Spring Garden Tee

I finished this, the Spring Garden Tee by Alana Dakos, a few weeks ago but waited for some sunny weather and spring flowers for our photo shoot! This is a lovely top, very easy to make and wear.  

It was my first attempt at knitting in the round and also knitting top-down.  I found the beginning of the project really thrilling.  Seeing the neck and sleeves appearing, complete, right before my eyes, well it was like alchemy!  

The thrill soon subsided though when I moved on to the main body.  Round and round, knit stitch after knit stitch, dull, dull, dull! I couldn't wait to get to the end of the monotony.  I yearned to purl!

I am a terrible procrastinator when it comes to the sewing up and finishing off stage with a knitted garment so I had thought that this method would be perfect for me.  Instead, when the finished, pretty much ready-to-wear article came off the needles at the very end I actually felt a bit disappointed, a bit flat!  It made me realise that I actually like sewing up all those separate pieces and when they all are fitted together into a wearable article, I feel very proud.  The "Ta-da! Look what I made!" was missing! I'd known for ages what it was going to look like so I felt a bit cheated! 

I've just had my first attempt at continental style knitting.  My elbows and needles were up around my ears and I was staring with deep concentration at the stitches but I can see how it would be much faster than the English method I'm used to.  I'll have to perfect the continental so that I can use it next time I try knitting in the round.  Hopefully it will make it less laborious!

My Ravelry notes are here.

Yarnalong - Ramona & Denise

Joining in with the Yarnalong at Small Things

The Ramona Racer Back Tee is coming along but I can't say I am too inspired by it so far.  The basic textured pattern combined with the thinness and dryness of the cotton glace make me feel like I'm knitting a dishcloth rather than a lovely top!  However, it was the shape that drew me to this project so I am holding final judgment until I have at least finished the back.  

My latest reading infatuation is with Denise Mina.  I have seen her several times on the Review Show but have only just sought out her writing.  The End of the Wasp Season is the third of hers that I've read in just a month.  Once I start one of her stories, I am hooked and dipping in to it at every available moment, racing to the end.  Highly recommend!

Tait - Rowan Kids

This little top has been a hit for both me and my daughter.   

I enjoyed knitting it as I mainly did it sitting on a sun lounger while keeping an eye on my little girl playing on the beach.  

My little girl loves it because of the colour (what is it with girls and pink?!).  It is a perfect light-weight layer which doesn't get in the way of any play activities or make her too hot.  

As I was knitting it, I thought the ribbing band around the hood and neck should be more rigid and structured but now I think the floppy nature of the yarn and the design is absolutely just right.

I'm sure I'll be knitting this in a larger size but hopefully the pink phase will have passed by then...........!

My Ravelry notes are here.

Yarnalong Ramona

Joining in with the Yarnalong at Small Things

My latest knitting project is the Ramona Racerback Tee which was the first thing I put in my queue when I joined Ravelry. 

I've got as far as swatching and found I had to go up a from 3.25 to 4 to get the right tension!  The suggested linen mix yarn is not readily available here so I've gone instead for Rowan Cotton Glace in a rich, dark red. 

Tonight's story book is The Tiger-Skin Rug by Gerald Rose.  Highly recommend.

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern

As it says in the blurb, this exhibition really is "unmissable".  I could have stayed in this light installation all night! 

Millamia Clementin Scarf

The scarf my little girl is wearing is the Clementin Scarf, a free pattern from Millamia.  It was the perfect project to work on while watching telly as it is just rows and rows and rows of 3 x 3 rib.  The yarn, four balls of Soft Merino, was a January sales bargain; a half price Millamia boxed kit for making a cushion.  

My little girl prefers to wear it around her neck in the same style as I wear mine, which rather defeats the point of having pockets!

Mind you, I should probably encourage that style as look what I discovered she had ..ahem.. 'borrowed' from a cafe!

Ravelry details here.

Joining Yarn Along at Small Things

The Spring Garden Tee is very nearly finished, just a few more rounds to go.  This is my first go at top-down and knitting-in-the-round. The delight of seeing an almost wearable item appear before my eyes has worn off and has been replaced by an irritation with the tediousness of the never-ending knit stitch.  How I long to purl!!!  

Once the SGT is completed, I will get down to finishing that lovely pile of purple.  It's Charlie by Sarah Hatton, from Rowan's Studio 24.  Both front and back are completed and one shoulder is sewn.  All I need to do now is pick up a billion stitches for the neckline.....

Ravelry details here.

As for books, murder mysteries are my fiction read of choice.  The Stone Cutter by Camilla Lackberg is my current puzzle.