Weekend FO

And lo, it was completed.....



Pattern: Shirley by Snowden Becker
Yarn: Knitwitches Seriously Gorgeous Swiss Silk Laceweight in Lapis Nights, a measly 200g
Needle: 3.5mm
Mods: Well, some. Not really on purpose. I messed up the neck a bit by forgetting to decrease at the same time as increasing for the armholes (I think...it was a long time ago now) and that, combined with the added drape of the silk, made for a rather risque neckline. So I knitted the scarflet in a 1x1 rib and didn't double it over when I seamed it to the collar, giving a little more coverage. And I wore it with this brooch which is a little heavy but totally works. I had 2 compliments on it at work today but one was about my "cardigan". I guess it does look a little like a cardi. Next time I might knit it as such. I do intend to knit it again some time, this time out of something a little fluffier and lighter.

The yarn dyed my hands and needles blue, and I gave it 3 rinses in blocking and the water was still running a little blue, but it was worth it for the awesome colour saturation. It is so soft and light, and actually very warm - I was chilly in it today and thought it was not as warm as I'd hoped, until I got home and took it off and realised just how brisk the air is (and it's May, fcol).

It has a great drape, too. I was worried that if I knitted it to my actual size it would be too baggy and while it is loose, it doesn't feel unflatteringly so.

I also finished my Versatility this weekend, only 6 months after I started it. I am embarrassed: it should have been such a quick knit but it just kept falling through the cracks in favour of other things with a less arduous mesh lace pattern. However, it isn't quite finished because I haven't sewn on the 16 shank buttons yet (le sigh) - but I am saving that dull task for knitting group on Saturday. So, as soon as I had both items washed and blocking I cast on for something new, heh heh! I have been waiting a month to get something finished so I can get on. I have started a new lacy top. It reminds me of sugared almonds. It is the second of my 10 lacy tops in 2010. I am not yet losing heart.

Weekend FO

Oh yeah.

Luke's garter stitch baby sweater



Pattern: Debbie Bliss Garter Switch Sweater
Needle: 3.75mm, 4mm
Yarn: Rowan All Seasons Cotton, every scrap of 3 balls
Mods: I knitted the sleeves in the round. I skipped two rows on the collar because I ran out of yarn....I know I have a 4th ball around here somewhere but I can't find it anywhere!

My oldest friend Alison and her husband Andrew just had their first baby in November, and this weekend was his christening. I had intended to knit this to send in my place, which is why I picked it - it is a 2-3 day knit, tops. But then Ravelympics came along, and a shedload of work, and things went wrong like losing a DPN and not having the pattern, so in the end it took 6 weeks to finish and will be late. Love the pattern though, and the yarn.

And
Cabled Beaded Wristwarmers 2



Pattern: My own. Test knit for this pattern book we're doing at knitting group.
Needle: 5.5mm DPNs
Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic, about half a ball.

The beads are loosely laid out in a Union Jack pattern, if you can see it. I didn't photograph them very well and they were a gift for Hannah's friend, so I can't do them again. I was a bit disappointed with myself because I misread my own damn pattern and missed a row between cables, and I swear one came out longer than the other, but no matter. I attached the beads to this one using a .75mm crochet hook instead of stringing them beforehand, which was a huge PITA but they sit very straight and I like the effect....which is a shame. I think it was only such a problem because the Kid Classic is quite splitty. However, the cream colourway has a lovely soft fuzziness to it.

The Shirley sweater is also going well....


Just have to add the neck scarf now. This cannot be skipped because it is obscenely low cut at present.

It was one relaxing weekend. We did a little shopping in Wells....

And, apart from some Clarks Villaging on the way home, that was it, bar the knitting. Fab.