.  It has some fabulous patterns available, a fascinating blog, and some very thought-provoking writing on faith and marriage.  I highly recommend it!

Wishing you a lovely week.

C x