I’ve been working away on the Jane cardigan – I think I’m past all of the difficult bits. It’s coming together nicely I really like the way it is designed. I’ve been watching The Pallisers while knitting – all I can say is ‘were there no handsome actors in 1974’? I’ve read Phineas Finn so I know he is meant to be very attractive, but that doesn’t seem to be the case in this adaptation.
Progress on the Jane Cardigan
I have finished the increases. Next up is putting the arm stitches onto waste yarn and picking up stitches for the front.
I’m a bit nervous about picking up stitches. I do it all of the time for socks, but on the front of a cardigan it will be very obvious if I stuff it up.
There won’t be any knitting happening for a while because I have hurt my right index finger – it is a lovely shade of blue at the moment. I fill in for a few netball teams and today in my rush to be on time I didn’t tape my fingers and within five minutes I had hurt myself. I’m feeling very frustrated.
Filed under Knitting
I am intrigued by the raglan shaping on this cardigan – it just seems so ingenious. I’m not sure how clear it is in the image, but if you click on the image you will see a larger version. I know this is probably a common technique in top down knitting, but I think it is so clever – it is like magic.
The yarn I am using is Paton’s Zhivago. It feels lovely and the fabric it produces is great, but I’m not enjoying knitting with it. It keeps splitting and I’m having a hard time getting my needle through the whole loop. This is a bit of a shame because I bought more of it to make something for Miss P!
I decided to knit Jane for Miss A. I spent a bit of time switchety swatchety as the girls call it – my third choice of needles finally worked.
I like the way this cardigan is constructed – from the top down and seamlessly.
I’m trying to concentrate on one set of instructions at a time
Filed under Knitting, miscellaneous
I finished Miss P’s socks. I’ve been working away at these while supervising the girls swimming and while watching TV in the evenings. In fact I became slightly obsessed – ‘just one more round’ – I’m sure all of the knitters understand.
The yarn was Filatura Di Crosa Maxime Print, which I bought from here – and I really like how it turned out. The colours are beautiful.
I’m now ready for a new knitting challenge.
I have a couple of ideas.
This …
Which is from Suvi S – using Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK (Shade 52).
Or this for Miss A …
Which is from Georgie Hallam – using Patons Zhivago Colour 4443.
Filed under Knitting, Yarn Stash
We’ve been struck down by what felt like the plague, but was just gastro. The whole house was sick for a week – we just resurfacing now.
I did manage to knit a bit more (while sitting on the couch with sick children) while watching ABC3 – I’ve seen a lot of ABC3 in the last week.
I’ve returned to my baby clothes quilt – still cutting, but the end is in sight…
Also, Jane Austen Knits is out.
I think I will have a go at some of the socks.
As you know I failed at the February Fitted Pullover – my lace looked very moth eaten, but I was determined to master the lace pattern.
I decided in the round was just too complicated at this stage – I just wanted a simple flat pattern – a scarf!
This is a scarf of my own design (it’s a scarf not too hard!).
I’ve got a border of garter stitch and then four repeats of the gull lace pattern.
For the more pattern minded of you …
CO 38 stitches
Knit five rows
K5, *K1, K2tog, YO, K1, KO, SSK, K1 , repeat until there are 5 stitches left, knit these remaining stitches
K5, P until there are 5 stitches left, knit the remaining stitches
K5, *K2tog, YO, K3, YO, SSK, repeat until there are 5 stitches left, knit these remaining stitches
K5, P until there are 5 stitches left, knit the remaining stitches
Repeat the previous four rows until the scarf is the desired length
Knit five rows
Cast off.
K2tog is knit two stitches together
YO is Yarn Over.
SSK is Slip Slip Knit
and tension is irrelevant (it’s a scarf!). If you use chunkier yarn, then have less lace repeats and more repeats for a lighter weight yarn.
Slowly, slowly. The lace pattern is reasonably easy to remember – although the girls are home on holidays at the moment and like to ask me questions while I’m trying to concentrate (I think I managed to fix/cover up this morning’s mistake).
I really want to knit socks though … I am determined to finish.
Filed under Knitting
Filed under Knitting
This is my third attempt at starting this top – I kept twisting it when I joined the round (despite my best efforts). I referred to Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop and knit the first 5 cm flat and then joined the round. I think it’s OK now, but this is my last attempt. If this doesn’t work I’m starting something else.
