Thursday 26 April 2012

WIP... Thursday

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Yesterday disappeared somehow without me managing to blog, but here we are now.  A sock for a swap, the first sock swap I've ever taken part in, even more excitingly it's in Wollmeise Twin, colourway Aquarius.  The pattern is called Edgewood by Rebecca Blair, a really pretty, well written pattern, to my eye there is something vaguely Victorian in style about them.  Although mystifyingly I am the first person, other than the designer, to knit a pair.  I would definitely recommend the pattern to one and all.

My photo does not truly do the pattern justice I am afraid, I am considering investing in a pair of sock blockers for photography purposes, I do not know if anyone has any opinions on them?

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Wednesday 18 April 2012

WIP Wednesday

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Nearly finished socks...

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...and peas that are just starting out on life.

Wednesday 11 April 2012

WIP Wednesday

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Baby sweater on two needles from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitters' Almanac, commonly known as the "February Baby Sweater", in Zauberball 6ply, colourway 2079

Gloriously girly.

Tuesday 10 April 2012

Boys' knits - a list

I have seen it written here and there that there are insufficient good patterns to knit for a baby boy around, so I thought I would make a list of some of my favourites, with a short list of further sources at the end. I will admit I have not yet knit all of these patterns, but Ravelry has full details if you wish to read feedback from others before choosing. Hope this provides some inspiration.

Ideal for boys or girls, really do stay on and perfect use for those bits of leftover 4ply
A brilliant, fun knit, providing you're willing to think a bit to get through the pattern. Shows off stripy yarns wonderfully.
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3. Pebble (Henry's Manly Cobblestone Vest)
One of the most practical baby knits for a small baby
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Too cute, like a little old man jumper
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A cardigan which handily comes in a lace or cable version, suitable for either sex.

Good sources for boys' knits:
Sirdar - do a lot of baby patterns, a good proportion of them for boys. Some of them sell online on patternfish
Petite Purls - like knitty.com for babies and children, some wonderful patterns.

Friday 6 April 2012

A variety of works in progress

The past couple of weeks life has conspired against me managing to blog. I overdid things and then lots of stuff's been happening, mostly good stuff, socialising and the like, but I just have not had a chance to recover. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I can recover and rest. So the works in progress I've missed writing about?

First some socks, dragonfly socks in the "Monet" shade from Colinette Jitterbug, lovely fabric, but I will be washing them with some trepidation as I have had a lot of trouble with their colours running in the past. But for now I am enjoying knitting them up. It is one of those patterns you can pick up fairly easily, but that has enough to keep your interest as you knit.

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Secondly a baby cardigan, in a fabulously spring-like shade of Zauberball 6 ply. I'm reprising February Baby Sweater from Elizabeth Zimmermann's classic book The Knitters' Almanac, one of those books well worth purchasing simply to read, as well as containing some great patterns. I like this cardigan because the babies pictured wearing it on ravelry look happy in it, relaxed and comfortable and also because it seems flexible in sizing, fitting for quite a while, which given how fast babies can grow, is always a bonus.

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Today, Good Friday, has also reminded me of a more serious "work in progress": me. I am so thankful for Jesus, because without Him I would be lost, eternally and in the here and now. I am so thankful that He loves me just as I am, messy, untidy, unfinished, constantly making mistakes: endlessly forgiven.