Monday 2 February 2015

January knitteds

I am loving my knitting at the moment. Absolutely, totally love love loving it. I would be knitting all the time if I could and if it didn't make my shoulder hurt - (extreme knitting injury there)! I always love knitting but there is something about the cardigan that I am knitting at the moment that is making it even better. So I thought that I would share a sneak peak of my progress so far.


This yarn is a beauty to knit with. It is Sublime extra fine merino with silk double knit in teal. It is so soft and has great stitch definition. For someone who loves knitting it is a shame that I struggle to wear wool as it itches me like mad. I turn into a crazed woman screaming 'get it off me NOW' as I contort and writhe to get the offending garment away from me as fast as possible. As this yarn is a) merino and b) has added silk, I can wear it as long as it is not directly next to my skin.

My parents and my sister between them bought me a garment's worth pile of this yarn for Christmas and I knew exactly what I was going to make with it.


It isn't this cardigan! Not that it isn't a lovely cardi but it is not the one. But it is from this issue of Stitchcraft. I started it on New Year's Eve - so only 62 years after it was published! I rather like that, I wonder how many people in 1952 cast on this cardigan.


'To complete her skating outfit, Joan wears an amusing cap and mitts set'!


This is the one! I just fell for it! A perfect short length and fitted shape and that completely amazing stitch pattern. The magazine refers to the stitch pattern as 'chunky blisters' which is possibly the most hideous description of the most beautiful pattern that someone could come up with. I am referring to them as foxglove flower bells as that is what they look like to me.


This is a close up of the stitch pattern patted flat but it is far nicer raised which is how it knits up.

Drum roll............


This is the back of my cardigan, hot off the needles! This is the first time I have knitted a stitch pattern like this so I am very proud of it.


I do like a nice bit of rib! The colour is more like the top photo that this one.


For those of you who have knitted from vintage patterns before you will be well aware that the instructions are often not as full or as clear as they might be or assume a certain level of knowledge. This one is not so bad though there have been a few places where I have had to scratch my head and go 'eh? you what?' a bit whilst I worked it out. Plus a few rows of unknitting when my interpretation turned out to be not quite right! But that is all part of the excitement.

The back and both fronts are complete and I started the first sleeve yesterday. So it is coming on. I just can't wait to wear it! I am planning the outfits that I can make with it. As the magazine styled it with an amusing cap and mitts set perhaps I need to find myself one of those!


This is the back cover of this issue of Stitchcraft. It is such a pretty children's set. There is a bit of snow on the hills around here so it is quite fitting too!

24 comments:

  1. So very lovely. I am really looking forward to seeing it finished!

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    1. Thank you! I can't wait! I want to see your latest one too.

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  2. Your knitting looks wonderful, such interesting pattern! I too am loving knitting these days, ever since my sewing machine quit on me before Christmas. Ah all the lovely vintage patterns :)

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    1. Your poor sewing machine! I hope it can be fixed. What are you knitting at the moment?

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  3. Oooh, nice work there! The clusters look really good. I'm a big fan of Sublime yarns too; I was gutted when they discontinued their pure Merino 4ply.

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    1. Thank you. Have you tried Wendy merino 4ply? I think that knits up nicely and comes in good colours.

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  4. Pretty! I can't wait to see the finished sweater on you.

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    1. Hopefully not too long. I am on the second sleeve now.

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  5. This is gorgeous! You're so right; "chunky blisters" is definitely the worst name I could think of, and for such a pretty knit pattern!
    I can't wait to see it finished. It looks simply fantastic already!

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    1. I am glad you agree about the name! I am glad you think it is looking good so far.

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  6. Chunky blisters, eugh! Foxglove flower bells is much nicer. It seems so unfair that someone as talented at knitting as you should be unable to wear wool garments. My mum and sister are the same and can't wear any wool next to their skin. Anyway, it's a stunning pattern and a stunning colour and I am in awe because I can barely cast on and knit a garter stitch scarf. xx

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    1. But you can crochet things of beauty Gillian! I can just about make a chain! I do wish I could wear wool, there are such lovely brands about.

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  7. That is going to be absolutely lovely. What a horrible description, I can't imagine that enticing anybody to knit it. Your description is so much nicer. How nice that you were given enough yarn for the sweater. So often, when people buy yarn as a gift, they only give 1 skein. I'm finally training the people in my life to buy larger quantities or to just to gift certificates. I look forward to seeing the finished garment on you and to see how you style it.

    She Knits in Pearls

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment. I am on the second sleeve now, I can't wait to wear it. I was so pleased my family clubbed together to buy a garments worth of wool, it was a great present. Good luck with the training!

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  8. That cardigan is gorgeous, I saw it on your face-book page. What yarn and colour did to knit it in? it looks like the same colour I crocheted a jacket in
    Julie

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    1. It is real in colour, I don't know the shade name. It is Sublime cashmerino with silk double knit. If you haven't used it before it is gorgeous!

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  9. Agreed, what an utterly unappealing name to bestow on such a charming pattern. It looks a bit like something one might see in a floral art nouveau era illustration to me - as well as like skinny pears. Very lovely choice of pattern and wool colour alike. Teal is one of my top five fave colours ever.

    Happy knitting, dear gal!
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Skinny pears might just be my new favourite name for thus stitch pattern! That made me giggle but you are completely right. The art nouveau illustration sounds a bit more glamorous though. I would be hard pushed to choose a favourite colour but teal is definitely up there!

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  10. Gosh, you can sew AND knit..I'm envious of your talent! And I love the colour that you picked for this sweater your making can't wait to see the finished product even though I cannot get the vision of a "chunky blister" out of me head hahaha.

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    1. Thank you for your lovely words Liz. I do a little shudder every time I read the chunky blisters part of the pattern!

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  11. Wow! I look forward to seeing the finished product. It looks so cool already!

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    1. Thanks Tanith. Hopefully not too long to go now. I want to wear it!

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