FO Friday

Well it's Friday again so that means it's time for me to show you my latest finished object :-) Incidentally I don't think I'll have one to show you next week as I'm only working on my Paprika cardigan at the moment and as it's a 6T size and we're in the middle of the Easter holidays I'm not getting a lot of knitting time at the moment.

Anyways, this friday I'm showing off my Mystery KAL cardigan!



The pattern is called My Honey and will be part of the Spice Girl's 2 collection by Elena Nodel.

Obviously as it was a mystery KAL we didn't know what the finished design would look like. It was fun seeing the teasing hints and photos on the ravelry forum. I especially enjoyed knitting the lace section as lace work is something I'm wanting to explore a little more. Whilst I wouldn't say I've mastered cables, I'm pretty confident at taking them on now so lace knitting is a new way of stretching myself as a knitter.



The original design had instructions for long sleeves but to be honest I wasn't too sure about the style of them. Plus with the lace yoke and the warm weather we were having at the time I was knitting I thought a short sleeve cardigan would get more use this Spring and Summer. Perhaps if I'd knitted a larger size I would have gone for the long sleeves but I really like how this one has turned out.



All in all it was a well written pattern and as the lace section isn't too big it's a good introduction to lace knitting if you're a bit unsure about trying it. The stockinette body was a little boring to knit up but it is quick to do and contrasts nicely with the complexity of the yoke. I mostly enjoyed knitting it (apart from when I was feeling ill at the start!) and would possibly knit it again. I say possibly because I'm a bit of a fickle knitter and I like trying out new patterns!

The baby seems pretty pleased with it!

I haz TWO socks!!

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Originally uploaded by evel_lin

Literally just cast off my second sock. Made a small error somewhere so had to bodge it slightly. A knitter would notice the difference, a sock knitter would know what went wrong but the rest of the world doesn't know or care so I'm going to wear both socks with pride :-)

My feet are so cosy!

WIPs Wednesday

So Wednesday is here again and this time I actually have two WIP's to show you. Firstly I'd like to show off my Paprika cardigan, I'm on to the skirt bit now which is simple straight forward knitting. The cable section was a little fiddly especially the bits where I had to use a cable needle but it turned out fine. My only problem was when I thought I had made a mistake, un-knitted an entire row and then re-read the pattern and realised I'd been right all along! Ooo I felt stupid!



The yarn is looking lovely and it's so nice to knit with. I'm really enjoying both the pattern and the yarn. Good job as I've got about 8 inches of skirt left to do then picking up stitches along the front and neck. I was planning on doing a hood but my daughter isn't sure if she wants one now, fickle child. I will see how we both feel about it closer to the time.


My other WIP is of course my second sock. It's knitting up very much the same as the first one did, funny that! I'm currently doing the decreases after the heel, the pattern refers to it as being the instep.



I can't wait to finish it and being able to wear them both. I can see why people get addicted to socks! At this point in time I don't especially want to knit patterned ones as I like the quickness of knitting stockinette and watching the colours in the yarn swirling round. I am rather tempted by the Jaywalker pattern though, possibly the Toe Up version by way of a change. Especially as I've got some sock yarn coming for my birthday in two weeks time :-D

(I was very sneaky, I took advantage of Flamboyance Yarns' 20% off sale and then emailed Mr Soaringsheep informing him I'd just bought some yarn but he could give it to me for my birthday and by the way could he pay for it! He's so sweet sometimes lol)

Paprika WIP

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Originally uploaded by evel_lin

Excuse the poor quality photo, I took it on my phone and the battery was almost flat!

This is where I currently am with the Paprika cardigan. You can see the Triple Gull cables on the top left of the photo which I'm enjoying doing. The pattern uses the contiguous set-in sleeves method for making the sleeves which I've not used before. I've done the left front and I'm now working on the back section.

The yarn is far more beautiful in real life, gorgeous rich colours with a subtle variation as you knit which adds to rather than subtracts from the complex design. I've missed working on this, mindless knitting has it's place but there is something very satisfying about using your brain!

Unfortunately from a knitting point of view it's the first day of the Easter holidays so I've got all four of the children at home. I'm hoping to take them to the park later today to tire them out a little and burn off some of their energy! The weather forecast isn't very promising for this week so we'll be doing some indoor activities. We're having a fairy theme for this holiday so will be making fairy cakes, fairy wings, face painting, fairy gardens, decorating flower pots.... Should be a lot of fun :-)

Anyway, my cup of tea is ready so I'd better go :-)

Silent Sunday

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Originally uploaded by evel_lin