The latest pictures of baby sweaters

These were made last month for my cousin's identical twin daughters. Aren't they cute? They are of course the Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise pattern which always turns out really well.

I have got an answer about the yoke on the Rime Frost and have already made my changes, which seem to be working out so far. I hope that the whole yoke works, because I am really close to finishing. It looks good so far, but I will post a picture when I'm done.

I found a picture of the kids in the garden in January when the snow fell again here in London. It is such an unusual image for here, we never get this much snow. They had another snow day and really enjoyed making snowmen.

Catch up

I can't believe that I haven't posted for a year. I have knitted lots, but not bothered to blog about it. I have made numerous baby sweaters, finished my Autumn Rose sweater, which came out successfully and am now battling with a bohus pattern, Rime Frost. It is great, but the yoke is defeating me and I have to work out how to sort it out.

We had Gad's barmitzvah in August which was great and then we went to Italy for ten days. The time has flown and we are having February half term.

I have to download some pictures from the camera as I do have images of some knitting that has been completed. I have been really good and not added to my stash, but I have lost two hand knitted scarves this winter and need to buy more yarn to make their replacements. Oh, I tell a lie, I did buy some posh yarn cashmere sock yarn a couple of weeks ago. I think I have enough for a hat and scarf, which I hope to get started on once I have finished the Bohus sweater.

The amazing February Baby Sweater

I finally got a chance to make this great cardigan. My friend had a baby girl last week and I decided to go for it. I used Lucia sock yarn from Posh Yarn that I had in my stash. It is gorgeous yarn in a lovely colourway, which of course you can't really appreciate from my crap photos! 

Anyway, the knitting was great, I used size 3.5mm needles and it has produced a cardigan for a 0-3 month old. The instructions were a little puzzling, but that is EZ for you! Once I had pondered a while, it all became clear, and the end result is lovely. 

More Autumn Rose

I am really enjoying knitting my autumn rose sweater, but I am getting increasingly worried about the size. After reading many posts from people who had knit it, I concluded that I needed to knit the small as it comes out large. I am a 34 inch around my bust, therefore the small should be ok. I got gauge! However, when I measure the widest part it seems to come out at 30 inches wide, not a good sign. Either I lose a stone in weight or I find a very slim person to give it to. Not sure which one to go for yet. I will decide when the sweater is finished. Therefore I am not posting any pictures at present, might blight the outcome! 

Not much else going in the North West London fishbowl that I live in. Kids finish school for the holidays tomorrow and that means every day next week is a pyjama day. I did manage to book tickets for Lily and myself to see the Nutcracker the following week. The Evening Standard did an offer of a free child's ticket with one adult ticket. I bought the most expensive one. It should be good. 

Hopefully next time I blog I will feel more positive about the outcome of autumn rose and actually take some pictures. Meanwhile, just browse Ravelry to see some great examples so far. 

Autumn Rose

I have finally started my autumn rose sweater, experimenting by starting with a sleeve. I am really enjoying the challenge, but finding it tricky to decide whether I should be cutting the yarn at the end of each colour section, or carrying them up. It is difficult to carry when knitting in the round as it all gets really tangled. If I cut the yarn and then rejoin the colours each time they are needed in a new section, I seem to get a small gap next to the join, even if I twist the yarns in. Then there is the problem of weaving in all the ends!

The sleeve is almost finished, but I am debating whether to make it full length instead of the three quarter length the pattern has. 

I have some other knitting on the go, but just the boring scarf stuff and not much else. I will have to take some pictures for the next post. 

Another pictureless post

The camera is still dead, but a new one is winging its way across the Atlantic. Oli is in Boston and has been on a spending spree. I sent him with a long shopping list, alas there were no yarn listings! I have such a large backlog waiting to be knitted in my stash that I have been very restrained.

The cardigan that I was knitting for Oli is not quite large enough and I am a little hacked off. I have decided to keep it as a sweater and not steek it. Gadi has his eye on it and it fits him quite well, a little on the large side, but he will grow into it.

I have started a cardigan for me, but I will post details later.

I can't wait to use the new camera and then post some pictures at last!!

Too many excuses

I can't believe that it is mid March already and this is my first post of 2008. I have been knitting, but not able to take any photos as the digital camera has broken. We need to buy a new one which I hope Oli will do when he travels to Boston at the beginning of April. Until then I will have to blog without pictures.
I have started a cardigan for Oli, using Elizabeth Zimmerman's percentage system and knitting it in the round. I am trying to practice steeking so that when I start knitting Autumn Rose I will be an old hand at it! I bought all the yarn for Autumn Rose so I am really excited about starting it, but need to find a long stretch of quiet time so that I can concentrate. That might not happen for a while.
I have also been knitting baby gifts, but I am not sure whether to continue. I made a really cute hat for a new baby, which was an ok size. If the newborn has a small head it would keep for six months. I didn't get much of a thank you, just that it was too big! I love making gifts, but they are time consuming and if they aren't appreciated then I don't think that I will bother. I was surprised as I thought that this friend would like that fact that it was hand made. Anyway, I feel better now that I have that off my chest!
I have also made 7 squares for the Lizard Ridge afghan. I am really pleased with how they have turned out and now have to continue to collect more colours of Kureyon to complete the blanket.