An unexpected visitor & some yarn

I'd just like to begin with saying a huge thank you to everyone for the lovely comments on my previous post.  I was thrilled that you all seemed to love the baby quilt just as much as I did.  

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On Saturday we had a visitor of the feathered variety.

I think it's a Sparrowhawk, but I'm not entirely sure.  Have you any ideas?

He/She was sitting right outside the kitchen window, staring right at me. 

Saturday, also brought a delivery of new yarn.  Now I'm all ready to start my next' baby project' - the Pop Blanket.

They're all Malabrigo Merino Worsted, from Tangled Yarn. (£8.75 each).

The above is Little Lovely.

Plena.

and, Nostalgia.

I love receiving new yarn, especially when they're in such beautiful colourways.

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Darn it.  The white stuff has just started to fall.

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Baby Knitting - Puerperium Cardigan

I've finished knitting a beautiful little cardigan for my cousin's baby to be.

The pattern is called Puerperium Cardigan, designed by Kelly Brooker.

I wanted a cardigan design that was a little different, and a bit more modern looking.  This pattern fit my brief perfectly.

It's knit from the top down, with no seaming.  You don't even have to pick up any stitches to knit the button band, which made for an extremely easy knit, which came together very quickly.

I think you'll agree that this cardigan has a lovely shape to it.

I decided on different coloured buttons for this project, and I think they work really well.  Though I couldn't quite believe the price of them.  95p each, and I needed 8 of them.  Nearly £8 on buttons!!!!!!!!

The cardigan itself took just over one ball of yarn, which I purchased from John Lewis. It was their own brand of baby double knit, and cost just over £3 a ball (50g).  The yarn is 55% Nylon, 45% Fine Acrylic, which makes it easy to care for, and won't irritate the little ones delicate skin.

All in all, a great pattern, which I'd definitely use again.  Though I may not buy such expensive buttons next time.

Details

Pattern: Puerperium Cardigan by Kelly Brooker (Free Ravelry Download).

Yarn: John Lewis Baby Double Knit

Buttons: purchased from John Lewis (95p each).

I'm contemplating this pattern for my next baby knit, but I'm not sure if my knitting skills will be up to it.  I'm off to order some yarn now - wish me luck.

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Excess

Today, I bring you a slightly happier daughter, modelling another FO.

 

This pattern is called Excess, designed by Anat Rodan. (and is available as a free download on Ravelry).

I was left with nearly a full skein of the Sweetgeorgia Tough Love Sock yarn after completing the Rivington Cowl.  The colourway is Magpie, and it's beautiful, I think I found the perfect hat pattern for it. 

The only modification I did, was on the brim cuff.  I used a provisional cast on (100 stitches),  Knit 18 rows, Purl for 1 row, Knit another 18 rows, before knitting my live stitches together with my Provisional Cast On stitches.  Thus creating a double brim.  This gives a very neat finish, and makes the brim extra cosy.

As I'm sure it is with all knitters, I seem to have numerous half, or part, skeins of yarn in my stash, which I'm currently working my way through, trying to use them up.  Hats seem to be the perfect way to do this. 

 I can see quite a bit of hat knitting in my future!!

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I may even give some of these hats away as prizes.

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Lovejoy Slouchy the Second

Good morning.  

I managed to photograph one of my latest knits late yesterday afternoon.  The light still wasn't the best, but it's got to be posted off the recipient, so this was the last chance I had to take a half decent photo.

It's another Lovejoy Slouchy hat.   This one is for my Aunt's birthday.

I used Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK,  in Antique Lace.

Sadly, after a long day at school, my model was too tired to smile :0(

This time round I remembered to keep adding a 'life line', just in case any of those pesky stitches decided to fall off my needle.  

I've fallen in love with this pattern. It's such a pretty design.  I can definitely see me making more of these.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

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Lovejoy

You may remember this beautiful skein of loveliness...

It was a skein of Madelinetosh Tosh DK Merino in a gorgeous colourway called Celadon.

It was destined to become a hat for my Sister In Law as a Christmas present.

I didn't get time to blog about it before Christmas, so thought you'd like to see it today.

The pattern is called Lovejoy Slouchy, designed by Thao Nguyen and you can find it on Ravelry here.

It's a beautiful pattern.  The only thing I would say about knitting this is, that I learned the hard way about putting a life line in my knitting. I'd nearly finished making it, then I lost a stitch, and because it was a lace pattern, I couldn't for the life of me pick it up.  It was a disaster and I felt like crying.  There was nothing left to do but rip it all back and start from scratch, which is what I did.  

Lesson learned.

This is one of the nicest things I think I've ever knit. Sister In Law seemed to like it too, which is good.

I showed it to my aunt, and now she wants one for her birthday.

And, the yarn - utter bliss to knit with.  Don't tell anyone, but it's become my favourite yarn.

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I'm getting into Christmas mode.

Apologies for my absence over the past week.  I've been extremely busy helping out at Violet's school, including assisting in the organisation and running of the school Christmas Fair.  It was a lot of hard work, but a huge success. Though I have to say that I was glad to climb into my bed on Friday night. Phew!!!!

Saturday saw us travelling over to my birth town of Nottingham to see this years Panto at The Playhouse.

I love a good panto.  

If you don't know Nottingham at all, the above photo is of the Council House in slab square.  Doesn't it look great?  Very Christmassey.  

I'm totally in Christmas mode now.

Ding dong!  Look what the postie's just delivered.  It's  my latest order of  beautiful Madelinetosh tosh merino dk, in the gorgeous colour called Celadon.  Aint it pretty?

It's destined to become a new slouchy hat for my Sister in Law - watch this space.

Right then, I'm off to write some Christmas cards and wrap some presents.

Fa la la la la, la la la la................

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